Legislature(1999 - 2000)
2000-01-14 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1917 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE -- SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 14, 2000 Fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment, the House was called to order by Speaker Porter at 10:03 a.m. Roll call showed 28 members present. Representatives Barnes, Rokeberg and Sanders had been previously excused from a call of the House today. Representatives Bunde, Croft, James, Mulder, Phillips, and Williams were absent and their presence was noted later. Representatives Davis and Therriault were absent. Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Kott be excused from a call of the House from 10:00a.m. today to 9:34 p.m., plane time, January 17, 2000. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by Pastor Greg Lindsay of the Northern Light United Church. Representative Davies moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it appears below: In deepest respect for the religious practices of each person here, let us take a moment for spiritual reflection. Let us pray: God of many names, gathered into One, You have created everything and called it good. In this time that You have given us to serve, may we seek to become the very best that You have created us to be. May we seek to bring out the best in each one of our colleagues. Give us the confidence to 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1918 know that we will be more effective together than we could ever hope to be alone. And may we keep ever before us those who are most in need. Empower us, O God, to empower them. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Joule. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the third and fourth legislative days and House & Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 8 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated January 13, 2000, was read stating the Senate has accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m., March 8 to hear the State of the Judiciary address by the Honorable Warren Matthews, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS A message dated January 13, 2000, was read stating the Senate has passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: SB 162 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 162(JUD) by the Senate Judiciary Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to the rule against perpetuities, nonvested property interests, and powers of appointment; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Rules Committee. 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1919 COMMUNICATIONS The following report was received: Dept. of Administration Division of Finance Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year July 1, 1998 - June 30, 1999 (as required by AS 37.05.210) **The presence of Representative James was noted. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 44 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 44 by Representatives Ogan, Coghill and Kohring: Relating to mandates and other conditions imposed on the states by the federal government. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations and the Resources Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 285 HOUSE BILL NO. 285 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making and amending appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1920 HB 285 **The presence of Representative Williams was noted. The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12, 2000, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: I call the Fiscal Year 2001 operating budget I am transmitting today "The Childrens Budget". It would continue the progress we're beginning to achieve with Smart Start: to reach zero tolerance for child abuse and neglect; to place children in loving foster families and permanent homes; and to ensure children's good health. It would continue our progress in welfare reform with adequate day care so parents don't have to choose between earning a living and having their children cared for safely. It would strengthen our Quality Schools initiatives and our University to help prepare our children for good jobs here in Alaska. This budget proposes an increase of $98 million from last year's budget -- two-thirds of that for programs directly benefiting children and for education. Some have asked if it's responsible to propose a general fund budget increase when we continue to face a fiscal gap. My answer: definitely. First, because investments to protect children and improve education will help build strong families and save money tomorrow in reduced costs for welfare, crime, health care and prisons. Second, because I am also proposing that we address the revenue side of a balanced budget plan this session. We must make the tough decisions necessary to offset the oil revenue decline we all knew would happen by raising other appropriate revenues. There is no question that failure to act on a balanced budget plan until the last dollar of savings is spent will damage our economy and threaten our children's future. Even with my proposed "Children's Budget" investments, Alaska would spend $1,647 less per person in today's general fund dollars than in Fiscal 1979 -- the year before the pipeline boom began. We would still have a budget that's $134 million less than the one I inherited five years ago. 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1921 HB 285 I stand ready to work with you to make responsible choices for our children's sake. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 286 HOUSE BILL NO. 286 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. A letter and report outlining the differences between the Governor's proposed budget and the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority dated January 11, 2000, to the AMHTA from Annalee McConnell, Director, Office of Management & Budget, was attached and is on file in the Chief Clerk's office. The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12, 2000, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: I am today transmitting to you a separate FY2001 appropriations bill for the state's comprehensive mental health program. As required by statute, it includes both operating and capital appropriations and is accompanied by a report outlining the differences between my proposed budget and the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Authority. Alaska continues to make considerable progress in serving beneficiaries of the mental health settlement and emphasizing community based services. This budget proposal continues that progress with careful investments of Trust Authority receipts, general 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1922 HB 286 funds and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation receipts for housing- related capital projects. The bill represents a cooperative effort between several departments in my Administration and the Trustees and staff of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. We look forward to working with the Legislature in evaluating and implementing this budget proposal for mental health services for the Trust's beneficiaries. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 287 HOUSE BILL NO. 287 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making and amending capital appropriations and reappropriations and capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12, 2000, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: I am transmitting to you today my proposed capital budget for FY2001. Together with two bond authorization proposals for schools and transportation which you will receive separately, it represents a solid investment to meet the most critical needs for Alaska's economic development and basic public services such as education, transportation and public protection. We all know that a single year's budget cannot handle the sheer magnitude of what's needed to repair all our aging state facilities and bring all our transportation and technology systems up to current standards. This year, I believe we should focus our most extensive 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1923 HB 287 efforts in the areas of education and transportation because we have time-sensitive obligations and opportunities to clear the enormous backlogs there. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore needs in other areas such as critical deferred maintenance projects, new computer systems required by the federal government, water and sewer systems, and safety equipment for child protection and public safety personnel. This budget makes necessary investments in these basic areas as well as some strategic economic development projects. This $936 million capital appropriations bill includes $101.6 million in general funds and $706.4 million in federal funds. AHFC capital funds remain at $52 million and the $18.5 million AIDEA dividend is again recommended principally for the community capital matching grants program. I look forward to working with you to put together a responsible capital budget for the first year of the new millennium. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 288 HOUSE BILL NO. 288 by Representative Kott, entitled: "An Act relating to the creation of an aggravating factor for the commission of domestic violence in the physical presence of a child." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Judiciary Committees. HB 289 HOUSE BILL NO. 289 by Representative Harris, entitled: 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1924 HB 289 "An Act relating to transportation of members of the Alaska National Guard, the Alaska Naval Militia, and the Alaska State Defense Force by the Alaska marine highway system and the Alaska Railroad; and relating to the Alaska State Defense Force." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the Transportation and Finance Committees. HB 290 HOUSE BILL NO. 290 by the House Resources Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to stranded gas pipeline carriers and to the intrastate regulation by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska of pipelines and pipeline facilities of stranded gas pipeline carriers." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas and the Resources and Finance Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - William Thomas "Tom" Maher By Representatives Phillips, Porter, Austerman, Berkowitz, Brice, Bunde, Cissna, Cowdery, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Foster, Grussendorf, Halcro, Harris, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Mulder, Murkowski, Rokeberg, Sanders, Smalley, Williams Honoring - Deborah Whitethorn By Representatives Bunde, Porter, Austerman, Berkowitz, Brice, Cissna, Cowdery, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Grussendorf, Halcro, Harris, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Mulder, Murkowski, Rokeberg, Sanders, Smalley, Williams 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1925 Honoring - Mary Alice Donaldson By Representatives Bunde, Porter, Austerman, Berkowitz, Brice, Cissna, Cowdery, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Grussendorf, Halcro, Harris, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Mulder, Murkowski, Rokeberg, Sanders, Smalley, Williams Honoring - Doctors John and Elizabeth Tower By Representatives Bunde, Porter, Austerman, Berkowitz, Brice, Cissna, Cowdery, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Grussendorf, Halcro, Harris, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Mulder, Murkowski, Phillips, Rokeberg, Sanders, Smalley, Williams In Memoriam - Miriam E. Carlson By Representatives Murkowski, Bunde, Porter, Austerman, Berkowitz, Brice, Cissna, Cowdery, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Foster, Grussendorf, Halcro, Harris, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Morgan, Mulder, Phillips, Rokeberg, Sanders, Smalley, Williams In Memoriam - W. W. "Bill" Sherwood By Representatives Halcro, Bunde, Porter, Austerman, Berkowitz, Brice, Cissna, Cowdery, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Foster, Grussendorf, Harris, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Morgan, Mulder, Murkowski, Phillips, Rokeberg, Sanders, Smalley, Williams UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Masek - from 1:35 p.m., January 14 to 9:32 p.m., plane time, January 18, 2000 Representative Cissna - from 7:15 a.m., January 15 to 9:32 p.m., plane time, January 17, 2000 Representative Ogan - from 7:00 a.m., January 20 to 3:45 a.m., ferry time, January 24, 2000 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1926 Representative James - from 8:57 a.m., February 1 to 9:32 p.m., plane time, February 1, 2000 Representative Porter - from 1:35 p.m., February 11 to 9:31 a.m., plane time, February 15, 2000 Representative Kott - from 7:15 a.m., February 11 to 9:34 p.m., plane time, February 14, 2000 Representative Murkowski - from 1:35 p.m., February 11 to 9:31 a.m., plane time, February 15, 2000 Representative Green - from 7:15 a.m., February 11 to 9:34 p.m., plane time, February 14, 2000 (amended from page 1909) **The presence of Representatives Bunde, Mulder, Croft and Phillips was noted. SCR 8 Pursuant to: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Creating the Long-Term Care Task Force of 1999. Legislative Resolve No. 23 The task force membership (page 1800) is corrected as noted: Senator Wilken, Chair Representative Halcro Senator Miller Representative Coghill Senator Ellis Representative Croft Mr. Dennis Murray ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. 2000-01-14 House Journal Page 1927 ADJOURNMENT Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., January 18, 2000. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:47 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk