2005-03-07                     House Journal                      Page 0542
HB 209                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 209 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act establishing the Aviation Advisory Board; and providing                                
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional                                    
Affairs, Transportation, and Finance Committees.                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities                                               
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 4, 2005, follows:                                     
                                                                                                    

2005-03-07                     House Journal                      Page 0543
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill establishing a permanent Aviation Advisory Board                                
in statute.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
This bill would establish a permanent advisory board within the                                     
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) to make                                  
recommendations to the commissioner of DOTPF with respect to that                                   
department's aviation functions.  On January 15, 2003, I created a                                  
temporary interim Aviation Advisory Board by Administrative Order                                   
No. 204.  I reestablished the temporary board through Administrative                                
Order No. 215, dated June 25, 2004.  This bill would make the board                                 
permanent.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The permanent board would have the same composition as the current                                  
10-member interim board, with representatives of various stakeholders                               
in aviation matters.  However, one additional board member would be                                 
added, to provide for an uneven number of members and thus avoid tie                                
votes.  The governor would appoint board members to staggered three-                                
year terms.  As is the case for members of the existing interim board,                              
members would serve without compensation, other than coverage of                                    
travel and per diem expenses for members who are not state officers or                              
employees.  All members would serve at the pleasure of the governor.                                
                                                                                                    
This bill would afford the commissioner of the DOTPF valuable input                                 
from the perspective of the aviation industry and the two largest                                   
airport hub communities regarding state aviation policy and                                         
management.  It would ensure that those same stakeholders would                                     
have an ongoing opportunity to advise and make recommendations to                                   
the commissioner of DOTPF.                                                                          
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                Governor"