Legislature(2019 - 2020)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/18/2020 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB154 || HB205 | |
| Public Testimony: Juneau, Fairbanks, Unalaska, Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, Tok, Delta Junction | |
| SB155 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 205 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 154 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 18, 2020
9:04 a.m.
9:04:33 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair von Imhof called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Natasha von Imhof, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Michael Jeffery, Self, Utquiaivik; Vikki Jo Kennedy, Self,
Kodiak/Juneau; Lucy Nelson, Mayor, Northwest Arctic
Borough, Kotzebue; Bill Legere, KTOO, Juneau; Nils
Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League, Juneau; Jeff Seifert,
KBRW, Utqiagvik; Virginia Walsh, Alaska Network on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault, Utqiagvik; Eleanor Saganna,
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault,
Utqiagvik; Valerie Therrien, City of Fairbanks Council,
Fairbanks; Dave Branding, CEO, JAMHI Health and Wellness,
Juneau; Bree Swanson, Maniilaq Association, Kotzebue; Nate
Bauer, Self, Fairbanks; Louann McVey, Self, Juneau; Mike
Schultz, Self, Utqiagvik; Rob Arnold, Self, Juneau; Addison
Turnbough, Presbyterian Hospitality House, Fairbanks; Lance
Johnson, Norton Sound Health Corporation, Nome; Don
Habeger, Community Coordinator, Juneau Reentry Coalition,
Juneau; William Harrington, Self, Anchorage; Mark Springer,
Self, Bethel; Carmen Lowry, Alaska Network on Domestic
Violence and Sexual Assault, Juneau; Phil Daugherty,
Executive Director, SEAK Dive Fisheries Association,
Ketchikan; Charles Mckee, Self, Anchorage; Cris Eichenlaub,
Self, Eagle River; Beth Weldon, Mayor, City of Juneau;
Dennis Robinson, City of Unalaska, Unalaska; Jeanne
Gerhardt-Cyrus, Self, Chiniak; Joff Carroll, Self,
Utqiagvik; Carolyn Loeffler, Self, Fairbanks.
SUMMARY
SB 154 APPROP: CAPITAL; SUPP; OTHER APPROP.
SB 154 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SB 155 EXPLORATION & MINING RIGHTS; ANNUAL LABOR
CSSSSB 155(RES) was REPORTED out of committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with one
previously published fiscal impact note: FN
1(DNR).
CSHB 205(FIN)(Corrected) am(brf sup maj fld)
APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
CSHB 205(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
SENATE BILL NO. 154
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations, supplemental appropriations,
reappropriations, and other appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for
an effective date."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 205(FIN)(Corrected) am(brf sup maj
fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; making
supplemental appropriations; and providing for an
effective date."
9:05:43 AM
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU, FAIRBANKS, UNALASKA, NOME,
BETHEL, KOTZEBUE, UTQIAGVIK, TOK, DELTA JUNCTION
9:05:58 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof OPENED public testimony.
MICHAEL JEFFERY, SELF, UTQUIAIVIK (via teleconference),
supported funding for public broadcasting. He recognized
the difficult task faced by the legislature. He discussed
the importance of the local radio station and the important
role it played in his community. He discussed functions of
public broadcasting as a local resource that broadcast
emergency messages and local culture. He noted his
community supported public television. He was involved in
local issues and supported maintaining the social safety
net.
9:08:49 AM
VIKKI JO KENNEDY, SELF, KODIAK/JUNEAU (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for the Alaska Marine Highway
System (AMHS). She discussed federal funding for the COVID-
19 virus. She discussed funds appropriated for a road in
Kake and thought the money should be reappropriated for the
AMHS. She quoted former Governor Sarah Palin and called the
proposed Kake road "a road to nowhere." She thanked the
committee staff for their work.
9:10:53 AM
LUCY NELSON, MAYOR, NORTHWEST ARCTIC BOROUGH, KOTZEBUE (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of funding for Village
Public Safety Officers (VPSO) in rural Alaska. She stated
that the borough population was at 7,700, scattered across
38,000 square miles, serving 11 communities in the
Northwest Arctic. She discussed transportation in the area
and mentioned that the area was in economic distress. She
did not support shifting costs to municipalities. She
lamented that rural Alaska had massive issues with public
safety and law enforcement in its most remote communities.
She thought the state had a two-tier law enforcement
system. She did not think Alaska State Troopers were an
effective presence in rural Alaska, although the troopers
did good work. She discussed the importance of school bond
debt funding. She informed that her community could not
implement new taxes due to the economic distress faced by
the communities. She asked the committee to continue
supporting Community Assistance Programs and senior
assistance.
Co-Chair von Imhof reminded that it was possible to submit
written testimony.
9:14:10 AM
BILL LEGERE, KTOO, JUNEAU (via teleconference), supported
funding for public broadcasting. He relayed that the state
had supported public broadcasting long before the oil boom.
He appreciated the funding in the current operating budget.
He encouraged restoration of funding to FY 19 levels,
including funding for public television. He thought public
television offered tremendous educational resources,
particularly while the state's schools were closed.
9:16:06 AM
NILS ANDREASSEN, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, JUNEAU (via
teleconference), testified in favor of funding school bond
debt reimbursement. He supported the action taken in the
supplemental budget. He supported increasing community jail
funding, full funding for VPSOs, a grant program for
village first responders. He supported funding for AMHS. He
thought the capital budget must include funding for school
construction and major maintenance and public
infrastructure that supports major maintenance needs. He
stated that further communication would be made concerning
community response to Covid-19 needs.
9:18:11 AM
JEFF SEIFERT, KBRW, UTQIAGVIK (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for public broadcasting. He was
general manager of the local radio station. He detailed
that the station was providing information across a vast
area of the state. The station had struggled with the loss
of state funding and accompanying federal funds. He noted
that public radio helped school districts struggling to
communicate with students that did not have internet
access. He explained that the station was working with the
school district to keep communities informed.
9:20:14 AM
VIRGINIA WALSH, ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
SEXUAL ASSAULT, UTQIAGVIK (via teleconference), supported
funding for the Council for Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault (CDVSA). She discussed the work of the council and
the essential services provided to communities and villages
on the North Slope.
9:21:13 AM
ELEANOR SAGANNA, ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
SEXUAL ASSAULT, UTQIAGVIK (via teleconference), supported
full funding for CDVSA grants. She expressed appreciation
for the committees support for CDVSA programs.
Co-Chair von Imhof announced the public testimony schedule
for the following day.
9:22:59 AM
VALERIE THERRIEN, CITY OF FAIRBANKS COUNCIL, FAIRBANKS (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Community Assistance Program.
9:23:46 AM
DAVE BRANDING, CEO, JAMHI HEALTH AND WELLNESS, JUNEAU (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding behavioral
health services. He was treasurer for the Alaska Behavioral
Health Association. He discussed the work of the Juneau
Alliance for Mental Health, Inc. (JAMHI), which provided
services to help people to live their best lives. He
supported increased funding for substance abuse and
behavioral health treatment.
9:26:08 AM
BREE SWANSON, MANIILAQ ASSOCIATION, KOTZEBUE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for
substance abuse treatment disorders in the capital budget.
She shared that her region had a high rate of substance
abuse. She stated that mental health and substance abuse
issue were the number one priority for her region and
lamented that currently there were no substance abuse
facilities in her region. She expressed appreciation for
the work of the committee.
9:28:20 AM
NATE BAUER, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), pled for
continued and increased funding for public radio and public
media. He spoke of decreased funding and considered that
public radio and public media was more important now than
ever. He noted that the Fairbanks public radio had been
working tirelessly to communicate regarding the current
public health emergency. He believed that local public
radio was the ideal source of accurate news over the air
and online.
9:29:59 AM
LOUANN MCVEY, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), supported
increased funding for AMHS, which she likened to the road
system in other areas of the state. She urged preservation
of funding for Alaska Pioneer Homes, senior services, and
VPSOs. She was a retired teacher. She supported funding for
public broadcasting. She supported funding for the
University. She supported funding for K-12 education and
Pre-K education. She urged reinstatement of funding for
school bond debt reimbursement. She supported a fair share
tax on oil companies and the implementation of a personal
income tax.
9:31:58 AM
MIKE SCHULTZ, SELF, UTQIAGVIK (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for public radio. He remarked that
public radio was the only source of reliable communication
in his area. He thought public radio workers were already
underpaid and over worked and were an essential piece to
life on the North Slope.
9:33:07 AM
ROB ARNOLD, SELF, JUNEAU (via teleconference), supported
funding for the AMHS. He thought the ferry system needed to
be stabilized. He thanked the committee for its work. He
thought the ferry was a resource for the state. He
considered the public health crisis and the eventuality of
losing air transport to areas of Alaska. He emphasized
needing to keep the AMHS crew ready. He thought the capital
budget funding was needed to fund the repair of vessels.
9:34:54 AM
ADDISON TURNBOUGH, PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITALITY HOUSE,
FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support of
continued funding for substance abuse and behavioral health
treatment. His facility worked with adolescents. He thanked
the members of the committee for their leadership.
9:36:08 AM
LANCE JOHNSON, NORTON SOUND HEALTH CORPORATION, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in support for funding for essential
behavioral health services. He thanked the committee for
their work. He spoke to how investment in substance abuse
treatment facilities in outlying communities relaxed the
demand on the few facilities currently operating in the
state. He said that the more care that could be given
locally, the less it cost the state in ER care and
detention services. He stressed the need for people to get
the right care, in the right place, at the right time. He
felt that a full continuum of care was necessary to address
the multitude of needs patients may have and to this end
Norton Sound had worked on the development of a wellness
center that was currently shovel ready. He reiterated his
support for funding in the capital budget that would
increase the number of substance abuse facilities in the
state.
9:38:33 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof noted that as there were no other
testifiers signed up the committee would take a 15-minute
break.
9:39:04 AM
AT EASE
9:56:50 AM
RECONVENED
DON HABEGER, COMMUNITY COORDINATOR, JUNEAU REENTRY
COALITION, JUNEAU (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for reentry programs, which would reduce
the likelihood of recidivism. He said that increasing
public safety and reducing recidivism at the statewide and
local levels had been a focus for many years and had seen
significant success, but there was still much work to do.
He highlighted funding requests for a reentry unit in the
Department of Corrections, an increase in personnel for
therapeutic courts, and funding for substance abuse
treatment.
9:58:40 AM
WILLIAM HARRINGTON, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
lamented the lack of attendance at the meeting. He was
concerned about a low Permanent Fund Dividend.
9:59:47 AM
MARK SPRINGER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), supported
funding for public broadcasting. He was a member of the
Bethel City Council. He thought it was crucial that the
public had access to free, accessible information. He
shared that he worked with an agency that delivered meals
to elders everyday and needed a way to communicate with
them in emergencies.
10:00:56 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof relayed that all signed up testifiers
had spoken.
10:01:12 AM
AT EASE
10:16:19 AM
RECONVENED
CARMEN LOWRY, ALASKA NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND
SEXUAL ASSAULT, JUNEAU (via teleconference), supported
funding for victims and survivors of domestic violence and
sexual assault. She noted that the national network had
issued a one-day snapshot that reflected that the
organization had provided services to 602 victims, 400 of
which were for emergency shelter. She stated that shelters
were under dire circumstances yet continued to provide
services thanks in part to the continued support from the
legislature.
10:18:18 AM
PHIL DAUGHERTY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SEAK DIVE FISHERIES
ASSOCIATION, KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke in
support of Alaska fisheries. He spoke about the Department
of Environmental Conservation budget. He shared that the
divers his association represented harvested wild stock sea
cucumbers, geoduck clams, and red sea urchins. He said that
the combined value of the fisheries was between $10 and $12
million per year and was one of the late-fall and
wintertime fisheries in the state. He referenced the
governor's proposal to increase fees for paralytic
shellfish poisoning and water quality testing would put the
geoduck fishery out of business. He detailed the various
ways that the industry was responsible and accountable for
industry testing. He urged the committee and the Senate to
adopt the House numbers for DEC and not impose new fees on
dive fisheries in Southeast Alaska. He noted that Alaska
was the only state that charged for testing.
10:21:21 AM
CHARLES MCKEE, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
referenced a fish tax bill. He had sent written testimony
that discussed the court system and how it extorted money
th
from individual trust accounts. He noted some April 25
public testimony he send regarding a fish tax bill.
10:24:03 AM
CRIS EICHENLAUB, SELF, EAGLE RIVER (via teleconference),
testified in favor of developing resources. He did not
support a large budget. He said that Pioneer Homes,
Education, and AMHS should be reformed. He thought that the
binding caucus had facilitated bloated budgets. He thought
the binding caucus should be outlawed. He thought SB 26
should be repealed. He did not think that any more money
should be spent on Pioneer Homes and Education.
10:26:22 AM
BETH WELDON, MAYOR, CITY OF JUNEAU (via teleconference),
testified in support of education funding including the
one-time $30 million. She supported funding for deferred
maintenance. She appreciated the work of the committee. She
appreciated funding in the supplemental budget for the
COVID-19 response. She discussed the impact of reduced
cruise ship business in Southeast Alaska due to the public
health situation. She asked the committee to consider
reimbursing school bond debt.
10:28:07 AM
DENNIS ROBINSON, CITY OF UNALASKA, UNALASKA (via
teleconference), echoed the comments of the previous
testifier. He supported reinstatement of school bond debt
reimbursement funding. He supported reinstatement of
funding for the AMHS. He supported funding for community
and regional jails. He thanked the Senate for the
supplemental budget. He did not support a full PFD and
believed that the state should consider diversifying its
revenue stream.
10:30:29 AM
JEANNE GERHARDT-CYRUS, SELF, CHINIAK (via teleconference),
supported funding for therapeutic courts, reentry services,
and substance use disorder treatment. She stated that the
need for services in the state are huge. She discussed the
three-pronged approach of therapeutic courts, reentry
services, and substance use disorder treatment. She
believed that this work could benefit Alaskans for
generations to come.
10:32:00 AM
JOFF CARROLL, SELF, UTQIAGVIK (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for public radio. He was a
member of the board of directors for his local public radio
station. He discussed the importance of public radio in the
region. His area had just experienced a serious blizzard
and the public radio had broadcast important safety
information to the public. He expressed that the loss of
state funding and accompanying federal funds would be
devastating to the station. He said that without the state
and federal funding the station relied on solely private
donations. He said that the station has made significant
cuts in order to continue to broadcast.
10:34:13 AM
CAROLYN LOEFFLER, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference),
spoke in support for education funding. She supported early
childhood education up to University education. She thought
education was the lifeline to the states future. She
expressed her desire to use the 5.25 percent POMV draw,
established in SB 26, to fund state services. She thought
it was irresponsible to pay a fully funded PFD check at the
expense of critical state services.
SB 154 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 205(FIN)(Corrected) am(brf sup maj fld) was HEARD and
HELD in committee for further consideration.
10:35:37 AM
SENATE BILL NO. 155
"An Act relating to exploration and mining rights;
relating to annual labor requirements with respect to
mining claims and related leases; relating to
statements of annual labor; defining 'labor'; and
providing for an effective date."
10:36:03 AM
Co-Chair von Imhof relayed that the committee had
considered the bill on March 13, 2020, took public
testimony, and reviewed the fiscal notes.
Senator Bishop MOVED to report CSSSSB 155(RES) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
CSSSSB 155(RES) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with one previously published
fiscal impact note: FN 1(DNR).
ADJOURNMENT
10:37:10 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:37 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 205 - SB 154 Public Testimony Packet 1.pdf |
SFIN 3/18/2020 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 SB 154 |
| HB 205 - SB 154 Public Testimony Packet 3.pdf |
SFIN 3/18/2020 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 SB 154 |
| HB 205 - SB 154 Public Testimony Packet 2.pdf |
SFIN 3/18/2020 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 SB 154 |
| HB 205 - SB 154 Public Testimony Packet 4.pdf |
SFIN 3/18/2020 9:00:00 AM |
HB 205 SB 154 |
| HB 205 Public Tesimony Knight.pdf |
SFIN 3/18/2020 9:00:00 AM |