Legislature(1999 - 2000)
2000-02-18 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2343 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Fortieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Pearce at 11:15 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senators Donley, Hoffman, Taylor were excused from a call of the Senate. 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. Lord, as we offer this prayer at the end of our morning and the end of the week, we reflect on the words of King David who said, Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; For all that is in Heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now, therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name. (1Chronicles 29:11-13) We thank You Lord, that You look down and see our hearts, and as someone has rightly said, it is better to have a heart without words than words without heart. Therefore, from our hearts we ask You to give us grace to serve You today and to walk according to Your precepts. Strengthen us for our duties, direct us in our difficulties, and comfort us in any adversity that we may encounter this day. Father help us to increase our trust and confidence in You and strenghten our faith in the great promises of Your gospel. 2343 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2344 Father, we bring before You the needs of this body today. We thank You for our Senators and every district that they represent. Give them wisdom as they provide leadership in our government, and supply them with discernment when they have to grapple with difficult and complex issues. We pray that You would bless our governor and all of our legislators with understanding and knowledge that comes from You. Lord, I thank You for the opportunity for being in this chamber this week. I pray that this weekend we will be able to have some quality time with our spouses, children and friends. But most of all, Father, help us to have some quality time with You as we go to our places of worship. We ask this in the blessed Name of Your Son and our only Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Senator Ellis led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the thirty-ninth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications Report from the Commissioner of the Department of Administration dated February 17 was received, stating the monetary terms for the collective bargaining agreement reached between the State and the Alyeska Central School Education Association in accordance with AS 23.40.215. President Pearce referred the report to the Finance Committee. 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2345 Standing Committee Reports SB 254 Forthcoming Health, Education and Social Services Committee Substitute (page 2329) for SENATE BILL NO. 254 An Act relating to heirloom certificates of marriage was received today. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 278 SENATE BILL NO. 278 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to the Alaska Workers Compensation Act, including the weekly rate of compensation and minimum and maximum compensation rates, specifying components of a reemployment plan, adjusting benefits for permanent partial impairment, for reemployment plans, for rehabilitation benefits, for widows, widowers and orphans, and for funerals, calculation of gross weekly earnings for seasonal and temporary workers and for workers with overtime or premium pay, setting time limits for requesting a hearing or rehabilitation benefits, setting time limits for claims for compensation and for the rehabilitation process, setting time limits for payment of medical bills, waiver of rehabilitation benefits, obtaining medical releases and resolving discovery disputes, setting an interest rate for late compensation, and providing for updating the medical fee schedule; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Fiscal notes published today from Department of Administration, Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2346 SB 278 Governors transmittal letter dated February 11: Dear President Pearce: Periodically the Alaskas Workers Compensation Act has been amended to keep pace with changing conditions and to ensure that our program is fair and efficient. It has been 12 years since significant changes have been enacted. The bill I am introducing contains further changes to the Act which have been recommended by the Workers' Compensation Ad Hoc Committee, represented by both employers and employees, to reflect the effects of inflation on benefits, recent court decisions and more efficient ways of handling our workers compensation program. Included in the changes are increases in benefits paid to injured workers, benefits that have lost value to inflation over the past 12 years. The bill also addresses Alaska Supreme Court decisions as to what benefits should be paid during the rehabilitation process and what the timeframe should be for requests for claim hearings. Other changes would streamline the rehabilitation process, the signing of medical releases, and the dispute resolution process. Benefits would be increased for workers in the retraining process and new timelines set for the payment of medical bills. Provisions would update the wage benchmarks to which benefits are tied. The changes in this bill have been endorsed by employee and employer representatives and provide for a more efficient and equitable workers compensation system. I urge your prompt and favorable action. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2347 Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Colonel Anthony M. Coroalles, Garrison Commander Representative(s) Mulder Senator(s) Phillips, Wilken, Pete Kelly, Mackie, Green, Pearce, Tim Kelly, Taylor, Elton, Donley, Lincoln, Parnell, Leman Honoring - National DECA Week and Alaskas Officers Representative(s) Hudson, Kerttula Senator(s) Elton, Phillips, Wilken, Pete Kelly, Mackie, Green, Pearce, Tim Kelly, Taylor, Donley, Lincoln, Parnell, Leman Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Reconsideration of Senate Bills SB 186 Senator Tim Kelly requested that the reconsideration on CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 186(FIN) be taken up. The bill was before the Senate on reconsideration. The question to be reconsidered: Shall CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 186(FIN) An Act relating to a University of Alaska postsecondary education savings program, to the Alaska Higher Education Savings Trust, and to the Alaska advance college tuition savings fund; and providing for an effective date pass the Senate? The roll was taken with the following result: 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2348 SB 186 CS SSSB 186(FIN) Third Reading - On Reconsideration Effective Date YEAS: 17 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Adams, Ellis, Elton, Green, Halford, Kelly Pete, Kelly Tim, Leman, Lincoln, Mackie, Miller, Parnell, Pearce, Phillips, Torgerson, Ward, Wilken Excused: Donley, Hoffman, Taylor and so, CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 186(FIN) passed the Senate on reconsideration. Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that he be excused from a call of the Senate on February 21. Without objection, Senator Leman was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 186 CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 186(FIN) An Act relating to a University of Alaska postsecondary education savings program, to the Alaska Higher Education Savings Trust, and to the Alaska advance college tuition savings fund; and providing for an effective date was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2349 Adjournment Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 21, 2000. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:31 a.m. Heidi Vogel Secretary of the Senate February 2000 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2350 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 18 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 21 Monday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 23 Wednesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 24 Thursday 8:00 AM CAPITOL 124 -- Location and Time Change -- Joint w/(H) Local Boundary Commission Annual Report Feb 25 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 18 Friday 9:00 AM SB 217APPROPRIATIONS: OPERATING BUDGET Overview by David Teal, Legislative Finance Feb 21 Monday 9:00 AM = SB 250APPROPRIATIONS: CAPITAL/SUPP/REAPPROP Department of Law 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2351 FINANCE Feb 22 Tuesday 9:00 AM + EO 101 RELOCATE HIGHWAY SAFETY PLANNING AGENCY FROM DPS TO DOT/PF += SB 123PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGANT: FEES + SB 193COLLECTION OF UNPAID WAGES + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 23 Wednesday 9:00 AM += SB 250APPROPRIATIONS: CAPITAL/SUPP/REAPPROP Courts, Corrections, Fish & Game, Envir Conservation, Admin, Ed & Early Dev Feb 24 Thursday 9:00 AM += SB 111PIONEERS HOME RECEIPTS += SB 6DISPOSALS OF STATE LAND + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 25 Friday 9:00 AM += SB 250APPROPRIATIONS: CAPITAL/SUPP/REAPPROP Health & Soc Svcs, Mil & Vet Affairs, Natural Res, Public Safety Feb 28 Monday 9:00 AM = SB 250APPROPRIATIONS: CAPITAL/SUPP/REAPPROP Revenue, DOT/PF, University ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH 205 Feb 21 Monday 1:30 PM SB 191APPROPRIATIONS: MENTAL HEALTH + SB 256PHYSICIAN NEGOTIATIONS WITH HEALTH INSURE SCR 15ALCOHOL-RELATED BIRTH DEFECTS AWARENESS Feb 23 Wednesday 1:30 PM + SB 228PUBLIC SCHOOL CONSTR/MAINTENANCE FUNDING + SB 224CONFIDENTIALITY OF CINA HEARINGS & RECORD AK Commission on Aging ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ 211 Feb 18 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2352 JUDICIARY Feb 21 Monday 1:30 PM += SB 259THEFT OF IDENTITY += SJR 30REPEAL OF REGULATIONS BY LEGISLATURE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 23 Wednesday 1:30 PM + SB 268MANDATORY 99-YEAR TERM OF IMPRISONMENT Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 25 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE BELTZ 211 Feb 22 Tuesday 1:30 PM SJR 34CONFIRMATION OF BD MANAGING PERM FUND Feb 24 Thursday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES BUTROVICH 205 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 Feb 21 Monday 3:00 PM + SB 175STATE MINING LAW + SB 226STRANDED GAS PIPELINE CARRIERS + HCR 9TAKE A KID HUNTING WEEK + SB 273OIL SPILL RESPONSE; NONTANK VESSELS & RR + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 23 Wednesday 2:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532 -- Location and Time Change -- Joint w/(H) Briefing: McGrath Wildlife Management Feb 25 Friday 3:00 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2353 RULES FAHRENKAMP 203 Feb 18 Friday 11:30 AM SJR 27CONST. AM: REVISIONS OF CONSTITUTION ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS BELTZ 211 Feb 22 Tuesday 3:30 PM = SB 231NAMING AK NATIVE VETERANS HONOR BRIDGE = HB 192PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SB 236POW/MIA DAY & WOMEN VETERANS DAY Feb 24 Thursday 3:30 PM HB 133VOTER APPROVAL OF SERVICE AREA CHANGES SB 262DISABLED PLATES FOR LEASED VEHICLES Confirmation Hearing: APOC - Jacobson ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH 205 Feb 22 Tuesday 1:30 PM = SB 235APPROVING TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND SJR 38ALASKA CANADA RAIL FEASIBILITY STUDY EO 101 RELOCATE HIGHWAY SAFETY PLANNING AGENCY FROM DPS TO DOT/PF Feb 24 Thursday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 22 Tuesday 1:00 PM Leases, Alaska Longevity Programs ---------------------------------------- COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BELTZ 211 Feb 22 Tuesday 12:00 PM Agenda to be Announced Feb 29 Tuesday 12:00 PM Agenda to be Announced ---------------------------------------- 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2354 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 21 Monday 3:30 PM -- Rescheduled from 2/16/00 -- Pupil Transportation, Impact Aid Funding, Day Care Assistance and Child Care Grants ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 23 Wednesday 3:00 PM Water Quality Program ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BELTZ 211 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 -- Meeting Canceled -- Joint w/(H) Subcommittee Agenda to be Announced Mar 01 Wednesday 4:00 PM Joint w/(H) Subcommittee Closeout ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES BUTROVICH 205 Feb 24 Thursday 4:00 PM Joint w/(H) Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2355 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES REVENUE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 22 Tuesday 2:30 PM Supplemental Budget Requests: Div of Oil & Gas, Child Support Enforcement ---------------------------------------- CAPITAL BUDGET FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 22 Tuesday 4:30 PM -- Rescheduled to 2/23/00 -- DOT FY01 General Fund & Match Request Overview of SB223 - Transportation Revenue Anticipation Bonds Feb 23 Wednesday 4:30 PM -- Rescheduled from 2/22/00 -- DOT FY01 General Fund & Match Request Overview of SB223 - Transportation Revenue Anticipation Bonds JOINT COMMITTEES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON SB 101 BUTROVICH 205 Feb 21 Monday 9:30 AM = SB 101DISASTERS: DEFINITION & FUND ---------------------------------------- ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION REVIEW CAPITOL 102 Feb 24 Thursday 1:00 PM + Dept of Natural Resources - Easements and Rights-of-Way ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT HOUSE FINANCE 519 Mar 02 Thursday 12:00 PM Approval of Minutes, RPLs, Executive Session, Audit Reports, Other Business ---------------------------------------- 2000-02-18 Senate Journal Page 2356 SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MERGERS BUTROVICH 205 Feb 24 Thursday 1:00 PM Proposed BP/ARCO Merger OTHER MEETINGS CHILDRENS CAUCUS BUTROVICH 205 Feb 29 Tuesday 12:00 PM Key Campaign ---------------------------------------- JOINT SESSION HOUSE CHAMBER Mar 08 Wednesday 11:00 AM State of the Judiciary Message from Chief Justice Warren Matthews