Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-02-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0305 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thirty-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Pearce at 10:17 a.m. The roll showed fifteen members present. Senators Adams, Tim Kelly, Lincoln, Taylor, Ward were excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Johnny Reimer of the Douglas Island Bible Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Our God and Heavenly Father, through Christ our Savior and Lord we come into Your presence. You have brought us to this place and this hour so we may fulfill our responsibilities as Your servants. You have made each of us different so that we can better see the beauty of the whole. Grant us the grace to see each other through this hour rather than see through one another and criticize what we see. Help us to realize that each of us has a worthy contribution to make and that the end product, therefore, will be much better than if we refuse to listen. Show us that no lasting value is gained by thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, but that the contribution of our friends, and our enemies, can deepen and broaden life if we so choose. Now take each of us with our talents, abilities and needs, and bind us together so that we can become a united force to accomplish the purposes for which we are here. Grant us the courage to choose to do Your will. Amen. 305 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0306 Senator Torgerson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the thirty-first legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Division of Risk Management Annual Report, Independent Actuarial Report and Review of the Catastrophe Reserve Account for FY98 from J. Brad Thompson, Director, Risk Management, Department of Administration in accordance with AS 37.05.287 Standing Committee Reports SB 50 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 50 An Act relating to certain boiler and pressure vessel inspections and inspectors; and providing for an effective date. Signing do pass: Senator Mackie, Chair, Senators Hoffman, Donley. Signing no recommendation: Senator Leman. Fiscal note published today from Department of Labor. President Pearce added a Finance Committee referral. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0307 Recess Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 10:23 a.m. After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Porter called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Pearce, who called the Joint Session to order at 10:30 a.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear an address by the Honorable Frank Murkowski, United States Senator. Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. President Pearce introduced Senator Murkowskis wife, Nancy Murkowski. President Pearce appointed Representative Lisa Murkowski to escort her father, the Honorable Frank Murkowski to the Joint Session. The House Sergeant at Arms, Sean Riley, announced Senator Murkowskis entrance to the House Chamber. The Honorable Frank Murkowski was escorted to the rostrum and introduced by President Pearce. 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0308 United States Senator Murkowski delivered his address. This address appears in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 4. Following his address, there was a question and answer period. Senator Murkowski received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Representative Murkowski. Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Pearce adjourned the Joint Session at 11:42 a.m. After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 11:47 a.m. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 8 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8 BY SENATOR WARD, Relating to the 2000 decennial United States census and to the development of redistricting data for use by the state in legislative redistricting. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. SJR 9 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to ways and means bills. was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0309 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 84 SENATE BILL NO. 84 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act imposing certain requirements relating to cigarette sales in this state by tobacco product manufacturers, including requirements for escrow, payment, and reporting of money from cigarette sales in this state; providing penalties for noncompliance with those requirements; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. Zero fiscal notes published today from Department of Law, Department of Revenue. Governors transmittal letter dated February 19: Dear President Pearce: Cigarette smoking presents serious public health concerns to the state and its citizens. Recently, this Administration, along with virtually every other state, reached a monumental master settlement agreement with the leading tobacco producers. That agreement was approved by the Alaska Superior Court on February 9, 1999. Under the terms of the settlement, it is anticipated the State of Alaska will receive $670 million over the next 25 years and will benefit from important restrictions on advertising and other matters to address public health concerns. While this is an important step forward in addressing this significant health problem, the states that are parties to the agreement wanted to be sure the problem was more comprehensively addressed. This bill I transmit today would help do that by placing some requirements on tobacco product manufacturers who sell cigarettes in the state but do not sign the settlement agreement. 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0310 SB 84 Under this bill, the non-participating tobacco manufacturers will take responsibility for their share of the financial burden caused by their products by setting up escrow accounts to cover qualified claims for health-related concerns. The availability of the escrow money will better ensure a source of compensation for Alaskans while preventing those manufacturers from deriving large, short-term profits from sales in this state and then becoming judgment-proof before liability may arise. This bill is fair and puts all tobacco product manufacturers on an equal footing regarding cigarette sales in Alaska. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this bill, as part of an overall solution to address this major public health concern. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor Consideration of the Calendar Citations Celebrating - 1999 National Engineers Week Senator(s) Leman, Phillips, Lincoln, Elton, Wilken, Tim Kelly, Taylor, Adams, Pearce, Ward, Hoffman, Green Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business SB 42 President Pearce added a Judiciary Committee referral to SENATE BILL NO. 42 An Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as recommended by the revisor of statutes; and providing for an effective date. The bill was referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0311 Senators Pete Kelly, Donley moved and asked unanimous consent that they be excused from a call of the Senate on February 26. Without objection, Senators Pete Kelly, Donley were excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 22, 1999. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:50 a.m. Nancy Quinto Secretary of the Senate February 1999 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0312 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled FINANCE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 19 Friday 09:15 AM JOINT W/(H) FINANCE STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESENTATION UA PRESIDENT MARK HAMILTON Feb 22 Monday 09:00 AM SB 83SUPPLEMENTAL/CAPITAL APPROPS SB 72CONSTIT BUD RES. FUND APPROP Feb 22 Monday 12:00 PM FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE ON = SB 44APPROPRIATIONS FOR Y2K FIX Feb 23 Tuesday 09:00 AM SB 421999 REVISOR'S BILL SB 55JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE Feb 24 Wednesday 09:00 AM = SB 83SUPPLEMENTAL/CAPITAL APPROPS = SB 72CONSTIT BUD RES. FUND APPROP = SB 44APPROPRIATIONS FOR Y2K FIX <PENDING REFERRAL FROM SUBCOMMITTEE> HB 64APPROPRIATIONS FOR Y2K FIX <PENDING REFERRAL> Feb 25 Thursday 09:00 AM OVERVIEW: AK AEROSPACE DEVELOPMENT CORP SB 7INCREASE LAND GRANT TO UNIV. OF ALASKA SB 33TASK FORCE ON PRIVATIZATION 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0313 FINANCE Feb 26 Friday 09:00 AM = SB 30OPERATING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FRONT SECTION = SB 83SUPPLEMENTAL/CAPITAL APPROPS = SB 72CONSTIT BUD RES. FUND APPROP = SB 44APPROPRIATIONS FOR Y2K FIX <PENDING REFERRAL FROM SUBCOMMITTEE> = HB 64APPROPRIATIONS FOR Y2K FIX <PENDING REFERRAL> ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES BUTROVICH ROOM 205 Feb 22 Monday 01:30 PM ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA SCHOOL BOARDS REPORT: IMPACT OF THE NEW FOUNDATION FORMULA, CARL ROSE, EXEC DIRECTOR SB 27ACCESS TO DRIVING/SCHOOL RECORDS OF CHILD Feb 24 Wednesday 01:30 PM SB 48STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY BELTZ ROOM 211 Feb 19 Friday 01:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELLED -- BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 22 Monday 01:30 PM = SB 24REGULATIONS: ADOPTION & JUDICIAL REVIEW BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 24 Wednesday 01:30 PM = SB 5MISPRISION OF FELONY = SJR 6DESTROY BRADY BILL RECORDS SB 69ADVISORY VOTE ON ELECTED AG BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 26 Friday 01:30 PM BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0314 LABOR & COMMERCE FAHRENKAMP RM 203 Feb 23 Tuesday 01:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED Feb 25 Thursday 01:30 PM += SB 29REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICIAN'S LICENSE += SB 54MUNICIPAL TAXES ON DETERIORATED PROPERTY ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES BUTROVICH ROOM 205 Feb 19 Friday 03:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELLED -- BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 22 Monday 03:00 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED Feb 24 Wednesday 03:00 PM + SB 74SAME DAY AIRBORNE HUNTING BILLS PREVIOUSLY HEARD/SCHEDULED Feb 26 Friday 03:00 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS BELTZ ROOM 211 Feb 23 Tuesday 03:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED Feb 25 Thursday 03:30 PM NO MEETING SCHEDULED ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION BUTROVICH ROOM 205 Feb 23 Tuesday 01:30 PM JOINT W/(H) TRANSPORTATION DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION OVERVIEW OF SOUTHEAST ALASKA Feb 25 Thursday 01:30 PM CONTINUATION OF DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION REVIEW OF SE ALASKA AND FERRY SYSTEMS 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0315 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 23 Tuesday 01:00 PM DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------- COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 24 Wednesday 08:00 AM JOINT W/(H) DCED SUBCOMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW CONTINUATION ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 22 Monday 03:30 PM DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION BELTZ ROOM 211 Feb 24 Wednesday 03:30 PM REVISED MISSION STATEMENTS: DEPARTMENT (BASED ON 2/16 MEETING), SPILL PREVENTION RESPONSE (BASED ON 2/16 MEETING), STATEWIDE PUBLIC SERVICE, ADMIN SERVICES FAHRENKAMP ROOM 203 Feb 25 Thursday 04:30 PM OVERVIEWS: AIR & WATER QUALITY; ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BELTZ ROOM 211 Mar 03 Wednesday 03:30 PM OVERVIEW: FACILITY CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION (MISSION STATEMENT); MEASURES: COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, STATEWIDE PUBLIC SERVICE, ADM SERVICES ---------------------------------------- 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0316 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES LABOR CAPITOL ROOM 124 Feb 19 Friday 08:00 AM JOINT W/(H) LABOR SUBCOMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW Feb 26 Friday 08:00 AM JOINT W/(H) LABOR SUBCOMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW CONTINUED Mar 05 Friday 08:00 AM JOINT W/(H) LABOR SUBCOMMITTEE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW CONTINUED ---------------------------------------- LAW FAHRENKAMP ROOM 211 Feb 22 Monday 04:30 PM DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 25 Thursday 04:00 PM ---------------------------------------- REVENUE BELTZ ROOM 211 Feb 22 Monday 04:00 PM + DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW AND MISSION STATEMENTS FOR COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, ADMIN SERVICE, ABC BOARD, PF DIVISION, TREASURY, PENSION INVESTMENT BOARD ---------------------------------------- CAPITAL BUDGET FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 24 Wednesday 03:30 PM OVERVIEW: DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION 1999-02-19 Senate Journal Page 0317 OTHER MEETINGS ANCHORAGE CAUCUS SENATE FINANCE 532 Feb 24 Wednesday 12:00 PM IF FLOOR SESSIONS LAST PAST 12:15 PM MEETING TIME WILL CHANGE TO 5:00 PM ---------------------------------------- CHILDREN'S CAUCUS BUTROVICH ROOM 205 Feb 23 Tuesday 12:00 PM FAMILIES FIRST PARTNERSHIP ---------------------------------------- JOINT SESSION HOUSE CHAMBER Feb 19 Friday 10:30 AM HONORABLE FRANK MURKOWSKI, U.S. SENATOR