04/06/2000 01:50 PM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 362                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
An Act authorizing the exchange of land between the                                                                             
Alaska Railroad Corporation and Eklutna, Inc., between                                                                          
the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the United States                                                                           
Department of the Army and the United States Department                                                                         
of the Air Force, between the Alaska Railroad                                                                                   
Corporation and Chugach Alaska Corporation, and between                                                                         
the Alaska Railroad Corporation and the Municipality of                                                                         
Anchorage; and providing for an effective date.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Therriault stated that the committee substitute, 1-                                                                    
LS1455\H, Utermohle, 4/3/00, would combine HB 320, HB 362                                                                       
and HB 426.  [Copy on File].  He pointed out that                                                                               
Representative Bunde had submitted an amendment to HB 320                                                                       
bill which would address the Whittier DeLong Dock and the                                                                       
Alaska Railroad Corporation.  [Copy on File].                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Vice Chair Bunde MOVED to ADOPT the version (H) committee                                                                       
substitute as the document before the Committee.                                                                                
Representative Phillips OBJECTED.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative J. Davies MOVED to ADOPT the (H) version                                                                         
without the Whittier DeLong Dock.  Representative Phillips                                                                      
OBJECTED.  She stated that she did not oppose combining the                                                                     
three bills, however, noted that there is opposition from                                                                       
the Railroad on putting the DeLong Dock concept into the                                                                        
legislation.  She stated that she had spoken with Senator                                                                       
Leman and that he had expressed his concern no to include                                                                       
the DeLong Dock.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE LISA MURKOWSKI stated that the intent is to                                                                      
guarantee that the straightening of the tracks between                                                                          
Anchorage and Wasilla is accomplished with legislation this                                                                     
year.  She emphasized that it is very important that this is                                                                    
not held up and that nothing jeopardizes the success of the                                                                     
legislation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
WENDY LINDSKOOG, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, ALASKA                                                                           
RAILROAD CORPORATION, ANCHORAGE, echoed sentiments expressed                                                                    
by Representative Murkowski.  She noted that if the bills                                                                       
were combined in the proposed fashion, there could be a                                                                         
possibility that all three could die and that the track                                                                         
alignment bill would not go forward.  She stated for the                                                                        
record that the Alaska Railroad does support the DeLong Dock                                                                    
bill passing this session.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative Phillips requested that Ms. Lindskoog restate                                                                    
the Railroad's intention in regard to the DeLong Dock.  Ms.                                                                     
Lindskoog clarified that the Alaska Railroad is "completely"                                                                    
in support of the DeLong Dock bill.  Passage of that bill                                                                       
would help economic development in Whittier.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to delete the                                                                          
DeLong Dock portion.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
IN FAVOR: Grussendorf, Moses, Phillips, Williams,                                                                               
Austerman, J. Davies, G. Davis                                                                                                  
OPPOSED:  Foster, Bunde, Therriault, Mulder                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The MOTION PASSED (7-4).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
There being NO OBJECTION, the (H) version was adopted as                                                                        
amended.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Therriault noted that Representative Bunde would                                                                       
not be offering his amendment to the committee substitute.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to report CS HB 362 (FIN) out of                                                                          
Committee with individual recommendations and with the                                                                          
accompanying fiscal note.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CS HB 362 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do                                                                        
pass" recommendation and with a fiscal note by Department of                                                                    
Community & Economic Development dated 3/3/00.