2003-05-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 1274
SB 215                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 215 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
          "An Act giving notice of and approving the entry into                                     
          and the issuance of certificates of participation for a                                   
          lease-purchase agreement for a seafood and food                                           
          safety laboratory facility; relating to the use of certain                                
          investment income for certain construction costs; and                                     
          providing for an effective date."                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Environmental Conservation                                        
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated May 8, 2003:                                                    

2003-05-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 1275
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill relating to issuing certificates of participation to                            
fund a new seafood and food safety laboratory.                                                      
                                                                                                    
The state's food safety laboratory plays a vital role in protecting the                             
health of Alaskans. The seafood and food safety laboratory tests crabs,                             
geoducks, and other shellfish for toxins, a service not offered in the                              
private sector. Local dairy products must be tested by a state                                      
laboratory before they can be sold to schools and the military. Federal                             
law also requires a state laboratory to certify private laboratories to                             
perform drinking water compliance testing for public water systems.                                 
Additionally, the new laboratory will have an area designated as bio                                
safety level III for testing of anthrax or other bio-terrorism agents. The                          
new laboratory would not duplicate existing laboratories in the state.                              
                                                                                                    
The current lease will soon expire, requiring the facility to be                                    
relocated. Building a state-owned facility is cheaper than leasing a                                
privately-owned facility, and the state owns a parcel of land ready for                             
development. The Alaska State Legislature has recognized the need                                   
for replacement through previous planning and design appropriations.                                
The bill I transmit today is the next and final step in providing                                   
Alaskans with a worthwhile facility by setting up a bonding structure                               
for its construction. The proposed method is the issuance of                                        
certificates of participation for a lease-purchase agreement.                                       
                                                                                                    
In the interests of public health for Alaskans and consumers of                                     
Alaskan food, fish and dairy products, as well as the economic health                               
of these industries, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this                                
measure.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor