Legislature(1995 - 1996)
04/26/1996 09:55 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 26, 1996
9:55 a.m.
TAPES
SFC-96, #94, Side 1 (000-268)
CALL TO ORDER
Senator Rick Halford, Co-chairman, convened the meeting at
approximately 9:55 a.m.
PRESENT
In addition to Co-chairmen Halford and Frank, Senators
Phillips, Rieger, and Sharp were present. Senators Donley
and Zharoff arrived soon after the meeting began.
ALSO ATTENDING: Representative Bunde; Representative James;
Representative Sanders; Chris Christensen, Staff Counsel,
Alaska Court System; Wendy Redman, Vice-President,
University Relations, University of Alaska; Bob Cole,
Director, Division of Administrative Services, Dept. of
Corrections; Jetta Whittaker, fiscal analyst, Legislative
Finance Division; and aides to committee members and other
members of the legislature.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
HB 59 - RAFFLE OR AUCTION OF BIG GAME PERMITS
Representative Con Bunde came before committee in
support of the bill. An amendment to remove
"Southeast" at page 1, line 13, was adopted. SCS
CSHB 59 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a
$1.0 fiscal note from the Dept. of Fish and Game.
HB 75 - VEHICLE THEFT AND JOYRIDING
Representative Jerry Sanders came before committee
in support of his bill. CSSSHB 75 (Fin) was
REPORTED OUT of committee with the following
fiscal notes:
DH&SS (Southcentral) $ 183.0
SH&SS (Southeast) 61.0
DH&SS (Northern) 61.0
DOLaw 146.8
DPS (Driver Services 49.5
Court System 86.7
DOA (PDA) 96.2
DPS (Troopers) 8.8
DOC $1,306.7
HB 80 - DNR APPROVAL OF PLATS IN UNORGANIZED BOROUGH
Representative Jeannette James testified in
support of her bill. It was subsequently held in
committee pending incorporation of a conceptual
amendment by Senator Phillips regarding fees.
HB 382 - BOARD OF DISPENSING OPTICIANS
Representative James again came before committee
in support of her legislation. CSHB 382 (STA) was
REPORTED OUT of committee with a fiscal note from
the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development
showing costs of $9.8 and revenue of $48.9.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 59(RES)
An Act relating to raffles and auctions of certain
permits to take big game; and providing for an
effective date.
Co-chairman Halford directed that CSHB 59 (Res) be brought
on for discussion. REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE came before
committee. He explained that the bill would allow qualified
organizations to raffle off big game permits (Governor's
tags). This type of effort has been successful in other
states and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. The
estimate is that the permits should raise $50.0 to $100.0
the first year in Alaska, and grow from that point. The
program essentially allows wealthy sportsmen to make
donations to the fish and game fund and have the prestige of
obtaining a Governor's tag. A national organization that
supports use of wildlife would auction the tags and be
allowed to retain ten percent plus expenses. The remainder
would flow to the state fish and game fund.
Representative Bunde directed attention to SCS CSHB 59
(Res), Page 1, line 13, and voiced concern regarding the
legality of the following language:
The donations may be made only to nonprofit
corporations based in Southeast Alaska . . . .
and recommended removal of "Southeast." Senator Randy
Phillips so MOVED. No objection having been raised, the
amendment was ADOPTED. Senator Rieger MOVED that SCS CSHB
59 (Fin) pass from committee with individual recommendation
and accompanying fiscal notes. No objection having been
raised, SCS CSHB 59 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with
a fiscal note from the Dept. of Fish and Game showing a cost
of $1.0 and revenues of $25.0. Co-chairmen Halford and
Frank and Senators Rieger and Sharp signed the committee
report with a "do pass" recommendation. Senators Donley and
Phillips signed "no recommendation."
CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(FIN)
An Act relating to vehicle theft and the consequences
of vehicle theft, including revocation of a driver's
license, privilege to drive, or privilege to obtain a
license; amending Rule 32.1, Alaska Rules of Criminal
Procedure; and providing for an effective date.
Co-chairman Halford directed that CSSSHB 75 (Fin) be brought
on for discussion REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS came before
committee. He attested to need for legislation relating to
vehicle theft, citing over 3,000 such thefts in Alaska each
year. The proposed bill would make vehicle theft a felony
rather than a misdemeanor. It provides for mandatory
revocation of licenses and mandatory restitution. It also
raises the maximum jail time from one year to five and the
maximum fine from $5,000 to $50,000.
Representative Sanders next referenced the accompanying
fiscal notes. He pointed specifically to the note from the
Dept. of Corrections and advised that it was $800.0 when the
bill left the House. It has since been increased by
approximately $500.0 to $1,306.7. The sponsor expressed
frustration with department notes which show substantial
costs associated with incarceration but little savings from
alternatives. Co-chairman Halford noted that the final
decision on fiscal notes would be made by the budget
conference committee.
Senator Randy Phillips MOVED for passage of CSSSHB 75 (Fin)
with individual recommendations. No objection having been
raised, CSSSHB 75 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with
the following fiscal notes:
DH&SS (Southcentral) $ 183.0
SH&SS (Southeast) 61.0
DH&SS (Northern) 61.0
DOLaw 146.8
DPS (Driver Services 49.5
Court System 86.7
DOA (PDA) 96.2
DPS (Troopers) 8.8
DOC $1,306.7
Co-chairman Halford and Senators Phillips and Sharp signed
the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation.
Senators Donley, Rieger, and Zharoff signed "no
recommendation."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 80(CRA)
An Act establishing the Department of Natural Resources
as the platting authority in certain areas of the
state; relating to subdivisions and dedications; and
providing for an effective date.
Co-chairman Halford directed that CSHB 80 (CRA) be brought
on for discussion and referenced SCS CSHB 80 (CRA).
REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES came before committee. She
explained that the bill would provided authorization for the
Dept. of Natural Resources to serve as the platting
authority for unorganized boroughs and boroughs that do not
have a platting authority. She described the situation
involving a subdivision in her district with no platting
authority. She further advised of paper plats and "plats
over plats" throughout the unorganized borough. Those plats
are required to be filed with the department, but the
department has no authority to do anything but file them.
The proposed bill was developed to provide the department
platting authority to enforce state laws.
The proposed bill also defines "subdivision" which was
previously defined differently in various statutes. This
definition would be made consistent throughout state law.
Representative James attested to support for the bill from
engineers and surveyors.
Senator Randy Phillips asked if the legislation would add
another function of government for which unorganized areas
would not pay. Representative James explained that a
service would be provided, but it should be self-supporting
through fees. There is a small fiscal note for setting up
and preparing to take on the additional duties. The process
should be revenue neutral as fees cover costs.
Senator Rieger voiced support for the bill and inquired
concerning language relating to fees. Representative James
suggested that fee provisions are in existing statutes.
They are to be approximately the same as those for organized
boroughs. Senator Randy Phillips asked if the sponsor would
object to a conceptual amendment requiring that fees cover
the cost of services. Representative James said she would
have no objection. Co-chairman Halford suggested that
language say that the fee may not exceed the direct cost of
the service. Senator Randy Phillips formally MOVED for
adoption of a conceptual amendment that fees for services
may not exceed the cost of services. Co-chairman Halford
noted that the object is that the fee not be a revenue tool
but merely a service tool. No objection having been raised,
the conceptual amendment was ADOPTED for incorporation
within a SCS CSHB 80(Fin) to be brought back to committee
for final review.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 382(STA)
An Act relating to the Board of Dispensing Opticians;
and providing for an effective date.
REPRESENTATIVE JAMES asked that CSHB 382(STA) be considered
by committee. She explained that it would extend the board
of dispensing opticians (scheduled to expire this year) to
the year 2002. It also effects a change in licensure by
credentials by requiring that credential standards be
substantially equivalent to or higher than those of Alaska.
Co-chairman Halford noted that he would normally question
the six-year rather than four-year extension, but he
acknowledged that it did not pose a serious threat to
passage. Representative James referenced a request by
legislative auditors for staggered sunset provisions for
boards. The six-year term responds to that request for this
particular board.
Senator Rieger MOVED for passage with reservations regarding
the six-year extension. No objection having been raised,
CSHB 382(STA) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a fiscal
note from the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development
showing costs of $9.8 and revenues of $48.9. Co-chairman
Frank and Senators Sharp and Zharoff signed the committee
report with a "do pass" recommendation. Co-chairman Halford
and Senators Donley, Phillips, and Rieger signed "no
recommendation."
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was recessed at approximately 10:15 a.m. for
attendance at a leadership meeting.
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