Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-02-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0285 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday February 6, 2001 Thirtieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Halford at 11:16 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Pearce was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Minister Robert Taverner of the Church of Christ. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Father, thank You for the day and all that it has to offer. We thank You for our lives and our liberty. We ask that You give each senator wisdom and health. We ask that You bless each senator for the effort and energy they devote to the cares and concerns of others. We ask that You bless all the work done by this legislative body and that their decisions will benefit each and every Alaskan. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Senator Austerman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the twenty-ninth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0286 Messages from the House Message dated February 5 was read, stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 48 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 48(RES) BY THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act eliminating a requirement that a social security number be provided by an applicant for certain hunting or sport fishing licenses, tags, and permits; eliminating a requirement that applications for certain licenses and tags be sworn to by the applicants before an officer authorized to administer oaths; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Rules Committee. Senators Ward, Taylor, Halford, Kelly, Green, Austerman, Cowdery, Phillips, Leman, Therriault, Lincoln, Donley were added as cross sponsors on the bill. HB 79 HOUSE BILL NO. 79 BY REPRESENTATIVES KOTT, Mulder, Murkowski, entitled: "An Act designating a portion of the Eagle River Loop Road as the Eagle River Veterans' Memorial Highway." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0287 Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Department of Labor and Work Force Development Report: "Non-Residents Working in Alaska - 1999" from Ed Flanagan, Commissioner in accordance with AS 36.10.130 Standing Committee Reports SB 2 The Health, Education and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 2 "An Act relating to reimbursement of municipal bonds for school construction; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Green, Chair, Senators Leman, Ward, Wilken, Davis. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Education and Early Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 19 The Health, Education and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 19 "An Act repealing the termination date of changes made by ch. 87, SLA 1997 and ch. 132, SLA 1998 regarding child support enforcement and related programs; repealing the nonseverability provision of ch. 132, SLA 1998; repealing certain requirements for applicants for hunting and sport fishing licenses or tags, and for certain hunting permits, to provide social security numbers for child support enforcement purposes; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0288 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 19(HES) "An Act relating to federal child support enforcement requirements regarding social security number information, employer reports about employees, and certain kinds of automated data matching with financial institutions; repealing the termination date of changes made by ch. 87, SLA 1997, and ch. 132, SLA 1998, regarding child support enforcement and related programs; repealing the nonseverability provision of ch. 132, SLA 1998; repealing uncodified laws relating to ch. 87, SLA 1997, and ch. 132, SLA 1998; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Green, Chair, Senators Leman, Davis. Signing no recommendation: Senators Ward, Wilken. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Revenue The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 72 SENATE BILL NO. 72 BY SENATORS KELLY, Halford, Taylor, Green, Ward, Donley, Leman, Austerman, Cowdery, entitled: "An Act relating to 'take-a-child-hunting' seasons for big game." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. SB 73 SENATE BILL NO. 73 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0289 "An Act making supplemental appropriations and making and amending other appropriations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Supplemental Request Summary from the Office of the Governor was attached and is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. Governor's transmittal letter dated February 6: Dear President Halford: I am transmitting to you today two supplemental appropriation bills for Fiscal Year 2001. Issues which require attention on an expedited basis are a separate "fast track" bill. This bill includes supplemental needs with less critical timing requirements. The administration and legislature made considerable progress reforming the supplemental budget process several years ago. Unfortunately, we have lost some of that progress and must again this year address the inevitable consequences of the actions which reduced the general fund budget number in May. Examples include using low case projections for formula programs, not funding fire suppression and core emergency services costs until the supplemental budget, and not fully funding commitments such as private sector leases. Fire suppression alone accounts for $4.8 million of this supplemental request; full payment of leases is another $1.7 million. The $16.5 million general fund placeholder amount for supplementals in the budget plan approved last May is clearly not sufficient to cover known supplemental funding requirements of this magnitude. In some instances shortfalls in one area can be covered with excess appropriations in related areas. For instance, based on current estimates of general funds needed for the foundation formula, $1.9 million can be transferred to cover most of the $2.1 million needed for pupil transportation. Transfers were not available for other formula programs budgeted at the low case scenario such as Medicaid or the Longevity Bonus. 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0290 Wherever possible, departments have made internal adjustments to keep within current appropriation levels. Nevertheless, supplemental requests are required when increased costs are beyond an agency's ability to adjust without detrimental effects on basic services. The increased workload in Child in Need of Aid and guardian ad litem cases, for instance, has significantly exceeded even last year's trends. Pioneer Home revenues were not sufficient to fund the major share of the emergency heating and ventilation system repairs to the Anchorage home as originally anticipated. Some of the supplemental requests will allow us to take advantage of increased federal aid in areas ranging from child care to special education pass-throughs to local school districts. Where the additional federal funds need to be committed soon (such as for winter home heating assistance and fisheries research and stock assessment work during the upcoming field season), we included the requests in the fast track bill. So far this year, the average oil price has exceeded the spring forecast by several dollars - very good news for our state budget because it reduces the need for Constitutional Budget Reserve funds. However, it also means higher costs to heat the Pioneer Homes, fill the tanks of trooper cars, operate highway and airport equipment, run the ferries, etc. State agencies need approximately $2.3 million in general funds and $460,000 in airport revenue funds to pay these higher fuel prices. In the big picture, this is a small price to pay for circumstances that greatly benefit Alaska overall. As we work together on the FY2002 budget, the appropriations requested in this bill and its companion "fast track" supplemental can provide some helpful reference points for determining realistic budget levels for the coming year. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0291 SB 74 SENATE BILL NO. 74 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Supplemental Request Summary from the Office of the Governor was attached and is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. Governor's transmittal letter dated February 6: Dear President Halford: I am transmitting to you today two supplemental appropriation bills for Fiscal Year 2001, including this one which I urge you to put on a "fast track" for final action as early in March as possible. The legislature and public are already familiar with the Special Olympics and gas line projects in this "fast track" bill, but several other issues also need attention sooner than the regular supplemental schedule allows. In my State of the State/State of the Budget speech, I proposed that we join together to quickly provide $500,000 toward the success of an extraordinary event that will take place in Anchorage early next month. The organizers of the Special Olympics World Winter Games have garnered tremendous financial and in-kind support to bring athletes and their families to Alaska from all over the world, but they need our help now to complete the funding for lodging and other basic expenses. We also need early supplemental action so state agencies can proceed quickly with intensive preparations to receive an application for construction of the natural gas pipeline. As an example, the Departments of Fish and Game and Environmental Conservation will not be able to conduct a full field season this year unless they receive the necessary funds in time to hire staff and make other financial 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0292 commitments. With an appropriation of $1.96 million in March, we could intensify the overall gas line effort considerably and avoid a full year's delay on the necessary field work. Approval of this bill in March would make it possible to begin several transportation and fisheries research projects this summer. It would also ensure timely debt service payments and uninterrupted processing of Medicaid payments. These and other timing issues are described in the backup materials. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor SB 75 SENATE BILL NO. 75 BY SENATORS HALFORD, Phillips, entitled: "An Act relating to municipal service areas and providing for voter approval of the formation, alteration, or abolishment of certain service areas." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Dimond High School Japanese Immersion Program Graduates Senator(s) Pearce, Ward, Wilken, Hoffman, Leman, Elton, Davis, Lincoln, Austerman, Taylor, Kelly, Green, Donley Representative(s) Halcro Honoring - Dimond High Lynx, 2000 State Football Champs Senator(s) Pearce, Ward, Wilken, Hoffman, Leman, Elton, Davis, Lincoln, Austerman, Taylor, Kelly, Green, Donley Representative(s) Halcro 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0293 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 SB 42 Senator Elton moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 42 "An Act requiring an annual inflation adjustment of 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. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from the Senate, not subject to a call, on February 23. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Senator Taylor moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from the Senate, not subject to a call, from plane time, February 9 through plane time, February 11. Without objection, Senator Taylor was excused. Senator Lincoln moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 23. Without objection, Senator Lincoln was excused. Adjournment Senator Leman moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 7, 2001. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:28 a.m. Heidi Vogel Secretary of the Senate February 2001 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0294 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 Feb 07 Wednesday 1:30 PM + SB 4 MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION += SB 48 MUNICIPALITIES:INCORP/PROPERTY VALUATION Feb 09 Friday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 10 Saturday 1:30 PM -- Time Change -- += SB 48 MUNICIPALITIES:INCORP/PROPERTY VALUATION ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 06 Tuesday 9:00 AM + Overview: Diane Barrans AK Commission on Postsecondary Education += SB 16 OIL DISCH PREVENTION: NONTANK VESSELS/RR Feb 07 Wednesday 9:00 AM Status of Donald H. Carlson et al. vs State of AK Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission: Dept of Law, OMB, CFEC Feb 08 Thursday 9:00 AM Overview: Annalee McConnell Governor's Supplemental Budget ---------------------------------------- 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0295 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH 205 Feb 07 Wednesday 1:30 PM + SB 40 EDUC.OF DISABLED OR GIFTED CHILDREN + SB 64 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FOR CERTAIN WWII VETS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ 211 Feb 07 Wednesday 1:30 PM Confirmation Hearing: Judicial Conduct, AK Judicial Council Feb 09 Friday 1:30 PM -- Meeting Canceled -- Confirmation Hearing: Violent Crimes Compensation Board ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE BELTZ 211 Feb 06 Tuesday 1:30 PM + SB 58 ADD PHYSICIAN ASST TO STATE MEDICAL BOARD Feb 08 Thursday 1:30 PM SB 52 TERMINATION OF STATE PHYS THERAPY BOARD SB 53 EXTENDING THE BD. OF BARBERS/HAIRDRESSERS ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 06 Tuesday 12:15 PM + -- Time and Location Change -- Joint w/(H) Resources Mining Industry Briefing BUTROVICH 205 Feb 07 Wednesday 3:30 PM + Natural Gas Pipeline Briefing: Gas Pipeline Consortium 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0296 RESOURCES (continued) Feb 09 Friday 3:30 PM + Status Briefing on Donald H. Carlson et al. vs State of AK Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission: Dept of Law, OMB, CFEC + HJR 6 ROADLESS POLICY Feb 14 Wednesday 3:30 PM TAPS Briefing: David Wight, CEO and President, Alyeska Pipeline SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 15 Thursday 12:00 PM -- Time and Location Change -- Joint w/(H) Resources and (H) Special Committee on Oil & Gas Presentation on LNG Market in Japan and Asia: Shigeru Muraki, General Manager, Gas Resources Dept, Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS BELTZ 211 Feb 06 Tuesday 3:30 PM + SJR 9 NATIONAL MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM + SJR 12 ELIMINATE MARRIAGE TAX PENALTY + SB 39 ASST. ADJUTANT GENERAL FOR MISSLE DEFENSE Feb 08 Thursday 3:30 PM + SB 54 ALASKA VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL + SB 55 PIONEERS' AND VETERANS' HOME/ADVISORY BD Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH 205 Feb 06 Tuesday 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 08 Thursday 1:30 PM + HB 44 JOE REDINGTON SR. MEMORIAL TRAIL + SB 3 APPROP:ENV.ASSESS. NORTHERN DENALI ACCESS 2001-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0297 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 08 Thursday 8:00 AM Overview: Dept of Education and Early Development ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 07 Wednesday 4:00 PM Missions and Measures: Div of Medical Assistance, Public Assistance, Public Health JOINT COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION REVIEW FAHRENKAMP 203 Feb 20 Tuesday 2:45 PM + Review of Past and Proposed Regulations ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HOUSE FINANCE 519 Feb 08 Thursday 12:00 PM Fairbanks Office Lease Renewal Flag Pins Information Technology Subcommittee Revisor's Bill, Drafting Manual Pacific NW Economic Region Discussion OTHER MEETINGS CHILDREN'S CAUCUS FAHRENKAMP 203 Feb 13 Tuesday 12:00 PM Public Health ---------------------------------------- FISHERIES CAUCUS BUTROVICH 205 Feb 09 Friday 12:00 PM Legal Framework for Fishery Management