Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2002-01-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2002-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1954 SB 236 SENATE BILL NO. 236 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations for homeland security; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14, 2002: Dear President Halford: Today I am formally transmitting to the Legislature an appropriations bill to implement the recommendations of the administration's Terrorism Disaster Policy Cabinet regarding state security and th response capabilities in the aftermath of September 11. The bill covers costs incurred to date fulfilling immediate requirements such as airport security, as well as increased preparedness and response capabilities for the rest of FY2002 and all of FY2003. This comprehensive bill also funds capital investments for transportation security, emergency response equipment and other high priority recommendations of the cabinet group. I forwarded a draft of this legislation to you in November with a request for advance hearings to facilitate prompt consideration of the proposal in the beginning weeks of the session. Although those hearings were not held, we made the Terrorism Disaster Policy Cabinet's report and budget detail on their recommendations widely 2002-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1955 available to legislators and the public via the Internet. As anticipated in my November letter, the final bill has some updates from that earlier version although there are no changes to the basic recommendations for action. Detecting and responding to threats of terrorism is no longer a theoretical exercise. Like all other states, Alaska must make its own risk assessment and determine the appropriate levels of security and emergency response capabilities to meet our responsibilities to our citizens. This critical state policy decision requires the best efforts of the administration and the legislature. I pledge the full assistance of my commissioners and others to assisting you in your earliest possible review of these recommendations. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor A spreadsheet of cost estimates by department from the Office of Management and Budget was attached and is on file in the Senate Secretary's Office.