Legislature(2005 - 2006)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/25/2005 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB150 | |
| SB151 | |
| SB71 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 133 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 150 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 133
"An Act establishing the Aviation Advisory Board; and
providing for an effective date."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
NONA WILSON, Legislative Liaison, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities, informed the Committee that the Department has
identified this legislation as being "critical to the State's
aviation infrastructure as well as the aviation industry as a
whole". It would allow for the continuance of the Aviation Advisory
Board, which was created in 2003 and renewed in 2004, to occur
"without the need for annual administrative renewals". A permanent
Board would be "practical and necessary to the continued success
and prudent operation" of the State's international airport hubs in
Anchorage and in Fairbanks and its 258 Rural airports.
Ms. Wilson stated that the Board also serves in an advisory
capacity to the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities (DOT) and facilitates on-going "coordination
between the State and aviation industry" on such things as aviation
policy, safety, airport management and operations.
Ms. Wilson noted that the composition of the Board, as detailed in
Section 1, Sec. 44.42.230(a) on page two, lines six through 30, is
"a broad cross-section" of the State's aviation industry and as
such would provide well-balanced dialogue and expertise.
Senator Olson asked whether the responsibilities of the new Board
would differ from its predecessor.
KIP KNUDSON, Deputy Commissioner of Aviation, Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities, informed the Committee that
the Board was originally formed to improve communication between
aviation interest groups and DOT personnel responsible for the
airport system. The Board has done a good job in providing that
conduit.
Senator Olson pointed out that a large portion of the Board member
positions "are not necessarily aviation related", as exampled by
Section 1, Sec. 44.42.230. Composition of the Board (a)(5), (6),
and (7).
(5) a member who is a community leader residing in the
unorganized borough of the state;
(6) a member who represents the mayor of the Municipality of
Anchorage;
(7) a member who jointly represents the mayors of the City of
Fairbanks and the Fairbanks North Star Borough;
Mr. Knudson explained that when Governor Frank Murkowski
established the original Board by Administrative Order, it was
thought best not to "predetermine" that Board members should have
an aviation connection. However, "effectively they are all aviation
people" in that in some form, they each have "some leg in the
aviation industry or some aviation interest group". The people who
have been appointed by the mayors of the City of Anchorage and the
City of Fairbanks have had aviation backgrounds. Therefore, "it
happens that they're all aviation interested".
Co-Chair Green concluded therefore that it must be "assumed" that
the appointees would have aviation industry backgrounds.
Co-Chair Green asked whether the Board composition in this bill is
similar to the makeup of the Board established by the
Administrative Order.
Mr. Knudson replied that this Board is identical to the original
Board with the exception being that an at-large member was added
"for tie breaks". Therefore this Board would have 11 members rather
than ten.
Co-Chair Green asked whether the Board has met consistently during
the two years it has existed.
Mr. Knudson communicated that the Board has had a busy schedule and
has met nine times in the last two years.
Co-Chair Green understood that the responsibilities of the Board
would continue as before. Absent this legislation it could continue
via the issuance of an Administrative Order. This legislation would
serve to include the Board in State Statute and thereby make it
subject to review by the Division of Legislative Budget & Audit.
This would align the Board with other boards in the State.
Senator Hoffman asked for examples of the types of "major issues"
the Board has addressed and resolved.
Mr. Knudson commented for general background that DOT oversees the
operations of the Anchorage and Fairbanks airports. Other airports
such as the ones ins Juneau and Ketchikan are locally governed. The
Board has addressed the issue of airport governance by gathering
information from around the country in order to determine the best,
most cost effective method to manage airports. Other issues that
have been addressed include the operation of airport towers such as
the tower at King Salmon and a feasibility issue relating to how
small of a community could support a ten million dollar airport.
The Board has provided good advice to the Commissioner in regards
to such things as the allocation of resources.
Co-Chair Wilken voiced concern about the size of the Board;
specifically that the budget and the Board's size and scope of
responsibility do not appear to be "in alignment". Language in
Section 1, Sec. 44.42.220. Meetings; hearings; records. does not
appear to allow the Board to meet and make decisions by
teleconference; therefore, he questioned how the 11-member Board
could meet two or three times a year within the constraints of a
$20,000 budget. To that point, he asked whether the Board could
meet and make decisions via teleconference.
Mr. Knudson communicated that, while the Board has held meetings by
teleconference, they would prefer to meet as a group prior to
issuing a resolution. Meetings have been held in Ketchikan,
Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.
Co-Chair Wilken asked whether the $20,000 annual Board budget would
be sufficient.
Mr. Knudson stated that while the budget might cause some
"scrimping", it would be workable.
Co-Chair Wilken questioned the language in Section 1, Sec.
44.42.230.(c), page three, lines two and three, that specifies that
the Governor would name the Board chairman. He considered proposing
an amendment to delete that language, as an 11-member Board, making
such important decisions, would be qualified to choose their own
chairman. It would also "keep peace in the family". The Chair being
appointed by the Governor is an anomaly, as it is atypical of how
other boards select their chairs.
Mr. Knudson understood that this must "be a construct of some
Boards". The chair being appointed by the Governor was, "oddly
enough", recommended by the Board for inclusion in the
Administrative Order. One Board member, Richard Williams, thought
that "it would de-politicize the chair to a certain extent" in that
the chair selection "would not be a popularity contest".
Conceptual Amendment #1: This amendment deletes the language "The
governor shall designate a member of the board to serve as chair of
the board, or, at the governor's request," in Section 1, subsection
(c), on page 3, lines two and three. The revised language would
read as follows.
(c) The board shall elect a chair from among its members who
are not state officers or employees.
Co-Chair Wilken moved to adopt Amendment #1.
Co-Chair Green objected and stated that one of the upsides in
having a chair appointed by a Governor is that there is no delay in
the deliberations of the Board. In her experience with Boards, she
has concluded that, oftentimes, this process would have been
preferred as it would result in a more efficient use of time and
the board would be ready to conduct business.
Senator Olson asked the reason Co-Chair Wilken chose not to
eliminate the language excluding State officers or employees from
being able to chair the Board. He contended that numerous "State
officers and employees are quite knowledgeable about the aviation
industry" and would make excellent Board chairs.
Co-Chair Wilken opined that State officers and employees should not
be considered for the chair position as he viewed this board as "a
citizens' commission".
Co-Chair Wilken moved to withdraw Conceptual Amendment #1.
There being no objection, the Amendment was WITHDRAWN.
Senator Olson opined that, as the operator of two air taxi
companies, this Advisory Board is an "asset to the aviation
industry". He strongly supported the bill.
The Bill was HELD in Committee.
[NOTE: This bill was re-addressed later in the meeting.]
SENATE BILL NO. 133
"An Act establishing the Aviation Advisory Board; and
providing for an effective date."
Co-Chair Green noted that the bill was again before the Committee.
Co-Chair Wilken moved to report the bill from Committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, SB 133 was REPORTED from Committee with a
new $20,000 Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
fiscal note, dated April 25, 2005, and previous Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities zero Fiscal Note #1, dated
February 28, 2005.
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