Legislature(1995 - 1996)
1996-01-12 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1996-01-12 House Journal Page 2432 HB 416 HOUSE BILL NO. 416 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: An Act relating to fees or assessment of costs for certain services provided by state government, including hearing costs related to the real estate surety fund; fees for authorization to operate a postsecondary educational institution or for an agents permit to perform services for a postsecondary educational institution; administrative fees for self-insurers in workers compensation; business license fees; fees for activities related to coastal zone management, training relating to emergency management response, regulation of pesticides and broadcast chemicals, and subdivision plans for sewage waste disposal or treatment; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Labor & Commerce, Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal notes apply: Fiscal note, Dept. of Commerce & Economic Development, 1/12/96 Fiscal notes (2), Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 1/12/96 Fiscal notes (2), Office of the Governor, 1/12/96 Fiscal note, Dept. of Labor, 1/12/96 1996-01-12 House Journal Page 2433 HB 416 Fiscal note, House Special Committee on Military & Veterans Affairs, 1/12/96 Fiscal note, Dept. of Revenue, 1/12/96 The Governors transmittal letter, dated January 12, 1996, appears below: Dear Speaker Phillips: As we work to close Alaskas budget gap, my fiscal plan combines spending cuts with increases in certain fees and taxes. This fee bill asks users of state services to take responsibility and help cover the costs of the agencies that serve them. Section 1 of the bill would grant to the Real Estate Commission the power to charge the real estate surety fund for claim hearing costs as they are incurred. Presently, the commission must await the conclusion of a hearing before charging the fund. Because these costs may have been incurred during a fiscal year that has since been closed out, the costs often cannot be reimbursed from the surety fund. In addition, this section would delete a misleading statutory reference to clarify that only the costs of surety fund claim hearings, and not the costs of all disciplinary hearings, may be charged to the fund. Section 2 would allow the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education to charge fees for processing educational institutions applications for authorization to operate, along with application fees for the institutions agent permits. Section 3 of the bill would authorize the State Commission for Human Rights to establish and charge fees for educational and training services and for information and materials the commission provides to the public. This amendment would help the commission cover costs associated with its education efforts to eliminate discrimination. Section 4 of the bill would establish an administrative fee for self- insured employers under the Alaska Workers Compensation Act. Most employers currently pay a portion of the cost of running the state workers compensation program through their insurance premium tax. 1996-01-12 House Journal Page 2434 HB 416 Self-insured employers, however, are receiving the same state services but are not currently contributing to the cost of running the system. Under this bill, employers would share in those costs. Section 5 would change the biennial fee for a business license from $50 to $75. This would mark the first fee increase since statehood. Section 6 of the bill would allow the Division of Governmental Coordination in the Office of the Governor to adopt regulations to charge for services related to federal consistency determinations and certifications under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Section 7 of the bill would authorize the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to adopt regulations setting reasonable fees for classes and seminars on emergency response procedures. Section 8 of the bill would authorize the Department of Environmental Conservation to adopt regulations setting fees for the regulation of pesticides and broadcast chemicals and for the review of subdivision plans for sewage waste disposal or treatment. This legislation, coupled with my spending plan, is a step toward closing Alaskas budget gap. I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor