2003-04-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 0708
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                                              

2003-04-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 0709
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 to the annual salary of the chief                                      
procurement officer.                                                                                
                                                                                                    
The salary of the chief procurement officer (CPO) is set in statute in                              
AS 36.30.010(d). The salary of the CPO is currently at range 23 of the                              
salary schedule established in AS 39.27.011. This bill would set the                                
annual salary of the CPO at range 24. The increase in the salary of the                             
CPO is being requested because the CPO now will head the division of                                
general services in the Department of Administration; the director                                  
position of that division is being eliminated. The duties normally                                  
performed by the director of general services will be undertaken by the                             
CPO. But, because the CPO salary is set in statute, the additional                                  
duties to be performed by the CPO cannot be compensated with an                                     
increase in pay without a change in law.                                                            
                                                                                                    
The duties to be assumed by the CPO as head of the division of                                      
general services are in keeping with the statutory duties and powers of                             
the CPO as set out in AS 36.30.010(b). Due to the expanded duties to                                
be undertaken by the CPO as head of the division of general services, I                             
propose that the annual salary of the CPO be increased from range 23                                
to range 24.                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
This bill will not result in an increased appropriation because the                                 
increase in the pay range for the CPO provides for an annual salary                                 
that is less than the annual salary ordinarily paid a division director.                            
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor