Legislature(1999 - 2000)
2000-02-15 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2299 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Pearce at 11:12 a.m. The roll showed eleven members present. Senators Adams, Donley, Hoffman, Tim Kelly, Lincoln, Taylor were excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Ellis, Leman, Ward were absent. Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that Senator Ellis be excused from a call of the Senate due to illness. Without objection, Senator Ellis was excused. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Greg Clark of the Glacier Valley Baptist Church. Senator Pete Kelly moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Almighty and Everlasting God, we acknowledge that by Your grace we stand here today. It is by Your mercies that we have been refreshed with a night of rest, and we thank You for seeing the light of another day. We also thank Thee, Lord, for all the opportunities that this day will bring forth. Help us to rise to the occasion and meet those opportunities in Your strength. We thank Thee, O Lord, for Your mighty hand and Your sovereign grace upon our nation. You have blessed us with a multitude of blessings and have caused our nation to excel all others. We take no 2299 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2300 credit for this, but realize that it would have been impossible without You. Lord, the words of Benjamin Franklin are true: You govern in the affairs of men, and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without Your notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without Your aid? Your word is true Lord, Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23) You have commanded us as Your people to pray for those in authority. Father, we realize that this is not only a command, but a great and awesome privilege. I pray for all those in this chamber this morning, and for the issues that they will be addressing today. May Your Spirit guide their thoughts and direct their decisions so that everything done here today might be in Your will. Father, I would also pray for their families. May You watch over their families while they are separated from them. Protect them in their absence and remove any anxiety that may be on their hearts at this time so they may be able to focus on the matters at hand. We thank Thee, O Lord, for hearing our prayers and we offer them to You, being assured that You will answer. Forgive us our sins and fill us with Your love this day in Jesus Name we pray. Amen. Senator Parnell led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the thirty-third through thirty-sixth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2301 Standing Committee Reports SB 85 Forthcoming fiscal note (page 2271) for the Finance Committee Substitute for SENATE BILL NO. 85 An Act relating to credited service in the public employees retirement system for temporary employment published today from Department of Administration. SB 186 Fiscal note for SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 186 An Act relating to the Alaska Higher Education Savings Trust; and providing for an effective date (page 2107) published January 28, 2000 from Department of Revenue. Forthcoming zero fiscal note (page 2271) for the Finance Committee Substitute for SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 186 published today from Department of Revenue. SB 229 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 229 An Act relating to the employment of hearing examiners and mediators by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; repealing a requirement that the principal office of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission move to the same location as the principal office of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to the sharing of record- keeping facilities and clerical staff by the two commissions; and providing for an effective date and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 229(FIN) An Act relating to the employment of hearing examiners, arbitrators, and mediators by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; repealing a requirement that the principal office of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission move to the same location as the principal office of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to the sharing of record-keeping facilities and clerical staff by the two commissions; and providing for an effective date. 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2302 SB 229 Signing do pass: Senators Torgerson, Parnell, Cochairs, Senators Green, Pete Kelly, Wilken. Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Community and Economic Development. The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SJR 29 Forthcoming fiscal note (page 2256) for the Finance Committee Substitute for SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29 Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to terms of legislators, to special legislative sessions, and to the time of convening and length of regular sessions of the legislature, published today from Legislative Affairs Agency. SCR 12 The Rules Committee considered SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Relating to declaring March 2000 as Sobriety Awareness Month. Signing to calendar: Senator Tim Kelly, Chair, Senators Miller, Leman, Pearce. The resolution is on todays calendar. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 15 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15 BY SENATOR LINCOLN, Relating to Alcohol-Related Birth Defects Awareness Weeks. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services Committee. 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2303 SJR 37 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 37 BY SENATOR DONLEY, Requesting the Municipality of Anchorage to name a trail as the Trent-Waldron Memorial Trail. was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. SJR 38 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38 BY SENATOR WILKEN, Expressing support for a cooperative United States- Canada feasibility study on extending the North American rail system through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory to Alaska. was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 271 SENATE BILL NO. 271 BY SENATOR TAYLOR, entitled: An Act relating to fees charged for inspections by the Department of Environmental Conservation; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. SB 272 SENATE BILL NO. 272 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2304 SB 272 An Act eliminating certain taxes under AS 21.09 on premiums from the sale of workers compensation insurance; relating to the establishment, assessment, collection, and accounting for service fees for state administration of workers compensation and worker safety programs; establishing civil penalties and sanctions for late payment or nonpayment of the service fee; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce, Judiciary and Finance Committees. Fiscal notes published today from Department of Administration, Department of Community and Economic Development, Department of Labor and Workforce Development (2). Governors transmittal letter dated February 11: Dear President Pearce: The states workers compensation and worker safety programs in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development provide important benefits and services to employees and employers throughout Alaska. Successive budget cuts to the department have threatened the viability of these programs to the point that a takeover of the safety program by the federal government is a distinct possibility. Federal management of our occupational health and safety program is unacceptable to me and to most employers and employees in Alaska. The bill I am introducing changes the way in which these programs are funded to ensure these services to Alaskans are put back on firm footing. These programs are currently paid for with general funds. The costs roughly equate to the amount of money the state collects from the tax on workers compensation insurance premiums. 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2305 SB 272 The programs clearly benefit all employers, but only those employers who purchase workers compensation insurance are taxed. Larger self-insured employers pay no tax. This bill more equitably spreads the cost/benefit structure of worker safety programs by eliminating the premium tax and replacing it with a fee for all employers based on a percentage of their individual workers compensation claims. The fees would be accounted for separately and deposited into a worker safety and compensation account. The money in the account would be treated as designated program receipts available for appropriation to the workers' compensation and safety programs. The bill provides for a four-year phase-in of the fees to minimize the impact on those self-insured employers who currently pay no tax. The new fee system is designed to raise the same amount of money as the current tax. Because the new system would spread costs among more employers, those employers currently paying the premium tax would realize a decrease in their payments. This bill offers a fair, effective way of ensuring continued funding for vital worker protection programs. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 273 SENATE BILL NO. 273 BY SENATOR PEARCE, entitled: An Act requiring oil discharge prevention and contingency plans and proof of financial responsibility for nontank vessels and railroad tank cars; authorizing inspection of nontank vessels and trains; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2306 SB 274 SENATE BILL NO. 274 BY SENATOR ADAMS, entitled: An Act transferring the assets, liabilities, and responsibilities of the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority and of the Alaska Student Loan Corporation to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; and relating to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SCR 12 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 was read the second time and was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: Shall SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Relating to declaring March 2000 as Sobriety Awareness Month, pass the Senate? The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 12 Second Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 11 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 7 ABSENT: 2 Yeas: Elton, Green, Halford, Kelly Pete, Mackie, Miller, Parnell, Pearce, Phillips, Torgerson, Wilken Excused: Adams, Donley, Ellis, Hoffman, Kelly Tim, Lincoln, Taylor Absent: Leman, Ward and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2307 Citations Honoring - Darrell J. Thomas Representative(s) Williams Senator(s) Taylor, Tim Kelly, Pearce, Green, Mackie, Pete Kelly, Wilken, Lincoln, Leman Senator Mackie 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 SB 189 Senator Wilken moved and asked unanimous consent that his name be withdrawn as a co-sponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 189 An Act relating to the international airports in Anchorage and Fairbanks and establishing the Alaska International Airport Authority; and providing for an effective date. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Halford moved and asked unanimous consent that he be excused from a call of the Senate on February 25. Without objection, Senator Halford was excused. Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that he be excused from a call of the Senate from March 15 through 18. Without objection, Senator Mackie was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2308 Engrossment SCR 12 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Relating to declaring March 2000 as Sobriety Awareness Month, was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 16, 2000. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:23 a.m. Heidi Vogel Secretary of the Senate February 2000 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2309 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 203 Feb 16 Wednesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 18 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 15 Tuesday 9:00 AM + SB 204EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING += SB 229REGULATORY COMM. OF ALASKA/ AOGCC += HB 112ESTABLISH ALASKA PUBLIC BUILDING FUND Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 16 Wednesday 9:00 AM Presentation by AK Tourism Industry Association and Marketing Council SB 250APPROPRIATIONS: CAPITAL/SUPP/REAPPROP Presentation by Annalee McConnell, OMB Feb 17 Thursday 9:00 AM += SB 123PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGANT: FEES += SB 6DISPOSALS OF STATE LAND + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 18 Friday 9:00 AM SB 217APPROPRIATIONS: OPERATING BUDGET Overview by David Teal, Legislative Finance 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2310 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH 205 Feb 16 Wednesday 1:30 PM += SB 127UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SCHOLARSHIPS + SB 233MEDICAL ASSISTANCE:LIENS & CLAIMS + SB 244QUALITY SCHOOL GRANT FUND INCREASE + SB 254HEIRLOOM MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES + Mental Health Board Presentation: US Surgeon Generals Report on Mental Health ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ 211 Feb 16 Wednesday 1:30 PM + SB 259THEFT OF IDENTITY + SJR 30REPEAL OF REGULATIONS BY LEGISLATURE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 18 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE BELTZ 211 Feb 15 Tuesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 17 Thursday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES BUTROVICH 205 Feb 16 Wednesday 3:00 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 18 Friday 3:00 PM + SB 194CHILKAT BALD EAGLE PRESERVE + SB 252STATE RIGHTS-OF-WAY + SB 255PUB.LAND PERMITS/HEALY-FAIRBANKS INTERTIE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2311 RULES FAHRENKAMP 203 Feb 16 Wednesday Upon Recess HB 222LTD PARTNERSHIPS AND LTD. LIAB. COMPANIES ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS BELTZ 211 Feb 15 Tuesday 3:30 PM -- Meeting Canceled -- + SB 231NAMING AK NATIVE VETERANS HONOR BRIDGE + HB 192PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Feb 17 Thursday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH 205 Feb 15 Tuesday 1:30 PM -- Meeting Canceled -- + SB 235APPROVING TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND + EO 101 RELOCATING HIGHWAY SAFETY PLANNING AGENCY FROM DPS TO DOT/PF Feb 17 Thursday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 15 Tuesday 1:00 PM Office of Public Advocacy, Public Defender, Leases ---------------------------------------- COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BELTZ 211 Feb 15 Tuesday 12:00 PM + Agenda to be Announced Feb 22 Tuesday 12:00 PM Agenda to be Announced 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2312 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Feb 29 Tuesday 12:00 PM Agenda to be Announced ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 16 Wednesday 3:30 PM Pupil Transportation, Impact Aid Funding Day Care Assistance & Child Care Grants ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BELTZ 211 Feb 16 Wednesday 12:00 PM Agenda to be Announced <inadvertently scheduled for 2/17> Feb 23 Wednesday 12:00 PM Agenda to be Announced Mar 01 Wednesday 12:00 PM Agenda to be Announced ---------------------------------------- MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 23 Wednesday 4:00 PM Joint w/(H) Subcommittee Agenda to be Announced Mar 01 Wednesday 4:00 PM Joint w/(H) Subcommittee Closeout ---------------------------------------- CAPITAL BUDGET FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 16 Wednesday 12:00 PM + Overview of FY01 Departmental Capital Budget General Fund and Match Requests: HSS, Labor, Mil & Vet Affairs, Natural Res, Pub Safety, Rev, Univ, Courts 2000-02-15 Senate Journal Page 2313 JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT HOUSE FINANCE 519 Mar 02 Thursday 12:00 PM Approval of Minutes, RPLs, Executive Session, Audit Reports, Other Business ---------------------------------------- SELECT CMTE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS FAHRENKAMP 203 Feb 15 Tuesday 3:30 PM + Approval of Agenda/Minutes, Public Comment, FY01 Budget Review, Executive Session, Public Session, Additional Items OTHER MEETINGS CHILDRENS CAUCUS BUTROVICH 205 Feb 15 Tuesday 12:00 PM Center for Families Feb 29 Tuesday 12:00 PM Key Campaign