2003-02-19                     House Journal                      Page 0250
HB 111                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 111 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act extending the termination date of the Regulatory                                       
     Commission of Alaska; and providing for an effective date."                                    
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Community & Economic Development                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18, 2003, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill that would extend the life of the Regulatory                                    
Commission of Alaska (RCA) to avoid its termination on June 30,                                     
2003.  The bill also includes a provision for an immediate effective                                
date.                                                                                               
                                                                                                    
It is important to pass this bill before the RCA's termination date.  The                           
RCA regulates utilities statewide and intrastate pipelines.  The                                    
continued operation of the RCA is essential to ensure that Alaskan                                  
consumers have reliable and affordable utility services and to assure a                             
stable business environment for utilities and pipelines.                                            

2003-02-19                     House Journal                      Page 0251
Failure to extend the commission this session would significantly                                   
interfere with its work.  Though the sunset Act provides for a  'wind                               
down' year, the commission would have to redirect its time and energy                               
to plan for closing its operations.  Failure to extend the RCA would                                
leave the regulated utilities as well as consumers in a state of                                    
confusion and uncertainty.                                                                          
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"