Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/08/1999 03:32 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
April 8, 1999
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman
Senator Lyda Green
Senator Gary Wilken
Senator Kim Elton
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Randy Phillips
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 102
"An Act designating the State Trooper Bruce A. Heck Memorial
Corridor."
-MOVED SB 102 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 104
"An Act relating to the Kuskokwim Ice Classic."
-MOVED SB 104 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6
Requesting that the President of the University of Alaska deliver
to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature an annual State
of the University report.
-MOVED SCR 6 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SB 102 - No previous Senate committee action.
SB 104 - No previous Senate committee action.
SCR 6 - No previous Senate committee action.
WITNESS REGISTER
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 102
Holly Sherouse, Legislative Intern
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99081-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 102
Tim Grussendorf, Legislative Aide
Alaska State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for Senator Hoffman, sponsor of SB
104
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 99-9, SIDE A
Number 001
CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate State Affairs Committee to order at
3:32 p.m. Present were Senators Green, Wilken, Elton, and Chairman
Ward. Senator Phillips arrived at 3:35 p.m.
SB 102-TROOPER HECK MEMORIAL CORRIDOR
SENATOR GEORGIANNA LINCOLN, sponsor of SB 102, and Holly Sherouse,
legislative intern to Senator Lincoln, took the witness stand.
SENATOR LINCOLN explained that SB 102 is a straightforward piece of
legislation that she introduced after Laurie Heck, the widow of
Trooper Bruce Heck, contacted her. Trooper Heck was a well
respected, 15 year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers, who died
on the Glenn Highway last year while in the line of duty. SB 102
concurrently names the portion of the Glenn Highway between
milepost 128 and milepost 189 the "State Trooper Bruce A. Heck
Memorial Corridor."
HOLLY SHEROUSE informed committee members that Reverend Tom
Thompson was unable to attend today's meeting however he asked her
to submit a petition in support of SB 102 signed by 481 people from
Slana, Paxton, Eureka, Mentasta, Tyco River and all residents along
the named stretch of the Glenn Highway. The Greater Copper Valley
Chamber of Commerce also submitted a letter in support of SB 102.
As a resident of Tok and acquaintance of Trooper Heck, she believes
SB 102 is a fitting bill to honor a person who died in the line of
duty.
CHAIRMAN WARD asked Senator Lincoln to convey to Mrs. Heck that the
Senate State Affairs Committee members very much appreciate the
sacrifice that her family has made on behalf of the State.
SENATOR GREEN asked how the Glenn Highway will be concurrently
designated. SENATOR LINCOLN stated the highway will have two signs
along that section of the highway.
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked if milepost 128 to milepost 189 of the
highway is close to Nilchina. SENATOR GREEN replied Nilchina is at
mile 135 and Glennallen is at mile 189.
SENATOR ELTON thanked Senator Lincoln and Ms. Sherouse and moved SB
102 from committee. There being no objection, SB 102 moved to its
next committee of referral.
SB 104-KUSKOKWIM ICE CLASSIC
TIM GRUSSENDORF, legislative aide to Senator Hoffman, sponsor of SB
104, described the bill as a housekeeping measure that changes the
legal name in statute of the organization that manages the
Kuskokwim Ice Classic from Bethel Social Services, Inc., to Bethel
Community Services Foundation. The transfer is required by the
Department of Revenue.
SENATOR GREEN asked whether a generic name could be used for the
organization that will be managing the Kuskokwim Ice Classic so
that legislation does not have to be introduced if the managing
organization changes.
MR. GRUSSENDORF was not sure.
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked when Bethel Social Services began managing
the Kuskokwim Ice Classic.
MR. GRUSSENDORF replied the Bethel Social Services name change
occurred in 1985. The Bethel Community Services Foundation was
created to manage fundraising for Bethel Community Services, Inc.
in 1991.
SENATOR GREEN moved SB 104 from committee with individual
recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried.
Number 160
SCR 6-UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANNUAL REPORT
SENATOR ELTON, co-sponsor of SCR 6, explained the measure simply
requests that in the same way members of the congressional
delegation are invited to speak to the legislature, the president
of the University of Alaska statewide system be asked to address a
joint session.
SENATOR GREEN asked if anyone from the University of Alaska was
invited to speak to the committee about SCR 6. CHAIRMAN WARD
answered University officials are aware the bill was scheduled.
SENATOR GREEN noted she does not support the measure and will
recommend a "do not pass" vote on SCR 6.
SENATOR PHILLIPS noted joint sessions are held to hear from the
Governor, the Chief Justice, Alaska's congressional delegation and
extra special guests, such as a government leader from another
jurisdiction. He asked, if SCR 6 passes, what will prevent another
resolution from being introduced to schedule commissioners to speak
to joint sessions of the legislature. SENATOR ELTON thought the
commissioners' concerns should be addressed within the Governor's
two presentations to the legislature. He pointed out the
University of Alaska is independent of the Executive Branch in the
same way the Judicial Branch is independent. He noted committee
members' packets contain a letter from the University President who
would welcome an opportunity to address the legislature.
Number 214
SENATOR PHILLIPS stated although the Judicial Branch is separate
from the Executive Branch, the University of Alaska falls under the
umbrella of the Executive Branch. He expressed concern that
passage of SCR 6 will open the door for department commissioners to
give separate presentations.
SENATOR ELTON pointed out the difference between the University of
Alaska and state departments is that commissioners convey their
concerns to the Governor in a cabinet meeting each week; the
University President does not. He added the University of Alaska
is elevated in several respects: it has campuses in 18 communities
across the state, it is a significant employer, and the University
holds the key to Alaska's future in terms of research projects.
Number 246
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked Senator Wilken whether the University has
ever requested permission to speak before a joint session. Senator
Wilken did not know.
SENATOR WILKEN noted he supports SCR 6 because a good case can be
made for why the University President should speak to the
legislature, however he stated he is sensitive to opening the door.
SENATOR PHILLIPS informed committee members that the only special
guests who have spoken to a joint session of the legislature are
the Premier of British Columbia and a government leader of the
Northwest Territory.
Number 269
CHAIRMAN WARD asked Senator Elton whether he considered making the
invitation a one-time event next year to see how it goes, as
opposed to requesting an annual invitation.
SENATOR ELTON clarified SCR 6 does not bind the legislature in the
future to inviting the University President on a regular basis or
at a specific time. SCR 6 merely sets up a procedure to do so.
SENATOR GREEN questioned whether an invitation could be extended
without a resolution. CHAIRMAN WARD replied one can.
SENATOR GREEN asked Senator Elton if he talked to the University
President about SCR 6. SENATOR ELTON said he has not but he did
speak to members of the President's staff.
SENATOR ELTON moved SCR 6 from committee. There being no
objection, the motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the committee,
CHAIRMAN WARD adjourned the meeting at 3:51 p.m.
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