03/23/1999 10:50 AM Senate RLS

CHAIRMAN KELLY announced the Senate Rules Committee would take                                                                  
public testimony on CSHB 76(RLS) am - MUNICIPAL TAXES ON                                                                        
DETERIORATED PROPERTY today.  He explained the measure makes a                                                                  
technical correction to a bill that was passed by the Legislature                                                               
last year.  Hopefully, the passage of CSHB 76(RLS)am will allow the                                                             
McKay building project to go forward, as well as others.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS asked if the technical change could have been made in                                                             
the Revisor's bill.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN KELLY clarified the Anchorage municipal attorney asked                                                                 
that last year's legislation be reworded, and the bill also                                                                     
addresses a concern of the Kodiak Island Borough assessor.  He                                                                  
stated he is unaware of any substantial opposition to this bill.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN asked if CSHB 76(RLS) am is identical to the final                                                                
version before the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
DOUG SALIK, legislative staff to the Senate Community and Regional                                                              
Affairs Committee, explained the House amended the bill on page 2,                                                              
line 5, by adding the phrase, "on the same portion of the                                                                       
property."  The owners of the McKay property are subdividing the                                                                
property and asked for clarification. Representatives Croft, Halcro                                                             
and Davies proposed the amendment which is the only change from the                                                             
Senate version of the bill.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. SALIK added that change was reviewed by two state assessors and                                                             
the developer's attorney.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS asked why the state assessor was reticent to support                                                              
the bill.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. SALIK said Pat Carlson's concerns have been addressed.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELLIS asked if anyone has any objections at this point.                                                                 
MR. SALIK replied not that he is aware of.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN moved CSHB 76(RLS)am for calendaring.  There being no                                                             
objection, the motion carried.