1999-01-25                     Senate Journal                      Page 0079
SB 44                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 44 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act making appropriations for year 2000                                    
assessment, compliance, and remediation projects;                              
making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),                               
Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing                             
for an effective date.                                                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 22, 1999:                           
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
This bill I transmit today provides funding to complete the year 2000          
(Y2K) remediation of the most critical systems in the Executive and            
Judicial branches of state government. The Y2K efforts currently               
underway were not funded prior to adjournment of the Twentieth                 
Alaska State Legislature. This bill is intended to correct that                
problem.                                                                       
                                                                               
The Y2K computer problem, which causes computers to incorrectly                
process dates in the new millennium, poses a threat to the orderly             
delivery of vital services to Alaskans. The state has adopted a                
conservative, yet thorough approach to solving Alaskas Y2K                     
problem by focusing efforts on the most critical areas.                        
                                                                               
We could begin to experience Y2K problems as soon as July 1,                   
1999, with the change of the fiscal year. Therefore, in order to               
address those potential problems, I am requesting passage of this bill         
by the end of February.                                                        
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor