Legislature(2009 - 2010)
2009-01-21 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0049 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 21, 2009 Second Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Chenault at 10:01 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representatives Foster and Harris had been excused from a call of the House today. Representative Hawker was absent and his presence was noted later. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, the Reverend Thomas Weise of Cathedral of the Nativity. Representative Dahlstrom 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 beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following prayer. From Psalm 129: Lift up your hearts to the Most High! Let the earth ring with songs of praise! Be glad, O people of the light! Let your life be impregnated by love's gifts. Discover in the great silence the mystery of who you are, and be true to yourself. For wherever you dwell, there is beauty; infinite love is everywhere. Know that the beauty hidden within your soul is seen by the eyes of your heart. Let the still small voice of the Beloved guide you by day and comfort you by night; then you will be blessed and, in turn, you will be a blessing to the world. Gracious God, you created us and placed us within families to learn how to love and be loved. We praise you for your goodness; we thank you for your gifts. Bless our state with 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0050 your love. Raise up in Alaska good and holy families, loving husbands and wives, devoted parents and children. Raise up from our families and friends dedicated and generous leaders who will serve as role models in our communities. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Joule. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Johansen moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the first legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A letter dated December 11, 2008, was read stating that, in accordance with AS 16.05.221, the Governor submits the following names for legislative confirmation of appointment to the boards and commissions noted. The Speaker referred the following to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Resources Committee: Board of Fisheries Judge Karl S. Johnstone (Retired) Appointed: 12/5/2008 Term Expires: 6/30/2009 The Speaker referred the following to the Resources Committee: Board of Game Stanley "Stosh" Hoffman Jr. Appointed: 11/13/2008 Term Expires: 3/1/2011 Resumes for the appointments are on file in the Chief Clerk's office. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated January 20, 2009, was read stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 7:00 p.m., January 22 to hear the Governor's annual State of the State Address. 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0051 A message dated January 20, 2009, was read stating the Senate confirmed the following members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Senator Stevens Senator Wagoner Senator Thomas (Alternate) Senator Wielechowski (Alternate) COMMUNICATIONS The Speaker made the following appointments: Education Funding District Cost Factor Commission (Legislative Resolve No. 62, SLA 2008) Representative Seaton Representative Wilson Representative Hawker Representative Joule Representative Kawasaki Alaska Health Care Commission Representative Keller The following memorandum dated November 18, 2008, was received from Patty Rose, Enrolling Secretary, Division of Legal and Research Services, regarding Chapter 3, SLA 2007, CSHB 21(STA), Twenty- fifth Alaska State Legislature: "I am reporting an error in ch. 3, SLA 2007, that was discovered after enrollment and after printing of the 2007 Session Laws and Resolves of Alaska and has not been corrected. In the enrolled measure, the title is set out incorrectly. The title of the measure as it passed the legislature was "An Act relating to the state flag; and relating to the proper retirement of an official state flag." In the enrolled measure, the title is "An Act relating to the proper retirement of an official state flag." The words, "relating to the state flag; and" were omitted. This is a clerical error." 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0052 The following were received: Alaska Energy Authority Certification of Capital Reserve Funds' Requirement December 11, 2008 (as required by AS 44.83.110) Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Division of Insurance th 70 Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008 (as required by AS 21.06.110) Select Committee on Legislative Ethics Advisory Opinions Rendered by the Committee Volume XXX January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008 (as required by AS 24.60.150) Select Committee on Legislative Ethics Public Decisions Issued by the Committee Volume XII January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008 (as required by AS 24.60.150) Dept. of Environmental Conservation Division of Water Cruise Ship Dilution Study Preliminary Report January 12, 2009 (as required by Chapter No. 29, SLA 2008) Dept. of Environmental Conservation National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Progress Report January 8, 2009 (as required by Chapter No. 95, SLA 2005) 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0053 Dept. of Health & Social Services Annual Report Fiscal Year 2008 Dept. of Law Office of the Attorney General Activities of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws Annual Report September 25, 2008 Legislative Affairs Agency Division of Legal and Research Services Report Listing Alaska Statutes with Delayed Repeals or Delayed Amendments and Examining Court Decisions and Opinions of the Attorney General Construing Alaska Statutes November 2008 (as required by AS 24.20.065) The following audit reports were received from the Division of Legislative Audit, Legislative Budget & Audit Committee, as required by AS 24.20.311: 2008 Annual Report, Unabridged 2008 Annual Report, Condensed Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy Sunset Review December 1, 2008 Available at http://www.legaudit.state.ak.us/ Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors September 22, 2008 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0054 Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska Energy Authority Rural Power System Upgrade Program Procurement Issues August 15, 2008 Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Board of Veterinary Examiners September 22, 2008 Dept. of Health & Social Services Division of Public Health Training, Policies and Practices Related to Reporting Suspected Statutory Rape April 28, 2008 Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund Matanuska Maid September 22, 2008 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: In Memoriam - Nellie "Mrs. Santa Claus" Miller By Senator Therriault; Representative Coghill INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 2 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 by Representatives Ramras, Millett, Johnson, and Chenault: Requesting the governor to provide energy security for all Alaskans by pursuing development of a natural gas bullet pipeline from the North Slope to the Cook Inlet region; and requesting the governor to identify and negotiate with one or more persons 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0055 capable of producing natural gas from the Gubik area, and other areas on the North Slope if necessary, in sufficient quantities to support a bullet pipeline project. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Energy and the Resources Committee. HCR 3 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 by Representatives Ramras, Millett, Johnson, and Chenault: Requesting the governor to provide energy security for all Alaskans by taking and encouraging all action that would support a natural gas bullet pipeline from the North Slope to the Cook Inlet region, including initiating any necessary negotiations to reopen the Agrium plant in Kenai. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Energy and the Resources Committee. **The presence of Representative Hawker was noted. HCR 4 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 by Representatives Ramras, Millett, Johnson, and Chenault: Requesting the governor to provide energy security for Alaskans by taking and encouraging all action to support development of a natural gas bullet pipeline from the North Slope to the Cook Inlet region including advocating an increase in the amount of natural gas that may be exported under authority granted by the United States Department of Energy. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Energy and the Resources Committee. HCR 5 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5 by Representatives Ramras, Millett, Johnson, and Chenault: 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0056 Requesting the governor to provide energy security for all Alaskans by working on significant elements and components to support the timely construction of a natural gas bullet pipeline from the North Slope to the Cook Inlet region and to take necessary action to assist and facilitate the process for a private entity to make a final investment decision to commit to the pipeline before November 1, 2010. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Energy and the Resources Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 78 HOUSE BILL NO. 78 by Representative Olson, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Public Accountancy; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 79 HOUSE BILL NO. 79 by Representatives Ramras and Millett, entitled: "An Act establishing a gas royalty and production tax fund, describing its purpose, and authorizing use of fund proceeds to support power cost equalization." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Johansen 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: 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0057 Honoring - Will Hickman By Representatives Thomas, Chenault, Buch, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Dahlstrom, Doogan, Edgmon, Fairclough, Gara, Gardner, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Herron, Holmes, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Keller, Kelly, Kerttula, Lynn, Millett, Munoz, Neuman, Olson, Petersen, Ramras, Salmon, Seaton, Stoltze, Tuck, Wilson Honoring - Juneau-Douglas High School Boys Swim/Dive Team, 2008 State Champions By Senator Elton; Representatives Kerttula, Munoz, Chenault, Austerman, Buch, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Dahlstrom, Doogan, Edgmon, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Herron, Holmes, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Keller, Kelly, Lynn, Millett, Neuman, Olson, Petersen, Ramras, Salmon, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Tuck, Wilson UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Johansen moved that the House confirm the appointment of Representatives Coghill and Gardner and Representatives Gatto and Gara (Alternates) to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall the House confirm the appointment of Representatives Coghill and Gardner and Representatives Gatto and Gara (Alternates) to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Select Committee on Legislative Ethics Confirm - Representatives Coghill and Gardner Representatives Gatto and Gara, Alternates YEAS: 38 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Austerman, Buch, Chenault, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Dahlstrom, Doogan, Edgmon, Fairclough, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Hawker, Herron, Holmes, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Keller, Kelly, Kerttula, Lynn, Millett, Munoz, Neuman, Olson, Petersen, Ramras, Salmon, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Tuck, Wilson 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0058 Excused: Foster, Harris And so, the appointments were confirmed. The Chief Clerk notified the Senate. Representative Johansen 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 Chenault - from 7:00 a.m., January 23 to 1:00 p.m., January 24 Representative Seaton - from 10:00 a.m., January 31 to noon, plane time, February 9 Representative Thomas - from 10:30 a.m., January 24 to 7:30 p.m., January 25 HB 10 Representative Dahlstrom added her name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 10 "An Act authorizing a borough to charge a city for costs of collecting certain taxes; relating to a mandatory exemption from municipal property taxes for residences of certain widows or widowers, and to optional exemptions from municipal property taxes for property of certain fraternal organizations, for certain college property, and for certain residential property; and providing for an effective date." HB 39 Representative Gardner added her name as joint prime sponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 39 "An Act relating to open meetings guidelines for legislative bodies; and providing for an effective date." 2009-01-21 House Journal Page 0059 HB 58 Representative Ramras added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 58 "An Act relating to a student loan repayment program for specified occupations or fields in which a shortage of qualified employees exists." HB 70 Representative Ramras added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 70 "An Act establishing the farm-to-school program in the Department of Natural Resources, the Alaska grown fresh fruit and vegetable grant program in the Department of Education and Early Development, the farmers' market technology improvement pilot program in the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the farmers to food banks pilot program in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Johansen moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 6:00 p.m., January 22, 2009. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:25 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk