Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/18/2009 10:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB105 | |
| HB141 | |
| HB121 | |
| HB106 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 113 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 106 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 108 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 18, 2009
10:56 a.m.
10:56:05 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 10:56 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Rynnieva Moss, Staff, Representative Coghill; David Stone,
Deputy Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce
Development; Don Etheridge, Alaska Workforce Partnership;
Amanda Mortenson, Staff, Representative Coghill; Anthony
Newman, Division of Juvenile Justice, Department of Health
and Social Services; Karen Lidster, Staff, Representative
Coghill; Representative Reggie Joule; Christine Hess, Chief
of Staff, Representative Joule.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Doug Ward, Alaska Workforce Investment Board; Carole
Brenckle, Attorney, Kenai.
SUMMARY
CSSSHB 105(L&C)
"An Act relating to the state training and
employment program; and providing for an effective
date."
CSSSHB 105 (L&C) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with two
previously published fiscal impact notes from
Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
CSHB 106(STA)(title am)
"An Act relating to grants to nonprofit regional
corporations, and, in certain situations, to
municipalities with populations of less than
10,000, for village public safety officers in
rural areas; defining 'rural area' for the purpose
of the village public safety officer program; and
authorizing municipalities to accept grants under,
and contract with respect to, the village public
safety officer program."
CSHB 106 (STA) was REPORTED out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with a previously
published zero fiscal note from Department of
Public Safety.
SB 108 "An Act creating the Stampede State Recreation
Area."
SB 108 was Scheduled but not Heard.
CSHB 113(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)
"An Act making supplemental appropriations,
capital appropriations, and other appropriations;
amending appropriations; making appropriations to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective
date."
CSHB 113 was Scheduled but not Heard.
CSHB 121(FIN)
"An Act relating to and authorizing certain
municipalities to provide a property tax credit
for an improvement that aids in improving air
quality."
CSHB 121 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with a previously
published zero fiscal note from Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
HB 141 "An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for
Juveniles; relating to the State Council for
Interstate Adult and Juvenile Offender
Supervision; amending Rules 4 and 24(b), Alaska
Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an
effective date."
HB 141 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with one previously
published fiscal impact note from Department of
Health and Social Services and one previously
published zero fiscal note from Department of
Corrections.
CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 105(L&C)
"An Act relating to the state training and employment
program; and providing for an effective date."
CSSSHB 105 (L&C) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with two previously published
fiscal impact notes from Department of Labor and Workforce
Development.
10:56:38 AM
Co-Chair Stedman introduced HB 105.
RYNNIEVA MOSS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL discussed the
legislation. She reminded the committee about the task force
appointed during the previous session including all of the
players of the State Training and Employment Program (STEP).
The task force includes private employers. The task force
created a more accountable, fair, and user friendly STEP
program. She commented that HB 105 is the result of the
recommendations from the task force. The bill attempts to
take politics out of the STEP program and empower the Alaska
Workforce Investment Board to retain involvement in
determining which entities receive grants. The bill puts in
statute the requirement of Alaskan citizenship in order to
receive training under the STEP program. She discussed the
repeal process for the step grants. She explained the six
month restrictions and requirements to qualify for the STEP
program.
10:59:38 AM
DAVID STONE, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT informed that the STEP task force
unanimously supported HB 105. He enthusiastically applauded
the program. He suggested that the task force oversee the
development of regulations while the workforce investment
board approves those regulations. Currently the Workforce
Investment Board oversees the grant applications.
Co-Chair Stedman asked if the department supports the bill.
Mr. Stone stated yes the department supports the bill.
Co-Chair Stedman asked about program availability for non-
residents. Ms. Moss detailed that a person must be present
in Alaska for 92 days to qualify for the STEP program.
11:01:26 AM
Senator Huggins asked about repeat training offered to non-
residents. Ms. Moss responded that Section 6 addressed the
requirement that participants in the program are Alaskan
residents. One definition of Alaskan resident includes
residing in the state for 30 days prior to voter
registration. Because a citizen must contribute to the
unemployment insurance program in Alaska, he or she must
live in the state 92 days before qualifying for the STEP
program.
