2004-06-22                     House Journal                      Page 4458
HB 1004                                                                                           
HOUSE BILL NO. 1004 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                      
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of general                                  
     obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of design,                                 
     construction, and major maintenance of facilities at the University                            
     of Alaska; and providing for an effective date."                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue                                                                        
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated June 21, 2004, follows:                                     
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill authorizing the issuance of                                  
general obligation bonds to finance capital improvement projects for                                
the University of Alaska.  Great progress has been made with our                                    
university system.  Student enrollment is at the highest level ever.                                
(Increase of 14.5 percent system wide between 2000 and 2004).                                       
Research activities are also at an all-time high, and have increased by                             

2004-06-22                     House Journal                      Page 4459
more than 75 percent since fiscal year 1999.  These successes are                                   
based on the state's on-going commitment to the university.  This bill                              
builds upon, and reinforces this commitment, while realizing the harsh                              
reality of the limits forced on the state by the present fiscal situation.                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The projects in this bill address a number of the University of Alaska's                            
critical infrastructure needs.  The projects include improvements to the                            
integrated science facility at the University of Alaska, Anchorage to                               
provide crucial science classroom and instructional labs.                                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Also included are projects that address essential life safety, renovation,                          
and equipment priorities.  These include Americans with Disabilities                                
Act and life safety issues, as well as crucial equipment and space                                  
renovation needs.  Basic information technology upgrades and                                        
replacement of academic and instructional equipment is included.                                    
Designed and construction, such as for the Biological and                                           
Computational Science Facility on the Fairbanks campus, will support                                
the continued successful expansion of the state and university's                                    
research and development agenda.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
New construction, such as for the Biological and Computational                                      
Facility on the Fairbanks campus, will support the continued                                        
successful expansion of the state and university's research and                                     
development agenda.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
The bill requires that sections one through seven of the bill only take                             
effect once the Lieutenant Governor has certified a long-range fiscal                               
plan has been adopted as specified in the bill and the bonds have been                              
approved by the voters.                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this legislation.                                        
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely yours,                                                   
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Frank H. Murkowski                                                 
                                  Governor"