2019-02-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 0346
SB 67                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 67 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                                
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
               "An Act repealing the Alaska Public Broadcasting                                                                
          Commission; and providing for an effective date."                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                                                           
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration                                                                                
 Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Administration                                                                                
 Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Administration                                                                                
 Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Administration                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 19:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Giessel:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the Alaska Public                                                            
Broadcasting Commission.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
This bill would repeal the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission                                                                
(Commission) as of June 30, 2019. The Commission was created to                                                                 
aid in developing a statewide, integrated public broadcasting system                                                            
and to coordinate all public broadcasting stations. The Commission’s                                                            
primary purpose has been to apply for, receive, and disburse grant                                                              
funding for public broadcasting related purposes. This function can be                                                          
accomplished utilizing non-governmental entities that can be attuned                                                            
to and more responsive to the local broadcasting needs of                                                                       
communities.  This bill directs the Commissioner of the Department of                                                           
Administration to transfer all of the assets of the Commission to                                                               
Alaska non-profit public broadcasting entities at no cost.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor