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SENATE BILL NO. 263
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION
BY THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
Introduced: 4/12/24
Referred: Transportation
A BILL
FOR AN ACT ENTITLED
"An Act relating to the Roads and Highways Advisory Board; relating to metropolitan 1
planning organizations; relating to the statewide transportation improvement program; 2
and providing for an effective date." 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 4
* Section 1. AS 19.20.220 is amended to read: 5
Sec. 19.20.220. Approval of local transportation improvement plan. The 6
governor may approve a transportation improvement plan or an amendment to a 7
transportation improvement plan prepared by a metropolitan planning organization if 8
the plan is consistent with applicable federal law and regulation [AND THE POLICY 9
BOARD OF THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION IS 10
ORGANIZED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF 11
AS 19.20.210]. 12
* Sec. 2. AS 44.42 is amended by adding a new section to read: 13
Sec. 44.42.053. Statewide transportation improvement program. (a) The 14 33-LS1460\A
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department shall develop a four-year statewide transportation improvement program 1
for transportation system preservation, improvement, and development and shall 2
revise the program every two years. 3
(b) The statewide transportation improvement program must include a 4
description of how the program contributes to the goals and objectives listed in the 5
long-range transportation plan developed under AS 44.42.050. 6
(c) The department shall conform the statewide transportation improvement 7
program to the requirements for participation in a federal transportation program and 8
for participation in other available transportation funding programs. 9
(d) The department shall incorporate without change in the statewide 10
transportation improvement program a transportation improvement plan prepared by a 11
metropolitan planning organization and approved by the governor under 12
AS 19.20.220. 13
(e) The department shall provide an ongoing opportunity for public 14
participation in the development of the statewide transportation improvement program 15
by means of an Internet website. The department shall notify the senate secretary, the 16
chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the public when the department 17
submits the statewide transportation improvement program, or a change to the 18
statewide transportation improvement program, to the federal government. The notice 19
must include the program or change that was submitted to the federal government. The 20
department may use the Alaska Online Public Notice System under AS 44.62.175 or 21
another public Internet website to provide notice to the public. 22
* Sec. 3. AS 44.42 is amended by adding new sections to read: 23
Article 4A. Roads and Highways Advisory Board. 24
Sec. 44.42.450. Roads and Highways Advisory Board. The Roads and 25
Highways Advisory Board is established in the department. 26
Sec. 44.42.460. Membership. (a) The board consists of the following 27
members appointed by the governor: 28
(1) one member from the commercial trucking industry; 29
(2) one member from a highway-related travel or tourism industry; 30
(3) one member from the heavy construction industry; 31 33-LS1460\A
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(4) one member from each metropolitan planning organization in the 1
state; 2
(5) one member who represents an advocacy group for nonmotorized 3
or limited mobility transportation; 4
(6) one member who represents the department; 5
(7) one public member from the first or second judicial district; 6
(8) one public member from the third judicial district; and 7
(9) one public member from the fourth judicial district. 8
(b) The board shall elect a chair from among its members. 9
(c) The department shall provide staff for the board. 10
(d) Members of the board serve without compensation, but are entitled to per 11
diem and travel expenses authorized for boards and commissions under AS 39.20.180. 12
Sec. 44.42.470. Terms. Members of the board serve staggered terms of three 13
years. A member of the board may not serve more than two consecutive terms. 14
Sec. 44.42.480. Meetings. A majority of the members of the board constitutes 15
a quorum. The board shall meet at least quarterly and by a call of the chair. Meetings 16
may be held in person or by electronic means. In addition to the subjects that may be 17
considered in an executive session under AS 44.62.310(c), the board may consider in 18
an executive session matters that relate to transportation plans and projects that are not 19
yet public but will be subject to public comment at a later time. 20
Sec. 44.42.490. Purpose and duties of the board. (a) The purpose of the 21
board is to provide recommendations to the commissioner on public policy related to 22
the powers and duties of the department with respect to state road and highway 23
functions. 24
(b) The board shall focus on highway construction, equipment use, deferred 25
maintenance, capital spending, project assessment, project prioritization criteria, 26
including a future projects list, and identifying other critical needs of the state's road 27
and highway transportation infrastructure. 28
(c) At least once every two years, the board shall assess the continued viability 29
of a road and highway project that has been in the preconstruction phase for at least 30
three years. For each project, the board may issue a recommendation to the department 31 33-LS1460\A
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regarding whether it is in the best interest of the state that the project proceed as 1
planned, undergo reevaluation, or be closed through federal approval. The board shall 2
submit the recommendation to the department, the senate secretary, and the chief clerk 3
of the house of representatives and notify the legislature that the recommendation is 4
available. 5
(d) The board shall advise the department as the department develops and 6
revises project selection and prioritization criteria and make recommendations to the 7
department, by resolution of the board, regarding proposed changes in criteria. 8
(e) In this section, "road and highway" does not include the Alaska marine 9
highway system or a road or highway within the boundaries of a rural or international 10
airport. 11
* Sec. 4. AS 19.20.210 is repealed. 12
* Sec. 5. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 13
read: 14
APPOINTMENT OF INITIAL MEMBERS OF THE ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 15
ADVISORY BOARD. Notwithstanding AS 44.42.470, added by sec. 3 of this Act, the 16
governor shall appoint the initial members of the Roads and Highways Advisory Board 17
established in AS 44.42.450, added by sec. 3 of this Act, to staggered terms as follows: 18
(1) five members shall be appointed to serve terms that expire two years after 19
the effective date of this Act; and 20
(2) the remaining members shall be appointed to serve terms that expire three 21
years after the effective date of this Act. 22
* Sec. 6. This Act takes effect January 1, 2025. 23