Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2001-01-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0151 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 24, 2001 Seventeenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Porter at 10:02 a.m. Roll call showed 36 members present. Representative Scalzi had been previously excused from a call of the House today. Representatives Bunde and Masek were absent and their presence was noted later. Representative Rokeberg was absent. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain Myra Howe of the Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. Representative Hudson moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it appears below: Remember choosing sides? Back in Kansas, in grade school, nothing could rival choosing sides for importance. Whether competing in a spelling bee or recess baseball, waiting for one of the captains to pick their team members turned our insides to mush. We wanted to be on the winning team and chosen quickly. Growing older, I began to think of choosing sides in the opposite direction. Which team would I have wanted to join, faced with some crucial decisions? Reading history, I often wondered: "Which side would I have been on in that war?" "How would I have voted on that issue?" or, "Would I have marched in that protest?" Some perfectly honest, good folks must have been on the other side of what we now see as cut-and-dried right and wrong. Some of our forefathers might have been loyal to King George and felt they were absolutely justified in that 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0152 position. How many thousands died for the Confederacy, positive their view of their world was the right one? We oversimplify on the side of the winners, or magnify the plight of "victims" to suit our point of view. Daily we're forced to evaluate our positions and choose sides. And we can't wait for history books to tell us which side wins. Excerpted and edited from: There's More To Me Than I've Used Yet by Frances Weaver The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Chenault. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 15th and 16th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. COMMUNICATIONS The following reports were received: Office of the Ombudsman Index of Ombudsman Investigative Reports January 23, 2001 www.state.ak.us/ombud (as required by AS 24.55.230) Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development Alaska Human Resource Investment Council Resolutions and reports pertaining to restructuring, regulations, and technical and vocational education training systems December 12, 2000 www.gov.state.ak.us/ltgov/voced/main.htm (as required by Chapter 132, SLA 2000) 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0153 Dept. of Revenue Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority Certificate of Debt Service Reserves for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000 January 19, 2001 (as required by AS 44.85.270) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 44 The Transportation Committee has considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 44 "An Act designating the Joe Redington, Sr., Memorial Road." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 44(TRA) "An Act designating the Joe Redington, Sr., Memorial Trail." The report was signed by Representative Kohring, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Kookesh, Wilson, Ogan, Kohring The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 44(TRA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities HB 44 was referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. **The presence of Representatives Bunde and Masek was noted. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0154 Honoring - Joe Sadlier, Bringing Home a Warship By Senator Taylor In Memoriam - Alice P. Abbott By Representative Berkowitz INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 9 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 by the Health, Education & Social Services Committee: 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. was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 87 HOUSE BILL NO. 87 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act establishing the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0155 The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22, 2001, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: In 1996 I issued Administrative Order No. 164 to establish the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council. The council advises the state on ways to better address the needs and concerns of Alaska's veterans, their dependents and their survivors. Its work is vital and deserves a permanent status. I am therefore transmitting this bill to establish the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council in statute within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA). The work of the council will remain the same. Its duties will continue to include making recommendations concerning veterans' priority service needs, developing public and private partnerships to meet those needs, and providing coordination of information regarding veterans' benefits and services around the state. The chair of the council would also serve on the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home Advisory Board as proposed under separate legislation. This bill would maintain the present 20-member structure of the council to include one or more persons affiliated with a veterans organization, one or more persons from a state agency that manages programs affecting veterans, and one or more members of the general public familiar with veterans' issues. Council members would continue to serve without compensation other than per diem and travel expenses. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" HB 88 HOUSE BILL NO. 88 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0156 "An Act changing the name of the Alaska Pioneers' Home to the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home and of the Alaska Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board to the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home Advisory Board; relating to services for veterans in the home; relating to the advisory board for the home; making other amendments to the statutes relating to the home; making conforming amendments to other statutes; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22, 2001, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: Alaska has more veterans per capita than any other state except one. Yet, this is the only state in the nation without a veterans' home in service or development. At the same time, no other state operates a care program for seniors comparable to the Pioneers' Home system. We have a unique opportunity to enhance our Pioneers' Home system and serve our veterans at the same time. The bill I transmit today establishes the Alaska Pioneers' and Veterans' Home system as an efficient means to fully use our existing resources and serve our older veterans. This bill would allow use of some 100 Pioneers' Home beds statewide that are empty today because cost of care has increased faster than the operating budget. A certain number of beds in the Pioneers Homes would be reserved for veterans who meet eligibility requirements for admission, including being at least 65 years old, being an Alaska resident for at least one year, and needing the services the homes provide. The number of beds to be reserved for veterans would be determined by the department by regulation. 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0157 Certainly the homes already serve a number of veterans. Some 78 current residents are veterans. Another 44 veterans are on the active waiting list. Because of operating budget inadequacies, I have requested, in addition to this legislation, nearly $2.5 million in General Funds and another $2.6 million in receipts for staff and ancillary services at the Pioneers Homes as part of my Fiscal Year 2002 operating budget. Fully staffed, a Pioneers' and Veterans' Home system can begin filling vacant beds and serving the needs of all Alaska seniors. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to recognize the service of Alaska's veterans, particularly those in need of long term care. To help guide us in future planning for services to meet the needs of veterans, I have also requested a $200,000 capital appropriation to conduct a veterans housing and health needs survey. The bill also modifies the membership of the Pioneers' Homes Advisory Board to include at least two veterans on the seven-member panel, with one seat reserved for the chair of the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council. I am introducing separate legislation today to establish that council in statute. Finally, the bill also places in statute the current practice of requiring a one-year residency for admission to the homes. This is in response to a court decision years ago that found the 15-year residency requirement unconstitutional. For years, building a veterans' home in Alaska has been an important goal of the state's veteran organizations. We can finally provide this service for our veterans and, at the same time, improve services for all Alaska senior citizens. I encourage your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor" 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0158 HB 89 HOUSE BILL NO. 89 by Representative Chenault, entitled: "An Act relating to inspections of certain hot water heating, hot water supply, and coil heating boilers." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 90 HOUSE BILL NO. 90 by Representative Mulder, entitled: "An Act relating to reimbursement of municipal bonds for school construction; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 91 HOUSE BILL NO. 91 by Representative Fate, entitled: "An Act relating to the membership and quorum requirements of the State Medical Board." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce, Health, Education & Social Services, and Finance 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: In Memoriam - Don H. Delk By Representatives Bunde, Porter, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Fate, Foster, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Ogan, Stevens, Williams, Wilson 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0159 In Memoriam - James (Jim) Sutherland Watson By Senator Taylor; Representatives Porter, Berkowitz, Bunde, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Davies, Dyson, Fate, Foster, Halcro, Harris, Hayes, Hudson, James, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, Lancaster, McGuire, Meyer, Mulder, Murkowski, Ogan, 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 McGuire - from 7:21 p.m., plane time, January 25 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, January 29, 2001 Representative Moses - from 7:15 a.m., plane time, January 26 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, January 30, 2001 Representative Kott - from 7:00 a.m., plane time, January 26 to 9:35 p.m., plane time, January 28, 2001 Representative Murkowski - from 7:15 a.m., plane time, January 27 to 9:35 p.m., plane time, January 28, 2001 Representative Davies - from 1:35 p.m., plane time, January 26 to 9:30 a.m., plane time, January 29, 2001 Representative Ogan - from 7:00 a.m., plane time, February 2 to 11:00 p.m., plane time, February 5, 2001 Representative Joule - from 10:00 a.m., plane time, February 21 to 6:30 p.m., plane time, February 23, 2001 Representative Stevens - from 1:30 p.m., plane time, March 1 to 9:34 p.m., plane time, March 6, 2001 Representative Stevens - from 1:30 p.m., plane time, March 22 to 9:34 p.m., plane time, March 25, 2001 2001-01-24 House Journal Page 0160 HJR 9 The Speaker waived the Health, Education & Social Services Committee referral for the following at the request of Representative Dyson, Chair: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 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. HJR 9 was removed from the Health, Education & Social Services Committee and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. ENROLLMENT HCR 2 The following was enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, President and Secretary of the Senate, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 4:00 p.m., January 22, 2001: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Authorizing two recesses by the Senate and House of Representatives, each for a period of more than three days. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. Majority Caucus Speaker's Chamber upon adj., 1/24 ADJOURNMENT Representative James moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., January 26, 2001. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:32 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk