Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-18 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0107 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday January 18, 2001 Eleventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Halford at 11:16 a.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senators Green, Taylor were 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. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Dear God, we thank You this day for each senator, who with care and thoughtfulness, seeks to serve this state and its people. We realize that we must look to a higher power than ourselves, and so as a nation under God we look to You for keen minds, clear thoughts, and purposeful direction. There are many voices, opinions, agendas; but as we seek Your insight and wisdom, we rest assured that right decisions will be made. Thank You God for all that is ours in this moment in time. Amen. Senator Elton led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0108 Certification Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the tenth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor SB 35 Message dated January 17 was received, regarding SENATE BILL NO. 35, "An Act relating to electronic application for and issuance of licenses, permits, and tags issued by the Department of Fish and Game; relating to violations regarding a license, permit, or tag applied for or issued electronically; and providing for an effective date": Dear President Halford: This letter replaces my letter dated January 12, 2001 as shown in 2001 Senate Journal, pages 71-72, concerning SB 35. Since the beginning of my Administration, state agencies have increasingly moved into the high technology age. It is now common for agencies to use electronic means to interact with the public, whether it be to renew a driver's license, check the status of a permanent fund dividend application, or offer up-to-the-minute election results. The bill I transmitted January 12 is yet another effort by the state to make it easier for the public to conduct business with state government through electronic media. Building upon the Internet application process currently in place for applying for a fishing or hunting license, it will lay the groundwork for the state to eventually issue paperless licenses. 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0109 A process allowing fishers and hunters to apply for and receive licenses, permits, or tags electronically should reduce paperwork for the public and the state while building a better, more efficient system for license management. This expedited process will improve fish and wildlife law enforcement efforts by making the online license data file available immediately. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor Messages from the House Message dated January 17 was read, stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HCR 2 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 BY THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE, Authorizing two recesses by the Senate and House of Representatives, each for a period of more than three days. was read the first time. Second Reading of House Resolutions HCR 2 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 was read the second time and was before the Senate on final passage. 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0110 The question being: "Shall HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Authorizing two recesses by the Senate and House of Representatives, each for a period of more than three days, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: HCR 2 Second Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 18 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Austerman, Cowdery, Davis, Donley, Ellis, Elton, Halford, Hoffman, Kelly, Leman, Lincoln, Olson, Pearce, Phillips, Therriault, Torgerson, Ward, Wilken Excused: Green, Taylor and so, HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Notification of Availability of "Report Card to the Public containing school level information" from Commissioner Holloway, Department of Education and Early Development in accordance with Chapter 83, SLA 1998 Report available electronically at: www.eed.state.ak.us Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 6 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0111 Urging the Congress of the United States to provide federal education funds as a block grant to the state. was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 46 SENATE BILL NO. 46 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to increasing the minimum hourly wage under the Alaska Wage and Hour Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services Governor's transmittal letter dated January 17: Dear President Halford: At $5.65 an hour, Alaska's minimum wage is the lowest on the West Coast, some eighty-five cents under the next lowest minimum wage. A single parent working year-round at minimum wage earns only two- thirds of the poverty level for a family of three and cannot hope to rise out of poverty. These are disturbing facts that must change. This bill I transmit today is meant to offer Alaska's low wage workers a better quality of life by increasing the minimum wage to $6.40 on October 1, 2001, followed by a raise to $7.15 a year later. The wage would then adjust annually to match inflation, increasing by pennies per year, but protecting the minimal essential purchasing power of low-wage workers. 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0112 Alaska's current minimum wage is tied to the federal law. So we are reliant on whether Congress decides a raise is in order, rather than being able to determine the wage needs specifically for Alaskans. This outdated relationship has caused our minimum wage to remain stagnant for as long as nine years, from 1981 to 1990. And it's currently been more than 3 years since the last increase. We know Alaska's economy rarely moves in exact synchronization with the rest of the country. To tie our workers' wages to what the rest of the country is doing is a disservice to Alaskans. That is why it is so important not only to raise Alaska's minimum wage, but to provide for its continued adjustment to our local economy. We have made great progress in the past four years in moving Alaskans from welfare to work. But in FY 2000, 22 percent of public assistance recipients entering the workforce earned less than $6.50 per hour. Increasing the wage of these Alaskans will reduce the temporary cash assistance needed to support their families. Working for a minimum wage in Alaska should not mean a minimum quality of life. In the interest of allowing Alaskans the opportunity to achieve financial independence, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this important measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 47 SENATE BILL NO. 47 BY SENATOR GREEN, entitled: "An Act relating to credited service under the teachers' retirement system for former employment as a noncertificated school nurse." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0113 SB 48 SENATE BILL NO. 48 BY SENATORS WILKEN, Donley, Cowdery, Green, Phillips, entitled: "An Act relating to the determination of full and true value of taxable municipal property for purposes of calculating funding for education and certain other programs; and relating to incorporation of second class boroughs in the unorganized borough and to annexation of portions of the unorganized borough to boroughs and unified municipalities." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Agnes Royer Senator(s) Taylor, Wilken, Hoffman, Davis, Pearce, Lincoln, Green, Austerman, Kelly, Elton, Leman, Therriault In Memoriam - Dr. Milo H. Fritz Senator(s) Torgerson, Ward, Phillips, Wilken, Hoffman, Davis, Pearce, Lincoln, Green, Austerman, Kelly, Taylor, Elton, Leman, Therriault, Halford In Memoriam - Darald Dewitt, Ka-Klaa Senator(s) Taylor, Wilken, Hoffman, Davis, Pearce, Lincoln, Green, Austerman, Kelly, Elton, Leman, Therriault In Memoriam - Opal J. Amundson Senator(s) Taylor, Wilken, Hoffman, Davis, Pearce, Lincoln, Green, Austerman, Kelly, Elton, Leman, Therriault, Halford In Memoriam - Winifred E. Williams Senator(s) Taylor, Wilken, Hoffman, Davis, Pearce, Lincoln, Green, Austerman, Kelly, Elton, Leman, Therriault, Halford 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0114 In Memoriam - Alfred Nakak Representative(s) Foster Senator(s) Olson, Phillips, Wilken, Hoffman, Davis, Pearce, Lincoln, Green, Austerman, Kelly, Taylor, Elton, Leman, Therriault, Halford In Memoriam - John Richard 'Dick' Hafer Representative(s) Rokeberg Senator(s) Pearce, Wilken, Hoffman, Davis, Lincoln, Green, Austerman, Kelly, Taylor, Donley, Elton, Leman, Therriault, Halford 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. Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the following citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business In Memoriam - Mark Keith Cameron Senator(s) Leman, Hoffman, Wilken, Elton, Phillips, Davis, Pearce, Green, Kelly, Taylor, Austerman, Lincoln, Halford, Ellis, Olson 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 Cowdery moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, January 18 through plane time, January 21. Without objection, Senator Cowdery was excused. Senator Pearce moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate through morning plane time on January 22. Without objection, Senator Pearce was excused. 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0115 Senator Lincoln moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on January 25 and 26. Without objection, Senator Lincoln was excused. 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 19, 2001. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:26 a.m. Heidi Vogel Secretary of the Senate January 2001 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0116 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 19 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 22 Monday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 24 Wednesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 26 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE 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 ---------------------------------------- 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0117 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH 205 Jan 22 Monday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 24 Wednesday 1:30 PM Overview: Department of Health & Social Services HOUSE FINANCE 519 Jan 27 Saturday 10:00 AM -- Teleconference -- Joint w/(H) Special Committee on Education High School Competency Test ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ 211 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 Confirmation Hearing- Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Thomas P. Owens, Jr., Dennis "Skip" Cook Jan 26 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0118 LABOR & COMMERCE BELTZ 211 Jan 18 Thursday 1:30 PM -- Agenda to be Announced -- Jan 23 Tuesday 1:30 PM SB 9 EXTENDED BOARD OF ARCHITECTS ETC SB 10 EXTENDED BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY Jan 25 Thursday 1:30 PM Walking Tour: Dept. Community & Economic Development ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES BUTROVICH 205 Jan 19 Friday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 22 Monday 3:30 PM =SB 16 OIL DISCH PREVENTION: NONTANK VESSELS/RR SCR 1 AVALANCHE AWARENESS MONTH Jan 24 Wednesday 3:30 PM Senate Bill: NO SOC SEC. # REQ'D ON HUNT/FISH LICENSE <Pending Introduction and Referral> SB 19 CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT/SOC SEC. # Jan 26 Friday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 29 Monday 3:30 PM Status of Statehood Defense Cases: Department of Law Jan 31 Wednesday 3:30 PM Alaska Soil and Water Conservation District Briefing Department overviews on Natural Gas Pipeline: REV, DNR 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0119 RESOURCES (continued) Feb 02 Friday 3:30 PM -- Agenda to be Announced -- Feb 05 Monday 3:30 PM Natural Gas Pipeline Briefing: Foothills Pipelines Co. SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 06 Tuesday 12:15 PM Joint w/(H) Resources Mining Industry Briefing ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS BELTZ 211 Jan 18 Thursday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 23 Tuesday 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 25 Thursday 3:30 PM +SJR 3 F-22 RAPTOR AIRCRAFT AT ELMENDORF AFB +SJR 5 NCAA BASKETBALL PRESEASON TOURNAMENTS ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH 205 Jan 18 Thursday 1:30 PM Joint w/(H) Transportation Transportation Department Workshop General Overview Jan 23 Tuesday 1:30 PM SB 36 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS REVENUE BONDS 2001-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0120 JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT HOUSE FINANCE 519 Jan 24 Wednesday 12:30 PM -- Time Change -- OTHER MEETINGS CHILDREN'S CAUCUS FAHRENKAMP 203 Jan 24 Wednesday 12:00 PM -- Teleconference -- Alaska Association of Homes for Children