Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
02/07/2012 10:15 AM House ECON. DEV., TRADE & TOURISM
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR19 | |
| Presentation: the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development Updates | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HCR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HCR 19-OIL & GAS POLICY/NORWAY TOUR
10:19:51 AM
CHAIR HERRON announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Acknowledging the lessons
learned from the 2011 Norway Policy Tour and encouraging
investment in the state's oil and gas industry.
10:20:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved Amendment M.2 which read [original
punctuation provided]:
Page 4, line 5, after "benefit" insert
"private sector job expansion, affordable energy
options, value-added options,"
10:20:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON objected. He opined that the amendment
included items that are not related to the original purpose of
the resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said the proposed amendment was fully
aligned with the intent of the sponsor. He read the amendment
and explained that the reason for the amendment was that private
sector job expansion was listed as one of desirable goals on the
comprehensive list of goals presented during testimony on the
2011 Norway Policy Tour. He characterized the amendment as a
friendly amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON removed his objection.
10:22:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK objected for the purpose of discussion. He
said he was unsure whether Statoil - the partnership between
Norway and the oil industry - employees are private or public
sector employees, and offered an amendment to Amendment M.2 to
say "jobs."
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said the emphasis of those attending the
2011 Norway Policy Tour has been to the expansion of private
sector jobs.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK withdrew his amendment to Amendment M.2, and
removed his objection.
10:23:54 AM
There being no further objection, Amendment M.2 was adopted.
10:24:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK, on behalf of Representative Gardner,
offered Amendment M.3 which read [original punctuation
provided]:
On page 2, line 21, insert a new sentence:
"(13) Norway has developed a free, comprehensive and
rigorous educational system spanning pre-school to
graduate school that provides professional expertise
for the oil and gas sector and contributes to a
vibrant national economy; and"
CHAIR HERRON objected for the purpose of discussion.
10:25:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON expressed his opposition to Amendments M.3
and M.4 because they do not have any bearing on the scope of the
tour or on the intent of the resolution. The amendment labeled
M.4 read [original punctuation provided]:
On Page 4, after Line 6, INSERT a new sentence:
"FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature
shall explore measures to support in-state educational
systems and training programs necessary to provide
world-class, professional expertise in the oil and gas
sector to Alaska, and potentially to other states and
nations: and be it"
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said a key to a strong economy is a solid
educational system, and this was made clear on the Norway tour;
in fact, as a result of Norway's investment in its educational
system, it sends experts in the oil and gas field to work around
the world. This is an important component to what Alaska should
be striving for: graduating people of the best caliber and
leaders in technology, and promoting a stronger economy.
CHAIR HERRON referred to Amendment M.4 and its placement in the
resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK confirmed that Amendments M.3 and M.4 "[are]
a 'whereas' and then the 'further resolved,' to go along with
that."
CHAIR HERRON asked Representative Olson whether his concern "is
with the 'resolve' or was it a concern with the 'whereas' and
the 'resolve'?"
10:27:48 AM
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON restated that neither have a bearing to the
intent of the work product. The intent of the tour was to "find
out what Norway was doing different and how we might learn from
their experience." He opined that there are many other things
Norway does that may be explored at some time, but the
amendments have no bearing on this particular topic. He
expressed his support of the resolution in its present form.
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ agreed with the amendment, but also agreed
that legislators must stay consistent with the title of a bill
or a resolution. She pointed out that the title of the
resolution encourages investment in the state's oil and gas
industry, and is not dealing with an education policy issue.
She said she is not in support of including the proposed
language.
10:29:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER also agreed with the objection, and noted
that one of the differences between Norway and Alaska is that
Norway has a "cradle to grave welfare system," and including the
amendment is distracting to the purpose of the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE observed that the amendment may create an
expectation "by implying that we should go in a certain
direction to be supportive of the oil and gas industry." In
addition to job opportunities, efforts are currently being made
in the areas of education, health care, and others. He agreed
with Representative Olson, and mentioned several education
programs currently underway. He said he did not want to create
an expectation that may not ever be fulfilled; however, "it
doesn't diminish my support for these kinds of things in other
venues.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK opined the amendments are the result of
hearing testimony that 36 percent of Norway's residents have a
post-graduate degree or higher, as compared to 9.8 percent in
Alaska. He said he always supports an educational component;
however, the comments heard caused him to withdraw the
amendments on behalf of Representative Gardner.
10:32:33 AM
CHAIR HERRON suggested the amendment could be offered to another
committee, or on the floor of the House. There being no further
amendments, he asked for discussion on the resolution.
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON commended the work product from those who
participated in the 2011 Norway Policy Tour. As an aside, he
noted that Norway has a 38 percent value-added tax, and the
highest personal income tax in Europe.
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON moved to report HCR 19, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes.
10:34:22 AM
There being no objection, HCR 19(EDT) was reported out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HCR 19 - Fiscal Note 1-25-12.pdf |
HEDT 2/7/2012 10:15:00 AM |
HCR 19 |
| EDT 2.7.12 - DCCED - 2012 OverviewFINAL.pdf |
HEDT 2/7/2012 10:15:00 AM |
|
| HCR 19 -Keller amendment M.2.pdf |
HEDT 2/7/2012 10:15:00 AM |
HCR 19 |
| HCR 19, Norway Policy Tour - Answers to Rep. Tuck Questions.pdf |
HEDT 2/7/2012 10:15:00 AM |
HCR 19 |