Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-10 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0035 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 10, 2001 Third Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Halford at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Therriault was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, The Reverend William Elkinton, Elder of the Wesleyan Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Let us now hear the proclamation of God: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart". This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it and results from it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself". (Matthew 22:37, 39) I thank You for the myriad evidences of Your love. Personally, I thank You for the ultimate gift of love, Your Eternal Son, who became The Way whereby I may come to You. I come now in prayer for these Alaskans who serve in the State Senate. Yes, there are many issues they will address. I pray that, even in times of heated debate, they will manifest genuine courtesy. May each senator truly love all Alaskans. True love seeks the best for the ones loved. They need Divine assistance to identify the best, to establish programs to pursue the best, and to develop funding sources to realize this lofty goal. 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0036 Deliver us from being so intense in our "pursuit of happiness" that we are hindered in our walk in the "paths of righteousness". Help us come to know "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from God". (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3) Moses and the people experienced it in the Exodus. Others have come to this knowledge in the emptiness felt when their lives are full of stuff, but empty of love. So, even as this body seeks to improve the living conditions of all Alaskans, may they not lose sight of the great reality that there is more to life than temporalities. Howard Hughes seems to be a morbid example of this truth. I consider Jesus Christ to be the glorious example of this truth. We are admonished to follow "In His Steps". May we receive thy mercy, grace, and strength to fulfill this calling. Help us to stay close to You. I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen. Senator Taylor led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the first and second legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0037 Notification of Availability of the Report titled "Changes in the Distribution of Alaska's Commercial Fisheries Entry Permits, 1975- 1999", and its Executive Summary, from Marlene Johnson, Commissioner, CFEC Report available electronically at: www.cfec.state.ak.us/research/mnures.htm Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, 2000 Annual Report from Clark Gruening, Board of Trustees Chair, and Robert D. Storer, Executive Director in accordance with AS 37.13.170 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 2 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2 BY THE SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, Relating to opposition to the inclusion of national forests in Alaska within President Clinton's Roadless Area Conservation rule and supporting the overturning of this inclusion by litigation, by congressional action, or by action of President-elect Bush. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 21 SENATE BILL NO. 21 BY SENATOR OLSON, entitled: "An Act increasing the maximum civil fine that may be imposed by the State Medical Board as a disciplinary sanction." 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0038 was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. SB 22 SENATE BILL NO. 22 BY SENATORS DAVIS, Ellis, entitled: "An Act relating to babies who are safely surrendered by a parent shortly after birth." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, Judiciary and Finance Committees. SB 23 SENATE BILL NO. 23 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Parole; 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, zero, Department of Corrections Governor's transmittal letter dated January 10: Dear President Halford: I am transmitting this bill extending the termination date of the Board of Parole for five more years, until June 30, 2006. The board would sunset on June 30, 2001 unless extended by law. The Board of Parole performs essential functions for the criminal justice system by reviewing prisoners for possible release on discretionary parole, setting conditions for the behavior of prisoners released on both mandatory and discretionary parole, and presiding over parole revocation hearings for those accused of violating their parole conditions. The efforts of the Board of Parole go a long way toward assisting in the rehabilitation of prisoners by reintegrating them back into society while minimizing the risk to the public. 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0039 I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 24 SENATE BILL NO. 24 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act giving notice of and approving the entry into, and the issuance of certificates of participation for, a lease-purchase agreement for a seafood and food safety laboratory facility; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Resources, and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Environmental Conservation Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Revenue Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Administration Governor's transmittal letter dated January 10: Dear President Halford: The state's food safety laboratory plays a vital role in protecting the health of Alaskans. It tests finfish, shellfish and dairy products to be certain they're safe for human consumption, certifies private drinking water laboratories, and works with commercial processors in developing food products. The laboratory facility is now outdated and woefully inadequate. In addition, the current lease will soon expire, requiring the facility to be relocated. The Legislature has recognized the need for replacement through previous planning and design appropriations. This bill I transmit today is the next and final step in providing Alaskans with a 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0040 worthwhile facility by setting up a bonding structure for its construction. The proposed method is the issuance of certificates of participation for a lease-purchase agreement. The anticipated total