Legislature(2005 - 2006)
2006-01-18 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2301 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 18, 2006 Tenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Harris at 10:16 a.m. Roll call showed 32 members present. Representatives Kohring and Wilson had been previously excused from a call of the House today. Representative Kott was absent and his presence was noted later. Representatives Samuels and Stoltze were absent. Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives Foster and LeDoux be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Berkowitz be excused from a call of the House today and his presence was noted later. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, the Reverend George Silides of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Representative McGuire moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With the deepest respect for the religious traditions of each person here, I invite you into a time of prayerful reflection. Creator, who has made the Earth to turn in its seasons and gives each as a gift to those who live upon it, teach us to wait with patience the due season of our own hopes and plans, and to value the time it takes to prepare well for the day of its coming. Temper our best ambitions, born of our sense of right and duty and 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2302 purpose, with a tenderness and compassion for the ambitions of others, whose own dreams are held with no less passion. Help us who retain the wonderful anonymity of private citizenship to remember and respect the difficulty of living lives whose stories are no longer their own, but public property-an enormous weight to bear. To the gentle members of this House whose actions bear such consequence, grant a wisdom to know when delay is best and when swift action is the better course. Upon the great complexity of numbers and budgets, of interest rates, and dollars per barrel, Lord, help us to put a human face. Watch over all our families, I pray, especially those who have given their loved ones to us for a season; and upon the staff who work to provide the critical support and information so necessary for right choices to be made, I also ask your favor. For all our sake. Amen The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Gatto. Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Weyhrauch be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered and Representative Weyhrauch left the Chamber. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the ninth legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HCR 13 A message dated January 17, 2006, was read stating the Senate has passed: CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13(RES) Expressing the legislature's support for the construction of a natural gas spur pipeline between Fairbanks and the Nenana Basin and Southcentral Alaska, commending the interest and initiative of the sponsors of that project, and encouraging the appropriate state resource agencies to lend support to those efforts. 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2303 CSHCR 13(RES) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up later as a Special Order of Business: In Memoriam - Chief Warrant Officer Four Chester William Troxel, Alaska Army National Guard By Representative Rokeberg; Senator Ben Stevens INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 27 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27 by Representatives Coghill and Gruenberg: Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation amending the Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans Allotment Act to allow deserving veterans to obtain allotments of vacant land within the State of Alaska; and to reopen and legislatively approve allotments in the Tongass National Forest. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the State Affairs Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 51 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 51 by Representatives Meyer, Holm, and Ramras, entitled: "An Act relating to modifying the qualifications required for workers' compensation self-insurance and permitting employers in the same trade or industry to form an employer association for self-insured workers' compensation coverage; and providing for an effective date." 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2304 was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 377 HOUSE BILL NO. 377 by Representative Meyer, entitled: "An Act relating to an exemption from certain registration and practice requirements for persons preparing drawings or specifications related to the construction of certain buildings." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 378 HOUSE BILL NO. 378 by Representative Thomas, entitled: "An Act designating a representative of Chilkat Snowburners, Inc. as an ex officio member of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Advisory Council and removing the mayor of the City of Haines as an ex officio member of the council." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Resources Committees. HB 379 HOUSE BILL NO. 379 by Representative Meyer, entitled: "An Act relating to controlled substances." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. HB 380 HOUSE BILL NO. 380 by Representative Meyer, entitled: "An Act relating to the powers and duties of the commissioner of environmental conservation; relating to animals, animal products, agricultural products, and the transportation of animals and animal products; relating to the employment, appointment, and duties of a state veterinarian by the commissioner of environmental 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2305 conservation; relating to the powers of the commissioner of natural resources regarding agricultural products; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. HB 381 HOUSE BILL NO. 381 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the financing of construction, major maintenance, and renovation of facilities for the University of Alaska; relating to the financing of construction of a correctional facility; authorizing the commissioner of revenue to sell the right to receive a portion of the anticipated revenue from a tobacco litigation settlement to the Northern Tobacco Securitization Corporation, with the proceeds of that sale to finance construction, major maintenance, and renovation of facilities for the University of Alaska and to finance the construction of a correctional facility; providing for the establishment of funds for deposit of those proceeds; authorizing the issuance of bonds by the Northern Tobacco Securitization Corporation for the purpose of acquiring the right to receive a portion of anticipated revenue from a tobacco litigation settlement; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 17, 2006, follows: "Dear Speaker Harris: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the financing of construction, major maintenance, and renovation of facilities for the University of Alaska; relating to the financing of construction of a correctional facility; 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2306 authorizing the commissioner of revenue to sell the right to receive a portion of the anticipated revenue from a tobacco litigation settlement to the Northern Tobacco Securitization Corporation, with the proceeds of that sale to finance construction, major maintenance, and renovation of facilities for the University of Alaska and to finance the construction of a correctional facility; providing for the establishment of funds for deposit of those proceeds; and authorizing the issuance of bonds by the Northern Tobacco Securitization Corporation for the purpose of acquiring the right to receive a portion of anticipated revenue from a tobacco litigation settlement. This bill is quite similar to previous measures that securitized a total of 80 percent of the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement revenue stream. See secs. 9 and 10, ch. 130, SLA 2000 and secs. 3 and 4, ch. 96, SLA 2001. This bill would securitize the residual revenue stream that reverts back to the general fund once the outstanding tobacco bonds authorized by the previous legislation are repaid. In other words, that 80 percent of the revenue stream from the settlement of State of Alaska v. Philip Morris, Incorporated, et al, No. 1JU-97-915 CI (Alaska Super. 1997) will remain securitized for a longer period. The bill anticipates that the state will realize at least $89,250,000 in proceeds, with a possibility that additional amounts would be raised. The bill authorizes the proceeds to be spent on certain University of Alaska capital projects, and on a prison in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, subject to appropriation for those purposes. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely yours, /s/ Frank H. Murkowski Governor" CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2307 Honoring - Henry Aristide "Red" Boucher, on His 85th Birthday By Representatives Stoltze, Foster, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kelly, Kerttula, Kott, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Thomas, Weyhrauch Honoring - Southeast Alaska Marine Pilots' Association By Representatives Weyhrauch, Kerttula, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kelly, Kott, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas; Senator Elton Honoring - Chugiak High School Wrestling: A Proud Tradition By Representatives Stoltze, Dahlstrom, Kott, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Elkins, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kelly, Kerttula, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Thomas, Weyhrauch; Senators Huggins, Dyson Honoring - The Wainwright Search and Rescue Heroes By Representatives Joule, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Kapsner, Kelly, Kerttula, Kott, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Weyhrauch Honoring - Sally Donaldson, Alaska Counselor of the Year By Senator Elton; Representatives Kerttula, Weyhrauch, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kelly, Kott, LeDoux, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2308 Honoring - Robert N. Jacobsen, Junior Achievement 2006 Laureate By Senator Elton; Representatives Kerttula, Weyhrauch, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kelly, Kott, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas In Memoriam - Barbara T. Walker By Representatives Weyhrauch, Kerttula, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kott, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas; Senator Elton In Memoriam - Marceline "Marcy" C. White By Representatives Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kelly, Kerttula, Kott, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Rokeberg, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Weyhrauch UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Gatto - from 7:00 p.m., January 18 to 10:00 p.m., plane time, January 22, 2006 Representative Neuman - from 6:00 p.m., January 19 to 10:00 a.m., plane time, January 23, 2006 Representative Rokeberg - from 6:00 p.m., January 19 to 10:00 a.m., plane time, January 23, 2006 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2309 Representative Meyer - from 7:00 p.m., January 19 to noon, January 21, 2006 Representative Cissna - from 7:00 p.m., January 19 to 10:00 p.m., January 23, 2006 Representative Anderson - from January 19 to 7:00 p.m., plane time, January 23, 2006 Representative McGuire - from 7:00 p.m., January 19 to 7:00 p.m., plane time, January 23, 2006 Representative Chenault - from 7:00 a.m., January 20 to 10:00 a.m., January 23, 2006 Representative Croft - from 7:00 a.m., January 20 to 10:00 a.m., plane time, January 24, 2006 **The presence of Representative Kott was noted. **The presence of Representative Berkowitz, who was excused (page 2301), was noted. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, In Memoriam - Chief Warrant Officer Four Chester William Troxel, Alaska Army National Guard, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that all members of the House be shown as cosponsors of the citation. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: 2006-01-18 House Journal Page 2310 In Memoriam - Chief Warrant Officer Four Chester William Troxel, Alaska Army National Guard By Representatives Rokeberg, Harris, Anderson, Berkowitz, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Croft, Dahlstrom, Elkins, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Holm, Joule, Kapsner, Kelly, Kerttula, Kohring, Kott, LeDoux, Lynn, McGuire, Meyer, Moses, Neuman, Olson, Ramras, Salmon, Samuels, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Weyhrauch, Wilson; Senator Ben Stevens UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 175 Representatives Hawker and Kerttula added their names as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 175 "An Act relating to the creation of a civil legal services fund." HB 67 Joint action was not taken on the following bill and the engrossed and enrolled copies were returned to the Office of the Governor for permanent filing: CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 67(brf sup maj fld H) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government, for certain programs, and to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., January 20, 2006. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:50 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk