Legislature(2003 - 2004)

2004-02-16 House Journal

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2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2583
                                                                                                    
                               HOUSE JOURNAL                                                     
                                                                                                    
                          ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                               
                                                                                                    
                 TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE -- SECOND SESSION                                      
                                                                                                    
Juneau, Alaska                     Monday              February 16, 2004                          
                                                                                                    
                              Thirty-sixth Day                                                 
                                                                                                    
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                    
Kott at 10:53 a.m.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
Roll call showed 35 members present.  Representatives Moses and                                     
Williams had been previously excused from a call of the House today.                                
Representative Kerttula was absent and her presence was noted later.                                
Representative Joule was absent and excused later.                                                  
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that                                       
Representative Kookesh be excused from a call of the House today to                                 
9:30 p.m. February 17, 2004.  There being no objection, it was so                                   
ordered.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Patrick Brayton of                               
the Valley Chapel.  Representative Fate moved and asked unanimous                                   
consent that the invocation be spread on the journal.  There being no                               
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
     Heavenly Father,                                                                               
                                                                                                    
     I acknowledge You as the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth                                    
     and because You are God, I look to You as the source of all                                    
     wisdom and blessing.  Please give aid to these dedicated men                                   
     and women who govern over us and allow them to be a great                                      
     blessing to the people of Alaska.  When difficulties beset                                     
     them, may they receive from You both supernatural help and                                     
     clear direction.  When controversy divides them, may Your                                      
     spirit of wisdom and love bring them together in a just and                                    
     godly solution.  Lord, I also ask that Your blessings will be                                  
     manifest in the personal lives of those who serve us here in                                   

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2584
     these chambers.  May they and their families enjoy the peace                                   
     and prosperity of soul that comes from Your presence.  May                                     
     they experience Your love firsthand and find security in Your                                  
     arms.  For this I pray in Jesus' Name.  Amen.                                                  
                                                                                                    
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Guttenberg.                                      
                                                                                                    
                        CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                             
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                   
journal for the 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, and 35th legislative                            
days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk.  There being no                                   
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                       
                                                                                                    
The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate                                
to enter the Chamber.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
                               AFTER AT EASE                                                     
                                                                                                    
The Speaker called the House back to order at 11:02 a.m.                                            
                                                                                                    
**The presence of Representative Kerttula was noted.                                                
                                                                                                    
                         JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE                                              
                                                                                                    
In accordance with Uniform Rule 51, Speaker Kott turned the gavel                                   
over to President pro tempore Ben Stevens who called the joint session                              
to order at 11:03 a.m.                                                                              
                                                                                                    
The purpose of the joint session was to hear an address by the                                      
Honorable Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator.                                                                
                                                                                                    
Senator Wagoner, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked                                            
unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all                                
members be shown as present.  There being no objection, it was so                                   
ordered.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                   
roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present.                               
There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                        
                                                                                                    

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President pro tempore Ben Stevens appointed Representative                                          
Stepovich and Senator French to escort the Senator to the joint session.                            
                                                                                                    
The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Senator's entrance into                                   
the House Chamber.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
Senator Ted Stevens was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by                                     
President pro tempore Ben Stevens.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
Senator Ted Stevens delivered his address and it is published in Senate                             
and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 14.                                                          
                                                                                                    
A question and answer period followed the conclusion of the Senator's                               
speech.                                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Senator Ted Stevens received a standing ovation and was escorted                                    
from the Chamber by Representative Stepovich and Senator French.                                    
                                                                                                    
Senator Wagoner moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint                                    
session adjourn.  There being no objection, President pro tempore Ben                               
Stevens adjourned the joint session at 12:07 p.m.                                                   
                                                                                                    
The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate                                
to leave the Chamber.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
                                IN THE HOUSE                                                     
                                                                                                    
The Speaker called the House back to order at 12:23 p.m.                                            
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that                                       
Representative Joule be excused from a call of the House today.                                     
There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                        
                                                                                                    
                         MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR                                              
                                                                                                    
HB 209                                                                                            
A message dated February 13, 2004, was read stating the Governor                                    
has signed the following bill and is transmitting the engrossed and                                 
enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's office for permanent                                   
filing:                                                                                             
                                                                                                    

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     CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 209(RLS)                                                                 
     "An Act relating to municipal property tax adjustments for                                     
     property affected by a disaster."                                                              
                                                                                                    
     Chapter No. 1, SLA 2004                                                                        
     Effective Date:  May 13, 2004                                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                          MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE                                               
                                                                                                    
A message dated February 13, 2004, was read stating that the Senate                                 
has passed the following and it is transmitted for consideration:                                   
                                                                                                    
                        FIRST READING AND REFERENCE                                              
                           OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS                                                 
                                                                                                    
SCR 21                                                                                            
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21 by Senators Ben                                                 
Stevens, Lincoln, and Elton:                                                                        
                                                                                                    
     Relating to declaring March 2004 as Sobriety Awareness Month.                                  
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Rules Committee for                                     
placement on the calendar.                                                                          
                                                                                                    
                               COMMUNICATIONS                                                    
                                                                                                    
Letters of disclosure, as required by AS 24.60, were published in                                   
House Journal Supplement No. 5 and House and Senate Joint Journal                                   
Supplement No. 13.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                       REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                            
                                                                                                    
HB 213                                                                                            
The Labor & Commerce Committee has considered:                                                      
                                                                                                    
     HOUSE BILL NO. 213                                                                             
     "An Act relating to a provisional driver's license and to issuance                             
     of a driver's license; and providing for an effective date."                                   
                                                                                                    

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and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
     CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 213(L&C)                                                                 
     (same title)                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
The report was signed by Representative Anderson, Chair, with the                                   
following individual recommendations:                                                               
                                                                                                    
Do pass (5):  Crawford, Lynn, Gatto, Dahlstrom, Anderson                                            
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 213(L&C):                                                
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Administration                                                                 
                                                                                                    
HB 213 was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 386                                                                                            
The Labor & Commerce Committee has considered:                                                      
                                                                                                    
     HOUSE BILL NO. 386                                                                             
     "An Act exempting contracts of the Alaska Natural Gas                                          
     Development Authority from the State Procurement Code; and                                     
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The report was signed by Representative Anderson, Chair, with the                                   
following individual recommendations:                                                               
                                                                                                    
Do pass (3):  Crawford, Lynn, Anderson                                                              
                                                                                                    
No recommendation (1):  Gatto                                                                       
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                   
2.  Zero, Dept. of Revenue                                                                          
                                                                                                    
HB 386 was referred to the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas.                                    
                                                                                                    

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                         INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                               
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Aware Women of Distinction 2004, Beth Belflower,                                         
Mildred Boesser, Laury Roberts Scandling, and Vicki Soboleff                                        
By Representatives Weyhrauch, Kerttula; Senator Elton                                               
                                                                                                    
Honoring - Edward Lee Gorsuch                                                                       
By Senator Davis                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The following citation was introduced and taken up later as a Special                               
Order of Business:                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Victims of the August 20, 2003, Russian Helicopter                                    
Crash on Sakhalin Island                                                                            
By Representatives Weyhrauch, Kerttula; Senator Elton                                               
                                                                                                    
                 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE                                      
                            OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS                                                 
                                                                                                    
HCR 29                                                                                            
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 29 by Representatives                                               
Heinze and McGuire:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
     Relating to support for therapeutic courts for repeat driving while                            
     under the influence offenders.                                                                 
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HCR 30                                                                                            
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 30 by Representative                                                
Kohring:                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
     Relating to the elimination or merger of departments within the                                
     executive branch of state government.                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    

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HCR 31                                                                                            
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 31 by Representative                                                
McGuire:                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
     Proclaiming March 2004 as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness                                     
     Month.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social                              
Services Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
HCR 32                                                                                            
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 32 by Representative                                                
Kott:                                                                                               
                                                                                                    
     Relating to information infrastructure and establishing the Alaska                             
     Information Infrastructure Policy Task Force.                                                  
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Economic Development, International Trade, & Tourism and the                                        
Finance Committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
HJR 37                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 37 by Representative Hawker:                                             
                                                                                                    
     Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska                                
     creating the gas revenue endowment fund, relating to deposits to                               
     the fund, limiting appropriations from the fund based on an                                    
     averaged percent of the fund market value, relating to deposits to                             
     the permanent fund, and relating to deposits to the budget reserve                             
     fund.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HJR 38                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38 by Representative Kohring:                                            
                                                                                                    
     Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska                                
     to guarantee the permanent fund dividend, establishing the                                     
     earnings reserve account, and relating to the Alaska permanent                                 
     fund.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    

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was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and                           
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HJR 39                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 39 by Representative Kohring:                                            
                                                                                                    
     Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of                                     
     Alaska relating to education.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services, Judiciary, and                               
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HJR 40                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 40 by Representative Gara:                                               
                                                                                                    
     Relating to a commitment that any bill replacing an initiative that                            
     was certified to be placed on the ballot not be amended for at least                           
     two years after enactment; and to a commitment to refrain from                                 
     passing a bill that would void an initiative to allow direct elections                         
     to fill vacancies in the office of United States Senator.                                      
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary                             
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HJR 41                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 41 by Representative Kerttula:                                           
                                                                                                    
     Relating to support for the Federal Land Recreational Visitor                                  
     Protection Act.                                                                                
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HJR 42                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 42 by Representatives Crawford,                                          
Kerttula, and Gara:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    

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     Requesting Exxon Mobil Corporation to pay claimants for court-                                 
     ordered damages resulting from the Exxon Valdez oil spill.                                     
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
HJR 43                                                                                            
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 43 by Representative Berkowitz                                           
by request:                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
     Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska                                
     relating to appropriations from the Alaska permanent fund to be                                
     used for a program of dividends for all state residents and                                    
     providing a conditional effect and effective date for the                                      
     amendment.                                                                                     
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and                           
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE                                      
                               OF HOUSE BILLS                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 273                                                                                            
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 273 by                                                        
Representative McGuire, entitled:                                                                   
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the right of a parent to waive a child's claim of                          
     negligence against a provider of sports or recreational activities."                           
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 365                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 365 by Representatives Crawford and Gara,                                            
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to secondary school competency examinations,                                  
     graduation requirements, and diplomas; and providing for an                                    
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    

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HB 441                                                                                            
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 441 by                                                        
Representatives Gara, Croft, Guttenberg, and Kerttula, entitled:                                    
                                                                                                    
     "An Act amending the oil and gas properties production                                         
     (severance) tax as it relates to oil to require payment of a tax of at                         
     least five percent of the gross value at the point of production                               
     before any price adjustments authorized by this Act, to modify the                             
     mechanism for calculating the effective tax rate, to provide for                               
     adjustments to the tax when the prevailing value of the oil exceeds                            
     $20 per barrel or falls below $16 per barrel and to limit the effect                           
     of the adjustments, to exempt certain kinds of oil from application                            
     of the adjustments, and to waive and defer payment of portions of                              
     the tax on oil when its prevailing value falls below $10 per barrel;                           
     and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Ways & Means and the Resources and Finance Committees.                                              
                                                                                                    
HB 451                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 451 by the House Rules Committee by request,                                         
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to therapeutic courts; and providing for an                                   
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 452                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 452 by Representative Heinze, entitled:                                              
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to licensing and regulation of sport fishing                                  
     services operators and fishing guides; and providing for an                                    
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce,                                       
Judiciary, and Finance Committees.                                                                  
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2593
HB 453                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 453 by Representative Heinze, entitled:                                              
                                                                                                    
     "An Act exempting from regulation under the Alaska Public                                      
     Utilities Regulatory Act wholesale agreements for the sale of                                  
     power by joint action agencies and contracts related to those                                  
     agreements, and joint action agencies composed of public utilities                             
     of political subdivisions and utilities organized under the Electric                           
     and Telephone Cooperative Act."                                                                
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 454                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 454 by Representatives Berkowitz, Gara, and                                          
Anderson, entitled:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
     "An Act increasing the duration of certain provisions of domestic                              
     violence protective orders from six months to one year."                                       
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 455                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 455 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending                                 
     appropriations; making an appropriation to capitalize a fund; and                              
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 9, 2004, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Today I am transmitting two supplemental appropriation bills for                                    
Fiscal Year 2004.  This bill, sometimes referred to as the "fast track"                             

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supplemental bill, includes items that have particularly tight time                                 
requirements that are not accommodated by the usual passage of                                      
supplemental appropriations later in the spring.                                                    
                                                                                                    
The "fast track" supplemental totals $4.1 million in general funds.  Our                            
management goal was to include requests for circumstances that were                                 
not within the departments' control or were unanticipated when the FY                               
2004 budget was finalized, such as reimbursement of the information                                 
services fund due to the ACS settlement, federal requirements per the                               
Help America Vote Act, and an expedited timeframe for the state                                     
veterans' home conversion in Palmer.                                                                
                                                                                                    
In addition, we are requesting federal funds of $93.4 million for the                               
veterans' home conversion in Palmer, to implement the federal                                       
contract for the Adak air facility, and for federal project earmarks in                             
the transportation bill (along with the projects' match requirement) that                           
must be obligated before September 30, 2004.                                                        
                                                                                                    
I request that you put this bill on a "fast track" for final action in early                        
March.                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 456                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 456 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act making supplemental and other appropriations; amending                                 
     and repealing appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize                              
     funds; and providing for an effective date."                                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 9, 2004, follows:                                  
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
I am transmitting to you today two supplemental appropriation bills                                 
for Fiscal Year 2004.  Issues requiring attention on an expedited basis                             

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2595
are in a separate "fast track" bill.  This bill includes supplemental                               
needs with less immediate timing requirements.                                                      
                                                                                                    
We are submitting a combined package (both "fast track" and regular)                                
that totals $5.4 million in general funds.  This reflects our                                       
administration's commitment to doing all we can to manage programs                                  
within the budget approved by the Legislature.                                                      
                                                                                                    
There are, however, always circumstances beyond our management                                      
control such as inmate health care costs for critically ill inmates and                             
caseload growth in several programs.  This bill totals $820 thousand in                             
general funds.                                                                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In some instances, we have been able to cover shortfalls in one area by                             
excess appropriations in another.  For instance, based on current                                   
estimates of general funds needed for the foundation formula, $3.6                                  
million can be transferred to cover other supplemental needs.  The                                  
general fund capitalization of the debt retirement fund may also be                                 
reduced for two reasons:  1) the amount available for school debt                                   
reimbursement from the public school fund is higher than anticipated,                               
and 2) the actual amount of school debt reimbursement is lower than                                 
anticipated.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
The administration's goal is to do all we can to limit supplemental                                 
requests.  To that end, we look forward to working with you on the                                  
funding levels for the Fiscal Year 2005 operating budget.                                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 457                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 457 by Representatives Wilson and Gara, entitled:                                    
                                                                                                    
     "An Act providing for differentiated secondary school diplomas;                                
     and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2596
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 458                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 458 by Representative Moses by request, entitled:                                    
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to a one-day commercial fishing crewmember                                    
     license."                                                                                      
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce                                        
Committee, the House Special Committee on Fisheries, and the                                        
Resources Committee.                                                                                
                                                                                                    
HB 459                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 459 by Representatives Gara, Crawford, and                                           
Guttenberg, entitled:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
     "An Act requiring an auditable paper trail for electronic voting                               
     machines; and providing for an effective date."                                                
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee.                                
                                                                                                    
HB 460                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 460 by Representative Kerttula, entitled:                                            
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to absences to provide care for certain relatives                             
     for purposes of permanent fund dividend eligibility; and providing                             
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 461                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 461 by Representative Holm, entitled:                                                
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to enhanced 911 surcharges and to emergency                                   
     services dispatch systems of municipalities, certain villages, and                             
     public corporations established by municipalities."                                            
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2597
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional                                    
Affairs and State Affairs Committees.                                                               
                                                                                                    
HB 462                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 462 by Representative Kohring, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the longevity bonus program; and providing                                 
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Health,                                  
Education & Social Services, and Finance Committees.                                                
                                                                                                    
HB 463                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 463 by Representative Berkowitz, entitled:                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to a poll of legislators on the question of calling a                         
     special session."                                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 464                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 464 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, entitled:                                               
                                                                                                    
     "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified                               
     Real Estate Appraisers."                                                                       
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce                                        
Committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
HB 465                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 465 by the House Resources Committee, entitled:                                      
                                                                                                    
     "An Act amending the purpose of the Alaska Natural Gas                                         
     Development Authority to include planning, developing,                                         
     constructing, managing, or operating an economically viable gas                                
     pipeline project from the North Slope of Alaska by a route that                                
     parallels the Trans Alaska Pipeline System or the Alaska                                       
     Highway; authorizing evaluation of opportunities for private                                   
     sector involvement in the project; amending requirements related                               

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2598
     to the Authority's preparation of a development plan; and                                      
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Oil & Gas and the Resources and Finance Committees.                                                 
                                                                                                    
HB 466                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 466 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, entitled:                                               
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to investments of Alaska permanent fund assets;                               
     and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 467                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 467 by Representative Anderson, entitled:                                            
                                                                                                    
     "An Act establishing an Alaska Commemorative Coin                                              
     Commission to develop the design concepts and to make                                          
     recommendations regarding the final design of the Alaska quarter                               
     under the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act; and                                        
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Labor &                               
Commerce Committees.                                                                                
                                                                                                    
HB 468                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 468 by the House Labor and Commerce                                                  
Committee, entitled:                                                                                
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the amount of the bond required to stay                                    
     execution of a judgment in civil litigation involving a signatory, a                           
     successor of a signatory, or an affiliate of a signatory to the                                
     tobacco product Master Settlement Agreement during an appeal;                                  
     amending Rules 204 and 205, Alaska Rules of Appellate                                          
     Procedure; and providing for an effective date."                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2599
HB 469                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 469 by Representative Kohring, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to deposits to the Alaska permanent fund from                                 
     mineral lease rentals, royalties, royalty sale proceeds, net profit                            
     shares under AS 38.05.180(f) and (g), federal mineral revenue                                  
     sharing payments received by the state from mineral leases, and                                
     bonuses received by the state from mineral leases, and increasing                              
     deposits from certain of those sources."                                                       
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 470                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 470 by Representative Moses, entitled:                                               
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the taxation of income."                                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Ways & Means and the Finance Committee.                                                             
                                                                                                    
HB 471                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 471 by the House Special Committee on                                                
Education, entitled:                                                                                
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the funding of public education; and providing                             
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 472                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 472 by Representative Anderson, entitled:                                            
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to claims for personal injury or wrongful death                               
     against health care providers; and providing for an effective date."                           
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2600
HB 473                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 473 by Representative Seaton by request of the                                       
Joint Legislative Salmon Industry Task Force, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to limited joint venture fish processing                                      
     businesses and to liability for the payment of the fisheries business                          
     tax; and providing for an effective date."                                                     
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Fisheries and the Labor & Commerce and Resources Committees.                                        
                                                                                                    
HB 474                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 474 by Representatives Holm and McGuire,                                             
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to civil liability associated with aircraft runways,                          
     airfields, and landing areas."                                                                 
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 475                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 475 by Representative Kohring, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act prohibiting the hiring of certain state employees, except                              
     while a declared condition of disaster emergency is in effect; and                             
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce, State                                 
Affairs, and Judiciary Committees.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 476                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 476 by Representative Anderson, entitled:                                            
                                                                                                    
     "An Act establishing the Alaska Statehood Celebration                                          
     Commission; and providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2601
HB 477                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 477 by Representatives Gara and Kapsner,                                             
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the base student allocation used in the formula                            
     for state funding of public education; and providing for an                                    
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 478                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 478 by Representative Wilson, entitled:                                              
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the issuance of commercial fishing interim-use                             
     permits; and providing for an effective date."                                                 
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Fisheries and the Resources Committee.                                                              
                                                                                                    
HB 479                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 479 by Representative Kohring, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act establishing an education fund and a land endowment for                                
     public education; and providing for an effective date."                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 480                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 480 by Representative Kohring, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to organization of the public school system; and                              
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services and                                           
Community & Regional Affairs Committees.                                                            
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2602
HB 481                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 481 by Representatives Kerttula and Gatto,                                           
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act reimposing the corporate income tax on income from                                     
     large commercial passenger vessels operated by certain foreign                                 
     corporations."                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Economic Development, International Trade, & Tourism, the House                                     
Special Committee on Ways & Means, and the Finance Committee.                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 482                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 482 by Representative Croft, entitled:                                               
                                                                                                    
     "An Act levying and collecting a tax on certain North Slope                                    
     natural gas in place if certain requirements relating to its sale and                          
     delivery are not met; and providing for an effective date."                                    
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Oil & Gas and the Resources and Finance Committees.                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 483                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 483 was not introduced.                                                              
                                                                                                    
HB 484                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 484 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act imposing a correctional facility surcharge on persons                                  
     convicted of a crime under state law, and on persons whose                                     
     probation is revoked; relating to fees and expenses for interstate                             
     transfer of probation or parole; and providing for an effective                                
     date."                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2603
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Law                                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2004, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that would impose a surcharge on                             
persons convicted of an offense and on persons whose probation is                                   
revoked.  The bill also would require a person under state probation or                             
parole supervision to pay an application fee for a requested transfer of                            
that supervision to another state.                                                                  
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Alaska has an urgent need to mitigate the cost of its correctional                                  
facilities.  The bill imposes a surcharge on a person who pleads guilty                             
or nolo contendere to, or is convicted of, a crime if the person was                                
arrested and taken to a correctional facility or is sentenced to a term of                          
imprisonment.  The amount of the surcharge depends on the                                           
seriousness of the crime: $100 for a felony and $50 for a                                           
misdemeanor.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The bill also would impose a surcharge on a person placed on                                        
probation after conviction of a crime.  The surcharge is collected only                             
if the defendant's probation is revoked for a probation violation and                               
the person was either arrested and taken to a correctional facility for                             
the violation, or sentenced to prison for it.                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Alaska participates in the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender                                    
Supervision (Compact), which regulates the transfer of supervision for                              
persons under state probation and parole.  The bill would establish an                              
application fee for persons under active probation or parole                                        
supervision who request an interstate transfer of supervision under the                             
Compact.  According to the Department of Corrections, the great                                     

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2604
majority of other states already impose a fee for similar services.  The                            
bill also would require the applicant to post a bond or deposit cash,                               
which would be forfeited if the state must escort the person back to                                
Alaska for confined supervision.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this proposal.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 485                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 485 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the powers of the Alaska Energy Authority to                               
     make grants and loans and enter into contracts; relating to the bulk                           
     fuel revolving loan fund; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority's                            
     liability for the provision of technical assistance to rural utilities;                        
     relating to the Alaska Energy Authority's investment of the power                              
     development fund; repealing the electrical service extension fund;                             
     and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Economic Development, International Trade, & Tourism and the                                        
Community & Regional Affairs and Finance Committees.                                                
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Community & Economic Development                                                 
2.  Zero, Dept. of Revenue                                                                          
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2004, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the powers of the                                
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) to make grants and loans and enter                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2605
into contracts, relating to the bulk fuel revolving loan fund, relating to                          
the AEA's potential liability for the provision of technical assistance to                          
rural utilities, relating to the AEA's investment of the power                                      
development fund, and repealing the electrical service extension fund.                              
                                                                                                    
Section 1 of the bill would amend AS 42.45.010, establishing the                                    
power project fund, to add authorization for the AEA to make loans                                  
from the fund for waste energy, energy conservation, energy                                         
efficiency, and alternative energy facilities and equipment.  Similarly,                            
section 9 of the bill would amend the general powers of the AEA to                                  
authorize it to improve, equip, operate, maintain, and enter into                                   
contracts for the construction, financing, operation, and maintenance                               
of: bulk fuel, waste energy, energy conservation, energy efficiency,                                
and alternative energy facilities and equipment.  The Denali                                        
Commission and other federal agencies have provided substantial                                     
funding for such projects, and the Legislature has authorized the                                   
AEA's receipt and expenditure of the federal money.                                                 
                                                                                                    
Section 11 of the bill would repeal AS 42.45.060, which establishes a                               
loan committee to review and approve loans from the power project                                   
fund and the rural electrification revolving loan fund.  Upon repeal of                             
the loan committee statute, the credit department of the Alaska                                     
Industrial Development and Export Authority, which manages the                                      
AEA's loan programs, will continue to review applications for loans                                 
from those funds in accordance with the applicable regulations.                                     
Section 2 of the bill would continue the requirement in present AS                                  
42.45.060(g) for legislative approval of loans for projects in which the                            
cumulative state monetary involvement, through loans, grants, and                                   
bonds, is at least $5,000,000 and loans of more than $5,000,000.                                    
Sections 1, 3, 4, and 6 contain conforming amendments to reflect the                                
repeal of AS 42.45.060.                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Sections 5 and 7 of the bill would amend AS 42.45.250, which                                        
governs loans from the bulk fuel revolving loan fund, to authorize                                  
loans from the fund to "persons," defined with reference to                                         
AS 01.10.060 to include corporations, cooperatives, joint ventures,                                 
and governmental entities, that generate power or supply the public                                 
with fuel used in communities with populations of less than 2,000                                   
people, as well as loans to the communities themselves.  Presently, the                             
statute authorizes loans to "private individuals" and to the                                        

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2606
communities.  The Department of Law recently interpreted the term                                   
"private individuals" to include only natural persons.  Section 12 of the                           
bill makes the amendments retroactive to June 1, 1984, to encompass                                 
active loans from the fund to such entities.                                                        
                                                                                                    
Section 8 of the bill would amend AS 42.45.400, which requires the                                  
AEA to provide technical assistance to rural utilities, to specify that                             
this statutory mandate may not be used as an independent basis for tort                             
liability against the AEA.  The AEA would continue to be liable for                                 
negligence if it fails to use reasonable care in providing the technical                            
assistance.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
Section 10 of the bill would amend AS 44.83.386, relating to                                        
investment of the power development fund, to provide that the AEA,                                  
rather than the Department of Revenue, shall invest the fund.  The                                  
AEA, with the concurrence of the Department of Revenue, has been                                    
investing the fund since 1993.  AEA would continue to remit all fund                                
earnings to the general fund.                                                                       
                                                                                                    
Section 11 of the bill, in addition to repealing AS 42.45.060 as                                    
discussed above, repeals AS 42.45.200 (the electrical service                                       
extension fund, which is inactive), and repeals AS 42.45.250(l)(1) to                               
remove an unnecessary definition of a term that is not used in the                                  
statute.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 486                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 486 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to reclamation bonding and financial assurance                                
     for certain mines; relating to financial assurance limits for lode                             
     mines; establishing the mine reclamation trust fund; and providing                             
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2607
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue                                                                        
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2004, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to mine reclamation                                 
bonding and financial assurance.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
This bill would make three changes to existing law.  First, it would                                
remove "lode mines," sometimes referred to as "hard-rock mines,"                                    
from the current bonding "cap" of $750 per acre for mine reclamation                                
responsibilities; the cap would remain in effect for placer mines.                                  
Second, it would replace the term "performance bond" with the term                                  
"financial assurance," and would list various ways to provide that                                  
assurance, in order to give mining companies and the state the                                      
flexibility to employ a variety of financial assurance vehicles.  Third,                            
it would create a mine reclamation trust fund, which would allow the                                
build-up of an adequate reclamation fund through payments made over                                 
time and through the earnings on that fund.                                                         
                                                                                                    
These three changes all reflect the fact that satisfactory reclamation of                           
a hard-rock mine is a site-specific issue.  A generic dollar-per-acre                               
bond "cap" simply does not work for reclamation responsibilities for                                
hard-rock mines.  Each mine is unique, and the optimal vehicle to use                               
to ensure final reclamation depends on many factors including, by way                               
of example: the projected mine life; the need for long-term site                                    
management measures (such as to address potential acid mine                                         
drainage); and the availability and cost of different bonding tools in                              
the current financial market.  Given these and other factors, the state                             
and the mining industry need flexibility in selecting and constructing                              
financial assurances for mine reclamation.                                                          
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2608
The third element of the bill, the mine reclamation trust fund, is an                               
attempt to accommodate some fiscal realities faced by the industry.  It                             
provides the opportunity for the state to set up site-specific funding                              
agreements to accommodate long-term or in-perpetuity reclamation                                    
tasks.  Examples include the possible need for in-perpetuity water                                  
treatment at the Red Dog Mine, long-term monitoring at the Illinois                                 
Creek Mine, and in-perpetuity maintenance of the dam for the                                        
freshwater recreation lake that Fort Knox Mine is leaving to Alaskans                               
at the request of the Department of Natural Resources.  The trust fund                              
concept provides for a method of accommodating long-term or in-                                     
perpetuity reclamation needs of this type.                                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Making deposits into a state-controlled trust fund will have significant                            
benefits for industry and the state.  In addition to providing potential                            
benefits under the federal tax code for companies, the state would have                             
access to a fund for mine reclamation work that will retain earnings                                
and increase over time.                                                                             
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The bill would provide that the Department of Revenue would manage                                  
investment of the fund, as it does already for a number of other similar                            
state funds.  But the Department of Natural Resources would be the                                  
agency authorized to make expenditures from the fund for mine                                       
reclamation and post-closure site management.                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The state's resource agencies, under the leadership of the Department                               
of Natural Resources, have crafted this bill with an understanding of                               
the needs of the industry and the needs of Alaskans who rely on                                     
reclamation of the land.  This bill is broadly supported by the mining                              
industry.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2609
HB 487                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 487 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the detention of delinquent minors in                                      
     correctional facilities; relating to emergency detention of minors                             
     for evaluation for involuntary admission for mental health                                     
     treatment; relating to detention of intoxicated minors and minors                              
     incapacitated by alcohol or drugs; and providing for an effective                              
     date."                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                         
2.  Zero, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2004, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the detention of                                 
delinquent and other juveniles.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The 2002 reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency                                    
Prevention Act of 1974 (JJDPA) went into effect on October 1, 2003.                                 
The JJDPA has traditionally prohibited incarceration of non-offenders                               
and status offenders in adult jails and "lock-ups."  New language in the                            
2002 reauthorization prohibits the use of juvenile detention facilities                             
for these non-offenders and status offenders as of October 1, 2003.                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
This bill would modify AS 47.12.240, AS 47.30.705, and AS                                           
47.37.170 to come into compliance with the federal requirements set                                 
out in the Guidance Manual for Monitoring Facilities Under the                                      
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2003.  Under                                     

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2610
these amendments, emergency protective custody of minors may not                                    
include placement in a jail or other secure facility.  This language is                             
also found in current law relating to placement of children in need of                              
aid in AS 47.10.141(c), and has been interpreted by both state and                                  
federal officials to provide sufficient flexibility for holding minors                              
until a more appropriate facility can be found or until transportation to                           
such a facility is feasible.  The purpose of this draft bill is to preserve                         
Alaska's federal formula grant receipts of approximately $700,000 and                               
to meet certain requirements to apply for other federal grant money                                 
through the federal office of juvenile justice and delinquency                                      
prevention.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 488                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 488 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to actionable claims against state employees;                                 
     relating to the state's defense and indemnification of its employees                           
     and former employees with respect to claims arising out of                                     
     conduct that is within the scope of employment; amending the                                   
     Public Employment Relations Act regarding claims against the                                   
      state or state employees; and providing for an effective date."                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Judiciary Committees.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Law                                                                              
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2611
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2004, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to: (1) indemnification of                          
tort claims against state employees; and (2) the attorney general's                                 
decision whether to indemnify an employee and arbitration of that                                   
decision.                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
Current Alaska law addresses lawsuits against the state in AS                                       
09.50.250.  However, the statutes fail to address a core concept of the                             
Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).  Under the FTCA, if a lawsuit is                                    
filed against a federal employee, and the attorney general of the United                            
States certifies the employee was acting in the scope of employment,                                
the United States is substituted as the defendant for the employee.  The                            
individual employee is no longer a defendant in the case.  This bill                                
adds this critical concept to Alaska law.                                                           
                                                                                                    
This bill would allow state employees to carry out their duties                                     
knowing that if there is a lawsuit filed against them for an act or                                 
omission within the scope of their employment, the lawsuit will not                                 
proceed against them as an individual.  They will not be subject to the                             
burdens court rules place on a "party" including being subject to an                                
award of costs and fees to a prevailing party.  The public would                                    
benefit as services would not be interrupted while state employees                                  
participate in lawsuits.                                                                            
                                                                                                    
The bill would further provide that the decision of the attorney general                            
whether to indemnify an employee is not subject to arbitration.  An                                 
employee who is denied indemnification can contest that decision in                                 
the courts.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2612
HB 489                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 489 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the administration of the Alaska Vocational                                
     Technical Center; 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 Labor & Workforce Development                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2004, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the Alaska Vocational                            
Technical Center (AVTEC).  AVTEC is a vocational training provider                                  
located in Seward.  In 2003, the responsibility to administer AVTEC                                 
was transferred from the Department of Education and Early                                          
Development to the Department of Labor and Workforce                                                
Development.  However, the authority for the Department of Labor                                    
and Workforce Development (department) to administer and set rates                                  
for AVTEC's programs and services was not provided for in the                                       
transfer.  This bill would correct that oversight.                                                  
                                                                                                    
