Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
04/16/2015 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB135 | |
| SB74 | |
| HJR22 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 74 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 135 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HJR 22-STEWART-HYDER BORDER HOURS
10:26:09 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of HJR 22.
10:26:21 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, prime sponsor, provided an overview of HJR 22 as
follows:
HJR 22 is a resolution that calls on the Canadian
Border Services Agency (CBSA) to reopen a border that
exists between Hyder, Alaska and Stewart, British
Columbia on a 24 hour basis. As of April 1, the border
between Stewart and Hyder was closed and is closed
between midnight and 8:00 a.m.
He said the border closing has created issues for Hyder's 87
residents and Stewart's 500 residents. He explained that Hyder
residents do not have emergency access to hospital facilities.
He added that economic issues are involved where tourism is
impacted and access to the mine on the Hyder side is affected.
He specified that the resolution calls on CBSA to look at their
decision and perhaps reopen the border on a 24 hour basis, at
least during the border's peak-time during the summertime. He
disclosed that he has met with Hyder and Stewart residents at a
town meeting and both communities are very much concerned about
CBSA's decision. He added that U.S. Senator Murkowski's office
and the Governor have been involved as well.
10:28:53 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE asked if there has been an issue raised about
changing the border hours at the Skagway crossing as well.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ answered that he is unaware of a border
issue with Skagway.
CHAIR STOLTZE stated that he will talk to Representative Munoz
regarding the Skagway border. He asked how the proposed daylight
savings bill is being received in Southeast Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ answered that Southeast folks are happy
that the bill is on hold.
CHAIR STOLTZE asked if the situation with daylight savings will
cause issues with the crossing.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that the issue with daylight
savings has not played into the border crossing discussions.
10:30:30 AM
CHAIR STOLTLZE noted that the committee is lacking a quorum and
recessed the meeting to a call of the Chair. [The committee did
not reconvene this day therefore, HJR 22 was held in committee.]