2006-02-08                     Senate Journal                      Page 2102
SB 271                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 271 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                   
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                               
                                                                                                    
           "An Act authorizing the commissioner of                                                  
           transportation and public facilities to participate in                                   
           certain federal highway programs and relating to that                                    
           authorization; relating to powers of the attorney                                        
           general to waive immunity from suit in federal court                                     
           related to those programs; 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                                                                                   
     Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Environmental                                           
       Conservation                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 7:                                                     
                                                                                                    
Dear President Stevens:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill that would authorize the Alaska Department of                                   
Transportation and Public Facilities to assume certain federal                                      
programmatic and environmental responsibilities as provided for by                                  
the United States Congress in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,                                      
Efficient Transportation Equity Act:  A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-                                  
LU), P.L. 109-59.  A prerequisite to assumption of the duties is that                               
the State of Alaska agree to a waiver of immunity to suit in federal                                
court for those duties specifically assumed from the United States                                  
Department of Transportation.                                                                       

2006-02-08                     Senate Journal                      Page 2103
Under the recent SAFETEA-LU amendments, the State of Alaska is                                      
one of only five named states with the opportunity to participate in a                              
so-called "pilot program" for assumption of duties and responsibilities                             
under 23 U.S.C. 327 (National Environmental Policy Act of 1969).                                    
This bill provides a unique opportunity for the State of Alaska to have                             
more direct involvement, and control, in the planning and decision-                                 
making process involved with many public projects.                                                  
                                                                                                    
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                            
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor