Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-02-12 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0237 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Twenty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Pearce at 11:14 a.m. The roll showed eleven members present. Senators Donley, Green, Halford, Hoffman, Pete Kelly, Tim Kelly, Mackie, Miller were excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Ellis was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor James Brubaker of the Faith Lutheran Church. Senator Adams moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear God, This day our nation notes the birthday of one of the greatest leaders You have given us . . . Abraham Lincoln. We thank You for Lincoln and for all our past leaders who have given us a rich heritage to preserve and love. We pray today the humble prayer of Lincoln, said during a most difficult time of his presidency: O God who heard Solomon in the night when he prayed for wisdom, hear. I cannot lead this people; I cannot guide the affairs of this nation without Your help. I am poor and weak and sinful. O God, who did hear Solomon when he cried for wisdom, hear me and save this nation. Help us, like Lincoln, to seek Your wisdom in all of our daily tasks, large or small. Refresh us over this long weekend and grant us safe journeys to our homes whether close by or far away. 237 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0238 We close this week by thanking You for the great freedoms we enjoy in our land. As leaders of this great state, by Your grace, may we always be vigilant in guarding and protecting this truly wonderful blessing from You. Amen. Senator Phillips led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Leman, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the twenty-fourth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Taxable 1998, Municipal Taxation - Rates and Policies, Full Value Determination, Population and G.O. Bonded Debt from Steve Van Sant, State Assessor, Municipal and Regional Assistance Division, Department of Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee Reports SB 31 The Health, Education and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 31 An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the states integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date. Signing do pass: Senator Miller, Chair, Senators Wilken, Pearce, Elton, Pete Kelly. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0239 SB 35 The Rules Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 35 An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Marine Pilots. Signing to calendar: Senator Tim Kelly, Chair, Senators Ellis, Miller, Leman, Pearce. The bill is on the February 16 calendar. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 72 SENATE BILL NO. 72 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act making and amending 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. Governors transmittal letter dated February 10: Dear President Pearce: In 1990, Alaska voters created the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) to cushion state services and the state's economy from some of the effects of oil price volatility. Since then, state budgets have included a provision authorizing use of this oil volatility reserve if general funds are not adequate for the budget levels appropriated by the Legislature. Until last year, there was no specified limit on the dollar amount that could be drawn for this purpose since no one can predict oil prices with certainty. Most years, we have needed far less CBR funds than anticipated when the budgets were passed. 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0240 SB 72 The FY99 budget bill differed from prior years because it contained a $700,000,001 cap on the use of CBR funds. When the budget was passed last May, the Department of Revenue's spring oil price forecast for FY99 was $15.32, and the CBR draw was estimated to be $685 million. If oil had stayed as forecast, the $700 million cap on a CBR draw would not have affected budget levels set by the Legislature. The Department of Revenue's most recent forecast predicts an annual oil price of $11.58. If that price holds during the remaining four months of the fiscal year, general fund revenues will have to be supplemented with an estimated $1.2 billion from the CBR. The bill I am introducing today removes the specific limit on the amount of CBR funds to ensure we can continue to meet the expenditures authorized by the Legislature in this year's budget. Because no one can say exactly how much will be needed between now and June 30, a CBR limit with a revised specific dollar amount could result in another similar problem later in the fiscal year, possibly even after the Legislature has adjourned. Whether or not there is a limit on the CBR draw, agencies cannot expend more than the amount appropriated by the Legislature. This bill also corrects an inadvertent oversight from May when the CBR management fees did not come up for a separate CBR vote. I urge your prompt passage of this bill so we can resolve the issue before incurring cash flow problems at the beginning of March. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 73 SENATE BILL NO. 73 BY SENATOR MILLER, entitled: An Act relating to assisted living homes; and providing for an effective date. 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0241 SB 73 was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - Val A. Poor Senator(s) Elton, Adams, Lincoln, Wilken, Mackie, Leman, Tim Kelly, Taylor, Parnell Representative(s) Hudson, Kerttula Senator Leman, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business SJR 6 Senator Ward moved and asked unanimous consent that he be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 Urging the President of the United States and the Congress to act to ensure that federal agencies do not retain records relating to lawful purchase or ownership of firearms gathered through the Brady Handgun Bill instant check system. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Adams moved and asked unanimous consent that he be excused from the Senate, not subject to a call, on February 19. Without objection, Senator Adams was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0242 Adjournment Senator Leman, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 16, 1999. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:21 a.m. Nancy Quinto Secretary of the Senate February 1999 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0243 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - 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. SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS FAHRENKAMP RM 203 Feb 17 Wednesday 01:30 PM OVERVIEW: LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 12 Friday 09:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELLED -- BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 15 Monday 09:00 AM NO MEETING SCHEDULED Feb 16 Tuesday 09:00 AM = SJR 3REPEAL OF REGULATIONS BY LEGISLATURE Feb 17 Wednesday 09:00 AM SB 30OPERATING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS -FRONT SECTION Feb 18 Thursday 09:00 AM SJR 2CONST. AM: PRISONER'S RIGHTS SB 36YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 19 Friday 09:15 AM JOINT W/(H) FINANCE STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESENTATION UA PRESIDENT MARK HAMILTON ---------------------------------------- 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0244 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH ROOM 205 Feb 15 Monday 01:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED NOTE FUTURE DAY AND TIME CHANGES Feb 17 Wednesday 01:30 PM + BRIEFING: MENTAL HEALTH TRUST AUTHORITY JEFF JESSEE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ ROOM 211 Feb 12 Friday 01:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELLED -- BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 15 Monday 01:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED Feb 17 Wednesday 01:30 PM SB 11PRISON TIME CREDITS FOR MURDERERS BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 19 Friday 01:30 PM BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE FAHRENKAMP RM 203 Feb 16 Tuesday 01:30 PM SB 51LICENSING OF COSMETOLOGISTS SB 53EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE FOR NAT'L GUARD BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 18 Thursday 01:30 PM + SB 47ALASKA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION + SB 50BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL INSPECTIONS BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES BUTROVICH ROOM 205 Feb 12 Friday 03:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELLED -- BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0245 RESOURCES Feb 15 Monday 03:00 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED Feb 17 Wednesday 03:00 PM OVERVIEW: PROPOSED CHENIK INSTITUTE LEASE - MCNEIL RIVER STATE GAME REFUGE BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 19 Friday 03:00 PM BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- RULES FAHRENKAMP RM 203 Feb 16 Tuesday UPON ADJOURNMENT HJR 8NATIONAL BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SB 3CRIMES OF MURDER & CHILD MURDERS ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS BELTZ ROOM 211 Feb 16 Tuesday 03:30 PM SB 10MUNICIPAL TAX EXEMPT ON REC FACILITIES SB 421999 REVISOR'S BILL SB 55JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE SB 69ADVISORY VOTE ON ELECTED AG BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 18 Thursday 03:30 PM BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH ROOM 205 Feb 16 Tuesday 01:30 PM + SB 64MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES Feb 18 Thursday 01:30 PM JOINT W/(H) TRANSPORTATION SUBCOMMITTEE AIRLINE PASSENGER FACILITY CHARGES 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0246 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 18 Thursday 04:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519 JOINT W/(H) DCED SUBCOMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 16 Tuesday 01:30 PM OVERVIEWS: SPILL PREVENTION/RESPONSE STATEWIDE PUBLIC SERVICE ---------------------------------------- LABOR CAPITOL ROOM 124 Feb 12 Friday 08:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELLED -- JOINT W/(H) LABOR SUBCOMMITTEE OVERVIEW Feb 19 Friday 08:00 AM JOINT W/(H) LABOR SUBCOMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------- MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 17 Wednesday 04:00 PM ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 25 Thursday 04:00 PM ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 16 Tuesday 02:30 PM DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW 1999-02-12 Senate Journal Page 0247 JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT HOUSE FINANCE 519 Feb 12 Friday 12:00 PM