Legislature(1993 - 1994)

01/28/1994 03:45 PM Senate RES

Audio Topic
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
txt
                   SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE                                  
                        January 28, 1994                                       
                           3:45 P.M.                                           
                                                                               
 MEMBERS PRESENT                                                               
                                                                               
 Senator Mike Miller, Chairman                                                 
 Senator Loren Leman, Vice Chairman                                            
 Senator Steve Frank                                                           
 Senator Drue Pearce                                                           
                                                                               
  MEMBERS ABSENT                                                               
                                                                               
 Senator Al Adams                                                              
 Senator Dave Donley                                                           
 Senator Fred Zharoff                                                          
                                                                               
  COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                           
                                                                               
 SENATE BILL NO. 238                                                           
 "An Act establishing a procedure for review of proposed projects              
 under the Alaska coastal management program, and relating to                  
 petitions for compliance with and enforcement of district coastal             
 management programs under that program and to the disposition of              
 those petitions."                                                             
                                                                               
 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 59(MLV)                                                 
 "An Act making a special appropriation to the Department of Natural           
 Resources for refunds to certain veterans who purchased state land            
 and for reimbursement to the University of Alaska for the veterans'           
 land discount applied to land transferred to the University of                
 Alaska; and providing for an effective date."                                 
                                                                               
 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 40                                                
 Urging the Congress to amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 with               
 respect to the financial responsibility requirements for offshore             
 exploration and production facilities.                                        
                                                                               
  PREVIOUS ACTION                                                              
                                                                               
 SB 238 - See Resources minutes dated 1/24/94.                                 
                                                                               
 HB 59 - See State Affairs minutes dated 4/21/93.  See Resources               
 minutes dated 1/24/94.                                                        
                                                                               
 SJR 40 - See Resources minutes dated 1/24/94.                                 
                                                                               
  WITNESS REGISTER                                                             
                                                                               
 Glenn Gray                                                                    
 Division of Governmental Coordination                                         
 Office of the Governor                                                        
 P.O. Box 110030                                                               
 Juneau, Alaska 99811-0030                                                     
  POSITION STATEMENT:   Supported SJR 40.                                      
                                                                               
 Representative Eldon Mulder                                                   
 State Capitol                                                                 
 Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182                                                     
  POSITION STATEMENT:   Supported HB 59.                                       
                                                                               
  ACTION NARRATIVE                                                             
                                                                               
  TAPE 94-3, SIDE A                                                            
                                                                               
 Number 001                                                                    
 CHAIRMAN MILLER called the Resources Committee meeting to order at            
 3:45 p.m. and announced  SB 238  (COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES)    S)   
 to be up for consideration.                                                   
                                                                               
 SENATOR PEARCE said there were no changes made to SB 238 in                   
 subcommittee.                                                                 
                                                                               
 SENATOR MILLER noted that Senator Adams had an amendment that would           
 tighten the title considerably and asked for a motion.  There were            
 none.                                                                         
                                                                               
 SENATOR PEARCE moved to pass SB 238 from Committee with the                   
 negative fiscal note with individual recommendations and asked for            
 unanimous consent.  There were no objections and it was so ordered.           
 Number 46                                                                     
 SENATOR MILLER announced  SJR 40  (URGE CONGRESS TO AMEND OIL                 
 POLLUTION LAW) to be up for consideration.  He noted there was a              
 proposed CS.                                                                  
                                                                               
 SENATOR PEARCE said the Energy Council meeting in December passed             
 a policy relating to the financial responsibility requirements of             
 OPA '90 that were added at conference committee and never had a               
 public hearing at the congressional level.  Now, she explained that           
 anyone with a fuel tank is faced with the possibility of needing to           
 show that they have $150 million of liquid ability to cover any               
 release.                                                                      
                                                                               
 The Council contends that congress did not intend to have the $150            
 million apply to every entity near navigable waters.                          
                                                                               
 She explained that the CS added a section on page 2, lines 6 - 8.             
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN moved to adopt the proposed CS to SJR 40 (Res).                 
 There were no objections and it was so ordered.                               
                                                                               
 Number 155                                                                    
                                                                               
 GLENN GRAY, Division of Governmental Coordination, passed out a               
 summary of the administration's position on MMS on OPA '90                    
 financial responsibility requirements.  He said the highest risk of           
 oil pollution comes from vessels.  90% of oil entering the water              
 excluding natural causes is from vessels or is transportation                 
 related.  Requiring $150 million proof of financial responsibility            
 would be devastating if MMS is implemented, because it is                     
 interpreted to mean every facility that handles oil, oil products,            
 and wet lands which is over 50% of the state.                                 
                                                                               
 He supported the resolution.                                                  
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN moved to discharge CS to SJR 40 (Res) from committee            
 with individual recommendations.  There were no objections and it             
 was so ordered.                                                               
 Number 190                                                                    
 SENATOR MILLER announced  HB  59  (APPROP: VETS' LAND DISCOUNT                
 REFUND) to be up for consideration.                                           
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ELDON MULDER testified that this bill has been                 
 around for a long time.  It is a bill that has merit, he said, and            
 explained in 1978 the land discount program was implemented.  In              
 1979 an additional discount was given to veterans.  A court                   
 decision in 1983 halted the veterans discount and a year later the            
 legislature reestablished it again.  The 16th Alaska legislature              
 authorized payment for the discount for those affected between 1983           
 and 1984, but didn't fund the payment.  This bill would fund what             
 the legislature has already authorized.                                       
                                                                               
 Number 210                                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR FRANK moved to pass CS for HB 59(MLV) with individual                 
 recommendations.  There were no objections and it was so ordered.             
 SENATOR MILLER adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m.                             
                                                                               

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