Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2003-01-29 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0071 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE -- FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 29, 2003 Ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Therriault at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Wilken was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Larry Rorem of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. In deepest respect for the religious beliefs of each person here, I invite you into a time of prayer and reflection. Let us pray. Dear generous, all giving God, we give thanks for these leaders who serve. We give thanks for their generosity of time and energy that is devoted to public service. Our state needs them and needs to be willing to show appreciation and thankfulness. We live in an age when compassion and love are too often replaced by division. Respect is replaced by disrespect. People in leadership are under intense and sometimes unfair scrutiny. As agendas build for our leaders, help them to grow in their inter-connectedness with all people. Uphold and bless each Senator gathered here today in being good listeners and good decision makers for all God's people who call Alaska home. In Your Holy Name. Amen. 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0072 Senator Dyson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the seventh and eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Investment Earnings for the Alaska Marine Highway Vessel Replacement Fund from William A. Corbus, Commissioner, Department of Revenue in accordance with AS 37.05.550(c) Investment Earnings for the Alaska Marine Highway System Fund from William A. Corbus, Commissioner, Department of Revenue in accordance with AS 19.65.070 Developmental Disabilities Waitlist Report for FY02 from Joel Gilbertson, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social Services in accordance with AS 47.80.140(d) Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Fiscal 2002 Annual Report from Robert D. Storer, Executive Director in accordance with AS 37.13.170 State of Alaska Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002 from Department of Administration, Division of Finance in accordance with AS 37.05.210 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0073 Anticipated Expenditures from the International Airports Construction Fund from Mike Barton, Acting Commissioner, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in accordance with AS 37.15.420 Underground Storage Tank Revolving Loan Fund Annual Report Fiscal Year 2002 from the Department of Environmental Conservation, Spill Prevention and Response Division in accordance with AS 46.03.410 The Trustees' Papers Volume VII from Jim Sampson, Chair, Board of Trustees, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Standing Committee Reports Report dated January 28 was read, stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Senate Finance Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Commissioner, Department of Revenue William Corbus There were no stated objections to the confirmation of the named individual by committee members. This does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against him during any further sessions. Signing the report: Senators Wilken, Green, Cochairs; Senators Austerman, Hoffman, Stevens, Olson, Bunde. 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0074 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 40 SENATE BILL NO. 40 BY SENATOR COWDERY, entitled: "An Act relating to construction of highways by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. SB 41 SENATE BILL NO. 41 BY SENATOR GREEN, entitled: "An Act relating to medical care and crimes relating to medical care, including medical care and crimes relating to the medical assistance program." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, Judiciary and Finance Committees. SB 42 SENATE BILL NO. 42 BY SENATOR GREEN, entitled: "An Act relating to the office of victims' rights." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Judiciary Committees. SB 43 SENATE BILL NO. 43 BY SENATOR OLSON, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the State Medical Board." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0075 SB 44 SENATE BILL NO. 44 BY SENATOR OLSON, entitled: "An Act relating to the recovery of the expenses of the Department of Environmental Conservation that are incurred when containing or cleaning up a discharge, release, or threatened release of oil; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. SB 45 SENATE BILL NO. 45 BY SENATOR GREEN, entitled: "An Act relating to the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. SB 46 SENATE BILL NO. 46 BY SENATOR GUESS, entitled: "An Act relating to stalking and to violating a protective order; and amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. SB 47 SENATE BILL NO. 47 BY SENATOR WAGONER, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Nursing." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0076 SB 48 SENATE BILL NO. 48 BY SENATOR WAGONER, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Unfinished Business Senator Davis moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from noon, January 31, through plane time, February 2. Without objection, Senator Davis was excused. Senator Wagoner moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from 5:00 p.m. January 30, through morning plane time, February 3. Without objection, Senator Wagoner was excused. Senator Cowdery moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on January 31, through morning plane time, February 3. Without objection, Senator Cowdery was excused. Senator Ogan moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from evening plane time, February 13, through morning plane time, February 17. Without objection, Senator Ogan was excused. Senator Austerman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from noon, February 6, through evening plane time, February 9. Without objection, Senator Austerman was excused. Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from February 7 through February 10. Without objection, Senator French was excused. 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0077 SB 13 Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 13, "An Act prohibiting discrimination in insurance rates based on credit rating or credit scoring; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 19 Senators French and Dyson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 19, "An Act amending the definition of group health insurance, and allowing the Department of Administration to obtain a policy or policies of group health care insurance for employers that are small businesses, nonprofit organizations, special services organizations, or small associations for insurance purposes; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 28 Senators French and Dyson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 28, "An Act amending the definition of group health insurance, and allowing the Department of Administration to obtain a policy or policies of group health care insurance for employers that are small businesses, nonprofit organizations, special services organizations, or small associations for insurance purposes; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SJR 4 Senator French moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, to oil and gas exploration, development, and production. Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0078 Adjournment Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:00 a.m., January 31, 2003. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:22 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate January 2003 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0079 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Jan 29 Wednesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 30 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0080 JUDICIARY Jan 29 Wednesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Capitol 122 1:00 PM -- Time and Location Change -- + Joint w/(H) Judiciary Confirmation Hearings: Select Committee on Legislative Ethics- Dennis "Skip" Cook Shirley McCoy Herman G. Walker, Jr. ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 30 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM Confirmation Hearing: Greg O'Claray Commissioner, Dept of Labor Feb 26 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM -- Time and Location Change -- + Joint w/(H) Labor and Commerce Confirmation Hearings: Regulatory Commission of Alaska- Dave Harbour Mark Johnson ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 31 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2003-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0081 RULES Feb 03 Monday Fahrenkamp 203 1:00 PM Organizational Meeting Longevity Pay Increment Policy ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Jan 30 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 11 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM SB 31 RAILROAD UTILITY CORRIDOR TO & IN CANADA ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION REVIEW Feb 05 Wednesday Beltz 211 8:30 AM Introductory Organizational Meeting ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS FISH CAUCUS Feb 05 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Status of AK Commercial Seafood Industry: Chris McDowell