Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2003-02-21 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0237 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday February 21, 2003 Thirty-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Therriault at 10:12 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. The seat from District R was vacant. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Senator Olson. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Let's all bow our heads and unite our hearts and hands in prayer. Our Heavenly Father, this morning as we gather together to make decisions that are to be made, Lord, we pray for wisdom along that decision-making process. May we take this responsibility of the people's trust with the weight it deserves. And Lord, let us not forget the little person that's out there that we are affecting so tremendously. We ask You to continue to watch over and guide us. Give us safety for those senators that are here and that are traveling this weekend, and their families. In Jesus' name we ask it. Amen. Senator Ben Stevens led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0238 Certification Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the thirtieth and thirty-first legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Message dated and received February 20 was read, stating: Pursuant to my authority under article II, section 4 of the Alaska State Constitution, I have appointed Gary Stevens to fill the vacancy in the Alaska State Senate, District R. Subject to confirmation by the Majority, Gary Stevens will hold this office until the next general election, at which time a successor will be elected to serve the remaining term for Senate District R. Sincerely, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor Senate Majority response dated February 20 was read, stating: Today members of the Senate Republican Caucus met and confirmed your appointment of Gary Stevens to the Twenty-third Alaska State Legislature for Senate District R. The Oath of Office will be administered tomorrow, February 21, 2003. Signing the response: Senators Therriault, Bunde, Cowdery, Dyson, Green, Ogan, Seekins, Ben Stevens, Taylor, Wagoner, Wilken. President Therriault appointed Senator French and Senator Cowdery to escort Gary Stevens to the chamber. Senators Cowdery and French escorted Gary Stevens to the rostrum. 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0239 President Therriault administered the Oath of Office to Gary Stevens. Senators French and Cowdery escorted Senator Gary Stevens to his seat. Messages from the House Message dated February 19 was read, stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 12 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 12(JUD) am BY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the crime of harassment committed by use of electronic communication." with a House Letter of Intent, was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. Special Committee Reports February 21, 2003 Dear Mr. President: Your Committee on Committees has met and submits to the Senate for its consideration the following changes to the original Committee on Committees report dated January 21: Community and Regional Affairs Committee Senator Taylor is named Vice Chair Senator Gary Stevens replaces Senator Austerman 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0240 Finance Committee Senator Bunde is named Vice Chair Senator Taylor replaces Senator Austerman Change Senator Stevens to read Senator Ben Stevens Health, Education and Social Services Committee Senator Green is named Vice Chair Judiciary Committee Senator Ogan is named Vice Chair Labor and Commerce Committee Senator Seekins is named Vice Chair Senator Gary Stevens replaces Senator Austerman Resources Committee Change Senator Stevens to read Senator Ben Stevens Rules Committee Change Senator Stevens to read Senator Ben Stevens State Affairs Committee Senator Gary Stevens, Chair, replaces Senator Taylor, Chair Senator Cowdery is named Vice Chair Transportation Committee Senator Wagoner is named Vice Chair Signing the report: Senator Therriault, Chair; Senator Ben Stevens, Vice Chair; Senators Wilken, Davis, Ellis Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the changes to the Committee on Committees report be adopted. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0241 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 5 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5 BY SENATOR BEN STEVENS, Relating to declaring March 2003 as Sobriety Awareness Month. was read the first time. Senators Ellis, Dyson, Lincoln, French, Wagoner, Davis, Elton, Taylor, Guess, Bunde, Wilken, Cowdery, Seekins, Ogan, Olson, Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on the resolution. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5 was before the Senate on final passage. SCR 5 Final Passage YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Guess, Hoffman, Lincoln, Ogan, Olson, Seekins, Stevens B, Stevens G, Taylor, Therriault, Wagoner, Wilken and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 78 SENATE BILL NO. 78 BY SENATORS GREEN, Ben Stevens, Therriault, Bunde, Cowdery, Dyson, Ogan, Seekins, Taylor, Wagoner, Wilken, entitled: 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0242 "An Act relating to an optional group of persons eligible for medical assistance who require treatment for breast and cervical cancer; relating to cost sharing by those recipients under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. SB 79 SENATE BILL NO. 79 BY SENATOR BEN STEVENS, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. SB 80 SENATE BILL NO. 80 BY SENATOR DAVIS, entitled: "An Act relating to voter registration." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. SB 81 SENATE BILL NO. 81 BY SENATOR FRENCH, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0243 Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - Percy John Blatchford Representative(s) Wolf Senator(s) Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Elton, Green, Hoffman, Lincoln, Ben Stevens, Seekins, Taylor, Therriault, Wilken, Ogan, Guess Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Citations Senator Wilken moved and asked unanimous consent that the following citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Senator Pete Kelly, Outstanding Public Service and Leadership Senator(s) Wilken, Olson, Cowdery, Davis, Elton, Green, Hoffman, Ben Stevens, Taylor, Therriault, Guess Senator Wilken moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on April 4 and from April 17, noon, through April 18. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Senator Wagoner moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from February 28, noon, to March 3, plane time. Without objection, Senator Wagoner was excused. 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0244 Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 24 and February 26. Without objection, Senator Olson was excused. Senator Bunde moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from February 21, evening plane time, through February 24, morning plane time. Without objection, Senator Bunde was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SCR 5 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5 Relating to declaring March 2003 as Sobriety Awareness Month, was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 24, 2003. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:39 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate February 2003 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0245 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 Feb 21 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 24 Monday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 26 Wednesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM + SB 38 ADOPTION OF SAFETY CODES + SB 62 AK REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM + SB 63 MUNICIPAL ANNEXATIONS AND DETACHMENTS + HCR 2 EXTEND ALASKA RAILROAD TO FT. GREELY + HB 58 REINSTATEMENT OF NATIVE CORPS + HB 68 OFFICE OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS: INCLUDE MUNIS Feb 28 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 21 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM SB 75 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS: FAST TRACK SB 76 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0246 FINANCE (continued) Feb 24 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM = SB 75 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS: FAST TRACK = SB 76 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS Feb 25 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM = SB 75 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS: FAST TRACK = SB 76 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS Feb 26 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM -- Time Change -- Key Campaign Presentation Feb 27 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM SB 51 BONDS OF BOND BANK AUTHORITY SCR 1 SUPPORT ROADS/HOT SPRINGS LOOP ROAD Adoption Longevity Pay Increment Policy ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 24 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 2 PARENT LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE BY CHILD Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled += SB 25 AHFC LOANS TO EDUCATORS Feb 26 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 41 MEDICAID COSTS AND CRIMES + SB 78 MEDICAID FOR BREAST & CERVICAL CANCER + Overview: AK Statewide Suicide Prevention Council + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 21 Friday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0247 JUDICIARY (continued) Feb 24 Monday 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 Feb 26 Wednesday Capitol 122 1:00 PM -- Time and Location Change -- + Joint w/(H) Judiciary Confirmation Hearings: Judicial Council - Bill Gordon Violent Crimes Compensation Board - LeRoy Barker, Gerad G. Godfrey + Overview: Partners for Progress, Therapeutic/Wellness Courts, Electronic Monitoring for Alcohol Related Offenders Feb 28 Friday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 25 Tuesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM SB 47 EXTEND BOARD OF NURSING SB 48 EXTEND BOARD OF MIDWIVES + SB 72 EXTEND REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA Feb 26 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 3:15 PM -- Time and Location Change -- Joint w/(H) Labor and Commerce Confirmation Hearings: Regulatory Commission of Alaska- Dave Harbour, Mark Johnson Feb 27 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM SB 43 EXTEND STATE MEDICAL BOARD + SB 54 OVERTIME PAY FOR AIRLINE EMPLOYEES + SB 73 AIDEA AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0248 RESOURCES Feb 21 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 24 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SCR 3 EXTEND JT LEG SALMON INDUSTRY TASK FORCE + SB 74 DISCHARGE PREVENTION & CONTINGENCY PLANS + HB 69 REGULATION OF SHALLOW NATURAL GAS <No public testimony will be taken/ sub-committee assignment> Feb 26 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Confirmation Hearing: AK Oil and Gas Conservation Commission - Sarah H. Palin, Randy Ruedrich Feb 28 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 25 Tuesday Beltz 211 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 27 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM Confirmation Hearings: Commissioner, Dept of Administration - Mike Miller Commissioner, Dept of Public Safety - Bill Tandeske State Commission on Human Rights - Grace Merkes Lester Lunceford Robert B. Sawyer, Jr AK Public Offices Commission - Larry D. Wood ---------------------------------------- 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0249 TRANSPORTATION Feb 25 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM SB 31 RAILROAD UTILITY CORRIDOR TO & IN CANADA <Bill Hearing Postponed to 3/11> Confirmation Hearing: Commissioner, Dept of Transportation and Public Facilities Feb 27 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM SB 71 TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS Mar 04 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 06 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 11 Tuesday Terry Miller 104 1:30 PM -- Location Change -- = SB 31 RAILROAD UTILITY CORRIDOR TO & IN CANADA <Bill Hearing Postponed to 3/18/03> Joint w/(H) Transportation Port of Bellingham Mar 13 Thursday Terry Miller 104 1:15 PM -- Time and Location Change -- Joint w/(H) Transportation Airport Bond Issues Mar 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Rescheduled from 3/11/03 -- += SB 31 RAILROAD UTILITY CORRIDOR TO & IN CANADA Mar 25 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 40 CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAYS BY DOTPF ---------------------------------------- 2003-02-21 Senate Journal Page 0250 JOINT COMMITTEES ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE Mar 11 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM Military Legislative Address: Lt General Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, USAF Commander, Alaska Command Brigadier General Craig Campbell, Adjutant General, Alaska National Guard ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Mar 27 Thursday House Finance 519 4:00 PM Audits and Other Committee Business Including an Executive Session ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 05 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM State of the Judiciary Chief Justice Dana Fabe Mar 31 Monday House Chamber 11:00 AM Address by U.S. Senator Ted Stevens