Legislature(2009 - 2010)
2010-01-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2010-01-19 Senate Journal Page 1247 SB 226 SENATE BILL NO. 226 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act providing for, relating to, and approving the issuance of certificates of participation for the construction, acquisition, and equipping of the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory in Anchorage; providing notice of and authorizing the commissioner of the Department of Administration to enter into a lease-purchase agreement with the Department of Public Safety for the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory; providing for, relating to, and approving the issuance of certificates of participation for the design, construction, acquisition, and equipping of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Life Sciences Building in Fairbanks; providing notice of and authorizing the commissioner of the Department of Administration to enter into a lease- purchase agreement with the University of Alaska for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Life Sciences Building; authorizing the University of Alaska to issue revenue bonds for the construction, acquisition, and equipping of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Life Sciences Building in Fairbanks; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2010-01-19 Senate Journal Page 1248 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Revenue Governor's transmittal letter dated January 15: Dear President Stevens, Under the authority of Art. III, Sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill allowing the issuance of certificates of participation for the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Life Sciences Building. The Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory will serve Alaska's citizens by providing a modern facility with advanced technological capabilities to effectively and efficiently process and analyze evidence. Many necessary improvements in the existing facility have not taken place since its original construction in 1986. While staff are currently able to ensure that evidence is protected and tested according to the highest standards, increasing demands and modernization require better facilities for the work of forensic science in criminal justice investigations. New technologies and added analysis will assist Alaska's law enforcement with arson investigations, cases involving trace evidence, latent fingerprints, ballistic identification, and more. Unfortunately, the existing outdated and overcrowded crime lab is insufficient to accommodate the increased workloads. The design of the new crime lab includes all the necessary elements to optimize the use of DNA evidence and other crucial tools for solving crimes. Providing justice to victims and ensuring Alaska remains on the leading edge for implementing effective criminal justice tools is critically important. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Life Sciences Facility will meet critical needs for modern classrooms, teaching laboratories, and crucial research space to allow continued growth in many successful life sciences programs. Every dollar of State funds invested in research yields six dollars in research funding from other sources - funding that leads to new jobs and spending throughout the state. In 2007, 2,392 jobs were supported by University of Alaska research spending, resulting in a combined payroll of $92,000,000. 2010-01-19 Senate Journal Page 1249 Life science research benefits Alaska and her citizens through advances made in biological sciences, biomedicine and health, ecosystem and global change science, wildlife biology, population genetics, and Alaska Native health issues. Potential discoveries related to obesity, SIDS, avian flu, food safety, and nutrition, climate change, wildlife management, heart attacks, and traumatic brain injury are just a few examples of research projects currently underway with long- term statewide benefits. It is appropriate that these advances be made by Alaskans in Alaska. By educating our young people in these fields, we can prepare students for high-demand biological science careers. Investment in both of these projects will inject new dollars into the statewide economy. Construction of the facilities will also provide jobs for Alaskans. Section 1 of the bill sets out legislative findings and intent related to the financing of the construction, acquisition, and equipping of the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory in Anchorage. Section 2 of the bill provides that the lease payments under the lease- purchase agreements for the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory are subject to annual appropriation by the Legislature. Section 3 of the bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety to enter into a lease-purchase agreement related to the Alaska Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory. This section also authorizes the issuance of certificates of participation to finance the construction, acquisition, and equipping of the laboratory. Section 4 of the bill authorizes the University of Alaska to enter into a lease-purchase agreement related to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Life Sciences Building. This section also authorizes the issuance of certificates of participation to finance the design, construction, acquisition, and equipping of the building. Section 5 of the bill authorizes the University of Alaska to issue revenue bonds to partially finance the construction, acquisition, and equipping of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Life Sciences Building. 2010-01-19 Senate Journal Page 1250 Section 6 of the bill provides that Sections 3 - 5 of the bill constitute the legislative notice and approval of lease-purchase agreements required by AS 36.30.085, and the legislative notice and approval of certain University of Alaska financing required by AS 14.40.253. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Sean Parnell Governor