Legislature(1997 - 1998)
1998-02-11 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2275 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE -- SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 11, 1998 Thirty-first Day Pursuant to adjournment, the House was called to order by Speaker Phillips at 10:16 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Mulder had been previously excused from a call of the House today. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Brian Ewing of the Calvary Fellowship. Representative Davis moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it appears below: "Lord, it happened in the nation of Israel a few years ago. You took a little lunch that a young man was carrying, and made it food for over 5,000 people with so many leftovers that it took 12 grown men to carry them away. No wonder these people would hunt You down and say 'evermore give us this bread.' Lord, we are very much like those men and women that pursued You, that would have forcibly made You king because You gave them full bellies. We too will work hard for temporary satisfaction; we will work our fingers to the bone in exchange for short lived results and bony fingers. But, Lord, You said 'Labor not for the food that perishes but for that which remains unto everlasting life,' and You said 'I 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2276 am the bread of Life. He that comes unto me shall never hunger and he that believes on me shall never thirst.' Lord, give us the bread that takes away the insatiable hunger for more and more. Give us the Bread of Life. Give us Jesus! Amen." The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Davis. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Porter moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 29th and 30th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A letter dated February 9, 1998, was read stating that, in accordance with AS 39.05.080(1) and Article III, Section 26 of the Alaska Constitution, the Governor submits the following names for legislative confirmation of appointment to the positions noted. The Speaker referred the following to the Health, Education & Social Services Committee: State Commission for Human Rights Christine R. Marasigan - Anchorage Appointed: 02/06/98 Expires: 01/31/03 James H. Chase - Anchorage Appointed: 02/06/98 Expires: 01/31/03 Resumes for the appointments are on file in the Chief Clerk's office. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated February 10, 1998, was read stating the Senate has passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2277 FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 21 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21 by Senators Ward, Adams, Pearce, Leman, Taylor, Lincoln, Halford, Duncan, Kelly, Hoffman, Torgerson, Green, Mackie, Sharp and Miller: Relating to declaring March 1998 as Sobriety Awareness Month. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services Committee. COMMUNICATIONS The following reports were received: Office of the Governor Office of Equal Employment Opportunity 1997 Annual Report on The Status of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action in Alaska State Government (as required by AS 44.19.451) U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA/NMFS Juneau Consolidated Facility Final Environmental Impact Statement Volume 1, Chapters 1-6 Volume 2, Appendices January 1998 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 304 The State Affairs Committee has considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 304 "An Act relating to the location of the convening of the legislature in regular session; repealing provisions relating to student guests of the legislature; and providing for an effective date." 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2278 HB 304 The report was signed by Representative James, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (2): Dyson, Hodgins Do not pass (2): Elton, Vezey No recommendation (3): James, Berkowitz, Ivan The following fiscal note applies: Fiscal note, Office of the Governor/All Depts., 2/11/98 HB 304 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - South Peninsula Hospital, SART/SANE Program By Representative Phillips Honoring - Youth Volunteer Adrien Lopez By Representative Kubina; Senator Lincoln Honoring - Walt and Gloria Day By Representative Kubina; Senator Lincoln Honoring - Kenny Lake High School Volleyball Team, State 1A, 2A, 3A Volleyball Champions By Representative Kubina; Senator Lincoln Honoring - Linda Hartshorn, Retired Wrangell Magistrate By Representative Grussendorf Honoring - The Hershey Track and Field Program By Senator Ward 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2279 In Memoriam - Leavie K. Anthony By Representative Sanders In Memoriam - Willie T. "Bill" Ellis By Senator Lincoln; Representative Nicholia INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 56 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 56 by Representatives Hudson, Williams and Dyson: Relating to yttrium mining and transfer of the linear induction motor research vehicle to Alaska. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 299 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 299 by Representatives Williams, Croft and Dyson, entitled: "An Act reducing excise tax rates for pipe tobacco and cigars; and relating to the definition of 'cigarettes' and 'tobacco products' for the purpose of taxation." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 389 HOUSE BILL NO. 389 by Representative Cowdery, entitled: "An Act relating to an exemption from the requirement for payment for overtime under a voluntary written agreement for certain employees in the airline industry; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2280 HB 390 HOUSE BILL NO. 390 by Representatives Kelly, Dyson and Therriault, entitled: "An Act relating to marriage; and amending Rules 54 and 56, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. HB 391 HOUSE BILL NO. 391 by Representatives Kelly, Dyson and Therriault, entitled: "An Act defining the relationship between a minor and a person or persons having the legal custody of the minor, and relating to the enforcement of that relationship when a minor has run away from or is refusing care provided by a person having the minor's legal custody." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance Committees. HB 392 HOUSE BILL NO. 392 by Representatives Austerman and Hudson, entitled: "An Act relating to access by the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Fish and Game to confidential tax records for fisheries resources prepared or kept by the Department of Revenue under AS 43.75; relating to certain salmon products reports; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 393 HOUSE BILL NO. 393 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2281 HB 393 "An Act relating to contracts with the state establishing payments in lieu of other taxes by a qualified sponsor or qualified sponsor group for projects to develop stranded gas resources in the state; providing for the inclusion in such contracts of terms making certain adjustments regarding royalty value and the timing and notice of the state's right to take royalty in kind or in value from such projects; relating to the effect of such contracts on municipal taxation; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas and the Finance Committee. The following fiscal notes apply: Fiscal note, Dept. of Natural Resources, 2/11/98 Fiscal note, Dept. of Revenue, 2/11/98 The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 9, 1998, appears below: "Dear Speaker Phillips: Today I am transmitting the Alaska Stranded Gas Development Act to advance the development of Alaska's vast supply of North Slope natural gas. This legislation follows the recommendations of the North Slope Gas Commercialization Team which was established by legislation last year to build a framework to improve the economic feasibility and competitiveness of a North Slope gas project. The bill authorizes the state to negotiate contracts with project sponsors to improve the economic feasibility of developing stranded gas on the North Slope. Contract payments would replace some or all of the state and municipal taxes applicable to the gas project including: 1) state and municipal ad valorem property taxes; 2) production or severance taxes; and 3) state corporate taxes. The state's royalty share of produced gas would not be subject to such a contract. Contract payments would be designed to improve project economics by "back- end loading" tax liabilities to allow project investors to begin to recoup some of their investment before facing a heavy tax burden. 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2282 HB 393 The contract payments would also be designed to provide the state with an increased share of the project's revenue if energy prices increase or if the sponsors are able to substantially decrease anticipated project construction costs. Such contract payments were envisioned in both the House Concurrent Resolution relating to North Slope gas and the gas commercialization team bill passed last year. While the bill is unique in many respects, there are precedents for this type of incentive. For example, the LNG project on the Kenai Peninsula, which provides significant jobs and production and property tax revenue, benefited directly from the Alaska Industrial Incentive Act which provided tax advantages critical for development. There are several major benefits to the approach authorized in the bill. Fiscal arrangements can be tailored to the specific economics of a gas project. Contractual payments are more likely to provide predictability for potential investors in a project. This method also addresses the critical element of local taxes by providing a mechanism for ensuring a steady payment stream to municipalities over the life of the contract. Local hire and the use of local businesses in any project are also stressed in the legislation. Employers participating in the project are required to advertise locally for available positions, use Alaska job service organizations, and employ qualified Alaska residents and Alaska-owned businesses to the full extent permitted by law. Any contract negotiated by the Administration would be subject to legislative review and public hearing. Additionally, I would encourage the legislature to require legislative approval of a contract because of the appropriate role of the legislature in such a unique and significant decision. Furthermore, if such a contract in lieu of taxes was considered a tax, the legislature may well be required to approve such action by law. The bill recognizes that in the process of negotiating a contract it may be necessary to review confidential company data if the state's best interests are to be advanced. The bill strikes a balance between the public's right to review the basis for the contract and the company's right to protect proprietary information from their competitors. 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2283 HB 393 Confidentiality of proprietary information is limited to items that, if revealed, would both affect a company's competitive position and significantly diminish the commercial value of the information. The Stranded Gas Development Act is a critically important step in our efforts to realize the benefits of the enormous gas resources on the North Slope. While it is true a number of other factors must be addressed before a North Slope gas project becomes a reality, such as project cost reductions, market conditions, and the need for more favorable federal tax laws, this bill lays the necessary groundwork for our success. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 394 HOUSE BILL NO. 394 by Representative Williams, entitled: "An Act relating to seafood processing permits for direct-market fishing operations and to the release of certain information collected by the Department of Fish and Game to the Department of Environmental Conservation." was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. HB 395 HOUSE BILL NO. 395 by Representative Bunde, entitled: "An Act relating to civil liability resulting from the use of a defibrillator in providing emergency aid." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee. HB 396 HOUSE BILL NO. 396 by Representative Bunde, entitled: "An Act relating to renting a motor vehicle." 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2284 HB 396 was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. HB 397 HOUSE BILL NO. 397 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making supplemental appropriations; making, amending, and repealing capital or other appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 10, 1998, appears below: "Dear Speaker Phillips: The FY98 supplemental appropriations bill I am delivering to you today is essentially in two parts: the "regular" supplemental and a one- time opportunity to catch up on major unmet needs for our children without increasing state funds over what was budgeted for this year. The second part is particularly gratifying. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Murkowski in securing an increase in the rate at which the federal government matches our state funds for Medicaid (known as FMAP), Alaska has $22.8 million this year which it can reallocate to our children. With these and $1 million in reappropriated funds, I propose to: - repair Head Start facilities around the state; - build public health centers in Kenai and Bethel; - provide our public health nurses and child protection workers with adequate communications equipment and vehicles; - bring more state buildings and mental health trust beneficiary facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2285 HB 397 - strengthen our efforts against domestic violence with improved monitoring of sexual predators, training, and computer systems; - build juvenile detention and treatment facilities in Anchorage, Mat-Su and Ketchikan; - keep our National Guard Youth Corps program going despite reduced federal dollars; - address the serious problems of inhalant abuse among children; and - grow the Alaska Children's Trust so more earnings will be available for community programs that prevent child abuse and neglect. As we have discussed, Alaska is faced with a clear choice in how to use its $22.8 million FMAP dollars in FY98 and the $30 million more it will receive each year in FY99 and FY00. The new federal match rate will be up for review and reauthorization in three years. If the Legislature decides to take it simply as a budget savings, this short- term choice is almost certain to jeopardize Alaska's long-term benefits from the new federal Medicaid rate. Senator Murkowski made this very clear when he was in Juneau last month. He didn't manage to convince Congress to change the Medicaid rate just so Alaska could cut its budget. He ultimately prevailed on the basis that our health care costs are higher and we need more federal dollars to help those who need our assistance. That's also the basis on which I was able to convince the President to overcome his own OMBs advice and cancel his intended veto of the increased federal dollars to Alaska. Do we really want to risk $30 million annually from the federal government for years to come in exchange for a one-time "savings" in the FY98 or 99 budget? That would certainly be penny wise and pound foolish. And it would leave many important needs unmet. The reallocation of state matching funds for Medicaid will help us make a difference in children's lives. However, the other part of the supplemental is no less important. Nearly $22 million is necessary to address natural and economic disasters that hit Alaska this year -- $13 million for fire suppression, almost $5 million for the Bristol Bay fisheries collapse, $2 million for floods and other natural disasters, and 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2286 HB 397 $1.7 for the ferry blockade by Canadian fishermen. More than $4 million is needed because of prison overcrowding, increased costs of community residential center beds and inmate health care. (This is on top of the Cleary fines and implementation of the judge's February 6 order to bring prison populations down to emergency capacity levels by May 1. A special appropriation to fund the plan and pay the fines will be introduced later this week.) To secure recent appropriations by the federal government for harbor improvements in three Alaska communities, I recommend you approve $3.6 million in matching funds. When the state budget was passed last May, the fate of these federal funding requests was unknown. We were able to reduce the level of state funds needed by insisting the communities pay half of the required matching funds. One of the first budget discipline commitments I made upon taking office was to bring supplementals under control and to acknowledge to the public up front that some adjustments would be necessary before year-end. Although this year's supplemental is larger than what we needed the last two years, we have indeed made significant reforms to the prior practice of spending as though supplementals were automatic and unlimited. My predecessor identified a staggering total of $80 million in "needed" additions to the FY95 budget. This year's amount is largely due to unexpectedly large costs for disasters, increased federal match requirements and prison overcrowding. Even so, the general fund supplemental is only 1.6% of the total general fund state budget. The budget plan released by the majority last May included a place holder of $16.5 million for supplemental appropriations, the level recommended earlier in my own budget plan. My plan acknowledged that the Legislature was funding some of the annual budget in the supplemental rather than in the primary operating budget bill. It anticipated the legislative underfunding of leases ($1.4 million), constitutional and statutory legal defense obligations (nearly $1 million), and an "average" level of additional expenses for fire suppression, natural disasters and judgments/claims. However, when the Legislature reduced the oil and gas litigation appropriation by $2 million with the expectation of a supplemental, it did not make a corresponding increase to the budget plan level of $16.5 million. 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2287 HB 397 Since the state's litigation work brings hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements to our state coffers, we can ill afford not to fund it adequately. (Another $300,000 is required by the Department of Law to defend constitutional challenges to the two laws limiting a woman's right to choose which I vetoed as unconstitutional but which were overridden last session.) The first section of this bill highlights several critical issues needing immediate funding. For instance, we should not begin the next Youth Corps class in March unless we have reasonable assurance that the state funds to complete the four-month class are forthcoming. Community residential center beds will cost more under new contracts and we need assurance the increased expense will be approved. Although it would make sense to address all supplementals well before the end of the session, the items in Section 1 are of particular urgency. Since the Administration and Legislature have brought control to the supplemental budget process, it would be appropriate to take the next budget discipline step and have the Legislature approve the supplemental in a timely fashion, well before the end of the session instead of barely ahead of the FY99 budget. I look forward to working with you on a responsible supplemental budget for FY98, one that maintains budget discipline but also takes advantage of the unique opportunity we have to wisely reallocate the funds we used to spend matching federal Medicaid dollars. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SJR 15 The following was read the second time: 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2288 SJR 15 CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15(FIN) Relating to reauthorization of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. with the: Journal Page TRA RPT 6DP 1NR 1056 SENATE ZERO FISCAL NOTE (S.FIN) 1/13/97 1056 The following fiscal note was submitted by the Rules Committee: Zero fiscal note, House Rules Committee, 2/11/98 Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Kemplen: Page 2, line 4 through line 9: Delete all material. Page 3, line 19 through line 21: Delete all material. Representative Kemplen moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Williams objected. Representative Hodgins moved and asked unanimous consent that he be allowed to abstain from voting due to a conflict of interest. Objection was heard, and Representative Hodgins was required to vote. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSJR 15(FIN) Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 10 NAYS: 28 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Berkowitz, Croft, Davies, Elton, Grussendorf, Joule, Kemplen, Kookesh, Kubina, Nicholia 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2289 SJR 15 Nays: Austerman, Barnes, Brice, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Foster, Green, Hanley, Hodgins, Hudson, Ivan, James, Kelly, Kohring, Kott, Martin, Masek, Ogan, Phillips, Porter, Rokeberg, Ryan, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams Excused: Mulder Absent: Moses And so, Amendment No. 1 was not adopted. Amendment No. 2 was offered by Representative Kemplen: Page 2, line 30, insert new whereas clauses to read: "WHEREAS other communities in northern latitudes have learned that excessive road development is not cost effective and requires significant public subsidies; and WHEREAS alternative modes of transportation including air, water and rail transport are less of a financial burden on public treasuries; and" Page 3, line 23, following "flexibility": Delete "in the construction of low volume roads suited to Alaska's remoteness and" Insert "for multi-modal transportation which is more cost effective and meets the needs of Alaska's" Page 3, line 24 following "environment": Insert ", such as small airports, small boat harbors, and rail" Representative Kemplen moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 2 be adopted. Representative Porter objected. Representative Brice moved and asked unanimous consent that the question be divided. The Speaker ruled that the question was divisible. 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2290 SJR 15 Objections were heard. The question being: "Shall the question be divided?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSJR 15(FIN) Second Reading Amendment No. 2 Divide the Question YEAS: 15 NAYS: 23 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Berkowitz, Brice, Bunde, Croft, Davies, Elton, Grussendorf, Ivan, Joule, Kemplen, Kookesh, Kubina, Martin, Nicholia, Phillips Nays: Austerman, Barnes, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Foster, Green, Hanley, Hodgins, Hudson, James, Kelly, Kohring, Kott, Masek, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Ryan, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams Excused: Mulder Absent: Moses And so, Amendment No. 2 was not divided. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 2 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSJR 15(FIN) Second Reading Amendment No. 2 YEAS: 6 NAYS: 31 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 2 Yeas: Croft, Davies, Elton, Joule, Kemplen, Nicholia Nays: Austerman, Barnes, Berkowitz, Brice, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Foster, Green, Hanley, Hodgins, Hudson, Ivan, James, Kelly, Kohring, Kookesh, Kott, Kubina, Martin, Masek, Ogan, Phillips, Porter, Rokeberg, Ryan, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams Excused: Mulder 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2291 SJR 15 Absent: Grussendorf, Moses And so, Amendment No. 2 was not adopted. Amendment No. 3 was offered by Representative Davies: Page 3, line 2: Delete "will expire" Insert "expired" Representative Davies moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 3 be adopted. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 3 was adopted. Representative Porter moved and asked unanimous consent that CSSJR 15(FIN) am H be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSSJR 15(FIN) am H was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CSSJR 15(FIN) am H pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSJR 15(FIN) am H Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 36 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Austerman, Barnes, Berkowitz, Brice, Bunde, Cowdery, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Elton, Foster, Green, Grussendorf, Hanley, Hodgins, Hudson, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kohring, Kookesh, Kott, Kubina, Martin, Masek, Nicholia, Ogan, Phillips, Porter, Rokeberg, Ryan, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams Nays: Croft, Kemplen Excused: Mulder 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2292 SJR 15 Absent: Moses And so, CSSJR 15(FIN) am H passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Porter 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 - Annie Blue, AFN Elder of the Year By Senator Hoffman; Representatives Phillips, Austerman, Barnes, Berkowitz, Bunde, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Elton, Foster, Green, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kemplen, Kohring, Kott, Kubina, Masek, Mulder, Nicholia, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams Honoring - Garry Buell, Broadcaster of the Year By Senator Green; Representatives Phillips, Berkowitz, Bunde, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Elton, Green, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kemplen, Kohring, Kott, Kubina, Masek, Mulder, Nicholia, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams In Memoriam - Mary C. Hamilton By Senators Green, Halford; Representatives Ogan, Phillips, Barnes, Berkowitz, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Elton, Foster, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kemplen, Kohring, Kott, Kubina, Masek, Mulder, Nicholia, Porter, Rokeberg, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams In Memoriam - Victoria Stone By Senator Green; Representatives Phillips, Berkowitz, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Elton, Foster, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kemplen, Kohring, Kott, Kubina, Masek, Mulder, Nicholia, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams In Memoriam - Gertrude C. Anderson By Senator Green; Representatives Phillips, Berkowitz, Croft, Davies, Davis, Dyson, Elton, Foster, Ivan, James, Joule, Kelly, Kemplen, Kohring, Kott, Kubina, Masek, Mulder, Nicholia, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Sanders, Therriault, Vezey, Williams 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2293 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Porter moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Williams - from 2:20 p.m., plane time, February 12 to 9:38 p.m., plane time, February 15, 1998 Representative Hodgins - from 6:00 a.m., plane time, to 9:36 p.m., plane time, February 16, 1998 Representative Sanders - from 1:00 p.m., plane time, February 12 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, February 16, 1998 Representative Cowdery - from 6:45 p.m., plane time, February 12 to 9:30 p.m., plane time, February 15, 1998 Representative Green - from 6:25 a.m., plane time, February 12 to 10:00 p.m., plane time, February 15, 1998 (amended from page 2222) Representative Barnes - from 6:30 p.m., plane time, February 12 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, February 17, 1998 (amended from page 2165) HJR 55 Representative Elton added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 55 Relating to the allocation of pollock and Pacific cod. ENGROSSMENT SJR 15 CSSJR 15(FIN) am H was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. 1998-02-11 House Journal Page 2294 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. Minority Caucus 8:00 a.m., 2/12 Personal Bill Deadline 5:00 p.m., 2/16 ADJOURNMENT Representative Porter moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., February 12, 1998. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:49 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk