Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2008-02-20 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1945 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 20, 2008 Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Green at 11:10 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Cowdery was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Michael Spainhoward of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church. Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. From the Book of Psalms (excerpted from the Gelineau Psalms by Joseph Gelineau) O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us! So will your ways be known upon earth and all peoples learn of your saving help. Most compassionate and loving God, you set the Sun to govern the day and the Moon and the Stars to watch in the night. You gave us their light to illumine our coming and going; our work and our recreation. So also, our gracious God, grant to us the Light of Wisdom that our eyes may see what our hands must do in the great work of government, this day and always. Amen. Senator McGuire led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1946 Certification Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the thirty-sixth legislative day and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 13 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated February 19 was read, stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 321 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 321(FSH) BY THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, entitled: "An Act relating to the salmon product development tax credit; providing for an effective date by amending an effective date in sec. 7, ch. 57, SLA 2003, as amended by sec. 4, ch. 3, SLA 2006; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Annual Report to the Legislature Regarding the Academic Progress of Each School and School District from Barbara Thompson, Interim Commissioner Department of Education and Early Development in accordance with AS 14.03.078 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1947 Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 255 SENATE BILL NO. 255 "An Act relating to refunding of certain outstanding bonds issued by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority concerning the Snettisham hydroelectric project and related assets; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE BILL NO. 255 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 255 "An Act relating to refunding of certain outstanding bonds issued by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority concerning the Snettisham hydroelectric project and related assets; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 255 Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken Excused: Cowdery and so, SENATE BILL NO. 255 passed the Senate. Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1948 Citations Honoring - Chad Carpenter, Alaska's Cartoon Laureate for 2008 Representative(s) Keller Senator(s) Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken th Honoring - 35 Anniversary of UAF Kuskokwim Campus Representative(s) Nelson Senator(s) Hoffman, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken In Memoriam - Lloyd Raymond Cole Representative(s) Gruenberg Senator(s) Wielechowski, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wilken In Memoriam - Representative Bennie Leonard, Sr. Representative(s) Gruenberg Senator(s) Wielechowski, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wilken In Memoriam - Patrick C. Analoak, Sr. Representative(s) Gruenberg Senator(s) Wielechowski, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wilken In Memoriam - Mark A. Ertischek Representative(s) Gruenberg Senator(s) Wielechowski, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wilken 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1949 Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the following citations be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business In Memoriam - Vallie Mae Hawkins Senator(s) Davis, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken In Memoriam - Bessie Youngblood Senator(s) Davis, Green, Bunde, Cowdery, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken Senator Ellis 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 SCR 18 Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent to take up SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18 Awarding the Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain members of the military. Without objection, the resolution was before the Senate. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Senate Rules Committee Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the resolution be moved to the bottom of the calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1950 HB 121 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 121(FIN) "An Act relating to release of information in individual workers' compensation records; and providing for an effective date" which had been engrossed (page 1892), was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. Senator Kookesh moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, February 21 through evening plane time, February 21. Without objection, Senator Kookesh was excused. Senator Wagoner moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, February 25 through morning plane time, February 26. Without objection, Senator Wagoner was excused. SCR 18 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18 Awarding the Alaska Decoration of Honor to certain members of the military, which had been moved to the bottom of the calendar (page 1949), was before the Senate. Senators Therriault, Wilken, Elton, McGuire, Ellis, Thomas, Dyson, Davis, Wagoner, Bunde, Kookesh, Stevens, Green, Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on the resolution. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw the motion to take up SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18. Without objection, the resolution was returned to the Secretary's desk. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1951 Engrossment SB 255 SENATE BILL NO. 255 "An Act relating to refunding of certain outstanding bonds issued by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority concerning the Snettisham hydroelectric project and related assets; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 21, 2008. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:37 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1952 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 Feb 21 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 20 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 170 INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR WELL-BABY EXAMS + SB 226 VEXATIOUS LITIGANTS + SB 247 MISSING PERSONS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 21 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 201 PUBLIC FINANCE WEBSITE + SB 122 MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION + SB 204 MUNI TAX EXEMPTION: COMBAT DEATHS + HB 67 MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 22 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 230 FILM OFFICE/ FILM PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT + SB 249 CAPSTONE AVIONICS FUND/LOANS + HB 61 TAX CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO VOC ED + HB 226 REPEAL TERMINATION OF STEP PROGRAM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1953 HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 20 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled = SB 245 HEALTH CARE: PLAN/COMMISSION/FACILITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Feb 21 Thursday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM -- Location Change -- Joint with House HESS and Special Committee on Education Civic Education Taskforce Final Report Feb 22 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 20 Wednesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM + HB 25 RECREATIONAL LAND USE LIABILITY/ADV. POSS + HB 182 OFFERING PROMOTIONAL CHECKS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 22 Friday Beltz 211 1:30 PM + SB 234 CRIMINAL LAW/PROCEDURE: OMNIBUS BILL + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 21 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM + HB 196 HANDLING MATTERS AFTER A PERSON'S DEATH + HJR 16 OPPOSING MILK TAX Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 23 Saturday Beltz 211 1:30 PM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1954 RESOURCES Feb 20 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 246 SUSITNA HYDRO WORKING GROUP; REPORT + HB 315 EXTEND BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 22 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 25 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: AGIA Applicant Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 21 Thursday Beltz 211 9:00 AM + SB 232 NAT'L GUARD: COMMAND/ACTIVE SERVICE/PAY + HB 15 BOARD OF FISHERIES CONFLICTS OF INTEREST + HB 260 STATE OFFICERS COMPENSATION COMMISSION + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + SB 265 SEX OFFENDERS, KIDNAPPERS DRIVERS LICENSE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 10 Monday Senate Finance 532 4:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Budget Close-out 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1955 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) ADMINISTRATION (continued) Mar 11 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM + Budget Close-out ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Feb 29 Friday Butrovich 205 8:00 AM FY09 Budget Overview Mar 07 Friday Butrovich 205 8:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- FY09 Budget Overview Mar 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM FY09 Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- GOVERNOR Mar 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Close-out Meeting ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 28 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 8:00 AM + Department Budget - Questions & Answers -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 06 Thursday Senate Finance 532 12:30 PM + Department Budget Close-out -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1956 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) LAW Feb 26 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM Budget Detail Mar 04 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM Budget Detail Mar 11 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM Close-out ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATURE Mar 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM Close-out Meeting ---------------------------------------- MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS Feb 29 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 12:30 PM FY09 Budget Close-out Mar 05 Wednesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- FY09 DMVA Budget Close-out ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Feb 26 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM FY09 Budget Overview Mar 04 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- FY09 Budget Close-out Mar 11 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM FY09 Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1957 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) PUBLIC SAFETY Mar 04 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 8:00 AM + Department Budget Close-out -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Feb 21 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM Budget Overview: Department of Revenue Feb 28 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM Budget Detail Mar 06 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM Budget Detail Mar 13 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM Close-out ---------------------------------------- UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA Feb 21 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM Budget Overview: University of Alaska ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION Feb 20 Wednesday Butrovich 205 8:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Including But Not Limited to: += SCR 16 EDUCATION FUNDING/COST FACTOR COMMISSION Feb 22 Friday Butrovich 205 8:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1958 SPECIAL COMMITTEES (continued) SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION (continued) Feb 23 Saturday Butrovich 205 10:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Feb 20 Wednesday House Finance 519 8:30 AM Audit Request, Contracts Preliminary Audit - FY07 Statewide Single Audit Other Committee Business ---------------------------------------- CONFERENCE COMMITTEES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON SB 125 Feb 20 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM SB 125 PERS/TRS CONTRIBUT'NS; UNFUNDED LIABILITY ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEALTH CAUCUS Mar 05 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Maximizing Access Measuring Success: Improving Health Indicators Mar 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Measuring Success: Improving Health Indicators Apr 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM High Quality, Low Cost ---------------------------------------- 2008-02-20 Senate Journal Page 1959 JOINT SESSION Mar 18 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM -- Date Change -- Annual Address by the Honorable Lisa Murkowski U.S. Senator