Legislature(1995 - 1996)
01/24/1995 09:04 AM House ECD
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
January 24, l995
9:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jerry Sanders, Chairman
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Norman Rokeberg
Representative Pete Kelly
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Carl E. Moses, Vice Chairman
Representative Eileen MacLean
Representative Ed Willis
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Organizational Meeting
WITNESS REGISTER
None
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 95-1, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIRMAN JERRY SANDERS called the House Special Committee on
Economic Development to order at 9:04 a.m. He asked the secretary
to do a roll call. Representatives Sanders, Kohring, Rokeberg and
Kelly were present. Representatives Moses, MacLean and Willis were
absent. He noted that Representative Moses was out of town, and
Representative Willis was at a State Affairs Committee meeting.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS stated the meeting is strictly an organizational
meeting. He introduced Isabelle White, Committee Secretary and
Noel Lowe, Committee Aide. He gave a brief overview of the rules
and scheduling of meetings. Chairman Sanders explained
Representative Rokeberg had a meeting at 9:00 a.m and
Representative Willis also had a meeting at 8:00 a.m. He said if
a quorum is needed, the representatives can be present for the
purpose of a quorum and leave. He noted if the committee loses a
quorum, action will be suspended.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS explained that all votes taken during a meeting
will be by roll call. He said when bills are scheduled, the
sponsor will testify first, then members of the Administration,
then he will ask for public testimony. He said the committee will
be addressing economic development issues such as marketing,
capital, labor, management, energy, transportation and resources or
raw materials. Chairman Sanders continued to discuss the resource
issue as it relates to scenic beauty, the Alaskan mystic, water.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS referred to agriculture and said it seems to have
come and gone, but when it came, there was only about two-thirds
the amount of people. He suggested the committee might look at the
issue of agriculture and dairy production.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS discussed herding and said there seems to be a
market for reindeer meat. He said he believes there are problems
with slaughtering and if there was a better way to do it, there may
be more cattle or herding business.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS added another resource is the global positioning;
where we are in relation to the Pacific Rim, Europe. He referred
to past discussions about a northern passage going to Sweden and
Denmark, through Alaska.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS considered the University of Alaska as another
resource because it's there and it should be used more to bring
money into the state; bringing people from out of state, people
that enjoy winter weather and sports, while doing their studies.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS asked for any discussion on ideas, goals and
interests on economic development.
Number 216
REPRESENTATIVE PETE KELLY asked what the problem is with
slaughtering reindeer.
Number 222
CHAIRMAN SANDERS responded that there aren't any slaughter houses.
He explained that the reindeer are scattered and you can't drive
them to the slaughter house. A slaughter house that can fold down
and put into a plane and flown from village to village has been
discussed. He pointed out that safety is also an issue. He
explained that in order to open a business, you need capital.
Number 243
REPRESENTATIVE NORMAN ROKEBERG asked if there will be people from
the Administration to give an overview on economic development for
the new representatives.
Number 250
CHAIRMAN SANDERS replied, "yes." He asked that if there is anyone
in particular or a list of people they would like to call in, to
let him know. He stated he intends to have the Department of
Commerce and Economic Development, Department of Natural Resources
and the Department of Transportation come before the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG commented that economic development in this
state historically has been split between the more traditional
urban-oriented type and the rural areas with separate agency
responsibilities. He stated the committee might want to look at
the way it's currently organized.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS noted that the Department of Community and
Regional Affairs handles the rural areas and the Department of
Commerce and Economic Development handles the urban areas. He
stated there is a movement to split the Department of Commerce and
Economic Development and put Economic Development into Community
and Regional Affairs. Commerce would be Labor and Commerce.
REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG stated the committee may have to look into
this.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS said it would be a good issue to bring up.
Number 325
REPRESENTATIVE KELLY explained that he is the budget subcommittee
chairman for Community and Regional Affairs and asked for any ideas
Chairman Sanders may have that would be helpful to him.
Number 336
REPRESENTATIVE VIC KOHRING commented on job creation, long range
plans for the future, development wise. He also asked that
Commissioner Hensley attend the economic development meetings
periodically. He gave an overview of the Arctic Winter Games which
will be held in two years.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLY asked if special committee bills are assigned
straight from the House floor or from other committees.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS explained that they come straight from the House
floor. He indicated that the committee may also introduce bills.
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING said his district has a tremendous amount of
potential as far as developing natural resources. He also
mentioned that there is a problem with spruce infestation.
CHAIRMAN SANDERS stated this has been a problem for years, and he
hopes there will be a resolution in two years.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLY asked Representative Kohring for information
about land sales in the Mat-Su Valley.
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING stated he will have his staff do research on
this matter.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chairman Sanders adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m.
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