Legislature(2001 - 2002)

2002-01-25 House Journal

Full Journal pdf

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2061
                                                                                                    
                              HOUSE JOURNAL                                                      
                                                                                                    
                        ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                 
                                                                                                    
 TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- SECOND SESSION                                                      
                                                                                                    
Juneau, Alaska                    Friday               January 25, 2002                           
                                                                                                    
                               Twelfth Day                                                     
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                    
Porter at 10:07 a.m.                                                                                
                                                                                                    
Roll call showed 25 members present.  Representatives Chenault, Fate,                               
Kohring, Masek, Mulder, Rokeberg, Scalzi, and Whitaker had been                                     
previously excused from a call of the House today.  Representatives                                 
Foster and Hayes were excused from a call of the House due to illness.                              
Representatives Berkowitz and Cissna were absent and their presence                                 
was noted later.  Representative Ogan was absent.                                                   
                                                                                                    
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 Williams - from today to 9:45 p.m., January 29, 2002                                 
                                                                                                    
Representative Harris - from today to 9:30 p.m., January 27, 2002                                   
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The invocation was offered by Ms. Sherry Patterson, Women's                                         
Ministry Leader/Black History Coordinator, of Restoration Grace                                     
Outreach Center.  Representative Bunde moved and asked unanimous                                    
consent that the invocation be spread on the journal.  There being no                               
objection, it appears below:                                                                        
                                                                                                    
    Father, we thank You for this day which You've given to us.                                     
    Our hearts are filled with praise and thanksgiving for Your                                     
    mercy and Your grace in our lives.  Thank You Lord for our                                      
    country, America. Thank You for our great state, Alaska.                                        
    Thank You for this twenty-second legislative session.                                           
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2062
    Father, we ask for Your blessings upon this session.  Many                                      
    decisions are to be made during these next days.  We need                                       
    Your wisdom and Your guidance.  We ask that You bless                                           
    each legislator, bless their families, and bless their areas of                                 
    jurisdiction.                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
    Father, we ask for unity in the state as a whole and in this                                    
    session.  You've given us a land rich in culture and diversity.                                 
    Help us to live not only in tolerance of each other, but in true                                
    peace and harmony, that Your will shall be accomplished in                                      
    this land.  Forgive us for disharmony and disunity.  We ask                                     
    that the walls of division and separation would no longer                                       
    stand.  Father, may the words of Dr. Martin Luther King ring                                    
    in our hearts today that we would, no matter what color,                                        
    creed, or tribe, walk together hand in hand as overcomers of                                    
    racism and hatred; that the past would stay in the past and that                                
    we would all move into the future and bright destiny You've                                     
    designed for us.                                                                                
                                                                                                    
    We speak peace, unity, and prosperity to our city, state, and                                   
    country in the mighty and majestic name of Jesus.  Amen.                                        
                                                                                                    
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Joule.                                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                      CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                               
                                                                                                    
Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                     
journal for the 10th and 11th legislative days be approved as certified                             
by the Chief Clerk.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                   
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                        MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE                                                 
                                                                                                    
A message dated January 23, 2002, was received stating the Senate                                   
has accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House                                   
Chamber at 11:00 a.m., February 19, 2002, to hear an address by the                                 
Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senator.                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2063
                             COMMUNICATIONS                                                      
                                                                                                    
The following were received January 23, 2002:                                                       
                                                                                                    
Dept. of Community & Economic Development                                                           
Local Boundary Commission                                                                           
 Annual Report                                                                                      
 Available at www.dced.state.ak.us/mra/LBC/Mrad_lbc.htm                                             
                                                                                                    
 Annex Recommendation                                                                               
 City of Homer                                                                                      
 (as required by AS 44.33.812 and art. X, sec. 12,                                                  
 Alaska Constitution)                                                                               
                                                                                                    
The recommendation of the Local Boundary Commission will be                                         
published in the Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 10.                                  
                                                                                                    
The Speaker referred the Commission's recommendation to the                                         
Community & Regional Affairs Committee.                                                             
                                                                                                    
**The presence of Representatives Berkowitz and Cissna was noted.                                   
                                                                                                    
                     REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                              
                                                                                                    
HCR 12                                                                                            
The Labor & Commerce Committee has considered:                                                      
                                                                                                    
    HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12                                                              
    Relating to the preservation of employment opportunities for                                    
    United States longshoremen with respect to unloading and loading                                
    of foreign vessels.                                                                             
                                                                                                    
The report was signed by Representative Murkowski, Chair, with the                                  
following individual recommendations:                                                               
                                                                                                    
Do pass (6):  Rokeberg, Meyer, Crawford, Kott, Halcro, Murkowski                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, House Labor & Commerce Committee                                                          
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2064
HCR 12 was referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the                                     
calendar.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 245                                                                                            
The Labor & Commerce Committee has considered:                                                      
                                                                                                    
    HOUSE BILL NO. 245                                                                              
    "An Act relating to marital and family therapists."                                             
                                                                                                    
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 245(L&C)                                                                  
    (same title)                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The report was signed by Representative Murkowski, Chair, with the                                  
following individual recommendations:                                                               
                                                                                                    
Do pass (4):  Crawford, Kott, Halcro, Murkowski                                                     
                                                                                                    
No recommendation (2):  Rokeberg, Meyer                                                             
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 245(L&C):                                                
                                                                                                    
1. Zero, Dept. of Community & Economic Development                                                  
                                                                                                    
HB 245 was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                        INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                
                                                                                                    
The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules                                   
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                            
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Tony and Debbie Cortes                                                                   
By Representative Stevens; Senator Austerman                                                        
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Ernest E. Hall                                                                           
By Representative Halcro                                                                            
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2065
Honoring - The 2001 State Football Champions The Dimond High                                        
Lynx                                                                                                
By Representative McGuire                                                                           
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Jesse Frankson                                                                           
By Representative Joule                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Commemorating - Black History Month                                                                 
By Senator Davis                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Peter Mark                                                                            
By Representative Morgan; Senator Lincoln                                                           
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Omega "Micky" Bennett                                                                 
By Senator Davis                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Charles Hord                                                                          
By Senator Davis                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
               INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE                                        
                             OF HOUSE BILLS                                                      
                                                                                                    
HB 356                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 356 by Representative Stevens, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
    "An Act relating to a report on public schools; and providing for                               
    an effective date."                                                                             
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 357                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 357 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
    "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; and                                       
    providing for an effective date."                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2066
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22, 2002, appears                                   
below:                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting to you a supplemental appropriation bill that I urge                              
the Legislature to put on a 'fast track' for action because the items                               
contained in the bill are vital to Alaska's primary industries - fishing,                           
tourism and oil. All of these industries are integral to the economic                               
health of our entire state, and all of them face challenges in the coming                           
year for various reasons -- the public's reaction to terrorism, national                            
stock market conditions, national energy policy, and increased                                      
competition in the global marketplace.                                                              
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The bill includes $10 million appropriations to boost marketing efforts                             
in the salmon and tourism industries.  The salmon marketing efforts                                 
include $5 million for regional salmon marketing grants and                                         
international niche marketing program to promote salmon in                                          
developing markets.  The other $5 million is earmarked for the Alaska                               
Seafood Marketing Institute for domestic and international marketing                                
and quality assurance.                                                                              
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Tourism assistance includes a $9.8 million grant to the Alaska Travel                               
Industry Association to mitigate the drastic decline in recreational                                
travel after September 11th.  The Alaska Marine Highway System                                      
would receive $200,000 to specifically promote travel to Alaska by                                  
ferry and communities on the system.                                                                
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The remaining $1 million proposed in the bill is for a grant to Arctic                              
Power to continue its national efforts in gaining support for oil and gas                           
exploration and development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.                                 
                                                                                                    
The fishing, tourism, and oil and gas industries provide the highest                                
number of jobs in Alaska and drive our economy statewide.  Slumps in                                
these industries ripple down to the local level in diminished revenue                               
from fish, sales, and bed taxes.  It is the responsibility of state                                 

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2067
government to use the tools we have to ensure Alaska's economy is                                   
vibrant and able to sustain quality of life.  I urge you to consider and                            
pass these appropriations as soon as possible.                                                      
                                                                                                    
