2002-06-24                     House Journal                      Page 4019
HB 3001                                                                                           
HOUSE BILL NO. 3001 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                      
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act setting timelines for issuance of final orders by the                                  
     Regulatory Commission of Alaska, amending the authority of the                                 
     commission to enter compromise settlement orders, and extending                                
     the commission's termination date to June 30, 2006; and providing                              
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Community & Economic Development                                               
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated June 24, 2002, follows:                                     
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting a bill that extends the life of the Regulatory                                    
Commission of Alaska to avoid its termination of that agency on June                                
30 of this year.  The bill also includes provisions, developed with                                 
industry input, that set deadlines for commission actions and clarify its                           
authority to accept stipulations from parties to commission                                         
proceedings.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
It is important to pass this bill before the commission's termination                               
date.  The commission regulates utilities in the state and regulates                                
pipelines to the extent of their intrastate operations.  The commission's                           
role is essential to consumers in the state as well as to the regulated                             
entities.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
Failure to extend the commission this session will significantly                                    
interfere with its work.  Though there is a "wind down" year, the                                   
commission will have to redirect its time and energy to plan for                                    
closing shop.  The commission may not be able to take on new filings                                

2002-06-24                     House Journal                      Page 4020
or applications, or even complete currently filed ones.  Failure to                                 
extend the agency leaves the regulated entities as well as consumers in                             
a state of confusion and uncertainty.                                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Tony Knowles                                                       
                                  Governor"