Legislature(1999 - 2000)
2000-05-04 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3791 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE THIRD SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday May 4, 2000 First Day Pursuant to the Governor's proclamation, the House was called to order by Speaker Porter at 4:05 p.m. Roll call showed 27 members present. Representative Williams was absent and his presence was noted later. Representatives Brice, Cissna, Croft, Halcro, Kemplen, Kerttula, Kohring, Ogan, Rokeberg, Sanders, and Smalley were absent. Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Whitaker be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by Father Tom Moffatt of the St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Church. Representative Hudson moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it appears below: Jesus said, "Be compassionate just as your Father in Heaven is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and there will be gifts for you; because the standard you use will be the standard God uses for you!" 2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3792 Now as each one struggles to do what is right, as God gives us the light, let us not judge the motives of our brothers and sisters. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Morgan. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HCR 28 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has passed: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 273, regarding oil discharge prevention, and relating to contingency plans and proof of financial responsibility for all self- propelled nontank vessels exceeding 400 gross registered tonnage and for railroad tank cars; authorizing inspection of nontank vessels and trains; and providing for an effective date. HCR 28 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HCR 29 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has passed: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29 Opposing any prohibition against having election voting sites at military installations. HCR 29 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 18 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has passed: 2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3793 HB 18 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 18(FIN) "An Act making a special appropriation in an amount not to exceed $250,000,000 from the earnings reserve account to the principal of the permanent fund; and providing for an effective date." CSHB 18(FIN) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. SB 192 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has concurred in the House amendment to CSSB 192(FIN) am, thus adopting: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(FIN) am H "An Act making and amending appropriations and reappropriations; 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." The Senate adopted the House letter of intent (page 3594). SB 273 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has concurred in the House amendment to: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 273(RLS)(title am) "An Act regarding oil discharge prevention, and relating to contingency plans and proof of financial responsibility for all self- propelled nontank vessels exceeding 400 gross registered tonnage and for railroad tank cars; authorizing inspection of nontank vessels and trains; and providing for an effective date." thus adopting: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 273(WTR) "An Act regarding oil discharge prevention, and relating to contingency plans and proof of financial responsibility for all self- propelled nontank vessels exceeding 400 gross registered tonnage and for railroad tank cars; and providing for an effective date." 2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3794 SB 273 (New title authorized by HCR 28) SB 312 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has concurred in the House amendment to SB 312 am, thus adopting: HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 312(FIN) am H "An Act relating to the special subaccount in the budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." SB 4 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has adopted the Conference Committee with limited powers of free conference report on HCS CSSB 4(FIN) and CSSB 4(FIN), thus adopting: CONFERENCE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 4 "An Act relating to victims' rights; relating to establishing an office of victims' rights; relating to compensation of victims of violent crimes; relating to eligibility for a permanent fund dividend for persons convicted of and incarcerated for certain offenses; relating to notice of appropriations concerning victims' rights; amending Rule 16, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 9, Alaska Delinquency Rules, and Rule 501, Alaska Rules of Evidence; and providing for an effective date." The Senate adopted the Conference Committee letter of intent (page 3761). The House has adopted CCS SB 4 (page 3777). SB 248 A message dated May 3, 2000, was received stating the Senate has adopted the Conference Committee with limited powers of free conference report on HCS CSSB 248(FIN) and CSSB 248(FIN) am, thus adopting: CONFERENCE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 248 "An Act relating to the financing authority, payment in lieu of tax 2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3795 SB 248 agreements, and tax exemption for assets and projects of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; relating to renaming and contingently repealing the rural development initiative fund within the Department of Community and Economic Development, and establishing the rural development initiative fund within the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; and providing for an effective date." The House has adopted CCS SB 248 (page 3779). INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 3001 HOUSE BILL NO. 3001 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act appropriating amounts to cover the fiscal year 2001 monetary terms of the collective bargaining agreements for employees of the University of Alaska and the fiscal year 2001 salary and benefit adjustments for university employees who are not members of a collective bargaining unit; appropriating amounts to cover the fiscal year 2001 monetary terms of all executive branch collective bargaining agreements and the fiscal year 2001 salary and benefit adjustments for elected officials, officers, and employees of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches who are not members of a collective bargaining unit; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The Governor's transmittal letter dated May 4, 2000, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: I am transmitting two bills to this third special session of the Twenty- First Legislature of the State of Alaska which provide necessary 2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3796 HB 3001 appropriations and statutory authorizations to honor our collective bargaining agreements and to extend similar provisions to non-covered employees in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. I believe these modest increases are fair. The yearly increases of approximately 2%, 2% and 3% are far below most federal and local government contracts. In response to recent low oil revenues, last year state workers had no increase and for the last four years had increases less than half the cost of living. We all know it is necessary to keep state compensation competitive in an environment where private, federal and local employers have made significantly larger gains. Each day these dedicated state employees provide vital services to keep the public safe and healthy, and keep state services functioning efficiently. Some are even called upon to risk their lives in service to the state. I believe we all value the work that these men and women perform for all Alaskans. The appropriations in this bill use the same wide variety of fund sources which currently finance state government, such as federal funds, general funds and corporate receipts. The Administration will work with the Legislature to look for fund sources which could reduce the need for general funds. Now that the other business of the regular session has been concluded, there is an opportunity to focus on the contracts. I will work with you to achieve a swift and successful conclusion to this special session. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" **The presence of Representative Williams was noted. HB 3002 HOUSE BILL NO. 3002 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3797 HB 3002 "An Act relating to the compensation of certain public officials, officers, and employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal note applies: Fiscal note, Office of the Governor/All Depts., 5/4/00 The Governor's transmittal letter dated May 4, 2000, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: Following the historical practice of extending collective bargaining agreements to non-represented state employees, I am transmitting this bill relating to salaries for partially exempt and exempt employees in the Executive branch, as well as legislative and judicial employees. The bill provides for modest cost-of-living increases similar to those provided in the collective bargaining agreements that my Administration negotiated: a lump sum payment of $1,200 for FY2001 (reduced by $50 for any pay period the employee was not in pay status during FY2000); a 2% increase in fiscal year 2002; and a 3% increase in fiscal year 2003. The bill also clarifies that the employees of the University of Alaska who are not members of a collective bargaining unit are entitled to receive salary increases according to Board of Regents policy. I believe these modest increases are fair. The yearly increases of approximately 2%, 2% and 3% are far below most federal and local government contracts. In response to recent low oil revenues, last year state workers had no increase and for the last four years had increases less than half the cost of living. We all know it is necessary to keep state compensation competitive in an environment where private, federal and local employers have made significantly larger gains. 2000-05-04 House Journal Page 3798 HB 3002 These modest increases will maintain parity in state employee pay and help all three branches of government recruit and retain qualified employees. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. Majority Caucus Speaker's Chamber upon adj., 5/4 ADJOURNMENT Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., May 5, 2000. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 4:10 p.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk