Legislature(1999 - 2000)
2000-05-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3733 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE THIRD SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska First Day Pursuant to the May 3 Proclamation of the Governor calling for the convening of the Third Special Session of the Twenty-first Alaska State Legislature, the Senate was called to order by President Pearce at 4:08 p.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senators Pete Kelly, Lincoln were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Senator Leman. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear God, on this National Day of Prayer, we acknowledge You as our source of everything. We ask for Your guidance and wisdom as we continue to work here for the legislature. I thank You for each member here and what they mean to me and the part they have played in my life. Lord, I thank You especially today for my mother on her 81st birthday; for the fact that You used her to give me life and that Youve given her a full life. Bless her in a special way today. In Jesus name, Amen. Senator Green led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3733 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3734 Messages from the House SB 212 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House respectfully requests the return of HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 212(FIN) An Act authorizing the commissioner of fish and game to award grants for habitat restoration or enhancement projects; and providing for an effective date. The bill was returned to the House as requested on May 3. HB 108 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 108(FIN) am, thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 108(FIN) An Act relating to the use, operation, and regulation of boats; establishing a uniform state waterway marking system; and providing for an effective date. HB 238 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 238 An Act establishing a federal tax obligation loan program under the commercial fishing loan program thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 238(RLS) An Act establishing a federal tax obligation loan program under the commercial fishing loan program; and providing for an effective date. (technical title change) 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3735 HB 281 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 281(FIN) am An Act relating to the financing of construction of public school facilities, facilities for the University of Alaska, and facilities for ports and harbors; 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; relating to the deposit of certain anticipated revenue from a certain tobacco litigation settlement; authorizing the issuance of bonds by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation with proceeds to finance public school construction, facilities for the University of Alaska, and facilities for ports and harbors; providing for the creation of subsidiary corporations of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for the purpose of financing or facilitating the financing of public school construction, facilities for the University of Alaska, and facilities for ports and harbors; and providing for an effective date thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 281(FIN) An Act relating to the financing of construction of public school facilities, facilities for the University of Alaska, and facilities for ports and harbors; 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; relating to the deposit of certain anticipated revenue from a certain tobacco litigation settlement; authorizing the issuance of bonds by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation with proceeds to finance public school construction, facilities for the University of Alaska, public housing facilities of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, and facilities for ports and harbors; providing for the creation of subsidiary corporations of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for the purpose of financing or facilitating the financing of public school construction, facilities for the University of Alaska, and facilities for ports and harbors; and providing for an effective date. (technical title change) 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3736 HB 287 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 287(FIN) am(reengrossed)(efd fld) An Act making capital appropriations that are funded from the sale of revenue bonds that are issued by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation or a subsidiary of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and that are to be repaid either from the revenue derived from the settlement of State of Alaska v. Philip Morris, Incorporated, or from revenue of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to the Department of Education and Early Development for public school facilities, to the University of Alaska for facilities for the University of Alaska, and to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for facilities for ports and harbors thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 287(FIN) An Act making capital appropriations that are funded from the sale of revenue bonds that are issued by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation or a subsidiary of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and that are to be repaid either from the revenue derived from the settlement of State of Alaska v. Philip Morris, Incorporated, or from revenue of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to the Department of Education and Early Development for public school facilities, to the University of Alaska for facilities for the University of Alaska, and to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for facilities for ports and harbors; and providing for an effective date. (technical title change) HB 368 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 368(JUD) am An Act relating to release of persons before trial and before sentencing or service of sentence; relating to when service of sentence shall begin; relating to custodians of persons released, to security posted on behalf of persons released, and to the offense of violation of conditions of release; and amending Rule 41(f), Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure thus adopting: 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3737 HB 368 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 368(JUD) An Act relating to release of persons before trial and before sentencing or service of sentence; relating to when service of sentence shall begin; and relating to custodians of persons released, to security posted on behalf of persons released, and to the offense of violation of conditions of release. (technical title change) HB 312 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House has adopted the report of the Conference Committee with limited powers of free conference considering CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 312(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld) and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 312(FIN), thus adopting: CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 312 An Act making and amending appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date. The Senate adopted CONFERENCE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 312 on May 2 (page 3695). SCR 1 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House has adopted the report of the Conference Committee considering SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 and HOUSE CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1(RLS), thus adopting: CONFERENCE CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Relating to the Task Force on Motorized Oil Transport. 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3738 SCR 1 The Senate adopted CONFERENCE CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 on April 29 (page 3589). The resolution was referred to the Secretary for engrossment and enrollment. SCR 22 Message dated May 3 was received, stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 446, relating to the power cost equalization fund, other funds, and power projects. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 3001 SENATE BILL NO. 3001 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act appropriating amounts to cover the fiscal year 2001 monetary terms of the collective bargaining agreements for employees of the University of Alaska and the fiscal year 2001 salary and benefit adjustments for university employees who are not members of a collective bargaining unit; appropriating amounts to cover the fiscal year 2001 monetary terms of all executive branch collective bargaining agreements and the fiscal year 2001 salary and benefit adjustments for elected officials, officers, and employees of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches who are not members of a collective bargaining unit; and providing for an effective date. 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3739 SB 3001 was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Governors transmittal letter dated May 4, 2000: Dear President Pearce: I am transmitting two bills to this third special session of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Alaska which provide necessary appropriations and statutory authorizations to honor our collective bargaining agreements and to extend similar provisions to non-covered employees in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. I believe these modest increases are fair. The yearly increases of approximately 2%, 2% and 3% are far below most federal and local government contracts. In response to recent low oil revenues, last year state workers had no increase and for the last four years had increases less than half the cost of living. We all know it is necessary to keep state compensation competitive in an environment where private, federal and local employers have made significantly larger gains. Each day these dedicated state employees provide vital services to keep the public safe and healthy, and keep state services functioning efficiently. Some are even called upon to risk their lives in service to the state. I believe we all value the work that these men and women perform for all Alaskans. The appropriations in this bill use the same wide variety of fund sources which currently finance state government, such as federal funds, general funds and corporate receipts. The Administration will work with the Legislature to look for fund sources which could reduce the need for general funds. Now that the other business of the regular session has been concluded, there is an opportunity to focus on the contracts. I will work with you to achieve a swift and successful conclusion to this special session. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3740 SB 3002 SENATE BILL NO. 3002 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: An Act relating to the compensation of certain public officials, officers, and employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements; and providing for an effective date. was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor. Governors transmittal letter dated May 4: Dear President Pearce: Following the historical practice of extending collective bargaining agreements to non-represented state employees, I am transmitting this bill relating to salaries for partially exempt and exempt employees in the Executive branch, as well as legislative and judicial employees. The bill provides for modest cost-of-living increases similar to those provided in the collective bargaining agreements that my Administration negotiated: a lump sum payment of $1,200 for FY2001 (reduced by $50 for any pay period the employee was not in pay status during FY2000); a 2% increase in fiscal year 2002; and a 3% increase in fiscal year 2003. The bill also clarifies that the employees of the University of Alaska who are not members of a collective bargaining unit are entitled to receive salary increases according to Board of Regents policy. I believe these modest increases are fair. The yearly increases of approximately 2%, 2% and 3% are far below most federal and local government contracts. In response to recent low oil revenues, last year state workers had no increase and for the last four years had increases less than half the cost of living. We all know it is necessary to keep state compensation competitive in an environment where private, federal and local employers have made significantly larger gains. 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3741 SB 3002 These modest increases will maintain parity in state employee pay and help all three branches of government recruit and retain qualified employees. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Mackie moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 1:00 p.m., May 5, 2000. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 4:12 p.m. Heidi Vogel Secretary of the Senate May 2000 2000-05-04 Senate Journal Page 3742 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 May 04 Thursday 4:30 PM Joint w/(H) SB3001APPROPRIATION: EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFITS SB3002NONUNION PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFIT HB3001APPROPRIATION: EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFITS HB3002NONUNION PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFIT May 05 Friday 10:00 AM -- Time Change -- = SB3001APPROPRIATION: EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFITS = SB3002NONUNION PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFIT HB3001APPROPRIATION: EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFITS <Pending Referral> HB3002NONUNION PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SALARY & BENEFIT <Pending Referral> May 06 Saturday 10:00 AM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled OTHER MEETINGS MAJORITY CAUCUS BUTROVICH 205 May 05 Friday 12:00 PM