Legislature(2007 - 2008)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/01/2008 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB158 | |
| HB353 | |
| SB119 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 353 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 158 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 1, 2008
1:50 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Meyer called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:50:26 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Mike Chenault, Co-Chair
Representative Kevin Meyer, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Stoltze, Vice-Chair
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative John Harris
Representative Les Gara
Representative Mike Hawker
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Mike Kelly
Representative Mary Nelson
Representative Bill Thomas Jr.
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Richard Foster; Senator Albert Kookesh; Jim
Pound, Staff, Representative Wes Keller; Ginny Austerman,
Staff, Senator Donald Olson; Cathy Boutin, Librarian,
Dzantik'I Heeni Middle School, Juneau; Darwin Peterson,
Staff, Senate Finance Committee and Senator Bert Stedman.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Jerry Isaac, Tanana Chief Conference; Kim Roth, Librarian,
Tok Community Library; James Huesmann, Dean of Libraries,
University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Helen Hill, Director,
Homer Public Library; Jennie Grimwood, Cordova; Kathy
Cotton, Delta Junction; Debbie Joslin, President, Eagle
Forum Alaska; Jim Minnery, Alaska Family Council; Patricia
Linville, Librarian, Seward Community Library; Doloris
Sturtz, Anchorage; Greg Schmidt, Board, Alaska Family
Council; Shawn Tell-Nickolson; Barb Bryson, Alaska
Association of School Librarians; Roz Strange, Principal,
Valdez Elementary School; Pam Ockerlander, MatSu Friends of
the Library; Julia Ede, MatSu Friends of the Library; Lynn
McNamara, Librarian, Anchorage; Patricia Linville, Seward
Community Library; Charlotte Glover, Youth Services
Librarian, Ketchikan Public Library.
SUMMARY
HB 277 An Act establishing a permanent absentee voting
option for qualified voters.
HB 277 SCHEDULED but not HEARD.
HB 353 An Act relating to the blocking of certain
Internet sites at public libraries and to library
assistance grants.
HB 353 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for
further consideration.
CS SB 119(RLS)
An Act relating to grant programs to support
libraries.
CS SB 119(RLS) was HEARD and HELD in Committee
for further consideration.
SB 158 An Act designating the bridge on the George Parks
Highway directly north of the Alaska Native
Veterans' Honor Bridge as the Shirley Demientieff
Memorial Bridge.
SB 158 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with fiscal note #2 by
the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities.
HOUSE BILL NO. 277
An Act establishing a permanent absentee voting option
for qualified voters.
HB 277 SCHEDULED but not HEARD.
SENATE BILL NO. 158
An Act designating the bridge on the George Parks
Highway directly north of the Alaska Native Veterans'
Honor Bridge as the Shirley Demientieff Memorial
Bridge.
1:51:32 PM
SENATOR ALBERT KOOKESH, SPONSOR, described Shirley
Demientieff as instrumental in the naming of the Alaska
Native Veterans' Honor Bridge which goes over the Tanana
River next to Nenana. That bridge spans the river from
Nenana to an island. Another, smaller bridge goes over a
slough from the island to the north side of the river. The
legislation would designate the smaller portion of the
bridge as the Shirley Demientieff Memorial Bridge.
Senator Kookesh called Shirley Demientieff a strong
supporter of veterans. Shortly after she successfully led
the campaign to name the Veterans' Honor Bridge, she was
diagnosed with cancer and died. The Fairbanks Daily News
labeled Shirley Demientieff as a bridge between many
troubled lives." The Sponsor thought it appropriate to name
the north section of the bridge after her. She was in
charge of a search and recovery team and her intention was
to work to recover the body when a person died on the
river.
Senator Kookesh explained that the fiscal note for $7,500
was for signs on and around the bridge.
1:55:31 PM
Co-Chair Meyer acknowledged the fact that this bill was
Senator Kookesh's first and only bill in his long and
successful career in the Legislature.
Representative Crawford voiced his support for the measure.
JERRY ISAAC, TANANA CHIEF CONFERENCE (testified via
teleconference), testified in support of the bill honoring
the life of Shirley Demientieff. He described her as a
person who served and cared for others. The Tanana Chief
Conference and many other Native organizations have
benefited from her active engagement and participation in
forums focusing on improving the well being of the
communities. As an Indian Welfare Specialist, she protected
children from harm and helped parents get back on their
feet and reunite with their children. She found adoptive
homes for Native children and fostered many children
herself. She worked through the Tribal Enrollment Program
to connect long lost descendants with their families and
tribes. Her voice and perspective helped develop and guide
new policies and services that continue to benefit those in
need. The Tanana Chief Conference joins the large body of
Alaskans throughout the state to have been touched by this
strong, loving and caring Athabascan woman: mother, sister,
auntie, friend and proponent for those who had little
voice. She held a place in her heart for every Alaskan.
Mr. Issac proposed that it is only fitting that Alaska
retain a place for her above the river of the interior, for
that is where she lived her life of service. She was a
loving and compassionate bridge that connected people to
each other and worked for all Alaksans. The Tanana Chiefs
Conference respectfully asked to unanimously move the bill
out of Committee and strongly support its passage.
1:59:10 PM
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
Co-Chair Meyer asked where she was from. Senator Kookesh
replied that the Demientieff families are largely from
Nenana. She spent her last years in Fairbanks for cancer
treatments.
Vice-Chair Stoltze MOVED to REPORT SB 158 out of Committee
with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.
SB 158 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with attached fiscal note #2 by the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
HOUSE BILL NO. 353
An Act relating to the blocking of certain Internet
sites at public libraries and to library assistance
grants.
JIM POUND, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, described the
bill as requiring public libraries to protect children from
indecent material, which is defined in existing statute.
The bill is consistent with the Child Internet Protection
Act, enforced by the Federal Communications Act, and is
tied into the E-rate discount on access to broadband
internet for libraries that conform to the Child Protection
Act.
Mr. Pound said 40% of libraries in Alaska, or 89, have no
filters on their internets. He said the filters are
inexpensive, effective, and readily available. Libraries do
not carry pornographic magazines or books. The legislation
would allow a librarian to disable the filter for an adult,
if requested for legitimate sites, and to take care of the
problems caused by filtering programs over-reacting to
certain words.
2:04:36 PM
Representative Gara queried the cost of installment and up-
keep of the equipment needed. Mr. Pound answered that it is
primarily software that can be downloaded.
Representative Joule referenced the fiscal note, which says
individual libraries would incur costs ranging from $100
for small libraries to $20,000 for the larger ones. He
asked for an explanation for the difference between those
numbers and what Mr. Pound was saying. Mr. Pound listed
programs, including NetNanny, which cost $60-100 per year
for internet security, and WebWatcher. Norton AntiVirus is
a free add-on.
Representative Gara recollected hearing about the issue of
pornography on public computers before, and wondered about
other state or municipal laws connected with the issue.
Representative Gara referred to stack of correspondence he
had received from people concerned about the bill. One is
connected to federal E-rate funding. Another is from the
director of Juneau Public Libraries, which says that the
costs for installing institutional software is much higher.
Juneau Libraries, which has a network system, would have to
pay at least $1600 the first year and $1800 after the first
year. Higher cost systems are up to $10,000.
Mr. Pound understood that E-rate would save libraries about
$6,000 per year on broadband internet access, but they are
not eligible without blocking software.
2:09:22 PM
Representative Gara asked if NetNanny could be installed on
a network system. Mr. Pound thought it could be installed
on a network or on individual computers.
Representative Joule wondered how large the problem is. Mr.
Pound replied that young people are using library computers
more often.
Co-Chair Meyer thought the school districts already had the
filtering system. Mr. Pound replied that they did. He added
that the University has an exemption.
Co-Chair Meyer OPENED PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
2:11:34 PM
KIM ROTH, LIBRARIAN, TOK COMMUNITY LIBRARY (testified via
teleconference), testified in opposition to HB 353. Tok has
about 1350 people and only two public access computers, one
of them at the Tok Public Library, an all-volunteer library
since 1955. She pointed out that the bill has serious
implications for very small libraries. The first
implication is cost. Tok Public Library operates on $7500
per year. It would cost them around $1000 to get their
computer in compliance and around $1000 per year after, not
including maintenance and upkeep. That would be a serious
financial hardship. At present there is not enough money to
pay for the heating bill.
Ms. Roth questioned the need for the program. She worried
about the many volunteers being put into the position of
being felons or legally liable because of inadvertent
access on the computer. She said there has never been a
problem. She described an incident of her daughter being
unable to access information about the Civil War on her
school computer because the filters listed the information
as too graphic.
Ms. Roth did not think the Legislation was appropriate for
small libraries.
2:20:57 PM
JAMES HUESMANN, DEAN OF LIBRARIES, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA,
FAIRBANKS (testified via teleconference), testified in
opposition of HB 353. He pointed out there had been no
analysis of public libraries that do no have internet
filters in conjunction with their overall budgets. He
thought very small libraries would be most negatively
affected by the bill. He said filters are moderately
affective against written text but still very bad at photos
and video, which are more the problem with pornography.
Mr. Huesmann explained that institutional costs for
filtering software are dramatically higher than individual
costs. More and more of the library's resources are on-
line. More government services, such as filing for the
Permanent Fund Dividend, are on the internet. Closing that
down could be a significant problem. As a parent, he
worries more about what his children do at home on the
internet than what they do at the public library where
there is supervision.
2:22:09 PM
Representative Gara asked for more information about
installation costs. Mr. Huesmann responded that part of the
problem is that most of the computers in Alaska libraries
have been purchased by the Bill Gates Foundation. Many of
those have security software already built into them that
make it far more difficult to install new software. Even on
individual systems, the cost is higher. On network systems,
a network technician is needed to put in the software, and
there are more complex concerns. He told a story of an
entire library system being shut down for days because the
name of the library happened to include a word that
prompted the filtering system to prevent access to even
their own home page.
2:24:00 PM
HELEN HILL, DIRECTOR, HOMER PUBLIC LIBRARY (testified via
teleconference), spoke in opposition to HB 353. Homer
Public library does not use filtering software for public
access computers, but they have an internet safety policy
and internet use agreement to which all patrons must agree
in order to log on. The decision to not filter was a
community decision. All computers are in view of library
staff. She thought library personnel are more effective
than software; Homer chose to spend limited funds on people
rather than equipment to keep the library safe. The library
does not have the resource to enable and disable computers
many times each day. The library is in compliance with
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) because they only
request a telecommunications discount through the E-rate
program and not an internet discount. She described the use
of grants and municipal funds.
2:27:22 PM
Representative Gara asked about the library's ability to
use free software. Ms. Hill said the costs would be higher,
and it becomes a lot more complicated on a network system
to disable and enable. Representative Gara wondered why
filters would have to be turned on and off. Ms. Hill
explained that the law requires that the library disable
the filter for anyone age 17 or over who asks. After that
person is finished with the computer, staff has to turn the
filter back on.
2:29:35 PM AT EASE
2:30:07 PM RECONVENE
JENNIE GRIMWOOD, CORDOVA (testified via teleconference),
spoke in support of the bill. The local library is highly
used without adequate supervision. She related a story of a
pornographic photograph placed on the desktop of a library
computer.
2:32:39 PM
KATHY COTTON, DELTA JUNCTION (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
People are constantly rotating on and off the very popular
computers, making them hard to monitor. She thought the
block would prevent the necessity of someone looking over
her shoulder while on the internet.
