Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2008-01-15 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1567 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday January 15, 2008 First Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Green at 3:09 p.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senator Cowdery was excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Stedman was absent. Senator Green cited Uniform Rule 15 and stated Senator Cowdery was excused due to illness. A letter, dated October 22, 2007, from Senator Cowdery's physician is on file in the Senate Secretary's Office. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, The Reverend Hunter Silides, Associate Pastor of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. May the God who created us hold us now, granting us quietness of mind and peace of heart. Gracious Lord, I thank you for this moment. I ask that you fill it with your presence that your power and love may be felt in this body. Sustain these servants of your people. Guard and protect those they left at home, I pray. Give to all those gathered here a sure knowledge that their parents, children and loved ones are secure in your hands, that they may diligently perform the tasks they have been set. May it please you to bless them with wisdom, insight and patience. May they uphold one another and work together for the common good. 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1568 Make them brave in defense of justice, and of all the peoples of this blessed land. Keep us all humble in the face of your mighty creation, and make us faithful stewards of the riches you have bestowed upon us in nature. Lord, these my brothers and sisters have a mighty work laid out for them. You have given them a will to do what is best for our people, give them now also the means to do it. And finally, Gracious One, I ask you to deal gently with them. Hold them tenderly in your mercy as pressures mount that they may deal gently with one another. And whenever in doubt, dear God, remind us simply to return to you and be restored. Amen. Senator Kookesh led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Green appointed Senator Ellis and Senator Therriault to inform the Governor that the Senate is ready to do business. President Green appointed Senator Bunde and Senator Kookesh to inform the House that the Senate is ready to do business. Certification Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the thirtieth legislative day of the Second Special Session and the Final Supplement of the Second Special Session be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Introduction of Senate Floor Staff Senator Elton introduced the following Senate Pages: Alida Bus Jeff Fanning Stephanie Orsi Jake Kreuzenstein April Shoemaker Lauren Brooks 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1569 Messages from the Governor Message dated December 18, 2007, was read, stating: Under the provisions of article III, section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am hereby requesting the opportunity to address a joint session of the Twenty-Fifth Alaska State Legislature on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. for presentation of the State of the State and State of the Budget Address. Messages from the House Message dated January 9 was read, stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Twenty-fifth Alaska Legislature at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15 for the purpose of hearing the Governor's State of the State and Budget message. Follow-up message dated January 15 was read, stating: At your request, I am asking that the starting time for the joint session to hear the State of the State and Budget message be changed from 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The change in time will accommodate the Governor's out of state travel plans for personal reasons. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate accept the House invitation to meet in Joint Session at 4:00 p.m. Without objection, it was so ordered. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. Message dated January 9 was read, stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Twenty-fifth Alaska Legislature at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 19 for the purpose of hearing Senator Ted Stevens' annual message to the legislature. 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1570 Senator 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 reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: 2007 Report Listing Alaska Statutes with Delayed Repeals or Delayed Amendments and Examining Court Decisions and Opinions of the Attorney General Construing Alaska Statutes from Division of Legal and Research Services Legislative Affairs Agency in accordance with AS 24.20.065(b) th 69 Annual Report, Calendar Year 2006 - Fiscal Year 2007 from Linda S. Hall, Director, Division of Insurance Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development in accordance with AS 21.06.110 Financial Statements and Schedules with Independent Auditors' Report, June 30, 2007 and 2006 from Alaska Energy Authority in accordance with AS 44.83.940 2007 Annual Report, Promoting a Healthy Alaska Offering Hope and Opportunity from Karleen K. Jackson, Commissioner Department of Health and Social Services in accordance with AS 18.05.020 Alaska Annual Report on Activities of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws from Deborah E. Behr, Alaska Uniform Law Commissioner Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1571 The following Budget and Audit Reports were received from Pat Davidson, Legislative Auditor, in accordance with AS 24.20.311 and are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Condensed 2007 Annual Report from the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee Unabridged 2007 Annual Report from the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee Department of Education and Early Development, Special Education Service Agency, October 9, 2007 Recess Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 3:26 p.m. After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Harris called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Green, who called the Joint Session to order at 4:02 p.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear an address by the Honorable Sarah Palin, Governor. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. Representative Samuels moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1572 President Green appointed Representative Roses and Senator Hoffman to escort the Governor to the Joint Session. The Senate Sergeant at Arms, Gary Stambaugh, announced Governor Palin's entrance to the House Chamber. The Honorable Sarah Palin was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Green. Governor Palin delivered her address. This address appears in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 10. Governor Sarah Palin received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Senator Hoffman and Representative Roses. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Green adjourned the Joint Session at 4:30 p.m. After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 4:39 p.m. President Green stated the Senate would move down the calendar to Unfinished Business. Without objection, the Senate proceeded to: Unfinished Business Senator Davis moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on January 18. Without objection, Senator Davis was excused. Senator Bunde moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from September 1 through November 30. Without objection, Senator Bunde was excused. 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1573 SB 101 Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that SENATE BILL NO. 101 "An Act relating to private professional conservators and private and public guardians" be returned to the Labor and Commerce Committee. Without objection, the bill was returned to the Labor and Commerce Committee. President Green stated that a letter dated January 15 had been received from Senator Cowdery, Rules Committee Chair, resigning his chairmanship of the Rules Committee effective immediately. The letter is on file in the Office of the Senate Secretary. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:00 a.m., January 16, 2008. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 4:46 p.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1574 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 17 Thursday Beltz 211 3:30 PM -- Meeting Postponed to 1/22/08 -- + SB 161 COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 22 Tuesday Beltz 211 3:30 PM -- Meeting Postponed from 1/17/08 -- += SB 161 COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 16 Wednesday House Finance 519 1:00 PM + Joint with House Finance FY 2009 Budget Overview and Policy Discussion, by Dir. Karen Rehfeld, Office of Management and Budget Jan 17 Thursday House Finance 519 1:00 PM + Joint with House Finance Overview of Governor's Proposed FY 2009 Budget, by Dir. David Teal, Legislative Finance Division 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1575 FINANCE (continued) Jan 18 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 16 Wednesday Butrovich 205 10:30 AM + 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee Crime Summit -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Jan 17 Thursday Butrovich 205 8:30 AM + 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee Crime Summit -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 15 Tuesday Beltz 211 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled = SB 28 LIMIT OVERTIME FOR REGISTERED NURSES = SB 107 NATUROPATHS Jan 17 Thursday Beltz 211 1:30 PM + SB 147 WORKERS' COMP EMPLOYER LIABILITY <Bill Hearing Postponed> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled = SB 120 UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION BENEFITS = SB 28 LIMIT OVERTIME FOR REGISTERED NURSES = SB 107 NATUROPATHS ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 18 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Teleconference -- Gas Offtake, Resource Considerations in the 'Maximum Benefit' Equation Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1576 RESOURCES (continued) Jan 19 Saturday Butrovich 205 11:00 AM -- Teleconference -- -- Note Time Change -- Alaska's Gas: How Our Current Fiscal Policies Stack Up; North American and International Regimes Administration: Departments of Revenue and Natural Resources -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Jan 29 Tuesday House Finance 519 9:00 AM Denali Commission Presentation Consider Final & Preliminary Audits Audit Software Other Committee Business ---------------------------------------- SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS Jan 16 Wednesday Beltz 211 1:00 PM FULL COMMITTEE: Open Session Public Comment Chair/Staff Report Budget Advisory Opinions: 07-05 Blackberry Use 07-08 Legislative Travel & Campaigning Legislative Internship Programs Committee Rules of Procedure Legislation Update Other Business SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE: Executive Session Public Comment Executive Session Public Session HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE: Executive Session Public Comment Executive Session Public Session ---------------------------------------- 2008-01-15 Senate Journal Page 1577 TASK FORCE ON THE REGULATORY COM OF AK Jan 21 Monday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM + Legislative Resolve 11 - RCA TASK FORCE + Overview with Commissioner Anthony Price Jan 22 Tuesday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM + Legislative Resolve 11 - RCA Task Force + Overview with Commissioner Anthony Price ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 19 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM Annual Address by the Honorable Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- VPSO TASK FORCE Jan 18 Friday Beltz 211 8:00 AM -- Rescheduled from 01/04/08 -- Findings & Recommendations for Report to Legislature (due in February) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --