HB 173-CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION    3:07:06 PM CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 173, "An Act establishing the Alaska Climate Change Response Commission; relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Climate Change Response Commission; establishing the climate change response fund; and relating to the surcharge on oil produced in the state." [Before the committee, adopted as a work draft on 5/4/17, was the committee substitute (CS) for HB 173, Version 30-LS0163\R, Bruce, 5/1/17, referred to as "Version R."] 3:07:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of HB 173, relayed that the proposed legislation would recreate a climate change commission, which was previously created by administrative order in 2007. He said that under Version R, the robust funding source was removed. 3:07:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if Representative Josephson is concerned about the proposed legislation's effectiveness given it now lacks the "per barrel" fee. REPRESENTATIVE JOSEPHSON answered that he is concerned, but the current version represents what is politically possible. He added that the appointees on the commission will be dedicated men and women who are interested in serving the state on the issue without the use of those resources. He further stated that he is hopeful that the state will obtain grants for mitigation efforts, and the commission will provide a pathway to make a real difference. REPRESENTATIVE WOOL relayed that Hajo Eicken [Director, International Arctic Research Center (IARC)], who testified during the House State Affairs Standing Committee meeting of 4/11/17, expressed his concern for the effectiveness of HB 173 without the funding. 3:09:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX moved to report the CS for HB 173, Version 30-LS0163\R, Bruce, 5/1/17, out of committee with individual recommendations and the forthcoming fiscal notes. 3:10:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON objected. CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked Representative Johnson to speak to her objection. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated that with a nine-member commission, the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) and the Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough would not be well represented with only one member. 3:10:55 PM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Tuck, Wool, LeDoux, and Kreiss-Tomkins voted in favor of reporting HB 173, as amended, out of committee. Representatives Birch, Johnson, and Knopp voted against it. Therefore, CSHB 173(STA) was reported from the House State Affairs Standing Committee by a vote of 4- 3.