Legislature(2011 - 2012)BUTROVICH 205
02/28/2012 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR15 | |
| SJR17 | |
| Confirmation Hearing|| Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Commission | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 28, 2012
9:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Bill Wielechowski, Chair
Senator Joe Paskvan, Vice Chair
Senator Albert Kookesh
Senator Kevin Meyer
Senator Cathy Giessel
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Bob Herron
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
Alaska Human Rights Commission
JoAnn Holmes
Mark S. Fish
Christa Bruce
Joyce Skaflestad
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15
Urging the United States Congress to fund all the facilities and
vessels necessary for the United States Coast Guard to fulfill
its Arctic missions, including icebreakers and an Arctic Coast
Guard base.
- MOVED CSSJR 15 (STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17
Welcoming the Arctic Council Task Force for Arctic Marine Oil
Pollution Preparedness and Response to the state for its March
2012 meeting and urging the task force to use its time in the
state to inform and inspire the work of the task force.
- MOVED SJR 17 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 15
SHORT TITLE: COAST GUARD ICEBREAKERS & ARCTIC BASE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) OLSON
02/03/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/03/12 (S) STA
02/28/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SJR 17
SHORT TITLE: ARCTIC COUNCIL TASK FORCE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MCGUIRE
02/06/12 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/06/12 (S) STA
02/28/12 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
DAVID SCOTT, Staff
Senator Donny Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SJR 15 on behalf of the sponsor.
CAPTAIN ED PAGE, Executive Director
Marine Exchange of Alaska and
U.S. Coast Guard, Retired
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke in support of SJR 15.
JEFFREY GARRETT, Retired
U.S. Coast Guard
Seattle, Washington
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 15.
SHYAN ELY, Staff
Senator Lesil McGuire
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the resolution on behalf of the
sponsor.
MIKE PAWLOWSKI, Staff
Senator Lesil McGuire
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions pertaining to SJR 17.
CHRISTA BRUCE, Appointee
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Human
Rights Commission.
MARK S. FISH, Appointee
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
Big Lake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Human
Rights Commission.
JOANN HOLMES, Appointee
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Human
Rights Commission.
JOYCE SKAFLESTAD, Appointee
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
Hoonah, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska Human
Rights Commission.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:00:44 AM
CHAIR BILL WIELECHOWSKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Giessel, Kookesh, Paskvan, Meyer, and Chair
Wielechowski.
SJR 15-COAST GUARD ICEBREAKERS & ARCTIC BASE
9:01:57 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the first order of business
would be SJR 15, a resolution which urges the United States
Congress to fund all the facilities and vessels necessary for
the United States Coast Guard to fulfill its Arctic missions,
including icebreakers and an Arctic Coast Guard base.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt the CS for SJR 15, labeled 27-
LS1302\B, as the working document.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI objected for discussion purposes.
DAVID SCOTT, staff, Senator Donny Olson, introduced SJR 15 on
behalf of the sponsor. He said the resolution accomplishes two
things. It asks the United States government to fulfill its
Coast Guard mission in the Arctic and forward base the U.S.
Coast Guard in the Arctic, and to fund icebreakers and other ice
capable vessels. The Northern Waters Task Force was the impetus
for this legislation.
MR. SCOTT related that there are many maritime operation stories
set in the Arctic. A recent one is the Nome oil delivery. There
is pending offshore development and production in the Arctic.
The Arctic and maritime industry will play a big part in
Alaska's future.
MR. SCOTT highlighted four changes in version B. The first
change on page 4, line 20, changes who the resolution is sent
to. The second change is on page 1, line 6, in the second
whereas clause, the words "on equal footing" were deleted. The
third change is on page 2, line 4, after "tourism", the words
"other activities" were added. Finally, on page 4, in lines 25
and 27, one of the "resolve clauses" was changed.
9:06:05 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI commented that the resolution is important
and much needed.
CAPTAIN ED PAGE, Executive Director, Marine Exchange of Alaska
(MEA), and U.S. Coast Guard (Retired), spoke in support of SJR
15. He related that the MEA is a non-profit established in 2001
and supported by the legislature, the Coast Guard and the
maritime industry as a vessel tracking system. He shared his 30-
year history in the Coast Guard and 10 years in the maritime
industry. He noted changes in Coast Guard dealings in the Arctic
over the last 10 years. Due to the use of a vessel tracking
system, activity in the Arctic can now be followed. He listed
the various types of vessels now seen in Arctic waters. The
Artic is now open to shipping and so there is a greater need for
the Coast Guard to monitor those waters.
9:09:35 AM
CAPTAIN PAGE described icebreakers located in the Great Lakes
and around New York. He emphasized that it is time for extended
Coast Guard presence in Alaska and in the Arctic.
9:11:06 AM
SENATOR PASKVAN referred to Russian and Chinese activity in
Arctic and asked if it was related to the loss of the Arctic ice
cap.
CAPTAIN PAGE replied that the fact that they can operate in the
Arctic is because it is more accessible and there is a great
demand for the resources there.
SENATOR PASKVAN questioned the boundary limitations in shipping
lanes in the Arctic.
CAPTAIN PAGE talked about three zones: territorial seas,
contiguous zones, and exclusive economic zones (EEZ). The United
States has authority over shipping activity out 200 miles and
beyond. The key is to having a presence there.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked how far it was from Barrow to the North
Pole.
CAPTAIN PAGE said it was several hundred miles. He added that
the ice is changing, it is becoming more accessible, and it is a
different world up there now.
SENATOR PASKVAN said he thought last year was the first year
that both eastern and western shipping routes were
simultaneously opened.
CAPTAIN PAGE called it fascinating that one of the access points
to the Arctic is in Alaska's back yard.
9:15:26 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL requested information about search and rescue
collaboration between Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards.
CAPTAIN PAGE reported that both countries work together for
search and rescue operations and for oil pollution exercises.
Kodiak is the closest location to the Arctic with a U.S. Coast
Guard station. Canada has a greater presence in the Arctic than
the U.S. does, as does Russia.
SENATOR MEYER asked for a recommendation where the new Arctic
base should be.
CAPTAIN PAGE said he had not formed an opinion. He said he
thought there could be two bases, one for aircraft and one for
ships.
9:18:15 AM
JEFFREY GARRETT, retired, U.S. Coast Guard, Seattle, Washington,
spoke of his past experience with the polar icebreaker fleet in
Alaska. Past polar operations were limited to defense support
and science programs. The transformational changes in the Arctic
now affect the Coast Guard's statutory responsibilities. He
opined that the most critical and effective need now is for
polar icebreakers. He detailed the reasons behind his belief and
reported on the history of lack of icebreakers. He referred to
the icebreaker Healey's successful mission to Nome. He noted
that the President's 2013 budget contains funds for icebreaker
acquisition. He spoke in favor of restoring the Polar Star and
the Polar Sea to full operating capability. He testified in
support of SJR 15 and suggested moving forward quickly.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested a motion to move SJR 15 from
committee.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report the CS for SJR 15, version B,
from committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSSJR
15(STA) was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee.
SJR 17-ARCTIC COUNCIL TASK FORCE
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the committee would take up
SJR 17, which would welcome the Arctic Council Task Force for
Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response to the
state for its March 2012 meeting.
9:22:29 AM
SHYAN ELY, staff, Senator Lesil McGuire, presented the
resolution on behalf of the sponsor. She restated the purpose of
SJR 17. She read from the following sponsor statement:
The Arctic Council was established in 1996 as a high-
level intergovernmental forum to provide a means for
promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction
among the Arctic States, with the involvement of the
Arctic Indigenous communities and other Arctic
inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular
issues of sustainable development and environmental
protection in the Arctic. The Arctic Council consists
of eight Arctic Nations: Canada, Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United
States, as well as six international organizations
representing Arctic indigenous peoples.
On May 12 of 2011, the Arctic Council signed the Nuuk
declaration which established an agreement on
cooperation in aeronautical and maritime search and
rescue in the arctic. In the Nuuk declaration, the
Ministers of the Arctic Council member states decided
to "establish a Task Force, reporting to the senior
Arctic Officials, to develop an international
instrument on Arctic marine oil pollution preparedness
and response, and called for the Emergency Prevention,
Preparedness and Response (EPPR) and other relevant
working groups to develop recommendations and/or best
practices in the prevention of marine oil pollution.
The purpose of Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 17 is to
welcome the Arctic Council Task Force for Arctic
Marine Pollution Preparedness and Response to Alaska.
The task force will be in Alaska in March of 2012 to
exchange information and experiences regarding marine
pollution preparedness and response. The task force is
currently developing a framework for international
cooperation between the eight arctic states to combat
oil spill pollution.
As the only arctic state in the nation, Alaska has an
important role to play in protecting the arctic. As
host for the March task force meeting, it is important
that the state welcome the international delegates to
Alaska and highlight the issues that are important to
Alaskans.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked how many task force members would be
coming.
MIKE PAWLOWSKI, staff, Senator Lesil McGuire, replied that a
representative from each member nation would be attending, as
well as support staff.
SENATOR MEYER asked if version M was before the committee.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI said yes.
SENATOR MEYER asked if any Arctic countries would not be
participating.
MR. PAWLOWSKI explained that all eight Arctic Council members
would be participating.
9:26:42 AM
SENATOR PASKVAN questioned the term "response instrument".
MR. PAWLOWSKI referred Senator Paskvan to the Aleutian Islands
Risk Assessment Project as an example of the beginning of what a
response instrument would be. He defined the term as an all-
encompassing strategy for response. He explained that page 16 of
the Aleutian Islands Risk Assessment talks about the current
vessel traffic in the Aleutians. Over 2,000 vessels are
transiting in the Aleutians in innocent passage every year. The
instrument is a technical term at the international level under
the International Maritime Organization that governs those
issues. In SJR 17, on page 2, line 20, there is talk about
engaging local authorities in contingency planning, and on lines
15 and 16, having adequate oil spill contingency plans and
response capacity. The issue is that under international
maritime law, Alaska does not have jurisdiction over vessels in
innocent passage. Ultimate goal of the resolution is to get the
Arctic Council to push for a voluntary framework of engagement
at the international level.
SENATOR MEYER asked for the date of the meeting.
MS. ELY said it was on March 20, 2012.
9:29:11 AM
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report SJR 17, version M, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note. There being no objection, SJR 17 was moved from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
At-ease from 9:29 am to 9:31 am.
^Confirmation Hearing
^Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Commission
9:31:25 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced the confirmation hearings for the
governor's nominees to the Alaska State Commission for Human
Rights. The Commission was created in 1963 to eliminate and
prevent discrimination in employment, credit, and financing
practices; places of public accommodation; practices by the
state or its political subdivisions; and in the sale, lease, or
rental of real property. Under state law, it is illegal to
discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national
origin, age, sex, physical or mental disability, marital status,
changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, or practices
of the state or its political subdivisions. In 2010, over 2,000
Alaskans contacted the commission, however, 20 percent more
Alaskans filed complaints of discrimination in 2010 than the
prior year. There are four nominees.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI introduced the first nominee, Christa Bruce,
who this past August was appointed to serve as a commissioner
for the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights.
CHRISTA BRUCE, appointee, Alaska State Commission for Human
Rights (ASCHR), Ketchikan, Alaska, shared her background and
qualifications as a nominee for ASCHR. She said she values what
it means to be a citizen and the obligation to serve. She
related that she wants to be involved in a process that ensures
that people are treated fairly under the laws. She said ASCHR
has integrity and it would be an honor to serve on it.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted that the committee has a copy of Ms.
Bruce's resume. He wondered why she was interested in a position
on the Board of Regents and the Humanities Forum. He requested
that Ms. Bruce explain her interest in serving on ASCHR.
MS. BRUCE stated that she was interested in the Board of Regents
and in the Humanities Forum. She said she was not a lawyer, but
cared about constitutional law and was no stranger to the
commission's goals.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted an impressive employment, training and
experience record. He asked if she is currently on ASCHR.
MS. BRUCE said she was not officially on the commission, but has
attended and participated in meetings.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked Ms. Bruce to comment on challenges
facing Alaska regarding reducing discrimination.
MS. BRUCE shared that she was impressed with ASCHR's immediacy
in responding to needs of Alaskans. She said "the more
communication the better."
9:37:49 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL said she sat in on Legislative Budget and
Audit's (LB&A) review of the commission. One of the findings was
that the cases were taking a long time to resolve. She asked for
Ms. Bruce's opinion on the work load and the time needed to
review cases.
MS. BRUCE stated that there has been a considerable improvement
in shortening the time spent on cases. She spoke of factors
involved in dealing with a large work load.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI thanked Ms. Bruce.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI introduced Mark Fish, who has served on the
Commission since October of 2007.
9:40:11 AM
MARK S. FISH, appointee, Alaska State Commission for Human
Rights, Big Lake, Alaska, stated his interest in serving another
term on the ASCHR. He said it was a privilege and duty to serve.
He referred to his record of decisions and references from the
staff and the governor, which support the fact that he would
again be a valuable asset to the commission.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the commission is living up to the
standard of its mission statement to "eliminate and prevent
discrimination".
MR. FISH thought the commission was doing a good job; however,
one area could be improved in that the commissioners are spread
throughout the state. A more efficient way of communicating
could be worked on.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked what Mr. Fish thought of the goals of the
commission and Mr. Fish's role in accomplishing them.
MR. FISH said the commission's goal was to ensure the rights of
the individual. He offered that the commission accomplishes this
by citizens applying good judgment and the law to individual
cases.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if Mr. Fish had any suggestions to
allow the commission to be more efficient.
MR. FISH thought the commissioners could be more effective in
coordinating their work and establish timelines to review cases.
9:45:57 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if Mr. Fish had any ideas for future
legislation to help the commission accomplish its mission.
MR. FISH suggested that additional support of extra
investigators to deal with growing caseloads would be helpful.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI said the number of complaints has increased
20 percent. He asked for Mr. Fish's opinion on that increase.
MR. FISH said the increases are due to loss of economic
opportunities because of discrimination and lack of work. The
commission has to take a close look at that. Also, people are
more aware of their rights, which is a double-edged sword. The
aging workforce may bode for more age discrimination.
9:49:47 AM
SENATOR MEYER thanked Mr. Fish for serving on the commission and
for his military service. He asked how many times the commission
meets.
MR. FISH said quarterly with an occasional extra meeting.
SENATOR MEYER asked if the meetings lasted a day or two.
MR. FISH said quarterly meetings are one-and-a-half to two days
long.
SENATOR MEYER asked if the commission has considered meeting
more frequently.
MR. FISH explained that the quarterly meetings are not for
making case decisions, but are more for administrative purposes.
He related that meetings to decide the outcome of cases are
scheduled at other times. The way it works is that three
commissioners are assigned to a case, receive the paperwork, and
announce their availability to meet, and make the decision.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI thanked Mr. Fish for his public service.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI introduced the next nominee, JoAnn Holmes,
who was appointed to the commission in June.
9:52:19 AM
JOANN HOLMES, appointee, Alaska State Commission for Human
Rights, Kodiak, Alaska, spoke of her service on various
commissions. She said she had originally applied to the Parole
Board, but said she was excited to be nominated for ASCHR. She
shared her volunteer and work experience, her work in rural
areas, and a strong background with grant writing. She said it
might be time to discuss the LB&A audit and set goals.
MS. HOLMES stated that ASCHR's case load is incredibly large and
there are other tasks such as outreach which are difficult to do
with a small staff. She suggested a larger staff would be
helpful. A discussion of outreach strategies and goal setting
would be productive. She said she was disappointed with the
number of employers who discriminated against employees,
especially related to age discrimination.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the commission is doing enough to
prevent or educate communities about discrimination.
MS. HOLMES suggested strategies for improving communication with
employers regarding discrimination.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI thanked Ms. Holmes for her past work on
commissions.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI introduced Joyce Skaflestad, the final
applicant.
10:00:37 AM
JOYCE SKAFLESTAD, appointee, Alaska State Commission for Human
Rights, Hoonah, Alaska, shared her work resume, which included
being a state magistrate and deputy training judge. She shared
her philosophy on detailed application to the law, with an
emphasis on rights and responsibilities, which she said she
would apply to the difficult decisions the commission is tasked
with. She stated her life purpose is to serve others.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested Ms. Skaflestad to address
challenges she perceives of the commission.
MS. SKAFLESTAD related that she had reviewed a number of
hearings and noticed a lack of discrimination training for
employers. She suggested that training was an area of outreach
that could be improved. She referred to a Human Rights
Commission web site that deals with discrimination and that was
making people aware of their rights. She predicted an increase
in filings as people become more aware of their rights.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI thanked Ms. Skaflestad for her public service
and willingness to be a nominee.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI requested a motion to forward the names of
the nominees. He noted that such a motion does not reflect the
intent of individual members to vote for or against any
particular nominee.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to forward the names of all four nominees
to a joint session of the legislature for consideration. There
being no objection, the motion carried.
10:06:29 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Wielechowski adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee at 10:06 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 15 - ANWTF Recs PP 14-21.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 15 - SS.docx |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR15 POLAR ICEBREAKERS Charts.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR15Polar Icebreakers.pptx |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 15 - 12.01.11-LG Treadwell on Icebreakers.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 15 - 2010 USCG Auth. Act - AMSA Section.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| CS SJR 15.PDF |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 17 Resolution.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 17 |
| SJR 17 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 17 |
| SJR 17 Background Task Force on Oil Spill Preparedness and Response (3).pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 17 |
| SJR 17 Welcome Resolution.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 17 |
| SJR 17 Background-Aleutian Island Risk Assessment.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 17 |
| SJR 17 Background-Pressing Issues in the Arctic.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 17 |
| 2010 Final Report ASCHR.pdf |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
|
| ASCHR Mission Statement.PDF |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
|
| FN for SJR 17.xls |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 17 |
| SJR15 Fiscal Note.xls |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
SJR 15 |
| JoAnn Holmes Application.PDF |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Mark S. Fish Application.PDF |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Christa Bruce Application.PDF |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |
|
| Joyce Skaflestad Application.PDF |
SSTA 2/28/2012 9:00:00 AM |