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Minutes for HB2588 - Committee on Appropriations
Short Title
Providing for the FORWARD transportation program.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 18, 2020
Chairman Waymaster opened the hearing on the bill. It was noted that the sound system in the committee room is not properly functioning, and may effect the projection of some of the microphones.
Chris Waggoner, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, presented the bill brief (Attachment 1). The bill would provide for a new transportation program to be designated as the FORWARD transportation program. It was noted that there is a correction on the fiscal note for the bill, which should be $300 million not $300 billion.
Julie Lorenz, Secretary, Department of Transportation, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 2). She provided background information on the Legislative Task Force. The task force met with stakeholders throughout the state to learn more about community needs as related to deteriorating highways and projects. Implementation of the FORWARD Transportation program would keep the best elements of the T-Works program, provide greater flexibility to address today's challenges by working collaboratively with communities to solve problems, positions Kansas to seize opportunities faster and will help future proof transportation investments (See attachment 2). Committee members received a copy of the FORWARD At A Glance action plan (Attachment 3).
Secretary Lorenze responded to questions from Committee members. She responded the remaining T-Works projects are slated to be completed within the next two and a half years. Discussion followed regarding the need for a funding mechanism for any excess dollars, broadband opportunities in rural communities and rebuilding the infrastructure.
The following conferees presented testimony as proponents of the bill:Steve Kearney, Economic Lifelines (Attachment 4); Adam Stodola, Kansas Society of Professional Engineers (Attachment 5); Tom Whitaker, Kansas Motor Carriers (Attachment 6); Jim Sipes, Kansas Farm Bureau (Attachment 7); Thomas Brown, City of McPherson (Attachment 8); Eric Sartorius, League of Kansas Municipalities (Attachment 9); Jason Watkins, Wichita Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 10); Scott Smith, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 11); Paul Snider, Ideatek, (Attachment 12); Blake Benson, Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 13); Ken Brock, Highway 69 Assn.(Attachment 14) ; Lea Ann Stodola, Hodgeman County Economic Development (Attachment) 15;Shawn Stewart, AAA (Attachment 16) Tuck Duncan, Kansas Public Transit (Attachment 17); Gary Beachner, Beachner Grain (Attachment 18); Gary Janzen, City of Wichita (Attachment 19); Debra Fischer Stout, Northern Flyer Alliance (Attachment 20); Max Dibble, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 21); Brett Letkowski, Transystems (Attachment 22) ; Bridgette Williams, Heavy Constructors Association (Attachment 23); and Chuck Adams, Mid America Regional Council (Attachment 24).
Written testimony as proponents of the bill was provided by the following: John Idoux, Century Link (Attachment 25); Pete Meitzner, Sedgwick County (Attachment 26); Sharhira Stauffer, Kansas Coop Council (Attachment 27); Bonnie Lowe, Lawrence Chamber (Attachment 28); Tim McKee, Olathe Chamber (Attachment 29); Joshua Powers, Johnson County Government (Attachment 30); Susanne Loomus, City of Newton (Attachment 31); Whitney Dameron, City of Topeka (Attachment 32); John Cooper and Tim Ross, GBA (Attachment 33); Tagart Wall, City of Winfield (Attachment 34) Martin Kivarola, Mid America Regional Council (Attachment 35); Andy Sanchez, AFL-CIO (Attachment 36); Kevin Walker, Overland Park Chamber (Attachment 37); Mary Jane Stankiewicz, KRITC and SITA (Attachment 38); Randy Stookey, Renew Kansas (Attachment 39); Bruce Chladny, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 40); and Tim Danneberg, City of Olathe (Attachment 41).
The following conferees presented testimony in neutral position of the bill: Michael White, KCA (Attachment 42); Kip Spray, Venture Group (Attachment 43); Steve Sloan, Midwest Minerals(Attachment 44) ; Marynell Popst, Reece Construction(Attachment 45); Chad Girard, CRH Americas Material (Attachment 46); Tom Pallace, PMCA (Attachment 47), and Travis Rose, Bridges (Attachment 48).
Meeting adjourned at: 10:57 a.m
