SENATE RULES COMMITTEE January 26, 1994 11:37 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Rick Halford, Chair Senator Steve Rieger, Vice Chair Senator George Jacko Senator Suzanne Little Senator Fred Zharoff MEMBERS ABSENT All Members Present ALSO PRESENT Senator Johnny Ellis Senator Drue Pearce COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 Requesting the Congress of the United States to pass legislation to permit the export of Alaska crude oil. SENATE BILL NO. 135 "An Act making a special appropriation to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to determine the cost of acquiring real property within the right-of-way of the proposed extension of the Alaska Railroad from Eielson Air Force Base to the Alaska-Canada border; and providing for an effective date." SENATE BILL NO. 160 "An Act relating to memorial scholarship loans." PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SJR 13 - See Resources minutes dated 3/31/93. SB 135 - See Transportation minutes dated 3/16/93. See Judiciary minutes dated 1/21/94. Finance report 1/24/94. SB 160 - See HESS minutes dated 3/31/93. Finance report 1/24/94. WITNESS REGISTER Senator Johnny Ellis State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information on SJR 13 Joe Ambrose, Staff to Senator Taylor State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information on SB 160 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 94-1, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN RICK HALFORD called the Senate Rules Committee meeting to order at 11:37 a.m. Chairman Halford brought SJR 13 (EXPORT OF ALASKA OIL) before the committee and noted there was a proposed Rules CS which would require a public hearing. He then opened the public hearing on SJR 13. Number 010 SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS, prime sponsor of SJR 13, informed the committee that the only change in the committee substitute is to the language on page 2, line 32, "Whereas U.S. Secretary of Energy Hazel O'Leary has recommended a lifting of the ban..." He explained that Secretary O'Leary does want to lift the ban, however, she is currently reviewing the pros and cons of lifting the ban as part of her Domestic Energy Initiative, and the new language reflects that current status. Senator Ellis said he and Senator Pearce have been officially working together on SJR 13, and in the previous committee of referral, a lot of Secretary O'Leary's language was added that not just calls on the Congress to act, but for a recommendation to be made and the President to put the full force of his office behind changing the two federal laws that would allow Alaska to export crude oil. Number 030 CHAIRMAN HALFORD said California would probably have more to gain than the State of Alaska, and he suggested that perhaps a copy of the resolution should be sent to the California Congressional delegation. SENATOR ELLIS responded that although California has mixed emotions on the lifting the ban, he would not have a problem with adding the California delegation to the list of people that will receive the resolution. He added that the biggest opponent is the Washington Congressional delegation. CHAIRMAN HALFORD said that as long as Senator Ellis and Senator Pearce are satisfied with the way the list is currently drafted, he would not move to make that change. Number 070 There being no other witnesses to testify on SJR 13, CHAIRMAN HALFORD asked for the pleasure of the committee. SENATOR LITTLE moved that CSSJR 13(RLS) be adopted. Hearing no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR RIEGER moved and asked unanimous consent that CSSJR 13(RLS) be passed out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered. SENATOR RIEGER moved and asked unanimous consent that CSSJR 13(RLS) be approved for calendaring at the Chair's discretion. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered. Number 090 CHAIRMAN HALFORD brought SB 135 (APPRO: AK RAILROAD EXTENSION STUDY) before the committee as the next order of business. Number 109 SENATOR RIEGER moved and asked unanimous consent that SB 135 be approved for calendaring at the Chair's discretion. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered. Number 114 CHAIRMAN HALFORD brought SB 160 (MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP LOANS) before re the committee as the final order of business. Number 117 SENATOR LITTLE asked if the legislation related to state sponsored loan programs. JOE AMBROSE, staff to Senator Taylor, acknowledged that was correct. There are established loan programs in state law and this legislation addresses only the Michael Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund by adding the certificated program to the current list of eligible recipients. Number 139 SENATOR ZHAROFF moved and asked unanimous consent that SB 160 be approved for calendaring at the Chair's discretion. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 11:47 a.m.