Legislature(2009 - 2010)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/30/2009 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB89 | |
| HB20 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 30, 2009
1:33 p.m.
1:33:28 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stoltze called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Thomas, Jr., Vice-Chair
Representative Allan Austerman
Representative Harry Crawford
Representative Anna Fairclough
Representative Richard Foster
Representative Les Gara
Representative Reggie Joule
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mike Hawker, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Kelly
ALSO PRESENT
Josh Temple, Staff, Senator Charlie Huggins; McHugh Pierre,
Liaison, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA);
Representative Bryce Edgmon, Sponsor; Greg Winegar,
Director, Alaska Division of Investments, Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
None
SUMMARY
CSSB 89(FIN)
"An Act relating to retirement benefits for
members of the Alaska Territorial Guard; and
providing for an effective date."
CSSB 89 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a
"do pass" recommendation and with fiscal note #1
by the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs.
HB 20 "An Act relating to commercial fishing loans for
energy efficiency upgrades."
CSHB 20 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a
"do pass" recommendation and with fiscal note #1
by the Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development.
1:34:00 PM
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 89(FIN)
"An Act relating to retirement benefits for members of
the Alaska Territorial Guard; and providing for an
effective date."
JOSH TEMPLE, STAFF, SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS, reported on the
history of the Alaska Territorial Guard. From 1942 to 1947,
a few men and women volunteered to be a part of the Alaska
Territorial Guard. They were officially recognized in 2000.
In January 2009, the U.S. Department of Defense reduced the
amount of the Guard's pensions and determined that their
service during WW II did not count toward retirement pay.
Their pensions would be reduced on February 1. Due to
public outrage, the Alaska Congressional delegation
sponsored a bill to permanently honor the Guard and offer
them a full pension. They also came up with a stipulation
that the army fund the pension for another two months
through March 30.
Co-Chair Stoltze noted the retroactivity provision in the
bill.
Mr. Temple summarized that the bill provides "bridge
funding" and would fund the difference in what the
Department of Defense pensions used to be and what they are
now until the federal government resumes its full
responsibility of the pensions.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked how many Guard veterans this bill
would affect. Mr. Temple reported that there are 26 men.
The cost would be $31,300 for FY09 and $83,500 for FY10,
totaling $114,800.
MCHUGH PIERRE, LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS
AFFAIRS (DMVA), explained that the governor sent a letter to
the Secretary of the Army requesting continued funding of
retirement benefits for the Guard. The bill provides for
DMVA to pay benefits to eligible individuals who served in
the Guard.
1:39:47 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze asked for demographics regarding the Guard.
Mr. McHugh related that the beneficiaries of this bill are
in their 80's and 90's. He reported that DMVA is ready to
respond to the bill and make the payments until the
Congressional fix is in place.
Co-Chair Stoltze commented that the bill has a sunset date.
1:41:40 PM
Representative Salmon asked why the duration is only from
April 2009 to February 2010. Mr. Pierre reported that in
consulting with the Congressional delegation, it was found
that a fix should be in place by the end of October. The
legislation would extend into the next session in case the
fix was not yet in place.
Co-Chair Stoltze noted a fiscal note by DMVA.
1:42:59 PM
Vice-Chair Thomas MOVED to REPORT CSSB 89 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSSB 89 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with fiscal note #1 by the Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs.
1:44:10 PM
HOUSE BILL NO. 20
"An Act relating to commercial fishing loans for energy
efficiency upgrades."
REPRESENTATIVE BRYCE EDGMON, SPONSOR, commented that there
was one amendment to the bill.
Co-Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 2:
Page 4, line 31, through page 5, line 2:
Delete all material.
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Vice-Chair Thomas OBJECTED.
Representative Edgmon explained that the amendment would
remove the retroactivity clause because it is unnecessary.
Under current regulation, those who may have gotten a loan
under the energy efficiency program can be included.
Representative Fairclough asked for clarification of the
amendment number.
Co-Chair Stoltze explained that it was previous Amendment 2.
Amendment 1 was offered and then withdrawn.
Vice-Chair Thomas WITHDREW his objection to Amendment 2.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
1:46:52 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze requested an explanation of fiscal note #1.
GREG WINEGAR, DIRECTOR, ALASKA DIVISION OF INVESTMENTS,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
explained the fiscal note anticipates an increase in loan
demands by approximately $4.2 million in FY10, by $2.1
million in FY11, and by $1.6 million in years FY12 through
FY15. The fiscal note requests money to handle one loan
officer position, which would come out of the loan fund, as
do all of the operating expenses.
1:48:17 PM
Representative Austerman MOVED to REPORT CSHB 20 (FIN) out
of Committee, as amended, with individual recommendations
and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
CSHB 20 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with fiscal note #1 by the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:49 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| CS Changes for SB 89.PDF |
HFIN 3/30/2009 1:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| 2009-03-18ATG Letter to AK Joint Armed Services Committee.pdf |
HFIN 3/30/2009 1:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |
| CSSB 89 Sponsor Statement.PDF |
HFIN 3/30/2009 1:30:00 PM |
SB 89 |