Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/06/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB307 | |
| HB493 | |
| HCR30 | |
| HB105 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 488 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HCR 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 307 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 493 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
2:57:06 PM HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 30 Creating an Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission. Co-Chair Meyer MOVED to ADOPT work draft #24-LS1605\L, Kane, 4/06/06, as the version of the bill before the Committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE, SPONSOR, spoke in support of the legislation. He stated that the Resolution attempts to create an Alaska climate impact assessment commission to identify and address issues relating to climate changes. There are already economic impacts to the infrastructure. The legislation places a group together to bring greater understanding in planning for the anticipated changes. The Commission would consist of two members from each body and 11 public participants. JOHN KREILKAMP, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), VICE PRESIDENT FOR LAND OPERATIONS FOR CRUISE WEST, ANCHORAGE, voiced support for the legislation. Cruise West is a small ship cruise line with 9 vessels in operation in Alaska that travels to 23 statewide communities. The vessels have seen damage from back-to-back storms in the Nome area. He pointed out that the ice gap has been shrinking, requiring an additional day to be reached by ship. He suggested that the Commission look at the affects on docks, bridges and roads. A changing climate affects travelers coming to Alaska, and the future of tourism to Alaska. 3:07:25 PM DR. GLENN JUDAY, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), PROFESSOR OF ECOLOGY, SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, FAIRBANKS, noted he has been involved in accessing climate change for over a quarter century. He mentioned a series of papers he published in 1982 providing important criteria regarding serious information on climate change. He was happy that considerations were being made and that there is a process now happening. The real question is what can be done now. There are many questions on the issues coming. He said the fiscal note is modest given the intention of the legislation to assist in the process of transferring information. He urged that the bill pass from Committee. 3:12:19 PM DR. ROLAND MAW, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED COOK INLET DRIFTNET ASSOCIATION, testified in support for HCR 30. He complimented the sponsor of the legislation, noting that he fully supports previous testimony. The Cook Inlet area is currently struggling with salmon returns into the upper Inlet. There is a lack of rainfall from the 50-year norm and water temperatures are up to the limit for salmon survival. Kenai supports the bill, having great concerns regarding the issues. Dr. Maw looked forward to serving on the Commission. 3:14:47 PM BOB SWENSON, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF GEOPHYSICAL & GEOLOGICAL SURVEYING, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE, offered to answer questions of the Committee. 3:15:15 PM Representative Weyhrauch questioned why retreating sea-ice could affect polar navigation and raise security concerns. MIKAYLA SAITO, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE, responded that the receding sea ice is opening up polar-regions and that passage for the vessels is of concern. The security revolves around the many docks and ports for the foreign entry. Representative Joule discussed the possibility of the North West Passage opening up with increased traffic. 3:18:10 PM Representative Kerttula MOVED to ADOPT to Amendment #1, amending Page 2, Line 30, Subsection (d) to read: (d) A member that is knowledgeable in the area of and management and restoration of wildlife and natural resources. Co-Chair Meyer OBJECTED. Representative Kerttula pointed out a technical change, deleting "that" and inserting "who". The Department of Law advised that the Legislative Branch couldn't mandate the participation of the Executive Branch. The Department of Natural Resources is comfortable with the amended language. Vice Chair Stoltze questioned the request. Representative Kerttula stated it could be placed in the intent language that someone from the Department of Natural Resources is involved on the Commission. Vice Chair Stoltze indicated he has served on various commissions and had not heard that objection. Representative Kerttula pointed out that the issue deals with the separation of powers. 3:21:12 PM Representative Joule commented that in earlier testimony, it was suggested some departments could serve in an ex officio capacity and hoped the legislation would reach a broader audience. 3:22:16 PM Representative Kelly commented on the composition of membership. Representative Joule clarified that the language of the bill addresses membership changes. 3:26:11 PM Co-Chair Meyer WITHDREW his OBJECTION to Amendment #1. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was adopted. 3:26:43 PM Representative Weyhrauch noted his appreciation to Representative Joule for introducing the legislation. Representative Kerttula MOVED to REPORT CS HCR 30 (FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CS HCR 30 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with "individual" recommendations and with indeterminate note #1 by the Department of Natural Resources and fiscal note #2 by the Legislative Affairs Agency.
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