Legislature(2007 - 2008)

2007-01-29 Senate Journal

Full Journal pdf

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0117
                                                                                                                                
                                SENATE JOURNAL                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                           ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                           TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                FIRST SESSION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                     Monday                  January 29, 2007                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                Fourteenth Day                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                                             
Green at 11:05 a.m.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The roll showed fourteen members present. Senators Ellis, French,                                                               
Olson, Wagoner, Wielechowski were excused from a call of the                                                                    
Senate. Senator Stevens was absent.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Huggins, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked                                                                        
unanimous consent that Senator Stevens be excused from a call of the                                                            
Senate today. Without objection, Senator Stevens was excused.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Gary Waterhouse of                                                               
the Juneau and Sitka Seventh-Day Adventist Churches. Senator                                                                    
Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be                                                                    
spread. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
          Lord,                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
          You are a great God, we are the works of your hand.                                                                   
          And in this vast universe with its billions upon                                                                      
          billions of galaxies, stars, and planets, you seem to                                                                 
          have a very special interest in this little dot called                                                                
          earth, and not only that, you have a particular concern                                                               
          for each of us here today, and also in the great state                                                                
          of Alaska. Your blessings, though undeserved, are                                                                     
          continually poured out without measure upon the                                                                       
          residents of this state and these legislators. And in                                                                 
          our busy schedules we just want to take this moment                                                                   
          to thank you for these blessings.                                                                                     

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0118
          Our prayer today, as it is every day, is for wisdom                                                                   
          and guidance, discernment, compassion, and                                                                            
          direction for these men and women who stand here                                                                      
          today. And Lord, we pray that they may be wise and                                                                    
          faithful stewards of this land and its resources and its                                                              
          greatest asset, the people of this Great Land.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
         We pray these things in thy name.                     Amen.                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilken led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Certification                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Huggins, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked                                                                        
unanimous consent that the journals for the eleventh through thirteenth                                                         
legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without                                                             
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Communications                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the                                                         
Senate:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Report of the 2007 Alaska Minerals Commission                                                                                   
from Irene Anderson, Chair                                                                                                      
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development                                                                      
in accordance with AS 44.33.431                                                                                                 
available at: www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/minerals/mining.htm                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Oil and Hazardous Substance Release                                                                                             
Prevention and Response Fund                                                                                                    
Biennial Report, Fiscal Year 2005-2006                                                                                          
from Mike Maher, Acting Commissioner                                                                                            
Department of Environmental Conservation                                                                                        
in accordance with AS 46.08.060                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0119
                  Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SB 69                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 69 BY SENATOR MCGUIRE, entitled:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
              "An Act relating to the creation of a civil legal                                                                
          services fund."                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        Consideration of the Calendar                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                  Citations                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Bruce Wilson                                                                                                         
Representative(s) Stoltze, Fairclough                                                                                           
Senator(s) Huggins, Dyson, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Ellis,                                                                 
Elton, Hoffman, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens,                                                                      
Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Ed Knoebel, National Citation for Meritorious Service,                                                               
and the 2005 Governor's Veterans Advocacy Award                                                                                 
Representative(s) Harris                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Therriault, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis,                                                              
Elton, French, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson,                                                                       
Stedman, Stevens, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator Huggins, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked                                                                        
unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection,                                                             
the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal.                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                             Unfinished Business                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
President Green made the following appointments:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Victims' Advocate Selection Committee                                                                                         
 Senator Huggins                                                                                                                
 Senator McGuire                                                                                                                
 Senator Therriault                                                                                                             

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0120
Ombudsman Selection Committee                                                                                                 
 Senator Cowdery                                                                                                                
 Senator Stevens                                                                                                                
 Senator Dyson                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SB 55                                                                                                                         
Senators McGuire, Stedman, Huggins, Kookesh moved and asked                                                                     
unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO.                                                                  
55 "An Act relating to executive clemency." Without objection, it was                                                           
so ordered.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Announcements                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Adjournment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Huggins, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked                                                                        
unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00                                                              
a.m., January 31, 2007. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at                                                              
11:13 a.m.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                Kirsten Waid                                                    
                                                     Secretary of the Senate                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0121
                                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 30        Tuesday                               Beltz 211         3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Thursday                        Butrovich 205           8:00 AM                                                 
              Joint w/ (H) Community & Regional Affairs                                                                         
              Overview:  Department of Commerce Community and                                                                   
                Economic Development, Commissioner Emil Notti;                                                                 
              Division of Community Advocacy, Mike Black                                                                        
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                   FINANCE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Jan 29        Monday                    Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Wednesday                 Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Overview of Governor's FY 2008 Budget                                                                             
              Karen Rehfeld, Director, Office of Management & Budget                                                            
              David Teal, Director, Legislative Finance                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Friday                    Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             PERS/TRS Overview & Update                                                                                        
              Dept of Administration                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0122
                             FINANCE (continued)                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Feb 06        Tuesday                   Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Joint w/ (S) Health, Education & Social Services                                                                  
              Medicaid Program Review Presentation-                                                                             
              Pacific Health Policy Group                                                                                       
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Full Report will be available online by                                                                           
              8:00 am, February 6th:                                                                                            
              http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/senate/25/senate.htm                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                     HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Jan 29        Monday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              Committee Orientation and Introduction                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Friday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  JUDICIARY                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 29        Monday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              -- Meeting Canceled --                                                                                            
+             Joint w/ (H) Judiciary                                                                                            
              Overviews: Department of Public Safety                                                                            
              and Court System                                                                                                  
              -- Teleconference <Listen Only> --                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Wednesday                             Beltz 211         1:30 PM                                                 
+             Confirmation Hearings:                                                                                            
              Legislative Ethics Committee                                                                                      
              Ann Rabinowitz, Juneau                                                                                            
              H. Conner Thomas, Nome                                                                                            
              Gary J. Turner, Soldotna                                                                                          
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
+= SB   5 FAILURE TO REPORT CRIMES                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Friday                                Beltz 211         1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0123
                               LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Jan 30        Tuesday                               Beltz 211         1:30 PM                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
+= SB  24 BUSINESS LICENSE FEE                                                                                                  
+= SB  39 BUSINESS LICENSE FEE                                                                                                  
+= SB  41 REPEAL STUDDED TIRE FEE                                                                                               
              Overview Hearing: Workforce Development                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Thursday                              Beltz 211         1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  RESOURCES                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 29        Monday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+ SB  46 COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM                                                                                             
              -- Public Testimony --                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Presentation: by Division of Geological                                                                           
              & Geophysical Surveys                                                                                             
              Cook Inlet Gas: Reality & Exploration Potential                                                                   
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Friday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                STATE AFFAIRS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Jan 30        Tuesday                               Beltz 211         9:00 AM                                                 
+= SB  36 SENTENCING FOR ALCOHOL-RELATED CRIMES                                                                                 
+= SB  45 PEACE OFFICER CONVICTED OF MURDER                                                                                     
+ SB  19 EXEC. BRANCH ETHICS:INTERESTS & ACTIONS                                                                                
+ SB  20 LEGISLATIVE DISCLOSURES                                                                                                
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Thursday                              Beltz 211         9:00 AM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0124
                                TRANSPORTATION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Jan 30        Tuesday                         Butrovich 205           2:00 PM                                                 
              -- Time Change --                                                                                                 
+ SB  15 BOARD OF MARINE PILOTS                                                                                                 
+ SB  49 COMMEMORATIVE PLATES: STATEHOOD ANIV.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Thursday                        Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Feb 08        Thursday                  Senate Finance 532            1:00 PM                                                 
              Joint w/ (H) Transportation                                                                                       
              Overview of the Alaska Marine Highway System                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Feb 13        Tuesday                   Senate Finance 532            1:00 PM                                                 
              Joint w/(H) Transportation                                                                                        
              Overview of the Department of                                                                                     
              Transportation Highway System                                                                                     
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                              SPECIAL COMMITTEES                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                        SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           8:00 AM                                                 
              Overview: Foundation Formula                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Friday                          Butrovich 205           8:00 AM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               JOINT COMMITTEES                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                           ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Feb 14        Wednesday                 Senate Finance 532          10:00 AM                                                  
              Presentation by Admiral Timothy J Keating                                                                         
              Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command;                                                              
              Commander, United States Northern Command                                                                         
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0125
                             LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Jan 30        Tuesday                   Senate Finance 532            5:00 PM                                                 
              Election of Chair & Vice Chair                                                                                    
              Late Per Diem Approvals                                                                                           
              Ratification or Sanctioning of Charitable Events                                                                  
              Approval of 2007 Drafting Manual                                                                                  
              IT Subcommittee Appointments                                                                                      
              Lawsuit Update - Bachner Company Inc                                                                              
              IT Password Training                                                                                              
              Contract & Amendment Approvals                                                                                    
              Briefing: Masonic Temple and Capitol Basement                                                                     
              Other business                                                                                                    
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                OTHER MEETINGS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                              CHILDREN'S CAUCUS                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Feb 06        Tuesday                         Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
+             Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education:                                                         
              Autism and Early Intervention                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Feb 14        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
              -- Note Day Change --                                                                                             
+             Alaska Children's Justice Act Task Force: Updates & Trends in                                                     
              Child Maltreatment Issues                                                                                         
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                       JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEALTH CAUCUS                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Feb 21        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
              "Filling the Need: Mid-Level Health Providers"                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mar 21        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
              "Filling the Need: Complimentary Medicine Workforce"                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 18        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
              "Filling the Need: Other Forms of Health Care"                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
May 02        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
              "Week of the Uninsured: Alaska's Workforce"                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2007-01-29                     Senate Journal                      Page 0126
                                JOINT SESSION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Feb 22        Thursday                     House Chamber            11:00 AM                                                  
              Annual Address by the Honorable                                                                                   
              Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Feb 28        Wednesday                    House Chamber            11:00 AM                                                  
              Chief Justice Dana Fabe's                                                                                         
              Annual State of the Judiciary Message                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Thursday                     House Chamber            11:00 AM                                                  
              Annual Address by the Honorable                                                                                   
              Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator