Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-19 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0123 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 19, 2001 Twelfth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Porter at 10:07 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representatives Morgan and Rokeberg had been previously excused from a call of the House today. Representative Kerttula was absent and her presence was noted later. The invocation was offered by Pastor Patrick Brayton of the Valley Chapel. Representative Green moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it appears below: Heavenly Father, we direct our attention now to You. We acknowledge You as Sovereign Lord and believe You reign over the affairs of men. Bring us to an understanding of Your will and purpose, that we might not sin against You. Put it in our hearts to seek You in prayer, as did the forefathers of our nation. We need Your grace and leading, even as they did at the birth of these United States. You have promised to reveal Your wisdom to those who would ask it. You have promised Your blessing to those who would heed and follow that wisdom so revealed. So, Father, bless us in this hour Lord, as we humbly ask You to reveal to us Your plan for the State of Alaska. You alone know what the future holds for us and You alone know what preparations we need to make. Let us therefore heed Your word, walk in Your truth and surrender our will to You. Lord, You have oft declared Your love for us. May we be respondent to that love and trust in You alone. Your word tells us that You have plans for us. "Plans for good and not for evil" to give us a future and a hope. My earnest prayer, today, is that You would reveal to all in this room, both Your heart and Your mind, and that we would be 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0124 accepting of Your help and leading. God bless all Alaskans through the sincere efforts of these, Your servants. May Your favor be evident toward them and may You work through them for the good of us all. In the precious name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Stevens. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 10th and 11th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated January 12, 2001, with an accompanying letter was received and is on file in the Chief Clerk's office. The Declaration and letter had been copied to the Finance Committee. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HCR 2 A message dated January 18, 2001, was read stating the Senate has passed: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Authorizing two recesses by the Senate and House of Representatives, each for a period of more than three days. HCR 2 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. COMMUNICATIONS Letters of disclosure, as required by AS 24.60, were published today in House Journal Supplement No. 1 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 2. 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0125 The following reports were received: Office of the Governor Office of Management and Budget Retirement Incentive Program Final Status Report January 15, 2001 Dept. of Community & Economic Development Report of the Alaska Minerals Commission 2001 (as required by AS 44.33.431) Local Boundary Commission Report January 17, 2001 Available at www.dced.state.ak.us/mra/LBC/Mrad_lbc.htm Dept. of Law Dept. of Public Safety State Enforcement Activities Related to Charitable Gaming (as required by AS 05.15.090) Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land, and Water 2001 Report to the Legislature Report on Identified RS 2477 Rights-of-Way (as required by AS 19.30.400) Notification of Annual Mining Report (as required by AS 27.05.060) Land Disposal Bank (as required by AS 34.04.020) Land Disposal Income Fund (as required by AS 38.04.022) Notification of Annual Report on Water Removals and Exports (as required by AS 46.15.020) 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0126 Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Traditional Access Restrictions to The State Park System (as required by AS 41.21.020) **The presence of Representative Kerttula was noted. Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities Alaska Marine Highway System Fund Annual Financial Report Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2000 (as required by AS 19.65.080) INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Chief Jason A. Elson By Representative Chenault Honoring - Scott Senner, Eagle Scout By Representative Rokeberg; Senator Pearce Honoring - JoAnne and Elden King, 50th Wedding Anniversary By Senator Phillips Honoring - Scott Gomez, Winner of the NHL Stanley Cup and Calder Memorial "Rookie of the Year" Trophy By Senator Ward In Memoriam - John D. Schandelmeier, 1917-2001 By Representative Davies In Memoriam - Mildred Hering Bettisworth By Representative Fate In Memoriam - William R. Harden By Representative Berkowitz 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0127 The following citations were introduced and taken up later as a Special Order of Business: Commemorating - Reconciliation Day By Representative Joule; Senator Olson In Memoriam - Mark Keith Cameron By Senator Leman INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 75 HOUSE BILL NO. 75 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to increasing the minimum hourly wage under the Alaska Wage and Hour Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration/All Depts. 2. Fiscal, Health, Education & Social Services The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 17, 2001, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: At $5.65 an hour, Alaska's minimum wage is the lowest on the West Coast, some eighty-five cents under the next lowest minimum wage. A single parent working year-round at minimum wage earns only two- thirds of the poverty level for a family of three and cannot hope to rise out of poverty. These are disturbing facts that must change. 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0128 This bill I transmit today is meant to offer Alaska's low wage workers a better quality of life by increasing the minimum wage to $6.40 on October 1, 2001, followed by a raise to $7.15 a year later. The wage would then adjust annually to match inflation, increasing by pennies per year, but protecting the minimal essential purchasing power of low-wage workers. Alaska's current minimum wage is tied to the federal law. So we are reliant on whether Congress decides a raise is in order, rather than being able to determine the wage needs specifically for Alaskans. This outdated relationship has caused our minimum wage to remain stagnant for as long as nine years, from 1981 to 1990. And it's currently been more than 3 years since the last increase. We know Alaska's economy rarely moves in exact synchronization with the rest of the country. To tie our workers' wages to what the rest of the country is doing is a disservice to Alaskans. That is why it is so important not only to raise Alaska's minimum wage, but to provide for its continued adjustment to our local economy. We have made great progress in the past four years in moving Alaskans from welfare to work. But in FY 2000, 22 percent of public assistance recipients entering the workforce earned less than $6.50 per hour. Increasing the wage of these Alaskans will reduce the temporary cash assistance needed to support their families. Working for a minimum wage in Alaska should not mean a minimum quality of life. In the interest of allowing Alaskans the opportunity to achieve financial independence, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this important measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 76 HOUSE BILL NO. 76 by Representative Rokeberg, entitled: 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0129 "An Act authorizing the commissioner of health and social services to provide for the design and construction of psychiatric treatment facilities to replace the facilities of the Alaska Psychiatric Institute." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance Committees. HB 77 HOUSE BILL NO. 77 by Representative Rokeberg, entitled: "An Act relating to appropriations for the design and construction of a replacement facility or facilities for the Alaska Psychiatric Institute and for a grant to study the feasibility of locating certain health programs at the site of the Alaska Psychiatric Institute; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance Committees. HB 78 HOUSE BILL NO. 78 by Representative Williams, entitled: "An Act making a temporary change to eligibility requirements for small community housing loans from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs Committee. HB 79 HOUSE BILL NO. 79 by Representative Kott, entitled: "An Act designating a portion of the Eagle River Loop Road as the Eagle River Veterans' Memorial Highway." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. HB 80 HOUSE BILL NO. 80 by Representative Ogan, entitled: 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0130 "An Act relating to the hours during which sale of alcohol and entry on licensed premises is allowed; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 81 HOUSE BILL NO. 81 by Representatives Fate and Harris, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Dental Examiners." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 82 HOUSE BILL NO. 82 by Representatives Harris, James, Coghill, Whitaker, Masek, and Ogan, entitled: "An Act relating to agricultural facilities and operations as private nuisances; and to disclosures in transfers of real property located within one mile of an agricultural facility or an agricultural operation." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Resources Committees. HB 83 HOUSE BILL NO. 83 by the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas, entitled: "An Act relating to natural gas pipelines, providing a statutory definition for the portion of the constitutional statement of policy on resource development as applicable to the development and transportation of the state's natural gas reserves, amending Acts relating to construction of natural gas pipelines to require conformance to the requirements of the statutory definition, and amending the standards applicable to determining whether a proposed new investment constitutes a qualified project for 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0131 purposes of the Alaska Stranded Gas Development Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas and the Resources Committee. HB 84 HOUSE BILL NO. 84 by Representative Halcro, entitled: "An Act relating to civil liability for emergency aid." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services and Judiciary Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative James 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 - Agnes Royer By Senator Taylor; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Stevens, Williams, Wilson In Memoriam - John Richard "Dick" Hafer By Representatives Rokeberg, Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Foster, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Stevens, Williams, Wilson In Memoriam - Winifred E. Williams By Senator Taylor; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Foster, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Stevens, Williams, Wilson 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0132 In Memoriam - Opal J. Amundson By Senator Taylor; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Foster, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Stevens, Williams, Wilson In Memoriam - Darald Dewitt, Ka-Klaa By Senator Taylor; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Foster, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kookesh, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Stevens, Williams, Wilson UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative James 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 2:30 p.m., plane time, January 19 to 9:45 p.m., plane time, January 21, 2001 Representative Masek - from 5:00 p.m., plane time, January 19 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, January 22, 2001 Representative Murkowski - from 7:15 a.m., plane time, January 20 to 9:35 p.m., plane time, January 21, 2001 Representative Mulder - from 7:15 a.m., plane time, January 20 to 1:50 p.m., plane time, January 21, 2001 Representative Whitaker - from 1:35 p.m., plane time, February 1 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, February 6, 2001 Representative Guess - from 5:00 p.m., plane time, February 22 to 9:00 p.m., plane time, February 26, 2001 Representative Porter - from 1:35 p.m., plane time, January 25 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, January 26, 2001 (amended from page 103) 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0133 Pursuant to AS 24.20.650, the Speaker appointed the following members to the Joint Armed Services Committee: Representative Mulder, Co-chair Representative Murkowski Representative Harris Representative James Representative Joule The Chief Clerk will notify the Senate. Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the following member be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the member was excused as noted: Representative McGuire - from 7:00 a.m., plane time, January 20 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, January 22, 2001. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the Special Order Citation, In Memoriam - Mark Keith Cameron, be approved. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: In Memoriam - Mark Keith Cameron By Senator Leman; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dyson, Fate, Foster, Halcro, Hayes, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Lancaster, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Ogan, Stevens, Whitaker, Williams, Wilson Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the Special Order Citation, Commemorating - Reconciliation Day, be approved. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0134 Commemorating - Reconciliation Day By Representatives Joule, Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dyson, Fate, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kookesh, Kott, Lancaster, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Stevens, Whitaker, Williams, Wilson; Senator Olson UNFINISHED BUSINESS HCR 1 Representative Lancaster added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Relating to establishing a Task Force on a Statewide Comprehensive Energy Plan. HJR 8 Representative Hayes added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Relating to supporting the Great Alaska Shootout, the Top of the World Classic, and similar preseason basketball tournaments, and requesting that the National Collegiate Athletic Association reject legislative proposal No. 2000-106. HB 48 Representative Lancaster added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 48 "An Act eliminating a requirement that a social security number be provided by an applicant for a hunting or sport fishing license or tag; and providing for an effective date." HB 56 Representative Mulder added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 56 "An Act relating to minimum wages." 2001-01-19 House Journal Page 0135 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. Majority Caucus Speaker's Chamber upon adj., 1/19 ADJOURNMENT Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., January 22, 2001. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:27 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk