01/23/1995 03:05 PM House L&C

 HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE                                                      
 STANDING COMMITTEE                                                            
 January 23, 1995                                                              
 3:05 p.m.                                                                     
                                                                               
                                                                               
 MEMBERS PRESENT                                                               
                                                                               
 Representative Pete Kott, Chairman                                            
 Representative Norman Rokeberg, Vice Chairman                                 
 Representative Brian Porter                                                   
 Representative Jerry Sanders                                                  
 Representative Beverly Masek                                                  
 Representative Kim Elton                                                      
 Representative Gene Kubina                                                    
                                                                               
 MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                
                                                                               
 None                                                                          
                                                                               
 COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                            
                                                                               
 Organizational Meeting                                                        
                                                                               
 WITNESS REGISTER                                                              
                                                                               
 None                                                                          
                                                                               
 ACTION NARRATIVE                                                              
                                                                               
 TAPE 95-1 SIDE A                                                              
 Number 001                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT called the meeting of the House Labor and                  
 Commerce Standing Committee to order at 3:05 p.m.  Members                    
 present were Representatives Kott, Rokeberg, Sanders, Masek, and              
 Elton.                                                                        
                                                                               
 Number 018                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT gave a brief overview of the ground rules and                   
 scheduling.  He stated that materials necessary for the bill                  
 packet have been named in a previously received memo.  Any                    
 substitutes or amendments need to be turned in to the chair by                
 12:00 p.m. the preceding day.  The packets will be ready at 3:30              
 p.m. on the day preceding the committee meeting.  Chairman Kott               
 said he will consistently try to begin the meetings at 3:00 p.m.,             
 and he asked that all members try to be on time.  He said no                  
 action will be taken on a bill unless a quorum is present.  When              
 a quorum is not present it will be up to the discretion of the                
 chair whether to continue debate or to cancel the meeting.  A                 
 roll call will be taken at the beginning of each meeting and will             
 be done by voice, as will the roll call votes.                                
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER arrived 3:08 p.m., and apologized for             
 his tardiness.                                                                
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT asked that members be careful not to make noises                
 that interfere with the microphones.  He said that he will                    
 operate the meetings by calling for a sponsor statement and then              
 follow with debate by the Administration.  The debate will be                 
 followed by public testimony.  The committee will then debate and             
 decide their actions on the bill.  He said expected issues                    
 include the Alaska Public Utilities Commission's extension which              
 ought to be time consuming and controversial.  He referred to the             
 Gilmore Case, a workman's compensation issue, and said that will              
 also be a controversial bill.  The Workers' Compensation                      
 Committee of Alaska (WCCA) has put together a proposal that has               
 been circulated through the members of labor.  They appear to be              
 on board, but have not yet concurred.  He indicated that tort                 
 reform may be another laborious issue.  Marine pilotage extension             
 and reform is also expected to be an issue before the committee.              
 He indicated he will know more about this in early February.                  
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT then introduced his two secretaries, Debby                      
 McCaughan and Judy Geraghty, and his aide, George Dozier.                     
 Complaints should go to George.                                               
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT said that he expects to hold meetings only two days             
 a week, most likely Mondays and Wednesdays depending on holidays.             
 He reminded members that the rules call for a simple majority of              
 the quorum, that is four members, to adopt a committee                        
 substitute, amendment, or to pass the bill out of committee.                  
 Chairman Kott again noted he will try to begin the meetings at                
 3:00 p.m. with or without a quorum.                                           
                                                                               
 Number 111                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE NORMAN ROKEBERG asked for a copy of the Gilmore                
 Case.                                                                         
                                                                               
 Number 190                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT replied that a summarized copy will be available in             
 the bill packets and copies are currently available in his                    
 office.                                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 195                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER asked if a bill, with general approval,                 
 would be considered a committee bill or if it needs to be                     
 individually supported?                                                       
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT responded that he would notify all members on which             
 bills would be considered committee bills and give a brief                    
 synopsis of each.  He asked that members consult with him if they             
 have a strong opposition to the bill.                                         
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER said that he has asked the ad hoc committee             
 of the WCCA to finish their work before bringing it to him and,               
 therefore, the legislation should be less controversial.                      
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT then stated for the record that Representative                  
 Kubina arrived at 3:16 p.m.                                                   
                                                                               
 Number 235                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY MASEK asked what to do about absences?                 
 CHAIRMAN KOTT replied that a member cannot cast a vote but may                
 participate by teleconference.                                                
                                                                               
 ADJOURNMENT                                                                   
                                                                               
 Number 276                                                                    
                                                                               
 The meeting was adjourned at 3:18 p.m.