2004-06-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 3847
SB 1004                                                                                           
SENATE BILL NO. 1004 BY THE SENATE 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.                                      

2004-06-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 3848
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Revenue                                                           
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated June 21:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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                             
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.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2004-06-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 3849
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