Legislature(1995 - 1996)
1995-03-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1995-03-24 House Journal Page 0901 HB 281 HOUSE BILL NO. 281 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act ratifying an agreement between the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and the commissioner of revenue and making certain pledges to obligees of the corporation regarding that agreement; relating to the authorization for and the issuance of bonds by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to pay for the costs of repair and rehabilitation of student housing facilities of the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal notes apply: Fiscal note, Dept. of Revenue, 3/24/95 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Revenue, 3/24/95 Zero fiscal note, University of Alaska, 3/24/95 The Governor's transmittal letter, dated March 24, 1995, appears below: "Dear Speaker Phillips: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill regarding the orderly transfer of certain assets of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) to the general fund. This process will make available to the state a substantial portion of AHFC's reserves while at the same time providing capital markets with the degree of certainty necessary to assure AHFC continued access to money at reasonable rates in order to meet the housing needs of Alaska's families. Additionally, the bill would authorize AHFC to 1995-03-24 House Journal Page 0902 HB 281 issue bonds to finance student housing maintenance projects at various University of Alaska (university) campuses. AHFC is a self-supporting public corporation with a mission to develop and implement innovative programs that meet statewide housing needs. It provides home mortgages to Alaskans at reasonable rates, finances special needs and multi-family housing in partnerships with housing agencies and profit and non-profit organizations, and operates the state's rural housing programs. AHFC also operates the state's public housing programs, which include operating public housing units in 13 communities and providing rental assistance for more than 2,400 families statewide. AHFC leverages its financial resources by borrowing from a variety of lenders to finance various housing programs. Since its inception, AHFC has issued in excess of $10 billion in long-term debt to meet the residential financing needs of Alaskans. As of December 31, 1994, AHFC had $2.3 billion in outstanding long-term debt representing a general obligation of AHFC secured by its full faith and credit above and beyond the pledge of any specific assets. AHFC has been able to attract billions in outside capital to meet Alaska's housing needs because the capital markets have relied on its strong financial condition. The importation of outside money to meet Alaska's housing needs is too important to put at risk. Any transfers of corporate assets to the state must take place as part of a comprehensive long-term plan that reassures capital markets of AHFC's continued financial strength. This bill will demonstrate that we are taking a prudent long-term approach to the management of AHFC's resources and will protect AHFC's ability to borrow for essential programs and projects and to address the future housing needs of Alaskans, including the elderly, disadvantaged, and rural residents. Under the provisions of the bill, AHFC and the commissioner of revenue would enter into an agreement providing for the transfer of a sizeable portion of AHFC's unrestricted reserves to the general fund over the next five fiscal years. This agreement would continue the corporation's policy of providing the people of Alaska with a return on their equity investment in AHFC. Under that policy, adopted in 1991, AHFC will have transferred $314,324,000 in cash payments to the state by the end of this fiscal year. 1995-03-24 House Journal Page 0903 HB 281 The agreement would be signed no later than May1, 1995 and immediately will be made available to the legislature. It would establish a detailed schedule providing for the transfer of specific amounts to the general fund during each of the next five fiscal years. My state operating budget, which I recently submitted to you, includes an expected first installment under that agreement of $70 million. Passage of this bill would ratify the transfer agreement soon to be reached, and would pledge that the state will not transfer assets from AHFC in amounts that exceed those set out in the transfer agreement. This would assure lenders that payments to the state over the next five fiscal years would take place in a prudent and predictable manner. Maintaining the credit of the AHFC will increase Alaskans' access to the nation's capital markets to help meet certain special and crucial housing needs. As stated above, the purpose of this bill is to provide the kind of long-range financial stability and predictability necessary to protect the credit of the AHFC. There may be other avenues available to establish a suitable long-range plan for managing the assets of the AHFC. I know that the legislature will be particularly sensitive to any provisions which appear to invade the appropriation powers and responsibilities of the legislature. If the approach taken in this bill does not meet with your approval, I am open to any constructive alternatives that will preserve the programs of the AHFC. Finally, the bill is part of my plan to begin addressing the long- deferred maintenance needs of the university. It will provide financing for overdue and much needed repair and rehabilitation of student housing facilities at the university's three main campuses. The bill authorizes AHFC to issue $30,000,000 in bonds to finance this project. Under AS18.56, these bonds are general obligations of the corporation. I urge your early and favorable consideration of this legislation or a suitable alternative. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor"