2003-04-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 0707
SB 173                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 173 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
     "An Act repealing statutes pertaining to the Alaska Science                                    
     and Technology Foundation and transferring money in the                                        
     foundation's endowment; repealing statutes relating to the                                     
     BIDCO assistance program; repealing statutes pertaining to                                     
     the international trade and business endowment and                                             
     transferring money in the international trade and business                                     
     endowment; transferring oversight administration of                                            
     outstanding Alaska Science and Technology Foundation                                           
     loans and grants to the Alaska Industrial Development and                                      
     Export Authority; establishing an Alaska BIDCO assistance                                      
     program to be administered by the Department of                                                
     Community and Economic Development; making                                                     
     conforming amendments; and providing for an effective                                          
     date."                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Community and Economic                                            
   Development                                                                                      
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated April 3:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill relating primarily to the Alaska Science and                                    
Technology Foundation (ASTF) and the programs it currently                                          
administers.                                                                                        

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