2002-06-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 3781
SB 3001                                                                                           
SENATE BILL NO. 3001 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                  
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
             "An Act setting timelines for issuance of final orders                                 
             by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, amending                                       
             the authority of the commission to enter compromise                                    
             settlement orders, and extending the commission's                                      
             termination date to June 30, 2006; and providing for                                   
             an effective date."                                                                    
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Community and Economic                                            
  Development                                                                                       
                                                                                                    

2002-06-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 3782
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated June 24:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Halford:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting a bill that extends the life of the Regulatory                                    
Commission of Alaska to avoid its termination of that agency on June                                
30 of this year. The bill also includes provisions, developed with                                  
industry input, that set deadlines for commission actions and clarify its                           
authority to accept stipulations from parties to commission                                         
proceedings.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
It is important to pass this bill before the commission's termination                               
date. The commission regulates utilities in the state and regulates                                 
pipelines to the extent of their intrastate operations. The commission's                            
role is essential to consumers in the state as well as to the regulated                             
entities.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
Failure to extend the commission this session will significantly                                    
interfere with its work. Though there is a "wind down" year, the                                    
commission will have to redirect its time and energy to plan for                                    
closing shop. The commission may not be able to take on new filings                                 
or applications, or even complete currently filed ones. Failure to                                  
extend the agency leaves the regulated entities as well as consumers in                             
a state of confusion and uncertainty.                                                               
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Tony Knowles                                                                                        
Governor