2004-01-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 1995
SB 279                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 279 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
           "An Act authorizing and relating to the issuance of                                      
           bonds by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation                                          
           for safe and clean water and hygienic sewage                                             
           disposal facility capital projects and other capital                                     
           projects; providing for the repayment of the bonds                                       
           and bond costs; relating to the dividend paid to the                                     
           state by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation;                                         
           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 Revenue                                                     
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of article III, section 18, of the Alaska                                       
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to provide financing for water                               
and sewer projects. This bill would allow direct financing of projects                              
and provide matching funds required by federal grant programs to                                    
build the projects. Funds would come from bonds issued by the Alaska                                
Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC). Repayment of costs of the                                       
bonds by AHFC (including principal and interest), would be offset by                                
a reduction in AHFC's dividend to the state.                                                        
                                                                                                    
The technical and financial support delivered by this bill to Alaska                                
communities will allow them to benefit from the improvement in                                      
public health, economic development, and quality of life that follows                               
when adequate water and sewer facilities are built.                                                 
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2004-01-23                     Senate Journal                      Page 1996
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely yours,                                                                                    
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor