02/24/2009 01:30 PM House FINANCE

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Encouraging the Alaska Mental  Health Trust Authority to                                                                   
     develop  its land  and resources  to the fullest  extent                                                                   
     possible   consistent   with   its   legal   and   moral                                                                   
     responsibility to  provide jobs and protect  and enhance                                                                   
     the lives  of those who  benefit from the  mental health                                                                   
     trust.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:56:11 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stoltze MOVED  to ADOPT  the  work draft  for HR  6                                                                   
labeled,  26-LS0572\E,  Bullock,  2/23/09.   There  being  NO                                                                   
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stoltze read the title of the resolution:                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Encouraging the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority to                                                                    
     develop its land and resources to the fullest extent                                                                       
     possible consistent with its legal and moral                                                                               
     responsibility to advance mental health services and                                                                       
     employment opportunities that protect and enhance the                                                                      
     lives of those who benefit from the mental health                                                                          
     trust.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
He  related the  process of  establishing the  trust and  the                                                                   
resources for the Mental Health  Trust.  He said he wanted to                                                                   
provide  a  strong  voice  for  backing  up  the  Trust  when                                                                   
contentious   situations   arise.     The   Trust's   highest                                                                   
responsibility  is the beneficiaries.   He thanked  Mr. Jesse                                                                   
and Ms.  Easley for  their help  in drafting the  resolution.                                                                   
He pointed out the numerous sponsors of the resolution.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hawker asked if the Committee had any questions.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:59:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JEFF JESSEE,  CHIEF EXECUTIVE  OFFICER, ALASKA MENTAL  HEALTH                                                                   
TRUST  AUTHORITY, expressed  appreciation  on  behalf of  the                                                                   
Trust for this legislation.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Jessee  described the  Trust as  a unique combination  of                                                                   
missions  and tools.   He said  it was  an intersection  of a                                                                   
very  positive   health  and  social  service   mission  with                                                                   
economic development  and a revenue  generating mission.   He                                                                   
spoke of  the Trust's  contribution to  the state's  economic                                                                   
activity.   He noted that  there are often opposition  issues                                                                   
surrounding  the development  of  the lands.   He  emphasized                                                                   
that  the Trust  attempts to  develop resources  with a  mind                                                                   
towards community impact.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:03:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hawker  asked if  Mental Health  Trust lands  in the                                                                   
Nenana  Basin would soon  be explored  for potential  natural                                                                   
gas resources.   Mr.  Jessee said  that was  accurate.   Near                                                                   
Livengood,  there was  also  potentially  very valuable  gold                                                                   
exploration  going   on.    Mr.  Jessee  reported   that  the                                                                   
Executive Director of the Trust  Land Office, Harry Noah, has                                                                   
brought  renewed enthusiasm  and  a long-term  vision to  the                                                                   
Authority.  He is putting together  a land exchange involving                                                                   
Southeast  timber  that  could  generate  30  million  to  40                                                                   
million board feet of timber.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:04:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PAULA EASLEY,  SECRETARY/TREASURER, BOARD OF  TRUSTEE, ALASKA                                                                   
MENTAL HEALTH  TRUST AUTHORITY testified  via teleconference.                                                                   
She  spoke  in  support  of the  legislation.    She  related                                                                   
personal history  with the  Trust.   She maintained  that the                                                                   
Trust  has  been  considerate   regarding  local  needs  when                                                                   
developing  the lands.   She stressed  the importance  of the                                                                   
legislation  as  an expression  of  support for  the  Trust's                                                                   
goals.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:06:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hawker noted a zero fiscal note.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stoltze MOVED  to REPORT  CSHR 6  out of  Committee                                                                   
with individual  recommendations and the  accompanying fiscal                                                                   
note.  There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CSHR  6  was REPORTED  out  of  Committee  with a  "do  pass"                                                                   
recommendation  and  with  a  new zero  fiscal  note  by  the                                                                   
Legislation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:08:30 PM