01/27/2011 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB31 | |
| SB33 | |
| SB18 | |
| SB26 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 31 | ||
| = | SB 33 | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
January 27, 2011
9:02:05 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
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 31
"An Act relating to the counting of write-in votes."
- MOVED CSSB 31(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 33
"An Act relating to the disposition of remains of a member of
the military if the member dies while in a duty status."
- MOVED CSSB 33(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 18
"An Act relating to the duration of regular sessions of the
legislature; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 26
"An Act exempting vehicles fueled solely by electricity or
compressed natural gas from motor vehicle registration fees and
taxes; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 31
SHORT TITLE: COUNTING OF WRITE-IN VOTES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) THOMAS, FRENCH, MENARD, WIELECHOWSKI
01/19/11 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/11
01/19/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/11 (S) STA, JUD
01/25/11 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
01/25/11 (S) Heard & Held
01/25/11 (S) MINUTES(STA)
01/27/11 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 33
SHORT TITLE: DISPOSITION OF SERVICE MEMBERS' REMAINS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI, PASKVAN, COGHILL
01/19/11 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/14/11
01/19/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/11 (S) STA, JUD
01/25/11 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
01/25/11 (S) Heard & Held
01/25/11 (S) MINUTES(STA)
01/27/11 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 18
SHORT TITLE: DURATION OF REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
01/19/11 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/11
01/19/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/11 (S) STA, FIN
01/27/11 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 26
SHORT TITLE: FEE/TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MCGUIRE
01/19/11 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/11
01/19/11 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/11 (S) STA, FIN
01/27/11 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
GRIER HOPKINS, Staff to Senator Joe Thomas,
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a summary of SB 31 on behalf of the
sponsor.
MICHAEL CAULFIELD, Intern to Senator Bill Wielechowski
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a summary of SB 33 on behalf of the
sponsor.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff to Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided supporting information on SB 18 on
behalf of the sponsor.
PAM VARNI, Executive Director
Legislative Affairs Agency
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information on the fiscal note for
SB 18.
GENEVEIVE WOJTUSIK, Staff to Senator Lesil McGuire,
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 18 on behalf of the sponsor.
DANIEL R. FRAKES, Manager
Fuel and Energy Policy
General Motors
Detroit, MI
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 26.
WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director
Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Administration
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information regarding the fiscal
note for SB 26.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:02:10 AM
CHAIR BILL WIELECHOWSKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Paskvan, Giessel, Meyer, and Chair
Wielechowski.
SB 31-COUNTING OF WRITE-IN VOTES
9:02:49 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced consideration of SB 31. [CSSB 31,
27-LS0350\B, was before the committee.]
SENATOR KOOKESH joined the meeting.
GRIER HOPKINS, staff to Senator Joe Thomas, stated that SB 31
intends to clarify Alaska statute by using language recommended
in the Miller v Treadwell decision of the Alaska Supreme Court.
The language is nearly identical to the Federal Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens' Absentee Voting Act. He explained that SB 31
follows on the heels of nearly 50 years of court findings in
favor of voter intent. The first goal of SB 31 is to ensure that
as many Alaskans as possible are enfranchised, while the second
goal is to tighten our state statutes and strengthen the
public's perception of Alaska's democratic process.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report CS for SB 31, version B, from
committee with individual recommendations and accompanying zero
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that without objection CSSB 31(STA)
moved from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
SB 33-DISPOSITION OF SERVICE MEMBERS' REMAINS
9:05:33 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced consideration of SB 33. [CSSB 33,
27-LS0188\D, was before the committee.]
MICHAEL CAULFIELD, intern to Senator Bill Wielechowski,
clarified that the Coast Guard comes under the same federal
statutes as the other armed services, but is not part of DOD,
and uses a different form. He explained that the current CS,
version D, designates the Coast Guard's form, Designation of
Beneficiaries and Record of Emergency Data, as the form that
they will use.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI found no questions and asked the will of the
committee.
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to report CS for SB 33, [version D,] from
committee with individual recommendations and accompanying zero
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that without objection, CSSB
33(STA) moved from committee the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee.
SB 18-DURATION OF REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS
9:06:00 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced consideration of SB 18.
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, sponsor of SB 18, explained that the
length of sessions was changed from 120 days to 90 by a very
close vote of the public. The problem he saw last year was that
a lot of bills died that didn't have time to be fully vetted.
While the bills that passed after the ninety day limit were
determined to be legal, many were passed with very little
consideration, and no opportunity for public input. He is
concerned that the legislature has been weakened by this change
in session length.
TIM LAMKIN, staff to Senator Gary Stevens, noted that SB 18
strikes a compromise between 90 and 120 days. Until 1984, there
no limit on length of session: and in 1984 the 120 day limit was
established. In 2006, with the passage of ballot measure 1, the
length of sessions was changed to 90 days. That was a very low
turnout election year, with the turnout being the lowest in
several years. Following the first 90-day session, there were
two back-to-back special sessions. The arguments in support of
passing the ballot measure are not proving to be valid. Actual
cost of the legislature has increased.
9:19:05 AM
MR. LAMKIN also noted that currently, exactly half of the states
(twenty-five) do not limit the length of their legislative
sessions, and that Alaska ranks twenty-ninth in length of
sessions. He added that every state is unique and has its own
set of circumstances. SB 18 moves us closer to the middle in
terms of session length. He also pointed out that legislation to
shorten the length of legislative sessions has been introduced
24 times since 1990, with no success, and said that just because
a bill doesn't pass, that doesn't mean it needs to go to the
ballot box. Lots of bills that don't get as much attention are
not passed, but don't end up as ballot initiatives.
9:22:04 AM
MR. LAMKIN stated that since 2006 the candidate pool has shrunk
by 20 percent, negating the argument of shorter sessions leading
to greater participation and more candidates. In 2009, a House
subcommittee concluded that strong majority of those surveyed in
the House (both legislators and staff) wanted to restore 120 day
sessions. He also emphasized that, with shorter sessions, power
shifts to the executive branch.
9:25:02 AM
SENATOR MEYER stated that he is biased on this issue, and would
prefer to stay with 90 day sessions. He said he takes very
seriously what the voters said they wanted, and noted that the
legislature can always go to 120 days legally.
MR. LAMKIN noted that the initiative passed by a very close vote
(50.8 percent to 49.2 percent). He agreed that the legislature
has the right to ignore statutes if it wants to, and can always
extend by ten days if it wants to. He said that this bill is a
compromise, with a 90-day first session and a 120-day second
session.
SENATOR MEYER said that legislators are paid a per diem, and the
per diem is for 90 days. Therefore, he asked, why not have
meetings on Saturdays, since they are paid for seven days per
week? He questioned whether other state legislatures meet six or
seven days per week. He also noted that, compared to other
states of similar population, Alaska meets much more frequently.
But, he added, we are a newer state and have more issues to deal
with, including complex oil and gas issues.
9:30:42 AM
SENATOR PASKVAN stated he used to think 90 days was more than
enough, but once he was in the legislature his opinion changed.
He noted that, due to time constraints, often legislators are
just skimming the surface of issues, and not getting into the
substance of what is really needed to provide the citizens of
Alaska with the most efficient government possible. This raises
a constitutional issue, because the legislature is the policy-
making body. He feels that, for a young state, 90 days is not
adequate time.
9:33:04 AM
SENATOR KOOKESH admitted that he is also biased, and that he
wants 120 days in both sessions. He believes that ninety days is
not enough time to meet constituents, but he does like the idea
of a compromise, with 90 days in the first session and 120 in
the second.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked why the bill had a zero fiscal note.
MR. LAMKIN responded that the Legislative Affairs Agency should
probably speak to the fiscal note, but money is in the budget in
case of special sessions, meaning that the extra costs can be
absorbed within existing budget.
SENATOR MENARD joined the meeting.
PAM VARNI, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency,
explained that in 2006, when the fiscal note was done, $800,000
was set aside for special sessions, which could be transferred
back into personal services to pay the per diem for a regular
session if the 120 day sessions were re-instituted.
MR. LAMKIN noted that, with 120 day sessions, the decision to
call a special session would require asking for supplemental
funds, which could be an incentive not to ask for special
sessions beyond the 120 day limit.
9:37:03 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI called for public testimony. Seeing that no
members of the public wanted to testify, he announced he would
hold SB 18 in committee to allow public testimony.
SB 26-FEE/TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES
9:40:04 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced consideration of SB 26.
GENEVEIVE WOJTUSIK, aide to Senator Lesil McGuire, explained
that SB 26 would exempt from motor vehicle registration fees and
taxes those vehicles fueled solely by alternative fuels. She
stated this is a progressive approach to presenting incentives
to the public for using vehicles that utilize new technology.
Other benefits are improving air quality, and the potential for
new jobs. She stated that the availability of plug-in vehicles
will be expanding rapidly, and Alaska should be in the
forefront.
9:42:03 AM
SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt work draft committee substitute
(CS) for SB 26, labeled 27-LS0291\B, as the working document.
9:43:23 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI objected for purposes of discussion.
MS. WOJTUSIK explained the changes in the CS, which include a
change in the title and a definition of alternative fuels.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked about the fiscal note.
9:44:13 AM
WHITNEY BREWSTER, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration, Anchorage, AK, spoke to the fiscal
note, which requests $20,000 for programming to modify the DMV
database to capture information regarding fuel type. She stated
they are not able to determine what the loss of revenue would be
to the state, because the information on type of fuel used is
not currently captured. She believes that the loss of revenue
will be small at first, but will increase as alternative fueled
cars gain popularity. She noted that DMV does collect motor
vehicle registration tax, which is currently $100 per vehicle.
Beyond that, the DMV also collects motor vehicle registration
tax on behalf of local municipalities. They are currently
collecting for 16 municipalities. The DMV does retain eight
percent of the motor vehicle registration tax collected on
behalf of municipalities, but the rest of those fees go to the
municipalities.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if municipal tax is collected in
addition to state tax.
MS. BREWSTER responded that municipalities set their own tax
through ordinance, and that the $100 registration fee goes
directly to the general fund.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked if the DMV does collect sales tax on auto
sales.
MS BREWSTER responded that the DMV does not currently collect
sales tax. Municipalities set fees based on the year of vehicle.
The basic $100 registration fee goes to the state general fund,
and the tax collected based on year of the vehicle goes to the
municipality.
9:50:06 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the department has a position on SB
18.
MS. BREWSTER responded that the department is neutral.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI removed his objection and announced that
version B was before the committee.
SENATOR MEYER asked if hybrid cars could be added.
MS. BREWSTER replied that they could.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI expressed a desire to identify the 16
communities that would be affected to see what the impact would
be.
SENATOR MEYER asked how many hybrid vehicles are currently in
use in Alaska.
MS. BREWSTER responded that there are presently 1,560 Ford
Fusions registered with the DMV. Since there are two types of
Ford Fusions and only one type is a hybrid, it is impossible for
the DMV to know how many hybrid vehicles are in use.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked if passing this just for vehicles that are
on the road today, would result in a $200,000 loss to the state.
MS. WOJTUSIK responded that SB 26 applies only to cars purchased
after October 1, 2010.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI noted that very few cars would be eligible
right now, and stated that he would like to see a cost-benefit
analysis.
9:55:08 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI opened public testimony.
DANIEL R. FRAKES, Manager, General Motors, stated that GM
supports SB 26. He noted that hybrid and plug-in tax incentives
have played a key role in the development and acceptance of
alternative technology vehicles. As with any new technology, the
first generation tends to be expensive, and consumers are wary
of anything unfamiliar, so incentives help them overcome this
anxiety. Once subsequent generations are developed, economies of
scale take effect, and incentives can be phased out. Current
incentives include incentives towards the purchase price,
waivers for state income tax, license and registration fee
exemptions, and infrastructure incentives for the installation
of new technology.
9:58:11 AM
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if Alaska is one of only three states
that don't have incentives.
MR. FRAKES said that is true. This takes into account hybrids as
well as electric vehicles. He noted that the Chevrolet Volt was
launched in Dec 2010 to selected markets, and GM announced today
that it will be available nationally by the end of 2011, ahead
of the original schedule. He said that incentives on the
federal, state, and local level are a win-win across the board,
and that they help customers adapt to new technology, help our
country, states and cities get plug-in ready, and help lower
costs to industry.
SENATOR PASKVAN asked what phase-out criteria might apply to
incentives.
MR. FRAKES responded that they have seen programs starting to
phase out in 2014 - 2015.
SENATOR MEYER asked if incentives are offered because
alternative fuel cars cost more. For instance, what is the cost
of a Volt?
MR. FRAKES stated that cars with hybrid systems, such as the
Volt, are about three to four thousand above a comparably
equipped vehicle. The base price of a volt is about $41,000, and
with the federal incentives that are available the price goes
down to about $33,000.
10:05:08 AM
SENATOR MEYER asked how electric cars hold up in cold weather.
MR. FRAKES responded that both hot and cold temperature extremes
affect batteries, and that both range and driving conditions are
affected. GM does offer an 8-year warranty on the battery pack.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the range diminishes over time.
MR. FRAKES answered that as a battery is used, its life
diminishes, which is why the 8-year warranty period exists.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI asked why an insurance discount is offered in
forty-seven states, with Alaska being one of three where it is
not offered.
MR. FRAKES said he didn't know why, but would try to provide the
information.
CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony and held SB 26 in
committee.
10:09:16 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Wielechowski adjourned the meeting at 10:09 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 18 Sectional.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 Legislative Research Report 90 Day Session.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 Legislation Passed 1979-2010.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 Interim Meetings.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 Candidates 2000-2010.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 Session Days by State.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
|
| SB 18 History Length of Sessions.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 History Length of Sessions CHART.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 18 House 90-Day Evaluation Survey.PDF |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB 26 Committee Substitute.PDF |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Fee/Tax Exemption for Certain Vehicles SB 26 |
| SB 26 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Fee/Tax Exemption for Certain Vehicles SB 26 |
| SB 26 Sponsor Statement.PDF |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Fee/Tax Exemption for Certain Vehicles SB 26 |
| SB 26 Ford Motor Company Presentation.PDF |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Fee/Tax Exemption for Certain Vehicles SB 26 |
| SB 18 Opposing Document - fax Lynn Willis.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |
| SB18 Voter_Turnout 1976-2010.pdf |
SSTA 1/27/2011 9:00:00 AM |
Duration of Regular Legislative Sessions SB 18 |