                               Sincerely,                                                          
                               /s/                                                                  
                               Tony Knowles                                                         
                                Governor"                                                          
                                                                                                    
HB 358                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 358 by Representative Chenault, entitled:                                            
                                                                                                    
    "An Act relating to an optional exemption from municipal                                        
    property taxes for certain land from which timber is harvested and                              
    for certain improvements used in or necessary to the harvest of                                 
    timber."                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional                                    
Affairs Committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 359                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 359 by the House Finance Committee, entitled:                                        
                                                                                                    
    "An Act making a supplemental appropriation for tourism                                         
    marketing efforts; and providing for an effective date."                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 360                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 360 by Representative Stevens, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
    "An Act making appropriations to the Alaska Seafood Marketing                                   
    Institute for generic salmon marketing; and providing for an                                    
    effective date."                                                                                
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2068
                   CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                           
                                                                                                    
                          LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS                                                  
                                                                                                    
Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                     
House approve the citation on the calendar.  There being no objection,                              
the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling:                                          
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Alaska's 2002 Olympic Torchbearers                                                       
By Senator Elton; Representatives Mulder, Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde,                                 
Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Fate,                                    
Green, Guess, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner,                                 
Kerttula, Kookesh, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan,                                         
Murkowski, Ogan, Rokeberg, Stevens, Williams, Wilson                                                
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                           UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                   
                                                                                                    
HB 175                                                                                            
The Speaker returned the following to the Finance Committee:                                        
                                                                                                    
    HOUSE BILL NO. 175                                                                              
    "An Act making an appropriation to the Alaska Industrial                                        
    Development and Export Authority for power projects; and                                        
    providing for an effective date."                                                               
                                                                                                    
HB 175 was removed from the Rules Committee and returned to the                                     
Finance Committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
HB 310                                                                                            
The Speaker removed the House Special Committee on Education                                        
referral for the following:                                                                         
                                                                                                    
    HOUSE BILL NO. 310                                                                              
    "An Act relating to renewal of an occupational license after                                    
    defaulting on a federal student loan."                                                          
                                                                                                    
HB 310 was removed from the House Special Committee on                                              
Education and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee.                                           
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2069
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 Dyson - from 2:05 p.m., February 15 to 10:04 a.m.,                                   
February 18, 2002                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
Representative Halcro - from 7:00 a.m., February 15 to 10:00 a.m.,                                  
February 18, 2002                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
Representative Kapsner - from 5:20 a.m., January 28 to 9:35 p.m.,                                   
January 31, 2002                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Representative Kookesh - from 7:54 a.m., January 28 to 9:30 a.m.,                                   
January 30, 2002                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Representative Stevens - from 7:00 a.m. to 9:36 p.m., February 28,                                  
2002                                                                                                
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Representative Chenault - from 7:00 a.m., today to 9:36 p.m.,                                       
January 28, 2002 (amended from page 1959)                                                           
                                                                                                    
Representative Halcro - from noon, February 1 to 9:35 p.m.,                                         
February 4, 2002 (amended from page 1983)                                                           
                                                                                                    
Representative Harris - withdrawal of previously excused absence                                    
from 7:30 a.m., February 24 to 9:30 p.m., February 27, 2002                                         
(page 2013)                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 306                                                                                            
Representative Davies added his name as cosponsor to:                                               
                                                                                                    
    HOUSE BILL NO. 306                                                                              
    "An Act authorizing the Department of Community and Economic                                    
    Development to issue permits to certain agencies to purchase,                                   
    possess, and use certain drugs for euthanizing domestic animals."                               
                                                                                                    

2002-01-25                     House Journal                      Page 2070
                              ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                      
                                                                                                    
House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover.                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Majority Caucus          Speaker's Chamber                upon adj., 1/25                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                               ADJOURNMENT                                                       
                                                                                                    
Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                     
House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., January 28, 2002.  There being no                                   
objection, the House adjourned at 10:20 a.m.                                                        
                                                                                                    
                                             Suzi Lowell                                            
                                             Chief Clerk