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Transportation Interim Committee

MINUTES OF THE

TRANSPORTATION INTERIM COMMITTEE

        
Wednesday, July 15, 1998 - 9:00 a.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 Ure
    Rep. David L. Zolman, Sr.


Members Absent:
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson

Staff Present:
    Benjamin N. Christensen,
        Research Analyst
    Dee S Larsen,
        Associate General Counsel
    Junie G. Anderson,
        Legislative 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 9:05 a.m.

    MOTION: Rep. Siddoway moved to approve the minutes of the June 17, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Mansell, Rep. Adair, Rep. Becker, Rep. Bowman, Rep. Davis, Rep. Ure, and Rep. Zolman absent for the vote.

2.     I-15 Reconstruction and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) update - Mr. Thomas Warne, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), distributed a handout titled "I-15 Reconstruction Project Budget Update," and reported on the status of the I-15 reconstruction project and the progress that is anticipated over the next several months. He informed the committee that the project is on schedule and running under the budget. He also announced that ramps on the 6th North viaduct and bridge should open in September.

    Mr. Warne reported that Wasatch Constructors achieved the ISO certification, assuring the state of high quality construction. He spoke briefly on the issue of windshield damage.
    Ms. Linda Toy, UDOT, discussed information from charts she distributed titled "Number of Priority Federal & State Projects Advertised" and "Centennial Highway Fund." She reported on the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and the status of the centennial projects.

    Rep. Ure was concerned about the impact on wetlands and the amount of land needed to complete these projects.

    Mr. Clinton Topham, UDOT, reported on sound walls in the Deer Creek and Fortuna Way areas. He also spoke briefly about the Legacy Parkway. He reported that Congress drafted a technical corrections bill to TEA-21 because of some mistakes in the language of the original bill. He explained that when the technical corrections bill passes, the Federal Highway Administration will provide information on the amount of funds available to the state. Once that is complete, UDOT will be able to put together the STIP.

3.    Transportation Commission and Department of Transportation Duties - Mr. Dee Larsen, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (OLRGC), distributed an organizational chart titled "Department of Transportation." He also distributed a document titled "Transportation Commission/Department of Transportation" and explained the respective duties of the Transportation Commission and the Department of Transportation.

    Mr. Glen  Brown, Utah Transportation Commission, discussed the respective roles and duties of the commission and the department and how the roles and duties have changed in recent years. He said there is a good working relationship between the two entities.

    Rep. Ure suggested a better balance between the Transportation Commission and UDOT. He commented that too much authority is given to UDOT.

    Mr. Brown said consulting engineers should take more responsibility for the work done by their firms.

    Mr. Drew Chamberlain, Coalition for Accountable Government, distributed an article from the Internet titled "Urban Transport Fact Book," that pertained to light rail.
                    
4.    Driver Training and Licensing - Mr. Ben Christensen, OLRGC, discussed a document sent to committee members in the monthly mailing titled "Utah Teenage Driver Training Provisions." He also distributed handouts titled "Teenage Driving Restrictions," and "Graduated Driver License, States with One or More Core Provisions." He reminded committee members that they had expressed interest in knowing why public school and private school driver education courses have different classroom hour requirements for teenage drivers. He also addressed ways to increase a teenage driver's behind-the-wheel experience, prior to qualifying for a driver license.

    Mr. Larry Cook, Utah CODES, distributed a handout titled "Utah Teenage (15-17) Driver Crashes, 92-96." He discussed the details of crash data for the years 1992 through 1996.

    Sen. Steele expressed concern for teenage drivers and support for legislation to increase training and driver education for new drivers.

    Ms. Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah, distributed handouts titled "Graduated Licensing" and "Young Driver Laws _ Elements of Graduated Licensing." She explained the options available for graduated licensing and young drivers to receive additional supervised training.

    Ms. Debbie Anderson, Anderson School of Driving, spoke in support of private driver education courses and recommended that a task force be formed to study private versus public driver education issues. She specified that 18 hours of classroom work in private driver education is sufficient.

    Rep. Bush offered to work with staff to draft a bill on graduated licensing.

    Chair Dillree suggested that the committee set up priority issues for legislation and avoid labeling it "graduated license."
                                            
5.    Other Committee Business -

     MOTION: Rep. Adair, having voted on the prevailing side, moved to reconsider the action of the committee on the transfer of roads discussed in the committee two months ago, provided that the committee discuss the process of how transfers can be done to cities and counties and from cities and counties to the state of Utah, and related issues. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Mayne, Rep. Allen, Rep. Davis, Rep. Siddoway, Rep. Ure, and Rep. Zolman absent for the vote.

6.     Adjourn -
    
    MOTION: Rep. Dillree moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 11:56 a.m., with Sen. Mayne, Rep. Allen, Rep. Davis, Rep. Siddoway, Rep. Ure, and Rep. Zolman absent for the vote.

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