Legislature(1997 - 1998)
1997-04-14 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1093 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday April 14, 1997 Ninety-second Day Pursuant to adjournment and in the absence of Speaker Phillips, Representative Porter assumed the Chair as Speaker Pro Tempore under Rule 4 of the Uniform Rules and called the House to order at 11:05 a.m. Roll call showed 33 members present. Representatives Davies, Phillips, Vezey and Williams had been previously excused from a call of the House today. Representative Moses had been previously excused through 10:00 p.m., plane time, today, and his presence was noted later. Representative Therriault was absent. Representative Foster, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent that the following member be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the member was excused as noted: Representative Kubina - from 1:22 p.m., plane time, April 13 to 9:53p.m., plane time, April 17, 1997 The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Major Neil Timpson of the Salvation Army. Representative Hudson moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it appears below: Psalms 25:8-15 'Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He instructs sinners in His way. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1094 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of His name, O Lord, forgive my iniquities, though they are many. Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The Lord confides in those who fear and respect Him; He makes His covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.' Bless our leaders this day, Oh Lord, as they deliberate over the matters of the State this day. AMEN The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Foster. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 89th, 90th and 91st legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated April 11, 1997, was read stating the Senate has passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 13 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 13(RLS) by the Senate Rules Committee, entitled: 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1095 SB 13 An Act relating to taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products and to the use of the proceeds of those taxes, and increasing by at least 35.5 mills the amount of excise tax levied on each cigarette imported or acquired in the state; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance Committees. COMMUNICATIONS The following report was received: Office of the Governor Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Workforce Underutilization Report April 15, 1997 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Judiciary Committee has reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Debra L. Call as a member of the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar, Ethel Staton Dianne I. Brown as members of the Commission on Judicial Conduct; and, James M. Posey as a member of the Alaska Public Utilities Commission. 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1096 The reports were signed by Representative Green, Chair; and, Representatives Porter, James, Berkowitz, Bunde, Rokeberg and Croft. The reports did not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the named individuals during any further sessions for the purposes of confirmation. HJR 18 The Judiciary Committee has considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to changing the rate of a tax or license that supports a dedication of its proceeds. and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Green, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Porter, Green, James, Bunde No recommendation (3): Croft, Rokeberg, Berkowitz The following fiscal note applies to CSHJR 18(STA): Fiscal note, Office of the Governor, 2/12/97 HJR 18 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 132 The Judiciary Committee has considered: SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 132 An Act relating to municipal taxation of alcoholic beverages. 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1097 HB 132 The report was signed by Representative Green, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (2): Croft, Porter No recommendation (4): Green, James, Bunde, Berkowitz The following fiscal notes apply: Indeterminate fiscal note, Dept. of Revenue, 4/14/97 Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Community & Regional Affairs, 3/7/97 SSHB 132 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 207 The Judiciary Committee has considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 207 An Act relating to employer drug and alcohol testing programs. and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 207(JUD) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Green, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Rokeberg, Porter, Green No recommendation (4): Croft, James, Berkowitz, Bunde The following fiscal note applies to CSHB 207(JUD): Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Labor, 4/9/97 HB 207 was referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1098 SB 137 The Labor & Commerce Committee has considered: SENATE BILL NO. 137 An Act exempting certain volunteer emergency medical technicians and volunteer fire fighters from state wage and hour laws; and providing for an effective date. and recommends it be replaced with: HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 137(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Rokeberg, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Sanders, Ryan, Hudson, Rokeberg No recommendation (2): Cowdery, Brice The following fiscal notes apply to HCS SB 137(L&C): Senate zero fiscal note, Dept. of Labor, 3/26/97 Senate zero fiscal note, Dept. of Public Safety, 3/26/97 SB 137 was referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Celebrating - Alaska Parent Teacher Association, 40th Anniversary By Representative Green Honoring - K-9 Picasso By Representative Barnes 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1099 Honoring - John Schandelmeier, Third Place Winner of the 1997 Yukon Quest By Representative Davies Honoring - Joe Tompkins, Bronze Medal Winner, Canadian National Disabled Championship By Senator Mackie; Representative Kookesh In Memoriam - Milligrock Minnie Curran Fagerstrom By Representative Foster In Memoriam - John Graham By Representative Foster In Memoriam - Dale E. Kuykendall By Representative Foster In Memoriam - James Jim Norene By Senator Halford INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 249 HOUSE BILL NO. 249 by Representative Kott, entitled: An Act relating to insurance obtained from or provided by nonadmitted insurers; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 250 HOUSE BILL NO. 250 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: An Act establishing a North Slope Gas Commercialization Team to develop recommendations regarding a North Slope gas project; and providing for an effective date. 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1100 HB 250 was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas and the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note applies: Fiscal note, Dept. of Revenue, 4/14/97 The Governor's transmittal letter, dated April 11, 1997, appears below: Dear Speaker Phillips: Developing our enormous North Slope natural gas resources is a significant opportunity for creating Alaska jobs and providing a secure economic base upon which to build Alaskas future. This bill I transmit today establishes the North Slope Gas Commercialization Team to identify and develop steps the state can take, in cooperation with the North Slope leaseholders and other potential sponsors, to make a North Slope gas project a reality. To date, the development of North Slope natural gas resources has not been economically feasible or competitive with alternative sources of energy. North Slope leaseholders estimate a $15 billion cost for the facilities to develop these resources, including a gas conditioning plant, an 800-mile pipeline, a liquefaction plant to convert natural gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG), LNG storage facilities, and LNG tankers. There is relatively little the state can do to reduce the capital costs of a North Slope gas project. There are steps the state can take to improve a projects economic feasibility and competitiveness. The state has received guidance from a report commissioned by the Department of Revenue. This report reviews Alaskas tax and royalty structure, evaluates the competitiveness of the project internationally, and recommends in general terms possible modifications to the states tax and royalty structure to improve the economic feasibility and competitiveness of a project. The Administration also has received guidance from the legislature. In House Concurrent Resolution 1, the legislature requested the governor and North Slope gas resource leaseholders develop a contract to execute with sponsors of an LNG project, as well as appropriate 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1101 HB 250 enabling legislation. The contract and legislation would establish the nature, degree, and duration of the fiscal terms that would best facilitate a project. This bill creates the administrative structure necessary to evaluate recommended changes to the tax and royalty system and carry out the wishes of the legislature as expressed in HCR 1. The North Slope Gas Commercialization Team would determine how to improve the economic feasibility and competitiveness of a North Slope gas project while protecting the public interest. The team also could help develop legislation to enable the state to enter into the contract, provide a stable fiscal and regulatory structure for the project, aid permitting, ensure a maximum number of Alaska residents and Alaska businesses are hired to construct and operate the project, protect the environment, health and safety of workers and the public, and provide natural gas to Alaska communities. This bill is an important step forward in developing Alaskas North Slope natural gas resources. I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 34 The following was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 34 Relating to proposed regulations of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council creating a new discriminatory halibut fishery in Alaska. 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1102 HJR 34 with the: Journal Page RES RPT 5DP 1DNP 2NR 1035 ZERO FISCAL NOTE (H.RES/LAA) 1035 **The presence of Representative Moses was noted. Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR34 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Representative Elton objected. Speaker Pro Tempore Porter stated that HJR 34 will be in third reading on the April 16, 1997, calendar. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Malcolm Mac McGregor By Representatives Barnes, Phillips, Berkowitz, Brice, Bunde, Croft, Davies, Davis, Elton, Grussendorf, Hanley, Hudson, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kott, Kubina, Masek, Mulder, Nicholia, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Ryan, Sanders, Therriault, Williams In Memoriam - Edwin Dewitt By Representatives Williams, Phillips, Berkowitz, Brice, Croft, Davies, Davis, Elton, Foster, Grussendorf, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kott, Kubina, Mulder, Nicholia, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Ryan, Sanders, Therriault; Senator Taylor 1997-04-14 House Journal Page 1103 UNFINISHED BUSINESS HJR 29 Representative Rokeberg added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29 Supporting an increase in federal funding for prostate cancer research. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. Financial Disclosures due to APOC 4/15 ADJOURNMENT Representative Foster moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., April 16, 1997. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:34 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk