Legislature(2007 - 2008)
05/15/2007 11:19 AM Senate FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SR7 | |
| HB184 | |
| SR7 | |
| HB244 | |
| Alaska Marine Highway System Review and Approval | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
MINUTES
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 15, 2007
11:19 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Bert Stedman convened the meeting at approximately
11:19:00 AM.
PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
Senator Fred Dyson
Also Attending: REPRESENTATIVE BOB ROSES; WALT MONEGAN,
Commissioner, Department of Public Safety; DENICE LICCIOLI,
Staff to Senator Donny Olson; JOSH APPLEBEE, Staff to
Representative Bob Roses; MILES BAKER, Staff to Senator Bert
Stedman; KELLY HUBER, Staff to Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Attending via Teleconference: From an Offnet Location: DUANE
BANNOCK, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of
Administration
SUMMARY INFORMATION
SR 7-SENATE VPSO TASK FORCE
The Committee heard from the resolution's sponsor and the
Department of Public Safety. A committee substitute was adopted
and the resolution reported from Committee.
HB 184-MOTOR VEHICLES
The Committee heard from the bill's sponsor and the Division of
Motor Vehicles. A committee substitute and one amendment were
adopted and the bill reported from Committee.
HB 244-MEDAL OF HONOR
The Committee heard from the bill's sponsor. The bill reported
from Committee.
Alaska Marine Highway System Review and Approval
The Committee elected to expend Committee funds to hire a
consultant to advise them on matters pertaining to the Alaska
Marine Highway System.
11:19:43 AM
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
Creating and relating to the Senate VPSO Task Force.
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
SENATOR DONNY OLSON, the sponsor of the Resolution, moved to
adopt committee substitute Version 25-LS0856\C, Cook, dated
April 25, 2007, as the working document.
There being no objection, the Version 25-LS0856\C committee
substitute was ADOPTED as the working document.
11:20:33 AM
Senator Olson informed the Committee that this Resolution
addresses an issue of importance to people living in Rural
Alaska, that being the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO)
program. It is unfortunate that the attention given this program
has diminished in recent years as small communities consider it
"their first line of defense".
11:21:43 AM
DENICE LICCIOLI, Staff to Senator Donny Olson, explained that
the VPSO Task Force this Resolution would create would be
charged with determining what changes could be made to the VPSO
program to "strengthen and improve public safety in Rural areas"
of the State.
Ms. Liccioli stated that the program's recent inability to fill
vacancies and recruit and retain qualified people has further
reduced it effectiveness.
Ms. Liccioli advised that the Task Force, which would be
comprised of three members of the Senate, the Commissioner of
the Department of Public Safety or their designee, two public
members appointed by the Senate President, and the State
Attorney General or their designee, would likely meet no more
than six times or as directed by the Task Force chairperson.
Ms. Liccioli specified that Version "C" added the State Attorney
General or their designee to the Task Force. The intent was for
the Task Force to meet over the Legislative Interim and report
of their findings to the Legislature at the beginning of the
Second Session of the 25th Legislative Session.
11:23:53 AM
WALT MONEGAN, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety,
announced that he was "in complete agreement" with the intent of
this Resolution. The VPSO program is "a foundational public
safety issue that should be expanded" rather than diminished.
11:24:50 AM
Senator Olson asked the Commissioner to speak to how the energy
and optimism embodied in now-Governor Sarah Palin's campaign for
office might affect the VPSO program.
11:25:18 AM
Commissioner Monegan stated that while the initial concept of
the VPSO program was good, the program has "been allowed to
languish" in recent years. His desire would be that the Task
Force explore avenues through which the program could be
sustained and broadened. This might include such things as
"creating a whole new separate category in the Alaska Police
Standards Council."
11:26:15 AM
Senator Thomas noted that separate legislation has been
introduced that addresses some of the issues VPSO officers must
deal with. The point is that the VPSO program has had to deal
with external as well as internal issues.
11:27:33 AM
Commissioner Monegan considered the VPSO program "a piece of the
puzzle." An enhanced VPSO program would not be the "silver
bullet" that would address all the problems in Rural
communities, but that action would have a significant impact.
The State must take a "holistic" approach in utilizing its
resources to address the problems in Rural Alaska.
11:28:06 AM
There being no further Committee discussion or public
commentary, Senator Olson moved to report committee substitute,
Version 25-LS0856\C, from Committee with individual
recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
Co-Chair Stedman pointed out that the lack of any accompanying
fiscal note indicated that the Resolution had no fiscal impact.
There being no objection, CS SR 7(FIN) was REPORTED from
Committee with individual recommendations.
AT EASE 11:29:12 AM \ 11:30:19 AM
Co-Chair Stedman announced that the Resolution would be HELD in
Committee in order to clarify whether it should be accompanied
by a fiscal note.
[NOTE: The Resolution was brought back before the Committee
later in the hearing. See Timestamp 11:43:54 AM.]
11:30:41 AM
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(STA)
"An Act relating to a commemorative troops license plate
and to license plates available to disabled veterans;
relating to mandatory motor vehicle insurance, license
suspensions, and notices relating to motor vehicles and
driver's licenses; relating to registration of vehicles for
disabled persons; relating to the anatomical gift awareness
fund; and providing for an effective date."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to adopt committee substitute Version 25-
LS0621\V, Luckhaupt, dated May 14, 2007, as the working
document.
There being no objection, committee substitute Version 25-
LS0621\V was ADOPTED as the working document.
11:31:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE BOB ROSES, the bill's sponsor, stated that the
bill would establish a process through which people could
purchase commemorative plates in honor of those serving in the
military. The money raised by this endeavor would be utilized to
assist military families with such things as activities, rent
and other necessities, and education scholarships. While, many
components of the bill have changed during its committee hearing
process, an amendment of particular note was one that expanded
the program to include families of individuals serving in the
Alaska National Guard.
11:32:38 AM
JOSH APPLEBEE, Staff to Representative Bob Roses, informed the
Committee that Version "V" refined and shortened language
contained in previous versions of the bill.
Mr. Applebee stated that several amendments were adopted during
the bill's committee hearing process. For example, the Senate
State Affairs Committee added language to Section 1 subsection
(d) page 1 lines 7 through 10 to specify that money donated to
the organ transplant program "may be appropriated by the
Legislature to Life Alaska, Inc." The intent of specifically
naming Life Alaska Inc. in the bill was to clarify where the
money donated to this program would be appropriated.
Mr. Applebee continued. The House Veterans and Military Affairs
Committee added language to Section 2 to allow disabled veterans
to continue getting their vehicle license plates free of charge.
The amendment served to exempt them from the federal requirement
that the international disability symbol be depicted on the
plate. "That's a personal choice that I believe we should offer
them."
11:34:14 AM
Mr. Applebee stated that language in Section 3 provided
specifics to the design and the printing of the commemorative
troops license plates proposed in this legislation.
Mr. Applebee noted that the House Finance Committee added
language to Section 4 subsection (f) page 3 lines 1 through 8
which would allow residents over the age of 65 with a
demonstrated disability to receive their vehicle license plate
free of charge.
Mr. Applebee stated that the fee pertaining to the commemorative
troops license plate is detailed in Section 5 page 3 lines 9
through 20 of the bill. The $40 fee would be in addition to the
regular license plate fee and would be earmarked to benefit
Alaska troops and their families.
Mr. Applebee noted that Section 6, page 3 line 21, specifies
that the legislation would become effective July 1, 2007.
11:35:19 AM
Senator Huggins asked for further information about Life Alaska,
Inc.
11:35:33 AM
Mr. Applebee advised that Life Alaska Inc. is non-profit
organization which facilitates the data management of
individuals who sign up as organ and tissue donors. Were such an
individual to die, Life Alaska would determine which organs were
available and where they would need to be transported.
11:36:07 AM
Senator Huggins asked for further clarification about language
in Section 1; specifically whether the money collected from the
purchase of the commemorative troops license plates would be
allocated to Life Alaska Inc.
Mr. Applebee clarified that the Division of Motor Vehicles
operated two donation programs: one for money donated by people
toward the organ transplant program and the other being the
commemorative troops license plate fee. The language in Section
1 referred to the organ transplant program.
Senator Huggins acknowledged.
11:36:59 AM
Senator Huggins asked whether the eligibility criteria for the
disability license fee waiver proposed in Section 2, would
specify that an individual must be a minimum of 50 percent
disabled.
Mr. Applebee understood that to be correct.
11:37:07 AM
Co-Chair Stedman, noting that Duane Bannock with the Division of
Motor Vehicles was participating via teleconference, asked him
to explain how the money donated to the organ donor program is
collected and allocated.
DUANE BANNOCK, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department
of Administration, testified via teleconference from an offnet
location and informed the Committee that "the Anatomical Gift
Awareness Fund" was established approximately four years ago.
People visiting a Division of Motor Vehicle Office are asked
whether they would like to contribute to the Fund, also referred
to as the Donate a Dollar for Life fund. Donations have been
collected for the Program for approximately the past three and a
half years.
Co-Chair Stedman asked how the funds are dispersed.
11:37:59 AM
Mr. Bannock stated that that is the effort being undertaken in
this bill. This legislation would allow that money to be
allocated to Life Alaska Inc which is the organization in Alaska
"responsible of promotion of organ and tissue donation."
Co-Chair Stedman understood that the Donate a Dollar for Life
fund has accumulated approximately $60,000 to date.
Mr. Bannock affirmed.
Mr. Bannock disclosed that he was a volunteer board member of
Life Alaska Inc. donor services.
Co-Chair Stedman asked whether Life Alaska Inc. is the only
organization in the State involved in an organ donor program.
Mr. Bannock understood that to be true.
11:38:55 AM
Amendment #1: This amendment deletes the entirety of Section 1,
page 1 lines 5 through 8 and replaces it with the following
language.
Section 1. AS 13.50.160(d) is repealed and reenacted to
read:
(d) Money in the fund may be appropriated by the
legislature to an organization for the purpose of promoting
the donation program established in AS 13.50 and AS 13.52.
The amendment also repeals Alaska Statute 13.50.160(c). The
language being deleted reads as follows.
(c) Donations to the fund shall be segregated within
the fund until they are appropriated for use by the fund.
Co-Chair Stedman moved Amendment #1 and objected for purposes of
discussion.
11:39:17 AM
MILES BAKER, Staff to Co-Chair Stedman, distributed a copy of
Alaska Statute Section 13.15.160. Anatomical gift awareness
fund., which was the section of Statute affected by this
amendment and a copy of a May 14, 2007 memorandum from Gerald
Luckhaupt, Legislative Counsel, addressed to Senator Stedman
[copies on file]. The memorandum advised that the "direct
appropriations of funds to private organizations, even non-
profit organizations such as the reference to Life Alaska, Inc.
in Section 1 page 1 line 8 of Version "V", "may violate the
public purpose clause of Art. IX" of the State's Constitution.
Mr. Baker stated that this amendment would remove the reference
to Life Alaska Inc in order to address the Constitutionality
concern. The intent, however, is that the Legislature would
annually authorize an appropriation to Alaska Life Inc from the
fund. "The primary reason the money has not been spent is
because the Legislature just hasn't appropriated it."
Mr. Baker communicated that the Statutory language pertinent to
the Anatomical gift awareness fund was modeled after a similar
program adopted by the State of Washington. The Statute "is a
bit confusing" because that state's use of the term
"appropriations" differs from that of Alaska's.
Mr. Baker advised therefore that Amendment #1 would repeal the
language currently in AS 13.50.160(c) and would rewrite AS
13.50.160(d).
Mr. Baker stated that Life Alaska Inc. is currently the only
organ donor management organization in the State. The proposed
language could accommodate any other organization that might
conduct similar operations.
11:42:04 AM
Senator Thomas understood therefore that the amendment would
alter language in Version "V" to specify that the appropriation
to be made to "an organization" in general rather than a
specific named organization.
Mr. Baker replied that that was correct.
Co-Chair Stedman removed his objection.
There being no further objection, Amendment #1 was ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to report committee substitute Version
25-LS0621\V, as amended, from Committee with individual
recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, SCS CSHB 184(FIN) was REPORTED from
Committee with previous zero fiscal note #1 from the Department
of Administration.
11:43:54 AM
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7
Creating and relating to the Senate VPSO Task Force.
Co-Chair Stedman announced that the committee substitute for SR
7, Version 25-LS0856\C, was again before the Committee in order
to review a new fiscal note pertaining to it.
AT EASE: 11:44:17 AM / 11:45:24 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to rescind the Committee's earlier action
of reporting the Resolution from Committee.
Without objection, the motion was RESCINDED.
Co-Chair Stedman directed attention to the $45,000 fiscal note
dated April 27, 2007 from the Legislative Affairs Agency (LAA).
11:45:45 AM
Senator Thomas observed that the fiscal note depicted travel
expenses for Task Force members, but did not provide funding for
staff. While language on page 2 line 13 of the Resolution
specifies that the LAA would provide administrative support for
the Task Force that same provision indicates that staff might
also be hired.
11:46:19 AM
Senator Olson explained that the staff of the three Senators on
the Task Force would attend to Task Force needs.
Senator Thomas acknowledged.
11:46:54 AM
Senator Dyson spoke in support of the Resolution. He advised the
Committee that, several years earlier, he had discussed with the
Adjunct General of the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs "the concept that VPSOs, if they choose, could also be a
part of the Guard." This venture would make federal training
money and equipment available to the VPSOs. The discussion also
included the idea of sharing facilities and equipment. He has
advised Commissioner Monegan of this opportunity.
Senator Dyson also hoped that the Task Force would explore the
possibility of having the Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs and the Department of Public Safety "share personnel and
resources."
11:47:57 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to report the committee substitute for
Resolution 7, Version 25-LS0856\C, from Committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note.
Without objection, CS SR 7(FIN) was REPORTED from Committee with
new $45,000 fiscal note, dated April 27, 2007, from the
Legislative Affairs Agency.
11:48:23 AM
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 244(FIN)
"An Act creating an Alaska Decoration of Honor and
establishing criteria for awarding the decoration."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
11:48:54 AM
KELLY HUBER, Staff to Representative Nancy Dahlstrom, the bill's
sponsor and Co-Chair, House of Representatives and Senate Joint
Armed Services Committee (ASC), reminded the Committee that a
concurrent resolution creating an Alaska Medal of Honor was
passed by the House and Senate during the 24th Legislature. That
resolution tasked this Legislature with creating the medal and
its guidelines.
Ms. Huber reviewed the components of the bill, noting that due
to differing amendments offered in each house, the provisions of
this bill varied slightly from the current version of its Senate
companion bill. That bill had been introduced by ASC Co-Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski.
Ms. Huber declared that the purpose of this legislation was to
recognize "those men and women who give the ultimate sacrifice
in the line of duty". The original name proposed for the honor
has been changed from the "Medal of Honor" to the "Decoration of
Honor" in order to avoid confusion with, and not diminish, the
Congressional Medal of Honor.
Ms. Huber specified that the State's adjutant general would be
responsible for compiling the names of individuals eligible for
the Decoration. The initial list submitted to the Senate
President and the Speaker of the House would be a comprehensive
list of individuals since Statehood. Names would be submitted
annually thereafter.
Ms. Huber noted that the adjutant general would also be
responsible for maintaining a complete listing of the
individuals receiving the Decoration.
Ms. Huber informed the Committee that the Joint Armed Services
Committee would be tasked with designing the honor and
developing the criteria for being awarded it. This would include
consideration of how to present the honor to the families.
11:51:38 AM
Senator Huggins inquired to the process for designing the medal.
Ms. Huber replied that the Joint Armed Services Committee would
make that determination. They would develop a list of criteria
and then find an entity to design the medal based on that
criteria.
Senator Huggins commended the effort exerted by Ms. Huber to
advance this recognition.
11:52:48 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to report the bill from Committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CS HB 244(FIN)am was REPORTED from
Committee with previous $55,000 fiscal note #2 from the
Legislative Affairs Agency and previous zero fiscal note #1 from
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
AT EASE 11:53:20 AM / 11:53:40 AM
^ Alaska Marine Highway System Review and Approval
Alaska Marine Highway System
Review and Approval
Co-Chair Stedman communicated that in order to assist the
Legislature with their "struggle" to address the Alaska Marine
Highway System's (AMHS) financial challenges and enable the
State to provide "a viable transportation system through coastal
Alaska", the Committee is proposing to authorize an expenditure
of up to $100,000 to hire a consultant to advise the Committee
on the matter during the Legislative Interim. Governor Sarah
Palin's Administration and the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOT) are also working to develop a report
about the AMHS. That report should be available in January 2008.
Co-Chair Stedman contended that conducting this work during the
Interim would be beneficial to the workings of the Committee
during the Second Session of the 25th Legislature, particularly
as that Session would be limited to 90 days.
11:54:39 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman moved the Committee "expend $100,000 of
Committee funds for a Request for Proposals to review and assess
the operations of the Alaska Marine Highway System."
Senator Dyson objected in order to ask whether any specific
candidates for this consulting position have been identified.
11:55:13 AM
Co-Chair Stedman responded that the proposal was still in its
concept stage. He noted however that a person on his staff, who
had worked at DOT for several years and was familiar with its
operations, would be developing the Request for Proposals (RFP)
for the project.
11:55:46 AM
Co-Chair Stedman touted the benefits of hiring someone
unfamiliar with the AMHS. They might provide "an outside view, a
fresh look to help us sort through some of these problems."
Senator Dyson appreciated the information. He recommended that a
firm named the Elliot Bay Design Group be considered.
Co-Chair Stedman acknowledged the recommendation and invited
other members to provide suggestions. He reiterated the idea of
hiring someone unfamiliar with the System, as a fresh approach
might prevent the same problems from resurfacing year to year.
Senator Dyson remarked that the effort should concentrate on
developing a marine transportation system for southeast and
southern coastal Alaska including the Gulf of Alaska. The
conclusion might be that something other than continuing the
status quo AMHS would be appropriate. For instance, the addition
of a commuter airline or barge service in an area might
compliment the service. The effort should be to develop "the
best transportation system" rather than solely concentrating on
"the best way" to use the System's existing resources.
11:57:39 AM
Co-Chair Stedman acknowledged that interest has been expressed
"in seeing some change in the way the State administers" the
AMHS.
Senator Dyson mentioned that the previous AMHS director had
envisioned utilizing short connecter roads to reduce the length
of ferry routes. These ideas are worth considering. Moving
vehicles and freight by barge or people by plane as opposed to a
ferry might also make sense in the endeavor to develop an
"effective and efficient" transportation system.
11:58:40 AM
Senator Elton shared the expectation that the effort produce "a
look from outside the System. I think, that too often, we have
focused upon having managers come up with plans but the problem,
sometimes there, is that you're locked into what you already
have…" Another issue is that "within the bureaucracy you have
different people that are protective of different elements of
the system."
Senator Elton agreed that someone from outside the system might
have new ideas about how to move people and freight.
11:59:31 AM
Senator Dyson informed the Committee that he had worked for
several years with a group that is attempting to implement a
Northwest Transportation Pass similar to the Eurail pass for the
ferry and train systems in British Columbia, the State of
Washington, and Alaska. The intent would be to allow a person
purchasing this pass to ride any ferry or train in the system.
Increasing tourism rider-ship on the ferries would be a boom for
the System.
AT EASE 12:00:25 PM /12:00:53 PM
Senator Dyson removed his objection to the motion.
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to withdraw his motion in order to move
more specific language.
There being no objection, the motion was WITHDRAWN.
Co-Chair Hoffman moved that the Committee authorize Co-Chair
Stedman "to solicit, award, and expend up to $100,000 of Senate
Finance Committee Funds for an RFP to review and assess
operations of the Alaska Marine Highway System."
Co-Chair Stedman objected for discussion.
Co-Chair Stedman qualified that the motion had been modified to
authorize him to act on behalf of the Committee.
12:01:45 PM
Senator Dyson sought assurance that the reference to the AMHS
did not limit the effort to just reviewing the ferry system. The
effort should be comprehensive in its approach to providing a
transportation system would provide the best service to people
in the region.
Co-Chair Stedman affirmed. The goal is to find "a solution".
Even though the current transportation mode is dominated by the
AMHS, other options should be considered.
Co-Chair Stedman removed his objection.
There being no further objection, the motion was ADOPTED.
RECESS TO THE CALL OF CHAIR 12:02:59 PM / 7:55 PM
Co-Chair Stedman brought the Committee back to order. There
being no further business to address, the meeting was adjourned.
[NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, the adjournment of the
meeting was not recorded.]
ADJOURNMENT
Co-Chair Bert Stedman adjourned the meeting at 7:55 PM.
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