Legislature(2005 - 2006)
2005-02-02 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0203 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 2, 2005 Twenty-fourth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:04 a.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senators Davis, Guess, Olson, Stedman were excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Robert Sherwood of the Church of the Nazarene. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Let us pray. Hear this quote by Ann Ulanov: "Grace begins and ends prayer. Grace is what we call what is left over after the scouring of the self, the dying into self. Grace is what was there before we ever looked at ourselves in prayer. Grace gives us our initial impulse to pray. Further, grace sustains that beginning of our attentiveness, of our assiduousness, or even our mere muddling along, and does so when our prayers are blocked by self-judgment, met with no apparent answers, seem to lead nowhere. Some impulse, some effort, some intuition, some hope keeps us praying, despite failures, despite early successes that do not repeat themselves. That is grace, which we almost never recognize, at first anyway, as itself. But that is because grace comes to us in the flesh, through the spaces and forms and contents of our human life." 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0204 And hear this encouragement from the apostle Paul: "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. (Colossians 1:9-13) Now grant, Father, these men and women grace, wisdom and joy, not just for this day, not for just this session, but throughout their lives, in permanence and power. With respect to other faiths and in the power of the resurrected Christ. Amen. Senator Elton led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the twenty-second and twenty-third legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0205 Messages from the Governor A Declaration of Disaster Emergency in the North Slope Borough for the City of Kaktovik, dated January 15, 2005, with an accompanying letter was received and is on file in the Senate Secretary's Office. The Declaration and letter had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. A letter dated January 31, 2005, was received, regarding the Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated January 15, requesting legislative approval of a finance plan as required under AS 26.23.020. The letter and financial plan had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. Messages from the House Message dated February 1 was read, stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Twenty-fourth Alaska Legislature at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30 for the purpose of hearing U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. Senator Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate accept the House invitation to meet in Joint Session. Without objection, it was so ordered. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Natural Resources from Robert Loeffler, Director, Division of Mining, Land and Water 2005 Annual Report to the Legislature, including: Report on Identified R.S. 2477 Rights-of-Way in accordance with AS 19.30.400(b) 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0206 Annual Mining Report (notification of availability) (published jointly with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development) in accordance with AS 27.05.060 available at: www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/minrep.htm Land Disposal Income Fund Report in accordance with AS 38.04.022(b) Annual Report on the Status of Land in the Land Disposal Bank in accordance with AS 38.04.020(d) Annual Report on Water Removals and Exports in accordance with AS 46.15.020(b)(5) Interim Land Classifications (Closing Land to Mineral Entry) in accordance with AS 38.05.300 Report from the Commissioner of the Department of Administration dated January 26 was received, stating the monetary terms for the collective bargaining agreement reached with the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific in accordance with AS 23.40.215(b). President Stevens referred the report to the Finance Committee. Standing Committee Reports SB 14 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 14 "An Act relating to municipal initiative and referendum elections." Signing do pass: Senator Gary Stevens, Chair; Senators Wagoner, Kookesh, Stedman, Ellis. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill is on today's calendar. 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0207 SB 36 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 36 "An Act relating to applications requesting the delivery of absentee ballots by mail" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 36(STA) "An Act relating to applications requesting the delivery of absentee ballots." Signing do pass: Senator Therriault, Chair; Senators Wagoner, Huggins. Signing no recommendation: Senator Elton. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 5 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5 BY SENATORS THERRIAULT, Ellis, Urging the United States Congress to reauthorize the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 87 SENATE BILL NO. 87 BY SENATOR BUNDE, entitled: "An Act relating to motor vehicle safety belt violations." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0208 SB 88 SENATE BILL NO. 88 BY SENATORS WILKEN, Bunde, entitled: "An Act relating to the policy of the state regarding the source of funding used to cover a shortfall in general fund revenue." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. SB 89 SENATE BILL NO. 89 BY SENATOR ELLIS, entitled: "An Act making an appropriation for the construction of the Dowling Road extension; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 14 SENATE BILL NO. 14 "An Act relating to municipal initiative and referendum elections" was read the second time. Senator Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE BILL NO. 14 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 14 "An Act relating to municipal initiative and referendum elections" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0209 SB 14 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 16 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 4 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, Seekins, Stevens B, Stevens G, Therriault, Wagoner, Wilken Excused: Davis, Guess, Olson, Stedman and so, SENATE BILL NO. 14 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Unfinished Business SB 12 Senators Therriault, Ellis, Wilken moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 12 "An Act relating to the prohibition or elimination of financial relationships with persons that conduct business in countries that support or ignore slavery and trafficking in persons." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wagoner moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from plane time, February 4 through plane time, February 7. Without objection, Senator Wagoner was excused. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 11 and 14. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0210 Engrossment SB 14 SENATE BILL NO. 14 "An Act relating to municipal initiative and referendum elections" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Gary Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:00 a.m., February 4, 2005. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate February 2005 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0211 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 02 Wednesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 04 Friday Beltz 211 1:30 PM + SB 77 AK REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 02 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- Joint w/(H) Finance University of Alaska Presentation Feb 04 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 60 EXTEND SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL += SB 22 MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR BIRTHING CENTERS 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0212 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued) Feb 04 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 8:30 AM -- Meeting Canceled -- + Overview of the Department of Law (Continued from 1/26/05 Meeting) + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 03 Thursday Butrovich 205 8:30 AM + Overview of Therapeutic Courts + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 03 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 08 Tuesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM Commissioner Greg O'Claray Department of Labor & Workforce Development: Update on Training Programs For Alaskans in Oil/Gas/Mining Industries += SB 52 OCCUPATIONS/CORPORATIONS/BANKS/SECURITIES <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 02/01/05> += SB 25 GENETICALLY MODIFIED FISH <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 02/01/05> ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 02 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 12:00 PM -- Time and Location Change -- Joint w/(H) Resource Alaska Mining Industry Overview Work Session Noon - 1:30 Meeting Time 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0213 RESOURCES (continued) Feb 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 55 AGRICULTURAL LAND = SB 69 APPROP: GRANT TO ARCTIC POWER FOR ANWR <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 01/31/05> Feb 04 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 03 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM + Overview: Department of Administration - Hearings and Appeals + Legislative Legal Services - Review Process of Department Proposed Regulations + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 03 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM SB 63 USE SEAT BELT ROAD SIGNS <Bill Hearing Postponed to 02/08/05> SB 40 KUSKOKWIM PORT AUTHORITY <Bill Hearing Postponed to 02/08/05> Feb 26 Saturday Wasilla Lio Office 10:00 AM + Knik Arm Bridge & Toll Authority - Knik Arm Crossing Project, Presentation by the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Overview and Updates on the Project Question and Answer Session Following Presentation 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ---------------------------------------- 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0214 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES CORRECTIONS Feb 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 4:00 PM (For Corrections, Court System and H&SS) Mental Health Trust Authority Presentation (Teleconferencing available upon request with 24-hour notice) ---------------------------------------- COURT SYSTEM Feb 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 4:00 PM (For Corrections, Court System and H&SS) Mental Health Trust Authority Presentation (Teleconferencing available upon request with 24-hour notice) ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 4:00 PM (For Corrections, Court System and H&SS) Mental Health Trust Authority Presentation (Teleconferencing available upon request with 24-hour notice) ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION REVIEW Feb 02 Wednesday Beltz 211 5:00 PM -- Meeting Postponed from 1 PM to 5 PM -- + Committee Orientation and Regulatory Process Overview ---------------------------------------- 2005-02-02 Senate Journal Page 0215 JOINT COMMITTEES (continued) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Feb 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 12:00 PM --Agenda to be Announced-- ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS CHILDREN'S CAUCUS Feb 08 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Alaska Children's Justice Act Task Force Reviewing Practice, Policy, and Laws on Child Abuse. ---------------------------------------- JOINT SESSION Feb 23 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM State of the Judiciary Chief Justice Alexander O. Bryner Feb 24 Thursday House Chamber 11:00 AM Address by U.S. Senator Ted Stevens Mar 30 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM Address by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski