05/09/2007 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB56 | |
| SB111 | |
| SJR6 | |
| HB177 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SJR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
May 9, 2007
1:09 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Carl Gatto, Co-Chair
Representative Craig Johnson, Co-Chair
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Bob Roses
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative David Guttenberg
Representative Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Peggy Wilson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 56
"An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy Partnership in the
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development;
requiring the commissioner of commerce, community, and economic
development to seek public and private funding for the
partnership; providing for the contingent repeal of an effective
date; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 56(RES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 111
"An Act creating the Kodiak Narrow Cape Public Use Area."
- MOVED CSSB 111(RES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6
Urging the United States Congress to defeat House Resolution 39,
titled "To preserve the Arctic coastal plain of the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as wilderness in recognition
of its extraordinary natural ecosystems and for the permanent
good of present and future generations of Americans."
- MOVED HCS CSSJR 6(RES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 56
SHORT TITLE: HYDROGEN ENERGY RESEARCH PROGRAM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD, DOLL
01/16/07 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/5/07
01/16/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/07 (H) CRA, RES, FIN
02/15/07 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 124
02/15/07 (H) Heard & Held
02/15/07 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/01/07 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/01/07 (H) Moved CSHB 56(CRA) Out of Committee
03/01/07 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/07/07 (H) CRA RPT CS(CRA) NT 4DP
03/07/07 (H) DP: CISSNA, NEUMAN, LEDOUX, FAIRCLOUGH
05/09/07 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: SB 111
SHORT TITLE: KODIAK NARROW CAPE PUBLIC USE AREA
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
03/12/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/12/07 (S) RES, FIN
04/20/07 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/20/07 (S) Heard & Held
04/20/07 (S) MINUTE(RES)
04/23/07 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/23/07 (S) Moved CSSB 111(RES) Out of Committee
04/23/07 (S) MINUTE(RES)
04/25/07 (S) RES RPT CS 6DP 1NR SAME TITLE
04/25/07 (S) DP: HUGGINS, STEDMAN, STEVENS,
WIELECHOWSKI, MCGUIRE, WAGONER
04/25/07 (S) NR: GREEN
05/04/07 (S) FIN RPT CS(RES) 6DP
05/04/07 (S) DP: HOFFMAN, STEDMAN, ELTON, THOMAS,
DYSON, OLSON
05/04/07 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
05/04/07 (S) Moved CSSB 111(RES) Out of Committee
05/04/07 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
05/07/07 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
05/07/07 (S) VERSION: CSSB 111(RES)
05/08/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/08/07 (H) RES
05/09/07 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
BILL: SJR 6
SHORT TITLE: OPPOSE WILDERNESS DESIGNATION FOR ANWR
SPONSOR(s): RESOURCES
04/25/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/25/07 (S) RES
04/30/07 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/30/07 (S) Moved CSSJR 6(RES) Out of Committee
04/30/07 (S) MINUTE(RES)
05/02/07 (S) RES RPT CS FORTHCOMING 5DP 1NR
05/02/07 (S) DP: HUGGINS, STEVENS, MCGUIRE, GREEN,
WAGONER
05/02/07 (S) NR: WIELECHOWSKI
05/03/07 (S) RES CS RECEIVED NEW TITLE
05/07/07 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
05/07/07 (S) VERSION: CSSJR 6(RES)
05/08/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/08/07 (H) RES
05/09/07 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE HARRY CRAWFORD
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 56, as the sponsor, and
responded to questions and comments during discussion.
MS. SARA FISHER-GOAD, Deputy Director-Operations
Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority (AIDEA) and
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
(DCCED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion of HB 56, responded to
questions and provided comments.
DAVID LOCKARD, Lead Engineer, Rural Energy Program
Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority (AIDEA) and
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
(DCEED)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion of HB 56, responded to
questions and provided comments.
JIM STIMPFLE
Nome, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided testimony on HB 56.
DOUG LETCH, Staff
to Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 111 on behalf of the sponsor,
Senator Stevens, and responded to questions and comments during
discussion.
CODY RICE, Staff
to Representative Carl Gatto
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During discussion of HB 177, offered
comments and responded to questions.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CO-CHAIR CARL GATTO called the House Resources Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:09:50 PM. Representatives
Gatto, Johnson, Kawasaki, Kohring, Guttenberg, and Edgmon were
present at the call to order. Representatives Roses and Seaton
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
HB 56-HYDROGEN ENERGY RESEARCH PROGRAM
1:10:02 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 56, "An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy
Partnership in the Department of Commerce, Community, and
Economic Development; requiring the commissioner of commerce,
community, and economic development to seek public and private
funding for the partnership; providing for the contingent repeal
of an effective date; and providing for an effective date."
[Before the committee was CSHB 56(CRA)]
1:10:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRY CRAWFORD, Alaska State Legislature, noted
that HB 56 has been passed from the House twice before. He
explained that the bill sets up a partnership with the Alaska
Energy Authority (AEA) and the University of Alaska for hydrogen
research and development projects. The partnership is a
receptacle for federal funds, grants, and private business
funding. He stated that hydrogen use makes other types of
renewable energy more efficient. It can be stored in tanks, put
into pipelines, and moved around to places that need the energy.
1:12:21 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO said that innovation brings a leadership position
in industry, and he expressed his amazement at hydrogen fueling
stations for vehicles.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD agreed that Toyota, Honda, and a few
other car manufacturers are looking to the future. He expressed
his belief that alternative renewable energy is the wave of the
future, and that hydrogen is a way to make it much more useable
and efficient.
1:13:06 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if the AEA currently exists.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replied yes.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked which department AEA is located in.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replied that AEA is in the Department of
Commerce, Community, & Economic Development (DCCED).
1:13:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replayed the Toyota ad on the computer.
CO-CHAIR GATTO noted that no specific language is used in the
advertisement, so that it can be played anywhere.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD agreed that it portrays what can be done
with hydrogen.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if it is true.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD affirmed that it is.
1:15:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG commented that BP is no longer an
acronym for "British Petroleum," that it is now an acronym for
"Beyond Petroleum."
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD revealed that the initial involvement
for this bill came through a professor at the University of
Alaska, Fairbanks (UAF) who is studying the use of geothermal
energy produced on an island in western Alaska. He reported
that during the fishing season the island needs 15 mega-watts of
energy, but during the rest of the year they only need 2-3
megawatts. They propose to build a powerhouse to use the excess
geothermal energy to manufacture hydrogen by splitting the
seawater into oxygen and hydrogen atoms, which will be saved and
shipped in fuel cells to villages. He explained that there is
unlimited potential for wind, water, and geothermal here in
Alaska, but there is no way to utilize it because there is no
market at those sites. There needs to be a way to store and
transport the energy.
1:17:58 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO expressed a concern with containment as it is
difficult to keep hydrogen molecules from escaping.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD reported that zeolite, a mineral found
in abundance in Alaska, allows the hydrogen to stabilize.
1:18:55 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked about acetylene.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD explained that acetylene is extremely
volatile when not mixed, but adding the carbon honeycomb makes
it a very stable gas.
1:19:28 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO observed that the carbon makes it safe.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD agreed, and stated that the zeolite
works in the same principle.
CO-CHAIR GATTO posed that zeolite stabilizes the hydrogen to
prevent leakage.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replied that he did not know.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD reported that Bill Leighty, who usually
performs a demonstration, is not available today.
1:20:28 PM
MS. SARA FISHER-GOAD, Deputy Director-Operations, Alaska
Industrial Development & Export Authority (AIDEA) and Alaska
Energy Authority (AEA), Department of Commerce, Community, &
Economic Development (DCCED), clarified that AEA is a public
corporation organized under DCCED, though with a separate legal
existence. Although AEA and AIDEA have the same Board of
Directors, they are separate corporations with separate
projects. She explained that HB 56 directs AEA to seek funding
from federal and private sources to cover the cost of
establishing and operating a hydrogen energy partnership. If
sufficient funding is obtained, the rest of the bill will become
effective and the Board of Directors will establish the members
of the partnership. She noted that the committee substitute has
one minor technical correction to reflect the primary change of
making this an AEA program. She referred to Section 3 of CSHB
56(CRA) and suggested that this section be eliminated. She
offered her belief that the fiscal note addresses any staffing
necessary to carry this forward.
1:22:44 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO, referring to Section 3, asked if Ms. Fisher-Goad
is addressing the staff support position.
MS. FISHER-GOAD explained that in the original version of the
bill, the partnership is established under DCCED, and the staff
support mentioned in Section 3, is under DCCED. She offered her
belief that the bill will be clearer if this section is removed.
1:24:13 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO posed that Section 3 provides staff support under
the hydrogen energy partnership, which is established with this
bill.
MS. FISHER-GOAD explained that Section 3 refers to the staff
duties of the DCCED, as listed in AS 44.33.020(a).
1:25:10 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if the sponsor has any questions for Ms.
Fisher-Goad.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replied that he trusts her decision.
1:25:58 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if there is any unintended consequence by
deleting Section 3.
MS. FISHER-GOAD expressed her belief that Section 3 adds an
unnecessary duty to the DCEED. She explained that removing the
section clarifies that this is an AEA program and that DCEED
does not have any responsibilities to support the partnership.
1:26:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG expressed concern that this may be
taking away the fact that there are designated staff.
MS. FISHER-GOAD pointed out that the fiscal note addresses that
staffing will be provided. She offered her belief that it is
clear that this is an AEA responsibility to establish this
partnership. She explained that the conditional effective
requirements in the bill state that the executive director seek
to establish additional funding sources for the partnership.
She allowed that the partnership will move forward when there is
sufficient funding, and that the fiscal note addresses the need
for staff support. She noted that although AEA is a separate
corporation, there is an AIDEA fiscal note that addresses the
staff requirements. She explained that the funding will be
through AEA, but the staff expense will be provided through
AIDEA.
1:28:53 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO confirmed that there are two fiscal notes, one
from AIDEA and one from AEA.
MS. FISHER-GOAD furnished that the fiscal notes are a
duplication of the funding sources, as AEA would provide AIDEA
the funding to pay for the staff support.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD referred to page 3, line 25, and
clarified that the funding is not through the general fund, but
will be sought from federal and private sources. He explained
that if there is not any money from federal and private grants,
there will not be a hydrogen energy partnership.
CO-CHAIR GATTO discussed the bill with Co-Chair Johnson.
1:31:06 PM
DAVID LOCKARD, Lead Engineer, Rural Energy Program, Alaska
Industrial Development & Export Authority (AIDEA) and Alaska
Energy Authority (AEA), Department of Commerce, Community, &
Economic Development (DCEED), reported that last year Alaska
became the fifth state in the country to have a geothermal power
generation project come to fruition, at Chena Hot Springs. He
relayed that there was also a geothermal energy conference at
Chena, reflecting the statewide interest in developing
geothermal resources for power generation and direct use,
including heating, green houses, and mariculture.
CO-CHAIR GATTO asked if Mount Spurr is also included as an
energy resource.
MR. LOCKARD replied that there is a lease application for a
geothermal project at Mount Spurr currently being reviewed by
the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
1:32:54 PM
JIM STIMPFLE announced that he is glad to hear that Alaska is
thinking about hydrogen energy. He noted that rural Alaska is
aware that the price of oil and natural gas will always be
increasing and energy will become unaffordable. He stated:
The quicker and the faster that we can move rural
Alaska, if not the entire state, to renewable energy
resources in the state, whether that be wind, solar,
geothermal, or hydro, along with the development of
hydrogen energy as a transportation fuel for rural
Alaska, the better and smarter we will become in
getting away from peak oil depletion and natural gas
depletion with ever increasing prices.
MR. STIMPFLE conveyed that Nome hosted an energy conference
during the prior year. There had been a presentation by an
Idaho engineer who had helped start the first wind to hydrogen
production plant in Idaho for industry. He mentioned that
General Motors is shipping the first electric-hydrogen vehicle
to China, called the Volt, and it can be run on either hydrogen
or electricity. He noted that Iceland has made a 50 year
commitment to bring the country to hydrogen production for use
in transportation and fishing. He commented that a serious
effort to move Alaska to hydrogen will require AEA funding of at
least $200 million.
CO-CHAIR GATTO closed public testimony.
1:36:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING encouraged as much private funding as
possible and stated that he will vote to move the bill. He
asked if there is an inventory of realistic sites for a
geothermal plant.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD responded that the engineer working at
Chena Hot Springs reported on work to tie their geothermal
energy generator to hydrogen for storage of the excess energy.
