Legislature(2001 - 2002)
05/06/2001 11:34 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 06, 2001
11:34 AM
TAPE HFC 01 - 117, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Williams called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 11:34 AM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Con Bunde, Vice-Chair
Representative Eric Croft
Representative John Davies
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Richard Foster
Representative John Harris
Representative Bill Hudson
Representative Ken Lancaster
Representative Jim Whitaker
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Rick Halford, Sponsor; Mike Tibbles, Staff,
Representative Williams; Mary Jackson, Staff, Senator
Torgerson; Chris Knauss, Staff, Senator Kelly.
SUMMARY
HB 185 "An Act relating to fees for certain uses of state
water and the accounting and appropriation of
those fees; relating to authorizations for the
temporary use of state water; making other
amendments to the Alaska Water Use Act; and
providing for an effective date."
CSHB 185 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with a previously
published fiscal note (#1) by the Department of
Revenue.
CSSB 105(FIN)
"An Act relating to victims' rights; relating to
establishing an office of victims' rights;
relating to the authority of litigants and the
court to comment on the crime victim's choice to
appear or testify in a criminal case; relating to
compensation of victims of violent crimes;
relating to eligibility for a permanent fund
dividend for persons convicted of and incarcerated
for certain offenses; relating to notice of
appropriations concerning victims' rights;
amending Rules 16 and 30, Alaska Rules of Criminal
Procedure, Rule 9, Alaska Delinquency Rules, and
Rule 501, Alaska Rules of Evidence; and providing
for an effective date."
HCS CSSB 105 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with five
previously published fiscal notes: #1 - COR, #2 -
LAW, #3 - REV, #4 - LAA, #5 - LAW.
CSSB 137 (FIN)
"An Act relating to the allocation of money
appropriated to the Alaska Human Resource
Investment Council; and providing for an effective
date."
HCS CSSB 137 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with two
previously published fiscal notes: #1 - LDF and #2
- SFC.
CSSB 145(FIN)
"An Act relating to regional and village public
safety officers; relating to the expansion of the
village public safety officer program to include
the provision of probation and parole supervision
services; and relating to retirement benefits for
village public safety officers."
HCS CSSB 145 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with three
previously published fiscal notes (#4 - ADM, #5 -
DPS, and # 6 - COR).
CSSB 193 (FIN)
"An Act relating to a study of the economic and
social effects of the permanent fund dividend on
the state."
CSSB 193 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with
"no recommendation" and a previously published
fiscal note (#1 - LAA).
HCR 18 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e),
Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature,
concerning Senate Bill No. 105, relating to crime
victims.
HCR 18 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation.
CSSB 198 (HES)
"An Act establishing the Statewide Suicide
Prevention Council; and providing for an effective
date."
CSSB 198 (HES) was REPORTED out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with a previously
published fiscal note (#2 - HSS).
HOUSE BILL NO. 185
"An Act relating to fees for certain uses of state
water and the accounting and appropriation of those
fees; relating to authorizations for the temporary use
of state water; making other amendments to the Alaska
Water Use Act; and providing for an effective date."
Co-Chair Williams noted that the drafter had concerns with a
previously adopted amendment to HB 185.
MIKE TIBBLES, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS explained that
the drafter was concerned with the constitutionality of
tying together the administrative fee and the water
conservation fee. He noted that the work draft GH1087\S,
dated 5/5/01 would correct the problem.
Representative Foster MOVED to Rescind passage of CSHB 185
(FIN) from Committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
Representative Foster MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee
substitute work draft GH1087\S, 5/5/01. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Mr. Tibbles noted that the paragraph on page 4, lines 9 - 13
was restructured so that the purpose of the annual $50
administrative service fee was to maintain the water
management program. The water conservation fee would not be
tied to maintenance of the program.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CSHB 185 (FIN) out of
Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Co-Chair Williams MOVED to ADOPT the committee report passed
with CSHB 185 (FIN) on 5/05/01 as the committee report.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 185 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously published fiscal
note (#1) by the Department of Revenue.
SENATE BILL NO. 137
"An Act relating to the allocation of money
appropriated to the Alaska Human Resource Investment
Council; and providing for an effective date."
MARY JACKSON, STAFF, SENATOR TORGERSON, explained the
legislation. She observed that HB 239 was passed by the
previous Legislature. House Bill 239 established a new
technical and vocational education program. In lieu of
regulations, the first year funding went directly to the
three public institutions. Regulations still have not been
adopted. House Bill 137 would extend funding financial
provisions for three years to the same institutions.
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute
work draft, LS0719\F, Cramer 5/3/01. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Vice-Chair Bunde noted that the funding distributions were
changed. Co-Chair Mulder explained that there is now a
vocational center in Galena. Four percent of the proceeds
were transferred from the Kotzebue Technical Center to the
Galena Project Education Vocation Training Center.
Representative John Davies questioned the impact of a 4
percent reduction for the Kotzebue Technical Center. Co-
Chair Mulder noted that Kotzebue Technical Center would
still receive $318 thousand dollars. Galena would receive
approximately $182 thousand dollars. The University of
Alaska would receive $3.51 million dollars. The Alaska
Vocational Technical Center would receive $1.2 million
dollars.
Vice-Chair Bunde questioned the rationale of taking the
funding from the Kotzebue Technical Center.
Representative Davies MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1: University
of Alaska 63 percent, Kotzebue Technical Center - 11
percent, and Galena Project Education Vocational Training
Center at 4%.
Ms. Jackson noted that the Kotzebue Technical Center
received slightly more than 11 percent in the previous year.
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment 1 was adopted.
HCS CSSB 137 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with two previously published
fiscal note s (#1 and #2) by the Department of Labor and
Workforce Development and the Senate Finance Committee.
SENATE BILL NO. 193
"An Act relating to a study of the economic and social
effects of the permanent fund dividend on the state."
CHRIS KNAUSS, STAFF, SENATOR KELLY testified in support of
the legislation and stated that he was available for
questions.
Representative Davies questioned how the information would
be used. Mr. Knass responded that the information would
provide building blocks.
Representative Davies questioned if there is expectation
that the court would allow a two-year residency. Mr. Knass
noted that there is not an expectation that the court would
allow a two-year residency. The intent is to see how
dependent people who move to the state of Alaska are upon
state services, particularly the permanent fund dividend.
Representative Croft questioned if the court would
reconsider a two-year residency if it could be demonstrated
that the permanent fund dividend was a magnet. Mr. Knass
affirmed. Vice-Chair Bunde felt that the chances of a two-
year residency requirement would be slim.
Representative Hudson MOVED to report CSSB 193 (FIN) out of
Committee with the accompanying fiscal note.
CSSB 193 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with "no
recommendation" and a previously published fiscal note (#1)
by the Legislative Affairs Agency.
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 145(FIN)
"An Act relating to regional and village public safety
officers; relating to the expansion of the village
public safety officer program to include the provision
of probation and parole supervision services; and
relating to retirement benefits for village public
safety officers."
Representative Croft summarized that the legislation
supports four new village public safety officers and four
new constables. He observed that the original intent was to
add six of each.
Members were provided with Amendment 1 and Amendment 2
(copies on file).
Co-Chair Williams MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1. [Amendment 1
would provide for a ruling from the United States Internal
Revenue Service permitting the retirement system to include
village public safety officers.]
SENATOR RICK HALFORD, SPONSOR testified in support of the
legislation. He explained that Amendment 1 was requested by
the Administration. The amendment would not take affect
until the ruling.
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment 1 was adopted.
Senator Halford explained that Amendment 2 would add the
regional public safety officer in the category of peace
officer and clarify that they are a new category. There
would be three tiers. Two would be in the direct state
system. One would be in the contracted system. These would
be statewide public safety officer, regional public safety
officer and the village public safety officer. This is the
career track for the VPSO system. He clarified that the
amendment addresses regional public safety officers. There
are only four. The regional public safety officer title
replaces the title of constable. The positions would be tied
to the village public safety officers instead of to the
state troopers. They would go into the public safety list.
They would have the same training provisions as envisioned
under the constable system.
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment 2 was adopted.
In response to a question by Vice-Chair Bunde, Senator
Halford explained that there were concerns with the
involvement by the IRS regarding the addition of non-profit
employees in the state retirement system. An opinion from
the IRS will be obtained under the provisions of Amendment
1.
Vice-Chair Bunde observed that the [regional public safety
officer] positions would allow upward movement on the VPSO
career track. He expressed concern that the positions could
be filled with by persons who were not village public safety
officers. Senator Halford expressed confidence that the four
positions would come from the VPSO list. He stated that he
wanted to prevent an open testing situation, where the
highest score without the experience or commitment to the
local community would receive the position. The intent is
that the positions come from the ranks of the village public
safety officers.
HCS CSSB 145 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with three previously published
fiscal notes (#4 - ADM, #5 - DPS, and # 6 - COR).
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 105(FIN)
"An Act relating to victims' rights; relating to
establishing an office of victims' rights; relating to
the authority of litigants and the court to comment on
the crime victim's choice to appear or testify in a
criminal case; relating to compensation of victims of
violent crimes; relating to eligibility for a permanent
fund dividend for persons convicted of and incarcerated
for certain offenses; relating to notice of
appropriations concerning victims' rights; amending
Rules 16 and 30, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure,
Rule 9, Alaska Delinquency Rules, and Rule 501, Alaska
Rules of Evidence; and providing for an effective
date."
SENATOR HALFORD, SPONSOR, noted that there was an amendment
drafted by the Department of Law to address the restitution
collection question.
Vice-Chair Bunde MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1 (copy on file.)
Amendment 1 would insert new language on page 4, line 29.
Vice-Chair Bunde WITHDREW Amendment 1.
Representative Foster MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 3. Senator
Halford spoke in support of Amendment 3. He explained that
it was drafted by the Administration on a part of the bill
that they originated.
Representative Hudson MOVED to report HCS CSSB 105 (FIN) out
of Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being
NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HCS CSSB 105 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with five previously published
fiscal notes (#1 - COR, #2 - LAW, #3 - REV, #4 - LAA, #5 -
LAW).
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18
Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform
Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning
Senate Bill No. 105, relating to crime victims.
Vice-Chair Bunde MOVED to report HCR 18 out of Committee. He
explained that the resolution supports a title change for SB
105.
Senator Halford clarified that the title change allows the
inclusion of restitution language that came from the
Administration.
There being NO OBJECTION, HCR 18 was adopted.
HCR 18 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation.
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 198(HES)
"An Act establishing the Statewide Suicide Prevention
Council; and providing for an effective date."
SENATOR HALFORD, SPONSOR, testified in support of the
legislation. He explained that the resolution is an effort
to increase awareness, coordination and efforts in suicide
prevention. Suicide is the most unreported cause of the loss
of life and is in epidemic proportions in rural Alaska and
the Matsu Valley. He observed that the last coordinated
effort was in 1988.
Vice-Chair Bunde acknowledged the problem and questioned
what would be done to "turn the corner" on the challenge.
Senator Halford observed that there are serial suicides in
rural areas. He noted that those that don't feel like they
have options are lost. One of the problems is that the
things that are done to make people feel better may elevate
the individual so that someone else that feels lost may
think that suicide may be the answer. He stressed the need
for the collective will and wisdom of many people to address
the problem. He emphasized that the solutions have to be
home grown and that it will take a lot of listening.
Representative Hudson spoke in support of the legislation.
Representative Croft felt that the composition of the board
provides a broad spectrum of requirements for different
segments of the society outside of government. He noted that
the Council would include young people, clergy, rural
persons, and those that have experienced the death of a
member of their family.
Senator Halford noted that the Administration assisted` in
the formation of the Council.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CSSB 198 (HES) out of
Committee with the accompanying fiscal note.
CSSB 198 (HES) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously published fiscal
note (#2 - HSS).
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 a.m.
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