Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-12 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0063 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 12, 2001 Fifth Day The House was called to order by Speaker Porter at 10:03 a.m. Roll call showed 36 members present. Representative Kookesh had been previously excused from a call of the House today. Representative Kohring was absent and his presence was noted later. Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Mulder be excused from a call of the House today and that Representative Joule be excused from a call of the House until 7:00 p.m., plane time, January 14, 2001. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Reverend Steve Olmstead of the Chapel By The Lake Presbyterian Church. Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it appears below: Gracious and Loving God, We thank You for the privilege of leadership and the responsibility of representation. Open our hearts to those who need compassion. Open our ears to those whose voices often go unheard. Open our minds to Your thoughts and wisdom. I pray for each representative and their staff. I ask that in the coming months and throughout their lives You, O Lord, may be invited into their friendships (new and old), into their discussions (peaceful and difficult), into their need for healing (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). And we pray, Lord, that You would be invited into our hopes and desires for this legislative session and for the State of Alaska. 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0064 Thank You, Lord, that You care about what happens here and that You care about the details of our very lives. We also thank You this day for the life and witness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We pray that his courage, pursuit of equality and truth, and his faith in You might inspire our lives and leadership. In God's name we pray. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Wilson. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the third and fourth legislative days and House & Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 1 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated January 12, 2001, was read stating the Senate has accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m., February 23 to hear Chief Justice Dana Fabe's State of the Judiciary address. COMMUNICATIONS The following reports were received: Dept. of Community & Economic Development Division of Insurance Winter 2000 Automobile Insurance Rating Examples Guide 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0065 Dept. of Environmental Conservation Division of Spill Prevention and Response Oil & Hazardous Substance Release Prevention & Response Fund Biennial Report Fiscal Year 1999 - 2000 (as required by AS 46.08.060) Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas Five-Year Oil and Gas Leasing Program With Reports On: Exploration Licensing and Shallow Gas Leasing January 2001 (as required by AS 38.05.180) Dept. of Revenue Alaska Housing Finance Corporation 2000 Annual Report (as required by AS 18.56.089) Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities FY 2002 Spending Plan for the International Airport Revenue Bond Construction Fund (as required by AS 37.15.420) The following audit reports were received: Division of Legislative Audit Legislative Budget & Audit Committee (as required by AS 24.20.311) 2000 Annual Report, Unabridged 2000 Annual Report, Condensed INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0066 Honoring - The Nikiski Middle/High School Football Team, Coaches and Managers By Senator Ward INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 1 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 by Representative Berkowitz: Relating to establishing a Task Force on a Statewide Comprehensive Energy Plan. was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 13 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 13 by Representatives Bunde, Kohring, Dyson, Halcro, Fate, and Coghill, entitled: "An Act relating to municipal service areas and providing for voter approval of the formation, alteration, or abolishment of certain service areas." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. HOUSE BILL NOS. 45, 46, and 47 are out of numerical sequence because they were preassigned to the Governor's budget bills. HB 45 HOUSE BILL NO. 45 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0067 "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making 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. The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 10, 2001, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: The Fiscal Year 2002 operating budget I am transmitting today is known as my "Jobs and Families Budget." It addresses three key goals: maintains the existing level of vital public services Alaskans need; makes additional strategic investments for Alaska families in education, early childhood development, public health and public safety; and it helps create and protect jobs for Alaska families. The total budget includes a $145 million general fund increase over the current fiscal year. Yet it is $140 million less than in Fiscal '95 and nearly 1,700 inflation-adjusted dollars less per Alaskan than in Fiscal 1979, the last pre-oil boom year. Some $80 million of the proposed increase is necessary just to maintain existing services. Recent legislatures have approved, and now we must operate, a new Anchorage jail, new health lab and additional juvenile correctional centers in Ketchikan, Juneau and Anchorage. We have higher caseloads for such vital services as health care for the elderly and disabled. We must fund legislatively- approved labor contracts. Paying the interest on bonds for new schools approved in recent years will cost $28 million. And the number of Alaskans to whom we must provide services has grown 14 percent in the past decade. In addition I have incorporated funds to improve education from child care through K-12 and the university; for our public health initiative to fight TB, hepatitis C, arctic contaminants, food borne illness and other 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0068 serious public health problems; and to protect the public's safety by providing funds for more law enforcement personnel, child and senior protection, emergency services, and alcohol enforcement and treatment. The general fund deficit for the coming year is projected to be more than $500 million. Based on the fall forecast, our Constitutional Budget Reserve would be depleted in less than 5 years. We need to work together to develop a long-term budget plan during this session to ensure the state's financial integrity. I stand ready to work with you to make responsible choices to benefit all Alaskans. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 46 HOUSE BILL NO. 46 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. A letter dated January 10, 2001, with an accompanying spreadsheet, to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority from the Office of Management and Budget was attached (as required by AS 37.14.003(b)) and is on file in the Chief Clerk's office. The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 10, 2001, appears below: 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0069 "Dear Speaker Porter: I am today transmitting to you a separate FY2002 appropriations bill for the state's comprehensive mental health program. As required by statute, it includes both operating and capital appropriations and is accompanied by a report outlining the differences between my proposed budget and the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Authority. Alaska continues to make considerable progress in serving beneficiaries of the mental health settlement and emphasizing community based services. This budget proposal continues that progress with careful investments of Trust Authority receipts, general funds and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation receipts for housing- related capital projects. The bill represents a cooperative effort between several departments in my Administration and the Trustees and staff of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. We look forward to working with the Legislature in evaluating and implementing this budget proposal for mental health services for the Trust's beneficiaries. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 47 HOUSE BILL NO. 47 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making capital appropriations and capitalizing funds; making 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. The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 10, 2001, appears below: 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0070 "Dear Speaker Porter: I am transmitting to you today my proposed capital budget for FY2002. Together with proposals for schools and major maintenance that you will receive separately, it represents a solid investment to meet the most critical needs for Alaska's economic development and basic public services such as education, transportation and public protection. We must address needs such as critical deferred maintenance projects, emergency communications equipment upgrades mandated by the federal government, water and sewer systems, and safety equipment for child protection and public safety personnel. This budget makes necessary investments in these basic areas as well as some strategic economic development projects, such as the gasline development. This $1.2 billion capital appropriations bill includes $100.9 million in general funds and $827.4 million in federal funds. AHFC capital funds remain at $52 million and the $17.5 million AIDEA dividend is again recommended principally for the community capital matching grants program. I look forward to working with you to put together a responsible capital budget for the coming year. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 55 HOUSE BILL NO. 55 by the House Rules Committee by request, entitled: "An Act regarding oil discharge prevention and cleanup involving self-propelled nontank vessels exceeding 400 gross registered tonnage and railroad tank cars and related facilities and operations and requiring preparation and implementation of oil discharge contingency plans for those nontank vessels and railroad tank cars; amending the definition of 'response action' that relates to releases 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0071 or threatened releases of oil and thereby amending the duties and liabilities of response action contractors; authorizing compliance verification for nontank vessels and for trains and related facilities and operations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation, Resources, and Finance Committees. HB 56 HOUSE BILL NO. 56 by Representative Kott, entitled: "An Act relating to minimum wages." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 57 HOUSE BILL NO. 57 by Representative Rokeberg, entitled: "An Act relating to construction of a legislative hall." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Commemorating - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day By Senator Ward; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Cissna, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Foster, Guess, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Lancaster, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Mulder, Murkowski, Rokeberg, Stevens, Williams, Wilson 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0072 Honoring - Hazel and Bruce Arndt, 50th Wedding Anniversary By Senator Phillips; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Cissna, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Green, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Lancaster, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Mulder, Murkowski, Ogan, Rokeberg, Stevens, Williams, Wilson In Memoriam - Joseph Bond Whitmore By Senator Phillips; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Cissna, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Foster, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Lancaster, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Mulder, Murkowski, Ogan, Rokeberg, Stevens, Williams, Wilson UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative McGuire - from 1:35 p.m., January 12 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, January 16, 2001 Representative Fate - from 7:21 p.m., January 12 to 9:35 p.m., plane time, January 15, 2001 Representative Fate - from 5:00 p.m., January 25 to 9:30 p.m., plane time, January 28, 2001 Representative Murkowski - from 7:15 a.m., January 13 to 9:35 p.m., plane time, January 15, 2001 Representative Chenault - from noon, January 19 to 10:00 a.m., plane time, January 22, 2001 Representative Porter - from 1:35 p.m., January 26 to 1:50 p.m., plane time, January 27, 2001 Representative Harris - from 10:00 a.m., February 2 to 6:35 p.m., plane time, February 4, 2001 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0073 Representative Wilson - from 10:14 p.m., January 19 to 6:34 p.m., plane time, January 21, 2001 Representative Wilson - from 2:30 p.m., February 2 to 12:55 p.m., plane time, February 3, 2001 Representative Ogan - from 7:00 p.m., January 25 to 9:30 p.m., plane time, January 28, 2001 HB 21 Representative Dyson added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 21 "An Act relating to the construction of an overland natural gas pipeline to transport natural gas from North Slope reserves to North American markets." HB 28 Representative Dyson added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 28 "An Act relating to the location of legislative sessions; and providing for an effective date." HB 43 Representative Kerttula added her name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 43 "An Act relating to reimbursement of certain student loans; and providing for an effective date." HB 44 Representatives Moses and Halcro added their names as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 44 "An Act designating the Joe Redington, Sr., Memorial Road." 2001-01-12 House Journal Page 0074 HB 54 Representative Kerttula added her name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 54 "An Act relating to reimbursement of student loans; and providing for an effective date." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. Majority Caucus Speaker's Chamber upon adj., 1/12 **The presence of Representative Kohring was noted. ADJOURNMENT Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., January 16, 2001. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:28 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk