Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0085 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday January 16, 2001 Ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Halford at 11:06 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Phillips was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Major Larry Fankhauser of the Salvation Army. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Good Morning, Lord. For the opportunity to be of service in this state and in this nation, established by our forefathers as one nation under God, we thank You. We pray this day for each person gathered in this room and for those they represent. We seek that You would be in our minds and in our understanding, in our eyes and in our looking, in our mouths and in our speaking, in our hearts, and in our thinking. Grant it Lord, this day we pray, Amen. Senator Donley led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the fifth through eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0086 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Oil and Hazardous Substance Release Prevention and Response Fund Biennial Report, Fiscal Year 1999 - 2000 from Larry Dietrick, Director, Division of Spill Prevention and Response, Department of Environmental Conservation in accordance with AS 46.08.060 Alaska's Public School Funding Formula: A Report to the Alaska State Legislature from Commissioner Shirley Holloway, Department of Education and Early Development in accordance with Chapter 83, SLA 1998 (Distributed to all Senators) Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 1 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 BY SENATOR GREEN, Relating to Avalanche Awareness Month. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 38 SENATE BILL NO. 38 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to a new optional group of persons eligible for medical assistance who require treatment for breast or cervical cancer; and providing for an effective date." 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0087 was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce, Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health and Social Services Governor's transmittal letter dated January 12: Dear President Halford: This past year, Congress passed legislation to improve health care for women by extending Medicaid coverage for treatment of breast and cervical cancer. In the interest of improving Alaskans' health care, I am pleased to present this bill that allows the state to take advantage of this worthwhile program. By opting into this new Medicaid program, uninsured women who have been diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer under a federally financed screening program will be eligible for treatment. In Alaska that could mean some 70 women or so per year who could not otherwise afford cancer treatment may be able to receive care. The federal program began in 1990 when Congress passed the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act establishing the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) national breast and cervical cancer early detection program. The CDC program provides grants for screening exams to millions of people who meet eligibility guidelines throughout the country each year, including Alaska. The grantees provide clinical breast exams, pelvic exams, and mammograms. Unfortunately, federal money did not provide for follow-up treatment to any of the uninsured persons diagnosed with cancer - until now. With last year's Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act signed into law, states may select a new Medicaid option to cover cancer treatments of uninsured women diagnosed under the CDC early detection program. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 182,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 12,800 new cases of invasive cervical cancer are expected to occur among women in the United 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0088 States during 2000, resulting in an estimated 45,400 deaths. As a result of the recent congressional action, diagnosed, uninsured, low-income persons can receive the treatment needed to save their lives. In order to extend this program to Alaska women, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this legislation. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - The Nikiski Middle/High School Football Team, Coaches, and Managers Senator(s) Ward, Leman, Wilken, Elton, Davis, Lincoln, Austerman, Taylor, Kelly, Green, Pearce Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Wilken moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from the Senate, not subject to a call, from afternoon plane time, March 1 through evening plane time, March 6. Without objection, Senator Wilken was excused. Senator Green moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 8 and 9 and through plane time, February 12. Without objection, Senator Green was excused. 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0089 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., January 17, 2001. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:14 a.m. Heidi Vogel Acting Secretary of the Senate January 2001 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0090 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 COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS FAHRENKAMP 203 Jan 17 Wednesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 19 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE HOUSE FINANCE 519 Jan 17 Wednesday 3:00 PM Joint w/(H) Finance Presentation by Denali Commission SENATE FINANCE 532 Jan 18 Thursday 9:00 AM Update on Federal and State Medical Issues- American Medical Association Jan 23 Tuesday 9:00 AM Presentation by Alaska Travel Industry Association ---------------------------------------- 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0091 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH 205 Jan 17 Wednesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ 211 Jan 17 Wednesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 19 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 22 Monday 1:30 PM SB 37 PHYSICIAN NEGOTIATIONS WITH HEALTH INSURE SB 21 FINES BY THE STATE MEDICAL BOARD Jan 24 Wednesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 26 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE BELTZ 211 Jan 16 Tuesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 18 Thursday 1:30 PM -- Agenda to be Announced -- ---------------------------------------- 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0092 RESOURCES BUTROVICH 205 Jan 17 Wednesday 3:30 PM + SB 16 OIL DISCH PREVENTION: NONTANK VESSELS/RR Jan 19 Friday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS BELTZ 211 Jan 16 Tuesday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 18 Thursday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH 205 Jan 16 Tuesday 1:30 PM Joint w/(H) Transportation Transportation Department Workshop General Overview Jan 18 Thursday 1:30 PM Joint w/(H) Transportation Transportation Department Workshop General Overview JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT HOUSE FINANCE 519 Jan 24 Wednesday 12:00 PM ---------------------------------------- 2001-01-16 Senate Journal Page 0093 SELECT CMTE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS SENATE FINANCE 532 Jan 17 Wednesday 1:00 PM Public Comment, Report of Old Business, Election of Officers, Committee Procedures, State Benefit and Loan Programs, Legislation, Administrator Position, Electronic Filing.