2003-04-04                     House Journal                      Page 0784
HB 247                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 247 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act repealing statutes pertaining to the Alaska Science and                                
     Technology Foundation and transferring money in the                                            
     foundation's endowment; repealing statutes relating to the BIDCO                               
     assistance program; repealing statutes pertaining to the                                       

2003-04-04                     House Journal                      Page 0785
     international trade and business endowment and transferring                                    
     money in the international trade and business endowment;                                       
     transferring oversight administration of outstanding Alaska                                    
     Science and Technology Foundation loans and grants to the                                      
     Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; establishing                               
     an Alaska BIDCO assistance program to be administered by the                                   
     Department of Community and Economic Development; making                                       
        conforming amendments; 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.  Fiscal, Dept. of Community & Economic Development                                               
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated April 3, 2003, follows:                                     
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill relating primarily to the Alaska Science and                                    
Technology Foundation (ASTF) and the programs it currently                                          
administers.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
The bill would repeal the existing AS 37.17 statutes that create the                                
ASTF, its endowment fund, and the programs it administers --                                        
foundation grants and the BIDCO assistance program.  The statute                                    
creating the international trade and business endowment in the ASTF                                 
also would be repealed.  Subject to appropriation, the bill would                                   
provide for the transfer to the general fund of the money remaining in                              
the ASTF endowment fund and in the international trade and business                                 
endowment.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Oversight administration of existing ASTF foundation grants and                                     
BIDCO assistance program loans and other financial assistance would                                 
be transferred to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export                                      
Authority.  A new Alaska BIDCO assistance program, very similar to                                  
the repealed BIDCO assistance program, also would be established, to                                
be administered by the Department of Community and Economic                                         
Development.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    

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The bill also would make amendments in several other statutes to                                    
conform them to the changes described above.                                                        
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill.                                        
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Frank H. Murkowski                                                 
                                  Governor"