He allowed that the potential energy is thousands of mega-watts,
with no means of transport. Representative Crawford noted that
Mr. Leighty is on the leading edge of the technology to transfer
energy to ammonia for storage. He reminded the committee that
there is a press release from Senator Lisa Murkowski in the
members' packets, which he read in part:
In an effort to increase funding for renewable energy
power projects, Senator Lisa Murkowski today won
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approval
for an amendment to comprehensive energy legislation
that will provide federal grants to help utilities
build renewable energy projects. The amendment, which
Murkowski drafted with Alaska Senator Ted Stevens,
creates a Renewable Energy Construction Grant program
that will provide up to 50-50 federal matching grants
for the construction of wind, geothermal and ocean
energy projects nationwide and small hydroelectric
projects exclusively in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD added that the federal grant program
will provide up to $800 million for renewable energy
construction, possibly including the Fire Island wind farm,
Chena Hot Springs geothermal project, and other geothermal,
biomass, ocean energy, and small hydro projects statewide. He
allowed that this will get us started on the road to the Alaska
future.
1:41:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON observed that on page 3, line 1, (5), the
"tribal organizations" are federally recognized but are not
necessarily "of the state."
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replied that the intent is for residence
in the state.
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON asked to verify that page 2, line 31, (4)
"an Alaska regional development organization" is an ARDOR.
1:43:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI offered his support of the bill, and
referring to page 2, line 17, asked for assurance that the
University of Alaska is willing to support this.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replied that the University of Alaska
has already said they want to be a part of this.
1:44:15 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON offered his support to amend the bill to allow
$100,000 from the general funds to finance the project, should
the federal grants not materialize.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG offered his belief that the committee
is allowed to amend a fiscal note.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON posed that only the source of the money would
need to be amended.
1:45:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD allowed that all the prior versions
which contained general fund use have not been passed.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON said that is why he will not offer it as an
amendment, but he does want it on the record that he supports
this being a general fund item.
1:46:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved that the committee adopt Amendment
1, as follows:
Page 2, lines 19-21
Delete all material
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
1:47:11 PM
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON encouraged the committee to review the wording
"tribal organizations of the state." He offered his concern
that recognizing a tribe might lead to the legalization of
gaming.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD offered his support to a change in
wording.
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES moved that the committee adopt Amendment 2,
as follows:
Page 3, line 1,
Delete "of the state"
Insert "in the state"
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON objected. He expressed his belief that the
word "tribal" needs to be reviewed, so that there are no
unintended consequences.
1:49:07 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO offered to delete "tribal" and replace it with
"various."
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON noted that it is important to include the
indigenous peoples.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD guaranteed that this will be fixed.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON removed his objection.
There being no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
1:49:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if the sponsor will support changing
"tribal" to "Alaska Native."
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved that the committee adopt Amendment
3, as follows:
Page 3, line 1,
Delete "tribal"
Insert "Alaska Native"
There being no objection, Amendment 3 was adopted.
1:50:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON posed that defining geographical
representation for each of the nine members listed in Section
4(b) will better serve all of Alaska.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON suggested that making this a conceptual
amendment will allow the Division of Legal and Research Services
to wordsmith.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD agreed that it is "fine with having
people from all over the state represented," but he doesn't want
to make the bill restrictive.
CO-CHAIR GATTO suggested that making this change in the next
committee of referral will allow time to adjust the wording.
1:52:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to page 3, lines 6-8, asking if
this is the same authorized per diem as regular boards and
commissions members receive, or is it similar to the permanent
fund members per diem, which is substantially more.
REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD replied that he did not remember.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON expressed his belief that these
partnership members are similar to regular board and commission
members.
1:54:00 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO explained that the limited financial resources of
this bill necessitate a more reasonable per diem.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered that the per diem can be addressed
in House Finance Committee.
CO-CHAIR JOHNSON moved to report CSHB 56(CRA) as amended out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 56(RES) was
reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.
SB 111-KODIAK NARROW CAPE PUBLIC USE AREA
1:55:43 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the next order of business would
be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 111(RES), "An Act creating the Kodiak
Narrow Cape Public Use Area."
1:55:59 PM
DOUG LETCH, Staff to Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, said SB 111 is exactly the same as HB 203 which was
passed earlier by the House Resources Standing Committee. He
stated that the Senate passed SB 111 unanimously and that
nothing is changed since the committee last saw the bill.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to report CSSB 111(RES) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes.
CO-CHAIR GATTO objected, and subsequently removed his objection.
There being no further objection, CSSB 111(RES) was reported
from the House Resources Standing Committee.
SJR 6-OPPOSE WILDERNESS DESIGNATION FOR ANWR
1:58:50 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO announced that the next order of business would
be CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6(RES), Urging the United
States Congress to defeat H.R. 39, titled "To preserve the
Arctic coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,
Alaska, as wilderness in recognition of its extraordinary
natural ecosystems and for the permanent good of present and
future generations of Americans."
1:59:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI moved to adopt Amendment 1, as follows:
Page 2, line 12:
Add "strive to" after "the state will"
There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES moved to report CSSJR 6(RES) as amended out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS CSSJR
6(RES) was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.
HB 177-NATURAL GAS PIPELINE (AGIA)
2:01:34 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO said that there is a question regarding HB 177,
the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA), since it left the
House Resources Standing Committee. He relayed that the CS
currently in the House Finance Committee is missing some
amendments that were included when the bill left the House
Resources Standing Committee. He said that he spoke with Co-
Chair Chenault of the House Finance Committee and it was agreed
that Representatives Roses and Seaton, who advocated for the
amendments during testimony in House Resources Standing
Committee, will be invited to testify in front of the House
Finance Committee. He recalled that the House Resources
Standing Committee had reviewed "a stack of amendments that were
badly written," and then passed the amendments to Don Bullock,
Division of Legislative Legal and Research Services, who
incorporated all the amendments into a new CS.
CO-CHAIR GATTO continued, stating that the House Resources
Standing Committee reviewed the CS and removed some of the
amendments. He allowed that all of the committee action, with
one exception, was passed with a majority of those present. The
one exception was a 4-4 vote, which would not have allowed the
amendment to be put into the bill, and conversely, did not allow
the amendment to be removed from the bill. He offered his
belief that the administration has now changed the House
Resources Standing Committee version of HB 177, so that this new
version will need to be reviewed.
2:04:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES commented that an analysis of the new bill
indicates that most of the committee work is ignored. He
expressed his belief that the administration, in essence,
bypassed the House Resources Standing Committee. He expressed
his strong concern with this process, as a lot of the
committee's work is not included in the CS. He emphasized that
all of the work is important but that almost all of their work
is ignored, and that this is unacceptable.
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG stated that this is always a concern.
He allowed that each committee has the right to amend, and then
the next committee has the right to adopt the version it
chooses. He posed that it would have been beneficial for the
administration to recognize the work of the committees.
2:06:50 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO noted that the House Resources Standing Committee
reviewed the House Special Committee on Oil and Gas version
"with every intent to do it right." He emphasized that the
committee was right to incorporate the amendments into a CS.
CODY RICE, Staff to Representative Carl Gatto, Alaska State
Legislature, offered his belief that a work draft has not been
publicly adopted by the House Finance Committee. He stated that
there are multiple versions of potential work drafts
circulating, one of which is the version the co-chair of House
Finance Committee intends to adopt.
2:08:36 PM
CO-CHAIR GATTO said he has seen three versions, including one
that was "red letter," but these did not include the "blue
letter" version that was moved out of the House Resources
Standing Committee.
MR. RICE reported that there are several versions prepared by
several different groups, including at least one version
prepared by the administration. He relayed that conversations
with people involved in this process indicate that the House
Finance Committee work draft contains substantive policy issues
that will be removed. He stated that Representative Chenault
has committed to allow members of the House Resources Standing
Committee to address the substantive issues that were withdrawn.
2:10:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that he and Representative Roses
probably have the same version as the Senate CS. He offered
that talks with the administration indicate that there are two
separate work drafts. He offered his belief that the Senate
Finance Committee version is not the same as the copy proposed
to the House Finance Committee. He expressed his belief that
the House draft includes the House Resources Standing Committee
deleted amendments, and that there will be an amendment to
reinsert them. He allowed that both versions will highlight the
versions that each finance committee prefers. He opined that
the House Resources Standing Committee work will be shown and
referenced in the work draft.
CO-CHAIR GATTO posed that the amendments are included in the
print, so that they can be addressed to possibly add back into
the bill.
2:12:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered his belief that the House Finance
Committee version will show the edits, additions, and deletions.
MR. RICE said that this is his understanding as well.
REPRESENTATIVE ROSES commented that this "makes it a little more
palatable."
2:13:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said that he has received permission from
Speaker Harris to invite the House Resources Standing Committee
to join the House Special Committee on Fisheries on a special
fall field hearing to address HB 134, Representative Edgmon's
bill regarding the water and fishery resources impacted by
Pebble Mine. He explained that the group will be visiting the
mine site, and holding public hearings in the impacted villages.
CO-CHAIR GATTO remarked that the visit will be very helpful.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Resources Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:17:30
PM.
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