04/18/2001 10:50 AM Senate RLS

           HB  13-SERVICE AREAS:VOTER APPROVAL/TAX ZONES                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS  moved to adopt SCS  CSSSHB 13(RLS) as the  working                                                            
document before the committee.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS  objected and asked for an explanation  of the changes                                                            
made in the committee substitute.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. BILL  STOLTZ,  legislative aide  to Senator  Halford,  explained                                                            
that only one  change was made on  page 2, line 22, to the  language                                                            
that  relates  to exemptions  for  voter  approval of  fire  service                                                            
areas.   It adds a second  qualifier under  which voter approval  is                                                            
not required:  that is when the change would add no  more than 1,000                                                            
residents.   He noted that  change was added  at the request  of the                                                            
Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR THERRIAULT  asked if  the change would  put a limitation  on                                                            
the 6 percent.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. STOLTZ said it keeps  the 6 percent limitation but adds another.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS  removed his objection to adopting SCS  CSSSHB 13(RLS)                                                            
as the working  document before the committee, therefore  the motion                                                            
carried.`                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR THERRIAULT again questioned the 6 percent figure.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  PHILLIPS  said that  provision  will  not affect  any  fire                                                            
service areas in Fairbanks.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR.  STOLTZ informed  Senator  Therriault  that  the change  is  not                                                            
draconian.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS  pointed out that Chugiak is close  to 6 percent so                                                            
adding another  qualifier of 1,000 residents adds  extra protection.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR.  STOLTZ added  that  this provision  is  similar  to the  police                                                            
service area vote.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS moved to calendar SCS CSSSHB 13(RLS).                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS objected.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The motion to calendar SCS CSSSHB 13(RLS) carried with Senators                                                                 
Phillips, Therriault and Cowdery voting "yea," and Senator Ellis                                                                
voting "nay."