2:34:15 PM
DEBBIE JOSLIN, PRESIDENT, EAGLE FORUM ALASKA (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation with
an Amendment to restore the original language of the bill.
She has concerns about pornography. She does not want
librarians looking over her shoulder. She does not trust
librarians to monitor the computers, as the American
Library Association is on record saying pornography filters
are an infringement of First Amendment rights. She thought
the cost was worth protecting children.
2:38:44 PM
JIM MINNERY, ALASKA FAMILY COUNCIL (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He reported
that sixty percent of the libraries in the state, including
the tiny ones, are currently using internet filters. The
federal law did not put the libraries out of business and
he did not think a state law would either. The remaining
40% of Alaskan libraries that choose not to use filters are
forfeiting significant federal funds that they could use
through E-rate. He spoke of a Fairbanks library that was
saving $6,000 per year by using filters.
Mr. Minnery spoke to whether there was a problem. Supreme
Court said that it was discovered that minors regularly
searched the internet for pornography and exposed others by
leaving pornography displayed on monitors. He did not think
it was accurate for librarians to say that it is not an
issue. He referred to web marketing strategies that target
children by misspelling of domain names to lure children to
sites.
2:45:30 PM
Vice-Chair Stoltze related a story.
Mr. Minnery asserted that internet filters are not the same
as librarians monitoring the computers. He thought the
amendment seriously weakened the bill. He spoke to the
American Librarian Association not using age to
discriminate what materials can be used in a library.
2:47:47 PM
PATRICIA LINVILLE, LIBRARIAN, SEWARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY
(testified via teleconference), spoke in opposition to the
legislation. She thought the law would be redundant because
of federal law, and that filtering should be a community
issue. The bill would deny money to libraries that dot
filter, which could mean the entire budget of small
libraries. In Seward the youth computers are close to the
front desk and separate from the adult computers.
2:49:44 PM
DOLORIS STURTZ, ANCHORAGE (testified via teleconference),
spoke in support of the bill. She would like the original
language of the bill restored. Pornography is a big issue.
She wanted to protect children from the mental harm of
viewing pornography.
2:52:41 PM
GREG SCHMIDT, BOARD, ALASKA FAMILY COUNCIL (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill in its
original wording. He reminded the Legislature of the
Constitution, which supports what is good for the people as
a whole. He did not want the government to support exposing
children to harm.
Ms. Roth reported that most libraries have a use policy.
The Tok Community Library requires young children to have a
parent present to use a computer. She described the extra
work libraries have to do to use E-rate. The community
decided to monitor the children in order to get internet
access.
2:56:15 PM
SHAWN TELL-NICKOLSON (testified via teleconference), spoke
in support of the bill. She worried about what her child
would view in a public library.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
AT EASE: 2:58:48 PM
RECONVENE: 3:00:43 PM
Representative Joule referenced the zero fiscal note and
disagreed that there would be no fiscal impact. Co-Chair
Meyer stated that with the amended version, there would be
no expense. The original bill would require libraries to
buy the filters, but the amended bill requires monitoring.
3:02:09 PM
Representative Gara pointed out that if the University was
included in the bill, there would be fiscal costs.
Representative Kelly MOVED Amendment #1, to return the bill
to the original version, 25-LS1356\E. Co-Chair Chenault
OBJECTED to hear discussion.
Representative Kelly believed that the changes made to the
bill took the bill in the wrong direction. He felt that the
root bill attempts to protect children from exposure to
pornography, which can damage them. It should not be easy
to view pornography in public libraries. He did not know
about exempting the University.
Representative Kelly WITHDREW the Amendment. There being
NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Kelly MOVED to return to the original
version of HB 353. Co-Chair Chenault OBJECTED for
discussion.
Representative Gara thought there could be changes that are
not clear.
3:06:32 PM
Mr. Pound pointed out that the changes made in the State
Affairs Committee, version K, primarily added "or
monitoring," in the title and on page 1, line 11 and page
2, line 2, monitoring systems; the longer definition was to
exempt the University. Representative Gara did not think
that the definition would exempt the University. Mr. Pound
explained that the attorneys said it would exempt the
University from the bill.
3:08:25 PM
Representative Gara did not understand how the definition
would exempt the University. Mr. Pound did not know.
Co-Chair Chenault asked if the libraries at the University
system were open to the public. Mr. Pound answered that
some of them are. He reiterated that Legal had said the
University was exempted by the language.
Representative Kelly suggested that the original version be
adopted and then the bill be held to determine if the
language should be amended.
3:11:12 PM
Co-Chair Chenault WITHDREW his OBJECTION. Representative
Gara OBJECTED.
Representative Gara was surprised to hear that the language
dealt with the University. The part removed is regarding
the library's decision to monitor instead of using the
software. He did not know if it was expensive to install.
He just did not know enough. He thought that the extra
sentence allowed the smaller libraries to keep their
computers going.
Co-Chair Meyer understood that the intent was to get the
original bill before the Committee. Representative Gara
thought that the dispute was only the sentence. It
addresses the cost issues of the small libraries.
Co-Chair Meyer pointed out that the University is under a
different subsection of the law.
3:14:39 PM
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to return to the
original version of HB 353.
IN FAVOR: Hawker, Kelly, Stoltze, Thomas, Crawford, Meyer,
Chenault
OPPOSED: Gara
Absent from the vote: Joule, Nelson, Harris
The MOTION PASSED (7-1).
3:15:41 PM
Co-Chair Chenault noted the bill would restrict state
grants to libraries that refused to implement. The Sponsor
statement also referred to local grant money to libraries.
He wondered if there had been a change.
HB 353 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 119(RLS)
An Act relating to grant programs to support
libraries.
GINNY AUSTERMAN, STAFF, SENATOR DONALD OLSON, SPONSOR,
explained that SB 119 establishes a public library
construction grant program to be used for expanding library
materials. The State would match up to 50% of the cost of
new library construction or major expansion for eligible
communities. Local government would be responsible for at
least a 20% match. The remainder can be provided by private
donors. The Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development will administer the grant and promulgate
regulations to establish ranking criteria. A maximum grant
of $3,000 to a public school library is included to be used
for library materials.
3:19:35 PM
Co-Chair Meyer noted the bill originally pertained to
grants to public libraries. Ms. Austerman said the Sponsor
supports the additional language for construction funds.
Representative Thomas referred to a harbors bill
prohibiting using General Fund money through a capital
appropriation to be used as match money. He wondered if
that applied to libraries.
3:21:12 PM
Co-Chair Meyer OPENED PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
BARB BRYSON, ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS
(testified via teleconference}, spoke in support of the
bill. Studies show that a school library program that is
adequately staffed, resourced, and funded can lead to
higher student achievement regardless of the socio-economic
or education levels of that community. The problem is that
some libraries have a zero budget year after year. Based on
statistics, the median budget for school libraries nation-
wide was $9,368; the average budget in the Pacific
Northwest was $19,211. In Alaska, the average total 2006-07
school library budget was $4,284. Replacing library
materials is expensive. The average cost of a children's
hard cover book was $21. An annual grant could assist in
improving library collections. Librarians around the state
encourage support of the bill.
3:23:48 PM
ROZ STRANGE, PRINCIPAL, VALDEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (testified
via teleconference), supported the legislation. She thinks
libraries provide important resources and build community.
She pointed out that some Alaskan communities have no
library other than their school library. The grants could
make an importance difference in a community.
3:26:13 PM
PAM OCKERLANDER, MATSU FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY (testified
via teleconference), talked about the Battle of the Books
program. As popular as the program is, there is not enough
money to find the books for the program, let alone new
books and other resources for the library. Friends of the
Library hopes to build a new library in her community. She
referred to a library that doubled the amount of people
coming into the library when they doubled the space.
3:28:45 PM
JULIA EDE, MATSU FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY (testified via
teleconference), spoke in strong support of the bill. She
stated concerns regarding the construction funds for small
communities for libraries. She thought libraries could
provide Alaskans with information and resources to address
issues like energy and other problems.
3:30:13 PM
LYNN MCNAMARA, LIBRARIAN, ANCHORAGE (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of SB 119. In smaller
Alaskan communities the school library is the only library.
In many cases the school library budget is set by each
principal, which forces principals to make hard choices.
The bill will encourage principals to put money into their
libraries. She thought a library collection was
infrastructure and not supporting a collection was like
deferred maintenance. The books must change with the times.
3:33:51 PM
Representative Hawker stated that he would work to make
sure that small communities would be included in the bill.
PATRICIA LINVILLE, SEWARD COMMUNITY LIBRARY (testified via
teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation. His
library is the only municipally funded public library on
the eastern Kenai Peninsula. Besides books, they provide
assistance to people needing tax forms, PFD online
applications, applying for jobs, homework, computer games.
Seasonal workers check their email and get information.
They are planning a new library and will apply for the
matching grant.
3:36:51 PM
CHARLOTTE GLOVER, YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN, KETCHIKAN
PUBLIC LIBRARY (testified via teleconference), supports
funding for library construction and the library assistance
grant program. She has seen many grant applications from
school librarians and teachers detailing how limited their
resources are for new books. Book circulation continues to
grow at the public library; they loan an average of 600
books a month to the school library. Teachers often spend
their own money to buy the books their students need. Many
children have no access to books other than through the
community library. Studies have shown that well-stocked
libraries increase literacy.
3:40:26 PM
CATHY BOUTIN, LIBRARIAN, DZANTIK'I HEENI MIDDLE SCHOOL,
JUNEAU, spoke in support of the bill. She showed the
Committee a wide variety of beautiful books and magazines
with large price tags on them. She then showed old, out-of-
date books from the library shelves. She said a $3000 grant
would go a long way to stock the school library.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED.
Co-Chair Meyer reminded the Committee the version before
them was CS SB 119 (RULES).
Representative Thomas asked why the grant was limited to
towns of 10,000 people or more.
DARWIN PETERSON, STAFF, SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND
SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, answered that the reason for the cap
is the intent is to help small communities without
libraries. There is no appropriation in the fiscal note
because the Senate would like to see how many applications
are received and make the appropriation in the next fiscal
year.
3:46:12 PM
Representative Hawker wanted to verify grant eligibility
requirements on page 2, line 9, especially item (2)
"located in a community with less than 10,000 persons." He
thought the word community" and not "municipality" was
chosen in order accommodate a community like Girdwood,
which is part of a larger municipality but a discreet
community. Mr. Peterson clarified that as the Senate
Finance Committee amended the legislation, the word was
chosen because it is nebulous and can cover cities, towns,
or boroughs with a population of 10,000 or less.
Representative Hawker further asked if the intent of the
language included Girdwood. Mr. Peterson answered that the
intent was not to exclude any communities or cities within
any organized borough, but to exclude larger boroughs that
do not have the level of need that very small communities
have.
3:49:46 PM
Representative Hawker referred to the Work Draft with
changes made to the eligibility criteria.
Co-Chair Meyer asked why Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage
were excluded. Mr. Peterson explained that the intent
behind the cap is that larger towns have well-served
libraries. There are smaller communities in organized and
unorganized Alaska that have no library. If the larger
communities were included, the Senate feared they would use
up the small amount of money.
Co-Chair Meyer stated that the larger libraries, who serve
many people, could use the grants. He understood that the
intent as to focus on the smaller communities. There was a
discussion about the need in larger communities and the
cap.
CS SB 119(RLS) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:57 PM.
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