Legislature(1997 - 1998)
02/09/1998 09:15 AM Senate FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
9 February 1998
9:15 a.m.
TAPES
SFC-98, #24, Sides 1 and 2
CALL TO ORDER
Senator Bert Sharp, Co-chair, convened the meeting at
approximately 9:15 a.m.
PRESENT
In addition to Co-chairman Sharp, Senators Pearce, Phillips,
Donley, Torgerson and Adams were present when the meeting
was convened. Senator Parnell arrived shortly thereafter.
Also Attending: Senator Robin Taylor; Representative Pete
Kott; Representative Eldon Mulder; Danny DeWitt, chief of
staff to Representative Mulder; Geron Bruce, Legislative
Liaison, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Fish and
Game; Irvin Brock, Deputy Director, Division of Sport Fish,
Department of Fish and Game; Deborah Vogt, Deputy
Commissioner, Department of Revenue; Nanci A. Jones,
Director, Permanent Fund Dividend Division, Department of
Revenue; John Cyr, President, NEA-Alaska; and aides to
committee members and other legislative members.
Via Teleconference: listen only.
SUMMARY INFORMATION
SENATE BILL NO. 16
"An Act restricting the use of certain funds deposited
in the fish and game fund; and relating to the powers
and duties of the commissioner of fish and game."
Senator Robin Taylor, sponsor of the bill was invited to
join the committee. He outlined the changes made in the new
draft CS. Senator Torgerson moved CSSB 16 work draft.
Senator Adams objected asking how the fiscal notes would be
affected. Co-chair Sharp indicated that new fiscal notes
would be requested today. Senator Adams withdrew his
objection and CSSB 16 work draft was adopted. Senator
Donley and Senator Taylor discussed language changes for
stricter utilization of funds for specific purposes rather
that the department being able to use funds in general. Mr.
Geron Bruce and Mr. Irvin Brock were invited to join the
committee. Senator Adams stated he hoped the bill would not
put undue burden on State or Federal funds. Mr. Steve
White, Assistant Attorney General was invited to join the
committee. He explained section 4. There was further
discussion with Senator Parnell regarding the fiscal note
from the Department of Law. Mr. White explained that the
higher fiscal notes would be due to possible lawsuits or
injunctions. Senator Taylor also explained that Federal law
defines how monies are allocated. Senator Donley also asked
Mr. White to look into his request to the Attorney General's
Office and Mr. White indicated he would check it out.
Co-chair Sharp held CSSB 16 in committee.
HOUSE BILL NO. 2
"An Act allowing, for the purposes of permanent fund
dividend eligibility, an individual to accompany, as
the spouse or minor or disabled dependent, another
eligible resident who is absent for any of the
following reasons: vocational, professional, or other
specific education for which a comparable program is
not reasonably available in the state; secondary or
postsecondary education; military service; medical
treatment; service in the Congress or in the peace
corps; to care for the individual's terminally ill
parent, spouse, sibling, child, or stepchild; for up to
220 days to settle the estate of the individual's
deceased parent, spouse, sibling, child, or stepchild;
to care for a parent, spouse, sibling, child, or
stepchild with a critical life-threatening illness
whose treatment plan, as recommended by the attending
physician, requires travel outside of the state for
treatment at a medical specialty complex; or other
reasons that the commissioner of revenue may establish
by regulation; requiring, for the purposes of permanent
fund dividend eligibility, a state resident to have the
intent to remain indefinitely; relating to the
eligibility for 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997
permanent fund dividends of certain spouses and
dependents of eligible applicants; and providing for an
effective date."
Representative Pete Kott, sponsor of the bill was invited to
join the committee. Tom Williams, staff to Co-chair Sharp
was also invited to join the committee. He noted for the
committee that his comments were to the "R" version of the
work draft and explained that amendments #1 and #2 to the
work draft were technical in nature and were requested by
the department. Representative Kott said he had nothing to
offer to Mr. Williams discussion of the proposed CS,
specifically sections 2, 3, 5 and 7 because his office had
worked closely with Co-chair Sharp's office and the
department. He further noted that the amendments suggested
by the department were acceptable.
Senator Adams referred to section 4, page 5, line 14 and Mr.
Williams responded saying that in order to fulfill the
residency requirement one must be a resident for six months.
Senator Phillips moved SCS CSHB 2(FIN). Senator Adams
objected and asked for an explanation of the piggyback
provision for spouses. Mr. Williams clarified the provision
and Senator Adams withdrew his objection. SCS CSHB 2(FIN)
work draft was adopted. Senator Donley noted there was no
sponsor for amendments #1 and #2 and Senator Pearce advised
him that these were technical amendments and Co-chair Sharp
could not move them. Therefore Senator Pearce moved
amendments #1 and #2 and without objection they were
adopted. Senator Torgerson moved amendment #3 and Senator
Adams objected. Representative Kott explained that the
amendment would not change the intent of the allowable
absences. Both Senators Torgerson and Pearce discussed
outside volunteers and others being just as worthy of being
included under the volunteer opportunity. By a vote of five
yeas (Parnell, Phillips, Donley, Torgerson, Pearce) and two
nays (Adams, Sharp) amendment #3 was adopted.
Co-chair Sharp indicated that there would be a title change
and Mr. Williams commented to this change.
(Tape #24 switched to Side B.)
Deborah Vogt, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Revenue was
invited to join the committee. She explained the allowable
absence provision. There followed brief discussion between
committee members and Ms. Vogt on availability of
regulations to the department regarding allowable absences.
In response to a question from Co-chair Sharp, Ms. Vogt said
she would personally rather see no allowable absences. She
noted, however, that this legislation was not retroactive,
the number of technical changes was acceptable to the
department, and the seventy-two hour rule would take effect
immediately. She explained that an advertising campaign for
the seventy-two hour rule, if necessary, would have a fiscal
impact to an otherwise zero fiscal note.
Ms. Nanci Jones, Director, Permanent Fund Dividend Division,
Department of Revenue, was invited to join the committee.
She concurred with the statements of Ms. Vogt.
In response to a question by Senator Adams, Ms. Vogt related
difficulties regarding the seventy-two hour rule under
section nine, but noted that the effective date for the
remaining sections was acceptable. Senator Donley asked if
the ten-year cut-off could be made effective now and Ms.
Vogt said she did not foresee any legal problem.
Vincent Uscera, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division
(Juneau), Department of Law was invited to join the
committee. He said there would be no problem with the ten-
year cut-off date becoming immediately effective. Senator
Adams asked what the sponsor thought. Representative Kott
said he opposed the proposed amendment.
Senator Donley requested an at ease.
Co-chair Sharp called the committee to an at ease at
approximately 10:25 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at
approximately 10:30 a.m.
Senator Donley advised that he would offer no amendments at
this time.
Senator Pearce offered conceptual amendment #4, which would
provide allowable absences for teachers in approved school
exchange programs. Senators Parnell and Phillips objected.
By a vote of 2 yeas (Torgerson, Pearce) and 5 nays (Parnell,
Adams, Phillips, Donley, Sharp) amendment #4 failed.
Senator Parnell offered conceptual amendment #5 to pull out
peace corp and FEMA from the bill. Senator Torgerson
objected. By a vote of 5 yeas (Phillips, Parnell, Adams,
Pearce, Sharp) and 2 nays (Donley, Torgerson) amendment #5
was adopted.
Senator Phillips moved SCS CSHB 2(FIN) the "R" version and
without objection it was reported out with accompanying zero
fiscal note from the Department of Revenue, Permanent Fund
Dividend Division.
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19
Relating to the use of prototype designs in public
school construction projects.
CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19(HES)
Relating to the use of prototype designs in public
school construction projects.
Representative Eldon Mulder, sponsor of the bill was invited
to join the committee. He commented specifically on page
2, lines 15 - 18, noting there were unique needs in the
Arctic and sub-Arctic districts. Lines 19 - 23 referred to
prototype schools and design and he said that one size does
not fit all in Alaska. Alaska has unique traits. Senator
Pearce asked if this meant that a district could build as
big a school as they wanted.
Denny Dewitt, staff to Representative Eldon Mulder replied
that there were limitations as to square footage. Senator
Torgerson stated that there was a school engineer with the
department but no architect. He asked how this would impact
borough schools.
(Tape change to #25, Side A.)
Mr. DeWitt referred to page 1, line 15 and said it would
lean heavy to non-urban districts. Senator Adams felt the
language on page 2, line 15 was to restrictive and was
limited to elementary schools only. Representative Mulder
concurred citing the Kiana elementary and upper grade
schools saying there were being consolidated. Senator Adams
moved amendment #1 to strike "elementary" and insert "K-12"
on page 2 at line 15. Mr. DeWitt advised the word
"elementary" need only be stricken.
Co-chair Sharp at this time said he would hold SCR 19 in
committee.
Senator Phillips moved title change to HB 2. Senator Adams
objected stating that the removal of FEMA did not need a
title change. Co-chair Sharp explained that the matter
involved dates. Therefore, without objection the title
change was adopted and Mr. Williams said he would order the
resolution.
Senator Pearce reviewed the schedule for tomorrow with the
committee. She said Mr. Craig Holt would be presenting a
work session on Child Care Programs.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Sharp adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m. until
9:00 a.m. tomorrow.
SFC-98 5 2/9/98
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|