2008-07-09                     House Journal                      Page 3197
HB 4001                                                                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 4001 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital                                                                        
     appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; making                                                         
     appropriations to capitalize a fund; and providing for an effective                                                        
     date."                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                

2008-07-09                     House Journal                      Page 3198
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated July 8, 2008, follows:                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Today I am transmitting to you the appropriation bill referenced in the                                                         
call for the second special session for the Alaska Gasline Inducement                                                           
Act (AGIA).  Legislative approval of the AGIA licensee will require                                                             
funds for the inducement, implementation costs, job training for                                                                
Alaskans, in-state gas use, and the infrastructure necessary for gas                                                            
pipeline construction.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The appropriation bill totals nearly $377 million and includes the                                                              
following:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     · $164.0 million to fully capitalize the $500 million AGIA                                                                 
         reimbursement fund when combined with reappropriation of                                                               
         the $300 million, plus an estimated $36 million in interest,                                                           
         from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation into the AGIA                                                              
         reimbursement fund;                                                                                                    
     · $31.0 million for planning and design of necessary                                                                       
         improvements to the Dalton, Elliott, Richardson, Alaska, and                                                           
         Haines Highways;                                                                                                       
     · $75.4 million for Dalton Highway reconstruction;                                                                         
     · $23.5 million for Haines Highway reconstruction, realignment                                                             
         and Chilkat River Bridge replacement;                                                                                  
     · $42.7 million for workforce development activities;                                                                      
     · $25.0 million for the Alaska Natural Gas Development                                                                     
         Authority for in-state gas use; and                                                                                    
     · $15.0 million to the Department of Natural Resources for gas                                                             
         pipeline implementation.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Project specific back-up is posted on the Office of Management and                                                              
Budget's website and will be provided to the Finance Committee co-                                                              
chairs.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

2008-07-09                     House Journal                      Page 3199
I look forward to a successful special session that results in securing                                                         
Alaska's economic future through building a natural gas pipeline.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                 Sincerely,                                                                                    
                                /s/                                                                                             
                                Sarah Palin                                                                                    
                                 Governor"