Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2007-02-22 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0301 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE Juneau, Alaska Thursday February 22, 2007 Thirty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Harris at 10:12 a.m. Roll call showed 35 members present. Representative Edgmon had been excused from a call of the House today. Representatives Chenault and Kelly were absent and their presence was noted later. Representative Foster, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Seaton's excused absence (page 265) be extended to 5:00 p.m., today. There being no objection, he was excused and his presence was noted later. Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Samuels be excused from a call of the House from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., today. There being no objection, he was excused and his presence was noted later. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Major Joe Huttenlocker of The Salvation Army. Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The Colossians writer very simply writes: Fathers, mothers, leaders, do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged. O God, these members of this House of Representatives of this great state of Alaska have given of themselves to great 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0302 tasks this session. We know that perseverance for them makes the difference between failure and success. What matters most to us is not how they started but how they will finish the urgent tasks at hand. Continue thy blessing upon them as they push forward, thinking outside the box, doing what is right for the people who they represent and serving this state and our nation. Thank you for their cultural heritage they represent. For I remind them, as they once were, that our children are the promise, the hope for the future of this state and nation. May the good of our state be strengthened this day as they continue their work. I ask this, O God, in Thy great name for each of them. May it be so. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Salmon. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 37th legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Coghill introduced Jennifer Worabel, Guest Page, from Seward. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 97 The Health, Education & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 97 "An Act making appropriations for state aid to public schools, centralized correspondence study, and transportation of pupils; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 97(HES) (same title) 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0303 The report was signed by Representative Wilson, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Cissna, Gardner, Seaton, Wilson No recommendation (1): Neuman Amend (1): Roses A House Health, Education and Social Services Committee letter of intent for CSHB 97(HES), signed by Representative Wilson, Chair, follows: "The House Health Education and Social Services Committee recommends a policy shift to help ensure more of the funding for schools reaches the classroom. The increase in appropriations is intended to reduce the burden each district pays into the Teaching Retirement System (TRS) in the hopes that dollars sent to the classroom will not diminish because of the unfunded liabilities of TRS. The funding for the employer contributions to TRS, for the past two years contained in the current Base Student Allocation of $5,380 should be funded outside the foundation formula. Any additional increases to the employer contributions should continue to be funded outside the formula. Having the TRS Liability outside the BSA provides a variety of funding sources in adding to the general fund. Since many grants restrict the percentage of salary and benefits to a fixed percentage of the overall budget, funding the TRS obligation outside the BSA maintains a percentage allowable by most grants. The committee also urges more funding for school transportation, area cost differential, vocational education and the "Intense Needs" areas. We also recommend further work for the forward funding of education." HB 97 was referred to the Finance Committee. **The presence of Representative Chenault was noted. 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0304 HB 108 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 108 "An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Marine Pilots; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 108(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Meyer and Chenault, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (9): Gara, Crawford, Hawker, Joule, Thomas, Nelson, Stoltze, Meyer, Chenault The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 108(L&C): 2. Fiscal, House Finance Committee/Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 108 was referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. HB 118 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 118 "An Act relating to underage possession of alcoholic beverages in a dwelling." The report was signed by Representative Olson, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Gardner, Ramras, Gatto, Olson No recommendation (2): LeDoux, Neuman 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0305 The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Corrections 2. Zero, Dept. of Law 3. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety HB 118 was referred to the Judiciary Committee. HB 121 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 121 "An Act relating to release of information in individual workers' compensation records; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 121(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Olson, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Buch, Neuman, Ramras, Olson Do not pass (3): Gardner, LeDoux, Gatto The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 121(L&C): 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development HB 121 was referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0306 Honoring - University of Alaska Anchorage, 2006-2007 Seawolf Speech and Debate Team By Representatives Buch, Cissna Honoring - West Valley High School Rifle Team By Representative Guttenberg In Memoriam - Margaret Ann Adams Fisher By Representative Guttenberg INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 151 HOUSE BILL NO. 151 by Representative Johnson by request, entitled: "An Act requiring an indemnification and hold harmless provision in professional services contracts of state agencies, quasi-public agencies, municipalities, and political subdivisions." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 120 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 120 "An Act extending the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page HES RPT 7DP 219 FN1: (DPS) 220 FN2: (DPS) 220 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0307 FIN RPT CS(FIN) 8DP 2NR 283 FN3: INDETERMINATE(H.FIN/DPS) 283 FN4: INDETERMINATE(H.FIN/DPS) 283 Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 120(FIN) (same title) There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 120(FIN) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 120(FIN) was read the third time. **The presence of Representatives Kelly and Seaton was noted. The question being: "Shall CSHB 120(FIN) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 120(FIN) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 38 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Buch, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Dahlstrom, Doll, Doogan, Fairclough, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holmes, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Kelly, Kerttula, Kohring, LeDoux, Lynn, Meyer, Nelson, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Roses, Salmon, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Wilson Excused: Edgmon, Samuels And so, CSHB 120(FIN) passed the House. 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0308 Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 120(FIN) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Harris - from 6:00 a.m., February 23 to evening plane time, February 25 Representative Stoltze - from noon, February 23 to evening plane time, February 25 Representative Thomas - from noon, February 23 to evening plane time, February 25 Pursuant to AS 41.21.960(b), the Speaker appointed Representative Johnson to the Parks Bail Advisory Committee. The Speaker stated that the House would stand at ease to allow the members of the Senate to enter the Chamber; and so, the House stood at ease at 10:49 a.m. AFTER AT EASE The Speaker called the House back to order at 11:11 a.m. **The presence of Representative Samuels was noted. JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE In accordance with Uniform Rule 51, Speaker Harris turned the gavel over to President Green who called the joint session to order at 11:12 a.m. 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0309 The purpose of the joint session was to hear an address by the Honorable Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator. Senator Huggins, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Samuels moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. President Green appointed Representative Nelson and Senator McGuire to escort the Honorable Lisa Murkowski to the joint session. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Senator's entrance into the House Chamber. Senator Murkowski was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Green. Senator Murkowski delivered her address and it is published in Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 2. A question and answer period followed the conclusion of the Senator's speech. Senator Murkowski received a standing ovation and was escorted from the Chamber by Representative Nelson and Senator McGuire. Senator Huggins moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint session adjourn. There being no objection, President Green adjourned the joint session at 12:13 p.m. The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate to leave the Chamber. IN THE HOUSE The Speaker called the House back to order at 12:13 p.m. 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0310 UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 38 Representatives Lynn and Roses added their names as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 38 "An Act relating to legislators and candidates for the legislature and to certain campaign contributions made in exchange for certain agreements." HB 75 Representative Foster added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 75 "An Act relating to driver's licenses and alcohol awareness testing." HB 118 Representative Ramras added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 118 "An Act relating to underage possession of alcoholic beverages in a dwelling." HB 120 Representatives Johansen, Salmon, and Ramras added their names as cosponsors to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 120(FIN) "An Act extending the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; and providing for an effective date." HB 121 Representative Ramras added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 121 "An Act relating to release of information in individual workers' compensation records; and providing for an effective date." 2007-02-22 House Journal Page 0311 ENGROSSMENT HB 120 CSHB 120(FIN) was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. The following meetings today were changed: Transportation Committee CANCELED Health, Education & Social Services Committee Confirmation Hearings CANCELED HB 100 - AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES CANCELED ADJOURNMENT Representative Samuels moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., February 26, 2007. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:13 p.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk