2003-04-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 0708
The bill would repeal the existing AS 37.17 statutes that create the                                
ASTF, its endowment fund, and the programs it administers -                                         
foundation grants and the BIDCO assistance program. The statute                                     
creating the international trade and business endowment in the ASTF                                 
also would be repealed. Subject to appropriation, the bill would                                    
provide for the transfer to the general fund of the money remaining in                              
the ASTF endowment fund and in the international trade and business                                 
endowment.                                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Oversight administration of existing ASTF foundation grants and                                     
BIDCO assistance program loans and other financial assistance would                                 
be transferred to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export                                      
Authority. A new Alaska BIDCO assistance program, very similar to                                   
the repealed BIDCO assistance program, also would be established, to                                
be administered by the Department of Community and Economic                                         
Development.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
The bill also would make amendments in several other statutes to                                    
conform them to the changes described above.                                                        
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this bill.                                        
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor                                                                                            
                                                                                                    
SB 174                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 174 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
              "An Act relating to the annual salary of the chief                                   
             procurement officer; and providing for an effective                                   
          date."                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration