Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-09-22 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1827 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska First Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Pearce at 1:10 p.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senators Pete Kelly, Taylor were absent. Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that Senators Pete Kelly, Taylor be excused from a call of the Senate because of weather. Without objection, Senators Pete Kelly, Taylor were excused. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Tom Moffatt of St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Church of Juneau. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Let us pray for the repose of the soul of newly departed handmaiden of God Gertrude Williams, mother-in-law of our Senate President: O God of spirits, and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death and overthrown the Devil, and given life to Thy world; Do Thou, the same Lord, give rest to the soul of Thy departed servant Gertrude, in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away. Pardon every transgression which she has committed, whether by word or deed or thought. For Thou art a good God and lovest mankind; because there is no woman who lives yet 1827 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1828 does not sin; for Thou only art without sin; Thy righteousness is to all eternity; and Thy word is truth. For Thou art the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Thy servant Gertrude who is fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life- creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, amen. Now, Lord, look down from Heaven upon these, Your Senators, gathered here. Endow them with the wisdom to discern a right course of action and allow them to understand that ultimately it is Your will that shall be done. Amen. Senator Wilken led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the sixth legislative day of the First Special Session, the First Supplement of the First Session and the First Special Session of the Twenty-first Legislature and Senate Journal Supplements No. 5 and No. 6 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor The secretary read the following: 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1829 Executive Proclamation Under the authority of art. II, sec. 9, and art. III sec. 17, of the Alaska Constitution, and in the public interest, I call the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Alaska into its second special session at Juneau, Alaska, in the Legislative chambers on September 22, 1999, at 1:00 p.m., to consider an amendment to the Alaska Constitution granting authority to the legislature to provide a priority in the taking of fish and wildlife and other renewable natural resources for subsistence uses. Dated at Anchorage, Alaska this 2nd day of September 1999. /s/ Tony Knowles Governor Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 201 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 201 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to subsistence use of renewable natural resources by residents of the state; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. Fiscal notes published today from Department of Fish and Game, Office of the Governor. Governors transmittal letter dated September 22, 1999: 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1830 SJR 201 Dear President Pearce: On October 1 the federal government will take over management of subsistence fishing on nearly 60 percent of Alaskas rivers and lakes. That date will mark a historic reversal of Alaskas independence. Our state will lose the right to manage a significant portion of the fish and wildlife within its borders, a right that was at the heart of the battle for Alaska Statehood. Today I am once again putting forward the only approach that will prevent this federal takeover--a simple, permissive constitutional amendment to be placed before the voters at the next general election. In the past, the consequences of inaction by the Legislature have been postponed by the action of our Congressional delegation and the Secretary of Interior, but the messages from Washington now are loud and clear: No one is going to bail us out again; there are no more reprieves. Either the Legislature acts to bring the state into compliance with the provisions of ANILCA, or the federal government will expand its current management of game resources on federal lands to include the management of fisheries for subsistence on inland rivers and lakes within and adjacent to federal public lands. The potential impact of fisheries management is far greater than that of game management. Because of the complexity of fishery management, the federal government's reach, under the federal case law principle of extra-territoriality, could well extend to fish now managed by the state in waters distant from federal lands. This joint resolution calls for a vote on a state constitutional amendment to permit a preference to rural residents for subsistence uses of renewable natural resources, a principle a majority of Alaskans support. Subsistence defines the special tie we as Alaskans have to our land. It makes us unique among the 50 states. In rural Alaska, subsistence is the special bond that defines the very essence of the rural way of life. 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1831 SJR 201 The language of the amendment is similar to what I have proposed in the past and what has been recommended by the Governors Subsistence Task Force and rural legislators. When the amendment is coupled with appropriate statutory changes, it will enable the state to comply with ANILCA, thereby retaining complete management of fish and regaining management of wildlife on all land and water in Alaska. Over the years, we have studied many options for resolving the subsistence issue. Now, we are down to two. We can place a simple, permissive constitutional amendment on the ballot to be decided by Alaskans, or we can relinquish, without a whimper, some of our most precious assets to the heavy hand of federal management. There are no other alternatives. Every public opinion survey says Alaskans want us to act to preserve state sovereignty and the culture of rural residents. As elected leaders, I urge you to demonstrate your faith in Alaskans by allowing a vote on this measure that will avert a federal takeover. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor Unfinished Business Senator Tim Kelly, Rules Committee Chair, introduced the Second Special Session Chamber Staff as follows: Sergeant at Arms Ian Fisk Assistant Sergeant at Arms Chris Blalock Senate Pages Angie Robinson Kimberly Hanger 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1832 Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate return to Messages from the House. Without objection, the Senate returned to: Messages from the House Message dated September 22 was read, stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Legislature at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24, for the purpose of taking up the veto override of bills vetoed by the Governor after the end of last session. Senator Mackie 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. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 1:00 p.m., September 23, 1999. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 1:25 p.m. Nancy Quinto Secretary of the Senate September 1999 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1833 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 RESOURCES Sep 22 Wednesday 4:00 PM SENATE FINANCE 532 **NOTE LOCATION CHANGE*** SJR201CONST.AM: RURAL SUBSISTENCE PRIORITY Sep 23 Thursday 2:00 PM SENATE FINANCE 532 = SJR201CONST.AM: RURAL SUBSISTENCE PRIORITY JOINT COMMITTEES ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE BUTROVICH RM 205 Sep 23 Thursday 10:30 AM AGENDA TO BE ANNOUNCED ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT HOUSE FINANCE 519 Sep 23 Thursday 8:30 AM AGENDA: CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL & MINUTES RPLS, EXECUTIVE SESSION, AUDIT REPORTS, AND OTHER BUSINESS ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUTROVICH RM 205 Sep 24 Friday 1:00 PM 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1834 SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MERGERS BUTROVICH RM 205 Sep 24 Friday 9:00 AM PROPOSED BP/ARCO MERGER EXECUTIVE SESSION: LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION HOUSE CHAMBER Sep 24 Friday 11:00 AM TAKE UP GOVERNORS VETOES ---------------------------------------- MAJORITY CAUCUS BUTROVICH RM 205 Sep 22 Wednesday 1:35 PM ---------------------------------------- MINORITY CAUCUS BELTZ ROOM 211 Sep 22 Wednesday 1:35 PM JT WITH HOUSE MINORITY ---------------------------------------- COMMISSION ON PRIVATIZATION ANCHORAGE LIO Oct 18 ***MEETING CANCELLED*** FULL COMMITTEE Oct 20 Wednesday 9:00 AM + FULL COMMITTEE Oct 28 Wednesday 9:00 AM + FULL COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEES COMMISSION ON PRIVATIZATION ANCHORAGE LIO Sep 22 Wednesday + COURTS 12:00 PM + ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 1:30 PM + LABOR 2:30 PM + COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 3:30 PM 1999-09-22 Senate Journal Page 1835 SUBCOMMITTEES COMMISSION ON PRIVATIZATION Sep 23 Thursday ***RESCHEDULED TO 9/22*** + ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 1:30 PM Sep 24 Friday + TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES 10:00 AM + PUBLIC SAFETY 10:30 AM Sep 27 Monday + GOVERNOR 10:00 AM + EDUCATION 12:00 PM + NATURAL RESOURCES 4:00 PM Sep 28 Tuesday + HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES 11:00 AM + CORRECTIONS 12:00 PM + FISH AND GAME 3:00 PM Sep 29 Wednesday + REVENUE 8:00 AM + COURTS 12:00 PM + LABOR 2:30 PM + COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 3:30 PM Sep 30 Thursday + LAW 11:30 AM MILITARY & VETERANS AFFAIRS 11:30 AM + ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION 1:30 PM For further Privatization meetings please check the following web sites: www.privatizealaska.org or www.legis.state.ak.us/basis21.htm Or call the Senate Secretary at 465-3701.