02/26/2009 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB10 | |
| HB106 | |
| HJR15 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 106 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 26, 2009
8:02 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron, Co-Chair
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz, Co-Chair
Representative John Harris
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Charisse Millett
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Berta Gardner
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 10
"An Act authorizing a borough to charge a city for costs of
collecting certain taxes; relating to a mandatory exemption from
municipal property taxes for residences of certain widows or
widowers, and to optional exemptions from municipal property
taxes for property of certain fraternal organizations, for
certain college property, and for certain residential property;
and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 10(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 106
"An Act relating to village public safety officers and regional
public safety officers."
- MOVED CSHB 106(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15
Urging the United States Congress to change the name of Mount
McKinley to Denali.
- MOVED CSHJR 15(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 10
SHORT TITLE: MUNICIPAL TAXES: COSTS/EXEMPTIONS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GRUENBERG, CHENAULT, THOMAS, GARA,
HARRIS, KAWASAKI
01/20/09 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/09
01/20/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/20/09 (H) CRA, FIN
02/26/09 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 106
SHORT TITLE: VILLAGE & REGIONAL PUB.SAFETY OFFICERS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOULE
02/02/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/02/09 (H) CRA, STA
02/26/09 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HJR 15
SHORT TITLE: CHANGE NAME OF MT. MCKINLEY TO DENALI
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KAWASAKI
02/09/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/09/09 (H) CRA, RES
02/26/09 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE MAX GRUENBERG
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as one of the joint prime sponsors of
HB 10.
VERNON MARSHALL, Lobbyist
Public Safety Employees Association (PSEA)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 10.
DOUGLAS NORTH, President
Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the need for Section 4 of HB 10.
STEVE VAN SANT, State Assessor
Division of Community & Regional Affairs
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
(DCCED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HB 10, answered
questions.
ELIZABETH HENSLEY, Intern
Representative Reggie Joule
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 106 on behalf of the sponsor,
Representative Joule.
REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as the sponsor of HB 106.
JOSEPH MASTERS, Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 106.
BOB SCHAEFFER, Public Services Director
Northwest Arctic Borough
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HB 106, reviewed the
history of the VPSO program.
SUE STANCLIFF, Special Assistant
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of HB 106, related the
department's commitment to work with the sponsor.
SIIKAURAQ MARTHA WHITING, Mayor
Northwest Arctic Borough
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 106.
REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as the sponsor of HJR 15.
DAVID MOORE, Member
Alaska Historical Commission
Office of History & Archaeology
Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Department of Natural Resources
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 15.
ROBERT CHARLIE, Executive Director
Cultural Heritage and Education Institute
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 15.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:02:51 AM
CO-CHAIR CATHY ENGSTROM MUNOZ called the House Community and
Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:02
a.m. Representatives Munoz, Herron, Keller, and Cissna were
present at the call to order. Representatives Harris, Millet,
and Gardner arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 10-MUNICIPAL TAXES: COSTS/EXEMPTIONS
8:03:46 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 10, "An Act authorizing a borough to charge a
city for costs of collecting certain taxes; relating to a
mandatory exemption from municipal property taxes for residences
of certain widows or widowers, and to optional exemptions from
municipal property taxes for property of certain fraternal
organizations, for certain college property, and for certain
residential property; and providing for an effective date."
8:04:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MAX GRUENBERG, Alaska State Legislature, speaking
as one of the joint prime sponsors of HB 10, began by informing
the committee that HB 10 is similar to legislation that passed
th
the House in the 25 Alaska State Legislature. This legislation
has a variety of municipal tax exemptions. He reminded the
committee that an amendment to Title 29 is required in order to
allow a municipality to have a property tax. Section 1 is a new
section, which was suggested by Representative Chenault at the
request of the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Section 1 allows a
borough that collects taxes on behalf of a municipality in the
borough to charge the city a fee for the cost of collection.
Section 2 was added by Representative Harris to the legislation
th
of the 25 Alaska State Legislature; it extends the real
property municipal tax exemption for seniors, disabled veterans,
and widows/widowers of a senior or disabled veteran. According
to the state assessor, widows/widowers would cease to be
eligible if they remarry. Section 3, which was added in the
th
Senate during the 25 Alaska State Legislature, raises the
optional municipal tax exemption for residential property from
$20,000 to $40,000. Representative Gruenberg related his
understanding that Section 3 will be removed. Section 4, which
th
was added in the House Finance Committee during the 25 Alaska
State Legislature, would allow property of a private nonprofit
accredited college/university not subject to the mandatory tax
exemption to receive a tax exemption. He related that Section 4
addresses a specific piece of property owned by the Alaska
Pacific University, a medical building on the campus. Section
5, which was added by Representatives Olson and Stoltze during
the last legislature, would provide a new optional tax exemption
for an ordinance ratified by the voters that would exempt or
partially exempt property of a fraternal organization used for a
public purpose. He explained that the reasoning behind Section
5 was that in many communities such properties are used as the
community meeting hall. Section 6, the original legislation,
allows an exemption for the primary residence of police officers
who move into an area designated as high crime. The exemption
would be in the amount of up to $150,000. Section 7 specifies
an effective date of the beginning of the calendar year next
year.
8:10:52 AM
VERNON MARSHALL, Lobbyist, Public Safety Employees Association
(PSEA), related that the committee should have a statement from
the PSEA in support of HB 10. Mr. Marshall opined that Section
6 of HB 10 is a means to attract officers to areas of high crime
as it provides a sliding incentive in the form of tax relief.
He characterized Section 10 as a tool that could be utilized at
the local level.
8:12:27 AM
DOUGLAS NORTH, President, Alaska Pacific University (APU),
pointed out that the committee packet should include two letters
and one resolution all in favor of a tax exemption of this sort
for the Alaska Pacific University (APU). When the Municipality
of Anchorage Assembly passed its resolution, it took into
consideration APU's 50 years of public service and economic
contributions to Alaska and Anchorage. Since 1995, APU has
spent $200 million locally; these funds are from personal
contributors and tuition dollars. He emphasized that APU
receives no funds from the State of Alaska or from any other
institution on a regular basis. Furthermore, APU offers a large
amount of public service in the form of a 175-acre park, a
sports center, a ski training center, and other facilities.
Most importantly, APU places $1.2-$1.5 million annually into
scholarships for Alaska students. Dr. North highlighted that
APU is the only remaining accredited private university/college
in the state. The aforementioned is accomplished, he explained,
because 60 percent of APU is funded from net tuition and the
other 40 percent is from contributions and the foundation as
well as the endowment lands. The endowment lands total
currently about 25 acres, which are developed to produce income
streams into the academic budget of the university itself, which
accounts for about 12 percent of APU's income. Until three
years ago, all the endowment lands and the developments on them
were untaxed. In fact, APU hadn't been taxed since its origins
in 1959. However, the Municipality of Anchorage did impose a
tax on one APU building, which HB 10 would address. He related
that APU was a land grant university and thus was encouraged to
use its lands to support itself. Dr. North highlighted that the
important part of the Municipality of Anchorage's resolution is
that it encouraged the legislature to enact legislation that
would level the playing field for APU such that it would fall
under the same categories of tax exemption as the state's public
university does.
8:17:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA remarked that she is struck by the
enormous amount of service APU does for the community in terms
of the use of its lands as well as the artistic and intellectual
contributions.
8:18:57 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ inquired as to APU's tax liability for the past
three years. She further inquired as to whether APU is in
negotiations regarding this tax liability.
DR. NORTH confirmed that APU has challenged the taxation
locally; however, it will take the legislature to achieve the
goal. He explained that APU has escrowed the taxes in a
separate account. The taxes on the building being taxed amount
to about $250,000, and the penalties are beginning to pile up as
well. This legislation is the best path to resolve the
situation.
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ asked if HB 10 would provide retroactivity for
the tax liability that has already accrued.
DR. NORTH responded that although that's not in current
legislation, it would be preferable.
8:20:53 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG, noting that he just became aware of
the retroactivity issue, requested that the retroactivity issue
be addressed in a future committee if the committee is prepared
to forward HB 10.
DR. NORTH clarified that the only value in tax exemption would
accrue to APU and its academic programs.
8:22:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER asked if the $20,000 residential exemption
in Section 3 is commonly used. He also inquired as to under
what circumstances the residential exemption is used.
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ, speaking as a former finance chair for the City
& Borough of Juneau, explained that the $20,000 residential
exemption is a tool that isn't used often. The exemption
provides the municipality or the governing body to provide
relief in certain special circumstances.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG related his understanding that the
aforementioned exemption is used in Fairbanks.
8:23:32 AM
STEVE VAN SANT, State Assessor, Division of Community & Regional
Affairs, Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic
Development (DCCED), informed the committee that the residential
exemption is used in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, Valdez,
Bristol Bay, and the North Slope Borough. All municipalities,
save the Kenai Peninsula Borough, provide the residential
exemption based on a percentage up to the $20,000. The Kenai
Peninsula Borough provides a flat $20,000. In response to Co-
Chair Munoz, Mr. Van Sant clarified that in the jurisdictions
that utilize the residential exemption, all the residential
property owner-occupied individuals receive the exemption.
8:24:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA related her understanding that voter
approval is required before the implementation of the exemption.
MR. VAN SANT confirmed that to be correct.
8:25:17 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ, upon determining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony.
8:25:43 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved Amendment 1, as follows:
Page 2, lines 17-23;
Delete Section 3
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
8:26:08 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to report HB 10, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 10(CRA) was
reported from the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing
Committee.
HB 106-VILLAGE & REGIONAL PUB.SAFETY OFFICERS
8:27:02 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 106, "An Act relating to village public safety
officers and regional public safety officers."
8:28:05 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to adopt proposed CSHB 106, Version 26-
LS0402\E, Luckhaupt, 2/25/09, as the working document. There
being no objection, Version E was before the committee.
8:28:49 AM
ELIZABETH HENSLEY, Intern, Representative Reggie Joule, Alaska
State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor, explained
that HB 106 attempts to change the Village Public Safety Officer
(VPSO) program to enable municipalities to administer and
receive grant funding for the VPSO program. The legislation
seeks to ensure all villages in Alaska have a VPSO. She
mentioned that this has been in the works for about five years.
Ms. Hensley further explained that HB 106 will allow the
Northwest Arctic Borough to take over the VPSO program, as the
community desires.
8:30:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE REGGIE JOULE, Alaska State Legislature, related
that [the proposal in HB 106] is a joint effort between Maniilaq
Association and the Northwest Arctic Borough.
8:31:10 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON pointed out that there has been a significant
change in the focus of the legislation from boroughs to
municipalities.
MS. HENSLEY explained that the change was recommended by the
commissioner's office to make it possible for boroughs and other
subdivisions of the state to administer the program. Therefore,
legislation wouldn't be required for a community in which the
Native corporation is unable to administer the program fully.
8:32:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT inquired as to how the VPSO programs
currently being performed by the Native corporation will be
transferred to the municipalities.
MS. HENSLEY clarified that the VPSO program is working well in
Southwest Alaska, and thus the intent is to let those continue.
The intent [with HB 106] is to allow more flexibility so that
another entity is allowed to run the VPSO program when a
nonprofit corporation isn't able to do so.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT inquired as to who determines the program
is or isn't working.
MS. HENSLEY explained that Maniilaq Association and the
Northwest Arctic Borough have, along with the commissioner's
office, discussed [the need for the program to be run by the
municipality]. She said that the aforementioned would be the
model when a change is made. She noted that the commissioner's
office does the contracting in conjunction with the Native
corporation or the borough.
8:35:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA opined that the VPSO presence is
imperative in a community. She then inquired as to the
different powers that communities assume, such as public health
and police powers.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE pointed out that Representative Cissna had
specified the level of powers that a borough may assume as a
political subdivision. For example, as a home rule borough
Barrow has assumed the power of health and public safety.
However, that's not the case in the Northwest Arctic Borough.
He noted that some incorporated municipalities have their own
police departments. This legislation wouldn't impact the
aforementioned. He reiterated that the Northwest Arctic Borough
and Maniilaq Association have worked toward this end for a
number of years and this legislation merely allows the borough
to take over the agreement with the state; this legislation
allows the commissioner the flexibility to allow such.
8:37:58 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT inquired as to why municipalities and
boroughs weren't included in the management of VPSOs initially.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE related his understanding that it was an
effort to work with the outlying communities in the state and
keep the program at the local level. Furthermore, at the time
the VPSO program was established there weren't many boroughs.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT inquired as to how the Native nonprofits
feel about HB 106.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE said that he hasn't heard from anyone
because the intent is to provide flexibility with regard to who
can provide the VPSO program. There is no intent to take the
VPSO program away from the nonprofit associations.
8:40:06 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT inquired as to whether there is
preferential treatment with regard to what entity assumes the
VPSO program.
MS. HENSLEY opined that the preference is in regard to what the
community is asking for and what entities have the capacity and
will to provide the VPSO program. At this time, the Northwest
Arctic Borough feels it has the capacity to provide the VPSO
program. Ms. Hensley said she didn't imagine there would be an
automatic preference, nor is such reflected in HB 106.
8:41:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER inquired as to why HB 106 is necessary
since an organized municipality surely has the ability to
contract and receive funds to manage a VPSO program.
MS. HENSLEY explained that in order to participate in the VPSO
program, this legislation must be passed. She then informed the
committee that the VPSO program has many components, including a
training component, a financial component, and a discussion
component. The goal is to have a VPSO in every village
possible, which HB 106 would help achieve faster. She related
that in the Northwest Arctic Borough there is one VPSO and nine
villages without VPSOs.
REPRESENTATIVE JOULE explained that HB 106 is necessary because
the borough doesn't have the financial wherewithal to assume the
public safety powers it could as a borough. Therefore, HB 106
enables the state to contract with the borough to provide the
service without the borough having to assume the broader powers.
8:45:28 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON noted his support for HB 106. He then related
his understanding that originally there were many tribal and
village public safety officers and thus there was the desire to
start the program within that framework. He said he supports HB
106 because there could be instances in which one wants to groom
individuals within the community to be VPSOs, municipal
officers, and ultimately state troopers. The program offers a
good approach to building careers for young people in Alaska, he
opined.
8:47:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA, recalling her time on the [municipal
level] public safety finance subcommittee, related her
observation of the difficulty in increasing the number of VPSOs.
She asked if [the VPSO program] is like an administrative
partnership and the role of [the Department of Public Safety] is
both financial and administrative.
8:48:11 AM
JOSEPH MASTERS, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety,
clarified that HB 106 isn't intended to change the VPSO program
or how it interacts with the nonprofit corporations. He
explained that the VPSO is a state program and not intended to
provide officers to boroughs or municipalities, but rather is
only intended to allow DPS to provide VPSO grants to villages
through other entities [besides Native corporations] that can
better administer the program. With regard to why boroughs and
cities didn't initially participate in the VPSO program,
Commissioner Masters related that the intent was to place safety
officers in communities with a population of less than 1,000.
This would be a cooperative relationship between the state,
regional corporations, and the individual villages to have the
most effective program. The VPSO wasn't intended to be a total
state or government program without local input and
collaboration.
8:51:53 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON recalled a time when the attitude from the
Alaska State Troopers was that VPSOs were unwanted, although he
said he understood that's not the current attitude.
COMMISSIONER MASTERS opined that often the focus on law
enforcement efforts and strategies is driven from the
commissioner through to the deputy commissioners and down to
those who actually administer the programs and initiatives. He
said he wasn't comfortable characterizing the attitudes of
previous commissioners or departmental leadership with regard to
the VPSO program. However, he related that his rural law
enforcement strategy is to increase the effectiveness of the
troopers and the local level efforts, including the VPSO
program. Commissioner Masters stated that the VPSO program is
absolutely necessary in order to be effective in rural law
enforcement.
8:54:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS recalled the difficulty with drugs,
alcohol, huffing, and etcetera in rural areas. Some of the
remedy to the aforementioned issues has been more law
enforcement in the area. However, it's difficult to place a
trooper in every village. He asked if HB 106 helps to bring
access to a VPSO in many of the smaller communities. He also
asked if HB 106 helps with recruitment for the VPSO program from
the local areas.
COMMISSIONER MASTERS specified that this legislation doesn't
necessarily add VPSOs to communities that wouldn't already have
been eligible to have VPSOs. The department continues to try to
expand the capacity of the VPSO program. This legislation, he
explained, allows those areas that can't effectively manage,
recruit, and retain VPSOs to have another entity manage the
program and fill the positions. In the case of the Northwest
Arctic Borough, HB 106 would allow another entity, an entity
that's better equipped to manage the program, to manage it.
Therefore, this legislation does make [DPS] more effective in
placing VPSOs in communities in those areas. Commissioner
Masters then related his support for HB 106, although he
mentioned some reservations with some of the language in the
legislation. He noted that he has voiced those concerns with
the sponsor and intends to work on those concerns between
committees. In further response to Representative Harris,
Commissioner Masters confirmed that his office works with the
governor's office regarding all legislation on which he
testifies. However, he said that he hasn't had a conversation
with the governor on HB 106 specifically.
8:59:47 AM
BOB SCHAEFFER, Public Services Director, Northwest Arctic
Borough, reviewed the history of the VPSO program. He recalled
when the VPSO program was established in the 1970s, and related
that it did work. At the time the Red Dog Mine wasn't in
existence and the finances of the villages were minimal.
However, once the Red Dog mine opened, the salaries in the area
changed the income levels. The aforementioned resulted in the
VPSO program becoming ineffective because no one could be paid
enough to come to the villages and there were no benefits.
Furthermore, there was no support and very little vacation time
allowed. For the last five to six years it has been almost
impossible to find folks to fill the VPSO positions simply
because of the low salary. Furthermore, the infrastructure and
buildings constructed in the 1970s have deteriorated. He then
recalled that in 1986 the Northwest Arctic Borough established a
public safety commission to address the borough resident's
concerns regarding public safety in general. Ultimately, the
borough assembly requested that the borough administration find
ways to address the lack of public safety. He noted that the
Northwest Arctic Borough is a small borough that doesn't have
the resources to take control of public safety. The public
safety commission met multiple times and asked if the borough
would like to take over public safety functions. In closing,
Mr. Schaeffer specified that the Northwest Arctic Borough is
looking for a mechanism to [provide public safety] and the
belief is that the borough could put more resources in the
program and likely become more successful in terms of
recruitment.
9:07:54 AM
SUE STANCLIFF, Special Assistant, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Public Safety, related that the department is
committed to work with the sponsor regarding concerns the
department has.
9:08:42 AM
SIIKAURAQ MARTHA WHITING, Mayor, Northwest Arctic Borough,
related the Northwest Arctic Borough's support for HB 106. She
further related that public service in law enforcement is a
borough priority. Currently, the VPSO program is administered
by the Maniilaq Association, a regional nonprofit that's doing
all it can to provide [public safety] in the villages. There
are many challenges, including finding local people who will
pass the background check, low salaries, lack of housing, lack
of jail facilities, long training periods outside the community,
and lack of holding cells. There is also the challenge that
people don't want to bust friends and family. The borough is up
for those challenges, she opined. In 2006 the Northwest Arctic
leadership team assigned the Northwest Arctic Borough to take
the lead in public safety through the borough's public services
department, although the borough doesn't have a mechanism to
th
administer the VPSO program. On February 24 the Northwest
Arctic Borough Assembly passed a resolution in support of HB 106
and recently hired a public safety manager to manage this
program. Ms. Whiting emphasized that the smaller communities of
the state deserve this basic service and the Northwest Arctic
Borough is ready to assume the responsibility [for the VPSO
program]. The borough already partners with the Alaska State
Troopers, the Kotzebue Police Department, and continues to meet
with DPS to succeed. She related that the borough wants to be
proactive in crime prevention by providing public awareness,
ease, and involvement. She mentioned using local elders to
teach discipline, responsibility, self control, and leadership.
As a community-based organization, the borough is looking at
preventing crimes and building a healthier community. In 2007
the borough hosted a law enforcement summit with DPS during
which the statewide needs for public safety were reviewed in
order to glean ideas as to what would work in terms of public
safety in the Northwest Arctic Borough and the region as a
whole. Recommendations from the communities will be reviewed by
the commission and the activities will be prioritized in order
to achieve long-sustaining public safety in the villages. Ms.
Whiting then relayed that there is a congressional appropriation
from the US Department of Justice in the amount of $500,000 to
the Northwest Arctic Borough to provide VPSO training and
planning opportunities. In conclusion, Ms. Whiting reiterated
support for HB 106.
9:15:08 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ, upon determining no one else wished to testify,
closed public testimony.
9:15:14 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to report CSHB 106, Version LS0402\E,
Luckhaupt, 2/25/09, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objection, CSHB 106(CRA) was reported from the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.
9:15:47 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:15 a.m. to 9:21 a.m.
HJR 15-CHANGE NAME OF MT. MCKINLEY TO DENALI
9:21:54 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15, Urging the United States
Congress to change the name of Mount McKinley to Denali.
9:22:14 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature,
speaking as the sponsor of HJR 15, relayed how picturesque Mount
McKinley and the surrounding area is. The peak has been around
for millions of years and the Alaska Natives appropriately named
it Denali, "The High One." The peak was renamed in 1896 by
William Dickey after presidential candidate McKinley, who did
become the president. About 18 months after he became
president, President McKinley was fatally shot. This was a
president who had no apparent connection to the state and never
visited the state. Representative Kawasaki said that he
introduced HJR 15 to encourage Congress to reconsider naming the
peak "Denali," which would restore the name back to Alaskans.
He reminded members that in the 1970s the attempt to change the
name of McKinley National Park to Denali National Park was
successful. Since 1975 Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula has
blocked the name change of the peak. Congressman Regula is from
Canton, Ohio, which is the birth place of President McKinley.
The retirement of Congressman Regula would seem to provide an
opening with regard to renaming the peak. Representative
Kawasaki opined that it's appropriate that the name be given by
the Alaskan people. He further opined that although he respects
the Office of the President, McKinley already has a lot of
things named after him. In closing, Representative Kawasaki
related his belief that it's time for the Alaskan people to name
their own landmarks. He acknowledged that although HJR 15 isn't
the most important resolution, the message it sends Congress is
as grand as the mountain itself: that Alaska should name its
landmarks.
9:27:16 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved that the committee adopt HJR 15, Version
A. There being no objection, HJR 15 was before the committee.
9:27:59 AM
DAVID MOORE, Member, Alaska Historical Commission, Office of
History & Archaeology, Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation,
Department of Natural Resources, related support for HJR 15. He
explained that the Alaska Historical Commission is the official
board that reviews geographic name proposals prior to those
proposals being submitted to the US State Board on Geographic
Names. The Alaska Historical Commission and its predecessor
board have voted in favor of changing the name to Denali,
primarily due to the belief that Alaskans should be able to name
their places. Mr. Moore related that the commission's Native
member supports HJR 15, but requests that the resolution
identify the dialect of Athabascan that the name Denali comes
from rather than refer to the Athabascan language.
9:30:16 AM
ROBERT CHARLIE, Executive Director, Cultural Heritage and
Education Institute, related his support of HJR 15 and noted
that "Denali" is the proper spelling. The peak has been a
landmark for the Athabascan people for thousands of years. He
noted that back in 1982 he was one of the individuals who worked
with US Senator Stevens to gather signatures in support of
changing the name to Denali.
9:32:49 AM
CO-CHAIR MUNOZ, upon determining no one else wished to testify
or had questions, public testimony was closed.
9:32:59 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved that the committee adopt Amendment 1,
which read:
Delete at page 1, lines 7-9
Add the following at page 1, lines 7-9:
WHEREAS "Denali" translates to "The High One"
from the Koyukon dialect of the Athabaskan people and
is indicative of its worldwide recognition as the
highest mountain on the continent of North America,
standing at 20,320 feet; and
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
9:33:15 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON moved that the committee adopt Amendment 2,
which read:
Delete at page 2, lines 1-2
Add the following at page 2, line 1-2:
WHEREAS the Alaska Board of Geographical Names
officially recognizes the name of the mountain as
"Denali"; and
There being no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
9:33:42 AM
CO-CHAIR HERRON noted his support for HJR 15. He then informed
the committee that President McKinley was a decorated Civil War
veteran who served in Congress and was the governor of Ohio.
President McKinley was especially supportive of gold miners.
President McKinley ran on a platform in 1896 in support of the
gold standard. Interestingly, President McKinley believed in
pluralism, which is the protection of minority ethnic groups in
society. William Dickey, a gold miner on the Susitna, wrote an
article promoting the gold standard. Because of the gold in
Alaska, Mr. Dickey named the peak in honor of President
McKinley. Therefore, Co-Chair Herron opined that it was topical
and made sense at the time. Co-Chair Herron then highlighted
the importance of discussing the resolution.
9:37:27 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER remarked that as a legislator she has
learned that everything is important to someone.
9:37:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA opined that HJR 15 hits the heart of
Alaskans in many ways. Furthermore, Co-Chair Herron's comments
regarding President McKinley seem to indicate that President
McKinley would've supported HJR 15.
9:39:30 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT commented that introducing HJR 15 now is
timely to as it's the 50th anniversary of Alaska's statehood.
She related her support for HJR 15, which she said isn't
trivial.
9:40:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER moved to report HJR 15, as amended, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHJR
15(CRA) was reported from the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee.
9:40:48 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 10 - Sectional.pdf |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 |
| CSHB106- 26-LS0402E.PDF |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB 10 -- SCS CSHB67(CRA).pdf |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 HB 67 |
| HB 10 -- CSHB67(FIN)am.pdf |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 HB 67 |
| HB10.pdf |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 |
| HB106 Sectional.doc |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB106 Sponsor Statement.doc |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HB 10 Sponsor Statement.doc |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 |
| HB 10 letters of support.PDF |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 |
| HB 10 Ltrs of Support II.PDF |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 |
| HB10-Fiscal Note-COM-CRA-2-20-09.pdf |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 10 |
| HB106-Fiscal Note-DPS-DET-02-23-09.pdf |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HB 106 |
| HJR 15 AMENDMENT 1.doc |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR 15 Sponsor Statement.doc |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |
| HJR15 AMENDMENT 2.doc |
HCRA 2/26/2009 8:00:00 AM |
HJR 15 |