Legislature(2007 - 2008)

2007-01-24 Senate Journal

Full Journal pdf

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0083
                                                                                                                                
                                 SENATE JOURNAL                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                            ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                            TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                 FIRST SESSION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                               Wednesday                          January 24, 2007                              
                                                                                                                                
                                   Ninth Day                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                                             
Green at 11:06 a.m.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The roll showed eighteen members present. Senators Hoffman,                                                                     
Kookesh were absent.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, The Reverend George Silides                                                             
of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Senator Olson moved and asked                                                             
unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was                                                          
so ordered.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
             O God who made the heavens and the earth, we thank                                                                 
             you for the return of the sun to our brothers and                                                                  
             sisters in the Far North. May its return bring every                                                               
             blessing of the land and the sea, and the renewal of                                                               
             every hope and dream.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
             May this House be a place of such grand dreams that                                                                
             they cannot be fulfilled without the gifts of many;                                                                
             even gifts not yet known, and a surprise to all. Over                                                              
             all thy people, O Lord, pour thy continual Grace,                                                                  
             particularly those whose work is dangerous or                                                                      
             difficult or continually in harm's way. Help us to                                                                 
             recognize we take our ease at the expense of others'                                                               
             work.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0084
             We pray for patience, humor, nimbleness of thought,                                                                
             stability of conscience, humility and appreciation for                                                             
             the opportunity to make a mark in the history of this                                                              
             Great Land. May each member here be given the                                                                      
             courage to act upon what they know to be the right,                                                                
             and the courage to withhold from acting until they                                                                 
             do.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
             Bless us, also, who elected these assembled here,                                                                  
             with the same balance of patience and fervor; that we                                                              
             might encourage and support leadership from those                                                                  
             we have asked to serve. A blessing of peace, we pray.                                                             
                                     Amen.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator Stevens led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Certification                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals                                                             
for the seventh and eighth legislative days be approved as certified by                                                         
the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The presence of Senators Kookesh and Hoffman was noted.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                      Introduction of Senate Chamber Staff                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Thomas introduced Tyler Seay, Senate Page.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Cowdery introduced Emma-Lily Schmitz, Senate Page.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Elton introduced Q Smyth, Senate Page.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Stevens introduced Phaedra McKinnon, Senate Page.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Huggins introduced Carli McDonald, Senate Page.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kookesh introduced Amanda Omta, Senate Page.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0085
                           Messages from the Governor                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Letter dated January 22 and received January 23 was read, stating in                                                            
accordance with AS 14.40.150, I submit the following names for                                                                  
legislative confirmation of appointment to the positions noted:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
University of Alaska Board of Regents                                                                                         
 Timothy C. Brady - Anchorage                                                                                                   
 Appointed:  5/4/2005  Reappointed:  2/5/2007                                                                                   
 Term Expires: 2/1/2015                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
 Fuller Cowell - Anchorage                                                                                                      
 Appointed:  2/5/2007  Term Expires: 2/1/2015                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
 Patricia A. Jacobson - Kodiak                                                                                                  
 Appointed:  2/5/2007  Term Expires: 2/1/2015                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
 Kirk Wickersham - Anchorage                                                                                                    
 Appointed:  2/5/2007  Term Expires: 2/1/2015                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The appointments were referred to the Senate Special Committee on                                                               
Education.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the                                                                   
Offices of the Senate Secretary and the Chief Clerk.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                            Messages from the House                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Message dated January 22 was read, stating:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint                                                         
Session of the Twenty-fifth Alaska Legislature at 11:00 a.m. on                                                                 
Thursday, April 26 for the purpose of hearing Senator Ted Stevens'                                                              
annual message to the Legislature.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate                                                               
accept the House invitation to meet in Joint Session. Without                                                                   
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0086
The Secretary was requested to notify the House.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Communications                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the                                                           
Senate:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Advisory Opinions 06-01 and 06-03, Volume XXVIII                                                                                
dated January 16, 2007                                                                                                          
from H. Conner Thomas, Chair                                                                                                    
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics                                                                                          
in accordance with AS 24.60.150 and AS 24.60.160                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                           Standing Committee Reports                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 49                                                                                                                         
The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 49 "An                                                                   
Act relating to commemorative license plates celebrating Alaska's 50th                                                          
anniversary as a state; and providing for an effective date" and                                                                
recommended it be replaced with                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
             CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 49(STA)                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senator McGuire, Chair; Senators Stevens, Green.                                                               
Signing no recommendation: Senators French, Bunde.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Transportation Committee.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SB 55                                                                                                                         
The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 55 "An                                                                   
Act relating to executive clemency." Signing do pass: Senator                                                                   
McGuire, Chair; Senators French, Stevens, Green. Signing no                                                                     
recommendation: Senator Bunde.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0087
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration                                                                          
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Corrections                                                                             
 Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Office of the Governor                                                                                
 Fiscal Note No. 4, zero, Department of Law                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                         Introduction and Reference of                                                                       
                               Senate Resolutions                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SCR 2                                                                                                                         
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 BY SENATORS                                                                                  
MCGUIRE, Ellis,                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
              Relating to establishing March 2007 as brain injury                                                              
             awareness month.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social                                                        
Services Committee.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                              Unfinished Business                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                 
from a call of the Senate on January 26. Without objection, Senator                                                             
Hoffman was excused.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Senator Cowdery moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                 
from a call of the Senate from January 26 through evening plane time,                                                           
January 28. Without objection, Senator Cowdery was excused.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                   
from a call of the Senate from January 26 through January 30. Without                                                           
objection, Senator Olson was excused.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator McGuire moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                 
from a call of the Senate from 8:00 a.m. morning plane time, January                                                            
26 through 8:00 p.m. evening plane time, January 28. Without                                                                    
objection, Senator McGuire was excused.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0088
Senator Therriault moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                              
from a call of the Senate on January 26 and 27. Without objection,                                                              
Senator Therriault was excused.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wagoner moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                 
from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, January 25                                                                 
through morning plane time, January 29 and from afternoon plane                                                                 
time, February 1 through morning plane time, February 5. Without                                                                
objection, Senator Wagoner was excused.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                   Citations                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                      
following citation be made a special order of business. Without                                                                 
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                           Special Order of Business                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Barry Perkins                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Huggins, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis,                                                                 
Elton, Hoffman, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens,                                                                      
Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation                                                             
be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to                                                         
the Secretary for transmittal.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SB 19                                                                                                                         
Senators Stevens, Green, Kookesh, Davis, Olson, Hoffman, Cowdery,                                                               
Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as                                                                        
cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 19 "An Act relating to a public                                                                   
officer's taking official action regarding a matter in which the public                                                         
officer has a financial interest; and defining 'official action' under the                                                      
Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act and related law." Without                                                                    
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0089
SB 20                                                                                                                         
Senators Stevens, Cowdery, Olson, Hoffman, Kookesh, Davis, Green,                                                               
Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as                                                                        
cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 20 "An Act relating to disclosure                                                                 
to the Alaska Public Offices Commission of information about certain                                                            
income received as compensation for personal services by legislators,                                                           
public members of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, and                                                               
legislative directors subject to the Legislative Ethics Act; and                                                                
providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Announcements                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                  Adjournment                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate                                                               
stand in adjournment until 10:00 a.m., January 26, 2007. Without                                                                
objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:35 a.m.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                       Kirsten Waid                             
                                                                         Secretary of the Senate                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0090
                                 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 25             Thursday                                           Beltz 211                3:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                    FINANCE                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 24             Wednesday                           Senate Finance 532                      9:00                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Jan 25             Thursday                            Senate Finance 532                      9:00                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Jan 26             Friday                              Senate Finance 532                      9:00                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                      HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Jan 24             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                    1:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Jan 26             Friday                                     Butrovich 205                    1:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Jan 29             Monday                                     Butrovich 205                    1:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0091
                      HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                    
                                  (continued)                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                    1:30                            
                   Committee Orientation and Introduction                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02             Friday                                     Butrovich 205                    1:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                   JUDICIARY                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Jan 24             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                    1:30                            
                   -- Location Change --                                                                                        
+ SB   5 FAILURE TO REPORT CRIMES                                                                                               
                   Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Jan 26             Friday                                             Beltz 211                1:30                            
                   Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                             
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Jan 25             Thursday                                           Beltz 211                1:30                            
+ SB  24 BUSINESS LICENSE FEE                                                                                                   
+ SB  39 BUSINESS LICENSE FEE                                                                                                   
+ SB  41 REPEAL STUDDED TIRE FEE                                                                                                
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                   RESOURCES                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Jan 24             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                    3:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Jan 26             Friday                                     Butrovich 205                    3:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0092
                                 STATE AFFAIRS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Jan 25             Thursday                                           Beltz 211                9:00                            
+ SB  45 PEACE OFFICER CONVICTED OF MURDER                                                                                      
+ SB   7 FELONS' RIGHT TO VOTE                                                                                                  
                   <Above Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                
+ SB  25 STATE PLANNING AND BUDGET                                                                                              
+                  Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                             
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                 TRANSPORTATION                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Jan 25             Thursday                                   Butrovich 205                    1:30                            
                   No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Feb 08             Thursday                            Senate Finance 532                      1:00                            
                   Joint w/ (H) Transportation                                                                                  
                   Overview of the Alaska Marine Highway                                                                        
                   System                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Feb 13             Tuesday                             Senate Finance 532                      1:00                            
                   Joint w/(H) Transportation                                                                                   
                   Overview of the Department of                                                                                
                   Transportation Highway System                                                                                
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                               SPECIAL COMMITTEES                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                         SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Jan 24             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                    8:00                            
                   Overview: Alaska Statewide Mentor Project                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Jan 26             Friday                                     Butrovich 205                    8:00                            
                   Overview: No Child Left Behind: School                                                                       
                   Performance and Program Changes                                                                              
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0093
                                JOINT COMMITTEES                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                    AK CLIMATE IMPACT ASSESSMENT COMMISSION                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 24             Wednesday                           Senate Finance 532                      8:00                            
+                  Invited Testimony 8:00 am to 5:00 pm                                                                         
+                  Public Testimony 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm                                                                          
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                            ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Feb 14             Wednesday                           Senate Finance 532                    10:00                             
                   Presentation by Admiral Timothy J Keating                                                                    
                   Commander, North American Aerospace                                                                          
                   Defense Command; Commander, United                                                                           
                   States Northern Command                                                                                      
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                              LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Jan 30             Tuesday                             Senate Finance 532                      5:00                            
                   Agenda TBA                                                                                                   
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                 OTHER MEETINGS                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                        JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEALTH CAUCUS                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Jan 24             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                   12:00                            
                   "Filling the Need: Doctors, Dentist &                                                                        
                   Psychiatrists"                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Feb 21             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                   12:00                            
                   "Filling the Need: Mid-Level Health                                                                          
                   Providers"                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mar 21             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                   12:00                            
                   "Filling the Need: Complimentary Medicine                                                                    
                   Workforce"                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Apr 18             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                   12:00                            
                   "Filling the Need: Other Forms of Health                                                                     
                   Care"                                                                                                        

2007-01-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0094
                        JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEALTH CAUCUS                                                                      
                                  (continued)                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
May 02             Wednesday                                  Butrovich 205                   12:00                            
                   "Week of the Uninsured: Alaska's                                                                             
                   Workforce"                                                                                                   
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                 JOINT SESSION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Feb 22             Thursday                                House Chamber                     11:00                             
                   Annual Address by the Honorable                                                                              
                   Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 28             Wednesday                               House Chamber                     11:00                             
                   Chief Justice Dana Fabe's                                                                                    
                   Annual State of the Judiciary Message                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26             Thursday                                House Chamber                     11:00                             
                   Annual Address by the Honorable                                                                              
                   Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator                                                                                    
                    ----------------------------------------                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                             MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Jan 25             Thursday                            House Finance 519                       3:00                            
                   Open Caucus                                                                                                  
                   Discussion of Gasline Basics                                                                                 
                   Representative Samuels, Majority Leader