Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/21/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Public Testimony: Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utquiagvik, Unalaska, Dillingham, and Offnets | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 39 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 41 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 41 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 21, 2023
9:05 a.m.
9:05:31 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hoffman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator David Wilson
ALSO PRESENT
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Brenda Akelkok, AHFC Supplemental Housing, Dillingham; Joy
Anderson, Association of Village Council Presidents,
Bethel; Viola Yatchmeneff, Aleutian Housing Authority,
Unalaska; Betsy Jumper, Self, Bethel; Barbara Howard, Self,
Two Rivers; Michael Jeffery, Self and Alaska Center for
FASD, Utqiagvik; Sandra Tall-Lake, Administrator, City of
Hooper Bay, Hooper Bay; Jolene Lyon, President-CEO, Bering
Straits Housing Authority, Nome; Griffin Hagle-Forster,
Utquiavik; Bronk Jorgensen, 40 Mile Mining District,
Chicken; Mary David, Alaska Regional Coalition, Nome; Tessa
Baldwin, City Manager, City of Kotzebue, Kotzebue;
Elizabeth Ferguson, Northwest Arctic Leadership Team,
Kotzebue; Angie Gorn, CEO, Norton Sound Health Corporation,
Nome; Terry Dolan, Senior Project Manager, Bristol Bay
Borough, Naknek; Anne Bailey, Aleutians East Borough,
Anchorage; Roseann Eban, Self, Bethel; Paul Fuhs,
Government Relations, City of Adak, Adak; Mike Kukowski,
Miner, 40 Mile Mining District, Chicken; Don McKee, Self,
Two Rivers; Austin Ahmasuk, Self, Nome; Katherine
Carscallen, Commercial Fisherman for Bristol Bay,
Dillingham; Delores Larson, United Tribes of Bristol Bay,
Koliganek; Alyssa Rogers, Director of Natural Resources,
Orutsararmiut Native Council, Juneau; John Handeland, Mayor
of Nome, Nome;
SUMMARY
SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL
SB 41 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 39(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld)
APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP
CSHB 39(FIN)) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 41(FIN) am
APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
CSHB 41(FIN) am was HEARD and HELD in committee
for further consideration.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY: ANCHORAGE, MATANUSKA SUSITNA VALLEY, and
KENAI PENINSULA
Co-Chair Hoffman discussed the agenda.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 39(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld)
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs; capitalizing funds; repealing
appropriations; amending appropriations; making
reappropriations; and making supplemental
appropriations."
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 41(FIN) am
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program; and providing for
an effective date."
SENATE BILL NO. 41
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
supplemental appropriations; making appropriations to
capitalize funds; and providing for an effective
date."
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: NOME, BETHEL, KOTZEBUE, UTQUIAGVIK,
UNALASKA, DILLINGHAM, and OFFNETS
9:06:56 AM
BRENDA AKELKOK, AHFC SUPPLEMENTAL HOUSING, DILLINGHAM (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) supplemental
development grant in the Capital Budget. She discussed
severe overcrowding in certain areas of the state. She
cited that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the area had 10
community members die due to lack of space for social
distancing. She asserted that the supplemental housing
grant would address a safety issue. She discussed the cost
of freight and materials and the loss of businesses during
the pandemic. She wanted to keep the economy strong.
9:10:10 AM
JOY ANDERSON, ASSOCIATION OF VILLAGE COUNCIL PRESIDENTS,
BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in support of one-time
funding for the Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC).
She cited that the Association of Village Council
Presidents represented 56 federally recognized tribes and
provided essential services within the Yukon-Kuskokwim
region. She lamented that there was only 1 ALSC attorney
available for every 10,000 Alaskans who qualified for
services. She noted that the Alaska Supreme Court recently
passed Alaska Bar Rule 43.5, which would allow non-lawyers,
properly trained and certified by ALSC, to provide limited
scopes of legal assistance to those who did not have access
to an attorney. She asserted that expanded services of the
Community Justice Program would improve access to justice
in communities and contribute to the overall health of
communities. She urged the committee to support the one-
time $500,000 request to build out the training program to
implement the Community Justice Program statewide.
9:12:37 AM
VIOLA YATCHMENEFF, ALEUTIAN HOUSING AUTHORITY, UNALASKA
(via teleconference), testified in support for AHFC's
professional and supplemental housing grant program. She
shared that the Aleutian Housing Authority was the
designated entity for 12 tribes and 10 communities. She
discussed the effect the programs had on the communities
she served. The grant funding supported construction of
housing units that housed teachers, safety officers, and
healthcare workers. She discussed housing for new police
personnel, which had a direct effect on the ability to
hire. She discussed the use of the supplemental dollars to
construct homes that directly benefitted communities.
9:15:39 AM
BETSY JUMPER, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to the proposed $5 million appropriation for the
404 Primacy Program.
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Co-Chair Olson.
9:16:26 AM
AT EASE
9:17:54 AM
RECONVENED
BARBARA HOWARD, SELF, TWO RIVERS (via teleconference),
spoke in opposition for the $2.8 million funding request
for the Pleasant Valley/Two Rivers Fire Service Area. She
did not want a fire department in her area. She suggested
using the money elsewhere.
9:20:30 AM
MICHAEL JEFFERY, SELF AND ALASKA CENTER FOR FASD, UTQIAGVIK
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
Crisis Now continuum of care grants, the Peer Support
Certification program, the Homeless Assistance program,
Special Needs Housing Grants, Behavioral Health and
Treatment Grants, and Aging and Disability Resource
Centers. He supported the previous testifier in not
approving the $5 million effort to take over the federal
Clean Water Act program under 404 Primacy.
9:23:55 AM
SANDRA TALL-LAKE, ADMINISTRATOR, CITY OF HOOPER BAY, HOOPER
BAY (via teleconference), announced that she was only
listening to the testimony.
9:24:34 AM
JOLENE LYON, PRESIDENT-CEO, BERING STRAITS HOUSING
AUTHORITY, NOME (via teleconference), testified in support
of including AHFC programs, specifically Supplemental
Housing Grants, in the Capital Budget. She relayed that
the Bering Straits Housing Authority had previously used
the AHFC supplemental funds to build 7 new homes. She had
recently returned from the community of Golovin, where the
need was even greater. She emphasized that if the committee
was serious about housing, it needed to show that it was
so. She urged the committee to support and increase AHFC
housing programs in the Capital Budget.
Co-Chair Olson thanked Ms. Lyon and her attention to
Golovin.
9:26:48 AM
GRIFFIN HAGLE-FORSTER, UTQUIAVIK (via teleconference),
spoke in support of full funding for the AHFC Supplemental
Housing Grant program. He relayed the various ways that the
funds had helped in his region. He noted a 29-unit
structure that served families in Barrow, and the various
efficiency comforts and durability supports provided by the
program.
9:29:37 AM
BRONK JORGENSEN, 40 MILE MINING DISTRICT, CHICKEN (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the state
to assume the 404 Primacy program, which he thought would
provide funding stability. He relayed that he was a family
placer miner and a trustee of the 40-mile mining district.
He asserted that the DEC could assume the program without
issue. He thought turnover in the Army Corps of Engineers
was problematic in the process. He said that miners in the
district were ready to pay user fees. He thought that the
issue was not about clean water but rather about dredge and
fill.
9:31:47 AM
MARY DAVID, ALASKA REGIONAL COALITION, NOME (via
teleconference), testified in support of increased funding
and inflation-proofing of the Base Student Allocation
(BSA). She also urged support for early childhood programs,
including the $5 million increase to meet federal match for
Head Start. She supported the governor's proposal to
eliminate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) backlog. She supported Medicaid expansion for
postpartum care and recommended enhanced support for
behavioral health grants not covered under 1115 waivers.
She supported the $2.8 million for VPSO offices, housing,
and programming. She hoped that federal infrastructure
grants could be maximized to benefit Alaskas smallest
communities.
9:34:12 AM
TESSA BALDWIN, CITY MANAGER, CITY OF KOTZEBUE, KOTZEBUE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of increased funding
for the BSA. She cited that the district had cut back
significantly on the budget which impacted the quality of
education that could be delivered to students. She spoke to
the Capital Budget and hoped that the committee would
prioritize the Cape Blossom Road project.
9:36:34 AM
ELIZABETH FERGUSON, NORTHWEST ARCTIC LEADERSHIP TEAM,
KOTZEBUE (via teleconference), spoke in support of $750,000
in funding for the Maniilaq Behavior Health Crisis
Stabilization Center, $7.3 million for Alaska Technical
Center (ATC) Family Housing, and $10 million for the Cape
Blossom Port Authority Development Project. She highlighted
that the projects would add sustainability to the region.
9:38:54 AM
ANGIE GORN, CEO, NORTON SOUND HEALTH CORPORATION, NOME (via
teleconference), testified in support of $20 million in
funding for expansion of the nursing home and housing
capital projects. She mentioned a growing waitlist for
nursing home beds. She said that the funds would add 12
beds for a total of 30 beds for the community. She
asserted that the funding would result in savings for the
state. She noted that the new wellness center was prepared
to enroll patients in need of long-term treatment but that
increased housing for support staff was critical.
Co-Chair Olson handed the gavel to Co-Chair Hoffman.
9:41:36 AM
TERRY DOLAN, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, BRISTOL BAY BOROUGH,
NAKNEK (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for school major maintenance projects. He noted that the
borough's current project was number two on the DEED Major
Maintenance List but that the governors proposed budget
did not include funding for major school maintenance. He
discussed the Naknek school building and the presence of
asbestos, which pushed the cost of refurbishing the
building outside of the school district's ability to
provide financial support without additional funding form
the legislature.
9:42:59 AM
ANNE BAILEY, ALEUTIANS EAST BOROUGH, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for full
capitalization of community assistance grants, funds for
major maintenance and school construction projects, and
increased school funding.
9:44:14 AM
ROSEANN EBAN, SELF, BETHEL (via teleconference), testified
in support of funding for the Tundra Women's Coalition.
She supported increased funding for the BSA.
9:45:43 AM
PAUL FUHS, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, CITY OF ADAK, ADAK (via
teleconference), testified in support of capital funding
for engineering for the small boat harbor. The funds would
be used to update plans to seek federal infrastructure
funds to finish the project. He said that funds were needed
for the airport terminal, $90,000, which the city would
match with $30,000. He had heard there might be
consideration of providing funds for the Denali Commission
to support federal match for community infrastructure
programs.
Co-Chair Stedman thought most of the communities had
applied for the Harbor Matching Grant Fund to build
commercial fishing harbors. He asked whether the City of
Adak had considered applying.
Mr. Fuhs understood that the Marine Fuels Tax could be
appropriated for the $45,000 for the harbor project.
Co-Chair Stedman clarified that he was speaking of the
construction of harbor itself.
Mr. Fuhs relayed that the construction cost was estimated
to be $9 million but it was believed that the project could
be completed for less.
9:48:39 AM
MIKE KUKOWSKI, MINER, 40 MILE MINING DISTRICT, CHICKEN (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the 404
Primacy program. He supported the state taking control of
the program. He thought the benefits would far outweigh the
fee structure imposed.
9:50:08 AM
DON MCKEE, SELF, TWO RIVERS (via teleconference), testified
in opposition to funding for a $2.8 million grant for the
fire district. He relayed that the commissioners had voted
to have a "low service" area that provided fire education
and not fire suppression. He cited that there were less
than 1,000 properties in the area. He asserted that the
project would be a waste of money.
9:53:31 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman commented that the people of Two Rivers
had successfully delivered their message concerning the
fire district.
9:54:03 AM
RECESSED
10:15:38 AM
RECONVENED
AUSTIN AHMASUK, SELF, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to funding for the 404 Primacy program. He felt
that the state had some of the worst environmental
regulations in the country. He was a full-time resident of
Nome until a hurricane destroyed his home. He supported
funding for expansion of Arctic fisheries, including the
study of trawl fisheries in the Arctic Ocean. He was
opposed to trawl fisheries in the fragile ecosystem. He
urged revocation of funding for the Port of Nome expansion.
10:19:24 AM
KATHERINE CARSCALLEN, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN FOR BRISTOL BAY,
DILLINGHAM (via teleconference), testified in opposition to
funding for taking over the 404 Primacy program. She
believed it was important to remember that the 404 program
did not come with federal financial support, and it would
be unnecessarily costly to assume. She asserted that
turning primacy of the Clean Water Act Program to DEC would
pave the way for the Pebble Mine.
10:22:07 AM
DELORES LARSON, UNITED TRIBES OF BRISTOL BAY, KOLIGANEK
(via teleconference), spoke in opposition to funding for
DEC to assume 404 Primacy from the federal government. She
thought that contrary to DEC statements, its consultation
policy is no substitute for the federal policy. She
asserted that DEC had failed to protect Alaska Native
people and the land upon which they live.
10:25:31 AM
ALYSSA ROGERS, DIRECTOR OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ORUTSARARMIUT
NATIVE COUNCIL, JUNEAU (via teleconference), spoke in
opposition to funding for the state taking over the Clean
Water Act by assuming 404 Primacy. She asserted that the
state could better use the proposed $5 million in other
areas.
10:29:04 AM
JOHN HANDELAND, MAYOR OF NOME, NOME (via teleconference),
spoke in support of funding for housing and state
incentives for new housing development. He discussed the
effects of lack of housing, including challenges in hiring
teachers and healthcare workers. He asserted that the City
of Nome wanted to Port of Nome project.
Co-Chair Hoffman discussed the agenda for the afternoon
meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
10:32:21 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 39, HB 41, SB 41 Public Testimony Ahmasuk.pdf |
SFIN 4/21/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 39 HB 41 SB 41 |
| HB 39, HB 41, SB 41 Public Testimony 042323 1.pdf |
SFIN 4/21/2023 9:00:00 AM |
HB 39 HB 41 SB 41 |