2009-02-25                     House Journal                      Page 0326
HB 155                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 155 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to the authorization for the Department of                                                                 
    Transportation and Public Facilities to participate in the American                                                         
    Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; and providing for an                                                                 
    effective date."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                

2009-02-25                     House Journal                      Page 0327
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance                                                          
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 24, 2009, follows:                                                             
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Chenault:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to authorization for the                                                        
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to participate in the                                                        
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  This bill amends                                                               
the uncodified law of Alaska to authorize the Department of                                                                     
Transportation and Public Facilities to seek funding from the                                                                   
appropriations made to the United States Department of                                                                          
Transportation in Division A, Title XII and to the Department of                                                                
Homeland Security in Division A, Title VI of the federal economic                                                               
stimulus bill, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act                                                              
of 2009, P.L. 111-5.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The bill contains intent language in which the Department of                                                                    
Transportation and Public Facilities is encouraged to maximize the                                                              
funding it applies for and receives, while also noting that the United                                                          
States Department of Transportation has discretion in the manner in                                                             
which it allocates funds.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                               Sincerely,                                                                                      
                               /s/                                                                                              
                              Sarah Palin                                                                                      
                               Governor"