Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532

04/15/2011 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE


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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= HB 126 BOARD EXTENSIONS: NURSE/DENTIST/BARBERS TELECONFERENCED
Moved SCS CSHB 126(FIN) Out of Committee
+= HB 119 AIDEA: PROCUREMENT; PROJECTS TELECONFERENCED
Moved SCS CSHB 119(FIN) Out of Committee
+ HB 13 WORKERS' COMPENSATION: MEDICAL FEES TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ HB 97 EXTEND INVASIVE PLANTS LAW TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ HB 173 SPORT FISHING GUIDING SERVICES TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ HB 160 TOURISM MARKETING CONTRACTS/CAMPAIGNS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                 SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE                                                                                       
                      April 15, 2011                                                                                            
                         9:27 a.m.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:27:10 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman   called  the  Senate   Finance  Committee                                                                    
meeting to order at 9:27 a.m.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair                                                                                                 
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair                                                                                                  
Senator Lesil McGuire, Vice-Chair                                                                                               
Senator Johnny Ellis                                                                                                            
Senator Dennis Egan                                                                                                             
Senator Donny Olson                                                                                                             
Senator Joe Thomas                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
None                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
ALSO PRESENT                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Representative   Mike   Hawker;   Ted   Leonard,   Executive                                                                    
Director, AIDEA;  Mark Davis, AIDEA; Conrad  Jackson, Staff,                                                                    
Representative  Olson;   Linda  Hall,   Insurance  Director,                                                                    
Department of Insurance,  Department of Commerce, Community,                                                                    
and    Economic   Development;    Jeanne   Ostnes,    Staff,                                                                    
Representative   Johnson;  Representative   Steve  Thompson;                                                                    
Representative  Bob  Herron;  Susan K.  Bell,  Commissioner,                                                                    
Department of Commerce,  Community and Economic Development;                                                                    
Patti Mackey, President, Ketchikan Visitors Bureau;                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SUMMARY                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 13     Workers' Compensation: Medical Fees                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 97     Extend Invasive Plants Law                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 119    AIDEA: Procurement; Projects                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
HB 126    Board Extensions: Nurses/Dentists/Barbers                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HB 160    Tourism Marketing Contracts/Campaigns                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 173    Sport Fishing Guiding Services                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 126                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act  extending the termination  dates of  the Board                                                                    
     of Nursing,  the Board of  Dental Examiners,  the Board                                                                    
     of Barbers and  Hairdressers, the Regulatory Commission                                                                    
     of Alaska,  and the  Alcoholic Beverage  Control Board;                                                                    
     and providing for an effective date."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:28:51 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman requested explanation of HB 126.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MIKE HAWKER  explained  that HB  126 was  an                                                                    
omnibus bill to  renew and extend the dates of  the Board of                                                                    
Nursing,  the  Board  of  Dental  Examiners,  the  Board  of                                                                    
Barbers  and  Hairdressers,  the  Regulatory  Commission  of                                                                    
Alaska,  and  the  Alcoholic  Beverage  Control  Board.  The                                                                    
extension dates in  the bill were suggested  by the Division                                                                    
of  Legislative audit,  with the  exception  of the  Alcohol                                                                    
Beverage  Control  Board,  which   had  issues  still  being                                                                    
currently  debated and  had therefore  been  granted only  a                                                                    
one-year extension.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman highlighted the  two fiscal notes. One from                                                                    
the   Department   of   Commerce  Community   and   Economic                                                                    
Development  showing  the  cost   to  extend  the  Board  of                                                                    
Nursing, the  Board of  Dental Examiners,  and the  Board of                                                                    
Barbers and Hairdressers at  $1,431,900 in receipt supported                                                                    
services.  The  second  fiscal note  was  a  Senate  Finance                                                                    
Committee  note from  the Department  of  Public safety  for                                                                    
$1,505,700  in  program  receipts   to  extent  the  Alcohol                                                                    
Beverage Control Board for one year.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:30:39 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman MOVED  to report  SCS  for CS  for HB  126                                                                    
(FIN)  with SCR  title  change resolution  out of  committee                                                                    
with individual recommendations  and the accompanying fiscal                                                                    
notes. There being NO OBJECTION it was so ordered.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SCS  for  CS  for  HB   126  (FIN)  with  SCR  title  change                                                                    
resolution was  REPORTED out of  committee with a  "do pass"                                                                    
recommendation  and with  accompanying previously  published                                                                    
fiscal impact note and new fiscal impact note.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 119                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     "An  Act  relating  to  the  procurement  of  supplies,                                                                    
     services, professional  services, and  construction for                                                                    
     the   Alaska   Industrial    Development   and   Export                                                                    
     Authority; relating to the definition  of 'own' for the                                                                    
     economic   development   account;   relating   to   the                                                                    
     definitions   of    'development   project',   'plant',                                                                    
     'facility',  and 'project'  for  the Alaska  Industrial                                                                    
     Development and Export Authority;  and providing for an                                                                    
     effective date."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
9:32:11 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
TED   LEONARD,   EXECUTIVE   DIRECTOR,   Alaska   Industrial                                                                    
Development  and  Export  Authority (AIDEA),  introduced  HB
119. He  stated that  the legislation  would allow  AIDEA to                                                                    
create  its own  procurement  rules  under state  purchasing                                                                    
statutes,  as  well  as  allow AIDEA  to  partner  with  the                                                                    
private corporate  sector by allowing investment  in Limited                                                                    
Liability  Corporations  and  subsidiary  corporations.  The                                                                    
bill would also  expand the definition of  projects to allow                                                                    
for   investment  in   various  sectors   of  the   economy.                                                                    
Additionally, HB 119  would allow AIDEA to  bond for Skagway                                                                    
improvements up to $65 million.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MARK DAVIS, AIDEA, explained that  there had been amendments                                                                    
to the bill;  one by the Alaska  Housing Finance Corporation                                                                    
(AHFC) which permitted AHFC to  work with the private sector                                                                    
and make  use of federal  funds for low income  housing, the                                                                    
other  a provision  that  would allow  two  ports that  were                                                                    
owned  by housing  authorities to  apply  for Department  of                                                                    
Transportation grants.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:33:28 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the two zero fiscal notes.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman  MOVED  to  report   SCS  HB  119  out  of                                                                    
committee   with   individual    recommendations   and   the                                                                    
accompanying fiscal  notes. There being NO  OBJECTION it was                                                                    
so ordered.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SCSHB 119  was REPORTED  out of committee  with a  "do pass"                                                                    
recommendation and  with a previously published  zero fiscal                                                                    
note  from  the  Department   of  Commerce,  Community,  and                                                                    
Economic  Development; and  new  zero fiscal  note from  the                                                                    
Senate  Finance Committee  for the  Department of  Commerce,                                                                    
Community, and Economic Development.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 13                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to fees and charges for medical                                                                           
     treatment or services as they relate to workers'                                                                           
    compensation; and providing for an effective date."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:34:52 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CONRAD  JACKSON, STAFF,  REPRESENTATIVE OLSON,  explained HB
13 was an act relating  to the medical treatment and service                                                                    
fees as related to worker's  compensation. He stated that in                                                                    
2005 the  legislature amended AS 23.30.095(J)  to expand the                                                                    
scope  of the  Medical Services  Review Committee  to assist                                                                    
and  advise  the  Department  of   Labor  and  the  Worker's                                                                    
Compensation    Board     in    matters     involving    the                                                                    
appropriateness, necessity  and cost of medical  and related                                                                    
services.  He referred  to pages  11 and  12 of  the excerpt                                                                    
from  the Medical  Services  Review  Committee report  dated                                                                    
November 2009 (copy  on file). He stated  that one intention                                                                    
of the report was to set  the medical fee schedule in place.                                                                    
The legislation puts the fee  schedule in place prior to the                                                                    
current  expiration of  June 30,  2011. He  referred to  the                                                                    
sponsor statement  (copy on file) which  discussed the basis                                                                    
of the new schedule.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:37:39 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman pointed out the fiscal note.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:37:49 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson asked  how business owners had  reacted to the                                                                    
legislation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Jackson  replied that contact  with business  owners had                                                                    
not  been  made. Representatives  of  industry  had been  in                                                                    
agreement  that  the new  fee  schedule  was necessary.  The                                                                    
expiration of  the current fee schedule  was problematic and                                                                    
without  the new  fee schedule  in place  increased premiums                                                                    
were expected.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson wondered if medical  providers had offered and                                                                    
opinion on the legislation.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Jackson  remarked  that  provider  attention  had  been                                                                    
placed on  a different bill.  He stressed that the  bill did                                                                    
not change what is already in place.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:39:25 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson  expressed concern that employees  handing the                                                                    
codes should be properly educated on how to process them.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Jackson  clarified that  the codes  existed, but  not in                                                                    
the fee  schedule. So the  people processing the  codes were                                                                    
educated about  them, the codes  were simply not  covered in                                                                    
the current fee schedule.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
LINDA  HALL, INSURANCE  DIRECTOR,  DEPARTMENT OF  INSURANCE,                                                                    
DEPARTMENT    OF   COMMERCE,    COMMUNITY,   AND    ECONOMIC                                                                    
DEVELOPMENT,   discussed  the   charts;  "Medical   Benefits                                                                    
Constitute the  Majority of Total  Benefit Cost  in Alaska",                                                                    
"Alaska Medical Average Cost  per Case vs. Countrywide"(copy                                                                    
on file). She stated that 75  percent of the system costs in                                                                    
Alaska were  medical benefits,  countrywide the  average was                                                                    
58 percent.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:41:34 AM                                                                                                                    
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:42:19 AM                                                                                                                    
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:42:28 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Hall offered  that the  state had  substantially higher                                                                    
benefits  costs  than  the lower  48.  The  "Alaska  Medical                                                                    
Average  Cost per  Case vs.  Countrywide" chart  illustrated                                                                    
that the average  cost per case in 2009 was  $37,000 and the                                                                    
average  cost countrywide  was $27,000,  resulting  in a  37                                                                    
percent  higher  average  per  case  cost  for  Alaska.  She                                                                    
referred to the two page  Oregon study (copy on file), which                                                                    
showed that  Alaska had moved  from first place,  having the                                                                    
highest  worker's compensation  premium,  to  number 2.  She                                                                    
concluded that the  purpose of the charts  was to illustrate                                                                    
the  high cost  of worker's  compensation costs.  She stated                                                                    
that the  cost cap  would not be  onerous. The  fee schedule                                                                    
would  be  based at  the  90th  percentile and  most  health                                                                    
insurance policies used 70 to  80th percentile. She believed                                                                    
that  the  fee  schedule   was  generous  and  would  enable                                                                    
physicians  to treat  workers  injured on  the  job and  not                                                                    
prohibit any type of medical care.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:45:34 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson  wondered what effect  the bill would  have on                                                                    
the injured employee.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Hall  felt that  the users  experience would  either get                                                                    
easier or stay relatively the same.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson  hoped that workers  under Medicare  would not                                                                    
be denied coverage by physicians.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Hall assured  the committee  she was  not aware  of any                                                                    
medical office  that had suggested  not caring  for patients                                                                    
under Medicare.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB  13  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in   committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:47:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 97                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     "An  Act  extending  a provision  relating  to  noxious                                                                    
     weeds,   invasive   plants,   and   agricultural   pest                                                                    
     management  and education;  providing for  an effective                                                                    
     date by  repealing the  effective date  of sec.  2, ch.                                                                    
     102, SLA 2008; and providing for an effective date."                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
JEANNE OSTNES,  STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON,  explained HB
97 would eliminate  the sunset date for a  vital position in                                                                    
Alaska's  natural  resources.  The  position  coordinated  a                                                                    
network  of  dedicated  individuals  both  volunteering  and                                                                    
paid. The  position had  been created  with an  $80 thousand                                                                    
dollar fiscal note which had  not reflected travel, supplies                                                                    
or  commodities.  Details like  a  desk  and phone  for  the                                                                    
position had been  largely funded by grants  acquired by the                                                                    
position  holder. She  said  that the  state  had a  growing                                                                    
invasive weed problem that directly affected fish streams.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman referred to the fiscal notes.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:50:55 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson wondered if the  position holder would be able                                                                    
to eventually distribute violation citations.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Ostnes  was doubtful.  She  said  that controlling  the                                                                    
evasive   weeds  would   happen   through  cooperation   and                                                                    
coordination and not police action.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
9:52:35 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Ostnes pointed out a  chart in the packet "Perception of                                                                    
an Invasive Species" (copy on file).                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB  97  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in   committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 173                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act amending the termination date of the licensing                                                                     
     of sport fishing operators and sport fishing guides;                                                                       
     and providing for an effective date."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STEVE  THOMPSON, explained HB 173.  He stated                                                                    
that the  program was an  amendment of the  termination date                                                                    
of  the  licensing  of sport  fishing  operators  and  sport                                                                    
fishing  guides  and  provided for  an  effective  date.  He                                                                    
stated that the  program provided benefits for  the state as                                                                    
well  as the  industry. The  program had  been in  operation                                                                    
since  2005  and  had   received  regular  extensions,  most                                                                    
recently in 2010. The Department  of Fish and Game supported                                                                    
the legislation.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:54:53 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  noted the fiscal note  from the Department                                                                    
of Fish and Game.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
9:55:15 AM                                                                                                                    
Senator  McGuire  thanked  Representative Thompson  for  the                                                                    
simplified version of the bill.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:55:45 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Olson  spoke  to tensions  between  commercial  and                                                                    
sport fishermen.  He probed the commercial  fisheries stance                                                                    
on the legislation.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Representative Thompson  replied that the program  helped to                                                                    
provide  information   to  federal  agencies   and  resource                                                                    
managers    and    ensured    the    long-term    ecological                                                                    
sustainability  of  the  economic  statewide  fisheries.  He                                                                    
stated that the bill spoke to all fisheries user groups.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Olson  commented  on the  letter  from  the  United                                                                    
Fisheries  of   Alaska,  which   offered  support   for  the                                                                    
legislation.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB  173  was  HEARD  and   HELD  in  committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 160                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     "An  Act  establishing  and   relating  to  the  Alaska                                                                    
     visitor industry investment  fund; relating to matching                                                                    
     funds  for  state   tourism  marketing  contracts  with                                                                    
     qualified  trade  associations;  and providing  for  an                                                                    
     effective date."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
9:57:35 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE BOB  HERRON explained HB 160.  He stated that                                                                    
the  General  Fund  amount  would  not  exceed  $12  million                                                                    
regardless of the amount put  forward by trade associations.                                                                    
The  legislation would  require a  group within  a qualified                                                                    
trade association  to consist of three  persons appointed by                                                                    
the  governor,  and  six selected  by  the  qualified  trade                                                                    
association.  The bill  contained a  limit for  lobbying and                                                                    
repealed AS 44.33.125(d).                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:59:24 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman  referred  to  page   3,  line  9  of  the                                                                    
legislation. He  clarified that public  access would  not be                                                                    
excluded.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  referred to two  fiscal notes  attached to                                                                    
the bill.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:00:50 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SUSAN  K.   BELL,  COMMISSIONER,  DEPARTMENT   OF  COMMERCE,                                                                    
COMMUNITY AND  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT explained  that recently                                                                    
there had  been a wane  in visitors  to the state.  She said                                                                    
that over the last two years  5,000 jobs in the industry had                                                                    
been  lost. She  stated that  the issue  was statewide,  and                                                                    
stressed that  there were  signs of  recovery and  that this                                                                    
was an important  time not to back off  the states marketing                                                                    
efforts.  She  felt  that  the  bill  was  a  piece  of  the                                                                    
strategy. She hoped the state  would continue the investment                                                                    
at  $16   million,  which  would   take  a   combination  of                                                                    
legislation and budget work.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman commented  that the  economy had  recently                                                                    
emerged  from a  worldwide  recession. He  pointed out  that                                                                    
there had  been a  retreat in the  economy partially  due to                                                                    
the issue of the cruise ship  head tax. He felt that the two                                                                    
combined had had a significant impact in visitor decline.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Bell  responded that the  2009 independent  markets were                                                                    
affected by the  recession. She thought that  changes in the                                                                    
tax regime and interactions  with various markets had played                                                                    
a  role.  She  stated  industry  research  showed  a  cruise                                                                    
recovery, and  there were slight  increases on  the horizon.                                                                    
She  stressed  increased marketing  and  the  change in  the                                                                    
dynamics with the industry would aid in recovery.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
10:04:12 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Hoffman  wondered  if   there  were  any  concerns                                                                    
regarding   differences  in   the   strategies  related   to                                                                    
marketing the seafood and the tourism industry.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Bell replied  that the seafood industry  marketing was a                                                                    
model  for the  tourist industry.  She said  and appropriate                                                                    
tax structure, healthy state  funding and communication with                                                                    
the market were all factors that had been incorporated.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:05:26 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
PATTI   MACKEY,   PRESIDENT,  KETCHIKAN   VISITORS   BUREAU,                                                                    
testified in support of HB  160. She stressed the importance                                                                    
of  funding  for tourism  marketing.  She  pointed out  that                                                                    
revenues  had  dropped  and   small  business  closures  had                                                                    
occurred across the  state. She felt that there  should be a                                                                    
comprehensive marketing  strategy in place. She  stated that                                                                    
due  to  the  FY  11 appropriation,  the  state  achieved  a                                                                    
substantial  increase in  visibility. Television  spots were                                                                    
airing on  7 different  networks, and magazine  and internet                                                                    
advertising  was  significantly  expanded.  Maintaining  the                                                                    
level of  state funding  was necessary to  open the  door to                                                                    
future growth and development.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman looked  at the language of page  3, line 8,                                                                    
specifically referring  to exclusions of  funding lobbyists.                                                                    
He felt that the language was odd.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Mackay remarked the language  referring to lobbyists was                                                                    
not a n issue with the organization.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman   clarified  that  the   organization  was                                                                    
comfortable  not  having  paid   lobbyists  in  the  Capitol                                                                    
Building working for additional funding.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Mackay  replied that  she  was  willing work  with  the                                                                    
legislation if  it would result  in a  sustainable marketing                                                                    
program.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:10:18 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Thomas  understood  that   as  long  as  the  trade                                                                    
association  was  putting in  50  percent,  the state  could                                                                    
contribute up to $12 million.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Herron   explained  that  the   formula  and                                                                    
assured the  committee that the total  contribution from the                                                                    
state would be $12 million  regardless of the trigger or the                                                                    
formula combination.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Stedman reiterated  the  question concerning  paid                                                                    
lobbyists. He  felt it was  strange that a  marketing entity                                                                    
would be barred by statue from hiring a paid lobbyist.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Herron  responded  that  the  provision  had                                                                    
surfaced  in  the  House  Finance   Committee  CS,  and  had                                                                    
remained without debate.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:12:32 AM                                                                                                                   
Senator McGuire referred  to discussions concerning changing                                                                    
the match once it exceeded $3 million.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative Herron replied that  the funding level in the                                                                    
department was  $16 million of  General Funds.  Changing the                                                                    
transitional  trigger  might  get  closer  to  current  year                                                                    
preferred funding levels.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator McGuire  wondered if he  would be supportive  of the                                                                    
concept.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative Herron  responded that  he was  supportive of                                                                    
the concept of the amendment and helping the industry.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
10:14:35 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Ellis understood  that the  governor would  appoint                                                                    
three cruise ship industry  representatives to the marketing                                                                    
board of  9, whereas the  current 32 member  marketing board                                                                    
offered only  three seats  to the  industry. He  queried the                                                                    
dramatic  increase   of  industry   influence  on   the  new                                                                    
marketing board.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Herron  replied that  there had  been concern                                                                    
about such  a dramatic  change. He added  that there  was no                                                                    
requirement of  significant financial input from  the cruise                                                                    
interests.  The  hope was  that  there  would be  additional                                                                    
attention and possible  additional financial contribution to                                                                    
a marketing campaign because of the new board structure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:16:52 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  pointed out that  the industry  would have                                                                    
one-third  control   of  the  board,  regardless   of  their                                                                    
contribution.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Herron  said  that  the  scenario  had  been                                                                    
recognized.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
10:17:28 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB  160  was  HEARD  and   HELD  in  committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
10:17:40 AM                                                                                                                   
AT EASE                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:17:59 AM                                                                                                                   
RECONVENED                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:18:01 AM                                                                                                                   
RECESS                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
4:50:56 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The meeting was adjourned at 4:51 PM.                                                                                           

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 13 Sectional Analysis.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 13 Sponsor Statement.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB13 Supporting Documents - Letter NFIB 1-31-2011.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB13 Supporting Documents - Letter PSPA 2-8-2011.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB13 Supporting Documents 2010 NCCI AK Med.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB13 Supporting Documents OR Rate Study Comparison.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB13 Supporting Documets - MSRC Nov 2009 Report pages 11-12.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/16/2011 10:00:00 AM
HB 97 - 02 HB097 Sponsor Statement.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/16/2011 10:00:00 AM
HB 97
HB 97 - 06 HB097 LOS AK Sealife Center.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/16/2011 10:00:00 AM
HB 97
HB 97 - 06 HB097_Perception_of_an_Invasive_Species author.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 97
HB 97 - 04 HB097 Invasive Weeds and Agriculture Pest Coordinator Accomplishments.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 97
HB 97 - 06 HB097 Report on the Alaska Weed Project authorship.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 97
HB 97 - 06 HB097 Testify Zaumzeil.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 97
HB 97 - 06 HB097 LOS AK Comte for Noxious and Inv Plants Mgment.PDF SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 97
HB 173 - KRSA Sportfishing Overview Slide 19am - Feb 15 Meeting - Transition Team Topics - Sportfishing Guide Service Board.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 173 - Licensing Reauthorization Sport Fish Briefing - ADF&G - 2011.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 173 - Saltwater Logsheet and Vessel Registartion - 2011.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/16/2011 10:00:00 AM
HB 173
HB 173 - Sponsor Statement.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 173 - UFA Ltr - Support.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 160 - ATIA - AK Tourism Marketing FAQ.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 160
HB 160 - Explanation of Changes (For Senate Finance).pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 160
HB126 Sponsor Statement.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-ABC Audit Summary 2009.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-ABC Sunset Review.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-Barbers and Hairdressers Sunset Review.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-Dental Examiners Audit Summary.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-Dental Examiners Sunset Review.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-LB&A Subcommittee Recommendation ABC Board.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB 160 - Letters of Support 3.1.11-1.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 160
HB 160 - Sectional Analysis (for Senate Finance).pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 160
HB 160 - Sponsor Statement (Senate Finance).pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 160
HB126 Supporting Documents-Nursing Audit Summary.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-Nursing Sunset Review.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-RCA Audit Summary.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB126 Supporting Documents-RCA Sunset Review.pdf HL&C 2/9/2011 3:15:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB 126 SCS FIN Version E.pdf SFIN 4/13/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB 126 SFIN for DPS.pdf SFIN 4/13/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 126
HB119_Bill-Projects.pdf HEDT 2/3/2011 10:15:00 AM
HEDT 2/8/2011 10:15:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB119_FiscalNote-Projects.pdf HEDT 2/3/2011 10:15:00 AM
HEDT 2/8/2011 10:15:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB119_SectionalAnalysis-Projects.pdf HEDT 2/3/2011 10:15:00 AM
HEDT 2/8/2011 10:15:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB119_Amendment-Projects.pdf HEDT 2/3/2011 10:15:00 AM
HEDT 2/8/2011 10:15:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 - AIDEA Response to questions.doc HEDT 2/8/2011 10:15:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 Sectional Analysis CS EDT.pdf HFIN 2/22/2011 1:30:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 AIDEA Bill Information Sheet and letter.pdf HFIN 2/22/2011 1:30:00 PM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 - CSC CSHB119 Questions and Answers.pdf SFIN 4/14/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 - SCS CSHB119 Explanation of Changes.pdf SFIN 4/14/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 - SCS CSHB119 Sectional Analysis.pdf SFIN 4/14/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 HarborTransfers.pdf SFIN 4/13/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 SCS FIN Version E.pdf SFIN 4/13/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 AHFC Letter 020811.pdf SFIN 4/13/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 119 Buccanerr Energy Letter.pdf SFIN 4/13/2011 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 119
HB 160 - Tourism Marketing Expenses by FY (DCCED) CORRECTED.pdf SFIN 4/15/2011 9:00:00 AM
HB 160