1996-01-17                     House Journal                      Page 2470
HB 427                                                                       
and delayed tax disputes.  The bill provides a streamlined process for         
court enforcement of subpoenas issued during the audit stage and               
clarifies the current ambiguity in AS43.55.040 as to whether the DOR           
is vested with investigatory powers to the full extent of the law in           
order to perform the audit function.                                           
                                                                               
The DOR, in consultation with the Department of Law, has prepared              
a section-by-section analysis that is available to explain the detailed        
features of the bill.                                                          
                                                                               
This bill is designed to help break the chain of antagonistic tax              
disputes that have characterized our states recent history.  Disputes          
will not end, of course, but if this bill becomes law, they will be            
resolved more quickly and efficiently to the advantage of taxpayers            
and the public alike.  I urge your support of this bill.                       
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
HB 428                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO.  428 by the House Finance Committee, entitled:                  
                                                                               
An Act giving notice of and approving a lease-purchase                        
agreement for construction and operation of a correctional facility            
in the Third Judicial District, and setting conditions and limitations         
on the facility's construction and operation.                                  
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance              
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
HB 429                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO.  429 by the House Finance Committee, entitled:                  
                                                                               
An Act relating to the authority of the Department of Corrections             
to contract for facilities for the confinement and care of prisoners;          
and annulling a regulation of the Department of Corrections that               
limits the purposes for which an agreement with a private agency               
may be entered into.