Legislature(1995 - 1996)
1996-01-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2175 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE NINETEENTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday Twelfth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Pearce at 11:04 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senators Hoffman, Zharoff were excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Ellis was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Larry Olson of the Eagle Wings Community Church. Senator Salo moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord, We pray for the courage to do the right thing; for the humility to be able to admit when were wrong; for the grace not to gloat when we have been found to be right; for the faith that moves people to action; for the hope, despite how chaotic it all seems, that by Your hand it will all turn out okay and that our efforts do count for something. In Your name we ask these things. Amen. Senator Adams led the Senate in the pledge of allegiance. CERTIFICATION Senator Halford moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the eleventh legislative day and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 17 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2175 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2176 INTRODUCTIONS Senator Miller, Rules Committee Chair, introduced the 1996 Chamber Staff as follows: Sergeant at Arms Will Arthur, Juneau Assistant Sergeant at Arms Rose Sturgis, Juneau Senate Pages Sanya Bailey, Yakutat Carol Davis, Soldotna Mark Davis, Juneau Ethan Falatko, Kodiak Adam Johnson, Juneau Zeb Strong, Tenekee Springs Finance Page Quentin Simeon, Aniak SPECIAL ORDERS The Senate observed a moment of silence in memory of the Honorable Bette Cato, who served as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives from 1981 through 1989. MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE Message dated January 18 was read, stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Nineteenth Alaska Legislature at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 1996 for the purpose of hearing the State of the Judiciary by Supreme Court Chief Justice Allen Compton. Senator Halford moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate accept the House invitation to meet in Joint Session. Without objection, it was so ordered. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2177 COMMUNICATIONS The following report was received and is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Science and Technology Foundation Annual Report from James Kenworthy, Executive Director in accordance with AS 37.17.090(j) (Distributed to all Senators) STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS HB 224 The Rules Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 224(STA) An Act relating to the state plumbing code. Signing to calendar: Senator Miller, Chair, Senators Duncan, Salo. The bill is on todays calendar. INTRODUCTION AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 226 SENATE BILL NO. 226 BY SENATOR FRANK, entitled: An Act relating to biennial registration of motor vehicles; imposing biennial registration fees on motor vehicles and authorizing a scheduled biennial municipal tax on motor vehicles; relating to fees for motor vehicle emissions control programs; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. SB 227 SENATE BILL NO. 227 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2178 SB 227 An Act relating to an exemption to the unauthorized publication or use of communications and the prohibition against eavesdropping for certain law enforcement activities. was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. Zero fiscal notes published today from Department of Public Safety, Department of Law, Department of Administration (2), Department of Corrections, Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Governors transmittal letter dated January 19: Dear President Pearce: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that amends statutes regarding the unauthorized publication or use of communications and eavesdropping, in order to allow law enforcement officers to intercept communications in certain emergency situations. Current law prohibits surreptitious eavesdropping on a private conversation without the consent of one of the parties to the conversation. In an emergency (for example, where a suspect is barricaded with a hostage), law enforcement officers need to communicate with the suspect and, if possible, monitor the suspect's communications with others. Monitoring such communications can give valuable information to law enforcement officers to help defuse potentially dangerous situations. This bill provides the exemption necessary for law enforcement officers to surreptitiously monitor these communications. It allows the interception of communications of a suspect barricaded and refusing to surrender, holding a victim hostage, or threatening the imminent illegal use of an explosive. The exemption in the bill is limited to serious police emergencies; it will not otherwise affect the privacy of individual Alaskans. 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2179 SB 227 This legislation will support law enforcement agencies in making Alaska a safer place for our citizens. I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 228 SENATE BILL NO. 228 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to unclaimed property; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Revenue. Governors transmittal letter dated January 19: Dear President Pearce: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would update Alaskas law governing the handling of unclaimed property to streamline the process for the convenience of both the state and the property holders. Unclaimed, or abandoned, personal property includes money left in bank savings or insurance accounts or deposits left with utilities because the businesses cannot locate the owners. The state acts as the custodian for such property and protects it until an owner or heir claims it. This bill includes recommendations from an audit performed last year that would reduce paperwork and improve efforts to locate unclaimed property owners. 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2180 SB 228 Under this bill, mutual funds would be defined in unclaimed property statutes, allowing for reporting and payment to the state of unclaimed interests in mutual funds. This bill also requires that all unclaimed property holders report to the state at the same time. This will eliminate duplicate reports and provide for payment of unclaimed interests at the time the report is made. The value of interests that can be reported to the state without complete detail is raised from $25 and $50 to a uniform $100. This will mean less paperwork and administrative overhead for unclaimed property holders. The bill also puts a statutory limit on the amount of finders fee that a person can charge to search for owners of unclaimed property. There have been reports of some abuses nationwide of finders fees being charged at up to 50 percent of the value of the property, even when the person was easy to locate. This bill would protect Alaskans claiming property abandonment in this state by limiting these fees to 10 percent of the value of the property. In addition, this bill places restrictions on agreements between owners of unclaimed property and their finders, in order to protect the property owners and the state. An agreement would be void if it does not disclose the value of the property involved or if the agreement was reached before the state has held the property for at least two years. This bill represents an important step forward to update Alaskas unclaimed property laws. I urge your support. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 229 SENATE BILL NO. 229 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to employment contributions and to making the state training and employment program a permanent state program; and providing for an effective date. 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2181 SB 229 was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs, Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Fiscal notes published today from Department of Community and Regional Affairs (2), Department of Labor. Governors transmittal letter dated January 19: Dear President Pearce: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill making the state training and employment program (STEP) a permanent state program. The STEP is an integral component of Alaskas job training program and has enabled participants to increase their average quarterly earnings from nine to 12 percent. The STEP was established as a temporary, pilot program in 1989 and has been extended twice -- in 1991 and 1993. Since its inception, STEP has trained 4,890 Alaska workers at an average cost of $2,000 per participant which is covered by Alaska employees. The program is financed entirely by employee payroll contributions with no employer contributions or general fund monies. The STEP serves workers who would often be ineligible for employment training assistance through other programs. It offers workers the opportunity to acquire skills by investing in themselves, and helps those workers who have been displaced from their jobs to learn more skills. Nearly 60 percent of those entering the program are receiving unemployment benefits, and over 80 percent of the participants successfuly complete the training and increase their employment opportunities. The STEP will expire June 30, 1996, unless renewed by the Legislature. As federal training money decreases from year to year, continuing STEP and making it a permanent program will help Alaskans receive the training they need to respond to the changing needs of business and industry. 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2182 SB 229 I urge your support of this important bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor CONSIDERATION OF THE CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 224 COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 224(STA) An Act relating to the state plumbing code was read the second time. Senator Kelly moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Labor and Commerce Senate Committee Substitute offered on page 2150. Without objection, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 224(L&C) was adopted and read the second time. Senator Halford moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 224(L&C) was read the third time. 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2183 HB 224 The question being: Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 224(L&C) An Act relating to the state plumbing code pass the Senate? The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 224(L&C) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 16 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Adams, Donley, Duncan, Frank, Green, Kelly, Leman, Lincoln, Miller, Pearce, R.Phillips, Rieger, Salo, Sharp, Taylor, Torgerson Nays: Halford Excused: Hoffman, Zharoff Absent: Ellis and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 224(L&C) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. CITATIONS Honoring - Barbara Mitchell, Juneau Teacher of the Year Senator(s) Duncan, Hoffman, Donley, Taylor, Pearce, Ellis, Zharoff, Lincoln, Salo, Halford Representative(s) Robinson, Elton Honoring - Deborah Morsberger, Vista Volunteer Senator(s) Duncan, Hoffman, Taylor, Ellis, Zharoff, Lincoln, Salo Representative(s) Elton, Robinson In Memoriam - Aline Strutz Representative(s) Toohey Senator(s) Miller, Pearce, Leman, Hoffman, Donley, Taylor, Zharoff, Lincoln, Duncan, Halford, Sharp In Memoriam - Glenn P. Auliye Representative(s) Foster Senator(s) Adams, Hoffman, Taylor, Zharoff, Lincoln, Duncan 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2184 In Memoriam - Georgianne Blanket Representative(s) Foster Senator(s) Adams, Hoffman, Taylor, Zharoff, Lincoln, Duncan In Memoriam - Ada Johnsson Degnan Representative(s) Foster Senator(s) Adams, Hoffman, Taylor, Zharoff, Lincoln, Duncan, Sharp, Rieger Senator Halford moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Senator Donley moved and asked unanimous consent that he be excused from a call of the Senate on February 2. Without objection, Senator Donley was excused. SB 185 President Pearce added a Finance Committee referral to SENATE BILL NO. 185 An Act relating to immunization records for children under the age of seven. The bill was referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, State Affairs, then Finance Committees. ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements are at the end of the journal. ENGROSSMENT HB 224 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 224(L&C) An Act relating to the state plumbing code was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2185 ADJOURNMENT Senator Halford moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., January 22, 1996. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:22 a.m. Nancy Quinto Secretary of the Senate January 1996 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2186 ANNOUNCEMENTS NOTICE - AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. + indicates teleconference STANDING COMMITTEES COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS BUTROVICH ROOM 205 JAN 19 FRIDAY 1:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED JAN 22 MONDAY 1:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED JAN 24 WEDNESDAY 1:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED JAN 26 FRIDAY 1:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SENATE FINANCE 532 JAN 19 FRIDAY 9:00 AM FY 97 DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEWS ..COMMISSIONER HENSLEY, DEPT. OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ..COMMISSIONER CASHEN, DEPT. OF LABOR ..COMMISSIONER PERDUE, DEPT. OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES JAN 22 MONDAY 9:00 AM FY 97 DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEWS ..UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ..DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ..DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2187 FINANCE CONTINUED JAN 23 TUESDAY 9:00 AM FY 97 DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEWS ..DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME ..DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ..DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE JAN 24 WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM FY 97 DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEWS ..DEPARTMENT OF LAW ..DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES ..DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS JAN 25 THURSDAY 9:00 AM FY 97 MENTAL HEALTH TRUST BUDGET OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH ROOM 205 JAN 19 FRIDAY 9:00 AM NO MEETING SCHEDULED JAN 24 WEDNESDAY 9:00 AM --JT MEETING WITH (H) HESS COMMITTEE-- BRIEFING ON COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSOCIATION PLAN JAN 26 FRIDAY 9:00 AM NO MEETING SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ ROOM 211 JAN 19 FRIDAY 1:30 PM HJR 30 AMEND US CONSTIT. TO LIMIT FED. COURTS + SB 194 GANG RELATED CRIMES JAN 22 MONDAY 1:30 PM SJR 30 USE OF BUDGET RESERVE FUND JAN 24 WEDNESDAY 1:30 PM SJR 14 CONFIRMATION OF BD MANAGING PERM FUND JAN 26 FRIDAY 1:30 PM HB 127 120-DAY JAIL: ASSAULT ON OFFICERS ---------------------------------------- 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2188 LABOR & COMMERCE FAHRENKAMP RM 203 JAN 23 TUESDAY 1:30 PM EO 93 FORMALLY TRANSFERRING RESPONSI- BILITY FOR THE AK REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FROM DCED TO DCRA EO 94 FORMALLY TRANSFERRING FUNCTION OF DIV OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE TO DCED JAN 25 THURSDAY 1:30 PM SB 184 CIVIL LIABILITY FOR IMPROPER LAWSUIT ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES BUTROVICH ROOM 205 JAN 19 FRIDAY 3:30 PM -- MEETING POSTPONED -- HB 191 MANAGEMENT OF STATE LAND AND RESOURCES JAN 22 MONDAY 3:30 PM SB 162 AGRICULTURAL LAND JAN 24 WEDNESDAY 3:30 PM BRIEFING: ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION SB 190 RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT/STATE LAND AUCTION SB 128 NONRESIDENT HUNT, SPORT FISH, TRAP FEES <BILL HELD OVER FROM 1/17> JAN 26 FRIDAY 3:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED JAN 29 MONDAY 9:30 AM --NOTE: CHANGE OF MEETING LOCATION & TIME-- --2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, ANCHORAGE LIO, --716 W. FOURTH AVENUE + BRIEFING ON ALASKA NATURAL GAS PROJECT: YUKON PACIFIC CORPORATION ALASKA GAS PRODUCERS (ARCO, BP, EXXON) ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE JAN 31 WEDNESDAY 3:30 PM SB 199 ENVIRONMENTAL & HEALTH/SAFETY AUDITS ---------------------------------------- RULES FAHRENKAMP RM 203 JAN 22 MONDAY 0:00 AM --MEETING WILL BE UPON ADJOURNMENT-- CONSIDER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS SB 54 ELECTRIC UTIL & SOLID WASTE REMOVAL 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2189 STATE AFFAIRS BUTROVICH ROOM 205 JAN 23 TUESDAY 3:30 PM -- LOCATION CHANGE -- --JOINT MEETING WITH HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMM.-- + SB 177 CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT AMENDMENTS + HB 338 CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT AMENDMENTS JAN 25 THURSDAY 3:30 PM SB 191 ELECTION CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM OVERVIEW OF LEGISLATION ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH ROOM 205 JAN 23 TUESDAY 1:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED JAN 25 THURSDAY 1:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT HOUSE FINANCE 519 FEB 07 WEDNESDAY 4:30 PM JOINT WITH HOUSE/SENATE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ON REVENUE ..PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND CORPORATION OVERVIEW WITH BOARD OF TRUSTEES ..WORK-SESSION COMPARING INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OF THE STATES 3 RETIREMENT FUNDS AND THE PERMANENT FUND ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUTROVICH ROOM 205 FEB 07 WEDNESDAY 12:15 PM + WORK SESSION OTHER MEETINGS CHILDRENS CAUCUS BUTROVICH RM 205 JAN 23 TUESDAY 12:00 PM UPDATE ON THE HEALTHY FAMILIES PROGRAM DHSS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER YVONNE CHASE ---------------------------------------- 1996-01-19 Senate Journal Page 2190 JOINT SESSION HOUSE CHAMBER FEB 21 WEDNESDAY 11:00 AM JOINT SESSION: STATE OF JUDICIARY ---------------------------------------- MAJORITY CAUCUS BUTROVICH RM 205 JAN 19 FRIDAY 11:30 AM WILL MEET UPON ADJOURNMENT JAN 23 TUESDAY 11:00 AM JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS