Legislature(2003 - 2004)
2004-01-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1943 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE -- SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 16, 2004 Fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Therriault at 10:13 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senators Davis, Wilken were excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Guess was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, The Venerable Mark Boesser, Archdeacon of Southeast Alaska for the Episcopal Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. The story goes that an old Arab died and left his estate to his three sons: one-half to the eldest, one- third to the middle son, and one-ninth to the youngest. The trouble was the total inheritance amounted to seventeen camels, and when the family tried to divvy things up, they found that seventeen could not be divided by two or three or nine. So what to do? "Not to worry." A neighbor solved the problem very simply by lending them one camel so there would be a total of eighteen. It was easy now to divide the estate: one-half, nine camels, went to the eldest; one-third, six went to the middle son; one- ninth, two, went to the youngest. Nine plus six is fifteen plus two equals seventeen. So they divided the estate, returned the borrowed eighteenth camel to the neighbor, and all was well. 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1944 A point I'd like to draw from that neat story, is that each of us probably has some sort of "camel" to at least loan to a fellow legislator to assist in solving some seemingly unsolvable problem or meeting some really difficult need. My prayer this morning is that as the legislative session unfolds, each person here may find it in his or her heart to be that kind of a neighbor. Amen. Senator Gary Stevens led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the third and fourth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Message dated January 13 and received January 14 was read, stating: Under the provision of article III, section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am requesting the opportunity to address a Joint Session of the Twenty-third Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. to provide an update of the initiatives and developments of the administration. Messages from the House Message dated January 13 was read, stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Twenty-third Alaska Legislature at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25 for the purpose of hearing Chief Justice Alexander O. Bryner present the annual State of the Judiciary message. 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1945 Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate accept the House invitation to meet in Joint Session. Without objection, it was so ordered. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. Communications The following Budget and Audit Report was received from Pat Davidson, Legislative Auditor, in accordance with AS 24.20.311 and is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: State of Alaska, Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, Annual Report 2003 The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Annual Report of the Alaska Drinking Water and Clean Water Loan Funds from Ernesta Ballard, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation in accordance with AS 37.05.035 and AS 46.03.032 State of Alaska's Assumption of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System from Ernesta Ballard, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation in accordance with Chapter 50, SLA 2002 Standing Committee Reports SB 259 The Health, Education and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 259 "An Act establishing the SeniorCare program and relating to that program; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Dyson, Chair; Senators Green, Davis, Wilken. Signing no recommendation: Senator Guess. 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1946 The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health and Social Services Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Health and Social Services Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Health and Social Services Fiscal Note No. 5, Department of Health and Social Services The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 14 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 14 BY SENATORS WAGONER, Wilken, entitled: "An Act relating to the base student allocation used in the formula for state funding of public education; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services and Finance Committees. SB 267 SENATE BILL NO. 267 BY SENATOR WILKEN, entitled: "An Act relating to the exemption from taxation of real property used as the primary residence of the widow or widower of a resident 65 years of age or older, and to tax equivalency payments for the widow or widower of a resident 65 years of age or older." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. SB 268 SENATE BILL NO. 268 BY SENATOR WILKEN, entitled: "An Act relating to the safe storage of firearms." 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1947 was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. SB 269 SENATE BILL NO. 269 BY SENATOR GREEN, entitled: "An Act relating to access to the library records of a child by a parent or guardian." was read the first time and referred to Community and Regional Affairs and Health, Education and Social Services Committees. SB 270 SENATE BILL NO. 270 BY SENATOR GREEN, entitled: "An Act establishing November as Avalanche Awareness Month." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Valdez High School Girls Volleyball Team, 2003 State 3A Championships Representative(s) Harris Senator(s) Therriault, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, Green, Guess, Hoffman, Lincoln, Seekins, Stedman, Ben Stevens, Gary Stevens, Wagoner, Wilken In Memoriam - Ford Horst Representative(s) Weyhrauch, Kerttula Senator(s) Elton, Therriault, Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Green, Guess, Hoffman, Lincoln, Seekins, Stedman, Ben Stevens, Gary Stevens, Wagoner, Wilken 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1948 Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Dyson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 4 through plane time, March 7, from evening plane time, March 9 through March 15 and from noon, March 19 through March 21. Without objection, Senator Dyson was excused. Senator Wagoner moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from evening plane time, January 29 to plane time, February 1. Without objection, Senator Wagoner was excused. Senator Ogan moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from plane time, February 13 to plane time, February 16 and from plane time, March 8, to plane time, March 15. Without objection, Senator Ogan was excused. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 4 through February 6. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate to plane time, January 20. Without objection, Senator Olson was excused. Senator Lincoln moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 5 and February 6. Without objection, Senator Lincoln was excused. Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, March 11 to morning plane time, March 15. Without objection, Senator Ben Stevens was excused. 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1949 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Ben Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., January 20, 2004. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:32 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate January 2004 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1950 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 16 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 19 Monday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 21 Wednesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 23 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 16 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 19 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 20 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1951 FINANCE (continued) Jan 21 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM SB 259 SENIORCARE Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 21 Wednesday House Finance 519 1:30 PM -- Time and Location Change -- Joint W/(H) Finance Committee Meeting Presentation by the Denali Commission Jan 22 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 23 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 19 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 21 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 22 Thursday Capitol 124 1:00 PM -- Time and Location Change -- Joint w/(H) Education + Overview: Alternative Governance for Charter Schools ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 16 Friday Beltz 211 1:00 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 21 Wednesday Beltz 211 8:00 AM += SJR 18 CONST. AM: PF APPROPS/INFLATION-PROOFING += SJR 19 CONST. AM: PERMANENT FUND INCOME Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1952 LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 20 Tuesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 22 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM + Overview: Pulltabs Subcommittee Report -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 16 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 19 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 21 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += HCR 10 RESTORATION OF RIPARIAN HABITAT + SB 241 APPROP: NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY + SB 247 AK NATURAL GAS DEV. AUTHORITY INITIATIVE Jan 23 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Jan 20 Tuesday Beltz 211 3:30 PM + SB 190 KENAI RIVER SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA + SB 167 INTRODUCTION OF BILLS + SCR 8 AMENDING UNIFORM RULES 37 AND 44 Jan 22 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Jan 20 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Overview of Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority 2004-01-16 Senate Journal Page 1953 JOINT COMMITTEES SALMON INDUSTRY TASK FORCE Jan 18 Sunday House Finance 519 1:00 PM Final Discussion of Subcommittee Recommendations to the Task Force Jan 19 Monday House Finance 519 8:00 AM Final Discussion of Subcommittee Recommendations to the Task Force ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Jan 26 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM Senator Bunde will offer a presentation, "The High School Graduation Qualifying Exam - A Refresher" to provide legislators staff and others the opportunity to review the history of the exam, what the law contains and new developments since 2001. Copies of the Practice Test will be available. All are welcome.