2002-05-17                     Senate Journal                      Page 3663
SB 2010                                                                                           
SENATE BILL NO. 2010 BY THE SENATE 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 Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Community and Economic                                            
  Development                                                                                       
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated May 17:                                                         
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting this bill to the special session extending the "sunset"                           
date of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska for four years, to June                                 
30, 2006.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
The commission began regulating utilities and pipelines in the state on                             
July 1, 1999 as a replacement for the Alaska Public Utilities                                       
Commission. Utility regulation has been a function of state                                         
government since statehood. The commission's mission to protect the                                 
public interest remains important today.                                                            
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure during the                                  
special session.                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Tony Knowles                                                                                        
Governor