Legislature(2003 - 2004)
03/19/2004 08:01 AM House STA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 467-COMMEMORATIVE QUARTERS COMMISSION Number 0025 CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the last order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 467, "An Act establishing an Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission to develop the design concepts and to make recommendations regarding the final design of the Alaska quarter under the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act; and providing for an effective date." TAPE 04-41, SIDE A Number 0029 CHAIR WEYHRAUCH welcomed Jo Ann Jones, a fifth-grade teacher from Auke Bay Elementary School, and her students. He asked the committee members to introduce themselves to the students. He noted that the students have studied the bill and want to offer testimony regarding it. Number 0100 REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG, at the request of Chair Weyhrauch, moved to adopt HB 467 "for discussion purposes." REPRESENTATIVE SEATON, at the request of Chair Weyhrauch, objected for discussion purposes. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH offered a brief explanation of parliamentary procedure. Number 0165 REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANDERSON, Alaska State Legislature, as sponsor of HB 467, explained that the proposed legislation would give the Alaskan public the opportunity to design a commemorative quarter. He noted that in 1997, the federal government passed a law that said every state will have a commemorative quarter with a design on it that represents that state. He noted that many people have suggested designs for the Alaska commemorative quarter already. He stated that the federal government and the U.S. Mint have recommended that [each state] assign a commemorative coin committee. REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON said HB 467 provides for 11 members [on the committee]. He indicated that six of the members would be public members. For example, one member would be selected from a list submitted by the Alaska State Council on the Arts, one member would be a student from a public, private, or secondary school in the state, and the remaining four public members would be appointed from each of the four judicial districts in the state. He noted that there would also be a member selected from the majority caucus and minority caucus in both the House and the Senate. Finally, the eleventh member would be a designee of the governor. He explained that, by default, if there were no commission, the governor would pick the design. He expressed that he would rather have the public select the design, rather than one person. Number 0370 REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON directed attention to the fiscal note. He explained to the students that the fiscal note shows that the cost in 2006 would be $30,000. That amount would be for travel and per diem for the people on the commission to meet four times to analyze what would be the best design for the commemorative quarter. He offered his understanding that there would be "an additional expense" in 2007. In 2008, the [design] would be presented and the coin minted. He noted that the bill would take effect on January 1, 2005, which would give the governor enough time to prepare for the two-year cycle recommended by the U.S. Mint. Number 0522 REPRESENTATIVE LYNN offered his understanding that the term "two bits" means 25 cents. Number 0551 REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG revealed that his stepfather, Jacques Schnier, designed the commemorative half-dollar for the opening of the [San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge] in [1936]. He explained that a sculptor made a plastic model for the coin, which he possesses. Number 0600 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the fiscal note also includes time in meetings for the actual recommendation of the selection. REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON offered his understanding that it does. He deferred to a representative from the Department of Revenue. He added that he wants to make [HB 467] coincide with another bill he sponsored, which is in regard to a planning committee for the fiftieth anniversary of statehood. Number 0694 MARIA WEYHRAUCH, Student Council Representative, Ms. Jones' fifth grade class, Auke Bay Elementary School, testified that the class feels that "students ages 5-18 should be on the commission." She suggested an amendment on page 2, line 23, to read: "public, private, or home school". She stated that the students feel the change will add to the creativity of the commission. MS. WEYHRAUCH asked if there would be a design contest open to school-aged students throughout the state for the design of the Alaska [commemorative] quarter. In response to a question from Representative Lynn, she confirmed that she is related to Chair Weyhrauch. In response to a request for clarification from Representative Seaton, she restated the idea for the amendment. In response to a question from Representative Gruenberg, she confirmed that the students want to [open the requirement for one of the seats on the commission] to allow [elementary students], rather than just secondary students. Number 0803 CHAIR WEYHRAUCH suggested the amendment would be conceptual. Number 0820 REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON said he likes the idea for the amendment. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH specified that the intent of the amendment would be to add home school students as well as students in elementary school. REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON reminded the committee that Benny Benson [was the age of an elementary student] when he entered and won the design contest for the Alaska State Flag. Number 0876 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt [Conceptual Amendment 1] as follows: On page 2, line 23: Between "public" and "private" Insert "," Delete "secondary" Insert "or home" Number 0880 CHAIR WEYHRAUCH objected "for purposes of demonstration" [to illustrate for the students what happens when someone objects to a motion]. A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Lynn, Berkowitz, Gruenberg, Seaton, Coghill, and Weyhrauch voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 1. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 6-0. CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked if there was further discussion regarding the bill. He noted that there had been "discussion about the contest," and he said, "I'm not sure how to deal with that." Number 0933 REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ suggested that the committee include a letter of intent with the bill, "suggesting (indisc. - coughing) that that would be something that the legislature would look upon favorably." He said he thinks it would not be good for the legislature to tell the commission how to perform its duties. Number 0971 REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG echoed that he hopes the letter would simply state that "this is one thing they might consider." Number 1013 CHAIR WEYHRAUCH clarified for the students' benefit that the letter of intent would let the commission know that the legislature recommends the idea of having a contest among school children [to come up with the design for the Alaska commemorative quarter]. Number 1044 REPRESENTATIVE SEATON withdrew his objection to HB 467. Number 1055 REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG explained the process of moving the bill out of committee for the benefit of the students. Number 1073 REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report HB 467, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 467(STA) was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|