Section 1 of the bill proposes to amend AS 44.31.020 to provide the                                 
statutory authority for the department to administer the programs of                                
AVTEC and to set rates for student tuition and room and board, and                                  
other fees for the programs and services provided by AVTEC.                                         
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2613
HB 490                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 490 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the release of employment security records, to                             
     the admissibility of determinations and decisions regarding                                    
     unemployment compensation benefits, and to contributions,                                      
     interest, penalties, and payments under the Alaska Employment                                  
     Security Act; providing that property under the Alaska                                         
     Employment Security Act is not subject to the Uniform                                          
       Unclaimed Property Act; and providing for an effective date."                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Judiciary Committees.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 13, 2004, follows:                                 
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the: (1) the release of                          
employment security records for law enforcement purposes; (2)                                       
administrative hearing decisions on unemployment benefits; and (3)                                  
federal compliance and other technical corrections to the Alaska                                    
Employment Security Act.                                                                            
                                                                                                    
This bill would allow the Department of Labor (DOL) to release                                      
employment security records to a state district attorney, a municipal                               
attorney, a United States attorney, and the Federal Bureau of                                       
Investigation for use in criminal investigations and prosecutions.                                  
Under current law, employment security records are confidential for                                 
criminal investigation and prosecution purposes.                                                    
                                                                                                    
This bill would codify the Alaska Supreme Court's decision in                                       
Manning v. Alaska Railroad Corporation, 853 P.2d 1120 (Alaska                                       
1993).  In that case, the court held that the commissioner of DOL's                                 

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2614
decision granting the plaintiff unemployment benefits did not                                       
automatically require a finding of wrongful termination in a later court                            
case.  Unemployment claims rarely provide an incentive for the                                      
employer to participate, much less spend a significant amount of time                               
and money investigating the facts and bringing those facts to the                                   
attention of the hearing officer.  Employers have little incentive to                               
participate in an unemployment benefits claim hearing since their                                   
bottom line is only marginally affected by the outcome.  This gives an                              
employee the opportunity to receive a favorable decision in an                                      
uncontested unemployment benefits claim and unfairly leverage that                                  
decision against the employer in a later court case.                                                
                                                                                                    
Finally, the bill makes a number of changes to bring Alaska law into                                
compliance with federal law, resolves conflicts in Alaska statutes and                              
makes other technical amendments.  Other changes include provisions                                 
dealing with payment and collection of unemployment taxes by DOL                                    
from employers, expanding the ability of DOL to collect                                             
overpayments of unemployment compensation benefits on behalf of                                     
other states, clarifying which health professionals are excluded from                               
the Alaska Employment Security Act, and clarifying that the definition                              
of "wages" does not include education assistance.  Of these, the                                    
principal change would remove the requirement that unemployment                                     
compensation be deposited into the unclaimed property fund.  Federal                                
law requires such funds to be deposited into the unemployment                                       
insurance trust fund.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely yours,                                                    
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Frank H. Murkowski                                                  
                                 Governor"                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 491                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 491 by Representatives Kerttula and McGuire,                                         
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the Alaska Securities Act and adopting                                     
     provisions of the Uniform Securities Act."                                                     
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2615
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Judiciary Committees.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
HB 492                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 492 was not introduced.                                                              
                                                                                                    
HB 493                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 493 by Representatives Harris, Gruenberg, and                                        
Anderson, entitled:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to adoption and revision of a long-term fiscal                                
     plan for the State of Alaska."                                                                 
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Ways & Means and the Finance Committee.                                                             
                                                                                                    
HB 494                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 494 by Representatives Kott and Hawker, entitled:                                    
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the disbursement of money by the state,                                    
     including employment compensation, unemployment payments,                                      
     and permanent fund dividends, and to bank investments and                                      
     deposits by the state; and providing for an effective date."                                   
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
HB 495                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 495 by Representative Williams, entitled:                                            
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the four dam pool joint action agency; and                                 
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
HB 496                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 496 by Representatives Dahlstrom and McGuire,                                        
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act creating the Youth Vote Ambassador Program and                                         
     relating to that program; authorizing the members of the program                               

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2616
     to be appointed to serve on election boards; relating to                                       
     qualifications for appointment to election boards; and providing                               
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee.                                
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 497                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 497 by Representative Dahlstrom, entitled:                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to building and life safety codes, including                                  
     creation of the Building and Life Safety Code Commission, the                                  
     adoption of building and life safety codes for the state, and                                  
     making exemptions for municipalities; relating to mechanical                                   
     contractors, electrical administrators, mechanical administrators,                             
     plumbers, the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, boilers,                                     
     unfired pressure vessels, water heaters, the administration of                                 
     certain building and life safety codes, and fees for administration                            
     of building and life safety codes; and providing for an effective                              
     date."                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
HB 498                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 498 by Representative Seaton, entitled:                                              
                                                                                                    
     "An Act requiring the sale or trade of state land."                                            
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                   
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
HB 499                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 499 by Representative Heinze, entitled:                                              
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to 911 systems."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional                                    
Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees.                                                            
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2617
HB 500                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 500 by Representative Samuels, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to medical review organizations; and providing                                
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social                              
Services Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 501                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 501 by Representative Holm, entitled:                                                
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to transfers from the earnings reserve account to                             
     the dividend fund and to the principal of the permanent fund to                                
     offset the effect of inflation; and providing for an effective date."                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 502                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 502 by Representative Holm, entitled:                                                
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to dispensing opticians and dispensing optician                               
     apprentices."                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Health, Education & Social Services Committees.                                                     
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 503                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 503 by the House Finance Committee, entitled:                                        
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the tobacco product Master Settlement                                      
     Agreement; and providing for an effective date."                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2618
HB 504                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 504 by Representatives Hawker and Anderson,                                          
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act related to the possession of firearms in places where                                  
       intoxicating liquor is sold for consumption on the premises."                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 505                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 505 by Representative Kott, entitled:                                                
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to importing beer or wine for personal                                        
     consumption and a liquor license for that purpose, and to taxes on                             
     beer or wine imported for personal consumption."                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
HB 506                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 506 by Representative Kapsner, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to funding of public education; and providing for                             
     an effective date."                                                                            
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 507                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 507 by Representatives Hawker and Harris,                                            
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of general                                  
     obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of design,                                 
     construction, and major maintenance of educational facilities; and                             
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2619
HB 508                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 508 by Representative Kapsner, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to school construction grants and major                                       
     maintenance grants to school districts; relating to reimbursement                              
     of school construction debt; providing a remedy to the                                         
     constitutional violations found in Kasayulie et al. v. State of                                
     Alaska, Case No. 3AN-97-3782 CV; relating to the Education                                     
     Facilities Financing Authority; and providing for an effective                                 
     date."                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Education and the Health, Education & Social Services Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 509                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 509 by Representative Kott, entitled:                                                
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to establishing the Alaska Gaming Commission."                                
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
HB 510                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 510 by Representatives Foster and Morgan,                                            
entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the disclosure of certain records pertaining to                            
     children for certain distribution by Native corporations; and                                  
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and                                    
Judiciary Committees.                                                                               
                                                                                                    
HB 511                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 511 by Representative Samuels, entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the certificate of need program for health care                            
     facilities; and providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2620
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social                              
Services and Finance Committees.                                                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 512                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 512 by Representatives Crawford, Berkowitz, and                                      
Gara, entitled:                                                                                     
                                                                                                    
     "An Act establishing the Hydrogen Energy Partnership in the                                    
     Department of Community and Economic Development; requiring                                    
     the commissioner of community and economic development to                                      
     seek public and private funding for the partnership; providing for                             
     the contingent repeal of an effective date; and providing for an                               
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                              
Economic Development, International Trade, & Tourism and the                                        
Finance Committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                    
HB 513                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 513 by Representatives Kott, Coghill, Harris,                                        
Hawker, McGuire, Rokeberg, Anderson, and Lynn, entitled:                                            
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the enforcement of support orders through                                  
     suspension of drivers' licenses; changing the name of the child                                
     support enforcement agency to the child support services agency;                               
     amending Rules 90.3 and 90.5, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure;                                 
     and providing for an effective date."                                                          
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    
                                                                                                    
HB 514                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 514 by Representatives Kott, Coghill, Harris,                                        
Hawker, McGuire, Rokeberg, Anderson, and Lynn entitled:                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to child support modification and enforcement, to                             
     the establishment of paternity by the child support enforcement                                
     agency, and to the crimes of criminal nonsupport and aiding the                                
     nonpayment of child support; amending Rule 90.3, Alaska Rules                                  
     of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date."                                      
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2621
                    CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                          
                                                                                                    
                    SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS                                          
                                                                                                    
HJR 32                                                                                            
The following was read the second time:                                                             
                                                                                                    
     HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32                                                                  
        Relating to the labeling of salmon and salmon food products.                               
                                                                                                    
with the:                                                      Journal Page                         
                                                                                                    
 FSH RPT CS(FSH) NT 6DP                                                2481                         
 FN1: ZERO(DEC)                                                        2482                         
 L&C RPT CS(FSH) NT 4DP                                                2562                         
 FN1: ZERO(DEC)                                                        2562                         
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                   
following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original                                   
resolution:                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
     CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32(FSH)                                                      
     Relating to the labeling of fish and fishery food products.                                    
                                                                                                    
There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                        
                                                                                                    
Amendment No. 1 was offered  by Representative Weyhrauch:                                            
                                                                                                    
Page 1, line 5:                                                                                     
 Following "safety":                                                                                
 Insert "and negative impacts"                                                                      
                                                                                                    
Page 1, line 5:                                                                                     
 Following "fish":                                                                                  
 Insert "to consumers"                                                                              
                                                                                                    
Page 1, line 11:                                                                                    
 Following "the":                                                                                   
 Insert "negative"                                                                                  
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2622
Page 1, line 12:                                                                                    
 Following "preference":                                                                            
 Insert "for,"                                                                                      
                                                                                                    
Page 2, line 4:                                                                                     
 Following "to":                                                                                    
 Insert "the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United                                      
States;"                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
Representative Weyhrauch moved and asked unanimous consent that                                     
Amendment No. 1 be adopted.                                                                         
                                                                                                    
Representative Kerttula objected.                                                                   
                                                                                                    
Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 1 was offered  by                                                   
Representative Weyhrauch:                                                                           
                                                                                                    
Delete "Page 1, line 5:                                                                             
 Following "safety":                                                                                
 Insert "and negative impacts""                                                                     
                                                                                                    
Representative Weyhrauch moved and asked unanimous consent that                                     
Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 1 be adopted.  There being no                                      
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Amendment No. 2 to Amendment No. 1 was offered  by                                                   
Representative Weyhrauch:                                                                           
                                                                                                    
Delete "Page 1, line 11:                                                                            
 Following "the":                                                                                   
 Insert "negative""                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Representative Weyhrauch moved and asked unanimous consent that                                     
Amendment No. 2 to Amendment No. 1 be adopted.  There being no                                      
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                       
                                                                                                    
There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 as amended was                                    
adopted.                                                                                            
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2623
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that                                       
CSHJR 32(FSH) am be considered engrossed, advanced to third                                         
reading, and placed on final passage.  There being no objection, it was                             
so ordered.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
CSHJR 32(FSH) am was read the third time.                                                           
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The question being:  "Shall CSHJR 32(FSH) am pass the House?"                                       
The roll was taken with the following result:                                                       
                                                                                                    
CSHJR 32(FSH) am                                                                                    
Third Reading                                                                                       
Final Passage                                                                                       
                                                                                                    
YEAS:  36   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  4   ABSENT:  0                                                   
                                                                                                    
Yeas:  Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford,                                    
Croft, Dahlstrom, Fate, Foster, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg,                                 
Harris, Hawker, Heinze, Holm, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott,                                     
Lynn, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels,                                        
Seaton, Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf                                                 
                                                                                                    
Excused:  Joule, Kookesh, Moses, Williams                                                           
                                                                                                    
And so, CSHJR 32(FSH) am passed the House and was referred to the                                   
Chief Clerk for engrossment.                                                                        
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                           LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS                                                 
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill 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 - University of Alaska Women's Basketball Team                                             
By Representatives Meyer, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault,                                      
Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg,                                         
Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, Lynn,                                 
McGuire, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton, Stepovich,                                         
Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2624
Honoring - August Hiebert                                                                           
By Representatives Gara, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault,                                       
Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg,                                   
Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring, McGuire, Meyer,                                   
Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton, Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch,                                      
Wilson, Wolf; Senator Ellis                                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Honoring - USA Hockey Tier I Pee Wee National Tournament                                            
By Senator Wilken; Representatives Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz,                                       
Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Dahlstrom, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg,                                
Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring,                                
Lynn, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton,                                        
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Michael Kronowitz                                                                     
By Representatives Crawford, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault,                                   
Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Foster, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg,                                 
Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Masek, McGuire,                                     
Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton, Stepovich, Stoltze,                                          
Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                                                   
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Officer John Patrick Watson, Kenai Police Department                                  
By Representatives Wolf, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault,                                       
Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg,                                  
Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring,                                
Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton, Stepovich,                                   
Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                                          
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Chief Peter John                                                                      
By Representatives Morgan, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault,                                     
Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg,                                 
Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring,                                       
McGuire, Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton, Stepovich,                                          
Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf; Senator Lincoln                                                   
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2625
In Memoriam - Nick P. Mellick, Jr.                                                                  
By Representatives Morgan, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault,                                     
Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg,                                 
Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner, Kerttula, McGuire,                                       
Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton, Stepovich, Stoltze,                                          
Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf; Senator Lincoln                                                            
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Senator Frank R. Parraq Ferguson                                                      
By Representatives Joule, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault,                                      
Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg,                                 
Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner, Kerttula, Kohring,                                       
McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton,                                             
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Nona Hubley Campbell                                                                  
By Senator Gary Stevens; Representatives Ogg, Kott, Anderson,                                       
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara,                               
Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner,                                 
Kerttula, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton,                                         
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - R.B. Jackson                                                                          
By Senator Gary Stevens; Representatives Seaton, Kott, Anderson,                                    
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara,                               
Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner,                                 
Kerttula, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels,                                            
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Walter Steciw                                                                         
By Senator Gary Stevens; Representatives Seaton, Kott, Anderson,                                    
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara,                               
Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner,                                 
Kerttula, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels,                                            
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                               
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2626
In Memoriam - Don Nelson Bunker                                                                     
By Senator Gary Stevens; Representatives Seaton, Kott, Anderson,                                    
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara,                               
Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner,                                 
Kerttula, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels,                                            
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Michael Demchenko                                                                     
By Senator Gary Stevens; Representatives Seaton, Kott, Anderson,                                    
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara,                               
Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner,                                 
Kerttula, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels,                                            
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Williams, Wilson, Wolf                                               
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Representative Ramona Barnes                                                          
By Senator Cowdery; Representatives Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz,                                      
Chenault, Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara, Gatto,                                  
Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner, Kerttula,                                     
Kohring, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels,                                      
Seaton, Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Robert Lynn Plymire                                                                   
By Senator Gary Stevens; Representatives Seaton, Kott, Anderson,                                    
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster,                                    
Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner,                                  
Kerttula, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels,                                           
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
In Memoriam - Japhet J. Anvil                                                                       
By Senator Hoffman; Representatives Kapsner, Kott, Anderson,                                        
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster,                                    
Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kerttula,                                 
McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton,                                             
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf                                                         
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2627
In Memoriam - Alexie "Tutmaralia" Isaac                                                             
By Senator Hoffman; Representatives Kapsner, Kott, Anderson,                                        
Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster,                                    
Gara, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kerttula,                                 
McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg, Samuels, Seaton,                                             
Stepovich, Stoltze, Weyhrauch, Wilson, Wolf                                                         
                                                                                                    
                            UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                  
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill 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 Heinze - from 7:00 p.m., February 20 to 9:30 p.m.,                                   
plane time, February 22, 2004                                                                       
                                                                                                    
Representative Holm - from 7:00 p.m., February 20 to 9:30 a.m., plane                               
time, February 23, 2004                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Representative Kohring - from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., February 23,                                 
2004                                                                                                
                                                                                                    
Representative Joule - from 7:00 p.m., February 26 to 1:00 p.m.,                                    
February 29, 2004                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
Representative Wilson - from 10:30 a.m., February 28 to 6:00 a.m.,                                  
February 29, 2004                                                                                   
                                                                                                    
                         SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS                                               
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                   
notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, In                                  
Memoriam - Victims of the August 20, 2003, Russian Helicopter                                       
Crash on Sakhalin Island, be taken up as a Special Order of Business                                
at this time.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                         
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                   
House approve the citation.  There being no objection, the following                                
citation was approved and sent to enrolling:                                                        
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2628
In Memoriam - Victims of the August 20, 2003, Russian Helicopter                                    
Crash on Sakhalin Island                                                                            
By Representatives Weyhrauch, Kerttula, Kott, Anderson, Berkowitz,                                  
Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Foster, Gara,                                
Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner,                                        
Kohring, Lynn, Masek, McGuire, Meyer, Morgan, Ogg, Rokeberg,                                        
Samuels, Seaton, Stepovich, Stoltze, Wilson, Wolf; Senator Elton                                    
                                                                                                    
                            UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                  
                                                                                                    
HJR 32                                                                                            
Representatives Crawford, Ogg, and Weyhrauch added their names as                                   
cosponsors to:                                                                                      
                                                                                                    
     CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32(FSH) am                                                   
     Relating to the labeling of fish and fishery food products.                                    
                                                                                                    
HJR 35                                                                                            
Representatives Kapsner and Croft added their names as cosponsors                                   
to:                                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
     HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 35                                                                  
     Relating to mad cow disease and country-of-origin labeling for                                 
     meat products.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
HB 84                                                                                             
Representatives Hawker, Stepovich, Samuels, Wolf, Anderson, and                                     
Fate added their names as cosponsors to:                                                            
                                                                                                    
     HOUSE BILL NO. 84                                                                              
     "An Act relating to a curriculum for Alaska history; and providing                             
     for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                    
HB 91                                                                                             
Representative Weyhrauch added his name as cosponsor to:                                            
                                                                                                    
     HOUSE BILL NO. 91                                                                              
     "An Act relating to a cost-of-living allowance and medical                                     
     benefits for retired peace officers after 20 years of credited                                 
     service."                                                                                      
                                                                                                    

2004-02-16                     House Journal                      Page 2629
HB 426                                                                                            
Representative Foster added his name as cosponsor to:                                               
                                                                                                    
     HOUSE BILL NO. 426                                                                             
     "An Act relating to the levy and collection of an assessment on                                
     certain tourism-related and recreation-related goods and services,                             
     to tourism marketing contracts, and to vehicle rental taxes; and                               
     providing for an effective date."                                                              
                                                                                                    
SCR 21                                                                                            
Representative Rokeberg added his name as cross sponsor to:                                         
                                                                                                    
     SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21                                                            
     Relating to declaring March 2004 as Sobriety Awareness Month.                                  
                                                                                                    
                                ENGROSSMENT                                                      
                                                                                                    
HJR 32                                                                                            
CSHJR 32(FSH) am was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief                                     
Clerk and transmitted to the Senate for consideration.                                              
                                                                                                    
                               ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                     
                                                                                                    
House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover.                                 
                                                                                                    
Majority Caucus            Speaker's Chamber                5:30 p.m., 2/16                         
                                                                                                    
The following meetings today have been changed as indicated:                                        
                                                                                                    
Judiciary Committee                                                                                 
CHANGED TO:                                                 1:30 p.m., 2/16                         
                                                                                                    
Resources Committee                                                                                 
CHANGED TO:                                                 1:30 p.m., 2/16                         
                                                                                                    
                                ADJOURNMENT                                                      
                                                                                                    
Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                   
House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., February 18, 2004.  There being no                                  
objection, the House adjourned at 1:16 p.m.                                                         
                                                                                                    
                                              Suzi Lowell                                           
                                              Chief Clerk