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Minutes for HB2775 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Establishing the joint legislative transportation vision task force for evaluation of the state highway fund and the state highway transportation system.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 15, 2018
Chairman Proehl recognized Representative Claeys as the first proponent. (Attachment 1) He said the best path forward is a steering committee that is small enough to have active participation by all members in the evaluation process, while creating subcommittees to study specific topic areas important to formulating a comprehensive plan.
Tara Mays was the next proponent to be recognized. (Attachment 2) Ms. Mays said Economic Lifelines spent the legislative interim traveling the state and meeting with more than 300 Kansans to discuss their concerns, needs, and opinions about transportation in Kansas. She said there was a great deal of frustration with outstanding projects as well as there being no path to get those items back on track. She said the second item of concern was the uncertainty with transportation funding. The third item of importance is that the landscape of infrastructure investments is changing rapidly with innovations in autonomous travel, ride-sharing programs, changing vehicle fuel types, all requires a deeper look into visions for the future.
Chairman Proehl recognized Jerry Younger as the next proponent. (Attachment 3) Mr. Younger said "Whatever part of the state you might call home or travel to, you can't deny the fact that our transportation infrastructure constitutes much of the thread that weaves the economic and social fabric of life in Kansas. The high importance Kansans place on strengthening that fabric has been evidenced by the passage of three separate ten-year transportation programs since 1989. Unfortunately, the past couple of years have generated great concern and frustration with the state of transportation funding and resulting lack of necessary, and promised, transportation investments."
The next proponent was Michael White. (Attachment 4) He said The Federal Highway Administration estimates that for each dollar spent on infrastructure investments, more than $5.20 is gained in economic benefits. He said infrastructure investments not only support industry and the jobs contractors and suppliers but also important economic growth for Kansas. Mr. White pointed out that contractors and employees purchase homes, eat in local restaurants, support local charities and shop in local stores.
The Chairman recognized Dan Scherslight. (Attachment 5) According to Mr. Scherslight, Kansans have made it clear in the past that funding transportation is important with the passage of three back-to-back highway programs. He said he had experienced first hand the benefits of maintaining a good highway system through preservation and also enhancing the highway system through modernization and expansion. He said HB2775 provides a means to build on the benefits and continue the dialog on the current needs of the highway system and future opportunities.
Lindsey Douglas was the next proponent. (Attachment 6) She said Union Pacific has a very large presence in Kansas with 1,216 employees and an annual payroll of $124.5 million. Ms. Douglas said Union Pacific invested over $75 million in capital investment in Kansas in 2017 and provided more than $372,000 to charitable organizations. She said the railroad industry overall employs 5,427 Kansans, with an average wage and benefits of $112,780. She said Kansas has the potential to apply innovation to transportation policy, leverage significant private investment through public/private partnerships and bring more businesses and jobs to the state.
The next proponent was Paul Snider. (Attachment 7) He explained that the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is a bi-state agency created by a compact between the States of Missouri and Kansas and approved by the United States Congress. He said the compact gives the ATA responsibility for planning, construction, owning and operating passenger transportation systems and facilities within the seven-county Kansas City metropolitan area. He said public transportation trends across the nation are evolving and the ATA has been on the leading edge of microtransit applications and they continue to pilot programs targeting changing attitudes and rider demands.
The Chairman recognized Ty Dragoo. (Attachment 8) He said SMART represents over three thousand members both active and retired in the state of Kansas and their members work in all areas of transportation in the state from railroad conductors and engineers, bus drivers and aircraft pilots. He said every day their members face situations that require professional expertise to keep the public safe on the roads, skies and rail lines. He concluded by saying any investment in transportation infrastructure is an investment in good paying jobs for Kansas.
Jackie Clark was the next proponent.(Attachment 9) She said Ash Grove supports all efforts to fund transportation infrastructure in Kansas. She said they have extensive subject matter expertise and relationships with leaders in states where transportation infrastructure funding investments have been made in recent years. Ms. Clark said their industry has a rich history in the state and cement is the raw material that is a component of ready-mixed concrete.
The last proponent to speak was Melissa Wangemann. (Attachment 10) She said they believe this bill outlines the first step in analyzing the transportation needs of the state and local governments. Ms. Wangemann said counties are responsible for over 100,000 miles or 80% of the roads in Kansas. She said they hope public safety will be considered in the study - at the local level they see outdated roads, many of which do not have shoulders and other modern safety details. which makes them hazardous to drive.
Written testimony submitted in support of HB2775 by:
Lona Duvall, President/CEO, Finney County Economic Development Corp.(Attachment 11)
Natalie Bright, Executive Director, Travel Industry Ass'n. of KS (Attachment 12)
Whitney Damron on behalf of Kansas Good Roads, Inc.(Attachment 13)
Tom Whitaker, Executive Director, KS Motor Carriers Ass'n.(Attachment 14)
Myca Bunch, President, Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 15)
Steve Cottrell, Assistant to the City Manager of Garden City (Attachment 16)
Scott Heidner, Executive Director of ACEC Kansas (Attachment 17)
Tom Robinett, Vice Pres., of Public Policy/Advocacy, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 18)
Cathy Bennett, Greater Kansa City Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 19)
KS Department of Transportation (Attachment 20)
R.E. "Tuck" Duncan, Executive Director, KS Public Transit Ass'n. (Attachment 21)
Andy Sanchez, AFL-CIO (Attachment 22)
There were no opponents.
Neutral testimony was provided by Eric Smith.(Attachment 23)
After all proponent, opponent and neutral testimony, the Chairman asked if anyone else wished to speak on this bill and Andy Sanchez with AFL-CIO came forward and spoke on HB2775.
Chairman Proehl closed the Hearing on HB2775.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman announced that the next meeting will be March 20, 2018 and the Committee would hear updates on the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the Division of Motor Vehicles Projects by David Harper, Director. He said the Committee would have Final Action on SB272 and HB2775 because time would not allow for Final Action today.
