Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/25/2003 03:30 PM House L&C
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 111-RCA EXTENSION/ TELECOMMUNICATION POLICIES Number 0083 CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 111, "An Act extending the termination date of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." CHAIR ANDERSON closed public testimony, noting the considerable presentations by the public in the last month-and-a-half. He noted that Version I was adopted at a previous meeting and is now before the committee. Number 0112 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO moved to adopt Amendment 1. On page 4, line 10, after (k), delete "An electric or" and insert "A". Number 0142 REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG objected for purposes of discussion. He asked about the impact of Amendment 1. CHAIR ANDERSON noted that the bill drafter [from Legislative Legal and Research Services] was not present. Chair Anderson said that language on page 4, line 10, subsection (k), deals with [determining] depreciation [rates] for telephone facilities [and equipment]. [Several telephone companies] testified on the disparity in [treatment by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska]. He said the CS focused on telephony issues. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO pointed out that [subsection (k)] also included electric companies. The subcommittee did not want to deal with [the electric industry] in the CS, but that issue can be revisited at a later date. He said he did not think ARECA [Alaska Rural Electric Cooperative Association] or the other electric companies supported that inclusion. Number 0202 REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG withdrew his objection. CHAIR ANDERSON said that hearing no [further] objection, Amendment 1 is adopted. REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG said he prepared an amendment but is not going to offer it at this time. Number 0252 REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG moved to report the proposed CS for HB 111, [23-GH1079\I, Craver, 4/23/03, Version I], as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD objected. He said he is opposed to moving the bill with extraneous issues, and therefore preferred moving a clean bill that was a simple extension [of the RCA]. He preferred considering these other issues in separate bills. Number 0343 REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM stated for the record that she is supporting the CS in the interest of moving the bill forward. She said that committee members who have additional concerns can work with the next committee [of referral]. REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG explained that the amendment he didn't advance is sustentative, and it deserves a hearing so people can understand its intent. He said he will forward the amendment to finance committee members and participate in the discussion there. The amendment provides for the option of a hearing judge, a single administrative law judge, or a panel of administrative law judges in certain electrical cooperative tariff cases. CHAIR ANDERSON noted his agreement with the concept of this amendment and the [opportunity] for further discussion. REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG said this subcommittee and committee has done a lot of work on this bill; the deliberations reflected a huge learning curve [for members]. These sustentative issues deserve a hearing, which will occur in the House Finance Committee. REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD said that due to the situation, he is removing his objection. Number 0486 CHAIR ANDERSON, hearing no other objections, stated that CSHB 111(L&C) passed out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
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