construction, acquisition, and other costs of the project under the lease-purchase agreement are not to exceed $13,655,000 and the total anticipated annual amount of the rental obligation is $1,220,000. The total anticipated lease payments for the full term of the lease-purchase agreement amount to $24,440,000. The state would own the facility at the end of the lease term under the operation of the Department of Environmental Conservation. In the interest of the public health for Alaskans and consumers of our food, fish and dairy products as well as the economic health of these industries, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 25 SENATE BILL NO. 25 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision and the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision; amending Rules 4 and 24, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Corrections Governor's transmittal letter dated January 10: 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0041 Dear President Halford: With this bill I transmit today, Alaska has the opportunity to increase supervision of criminal offenders who travel across state lines, thereby contributing to the growing national interest in protecting victims' rights. This bill allows Alaska to participate in the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, joining other states in replacing the now-outdated Interstate Compact on Probation and Parole. The current compact was enacted in 1937 and can no longer adequately deal with the more than four million offenders on probation and parole, 250,000 of which will cross state lines this year. The proposed new compact provides for an interstate commission to coordinate the transfer and supervision of probationers and parolees between states, as well as enforcement mechanisms for states who fail to abide by the rules of the compact. A state council would also be created to exercise oversight and advocacy concerning the state's participation in the Interstate Commission as well as to make recommendations to the legislature to facilitate the operations and procedures of the compact within the state. I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Hazel and Bruce Arndt, 50th Wedding Anniversary Senator(s) Phillips, Halford, Pearce, Green, Kelly, Taylor, Ward, Lincoln, Wilken, Leman, Davis, Austerman, Donley, Elton 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0042 In Memoriam - Joseph Bond Whitmore Senator(s) Phillips, Halford, Pearce, Green, Kelly, Taylor, Ward, Lincoln, Wilken, Davis, Austerman, Donley, Elton Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Pearce, Rules Committee Chair, introduced the 2001 Chamber Staff as follows: Sergeant at Arms Christian Blalock Assistant Sergeant at Arms Angela Robinson Senate Pages Grace Dushkin Geraldine McIntosh Sophia Morgan Wendy Whitaker Jason Grenn Susannah Minatra Gregory Burden, Jr. Senator Taylor moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from the Senate, not subject to a call, from plane time, January 11 through January 14; from January 17 through plane time, January 19; and January 27 and 28. Without objection, Senator Taylor was excused. 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0043 SB 1 Senator Davis moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 1 "An Act relating to the base student allocation used in the formula for state funding of public education; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Recess Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 11:16 a.m. After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Porter called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Halford, who called the Joint Session to order at 6:56 p.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear the Honorable Tony Knowles, Governor, deliver his combined State of the State and State of the Budget address. Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0044 President Halford introduced the First Lady Susan Knowles and the Knowles children: Devon, Luke and Sara. President Halford appointed Senator Leman and Representative Berkowitz to escort Governor Knowles to the Joint Session. President Halford introduced the Governor's new Cabinet members: Commissioner designee Pat Pourchot Department of Natural Resources Commissioner designee Jim Duncan Department of Administration Commissioner Shirley Holloway Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner designee Glenn Godfrey Department of Public Safety The House Sergeant at Arms, Sean Riley, announced the Governor's entrance to the House Chamber. The Honorable Tony Knowles was escorted to the rostrum and introduced by President Halford. Governor Knowles delivered his address. This address appears in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 1. Following his address, the Governor received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Representative Berkowitz and Senator Leman. Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Halford adjourned the Joint Session at 7:42 p.m. 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0045 After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 8:07 p.m. Adjournment Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., January 11, 2001. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Heidi Vogel Acting Secretary of the Senate January 2001 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0046 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled FINANCE SENATE FINANCE 532 Jan 10 Wednesday 9:00 AM Budget Overview- David Teal, Director, Legislative Finance Jan 12 Friday 9:00 AM Overview- Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE BELTZ 211 Jan 11 Thursday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 16 Tuesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 18 Thursday 1:30 PM -- Agenda to be Announced -- 2001-01-10 Senate Journal Page 0047 JOINT COMMITTEES SELECT CMTE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS Juneau Jan 17 Wednesday 1:00 PM Room number to be announced Discussion of Open Meetings, Legislation, Procedures, Budget, and Administrator Position ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SENATE FINANCE 532 Jan 11 Thursday 3:00 PM -- Location Change -- Organizational Meeting OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION HOUSE CHAMBER Jan 10 Wednesday 7:00 PM Combined State of the State and State of the Budget Address Honorable Tony Knowles, Governor ---------------------------------------- MAJORITY CAUCUS BUTROVICH 205 Jan 10 Wednesday 11:30 AM