2003-05-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 1183
SB 213                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 213 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
               "An Act establishing the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll                                   
                 Authority and relating to that authority; and                                     
            providing for an effective date."                                                       
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance                              
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Transportation and Public                                         
  Facilities                                                                                        
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated May 5:                                                          
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill establishing the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll                                       
Authority and relating to that authority.                                                           
                                                                                                    
This bill establishes an independent authority to build and operate a                               
toll bridge over Knik Arm. The authority would be able to receive                                   
federal money and issue revenue bonds to finance the toll bridge and                                
its appurtenant facilities. The authority would design, construct, and                              
operate the bridge and its facilities.                                                              
                                                                                                    
The authority would be a public corporation that, although an                                       
instrumentality of the state within the Department of Transportation                                
and Public Facilities, would have a separate independent legal                                      
existence from the state. The revenue of the authority would not                                    
become part of the general fund and the property of the authority                                   
would be exempt from taxation.                                                                      
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2003-05-06                     Senate Journal                      Page 1184
The bill establishes a three-person board to govern the authority. The                              
commissioners of revenue and transportation and public facilities                                   
would serve on the board, along with a member of the public                                         
appointed by the governor for a five-year term.                                                     
                                                                                                    
Construction of a Knik Arm bridge is a cornerstone of my public                                     
transportation development plan. A Knik Arm bridge will unite                                       
Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to enable growth                                        
throughout southcentral Alaska.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor