Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 106
03/23/2015 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB52 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 52-MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION GRANT PROGRAM
8:02:09 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 52, "An Act establishing a museum construction
grant program in the Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development."
8:02:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, Alaska State Legislature, presented
HB 52, paraphrasing from the Sponsor Statement, which read as
follows:
House Bill 52 establishes a matching grant program, in
the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development, for eligible museum construction,
expansion, and major renovation projects.
This mirrors an existing program for libraries in the
state. Under the provisions of House Bill 52, a
person in charge of construction, expansion, or major
renovation of an eligible museum could apply to the
department for matching funds under regulations
adopted by the department.
The department, subject to appropriation, would award
not more than 50 percent of the total proposed grant
project costs to an eligible applicant.
Museums are eligible for this program if they are
located in Alaska, eligible to receive state grant
funds, and provide matching funds from other sources
of at least 50 percent of the cost of the project.
Alaska is home to more than 60 museums and cultural
centers, found in more than 30 communities across the
state, from Barrow to Ketchikan, Unalaska to Eagle.
They anchor Alaska communities of every size. They
connect our past to our future through stewardship of
local material culture and history, and educate
Alaskans and visitors of all ages. Many also serve as
focal points for community life, providing a place for
neighbors to connect, collaborate, and strengthen
their sense of self and environment.
More than half of these known museums anticipate
undertaking major capital improvement projects in the
next five years. Through the enabling legislation of
House Bill 52 and any accompanying legislative
appropriations, we can help them continue their vital
work in Alaska.
8:04:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON questioned what successes or complications
have been associated with the existing libraries program that
this legislation is mirroring.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON responded that the museum officials
identified the libraries program as a viable model and deferred
further comment.
8:05:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ directed attention to HB 52, page 2 line
6, AS 14.57.300, to establish that it represents a new section.
SUSAN PHILLIPS, Staff, Representative Bob Herron, Alaska State
Legislature, concurred.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked how the model works for libraries.
MS. PHILLIPS said libraries submit an application to the
department for a score that is then presented to the legislature
for prioritization and allocation.
8:07:43 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON recalled that the library policy is to
have issues and priorities identified and established locally by
the library community, and then directives provided to the
legislature for consideration.
8:10:36 AM
KATHERINE ELDEMAR, Director, Division of Community and Regional
Affairs (CRA), Department of Commerce, Community & Economic
Development (DCCED), testified with official support for HB 52,
paraphrasing from a prepared statement, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
DCRA administers over $2 billion dollars in federal,
legislative, and state grants. DCRA grant
administrators are located in Juneau, Anchorage, and
Fairbanks and each grant administrator is responsible
for approximately 250 grants.
Should HB 52 become law, DCRA will be responsible for
the Museum Grant Program. It might appear that HB 52
would not have a fiscal impact on DCRA because
currently there is no grant funding attached to the
bill, but that presumption would be inaccurate.
Assuming HB 52 becomes law, DCRA foresees the impacts
to the Division will be similar to those experienced
when the Library Grant Program was created because the
two programs are statutorily similar. For instance,
DCRA will be required to create regulations for the
Museum Construction Grant Program. The creation of
regulations requires a number of procedural steps,
which includes public notice, and typically takes
about a year to complete.
Additionally, communities submitted grant applications
for their projects to DCRA for consideration despite
the lack of available funding. There is an effect in
that communities want to secure their place in the
queue for when funding does become available. DCRA
processed the applications and also rated the
applications. The applicants were then notified of
DCRA's rating of their application. However, since
there were no funds to award, DCRA was placed in the
unusual position of having completed its duties, but
despite all the efforts, no grant awards. It's
anticipated HB52 for museums would likely result in
similar impacts to DCRA as was experienced with
libraries.
This red binder I am showing you is an actual library
grant request. As you can see the paperwork is
significant. This does not represent an award and
subsequent monitoring, which may take additional years
to complete. The work DCRA grant administrators must
complete is real. The grant application costs to
review, oversee, and store grant applications are real
- the impacts to DCRA are real.
DCRA has thus submitted its fiscal note to HB 52 to
help you, the decision makers, make the tough calls as
to where state money will be spent during these
challenging budget times. If HB 52 becomes law we ask
the legislature to fund DCRA sufficiently so we can
professionally assist our Alaskan communities with
their museum endeavors. The ability to absorb
additional programs has been curtailed by the
reductions in positions that are ongoing.
The expansion of the definition of museum under HB 52
is exciting. This expansion of the definition of
museum opens the door for many which were previously
closed, to showcase their wonderful and unique
communities. But, as with most things, it does take
funding. DCRA asks that if the legislature passes
this bill that it provide the staffing necessary for
DCRA to be successful in its administration.
8:13:17 AM
MS. ELDEMAR stressed the amount of work required in the
application process, and, to illustrate the point, held-up a
brimming, four inch, three ring binder containing the
documentation that requires review and response for a single
grant of this type [labeled "Library Construction and Major
Expansion Matching Grant Program, FY2016 Application, Wasilla
Public Library], stating that HB 52 expands the definition of
museums.
8:15:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER asked for the number of staff required to
administer the library grant program.
LAWRENCE BLOOD, Government Specialist, Division of Community and
Regional Affairs (CRA), Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development (DCCED), responded that nine grant
administrators are on staff, with two assistants.
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER clarified that two administrators tend the
library grants and the remainder of the grant administrators
help with the evaluation.
MR. BLOOD confirmed the member's understanding and added that no
grants have been funded under the library expansion fund. The
applications have been scored and submitted to the legislature.
In return, funding has occurred under the legislative grants to
municipalities program, which is governed under a different
statute; not under the matching grant program.
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER asked how many grant administrators were
reduced in the current budget.
MS. ELDEMAR responded, "One."
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER commented that as a pilot program, a
multi-tasking approach would be appropriate and the existing
staff could incorporate the duties.
8:18:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that the model is the same as the
library program, but the administration is handled significantly
different and asked why it would not be administered the same.
MS. ELDEMAR explained that at the highest level, a number of
grant administrators gather in the various communities to
address the state and federal applications; some of which can be
quite extensive. The four inch binder represents the effort put
into a single grant application. She said that all nine of the
staff may have a case load, which is 250 grants each to be
administered in one 365 day year. In that time, the
administrator must assess, monitor, ensure progress, and
supervise, as stewards of the grant funds. The question for
taking a multi-task approach is not possible, due to the lack of
space on anyone's plate. She stressed that the operations are
full at this time, especially with the loss of the staff member
that the fiscal note [attached to HB 52] proposes to re-include.
MR. BLOOD assured the committee that multi-tasking is currently
being practiced within the division. The work regarding public
notification, solicitations, scoring, and other administrative
details, is occurring; however, the funding has not been handled
under the library matching grant program, but through the
legislative grants to municipalities program. He pointed out
that this would add a twelfth grant to those already being
administered under that program and handled by the grant staff.
8:23:23 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked for a list of the twelve programs.
MR. BLOOD named the twelve programs, which include: Alaska
Climate Change Impact Mitigation Program, Community Coastal
Impact Assistance Program, Community Development Block Grants,
Community Mapping Projects, Community Service Block Grants,
Chinook Salmon Hatchery Enhancement, Chinook Salmon Mitigation
Impact, Designated Legislative, General Obligation Bond Grants,
Nutritional Alaska Foods in Schools, National Petroleum
Reserves-Alaska, and, if approved, the Museum Construction and
Expansion Grant Program.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ queried whether a statutory provision
applies to the administration of these grants.
MR. BLOOD stated his understanding that a relative statutory
provision exists, and he offered to provide further information.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ questioned the auditing requirements for
the state grants.
MR. BLOOD answered that the state single audit provision
requires that grants under $500,000 will be subject to annual
audit.
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ followed-up to ask how many grants fall
below the $500,000 limit.
MR. BLOOD explained that the statute applies in the
accumulative, where state funding is received. Thus, all of the
programs fall into this category and are audited; the $500,000
does not apply to individualized programs. He agreed to provide
further information citing the applicable statutes and the
regulations that come under those statutes.
8:28:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE COLVER referred to the list of the 12 named
grants and observed that the term periods vary, which may
provide flexibility to do more work without additional staff.
He asked for timelines regarding the grants to understand the
need for staffing. He underscored the need for focusing
attention on identifying efficiencies, given the fiscal climate.
CHAIR KELLER opened public testimony.
8:31:57 AM
MICHELE MILLER, Member, Pratt Museum Board of Directors,
testified in support of HB 52, paraphrasing from a prepared
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
The Pratt Museum is an anchor institution on the Kenai
Peninsula:
- educating children and adults
- contributing to our community's sense of place
and identity through history, art, and culture.
Like museums all over Alaska, the Pratt contributes to
the state's economy through employment and cultural
tourism.
Thank you, Rep. Herron for sponsorship of HB 52:
- provides structure for establishing a system for
prioritizing museum capital project funding requests
in Alaska,
- follows the state's model for library
construction projects
This system is a mechanism to provide equitable access
to funding through a competitive grant program and
statewide ranking of projects.
Even without immediate appropriations into the fund,
the mechanism created by HB 52 can provide:
- a solid ranking of capital projects
- aid in legislative decision-making during the
capital budget process
This is currently the case with the library program
(AS 14.56.355-56):
- has helped build 14 new libraries through $50
million of awards.
This legislation will allow museums to plan to protect
valuable collections well into the future.
With the passage of this legislation into law,
construction projects will be:
- funded by the merits of their projects and
- prioritized by their ability to match state
funding, and where they are
- in the construction process
Again, I thank Representative Herron for his
sponsorship of House Bill 52.
Thank you to committee members for your favorable vote
to pass the bill out of the Education Committee.
HOW THE LIBRARY PROCESS WORKED: AKLA developed the
matrix that vetted a construction project for shovel-
readiness. The matrix was/is held by AKLA. The
libraries were in consensus on which project(s) would
be put forward for funding. The matrix required
appropriate pre-development planning, including going
through CAPSIS. AKLA had the candidates ready to
advance when the grant opportunity came forward.
DCCED could then review the grant and match it to
AKLAs matrix. Because the libraries worked together as
they prepared for their shovel-ready project,
legislators, funders, & the DCCED knew that the
projects were ready and would be successful
excellent credibility was developed.
8:33:53 AM
BETHANY BUCKINGHAM-FOLLETT, Curator, Dorothy G. Page Museum,
testified in support of HB 52, paraphrasing from a prepared
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
The Mat-Su is the fastest growing area in the state.
Economic development and a healthy community are on
the minds of all in our area. The current museum
building was built in 1931 as Wasilla's Community
Hall. We honor that history and heritage by
continuing to offer community programs including
Wednesday Nights at the Museum, traveling exhibits,
and providing a space for visitors to learn about
Alaska. Through our programs and exhibits, we infuse
history and culture into a learning experience our
visitors take with them throughout their lives.
Children who come on school tours bring their families
and friends to enjoy the museum. Watching the
connection from classroom learning to real world
application at the museum, you see the students become
the teachers; sharing what they have learned and what
they know with their families and friends. Visitors
come and learn about Dog Mushing, Gold Mining and
Homesteading, not only of the Mat-Su but all of
Alaska. As we strive to meet the growing needs of our
audience, we find we have the opportunity to expand
not only our programs, but our space to host those
programs. For a Community Hall built for a town of
about 100, we find we are bursting at the seams
hosting events for visitors numbering 500 or more. We
are in need of more space and updated technology. HB
52 is critical to our museum buildings and programming
as we move towards celebrating 150 years of Alaskan
history and the future of our communities. We
currently host 700 third grade students each year and
are projected to be serving close to 2100 students in
three years.
House Bill 52 is important to our museum and all
museums around the state. This is an opportunity for
Alaskan museums to create a healthy environment for
patrons to learn about the community and the world
around them. This would be completed through
renovation and restoration of our current buildings.
HB 52 provides the framework for Alaskans to support
Museums and preserve our heritage.
8:36:14 AM
EVA MALVICH, Director/Curator, Yupiit Piciryarait Museum,
testified in support of HB 52, paraphrasing from a prepared
statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
I am the Director/Curator for the Yupiit Piciryarait
Museum, a tribally owned and operated museum owned by
the Association of Village Council Presidents.
Quyana for allowing me to speak to you this morning.
My message to you, just like last year when HB 333 was
introduced, is that our museum provides a valuable
service to the hub community of Bethel, as well as the
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region in southwestern Alaska.
House Bill 52 is enabling legislation, which will
better allow us to maintain our collection of animal
hide, gut skin, wood and ivory objects that are in
danger of permanent damage from the lack of humidity
control in our museum. Unfortunately, we've already
seen damage to our wood, ivory and gut skin objects.
A shaman's doll, uncovered from an excavation in
Hooper Bay, is cracked. This is the only object of
its kind in our collection. Our HVAC was shut down
over 13 years ago by our landlord, the Kuskokwim
Campus. This lack of humidity control is hurting our
collection. We need a means to fix this problem
before it is too late.
As the only museum in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
region, our collection of Yup'ik dolls, masks, grass
baskets, hunting implements, clothing and tools are
world-class objects that are easily accessible to the
people of this region. Our elders wanted a museum to
teach our future elders about our Yup'ik culture, and
we feel by providing objects close to home, our kids
can learn about who they are, how the object was made,
and how it was used to help us live in this part of
the state for a millennia.
I'll use myself as an example. I am the last of a
large family of 9. My parents had me in their 40's,
and by that time, my grandparents were already gone.
I had nobody really to teach me how to speak Cup'ig.
I lost out on so many conversations among our elders
who were fluent in Cup'ig. Oral stories at that time
were lost to me. In addition, the Swedish Covenant
Church prohibited Cup'ig dancing, and stopped our men
and boys from living in a qasgi, thereby stopping our
traditional teaching of young men. I was taught
English with DICK AND JANE books by non-Natives until
I moved to Bethel in 1979. For the first time at the
age of 10, I entered Yup'ik class. I felt like an
outsider and was ashamed about who I was and where I
grew up. Now, I am catching up. I am teaching myself
Yup'ik, and studying our oral stories. It is not too
late. Museums can help people like me. I'm a full
blooded, middle aged Cup'ig and Yup'ik mom and wife
who is taking back my heritage through studying our
objects in our collection.
Just recently, we've offered a seal gut sewing skin
class to the community with Mary Tunuchuk of
Chefornak. Next week, we are hosting a fish skin
class with Karen McIntyre of Bethel, free to the
public. In addition we are planning a Yupik doll
making class this winter. Our museum is vital to
continuing the traditional means for making clothing
and art. We do not need to travel to the Smithsonian
down states to study our objects. We do not need to
hire a master artist to teach us how to be Yupik; we
have the knowledge and means to sustain our Yupik
culture.
Quyana for your time. It is important to keep our
Yup'ik and Cup'ig artifacts in our region, not in
Fairbanks or Juneau, they are too far away. We need
them closer to home so that we can continue to learn
about our rich Yup'ik and Cup'ig culture through
studying our artifacts. HB 52 will help me immensely
by giving our organization a means for securing funds
for construction and renovation of museums and
cultural centers.
8:40:18 AM
REBECCA POULSON, President, Alaska Historical Society, testified
in support of HB 52, paraphrasing from a prepared statement,
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
I don't have to tell this committee that history is
important. Education is important. Accurate history,
and teaching our students to become curious, critical
thinkers who value accuracy, respect culture, and can
appreciate the lessons of history.
The Alaska Historical Society is working to get
Alaskans thinking about the upcoming 150th or
sesquicentennial of the Alaska Purchase in 2017.
50 years ago, we marked the 1967 Centennial with
projects like Sitka's Centennial building, still a
vital public center, and now getting an upgrade to
serve another 50.
How can this generation leave a legacy to mark this
anniversary?
Today's museums are hugely important in our
communities as centers for history and heritage,
education and visitors.
Museums are grassroots - they do the work of history,
culture, and education better than outside groups
could ever do. As Eva said, we know our history best.
This bill allows the legislature to leverage the local
support, expertise and fundraising that museums do to
catalyze lasting projects.
8:42:51 AM
PATRICIA RELAY, Executive Director, Valdez Museum and Historical
Archive, testified in support of HB 52, paraphrasing from a
prepared statement, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
With nearly 20,000 visitors to the Valdez Museum each
year, the Museum is grounded in a strong sense of
responsibility to contributing to the regions
educational and economic development. We:
• provide opportunities for education and learning.
• contribute to the development of our community.
• build human capital through building social
networks.
• attract tourist to the area, stimulating the
economy and creating employment.
Determining the economic impact includes a number of
categories: including the Museum's annual operating
budget, Visitors and Tourist Spending combined with
Tax Revenue and Local Jobs equals the total economic
impact. Applying this formula, the Valdez Museum's
economic impact on the local community $1,180,900.
The educational impact is equally impressive. Last
year our education and public programs served 3,750
people, which includes public and private schools,
outreach to remote areas, and adult learners. We have
become known as a classroom for private and homeschool
groups.
The Valdez Museum has accomplished a lot within the
past few years: incorporating a successful expanded
range of programming, increasing its visitation, and
raising its standards of collection management.
Despite these achievements, the institution is now at
a point in which its progress is being hampered by
limitations of space.
As a matter of fact, our educational programs have
become so successful that we no longer have space to
conduct classes and workshops. Last summer we used a
tent on the front lawn.
The Valdez Museum functions as a place of ideas and
education. It is a natural gathering place that helps
build and strengthen inter-connections within the
family units and within the community at large.
I urge you to support HB52, establishing a museum
construction grant program, so that museums throughout
the state of Alaska may continue to serve their
communities. Help us make this bill a reality!
CHAIR KELLER closed public testimony.
8:47:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON requested a response from the department
regarding a delayed effective date for the bill, and queried if
that might prove helpful should other grants be phasing out and
freeing up staff. Also, if the grants could be required to have
the administrative funds tied to the grants, it would change how
the fiscal notes are handled. He said this information could
assist in gaining the benefit of establishing a system without
fiscal drain.
8:49:42 AM
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ referred to AS 14.56.355, Section (d) and
read:
(d) The department shall establish regulations to
implement this section and the eligibility standards
under AS 14.56.356. The regulations must include
consideration for and establishment of an eligibility
priority for an application that is submitted by a
community that does not have a public library
described in AS 14.56.356(a)(2).
REPRESENTATIVE VAZQUEZ asked why there is not a similar
provision in the bill, if this is the model being used.
MS. PHILLIPS explained that community prioritization language
for libraries is held in regulation, and may be handled in a
similar manner for the museums, versus creating new statute.
She said it could be included in HB 52.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON added that amendments to HB 52 will be
welcomed.
8:52:32 AM
CHAIR KELLER announced HB 52 as held, then reviewed the agenda
for the upcoming meeting.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 52.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB52 Support Valdez Museum.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB 52 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB52 Support Pratt Museum.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB52 Support Museums Alaska HB 52 information.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB52 Support Resolution Juneau-Douglas City Museum.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB 52 Support My Turn Column by Benjamin Brown.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB 52 Support Alaska Library Association.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB 52 Support Alaska Historical Society.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB 52 Museums Alaska letter from A. Lynn.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB 52 Support Museums Alaska letter from Eva Malvich.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |
| HB52 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HEDC 3/23/2015 8:00:00 AM |
HB 52 |