Legislature(2003 - 2004)

2003-02-24 Senate Journal

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2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0255
                                                                                                    
                                SENATE JOURNAL                                                   
                                                                                                    
                           ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                              
                                                                                                    
                  TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION                                      
                                                                                                    
Juneau, Alaska                     Monday                February 24, 2003                        
                                                                                                    
                               Thirty-fifth Day                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                 
Therriault at 11:09 a.m.                                                                            
                                                                                                    
The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Olson was                                         
excused from a call of the Senate.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Major Larry Fankhauser of                                   
The Salvation Army. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous                                       
consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered.                            
                                                                                                    
          Dear God,                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
          I want to thank You for this new week and the                                             
          opportunities it presents to serve the peoples of the                                     
          great state of Alaska.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
          Lord, there are many items before this body which                                         
          need to be addressed. I would pray that the thought,                                      
          insight and most importantly wisdom and                                                   
          discernment needed would be upon each of these                                            
          Senators gathered.                                                                        
                                                                                                    
          Help them to keep focused on what is needful, not                                         
          spending time on the mundane, peripheral things that                                      
          can cause us to waste precious time.                                                      
                                                                                                    
        Thank you, Lord, for this day.                           Amen.                             
                                                                                                    
Senator Taylor led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0256
                                Certification                                                    
                                                                                                    
Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                      
journals for the thirty-second through thirty-fourth legislative days be                            
approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so                                
ordered.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                           Messages from the House                                               
                                                                                                    
Message dated February 21 was read, stating the House passed and                                    
transmitted for consideration:                                                                      
                                                                                                    
                        First Reading and Reference of                                           
                              House Resolutions                                                  
                                                                                                    
HCR 6                                                                                             
CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6(FSH) BY                                                    
THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES,                                                           
                                                                                                    
            Relating to the continuation of the Joint Legislative                                  
          Salmon Industry Task Force until 2004.                                                    
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                          Standing Committee Reports                                             
                                                                                                    
SB 49                                                                                             
The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 49 "An                                       
Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as                                          
recommended by the revisor of statutes; and providing for an effective                              
date" and recommended it be replaced with                                                           
                                                                                                    
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 49(STA)                                                            
                                                                                                    
Signing do pass: Senator Taylor, Chair; Senators Hoffman, Cowdery,                                  
Dyson, Guess.                                                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0257
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Senate State Affairs Committee                                            
                                                                                                    
The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                   
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                        Consideration of the Calendar                                            
                                                                                                    
                                  Citations                                                      
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Judge Thomas Jahnke                                                                      
Senator(s) Taylor, Therriault, Ogan, Cowdery, Davis, Elton, Guess,                                  
Green, Hoffman, Lincoln, Ben Stevens, Wilken, Dyson, Gary Stevens                                   
Representative(s) Williams, Wilson                                                                  
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Sheldon Jackson College                                                                  
Senator(s) Taylor, Therriault, Bunde, Ogan, Guess, Cowdery, Davis,                                  
Elton, Green, Hoffman, Lincoln, Ben Stevens, Wilken, Dyson, Ellis,                                  
Gary Stevens                                                                                        
Representative(s) Wilson                                                                            
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Dean Larson, Retirement from the West Coast Hockey                                       
League Anchorage Aces                                                                               
Representative(s) McGuire                                                                           
Senator(s) Ben Stevens, Therriault, Ogan, Guess, Cowdery, Davis,                                    
Elton, Green, Hoffman, Lincoln, Taylor, Wilken, Dyson, Gary Stevens                                 
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Sara Elaine Atwood                                                                    
Senator(s) Ben Stevens, Therriault, Bunde, Ogan, Guess, Cowdery,                                    
Davis, Elton, Green, Hoffman, Lincoln, Taylor, Wilken, Dyson, Gary                                  
Stevens                                                                                             
Representative(s) Heinze                                                                            
                                                                                                    
Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                      
citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and                             
referred to the Secretary for transmittal.                                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0258
                             Unfinished Business                                                 
                                                                                                    
Senator Ben Stevens 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 -  Representative Jeannette James                                                          
Representative(s) Coghill                                                                           
Senator(s) Therriault, Bunde, Dyson, Gary Stevens, Cowdery, Davis,                                  
Elton, Green, Guess, Hoffman, Lincoln, Ben Stevens, Taylor, Wilken                                  
                                                                                                    
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.                                                          
                                                                                                    
Senator Taylor moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                      
from the Senate, not subject to a call, on February 26. Without                                     
objection, Senator Taylor was excused.                                                              
                                                                                                    
Senator Seekins moved and asked unanimous consent to extend a prior                                 
excusal (page 228) in order to be excused from a call of the Senate on                              
March 4, to evening plane time. Without objection, Senator Seekins                                  
was excused.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
SB 9                                                                                              
Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a                                   
cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 9 "An Act relating to the evaluation                                   
and cleanup of sites where certain controlled substances may have                                   
been manufactured or stored; and providing for an effective date."                                  
Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                               
                                                                                                    
SB 22                                                                                             
Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a                                   
cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 22 "An Act limiting the factors that                                   
may be considered in making a crime victims' compensation award in                                  
cases of sexual assault or sexual abuse of a minor." Without objection,                             
it was so ordered.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0259
SB 24                                                                                             
Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a                                   
cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 24 "An Act providing special                                           
absentee ballots for voters in remote areas." Without objection, it was                             
so ordered.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
SB 33                                                                                             
Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a                                   
cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to reporting of                                    
donations to and money or other donations spent, given, or paid by                                  
political parties." Without objection, it was so ordered.                                           
                                                                                                    
SB 34                                                                                             
Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a                                   
cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 34 "An Act relating to electronic                                      
mail activities and making certain electronic mail activities unfair                                
methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices under                               
the Act enumerating unfair trade practices and consumer protections."                               
Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                               
                                                                                                    
SB 47                                                                                             
Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a                                   
cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 47 "An Act extending the                                               
termination date of the Board of Nursing." Without objection, it was                                
so ordered.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
SB 65                                                                                             
Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a                                   
cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 65 "An Act authorizing the                                             
Department of Corrections to enter into agreements with                                             
municipalities for new or expanded public correctional facilities in the                            
Fairbanks North Star Borough, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough,                                        
Bethel, and the Municipality of Anchorage." Without objection, it was                               
so ordered.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                Announcements                                                    
                                                                                                    
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                        
                                                                                                    

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0260
                                 Adjournment                                                     
                                                                                                    
Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                      
Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 26, 2003.                                    
Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:27 a.m.                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                Kirsten Waid                        
                                                     Secretary of the Senate                        
                                                                                                    
                                                               February 2003                        

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0261
                                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 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 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                                                             

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0262
                             FINANCE (continued)                                                 
                                                                                                    
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 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                                              

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0263
                            JUDICIARY (continued)                                                
                                                                                                    
Feb 28        Friday                                Beltz 211         1:30 PM                     
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                        
                                                                                                    
                               LABOR & COMMERCE                                                  
                                                                                                    
Feb 25        Tuesday                               Beltz 211         1:30 PM                     
+ SB  72 EXTEND REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA                                                     
     SB  47 EXTEND BOARD OF NURSING                                                                 
     SB  48 EXTEND BOARD OF MIDWIVES                                                                
                                                                                                    
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  73 AIDEA AUTHORITY TO ISSUE BONDS                                                             
     SB  43 EXTEND STATE MEDICAL BOARD                                                              
+ SB  54 OVERTIME PAY FOR AIRLINE EMPLOYEES                                                         
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                      
                   ----------------------------------------                                        
                                                                                                    
                                  RESOURCES                                                      
                                                                                                    
Feb 24        Monday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                     
+ SCR  3 EXTEND JT LEG SALMON INDUSTRY TASK FORCE                                                   
     HCR  6 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                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                        

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0264
                                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                                                                         
                   ----------------------------------------                                        
                                                                                                    
                                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                                                                    

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0265
                          TRANSPORTATION (continued)                                             
                                                                                                    
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                                                         
                   ----------------------------------------                                        
                                                                                                    
                               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                                                   
                                                                                                    
                                 FISH CAUCUS                                                     
                                                                                                    
Feb 26        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                     
              Alaska Seafood Around the World:                                                      
              Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute                                                    
                   ----------------------------------------                                        

2003-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0266
                                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