Legislature(2005 - 2006)
2005-01-18 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0077 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday January 18, 2005 Ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senators Bunde, Olson were excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Therriault, Guess were absent. Senator Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that Senator Guess be excused from a call of the Senate on January 18, 19, 21 and 24. Without objection, Senator Guess was excused. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, The Reverend George Silides of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Today, O God, I hold before You the senators of our state, men and women elected to leadership of all its people; the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the invisible, of every race and creed, elected as stewards of a rich heritage and a rich land. I can be quick to criticize: help me, Lord, to first enter their dilemma. On most issues of state I have the luxury of withholding judgment, of not committing myself, of sitting on the fence. Even when I have an opinion, it has little influence and seldom any consequence. Not so with these seated here today. To the extent that they really lead, they must make decisions, even if they are poor ones for a time. 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0078 Help these leaders, O God, in the loneliness of their decisions. Put wise counselors around them. Take, I pray, the bits and pieces of virtue that are in each and cause them to grow and mature. And take all the destructive motives and cause them to vanish like smoke in the wind. Lord, I believe that You seek to support even those who do not seek You, when they are acting from the best that is within them. Upon this senate, Lord, pour Your blessing. Help them see how good right decisions are. And where decisions must be made that are not in their own interest, deepen their sense of duty. Having seen the light, give them the courage to walk in the light. Amen. Senator Stedman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the fifth through eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Introduction of Senate Staff Senator Seekins introduced the following members of the Senate Secretary's Office: Kirsten Waid - Senate Secretary Liz Clark - Assistant Senate Secretary Martha Hopson - Assistant Senate Secretary Julianna Singh - Assistant Senate Secretary Nancy Schaufelberger - Assistant Senate Secretary Gina Spartz - Assistant Senate Secretary 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0079 Messages from the Governor Letter dated and received January 14 was read, stating in accordance with AS 39.05.080 and AS 14.40.150, I submit the following names for legislative confirmation of appointment to the Board of Regents as set out below: University of Alaska Board of Regents Carl H. Marrs - Anchorage Appointed: 1/13/2005 Term Expires: 2/1/2013 Robert Martin - Juneau Appointed: 1/13/2005 Term Expires: 2/1/2013 Jeff Staser - Anchorage Appointed: 1/13/2005 Term Expires: 2/1/2007 The appointments were referred to the Health, Education and Social Services Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Offices of the Senate Secretary and the Chief Clerk. Communications Report from the Commissioner of the Department of Administration dated January 14 was received, stating the monetary terms for the collective bargaining agreement reached with the Alaska State Employees Association representing the General Government Unit in accordance with AS 23.40.215. President Stevens referred the report to the Finance Committee. 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0080 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 61 SENATE BILL NO. 61 BY SENATOR GARY STEVENS, entitled: "An Act relating to the Alaska teacher recruitment loan repayment 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 62 SENATE BILL NO. 62 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act making a supplemental appropriation for increased operating costs of the division of elections; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Governor's transmittal letter dated January 14: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a separate "fast-track" supplemental appropriation bill for fiscal year 2005 for the Division of Elections in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The bill would appropriate a total of $694,900 from the general fund. The appropriation would cover the costs of circumstances that were not within management's control, such as court-ordered costs, unexpected municipal ballot costs, and unexpected citizen-action generated costs. The Division of Elections faced unusual operating costs due to a number of circumstances, including ballot printing and distribution of the Municipality of Anchorage bond questions, an application for recall of a member of the state Legislature, complying with a court order to reprint the general election ballots, and an 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0081 unusually high number of requests from voters for absentee and facsimile ballots. Due to these additional costs, it now appears that a total of $694,900 more in general fund money will be needed to meet the state's obligations to administer elections during fiscal year 2005. The Division of Elections is anticipated to run out of money in late February. Therefore, I request that you put this bill on a "fast track" for final action in February. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - Su Lachelt Representative(s) Weyhrauch, Kerttula Senator(s) Elton, Ben Stevens, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, Olson, Seekins, Stedman, Gary Stevens, Therriault, Wagoner, Wilken Senator Gary 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 Senator Dyson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from evening plane time, January 19 through plane time, January 24. Without objection, Senator Dyson was excused. Senator Dyson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on January 31 and February 1. Without objection, Senator Dyson was excused. 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0082 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment and Enrollment SR 1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 Establishing a Senate Special Committee on World Trade and State/Federal Relations, was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 1:50 p.m., January 18, 2005. Adjournment Senator Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., January 19, 2005. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:18 a.m. Kirsten Waid Acting Secretary of the Senate January 2005 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0083 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 24 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM JOINT W/(H) COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Local Boundary Commission Report Overview of Annual Report Jan 26 Wednesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM SB 14 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 19 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 21 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0084 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 19 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Location Change -- + JOINT W/(H) H.E.S.S. Overview Presentation: Governor's Council on Disabilities & Special Education + SB 10 PARENTAL LIABILITY FOR CHILD'S DAMAGE + SB 22 MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR BIRTHING CENTERS Jan 21 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 8:30 AM + SB 56 CRIMINAL LAW/PROCEDURE/SENTENCING Jan 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 8:30 AM + SB 19 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 8:30 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 18 Tuesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 20 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2005-01-18 Senate Journal Page 0085 RESOURCES Jan 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:00 PM -- Time Change -- JOINT W/(H) RESOURCES Overview: + Dept of Fish & Game + Dept of Natural Resources + Natural Gas 101 Jan 21 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Jan 20 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM SB 36 ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Jan 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled