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Transportation Interim Committee

MINUTES OF THE

TRANSPORTATION INTERIM COMMITTEE

        
Wednesday, April 23, 1997 - 2:00 p.m. - 403 State Capitol


Members Present:
    Sen. John P. Holmgren,
        Senate Chair
    Rep. Marda Dillree
        House Chair
    Sen L. Alma Mansell
    Sen. Eddie "Ed" P. Mayne
    Sen. David H. Steele
    Rep. Gerry A. Adair
    Rep. Brian R. Allen
    Rep. Trisha Beck
    Rep. Ralph Becker
    Rep. Ron Bigelow
    Rep. DeMar "Bud" Bowman
    Rep. Gene Davis
    Rep. Brad King
    Rep. Peter C. Knudson
    Rep. Richard M. Siddoway
    Rep. David Ure
    Rep. David L. Zolman, Sr.


Members Absent:
    Sen. Nathan C. Tanner
    Rep. Don E. Bush
    Rep. Joseph G. Murray
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson

Staff Present:
    Benjamin N. Christensen,
        Research Analyst
    Dee S Larsen,
        Associate General Counsel
    Junie G. Anderson, Secretary

Note:    A list of others present and a copy of materials distributed in the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.    Committee Business - Chair Holmgren called the meeting to order at 2:11 p.m.

MOTION:    Rep. Adair moved to approve the minutes of the November 20, 1996 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Mayne, Rep. Davis, and Rep. Ure absent for the vote.

2.    Report of Transportation Bills Passed During the 1997 General Session - Dee Larsen informed the committee that five bills were recommended by the Transportation and Public Safety Interim Committee for the 1997 General Session and three of them passed. He referred to summaries of the transportation related bills that passed and were mailed to the committee prior to the meeting. These include the bills related to highway funding.
        
3.    Discussion of Priority Study Items for the 1997 Interim - Ben Christensen referred to a handout that had been mailed to the committee titled "1997 Potential Transportation Related Study Items." The committee discussed the items and was asked by Chair Holmgren to identify those believed to be the most important issues for the year. Chair Dillree said that the Executive Appropriations Committee has already put "Construction and Maintenance of UDOT Buildings" on its agenda.

    Tom Warne, Utah Department of Transportation, provided comments on some issues that he felt would be important study items, including Airport Improvement Programs, I-15 Construction Oversight, Ongoing Highway Funding, Speeding in Construction Zones, and Toll Roads.

    Alice Shearer, Utah State Tax Commission, Rod Marrelli, Utah State Tax Commission, and Kathleen Howell, Cache County Assessor, encouraged the committee to study the collection of motor vehicle fees. Lee Gardner, Salt Lake County Assessor, also spoke in favor of studying that issue. In addition, Mr. Marrelli encouraged the committee to look at DUI vehicle impounds.

    Rep. Dillree suggested that the committee consider a recodification of the highway code. Dee Larsen answered questions regarding recodification. The committee members indicated support for doing the highway code recodification.

    Chair Holmgren asked the committee to prioritize their requests for study items and turn them into staff immediately following the meeting.

4.    I-15 Reconstruction Update - Tom R. Warne, Utah Department of Transportation, gave a slide presentation pertaining to I-15 reconstruction and the evaluation process. He also spoke about budget issues involving the projects and distributed a handout titled "Interstate 15 Reconstruction Project."

    David Downs, I-15 Project Director, Utah Department of Transportation, spoke regarding the maintenance of traffic and the construction schedule of the Wasatch Constructors. He also provided comments pertaining to roadway work sequence.
    
    Linda Toy, Director of Planning and Programming, UDOT, gave information on the federal funding strategy for the projects.

    Rep. Dillree complimented Mr. Warne and his department for their work.

5.     Other Committee Business - Sen. Mayne commented regarding Utah labor organizations' association with Wasatch Constructors, the contractor chosen for the I-15 reconstruction project. He said their primary goal is trying to keep Utahns working on the project. Rep. Allen said he is concerned that there would be undue influence for workers to join the union and said he would monitor the situation closely.

     MOTION:    Rep. Ure moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Zolman and Rep. Davis absent for the vote. The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

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