Legislature(1999 - 2000)

2000-01-27 Senate Journal

Full Journal pdf

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2091
                                 SENATE JOURNAL                                
                            ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                           
                   TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION                   
                                                                               
Juneau, Alaska                                                                 
                                                                               
                                 Eighteenth Day                                
                                                                               
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President            
Pearce at 11:12 a.m.                                                           
                                                                               
The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Wilken was                   
excused from a call of the Senate.                                             
                                                                               
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Paul Beran, of the              
Resurrection Lutheran Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked                  
unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it             
was so ordered.                                                                
                                                                               
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God our Father, there                            
is no shadow of turning with Thee. Your                                        
faithfulness has sustained and strengthened us when                            
the storms have blown through the days, and the                                
seasons of our lives. You have blessed us with                                 
sunshine and storm. Great is Thy faithfulness.                                 
                                                                               
Take our lives, with all our joys and sorrows,                                
dreams and disappointments, into Your molding                                  
hands. What is amiss, amend; what is faulty, fulfill;                          
so that with ever greater integrity we might lead the                          
people of Alaska in the way of righteousness and                               
integrity. In the Name of Him Who makes all things                             
new, Jesus the Christ.                         Amen.                           
                                                                               
Senator Elton led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                      
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                      2091                                     

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2092
                                Certification                                
                                                                               
Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal              
for the seventeenth legislative day be approved as certified by the            
Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered.                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
                           Messages from the House                           
                                                                               
Message dated January 26 was read, stating the House passed and                
transmitted for consideration:                                                 
                                                                               
                  First Reading and Reference of House Bills                 
                                                                               
HB 266                                                                       
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 266(TRA) BY THE HOUSE                                    
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, entitled:                                            
                                                                               
An Act designating the James Arland Rowland, Jr.,                             
Memorial Highway.                                                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee.          
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                Communications                               
                                                                               
Report from the Commissioner of the Department of Administration               
dated January 14 was received, stating the monetary terms for the              
collective bargaining agreement reached between the University of              
Alaska and the Alaska Community College Federation of Teachers                 
in accordance with AS 23.40.215.                                               
                                                                               
President Pearce referred the report to the Finance Committee.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2093
                  Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills                 
                                                                               
SB 226                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 226 BY THE RESOURCES COMMITTEE,                                
entitled:                                                                      
                                                                               
An Act relating to stranded gas pipeline carriers                             
and to the intrastate regulation by the Regulatory                             
Commission of Alaska of pipelines and pipeline                                 
facilities of stranded gas pipeline carriers.                                  
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.               
                                                                               
SB 227                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 227 BY SENATOR ELTON, entitled:                                
                                                                               
An Act relating to the limitation of levy of                                  
municipal ad valorem taxes in home rule and                                    
general law municipalities; and providing for an                               
effective date.                                                                
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional             
Affairs and Finance Committees.                                                
                                                                               
SB 228                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 228 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to the financing of construction                              
and major maintenance of public school facilities;                             
authorizing the commissioner of revenue to sell the                            
right to receive a portion of the anticipated revenue                          
from a certain tobacco litigation settlement to the                            
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; authorizing the                            
issuance of bonds by the Alaska Housing Finance                                
Corporation with proceeds to finance public school                             
construction and major maintenance grants;                                     
providing for the creation of subsidiary corporations                          
of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for the                              
purpose  of financing or facilitating the financing of                         

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2094
SB 228                                                                       
public school construction and major maintenance                              
grants; relating to the annual public school                                   
construction and major maintenance grant application                           
and approval process; providing for allocation of                              
additional reimbursement of public school                                      
construction debt; and providing for an effective                              
date.                                                                          
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and              
Social Services, State Affairs and Finance Committees.                         
                                                                               
Fiscal notes published today from Department of Revenue,                       
Department of Education and Early Development.                                 
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated January 26:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Part of my Quality Schools Initiative is the provision of adequate,            
safe and well-maintained schools in which our children can learn.              
Unfortunately, with declining general fund capital budgets, the                
backlog of needed school construction and major maintenance                    
projects across our state has continued to grow. Today I am                    
introducing a $510 million package that will address all of the                
statewide deferred maintenance list and two-thirds of the current              
statewide prioritized list of construction projects. In addition, the bill     
extends the 70 percent school debt reimbursement program for those             
districts that bond directly for projects.                                     
                                                                               
The revenues for the state portion of the bond proposal rely largely           
on Alaska's share of national tobacco settlement funds. The                    
settlement proceeds would serve as security for bonds issued by a              
subsidiary of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC).                   
Additional proceeds would be raised from bonds issued directly by              
AHFC. This method for raising school construction money preserves              
the state's debt capacity.                                                     
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2095
SB 228                                                                       
The program will provide $360 million for all 86 major maintenance             
projects and 40 of 69 new school construction projects on the current          
Department of Education and Early Development priority list. The               
current priority list will remain in effect over the next three years to       
allow these critical projects to be funded.                                    
                                                                               
To address funding for school districts with the capacity to bond, my          
proposal includes $150 million in authorization for a 70% school               
debt retirement program. This authorization will provide $60 million           
for the states largest school district and $90 million for other               
municipal districts.                                                           
                                                                               
We know we have needs beyond what is included in this package.                 
However, this proposal will address a significant portion of our               
existing need, address issues raised in the Kasayulie case, and                
provide adequate space and safe learning environments for Alaskas              
children. I urge your prompt and favorable action.                             
                                                                               
					Sincerely,                                                                
					/s/                                                                       
					Tony Knowles                                                              
					Governor                                                                  
                                                                               
                                                                               
                        Consideration of the Calendar                        
                                                                               
                                  Citations                                  
                                                                               
Honoring - Vincent Nusunginya - Eagle Scout                                    
Representative(s) Phillips, Davis, Smalley                                     
Senator(s) Torgerson, Wilken, Adams, Donley, Elton, Hoffman,                   
Lincoln, Leman, Parnell, Pete Kelly, Mackie, Green, Pearce, Tim                
Kelly, Taylor, Halford, Ward                                                   
                                                                               
In Memoriam - Len Mackler                                                      
Representative(s) James, Davies                                                
Senator(s) Miller, Wilken, Donley, Elton, Hoffman, Lincoln, Leman,             
Parnell, Pete Kelly, Mackie, Green, Pearce, Tim Kelly, Taylor,                 
Halford                                                                        

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2096
Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the                      
citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted            
and referred to the Secretary for transmittal.                                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
                             Unfinished Business                             
                                                                               
Senator Pete Kelly moved and asked unanimous consent that he be                
excused from the Senate, not subject to a call, on February 2.                 
Without objection, Senator Pete Kelly was excused.                             
                                                                               
Senator Donley moved and asked unanimous consent that he be                    
excused from a call of the Senate on February 1. Without objection,            
Senator Donley was excused.                                                    
                                                                               
Senator Tim Kelly moved and asked unanimous consent that he be                 
excused from a call of the Senate on January 28. Without objection,            
Senator Tim Kelly was 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 10:45 a.m., January 28, 2000. Without               
objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:28 a.m.                                  
                                                                               
                                                           Heidi Vogel         
                                               Secretary of the Senate         
                                                                               
                                                          January 2000         

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2097
                                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                                    
                                                                               
                         COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS                        
                                 FAHRENKAMP 203                                
Jan 28                           Friday 1:30 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
                                                                               
Jan 31                           Monday 1:30 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 02                         Wednesday 1:30 PM                               
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 04                           Friday 1:30 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                  ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                                   FINANCE                                   
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Jan 27                          Thursday 9:00 AM                               
	Review of Depts Accomplishments for FY99                                     
	and FY00 - Dept of Health & Soc Services                                     
                                                                               
Jan 28                           Friday 9:00 AM                                
	Review of Depts Accomplishments for FY99                                     
	and FY00 - Dept of Fish & Game, Dept of                                      
	Transportation & Public Facilities                                           
                                                                               
Jan 31                           Monday 9:00 AM                                
	Review of Depts Accomplishments for FY99                                     
	and FY00 - Dept of Natural Resources,                                        
	Dept of Environmental Conservation                                           
                                                                               

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2098
                                   FINANCE                                   
 Feb 01                         Tuesday 9:00 AM                                
+	SJR 29DURATION OF REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION                               
+	SB 165LTD PARTNERSHIPS AND LTD. LIAB. COMPANIES                             
+	HB 112ESTABLISH ALASKA PUBLIC BUILDING FUND                                 
+	Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                            
                                                                               
Feb 02                         Wednesday 9:00 AM                               
	Review of Depts Accomplishments for FY99                                     
	and FY00 - Dept of Revenue                                                   
=	SB 123PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGANT: FEES                                        
	Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                             
                                                                               
Feb 03                          Thursday 9:00 AM                               
	Joint w/(H) Finance Committee                                                
	Presentation by President Mark Hamilton                                      
	on the State of the University                                               
                                                                               
Feb 04                           Friday 9:00 AM                                
	Review of Depts Accomplishments for FY99                                     
	and FY00 - Dept of Community & Econ Dev,                                     
	Dept of Administration, Dept of Labor                                        
                                                                               
Feb 08                          Tuesday 9:00 AM                                
	Joint w/(H) Finance Committee                                                
	Presentation by Public Members of the                                        
	Commission on Privatization & Delivery                                       
	of Government Services                                                       
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                     HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES                     
                                 BUTROVICH 205                                 
Jan 31                           Monday 1:30 PM                                
	-- Meeting Canceled --                                                       
=	SB  61TEACHERSLICENSES, DISCIPLINE & ETHICS                                 
	Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                             
                                                                               
Feb 02                         Wednesday 1:30 PM                               
	HB  85TEACHERSLICENSES, DISCIPLINE & ETHICS                                  
	SB 204EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING                                      
	AK Indep Living Council Presentation                                         
                                                                               
Feb 07                           Monday 1:30 PM                                
	SB 127UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA SCHOLARSHIPS                                      
	HCR 15DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH                               
	Statewide Health Consortium Presentation                                     

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2099
                     HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES                     
Feb 09                         Wednesday 1:30 PM                               
	SB 198INCREASE BASE ALLOCATION FOR EDUCATION                                 
	Report from the Alcohol Policy Committee                                     
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                                  JUDICIARY                                  
                                   BELTZ 211                                   
Jan 28                           Friday 1:30 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
                                                                               
Jan 31                           Monday 1:30 PM                                
+=	SJR 32CONST. AM: ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL                                  
+=	SJR 14ELECTION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL                                         
	-- Above Bills Rescheduled to 2/4/00 --                                      
+=	HCR 11SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS                              
+=	HB  43MUNI.ORDINANCES:POLICE TRAINING SURCHARGE                            
+	Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                            
                                                                               
Feb 02                         Wednesday 1:30 PM                               
+=	HJR  7CONST AM: INITIATIVE/REFERENDUM PETITIONS                            
+=	HB  45INITIATIVE/REFERENDUM PETITIONS                                      
+	Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                            
                                                                               
Feb 04                           Friday 1:30 PM                                
+=	SJR 32CONST. AM: ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL                                  
+=	SJR 14ELECTION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL                                         
	Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                             
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                               LABOR & COMMERCE                              
                                   BELTZ 211                                   
Jan 27                          Thursday 1:30 PM                               
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 01                          Tuesday 1:30 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 03                          Thursday 1:30 PM                               
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                  ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2100
                                  RESOURCES                                  
                                 BUTROVICH 205                                 
Jan 28                           Friday 3:00 PM                                
	-- Meeting Canceled --                                                       
	Agenda to be Announced                                                       
                                                                               
Jan 31                           Monday 3:00 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 02                         Wednesday 3:00 PM                               
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 04                           Friday 3:00 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                                STATE AFFAIRS                                
                                   BELTZ 211                                   
Jan 27                          Thursday 3:30 PM                               
+	SB 196MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION                                         
+	SJR 26CONST. AM: EDUCATION FUND                                             
                                                                               
Feb 01                          Tuesday 3:30 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 03                          Thursday 3:30 PM                               
	Bills Previously Heard                                                       
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                                TRANSPORTATION                               
                                 BUTROVICH 205                                 
Jan 27                          Thursday 1:30 PM                               
+	SB 189INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY                                       
+	SB 203METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS                                   
+	SB 208RAILROAD AND FERRY AUTHORITY                                          
                                                                               
Feb 01                          Tuesday 1:30 PM                                
	No Meeting Scheduled                                                         
	                                                                             
Feb 03                          Thursday 1:30 PM                               
=	SB 189INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY                                       
=	SB 208RAILROAD AND FERRY AUTHORITY                                          
	Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                             
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2101
                            FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES                            
                                                                               
                                ADMINISTRATION                               
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Feb 01                          Tuesday 1:00 PM                                
	Dept Missions and Measures for FY01                                          
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                       COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT                      
                                 FAHRENKAMP 203                                
Jan 28                           Friday 8:30 AM                                
	Joint w/(H) Subcommittee                                                     
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                        EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT                        
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Jan 31                           Monday 3:30 PM                                
	Dept Missions and Measures for FY01                                          
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                           HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES                          
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Jan 27                          Thursday 1:00 PM                               
	Missions and Measures, Dept of Health and                                    
	Social Svcs; Divs of Admin Svcs, Public                                      
	Asst, Public Health, and Alcoholism and                                      
	Drug Abuse                                                                   
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                        LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT                        
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Jan 27                         Thursday 12:00 PM                               
	Joint w/(H) Subcommittee                                                     
	Missions/Measures & FY00 Budget                                              
                                                                               
Feb 03                         Thursday 12:00 PM                               
	Joint w/(H) Subcommittee                                                     
	FY00 Budget                                                                  
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                        MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS                        
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Feb 09                         Wednesday 4:00 PM                               
	Joint w/(H) Subcommittee                                                     
	Agenda to be Announced                                                       
                                                                               

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2102
                        MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS                        
Feb 23                         Wednesday 4:00 PM                               
	Joint w/(H) Subcommittee                                                     
	Agenda to be Announced                                                       
                                                                               
Mar 01                         Wednesday 4:00 PM                               
	Joint w/(H) Subcommittee                                                     
	Closeout                                                                     
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                              NATURAL RESOURCES                              
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Jan 27                          Thursday 8:00 AM                               
+	Joint w/(H) Subcommittee                                                    
	Missions and Measures                                                        
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                     CAPITAL BUDGET FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE                     
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Feb 02                         Wednesday 12:00 PM                              
	Overview of FY01 Capital Budget Request                                      
	Annalee McConnell, Director, OMB                                             
                                                                               
                               JOINT COMMITTEES                              
                                                                               
                           ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE                          
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
Jan 31                          Monday 12:00 PM                                
	Agenda to be Announced                                                       
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                          LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT                         
                               HOUSE FINANCE 519                               
Jan 28                           Friday 8:00 AM                                
                               SENATE FINANCE 532                              
	Exec Session, Audit Rpts, Other Business                                     
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                         SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MERGERS                        
                                 BUTROVICH 205                                 
Jan 31                           Monday 3:00 PM                                
	Proposed BP/ARCO Merger                                                      
	-- Tentative --                                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               

2000-01-27                     Senate Journal                      Page 2103
                         SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MERGERS                        
Feb 02                         Wednesday 3:00 PM                               
	Proposed BP/ARCO Merger                                                      
	-- Tentative --                                                              
                                                                               
                                OTHER MEETINGS                               
                                                                               
                               CHILDRENS CAUCUS                              
                                 BUTROVICH 205                                 
Feb 08                          Tuesday 12:00 PM                               
	Child Protection Services Overview                                           
                    ----------------------------------------                   
                                                                               
                                JOINT SESSION                                
                                 HOUSE CHAMBER                                 
Jan 28                          Friday 11:00 AM                                
	Address by U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski