Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2007-04-10 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0793 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday April 10, 2007 Eighty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Green at 4:06 p.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senator McGuire was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Bunde, Cowdery, Dyson were absent. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that Senators Cowdery, Dyson be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senators Cowdery, Dyson were excused. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Beverly Smith of the Christian Science Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord, our Shepherd, Thank You for giving us the opportunity to serve You and the people of this state. You are the Giver of all good, and for this reason we shall not want. When we listen and follow Your guidance we trust that You will lead us to the green pastures and still waters that provide sustenance, comfort and peace. Thank You for restoring to us the spiritual intuition with which to discern the right path, and for giving us the courage to act righteously for the benefit of all Alaskans. 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0794 At times the way may be dark and the problems may appear unsolvable, but we are confident that Your infinite wisdom knows the answer, and Your law and loving guidance will lead us to the light of understanding. If those around us are expressing discouragement, despair, dislike, ingratitude, we will remember Your promise to pour forth Your Spirit, to overflow our cup, blessing those concerned, and bringing satisfaction to all. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us today and every day, for we know that we dwell in Thy house, in the consciousness of Thy love, now and always. Amen. Senator Stedman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the seventy-ninth through eighty-fourth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated April 10 was read, stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 210 HOUSE BILL NO. 210 BY REPRESENTATIVES DAHLSTROM, Fairclough, Roses, Buch, Lynn, Kerttula, Guttenberg, entitled: "An Act relating to the appointment and qualifications of the adjutant general." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0795 Standing Committee Reports SB 103 The Resources Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 103 "An Act authorizing the transfer of land from the Alaska Railroad Corporation to Eklutna, Inc.; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Huggins, Chair; Senators Green, Stevens, Stedman, Wielechowski. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 137 The Transportation Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 137 "An Act authorizing two exchanges of land between the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Kookesh, Chair. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wielechowski, Olson. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 8 The Transportation Committee considered HOUSE BILL NO. 8 "An Act naming the law enforcement training facility in Fairbanks the J. Kevin Lamm Law Enforcement Training Facility." Signing do pass: Senator Kookesh, Chair; Senator Olson. Signing no recommendation: Senator Wielechowski. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Public Safety The bill was referred to the State Affairs Committee. 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0796 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 152 SENATE BILL NO. 152 BY SENATOR THOMAS, entitled: "An Act relating to charter school funding." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 4 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 4(FIN) am "An Act extending the cash assistance benefit program for seniors under the senior care program and increasing the benefit amount; amending medical income eligibility provisions for persons under 19 years of age and for pregnant women; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. Senators Wielechowski, Elton, Kookesh, Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 4(FIN) am "An Act extending the cash assistance benefit program for seniors under the senior care program and increasing the benefit amount; amending medical income eligibility provisions for persons under 19 years of age and for pregnant women; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 4(FIN) am Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Dates YEAS: 14 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Davis, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Thomas, Wielechowski, Wilken Nays: Therriault, Wagoner Excused: Cowdery, Dyson, McGuire Absent: Bunde 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0797 and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 4(FIN) am passed the Senate. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clauses. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. SB 130 SENATE BILL NO. 130 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 130 "An Act relating to the registration of certain vehicles owned by ranchers, farmers, or dairy workers" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 130 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 16 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Davis, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken Excused: Cowdery, Dyson, McGuire Absent: Bunde and so, SENATE BILL NO. 130 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations Honoring - Nicole Leman, Miss Alaska Junior National Teenager Senator(s) Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken Honoring - Kimberley Carr Senator(s) Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0798 Honoring - Sydney Michelle Cain Senator(s) Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken In Memoriam - Sgt. Daniel Woodcock Representative(s) Samuels Senator(s) Cowdery, Green, Bunde, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 4 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 4(FIN) am "An Act extending the cash assistance benefit program for seniors under the senior care program and increasing the benefit amount; amending medical income eligibility provisions for persons under 19 years of age and for pregnant women; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. SB 130 SENATE BILL NO. 130 "An Act relating to the registration of certain vehicles owned by ranchers, farmers, or dairy workers" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0799 Adjournment Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., April 11, 2007. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 4:22 p.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0800 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 Apr 10 Tuesday Beltz 211 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- += SB 136 MUNICIPAL ROAD SERVICE AREAS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 12 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- += SB 3 COMMUNITY DIVIDEND PROGRAM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Apr 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM - Recessed to 15 Minutes after Session - -- Time Change -- += HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET Public Testimony Schedule 3:00 - 4:00 pm: Juneau 4:00 - 5:30 pm: Sitka, Wrangell, Homer, Petersburg, Dillingham & Cordova 5:30 - 7:00 pm: Fairbanks + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0801 FINANCE (continued) Apr 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 125 PERS CONTRIBUTIONS; UNFUNDED LIABILITY <Bill Hearing Postponed> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled += SB 89 ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF GANG PROBATIONER Apr 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM += HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET + Public Testimony Schedule 1:00 - 2:30 pm: Bethel, Kotzebue, Barrow, Nome, Delta Junction, Off-Nets 2:30 - 4:00 pm: Anchorage 5:00 - 6:30 pm: Kenai, Valdez, Kodiak, Ketchikan, Seward, Mat-Su, Glennallen, Tok Apr 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 61 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS += HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET Committee Amendments + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:00 PM += HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET Committee Amendments Apr 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET Committee Amendments + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 5:00 PM += HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET Committee Amendments 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0802 FINANCE (continued) Apr 14 Saturday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS += HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET Committee Amendments + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 12 Thursday Capitol 106 4:00 PM -- Day, Time, and Location Change -- Joint w/ (H) Health, Education, and Social Services Overview: Reclaiming Futures Project Apr 13 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 11 Wednesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM += SB 104 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT -- Invited Testimony -- Apr 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:30 PM += SB 104 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT -- Invited Testimony -- Apr 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 104 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT Public Testimony 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Apr 13 Friday Beltz 211 1:30 PM += SB 104 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT -- Invited Testimony -- 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0803 JUDICIARY (continued) Apr 13 Friday Butrovich 205 5:30 PM += SB 104 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT -- Invited Testimony -- Apr 14 Saturday Butrovich 205 10:00 AM += SB 104 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT -- Testimony from Industry -- Apr 15 Sunday Butrovich 205 11:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- += SB 104 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECT ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 10 Tuesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 12 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM + SB 117 WORKERS' COMP: DISEASE PRESUMPTION Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled = SB 124 ALASKA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BD ALLOCATION = SB 115 GIFT CARDS = HB 34 SALES BY WINERY LICENSEE Overview: Affordable Housing Dan Fauske, Executive Director of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Apr 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 91 POLLUTANT DISCHARGE PERMITS -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 44 APPROP: FIRE ISLAND WIND FARM -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Presentation: Natural Gas Pricing and Trends -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0804 RESOURCES (continued) Apr 13 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 96 ESTABLISHING A RENEWABLE ENERGY FUND -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 109 OIL & GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 16 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Enstar ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Apr 10 Tuesday Beltz 211 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 12 Thursday Beltz 211 9:00 AM + HB 171 ACCOMMODATE 90-DAY SESSION += SB 135 ACCOMMODATE 90-DAY SESSION + SB 40 LONGEVITY BONUS REAPPLICATIONS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Apr 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM HB 8 J. KEVIN LAMM TRAINING FACILITY SB 137 LAND TRANSFERS ALASKA RR & DOTPF Apr 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- SB 139 LIABILITY FOR AIRPORTS AND AIRSTRIPS ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Apr 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 8:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0805 SPECIAL COMMITTEES (continued) SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION (continued) Apr 13 Friday Butrovich 205 8:00 AM SCR 5 CIVICS EDUC/ CITIZENS ADVISORY TASK FORCE ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES AK CLIMATE IMPACT ASSESSMENT COMMISSION Apr 12 Thursday Anch Lio Conf Rm 10:00 AM + -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 10:00 am to 5:00 pm + -- Open Public Testimony -- 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Apr 13 Friday Anch Lio Conf Rm 8:30 AM + -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 8:30 am to 12:00 pm + -- Open Public Testimony -- 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ---------------------------------------- SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS Apr 17 Tuesday Butrovich 205 10:00 AM -- Teleconference -- Full Committee: Open Session Election of Committee Chairs Public Comment Chair/Staff Report Budget Legislation Apr 17 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:00 PM Senate Subcommittee: Executive Session Public Comment Executive Session Public Session ---------------------------------------- 2007-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0806 OTHER MEETINGS CHILDREN'S CAUCUS Apr 24 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Presentation by The Alaska Trafficking in Persons Task Force Dealing with Child Prostitution in Alaska ---------------------------------------- JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEALTH CAUCUS 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" ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Apr 13 Friday Speaker's Chamber 12:00 PM Presentation on Russia by Masha Mozgovaya