HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

January 27, 2003 Hearing Room 357

8:30 Tapes 9 - 10

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Alan Brown, Chair

Rep. Terry Beyer, Vice-Chair

Rep. John Mabrey, Vice-Chair

Rep. Jackie Dingfelder

Rep. George Gilman

Rep. Mitch Greenlick

Rep. Cliff Zauner

MEMBER EXCUSED:

STAFF PRESENT: Janet Adkins, Administrator

Ryan Sherlock, Committee Assistant

MEASURE/ISSUES HEARD: Informational Hearing

These minutes are in compliance with Senate and House Rules. Only text enclosed in quotation marks reports a speaker’s exact words. For complete contents, please refer to the tapes.

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
Tape 9, A
005	Chair Alan Brown	Calls the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m., and opens the informational hearing.
INFORMATIONAL HEARING
010	Martin Loring	Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Public Transportation Division Manager. Introduces written testimony and presentation (EXHIBIT A), overview of Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Public Transit Division. · Division Overview · The ODOT Mission · Public Transportation Vision · Oregon Benchmarks and Performance Measurement · Division Programs: Governor’s Balanced Budget Recommendation (GBB)
055	Rep. Mitch Greenlick	Asks how the proposed budget for 2003-2005 relates to the 2001-2003 proposed and final budget.
060	Loring	States that the 2003-2005 budget is $185,737 less than that of the previous budget. Continues with presentation: Division Pograms Transportation for Elderly and Disabled o Annual Rides (Chart) o Size and Condition of the ODOT-funding Fleet Serving the Elderly and Disabled (Graph). General Public Transportation Intercity Passenger Program Transportation Demand Management Public Transportation Planning Major Initiatives Coordination Initiative
200	Rep. Cliff Zauner	Asks about the ODOT mandate for public pupil transportation.
205	Loring	Describes the requirements for busing school children, discussing how some districts are not required to bus school children, and outlines the efforts to make the program more efficient. Continues with presentation: Senate Bill 180 Public Transportation Choices in Oregon
260	Rep. Jackie Dingfelder	Asks about allocation of funds from ODOT to local native American tribes.
265	Loring	Discusses allocation of ODOT funds to local governing bodies including local tribes.
270	Rep. Dingfelder	Clarifies that local tribes are a local governing body.
275	Loring	Answers affirmatively
277	Rep. Dingfelder	Asks whether some tribes have their own transportation systems.
280	Loring	Confirms that some tribes do operate their own transportation systems.
285	Roger Martin	Executive Director of the Oregon Transit Association, presents written testimony (EXHIBIT B) describing the function of the Oregon Transit Association and the issues and concerns facing the members of this organization.
465	Chair Brown	Asks whether any of the gas tax is used to fund public transit system.
TAPE 10, A
035	Martin	Indicates that none of the gas tax goes to fund public transit in Oregon, but discusses the history of such funding in California and Washington. Continues with presentation and concluding by thanking the committee.
085	Rep. Mitch Greenlick	Notes his appreciation for public transit in Washington County.
100	Bob Russell	President of the Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Gives written testimony and presentation (EXHIBIT C). Industry Profile
140	Chair Brown	Asks whether the figure presented, that 70 percent of all freight generated in Oregon is moved by truck, is only counting freight produced by the Oregon economy, precluding any freight trucked from other states.
145	Russell	Confirms that the mentioned figure is only counting those freight tons generated within the state and continues with presentation.
160	Rep. Zauner	Asks whether air freight is more expensive because of the convenience of the service.
165	Russell	Responds that service is an issue. Continues with presentation: Highway Safety Highway Use Taxes
425	Rep. Dingfelder	Clarifies that the trucking industry would rather increase reliance on fuel taxes in place of the weight-mile tax, and asks for information regarding how this could occur.
430	Russell	Points out that the Constitutional amendment which requires delineation between light and heavy vehicles would necessitate the trucking industry to pay its level of tax regardless of the tax type.
TAPE 9, B
040	Rep. Dingfelder	Clarifies that Mr. Russell is indicating that the administrative costs would be less when enforcing a fuel tax vs. enforcement of the current weight-mile tax.
050	Russell	References the 1999 legislative repeal of the weight-mile tax and subsequent replacement with a fuel tax.
055	Rep. Dingfelder	Asks for specific numbers regarding the conversion from a weight-mile tax to an increased fuel tax.
060	Russell	Explains that the mentioned change would reduce administrative costs for the state, as well as for the trucking industry.
065	Rep. John Mabrey	Indicates the need for more information, and asks whether the administrative cost is basically the cost of accounting and subsequent audit by the state.
070	Russell	Confirms the nature of the administration costs for the weight-mile tax.
090	Al Elkins	Director of the Oregon Tow Truck Association, discusses the costs to his members associated with the weight-mile task.
105	Chair Brown	Asks if the trucking industry maintained 36% of the costs, what diesel fuel tax increased would be required to stay at this level.
110	Russell	Elaborates on the need to keep the same tax level between the gas tax and the diesel fuel tax, explaining that increases in truck registration fees would be better at making up the difference.
120	Chair Brown	Expresses his personal preference to not raise the diesel fuel tax.
125	Rep. Zauner	Asks who would oppose the change from a weight-mile tax to increased truck registration.
130	Russell	Identifies the American Automobile Association (AAA) as being a historic opponent to the aforementioned change.
135	Rep. Zauner	Asks why the AAA would oppose this change.
140	Russell	Expresses ignorance to the motives of the AAA.
145	Elkins	Explains that one of the arguments against replacing the weight-mile tax is the concern that the trucking industry will not make back the difference with another tax.
150	D.E. Bridges	Executive Director of the Oregon Forest Products Transportation Association, relates his daughters personal experience with the toil of administering the weight-mile tax.
160	Rep. Greenlick	Asks if the weight-mile tax problem could be remedied through the use of technology.
165	Russell	Confirms that there is technology that could fix this problem, but says the costs of the relevant technology would be too high currently. Continues with presentation.
195	Rep. Terry Beyer	Asks if the trucking industry is currently attempting legislation to fix their concerns with the weight-mile tax.
200	Russell	Explains that there are currently no efforts to repeal the weight mile tax, but indicates that any such effort would be supported by his organization.
205	Chair Brown	Asks if any other states currently use a weight-mile tax.
210	Russell	Identifies New Mexico, New York, and Kentucky as still using a weight-mile tax, but remarks that each of these states have a fuel tax as well, and that their weight-mile taxes are less severe and less complicated.
215	Rep. Zauner	Asks about the link between the Amber Alert System and the trucking industry.
220	Russell	Explains the link between the Amber Alert System and the trucking industry.
230	Chair Brown	Asks about new equipment the trucking industry uses, and expresses concerns that these new trucking rigs are unable to travel on some roads in his district, and asks whether there are similar restrictions in other parts of the state.
240	Russell	Responds affirmatively, leading into his next topic: bridges. Continues with presentation: Bridges Conclusion
385	Rep. Mabrey	Asks why the bridge program was only discovered two years ago, when the structural problem was known about since 1955.
395	Russell	Explains that the problem was overlooked, and who ever is at fault for the bridge system has long since passed away.
415	Rep. Mabrey	Asks whether the increased weight of trucks has contributed to this problem.
TAPE 10, B
005	Russell	Confirms that weight does have an impact on bridge degradation, however indicates that the effect is negligible, compared to the other contributing factors.
040	Rep. Greenlick	Mentions the Interstate-5 corridor report, and asks if the Oregon Trucking Association had a hand in authoring the report.
045	Russell	Explains that they did not have any involvement in the mentioned report, and that they have some concerns with it.
060	Bridges	Oregon Forest Products Transportation Association, Executive Director. Provides written testimony (EXHIBIT D) explaining the history of and issues facing his association.
085	Elkins	Gives testimony regarding the issues facing his association and the tow truck industry.
100	Chair Brown	Closes the informational meeting, and opens public hearing on HB 2214.
HB 2214 – PUBLIC HEARING
110	Janet Adkins	Committee Administrator, gives explanation of the bill, and introduces the proposed -1 amendments (EXHIBIT F).
140	Kelly Taylor	Offers written testimony in support of HB 2214 (EXHIBIT E).
165	Chair Brown	Asks about the emergency clause amendment.
170	Taylor	Offers the reason for, and description of, the emergency clause.
175	Chair Brown	Closes the public hearing, and opens a work session on HB 2214.
HB 2214 – WORK SESSION
185	Rep. Dingfelder	MOTION: Moves to ADOPT HB 2214-1 amendments dated 01/23/03.
		VOTE: 6-0 EXCUSED: 1 - Gilman
	Chair Brown	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
190	Rep. Dingfelder	MOTION: Moves HB 2214 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation.
		VOTE: 6-0 AYE: In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED: 1 - Gilman
	Chair Brown	The motion CARRIES. DINGFELDER will lead discussion on the floor.
195	Chair Brown	Closes the work session on HB 2214, and opens a public hearing on HB 2261.
HB 2261 – PUBLIC HEARING
200	Janet Adkins	Committee Administrator. Gives explanation of HB 2261, and introduces the proposed -1 amendments (EXHIBIT H).
215	Taylor	Offers written testimony (EXHIBIT G) in support of HB 2261.
260	Rep. Dingfelder	Asks what percentage of DUII’s actually install the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) outlined in HB 2261, and if there is some sort of similar device that could be applied to DUII’s involving drugs.
270	Taylor	Apologizes for not having the relevant data regarding the number of people who use the IID. She does know that all DUI’s are required to have the IID; however she does not know how many take advantage of the opportunity. Acknowledges that the IID only detects alcohol, and is not relevant in drug situations.
275	Adkins	Asks if it has to be a zero alcohol level, or something more than that.
280	Taylor	Responds that the IID does in fact require a zero alcohol level for the car to start.
285	Rep. Greenlick	Asks about the six month timeframe.
290	Taylor	Explains that after the initial license suspension is completed, there is a six month timeframe where the license is still suspended, but the individual is required to use the IID during these six months in order to receive full driving privileges.
295	Chair Brown	Closes the public hearing, and opens a work session on HB 2261.
HB 2261 – WORK SESSION
305	Rep. Zauner	MOTION: Moves to ADOPT HB 2261-1 amendments dated 01/27/03.
		VOTE: 6-0 EXCUSED: 1 - Gilman
	Chair Brown	Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.
310	Rep. Zauner	MOTION: Moves HB 2261 to the floor with a DO PASS AS AMENDED recommendation.
		VOTE: 6-0 AYE: In a roll call vote, all members present vote Aye. EXCUSED: 1 - Gilman
	Chair Brown	The motion CARRIES. BEYER will lead discussion on the floor.
315	Adkins	Presents information from Troy Costales regarding DUII convictions divided by county, and discusses upcoming fieldtrip for the committee.
325	Chair Brown	Closes work session on HB 2261, and adjourns meeting at 10:15 a.m.

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A – Written testimony: ODOT Public Transit Division Overview, Martin Loring, 19 pp.

B – Written testimony, Roger Martin, 6 pp.

C – Written testimony, Bob Russell, 7 pp.

D – Written testimony, D.E. Bridges, 1 p.

E – HB 2214, written testimony, Kelly Taylor, 1 p.

F – HB 2214, -1 amendment, Staff, 1 p.

G – HB 2261, written testimony, Kelly Taylor, 1 p.

H – HB 2261, -1 amendment, Staff, 1 p.