SB 247: "An Act making appropriations for continued maintenance and operation of the Motor Vessel Malaspina; and providing for an effective date."
00SENATE BILL NO. 247 01 "An Act making appropriations for continued maintenance and operation of the 02 Motor Vessel Malaspina; and providing for an effective date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) The legislature finds that 05 (1) a strong, diversified economy demands an effective transportation system; 06 (2) Alaska's unique and complex geography requires a unique and efficient 07 transportation network; 08 (3) the Alaska marine highway system is an integral part of the state 09 transportation system and the state economy; 10 (4) all Alaskans receive benefits from the services of the Alaska marine 11 highway system, including basic transportation, economic development, delivery of Alaska 12 products to market, access to critical health care, and regional interaction; 13 (5) prudent management of the Alaska marine highway system requires access 14 to replacement vessels to maintain reliable service during any service disruptions caused by
01 accidents, mechanical failures, or other events; 02 (6) the Motor Vessel Malaspina can continue to serve Alaska communities and 03 enhance the tourism industry, especially regarding Alaska businesses that serve independent 04 travelers; 05 (7) the benefit to the state of the anticipated arrival of the Motor Vessel 06 Kennicott should not be offset by a loss of the Motor Vessel Malaspina; 07 (8) the highest and best use of the Motor Vessel Malaspina is not to be tied 08 up, idly awaiting an emergency, but active service carrying passengers, vehicles, and cargo; 09 (9) the greatest need for improved ferry services exists in North Lynn Canal 10 between the ports of Skagway, Haines, and Juneau; and 11 (10) deployment of the Motor Vessel Malaspina in North Lynn Canal would 12 enhance system capacity to the benefit of communities, businesses, and individual Alaskans. 13 (b) It is the purpose of this Act to preserve the beneficial use of the Motor Vessel 14 Malaspina for Alaska residents, businesses, and visitors. 15 * Sec. 2. (a) The sum of $174,400 is appropriated from the general fund to the Alaska 16 marine highway system fund (AS 19.65.060). 17 (b) The sum of $816,500 is appropriated from the Alaska marine highway system fund 18 (AS 19.65.060) to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Southeast vessel 19 operations component, for continued maintenance and operation of the Motor Vessel 20 Malaspina for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1998. 21 * Sec. 3. (a) The sum of $1,764,400 is appropriated from the general fund to the Alaska 22 marine highway system fund (AS 19.65.060). 23 (b) The sum of $3,979,600 is appropriated from the Alaska marine highway system 24 fund (AS 19.65.060) to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Southeast 25 vessel operations component, for continued maintenance and operation of the Motor Vessel 26 Malaspina for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. 27 * Sec. 4. Sections 1 and 2 of this Act take effect immediately. 28 * Sec. 5. Section 3 of this Act takes effect July 1, 1998.