Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/12/2000 01:39 PM Senate CRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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SENATE COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
April 12, 2000
1:39 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Tim Kelly, Chair
Senator Jerry Mackie, Vice Chair
Senator Randy Phillips
Senator Lyman Hoffman
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Jerry Ward
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 25
"An Act relating to a municipal river habitat protection tax
credit."
-MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 181
"An Act directing sale of the four dam pool hydroelectric
facilities."
-MOVED CS FOR SSSB 181 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 182
"An Act establishing a power cost equalization endowment; and
providing for an effective date."
-SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
SENATE BILL NO. 306
"An Act establishing and relating to the power cost equalization
endowment fund; relating to the power cost equalization and rural
electric capitalization fund; authorizing and relating to the sale
of the four dam pool hydroelectric project; establishing and
relating to joint action agencies created to purchase power
projects; and providing for an effective date."
-MOVED CS FOR SSSB 181 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 307
"An Act making appropriations relating to power cost equalization
and the sale of the four dam pool hydroelectric project and to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date."
-MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
HB 25 - No previous Senate action.
SB 181- No previous Senate action.
SB 182- No previous Senate action.
SB 306- No previous Senate action.
SB 307- No previous Senate action.
WITNESS REGISTER
Representative John Davies
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99811
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 25.
Mr. Dale Bondurant
31864 Moonshine Drive
Soldotna, AK 99669
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports HB 25.
Mr. Charles Walls
CEO of Alaska Rural Electric Company
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 306, and SB 307.
Senator Robin Taylor
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99811
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SSSB 181, and SSSB 182.
Mr. Eric Yould (ph)
Executive Director
Alaska Rural Electric Company
4831 Eagle Street
Anchorage, AK 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 306, and SB 307.
Mr. Dave Carlson
Council Member from Petersburg
Address Not Provided
Petersburg, AK 99833
POSITION STATEMENT: Commented on SB 306, and SB 307.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 00-05, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN TIM KELLY called the Senate Community & Regional Affairs
Committee meeting to order at 1:39 p.m. Present were Senators T.
Kelly, Mackie, Phillips, and Hoffman. The first order of business
to come before the committee was HB 25.
HB 25-RIVER HABITAT PROTECTION TAX CREDIT
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES stated in 1996, the legislature granted
the Kenai River this optional tool to encourage river habitat
protection. This is a tax credit the municipality is authorized,
but not mandated to give. HB 25 would just extend the tax credit
to the other municipalities in the State.
MR. DALE BONDURANT, representing himself, stated support for HB 25.
Alaska has thousands of miles of river that need protection, and HB
25 could help protect them.
SENATOR MACKIE moved HB 25 out of committee with individual
recommendations. Without objection, the motion carried.
SB 181-SALE OF THE FOUR DAM POOL
Number 060
SENATOR ROBIN TAYLOR stated this is the culmination of 16 years of
efforts, since the creation of the four dam pool in 1985. The
power sales agreement is encompassed within SSSB 181, so the
members of the four dam pool communities have protection for future
utility rates. Senator Taylor referred to SSSB 182. SSSB 181, and
SSSB 182 provide for a stabilized funding source for the power cost
equalization program. Because of difficulties, funding over the
past few years has been in jeopardy.
MR. CHARLES WALLS, CEO of the Alaska Rural Electric Company (AREC),
stated AREC provides electric service to 51 villages in Western
Alaska. The power cost equalization program is important to these
villages. Mr. Walls stated support for SSSB 181.
MR. ERIC YOULD (ph), Executive Director of Alaska Rural Electric
Company (AREC), stated AREC generates approximately 90 percent of
the electricity in Alaska. Mr. Yould (ph) stated support for SSSB
181, SSSB 182, SB 306, and SB 307. Power cost equalization was the
biggest initiative AREC supported, and the resolution was adopted
unanimously by the board of director's for AREC. Sixty-one percent
of the population not served by AREC support continued long-term
funding by the State for the power cost equalization program.
CHAIRMAN KELLY asked if all of the communities affected by the four
dam pool are supportive.
MR. DAVE CARLSON, Council Member from Petersburg, stated all five
communities affected by the four dam pool support all legislation.
SENATOR MACKIE moved SB 307 out of committee with individual
recommendations. Without objection, the motion carried.
SENATOR MACKIE asked Senator Taylor if he supported the Governor's
bill as it was drafted.
SENATOR TAYLOR replied yes.
SENATOR MACKIE moved to delete the contents of SSSB 181, and
replace the contents of SB 306 into the body of SSSB 181; thus
creating CSSSSB 181. Without objection, the motion carried.
SENATOR MACKIE moved CSSSSB 181 out of committee with individual
recommendations. Without objection, the motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the committee
CHAIRMAN KELLY adjourned the meeting at 1:49 p.m.
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