HCR 19-OIL & GAS POLICY/NORWAY TOUR  10:19:51 AM CHAIR HERRON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19, Acknowledging the lessons learned from the 2011 Norway Policy Tour and encouraging investment in the state's oil and gas industry. 10:20:04 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved Amendment M.2 which read [original punctuation provided]: Page 4, line 5, after "benefit" insert "private sector job expansion, affordable energy options, value-added options," 10:20:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE OLSON objected. He opined that the amendment included items that are not related to the original purpose of the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said the proposed amendment was fully aligned with the intent of the sponsor. He read the amendment and explained that the reason for the amendment was that private sector job expansion was listed as one of desirable goals on the comprehensive list of goals presented during testimony on the 2011 Norway Policy Tour. He characterized the amendment as a friendly amendment. REPRESENTATIVE OLSON removed his objection. 10:22:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK objected for the purpose of discussion. He said he was unsure whether Statoil - the partnership between Norway and the oil industry - employees are private or public sector employees, and offered an amendment to Amendment M.2 to say "jobs." REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said the emphasis of those attending the 2011 Norway Policy Tour has been to the expansion of private sector jobs. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK withdrew his amendment to Amendment M.2, and removed his objection. 10:23:54 AM There being no further objection, Amendment M.2 was adopted. 10:24:08 AM REPRESENTATIVE TUCK, on behalf of Representative Gardner, offered Amendment M.3 which read [original punctuation provided]: On page 2, line 21, insert a new sentence: "(13) Norway has developed a free, comprehensive and rigorous educational system spanning pre-school to graduate school that provides professional expertise for the oil and gas sector and contributes to a vibrant national economy; and" CHAIR HERRON objected for the purpose of discussion. 10:25:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE OLSON expressed his opposition to Amendments M.3 and M.4 because they do not have any bearing on the scope of the tour or on the intent of the resolution. The amendment labeled M.4 read [original punctuation provided]: On Page 4, after Line 6, INSERT a new sentence: "FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature shall explore measures to support in-state educational systems and training programs necessary to provide world-class, professional expertise in the oil and gas sector to Alaska, and potentially to other states and nations: and be it" REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said a key to a strong economy is a solid educational system, and this was made clear on the Norway tour; in fact, as a result of Norway's investment in its educational system, it sends experts in the oil and gas field to work around the world. This is an important component to what Alaska should be striving for: graduating people of the best caliber and leaders in technology, and promoting a stronger economy. CHAIR HERRON referred to Amendment M.4 and its placement in the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK confirmed that Amendments M.3 and M.4 "[are] a 'whereas' and then the 'further resolved,' to go along with that." CHAIR HERRON asked Representative Olson whether his concern "is with the 'resolve' or was it a concern with the 'whereas' and the 'resolve'?" 10:27:48 AM REPRESENTATIVE OLSON restated that neither have a bearing to the intent of the work product. The intent of the tour was to "find out what Norway was doing different and how we might learn from their experience." He opined that there are many other things Norway does that may be explored at some time, but the amendments have no bearing on this particular topic. He expressed his support of the resolution in its present form. REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ agreed with the amendment, but also agreed that legislators must stay consistent with the title of a bill or a resolution. She pointed out that the title of the resolution encourages investment in the state's oil and gas industry, and is not dealing with an education policy issue. She said she is not in support of including the proposed language. 10:29:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER also agreed with the objection, and noted that one of the differences between Norway and Alaska is that Norway has a "cradle to grave welfare system," and including the amendment is distracting to the purpose of the bill. REPRESENTATIVE JOULE observed that the amendment may create an expectation "by implying that we should go in a certain direction to be supportive of the oil and gas industry." In addition to job opportunities, efforts are currently being made in the areas of education, health care, and others. He agreed with Representative Olson, and mentioned several education programs currently underway. He said he did not want to create an expectation that may not ever be fulfilled; however, "it doesn't diminish my support for these kinds of things in other venues. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK opined the amendments are the result of hearing testimony that 36 percent of Norway's residents have a post-graduate degree or higher, as compared to 9.8 percent in Alaska. He said he always supports an educational component; however, the comments heard caused him to withdraw the amendments on behalf of Representative Gardner. 10:32:33 AM CHAIR HERRON suggested the amendment could be offered to another committee, or on the floor of the House. There being no further amendments, he asked for discussion on the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE OLSON commended the work product from those who participated in the 2011 Norway Policy Tour. As an aside, he noted that Norway has a 38 percent value-added tax, and the highest personal income tax in Europe. REPRESENTATIVE OLSON moved to report HCR 19, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. 10:34:22 AM There being no objection, HCR 19(EDT) was reported out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.