2003-02-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0221
SB 72                                                                                             
SENATE BILL NO. 72 BY THE SENATE 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."                                                                       

2003-02-19                     Senate Journal                      Page 0222
was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and                                  
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Community and Economic                                            
 Development                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18:                                                    
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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 Regulatory Commission of                               
Alaska'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.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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