1995-03-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 0821
SB 144                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 144 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
"An Act relating to the authorization for and the                             
issuance of revenue bonds by the University of                                 
Alaska to pay for the costs of repair and                                      
rehabilitation of buildings and other structures,                              
excluding student housing and dormitories, of the                              
University of Alaska; expanding the uses of the                                
Alaska debt retirement fund to allow financing of                              
the repair and rehabilitation of University of Alaska                          
facilities; and providing for an effective date."                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance          
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Zero fiscal notes published today from Department of Revenue,                  
Department of Administration (2), University of Alaska.                        
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated March 24:                                  
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill authorizing the University of Alaska                  
(university) to issue $45,000,0000 in revenue bonds for building               
maintenance projects at various campuses of the university.                    
                                                                               
Meeting the long-deferred repair and rehabilitation needs of the               
university is a priority of my Administration.  It is my intent to             
work closely with the legislature during the remainder of this session         
and next session to identify other funding sources to meet those               
needs.  If, however, we are not able to provide $20,000,000 in                 
capital appropriations or other forms of bond authorizations for these         
purposes through a bill enacted into law by July1, 1996, this bill             
will authorize the university to issue revenue bonds to begin                  
addressing the problem.  The bill's amendment of AS37.15.011 is                
intended to allow for repayment of the debt service to be made from            
annual legislative appropriations from the Alaska debt retirement              
fund if necessary.                                                             
                                                                               

1995-03-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 0822
SB 144                                                                       
I urge your early and favorable consideration of this bill.                    
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor