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Transportation Interim Committee

MINUTES OF THE

TRANSPORTATION INTERIM COMMITTEE

        
Wednesday, August 20, 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
    Sen. Nathan C. Tanner
    Rep. Gerry A. Adair
    Rep. Brian R. Allen
    Rep. Trisha S. Beck
    Rep. Ralph Becker
    Rep. Ron Bigelow
    Rep. DeMar "Bud" Bowman
    Rep. Don E. Bush
    Rep. Gene Davis
    Rep. Brad King
    Rep. Peter C. Knudson
    Rep. Joseph G. Murray
    Rep. Richard M. Siddoway
    Rep. David L. Zolman, Sr.



Members Absent:
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson
    Rep. David Ure

Staff Present:
    Benjamin N. Christensen,
        Research Analyst
    Dee S Larsen,
        Associate General Counsel
    Junie G. Anderson,
        Committee 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 Dillree called the meeting to order at 2:20 p.m.

    MOTION: Rep. Bowman moved to approve the minutes of the July 16, 1997 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Allen and Rep. Zolman absent for the vote.

2.     I-15 Reconstruction Update _ Clint Topham, Utah Department of Transportation, briefed the committee on the reconstruction of I-15.

    David Downs, Utah Department of Transportation, showed a diagram of I-15 and explained the reconstruction projects and design changes to date and those that will take place in the future. He indicated that the design changes, since the commission approved the contract, will result in a net cost savings. Mr. Downs also gave a slide presentation on specific reconstruction projects.

    Chair Dillree asked about using a designated radio channel to broadcast the most up-to-date traffic information and construction projects for that day to benefit tourists and travelers. The department replied that they had investigated it, but it appeared to be cost-prohibitive.

    Mr. Topham spoke about the total program cost. He explained the process of the I-15 normal construction and payment schedule. He also supplied information about the preliminary estimate.

He discussed the $230 million additional costs. He said some of those costs come from safety enhancements that were added to the project.

    He also spoke about a proposed lawsuit being filed by some business owners because of access being cut off to their businesses, and explained that he had spoken to the business owners and was working with them.

    Chair Dillree asked about high-occupancy vehicle lanes on I-15. She spoke about "HOT" lanes designed for high-occupancy vehicles where single-occupancy vehicles could pay to use the lanes. She asked that UDOT conduct a study of this issue.

    Chair Holmgren asked for a report of projects that have been completed in Salt Lake County in the last two years and those that will be completed this fall. He was concerned about the large amount of dollars being spent in Salt Lake County in relation to other counties.

    Mr. Topham explained that the commission has not selected any project that was not on the list of the $5.2 billion that was discussed during the legislative session.

3.    Appropriations Act Reports _ Clint Topham, Utah Department of Transportation, reported to the committee on the expenditures of specified funds. He reported on the Performance Management Initiative Internal Plan and said that the department continues to focus on improvements in five major business functions including preconstruction, construction, operations, administration, and performance audits.

    Mr. Topham reported that $49.65 million is anticipated for FY98 for the Centennial Highway Trust Fund. The Transportation Commission has programmed the money to be spent on several projects throughout the state.

    He also said that the current fund balance for the Transportation Corridor Preservation Revolving Loan Fund is $1 million, and $3.5 million is anticipated in FY98 revenues. He stated that UDOT is recommending using the money on U.S. 89, Legacy Highway, SR-36 in Tooele County, and interchanges in Cedar City, St. George, and Helper.                                              
4.    UDOT Internal Auditing Findings _ Clint Topham, Utah Department of Transportation, reported on UDOT internal performance audits. He explained how these audits are being conducted.

    Randy Lamoreaux, Utah Department of Transportation, spoke about the signal warranting, contracting, and construction process. He said a final report of the internal audit findings would be provided to committee members within the next two weeks.

    Max Ditlevsen, Utah Department of Transportation, reported on the project and administrative charges management audit. He spoke about the approach to cost accounting and allocation, management and accounting controls and strategies, information systems and data sources, and contractor charges.

    Mr. Lamoreaux explained that the UDOT design process audit is now in process.

    Rep. Becker asked that a report of federal funding for UDOT be heard during the October meeting.

5.    Motor Vehicle Window Tinting _ (Draft Legislation) _ Ben Christensen, Research Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, briefed the committee on the issue of window tinting. He said that S.B. 14, "Window Tinting for Motor Vehicles," which passed during the 1994 General Session established minimum light transmittance standards for motor vehicle windows. A window that meets federal standards at the time of manufacture is considered to meet the state's standard if it is not altered after manufacture. He also said that the Administrative Rules Committee referred a Department of Public Safety rule to the committee because they determined the rule allows window tinting beyond what the statute allows. He explained that, at the request of the chairs, draft legislation had been prepared to make it legal to increase window tinting to the level of tinting that the manufacturer could allow.

    He distributed the draft legislation titled, "Window Tinting Amendments," and a report from the January 1994 Interim Reference Bulletin titled, "Motor Vehicle Window Tinting."

    Colonel Richard A. Greenwood, Utah Highway Patrol, spoke in favor of the legislation. He said that the Safety Inspection Program currently has a rule that addresses the problem in the statute pertaining to window tinting.

    Dee Larsen, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, explained that the Administrative Rules Committee reviewed the rule and voted to not reauthorize it because it conflicts with the statute.

    Dennis R. Platt, Utah Highway Patrol, said that this bill would only effect the multi-purpose vehicles. He spoke in support of the bill.

     MOTION: Rep. Bush moved to approve the draft legislation as a committee bill and said that he is willing to sponsor the bill. The motion passed with Rep. Adair opposing the motion. Rep. Zolman and Rep. King were absent for the vote.

4.     Other Committee Business _

    Rep. Adair requested that Colonel Greenwood provide information about the recent officer shooting.

5.     Adjourn -
    
    MOTION: Sen. Tanner moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 4:53 p.m. with Rep. Zolman and Rep. King absent for the vote.


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