Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/19/2009 11:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB151 | |
| Presentation: Stampede State Recreation Area | |
| HB113 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 113 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 19, 2009
11:17 a.m.
11:17:03 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 11:17 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Mark Neuman; James Ellis, Staff,
Representative Mark Neuman; Tim Grussendorf, Staff, Senator
Lyman Hoffman;
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Jeff Johnson, Manager, Alaska Boating Safety Program; James
King, Director, Division of Parks and Recreation;
SUMMARY
CS HB 113(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)
"An Act making supplemental appropriations,
capital appropriations, and other appropriations;
amending appropriations; making appropriations to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective
date."
SCS CSHB 113 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation.
CS HB 151(FIN)
"An Act amending the termination date of the
statewide boating safety and education program;
providing for an effective date by amending the
effective date of secs. 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16,
18, 20, 23, 26, and 27, ch. 28, SLA 2000, as
amended; and providing for an effective date."
CS HB 151(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with
a "do pass" recommendation and with attached
fiscal note 2 by the Department of Natural
Resources.
Presentation:
Stampede Recreation Area
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 151(FIN)
"An Act amending the termination date of the statewide
boating safety and education program; providing for an
effective date by amending the effective date of secs.
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, and 27, ch. 28,
SLA 2000, as amended; and providing for an effective
date."
CS HB 151(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with attached fiscal note 2 by
the Department of Natural Resources.
11:18:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN, SPONSOR spoke in support of the
legislation, which would continue the program to put
lifejackets at boat launches, and teach children to swim
through school programs.
JAMES ELLIS, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE MARK NEUMAN, explained
that the legislation would extend the Alaska Boating Safety
program. Under the legislation's current form, the program
would be extended for one year. The program began in 2000
and is funded through a mix of federal grants and license
receipts. The program will terminate before the next session
due to a conflict with the federal fiscal year grant cycle
if the legislation is not passed. The program has taught
boating safety to over 63,000 children and over 14,000
adults and has 104 instructors across the state. Training is
also provided to state troopers and other law enforcement
officers. The program has distributed over 20,000 kids don't
float life vests at 514 stations in 153 communities in
partnerships with local organizations. He concluded that
there has been a 20 percent decrease in boating fatalities
and increased compliance with basic boating standards and
rules. Seventeen children have been rescued while wearing
these life vests.
Senator Huggins noted that the provision had been in place
for eight years and commented on the lives saved. Co-Chair
Stedman commented on the importance of protecting children
in coastal communities.
Co-Chair Stedman observed that the legislation has one
attached fiscal note for $364.5 thousand for FY 10 and FY
11.
11:22:11 AM
JEFF JOHNSON, MANAGER, ALASKA BOATING SAFETY PROGRAM
(testified via teleconference) offered to answer questions.
JAMES KING, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION
testified via teleconference in support of the legislation.
He pointed out that the fiscal note would be funded by
boater registration fees. The rest of the program would be
funded through a federal grant. He described the success of
the program and emphasized the decline in deaths resulting
from boating.
11:24:27 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to report CS HB 151(FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 151(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with attached fiscal note 2 by the
Department of Natural Resources.
11:24:54 AM
^PRESENTATION: STAMPEDE STATE RECREATION AREA
Senator Thomas, Sponsor, presented an overview, "SB 108-
Stampede State Recreation Area," (copy on file).
Senator Thomas noted that Stampeded Road corridor is
northwest of Healy and flanked on three sides by the Denali
National Park and is a traditional place for Alaskans to
pursue recreational activities:
· Hunting and trapping
· Dog mushing
· All-terrain vehicles
· Watercraft use
· Snowmachining
· Horseback riding
· Dog sledding
· Camping
Senator Thomas explained that legislation would preserve the
traditional use of the area by creating the Stampede
Recreation Area. Several years ago former Governor Murkowski
proposed a road through the area, which was vehemently
opposed by residents and recreational users. The Denali
Borough Assembly designated the corridor as the Stampede
State Recreational area with a strong emphasis on self
determination by the residents and users of the area for its
protection. The current use includes off road and all
terrain vehicle use, hunting and trapping, dog mushing,
watercraft use, hiking, bicycling, snow machining, horseback
riding, cross country skiing, dog sledding, camping,
wildlife viewing and photography. All these activities would
be protected and preserved. Recreational users come from
Fairbanks, Denali Borough, Anchorage, and Matsu. Tourists
and adventurers travel to the area from across the globe.
The area supports several tourism businesses including
several lodges, and road touring companies. The legislation
has wide support.
11:29:25 AM
Senator Thomas explained that the area contains a RS2477
trail, which existed before statehood and is considered
public domain. The trail provides access to Denali Park by
horseback or snow machines (in the winter).
Co-Chair Stedman noted the issue would be addressed in the
future.
11:32:43 AM RECESSED
3:21:37 PM RECONVENED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 113(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)
"An Act making supplemental appropriations, capital
appropriations, and other appropriations; amending
appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
3:22:07 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman noted that HB 113 addresses the FY 09
supplemental.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT Work Draft 26-GH1005\M,
Kane, 4/18/09. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
TIM GRUSSENDORF, STAFF, SENATOR LYMAN HOFFMAN, reviewed The
following changes to the legislation:
· Grant to the Department of Commerce Community and
Economic Development (DCCED) for World Trade Center
Alaska FY 2010 for $115.0 GF on page 13, line 13
· DCCED SE Conference reappropriation to SE Conference
for $47.0- on page 13, line 17.
· Department of Corrections reappropriation from the
Department of Health and Social Services (HSS) of the
unexpended and unobligated balance for secure
detoxification substance on page 13, line 22.
· Contingent funding for HB 172 to the Alaska Commission
on Postsecondary Education for $60.0 on page 14, line
29.
· Wik Road reappropriation of $944.4 from the Capital
Income Fund to the Department of Health and Social
Services, McLaughlin Youth Center on page 15 line 30.
· Contingent language for HB 141, Interstate Compact for
Juveniles of $45 on page 15, line 30.
· Contingent funding for SB 89 for the Territorial Guard
retirement of $31.3 on page 18, line 3.
· Contingent funding for SB 171, PFD deceased legislation
for $86.7 interagency receipts on page 18, line 31.
· Delete "International Airport" language from
appropriation to Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities on Page 22, line 27.
· Whittier Tunnel rock slide for $800.0 from the
commercial vessel passenger tax on page 22, line 23.
This funding would be retroactive to the slide's
inception.
· Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for
$2.0 million from the Capital Income Fund for the
Newtok road and evacuation shelter material, on page
22, line 27.
· Office of the Governor for $4.322.0 million from the
Capital Income Fund for the development of an instate
natural gas pipeline on page 28, line 12.
· Office of the Governor for $2.7 million from a
reappropriation from the Department of Natural
Resources for the development of an instate natural gas
pipeline on page 28, line 15.
· Revenue sharing for $60 million, which is a fund
transfer from the general fund on page 28, line 29.
· Constitutional Budget Reserve draw to forward fund
education of $1,111,914,700 on page 28, line 22.
Mr. Grussendorf noted that there were additional technical
changes adding contingency language in case some of the
bills do not pass.
3:29:06 PM
Senator Huggins Moved Amendment 1, 26-GH1005\M.1, Kane,
4/18/09. Co-Chair Hoffman Objected for discussion. Co-Chair
Hoffman OBJECTED for purpose of discussion.
Page 28, following line 18:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(c) For the appropriations made in (a) and (b)
of this section, it is the intent of the legislature
that
(1) the funds be used solely to plan,
coordinate, and facilitate construction, ownership, and
management of a natural gas pipeline serving Fairbanks,
the Southcentral region of the state, and other
communities wherever practicable, connecting with or
enhancing the existing gas pipeline system, and
reaching to tidewater;
(2) the funds be used for a full alternative
analysis of possible routes;
(3) an economically feasible in-state
pipeline and any connecting lines serve industrial,
residential, and utility customers along the entire
route, including any other regions of the state that
could be served at commercially feasible rates;
(4) the Office of the Governor use the
appropriations to
(A) coordinate with entities that could
build, own, and operate the line;
(B) assist with preparing cost
estimates for the project to determine its
economic feasibility and cost to consumers;
(C) apply for and obtain right-of-way
permits for the project route, with the intent
that the state would transfer the permits to, and
receive compensation for the permits from, the
entity best able to complete the project;
(D) work with other entities to promote
the gas supply and gas purchase contracts that
would be required for the project to be
commercially viable;
(5) the coordination effort by the Office of
the Governor use, to the fullest extent possible, any
and all existing work by other state agencies before
contracting for new reports, research, and analyses,
and that the coordination effort by the Office of the
Governor not expand beyond the scope of coordinating
interests to build, own, and operate the gas line;
(6) the Office of the Governor submit
written monthly reports to the president of the senate,
the speaker of the house of representatives, and all
legislators, listing all current and future contracts
executed for development of an in-state natural gas
pipeline and specifying the scope of work and contract
amount, a cumulative total monthly of all funds spent
for development of an in-state natural gas pipeline,
reporting progress to date on the project work plan,
and presenting a work plan for each subsequent month."
Senator Huggins reviewed the amendment, which adds intent
language. He observed that the accountability would be
through the Office of the Governor, which would report
monthly.
Co-Chair Hoffman WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, Amendment 1 was adopted.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to report SCS CSHB 113 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SCS CSHB 113 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation.
3:31:53 PM AT EASE
3:32:30 PM RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman and other members expressed appreciation
for the staff and committee's work and support.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to allow the Legislative Finance
Division to make technical changes as needed. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
3:34:44 PM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:34 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SFC Work Draft for HB 113 Version M.pdf |
SFIN 4/19/2009 11:00:00 AM |
HB 113 |
| HB 113 SFC Amendment 1 M.1.pdf |
SFIN 4/19/2009 11:00:00 AM |
HB 113 |