Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2003-01-24 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0047 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 24, 2003 Fourth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Therriault at 10:10 a.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senators Green, Ogan, Olson, Wilken were excused. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Tim Frega of the Auke Bay Bible Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Father, what an opportunity and what a privilege it has been to be here this week. I thank You so much for that. I am grateful for the Christian heritage that we have as a nation. Thank You that You have given us roots that we can not only build upon but that we can take and exemplify in our lives. I pray this morning that You take and bring thoughts into these gentlemen and into these ladies' minds that will be used not only for the building up of Your kingdom but also in the lives of people, so that Christ can be seen in a fuller and a deeper way. Pray that You guide their feet as they go about their business, and may they never forget the source of the strength that they have. May they find their source in Jesus Christ, for it's in Christ's name I pray. Amen. Senator Cowdery led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0048 Certification Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the third legislative day and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 1 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications Letter dated June 13, 2002 from Chief Justice Dana Fabe was read, stating pursuant to AS 24.60.130(b)(3), she has nominated Herman G. Walker, Jr. to serve a term as a public member of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. Letters dated January 22 from Chief Justice Dana Fabe were read, stating pursuant to AS 24.60.130(b)(3), she has nominated Shirley McCoy and Dennis "Skip" Cook to serve terms as public members on the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. President Therriault referred the nominations to the Judiciary Committee. Standing Committee Reports Rules Committee Report dated January 23 was read, stating: In compliance with AS 24.10.030 and Uniform Rule 3(a), the Senate Rules Committee hereby reports its nomination of Kirsten Waid to serve as Secretary of the Senate for the Twenty-third Legislature and recommends election by the Senate. The report was signed by Senator Cowdery, Chair, Senators Stevens, Therriault, Ellis, Guess. Senator Cowdery moved and asked unanimous consent that the Rules Committee Report be adopted. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Cowdery moved for the election of Kirsten Waid as Secretary of the Senate. 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0049 The question being: "Shall Kirsten Waid be elected as Senate Secretary?" The roll was taken with the following result: Elect Kirsten Waid as Secretary of the Senate? YEAS: 16 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 4 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Austerman, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Guess, Hoffman, Lincoln, Seekins, Stevens B, Taylor, Therriault, Wagoner Excused: Green, Ogan, Olson, Wilken and so, Kirsten Waid was elected to serve as Senate Secretary. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 35 SENATE BILL NO. 35 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Governor's transmittal letter dated January 23: Dear President Therriault: AS 37.07.020 required that I submit a budget for the 2004 fiscal year th to the Legislature and the public on December 15 of last year. That law also requires that "bills identical in content" to those I released in December be delivered to the Legislature by the fourth legislative day. The bills delivered today contain the Fiscal Year 2003 operating budget as appropriated by the last Legislature and signed into law by the previous Governor. Again, they provide a useful point of reference for your budget discussions. 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0050 This Administration will use the next five weeks to prepare for delivery to you a responsive state budget for fiscal year 2004. Departments are evaluating all services they deliver, using the process set forth in Administrative Order 202. This process includes identification of the intended purpose of all programs, their effectiveness in delivering those results, and the efficiency in which they use public dollars. The goal is to provide a basis upon which reasoned budget decisions may be made that further the goals of my Administration. I look forward to working closely with this Legislature to jointly craft a responsive state budget that efficiently provides Alaska residents essential state services at a cost that the state can afford over the long- term. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor A copy of Administrative Order 202 was enclosed. SB 36 SENATE BILL NO. 36 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for the operating expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. In accordance with AS 37.14.003(b) a report of the differences between the Governor's proposed budget and the recommendations of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority was transmitted. 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0051 Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Mahala Ashley Dickerson Senator(s) Davis, Austerman, Cowdery, Elton, Green, Lincoln, Taylor, Wilken, Ellis, Hoffman, Therriault In Memoriam - Mrs. Charlie Berkley Senator(s) Davis, Austerman, Cowdery, Elton, Green, Lincoln, Taylor, Wilken, Ellis, Hoffman, Therriault In Memoriam - Eula Cleveland Senator(s) Davis, Austerman, Cowdery, Elton, Green, Lincoln, Taylor, Wilken, Ellis, Hoffman, Therriault In Memoriam - Gail Dorr Senator(s) Davis, Austerman, Cowdery, Elton, Green, Lincoln, Taylor, Wilken, Ellis, Hoffman, Therriault Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 7. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Senator Lincoln moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from the Senate, not subject to a call, on January 28. Without objection, Senator Lincoln was excused. Introduction of Senate Secretary and Staff Senator Cowdery, Rules Committee Chair, introduced Kirsten Waid, Secretary of the Senate, and her staff: Liz Clark, Susi Gregg Fowler, Kitty Maguire, Nancy Schaufelberger and Julianna Singh. 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0052 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., June 27, 2003. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:37 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate June 2003 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0053 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Jan 27 Monday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 29 Wednesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 27 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Confirmation Hearing: Bill Corbus Commissioner, Dept of Revenue Jan 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 30 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0054 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 27 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 27 Monday Beltz 211 1:30 PM Organizational Meeting Jan 29 Wednesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Capitol 122 1:00 PM -- Time and Location Change -- Joint w/(H) Judiciary Confirmation Hearings: Select Committee on Legislative Ethics- Dennis "Skip" Cook Shirley McCoy Herman G. Walker, Jr. ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 28 Tuesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM Overview: Dept of Labor Jan 30 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM Confirmation Hearing: Greg O'Claray Commissioner, Dept of Labor ---------------------------------------- 2003-01-24 Senate Journal Page 0055 RESOURCES Jan 27 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Jan 28 Tuesday Beltz 211 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 30 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 11 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM SB 31 RAILROAD UTILITY CORRIDOR TO & IN CANADA