Legislature(1995 - 1996)
1996-01-12 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1996-01-12 House Journal Page 2429 HB 415 HOUSE BILL NO. 415 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: An Act streamlining the functions of state government, including authorizing the commissioner of fish and game to award grants for certain resource activities; allowing agents selling fish and game licenses and tags to retain certain compensation; authorizing the Department of Health and Social Services to award grants for certain services for developmentally delayed or disabled children; relating to rabies control and administration of flour and bread standards by the Department of Environmental Conservation; repealing the Athletic Commission, the regulation of boxing and wrestling, the certification of professional geologists, and the Water Resources Board; repealing certain filing statements and bonds for enforcement and collection of certain taxes; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Health, Education & Social Services, Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal notes apply: Fiscal note, Dept. of Fish & Game, 1/12/96 Fiscal note, Dept. of Commerce & Economic Development, 1/12/96 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 1/12/96 Zero fiscal notes (2), Dept. of Health & Social Services, 1/12/96 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Natural Resources, 1/12/96 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Revenue, 1/12/96 The Governors transmittal letter, dated January 12, 1996, appears below: 1996-01-12 House Journal Page 2430 HB 415 Dear Speaker Phillips: I am offering this bill as part of my administrations goal to streamline state government. This legislation deletes requirements to perform several duties that are not essential for the public health, safety, or welfare and modifies some programs to increase efficiency. This bill involves several state agencies and a wide variety of programs. The following is a brief description of the legislation. Departments will offer more complete analyses during the committee hearings. Section 1 of the bill would add a new provision authorizing the commissioner of Fish and Game to directly award grants that serve some of that departments core missions--protecting, maintaining, improving, and extending public access to fish, game, and aquatic plant resources of Alaska. Currently, the department does not have authority to award grants and must channel money through other agencies. This causes delay and adds administrative cost. Sections 2- 4, and part of sec. 10 of the bill, would simplify the procedures regarding compensation for vendors who sell sport fishing and hunting licenses and tags on behalf of the state. Currently vendors keep some of the fees they collect as partial payment for their services and pass the balance on to the state. The state then reimburses the vendors for the rest of the compensation due to them. This proposal eliminates that last step by letting vendors calculate total payment due them up front and passing only the balance of the fees to the state. Sections 6 and 7 of the bill would allow the Department of Health and Social Services to award grants rather than contracts for its infant learning program which provides services for developmentally delayed or disabled children. The grant process should increase efficiencies within the department. Section 8 of the bill repeals the Department of Environmental Conservations requirement to regulate rabies reporting and animal constraint. This can be done with no threat to the public health and safety because of continued rabies control efforts by the Department of Health and Social Services coupled with local governments, which 1996-01-12 House Journal Page 2431 HB 415 routinely exercise animal control powers. In the unorganized borough, the Indian Health Service and village public safety officers fill this local role. Section 8 also repeals DECs authority to administer flour and bread standards, which have not been substantially revised since 1949. The federal government sets standards for flour and bread, making state standards unnecessary. Moreover, DEC already has authority to establish certain standards for food. Section 9 of the bill would repeal a number of statutes. It would first abolish the Athletic Commission and the Department of Commerce and Economic Developments regulatory oversight of professional boxing and wrestling. Professional boxing and wrestling matches are very infrequent in Alaska. Therefore, the license fees which are set in statute would have to be raised significantly in order to cover the cost of adequate oversight. Currently, the fees are much too low to allow the board and department to comply with their statutory responsibility. Section 9 would also repeal a requirement that the commissioner of commerce and economic development certify an applicant as a professional geologist if the applicant is already certified by the American Institute of Professional Geologists. This state certification requirement merely places a duty on the commissioner without providing an additional benefit to the public safety or welfare. Finally, sec. 9 would abolish the Water Resources Board. The board has not convened or conducted any business in the last few years for lack of legislative financing. Although the Department of Natural Resources will not assume all of the board's functions, it can and will advise the governor on major water policy issues when the need arises. Thus, the elimination of the board will not unreasonably diminish the ability of the state to address matters relating to water appropriations and use. A part of sec. 10 of the bill would repeal a requirement that nonresident businesses annually file information on sworn affidavits and tax bonds before conducting business in the state. This requirement was placed on nonresident businesses in 1955 when few of them had offices or property in the state. That made it difficult to 1996-01-12 House Journal Page 2432 HB 415 enforce payment of taxes and license fees. But that is no longer the case. The bonding requirement, unique to Alaska, creates an unfriendly business environment in the state. The program provides no benefit, is unproductive for business, and burdensome for state staff. I recommend that it be repealed. I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this bill that streamlines and improves the operations of state government. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor