Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/01/2005 09:00 AM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB178 | |
| HB185 | |
| HB83 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | HB 178 | ||
| + | HB 185 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 1, 2005
9:12 A.M.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Meyer called the House Finance Committee meeting to
order at 9:12:25 AM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair
Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair
Representative Eric Croft
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Jim Holm
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Carl Moses
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch
ALSO PRESENT
Representative David Guttenberg; Representative Gabrielle
LeDoux; Representative Kurt Olson; Sue Wright, Staff,
Representative Mike Chenault; Pat Davidson, Legislative
Auditor, Legislative Audit Division; Nico Bus, Acting
Director, Division of Administrative Services, Department of
Natural Resources
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Duane Bannock, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration, Anchorage; Rod Combellick,
Acting Director, Division of Geological and Geophysical
Surveys, Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage; Dr.
Gary Carver, Geological Specialist, Kodiak; Dr. Peter
Haeussler, US Geological Survey, Anchorage
SUMMARY
HB 83 An Act relating to the Alaska Seismic Hazards
Safety Commission.
HB 83 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
HB 178 An Act relating to special motor vehicle
registration plates; and providing for an
effective date.
CS HB 178 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal
note by the Department of Administration.
HB 185 An Act relating to immunization of postsecondary
students for meningitis; and providing for an
effective date.
CS HB 185 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with
a "no recommendation" and with zero note #1 by the
Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Education.
9:12:58 AM
HOUSE BILL NO. 178
An Act relating to special motor vehicle registration
plates; and providing for an effective date.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 178 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 178 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal note by the
Department of Administration.
9:14:00 AM
HOUSE BILL NO. 185
An Act relating to immunization of postsecondary
students for meningitis; and providing for an effective
date.
SUE WRIGHT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE CHENAULT, advised
that the purpose of HB 185 was to remove postsecondary
educational institutions from the applicability of the
provisions of AS 14.48. It requires postsecondary
educational institutions to provide information and receive
a statement from the student having read the information on
meningococcal disease prior to attending or living in
student housing for the said institution. The Center for
Disease Control strongly recommends immunizations for all
students. The recommendation has been taken seriously to
the point that many educational facilities will not admit
students without immunizations.
Representative Holm asked if the legislation would have a
public health component that would incur a cost to the
State. Ms. Wright replied that at this point it does not
but could in the future.
Representative Holm asked how many students would be
immunized. Ms. Wright explained that the students would not
necessarily be immunized. The students would be informed
that the disease exists. She recalled a specific story in
Unalaska, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.
Vice-Chair Stoltze asked if there was movement to require
immunization as a condition of enrollment. Ms. Wright
responded that was not the long-term intent. The Center for
Disease Control is currently recommending immunizations at
this time and that it could become a requirement in the
future.
Vice-Chair Stoltze inquired if that was the Sponsor's goal.
Ms. Wright did not believe that was the goal but that she
would want it for her child. Vice-Chair Stoltze noted that
a similar situation had touched his family. He agreed that
awareness and education are important for everyone.
Representative Kelly questioned the risks. He referenced
the new section, Page 3, Line 4, Subsection (d) asking if it
would challenge the State's liability. Ms. Wright advised
that providers normally provide immunization and health care
warnings and that the institution would not be responsible.
She added that in response civil liability concerns, a
lawyer can always figure out a way to sue. She did not know
if the language would prevent or protect a lawsuit. She
thought that it [the language] provides a comfort zone.
Representative Kelly warned about circumstances and
situations that could result in lawsuits. Co-Chair Meyer
noted that the bill had not gone to the House Judiciary
Committee for legal scrutiny.
Co-Chair Chenault responded to Representative Stoltze that
it was not his intent to require immunizations, but rather
to inform students.
9:23:53 AM
Representative Kelly agreed with that and asked if it could
be accomplished if Section (d) were removed. He worried
that the language would make the State at risk for all
diseases. Co-Chair Chenault agreed that such an issue could
be raised. He knew that regardless of how well a job is
done, there usually is room for liability concerns within
the judicial system. He requested that attorney,
Representative Croft address it.
9:25:52 AM
Representative Croft agreed with Representative Kelly. He
thought that it would be a difficult lawsuit anyway to
require someone to immunize. He thought that the language
could be misread by the judiciary system and added that the
bill would be safer without that language.
Representative Kelly MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1 which would
delete Section (d), Page 3, Lines 4-7. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was adopted.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CS HB 185 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 185 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "no
recommendation" and with zero note #1 by the Alaska
Commission on Post Secondary Education.
9:29:26 AM
HOUSE BILL NO. 83
An Act relating to the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission.
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLE LEDOUX, SPONSOR, commented that HB
83 would extend the termination date for the Alaska Seismic
Hazards Safety Commission until June 30, 2010 and would add
"tsunami" to all of the sections addressing the scope of the
work of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission.
Representative LeDoux continued, with more than 33,000 miles
of shoreline, Alaska has been and could be devastated by
earthquakes and tsunamis. Since about 1900, Alaska has had
80 magnitude 7 or larger earthquakes. Tsunamis could
greatly affect the fishing industry in coastal Alaska as was
evidenced in the 1964 Alaska earthquake, which impacted the
coastal communities of Prince William Sound and caused
immense damage recently to the fisheries and aquaculture
sectors of the affected countries in the Indian Ocean.
Alaska accounts for more than half of all the earthquakes
that occur in the U.S. and about ten percent of all
earthquakes worldwide. One of the roles of a Seismic
Hazards Safety Commission would be to provide a proactive
resource for State and local government officials and
Alaskan communities that want assistance in acquiring
information and guidance necessary to help mitigate
earthquake and tsunami hazards.
Representative LeDoux concluded that Alaska's population is
growing and the State's infrastructure is developing. The
Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission could play a vital
role in reducing earthquake related losses. The Alaska
Seismic Hazards Safety Commission would be an invaluable
asset in promoting the earthquake preparation essential to
reducing earthquake threats and future losses to the State
that, without effective mitigation measures, are inevitable.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID GUTTENBERG, SPONSOR, pointed out that
the Commission would have no authority. The Commission
would be charged to do what is not currently being done in
the State. He commented on the need to save lives. He
addressed insurance concerns and that rates should be
different. At this time, there are no individual units
statewide to determine risk factors, and that would be the
work of the Commission. He pointed out that local
government members had been added to reflect local concerns.
Alaska has the largest risk nationally and that the work of
the Commission would be to determine how to address and
prevent those risks.
9:34:52 AM
Co-Chair Meyer commented that in 2001, a Commission had been
established. He noted that Governor Knowles did not appoint
any members nor did Governor Murkowski, later. He asked
why.
Representative Guttenberg responded that it "fell through
the cracks". He thought that the Governor now would support
the legislation.
Co-Chair Meyer pointed out that he had supported the
Commission in 2001 and that he still supports it.
9:35:51 AM
Co-Chair Chenault inquired where the funding would come
from. Representative LeDoux referenced the attached zero
note. She added that Nico Bus from the Department of
Natural Resources would address the fiscal aspect of the
legislation.
Co-Chair Chenault reiterated concern regarding the fiscal
impact.
9:37:19 AM
NICO BUS, ACTING DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, explained that
money had been transferred to the Department's base budget.
Co-Chair Chenault reiterated his fiscal concerns in creating
a new commission. Mr. Bus replied that the estimated amount
of money needed for the Commission would be approximately
$10 thousand dollars and would provide for the Commission
meeting about four times a year, twice in person and twice
by teleconference.
Representative Holm commented on a Department of Natural
Resources resource fiscal analysis. He pointed out that in
the last three years, there have been lapsed funds. He
asked if the Department anticipated having $28 thousand
dollars lapsed in FY06.
Mr. Bus replied that the original amount appropriated in
FY03 went to the Governor's Office. In FY04, the
appropriation was transferred to Department of Natural
Resources and they did not use that money. Some of it
lapsed. He added that in the FY05 budget, the money exists
and through different increases, some of those funds have
been set aside for base operations. He emphasized that
there are funds set aside for the Commission.
9:39:56 AM
Representative Holm questioned if there were extra dollars
in the budget that had been indicated to go somewhere else.
Mr. Bus stated that there should be enough money to fund the
Commission project from other projects.
Representative Holm noted that he was disturbed by sources
of financing being redirected. Mr. Bus reminded him that
there is a zero fiscal note.
9:41:35 AM
Vice-Chair Stoltze inquired how the legislation would be
interfaced with other statewide projects. Mr. Bus noted
that Mr. Combellick was on line and could address the
concern. He pointed out that there is significant federal
funding at present time.
9:43:16 AM
ROD COMBELLICK, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ACTING
DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF GEOLOGCIAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS,
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ANCHORAGE, commented on
concerns voiced by Committee members. He pointed out other
efforts happening in the State. There are quite a few
efforts, which fulfill one aspect of hazard mitigation,
identification and description of the hazards. He discussed
that there are many more that need to be addressed through
mitigation by taking the information and putting it to use
to reduce hazard vulnerability. There are significant
statewide efforts happening in the area of preparedness and
response.
Mr. Combellick suggested that there is a lot missing in the
middle. There should be a unit to undertake measures to
reduce vulnerability and in so doing, reduce need and
recovery. He added that there are so many costs that result
when disasters occur. The Commission will help coordinate
all efforts.
9:45:46 AM
DR. GARY CARVER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), SIESMIC
GEOLOGIST, KODIAK, reiterated that the Commission would take
measures before earthquake or tsunami events occur that
could reduce future looses. It would focus on pre-events to
help endure the earthquakes that are certainly in Alaska's
future. He pointed out that Alaska is the most seismic
active State in the Union. More than half of all the
earthquakes in the United States are in Alaska and that
Alaska has 10% of all earthquakes worldwide.
9:47:36 AM
Dr. Carver continued by outlining seismic activity
throughout the State. He pointed out that the most active
earthquakes in Alaska are located in areas with heavy
population density. He strongly urged that the Committee
move the bill forward, as it would have large financial
benefits to the State.
9:50:01 AM
DR. PETER HAEUSSLER, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), U.S.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS), ANCHORAGE, testified in support of
the Commission. He stated that USGS is the principle entity
that does research on earthquake hazards in Alaska. He
mentioned the impacts of the Alaska seismic safety hazards
on the USGS.
Dr. Haeussler viewed the establishment of the Commission as
a positive thing. The Commission would result in better
information dissemination and cross-pollination. The
Commission would create a forum for everyone involved
statewide to share issues currently happening.
Dr. Haeussler stated that the Commission would establish
research statewide and results in better coordination. He
added that research information coming in from a statewide
Commission would carry more weight than any single group.
He concluded that research recommendations that a Commission
should produce would have the potential to get more federal
funding because of the Alaska's seismic location.
9:54:38 AM
Co-Chair Meyer recommended that the Department provide more
fiscal information to the Committee. He stated that the
th
bill would be held until the scheduled meeting on April 4.
HB 83 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 A.M.
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