Co-Chair Stedman asked about Page 8, Line 1 and the overhead
allowance of 20 percent. Ms. Moss answered that this portion
of the legislation sets a limit to how much the department
can employ for administrative purposes under the STEP
program. No greater than 20 percent can be used for
administrative purposes; the rest must be routed directly to
grant programs.
11:02:59 AM
DOUG WARD, ALASKA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD (testified via
teleconference) in support of HB 105. He noted that the
legislation provides statutory authority that both the
Workforce Investment Board and the task force will need to
provide effective oversight. The board is unanimous in
support of the legislation.
11:05:25 AM
DON ETHERIDGE, ALASKA WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP testified in
support of HB 105. He explained the value of the funds in
providing extensive training in rural Alaska.
Co-Chair Stedman noted two fiscal notes from the Department
of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL) totaling $6,405,000
in STEP funds. There are no additional costs anticipated as
a result of passing the legislation. The funding for the
program is currently in the FY10 operating budget.
Ms. Moss stressed that the existing STEP program does sunset
July 1, 2010, however, there is much work ahead in adopting
regulations to make the program more accountable, more user
friendly, and to ensure that Alaskans receive training.
Eventually Alaska will have a gas line must have a prepared
work force.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CSHB 105 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSSSHB 105 (L&C) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with two previously published
fiscal impact notes from Department of Labor and Workforce
Development.
HOUSE BILL NO. 141
"An Act relating to the Interstate Compact for
Juveniles; relating to the State Council for Interstate
Adult and Juvenile Offender Supervision; amending Rules
4 and 24(b), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and
providing for an effective date."
HB 141 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one previously published fiscal
impact note from Department of Health and Social
Services and one previously published zero fiscal note
from Department of Corrections.
11:08:20 AM
AMANDA MORTENSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL
This bill would enact the new Interstate Compact for
Juveniles into law. This would replace the old compact
which was created in 1955. The purpose of the Compact
is to ensure the supervision of juvenile offenders and
the return of runaways, escapees and absconders. The
Compact provides the procedural means to regulate the
movement of juveniles who are under court supervision
across state lines. The Association of Compact
Administrators estimates that the Interstate Compact on
Juveniles is used in 20,000 to 30,000 transfer and
supervision cases annually.
The new Compact ensures that all states will have
identical language in their statutes which would help
with compliance issues. The new Compact provides
procedures for enforcement which the old Compact
lacked. The Interstate Compact for Juveniles also
provides for the collection of standardized information
and information sharing systems.
This is a chance for the states to have the means to
deal with state problems and enforce state solutions
without having any federal intervention. 35 states have
already passed this compact. If Alaska chooses not to
enact this Compact the state would have to deal with
every other state on a case-by-case basis which would
cost the state more money than it would cost to
implement the Compact.
The compact provides for the safety of the juvenile
offender and the state as a whole. The importance of
this compact cannot be overstated. This legislation is
necessary to ensure the public safety and security of
Alaskans. It will help ensure that Alaska receives
notification about juveniles who are relocated or
traveling to Alaska before they arrive here, and will
expedite Alaska's ability to send juveniles from here
to other jurisdictions.
ANTHONY NEWMAN, DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, complimented the legislation. He
informed that the bill ensures that Alaskan juveniles
travelling in and out of state will receive required
supervision. Passing the bill ensures that staff at the
Division of Juvenile Justice avoid costly and inefficient
work. Without the compact, Alaska would be required to
develop agreements specific to each case each time juvenile
supervision is sought. With the legislation comes a guiding
agreement with the 36 other states that have passed similar
legislation. The legislation ensures that juveniles who have
committed dangerous offences are accounted for and have the
supervision required when leaving or entering Alaska. He
concluded that the bill was an important step toward helping
the division manage these juveniles effectively and to help
ensure public safety in Alaska.
11:11:41 AM
CAROLE BRENCKLE, ATTORNEY, KENAI testified via
teleconference in support of HB 141. She echoed Mr. Newman's
support and compliments. She noted that delay of the bill's
passage would be costly to the state.
Co-Chair Stedman mentioned the zero fiscal note from the
Department of Commerce and the fiscal impact note from the
Department of Health and Social Services for $45 thousand in
general funds. The funding for the note is scheduled in the
supplemental budget.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report HB 141 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 141 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one previously published fiscal
impact note from Department of Health and Social Services
and one previously published zero fiscal note from
Department of Corrections.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 121(FIN)
"An Act relating to and authorizing certain
municipalities to provide a property tax credit for an
improvement that aids in improving air quality."
CSHB 121 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously published
zero fiscal note from Department of Commerce, Community
and Economic Development.
11:14:39 AM
Co-Chair Stedman explained that the intent of the committee
to review the House version of HB 121.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT Work draft for HB 121 (FIN)
LS0540\C.
KAREN LIDSTER, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL noted that the
bill affords municipalities that fail to make the 2.5 air
quality standards the opportunity to reach the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) standards. She thanked the committee
for their consideration.
Senator Huggins asked for repeat of the version. Co-Chair
Hoffman replied version C.
Ms. Lidster commented that the legislation allows
municipalities to pass ordinances and establish criteria for
those heating improvements for a credit to their tax and be
administered at the local level. The repeal date is 2016,
with the EPA standard met by 2015.
11:17:37 AM
Senator Thomas anticipated that an impact of the legislation
might be felt in the interior for coal and wood burning
stoves allowing people to upgrade to more current stoves by
utilizing a tax credit. Ms. Lidster agreed that the tax
credit was appealing to citizens.
11:18:14 AM AT EASE
11:18:56 AM RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CSHB 121 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 121 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously published zero
fiscal note from Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 106(STA)(title am)
"An Act relating to grants to nonprofit regional
corporations, and, in certain situations, to
municipalities with populations of less than 10,000,
for village public safety officers in rural areas;
defining 'rural area' for the purpose of the village
public safety officer program; and authorizing
municipalities to accept grants under, and contract
with respect to, the village public safety officer
program."
CSHB 106 (STA) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously published zero
fiscal note from Department of Public Safety.
11:19:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE discussed the legislation. He
explained that under current law, the Commissioner of Public
Safety provides grants to regional non-profits to administer
the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for a definition of VPSO.
Representative Joule replied that a VPSO is a Village Public
Safety Officer. The North West Arctic Borough is willing to
take responsibility for the program and the regional non-
profit is willing to allow the borough take responsibility
for the VPSO program. This legislation gives the
Commissioner of Public Safety permission to present a grant
to a municipality.
Co-Chair Stedman asked about Line 8, Page 2 and the
reference to the population threshold.
11:22:32 AM
CHRISTINE HESS, CHIEF OF STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JOULE,
responded that she had worked with the Department of Public
Safety and the legal department to arrive at the population
threshold. The VPSO program is suited for rural areas of the
state. This population threshold retains the program's
proper scope.
Co-Chair Stedman noted that with the 10,000 person
population threshold, Sitka would be included but Ketchikan
is beyond the threshold. Ms. Hess responded that no
participant in the program would be excluded.
Co-Chair Stedman noted that there was not anyone signed up
for public testimony.
Senator Huggins asked approximately how many communities
would be affected.
Representative Joule answered ten villages are covered in
the North West Arctic Borough. The city of Kotzebue has its
own police department and therefore would not participate.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for a representation of the
dispersion around the state.
11:24:53 AM
Representative Joule was unsure of the exact dispersion, but
he guessed that 80 out of 200 villages participated in the
VPSO program.
Ms. Hess pointed out that a map was included in the
committee packets illustrating the dispersion request.
Ms. Hess stated that Haines, Klawock, Ketchikan, and
Petersburg were a few of the communities participating in
the VPSO program. Co-Chair Stedman requested that a list of
all communities be provided to the committee.
Representative Joule stated that the representation of
active VPSO participation by village was included in the
committee packet.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CSHB 106 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 106 (STA) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously published zero
fiscal note from Department of Public Safety.
11:28:22 AM AT EASE TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:47 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 108 Stampede State Recreation Area (2).pdf |
SFIN 4/18/2009 10:00:00 AM |
SB 108 |