Legislature(2011 - 2012)

2011-01-31 Senate Journal

Full Journal pdf

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0127
                                                                                                                                
                                SENATE JOURNAL                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                           ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                          TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                FIRST SESSION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                     Monday                  January 31, 2011                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                Fourteenth Day                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                                             
Stevens at 11:00 a.m.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Olson was absent.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Dr. Phil Campbell                                                              
of Northern Light United Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked                                                                
unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was                                                          
so ordered.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
      Spirit of Life and Source of Goodness, I give thanks that                                                                 
      you have returned the Senate safely to this place for                                                                     
      another week of work. May the prayers offered this day                                                                    
      set the stage for wise, compassionate and productive                                                                      
      decisions. Grant to each one gathered here the capacity                                                                   
      to attend to their responsibilities with dedication and                                                                   
      skill.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
      May the aspirations of all Alaskans, from the least to the                                                                
      greatest, be taken into consideration as deliberations                                                                    
      unfold, and may the needs and the dreams of all parties                                                                   
      be taken into account. O Gracious One, give those who                                                                     
      speak the gift of clarity and grant all in this chamber a                                                                 
      spirit of wisdom. May discussion and debate be                                                                            
      undertaken with vigor, reason and civility, and may your                                                                  
      great gifts of justice, mercy and peace fill this place and                                                               
      guide and uphold all herein. Spirit of Life and Source of                                                                 
      Goodness, receive these and all our prayers.          Amen.                                                               
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0128
Senator French led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Certification                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals                                                               
for the eleventh through thirteenth legislative days be approved as                                                             
certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The presence of Senator Olson was noted.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          Standing Committee Reports                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SB 3                                                                                                                          
The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 3 "An Act                                                                    
providing for funding for school lunch and breakfast" and                                                                       
recommended it be replaced with                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 3(EDC)                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senators Meyer, Thomas, Cochairs; Senator Davis.                                                               
Signing no recommendation: Senator Stevens.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early                                                                           
      Development                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                  Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SB 75                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 75 BY SENATOR THOMAS, entitled:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
             "An Act relating to voluntary deduction of dues for                                                               
               membership in certain retiree organizations; and                                                                
          providing for an effective date."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Labor and                                                         
Commerce Committees.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0129
                             Unfinished Business                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                  Citations                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the following                                                              
citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was                                                         
so ordered.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                          Special Order of Business                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Howard Pollock                                                                                                    
Representative(s) Doogan                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Stevens, Coghill, Davis, Dyson, Egan, Ellis, French,                                                                 
Giessel, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Menard, Meyer,                                                                     
Olson, Paskvan, Stedman, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the citation                                                               
be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to                                                         
the Secretary for transmittal.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Huggins moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                 
from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, February 4                                                                 
through evening plane time, February 6. Without objection, Senator                                                              
Huggins was excused.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kookesh moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                 
from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, February 2 through                                                           
evening plane time, February 3. Without objection, Senator Kookesh                                                              
was excused.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Dyson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                   
from a call of the Senate from 1:00 p.m., February 10 through plane                                                             
time, February 14. Without objection, Senator Dyson was excused.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                 
from a call of the Senate from noon, February 11 through evening                                                                
plane time, February 13. Without objection, Senator Coghill was                                                                 
excused.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0130
Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                   
from a call of the Senate from plane time, February 4 through plane                                                             
time, February 7. Without objection, Senator Olson was excused.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SB 39                                                                                                                         
Senator McGuire moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as                                                                
a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 39 "An Act ratifying an interstate                                                               
compact to elect the President and Vice-President of the United States                                                          
by national popular vote; and making related changes to statutes                                                                
applicable to the selection by voters of electors for candidates for                                                            
President and Vice-President of the United States and to the duties of                                                          
those electors." Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Announcements                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Adjournment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate                                                                 
stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 2, 2011. Without                                                                
objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:29 a.m.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                Kirsten Waid                                                    
                                                     Secretary of the Senate                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0131
                                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                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                     Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             DCCED Overview with Commissioner Bell                                                                             
              Denali Commission - "Sustainable Rural                                                                            
              Communities" with Joel Neimeyer                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Feb 03        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  EDUCATION                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Monday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+= SB   3 FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS                                                                                              
+ SB   1 BD OF ED./EARLY DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT                                                                              
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+ SB  43 ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS                                                                                        
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Feb 04        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+= SB  43 ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS                                                                                       
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0132
                                   FINANCE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Monday                    Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Overview by Department of Revenue: State                                                                          
              Savings Account and Budget Reserves                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                   Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Wednesday                 Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Presentation on Statewide Transportation Economic Indicators:                                                     
              Bill O'Leary, Chief Financial Officer for the Alaska Railroad                                                     
              Corp.; Steve Hatter, Deputy Commissioner of Aviation,                                                             
              Dept. of Transportation                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Feb 03        Thursday                  Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Senate Bill:                                                                                                      
              AN ACT MAKING SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS                                                                         
              <Pending Introduction & Referral>                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 04        Friday                    Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                           HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Monday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                            Capitol 106          3:00 PM                                                 
              Joint with House HSS                                                                                              
              Continuation of Dept. of Health & Social Services Overview                                                        
              Presentations by:                                                                                                 
              - Alaska Statewide Independent Living Council                                                                     
              - Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education                                                        
              - Governor's Statewide Suicide Prevention Council                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
+ SB  12 EXTEND BOARD OF NURSING                                                                                                
+ SB  21 EXTEND SENIOR BENEFITS PAYMENT PROGRAM                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              Presentation: Denali Family Services - Little                                                                     
              Steps Preschool                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0133
                     HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued)                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Feb 04        Friday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  JUDICIARY                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Monday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+= SB  31 COUNTING OF WRITE-IN VOTES                                                                                            
+= SB  33 DISPOSITION OF SERVICE MEMBERS' REMAINS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+ SB  58 INCREASING NUMBER OF SUPERIOR CT JUDGES                                                                                
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Feb 04        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                     Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+             EO 115: REALIGNING THE OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY OF                                                                     
              THE ALASKA AEROSPACE CORPORATION                                                                                  
+ SB  59 EXTEND BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Feb 03        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+ SB  34 SMALL BUSINESS REVOLVING FUND                                                                                          
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  RESOURCES                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Monday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Presentation: Cora Campbell, Commissioner,                                                                        
              Department of Fish & Game                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Feb 02        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Presentation: Follow-Up to Alaska Sustainable Energy Act                                                          
              (SB220, 26th Alaska State Legislature)                                                                            
              Remarks by Senator McGuire and Senator Wielechowski                                                               
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 04        Friday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Presentation: Larry Hartig, Commissioner,                                                                         
              Department of Environmental Conservation                                                                          
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0134
                                STATE AFFAIRS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                         Butrovich 205           9:00 AM                                                 
+ SB  39 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION COMPACT                                                                                     
+ SJR  4 HONORING RONALD REAGAN                                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Feb 03        Thursday                        Butrovich 205           9:00 AM                                                 
+ SB   7 FELONS' RIGHT TO VOTE OR BE JURORS                                                                                     
+ SB  30 RETURN OF SEIZED PROPERTY                                                                                              
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                TRANSPORTATION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                            Barnes 124           1:00 PM                                                 
+             Joint with House Transportation                                                                                   
              1. Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Overview                                                                    
              2. Mobility Coalition Overview                                                                                    
              3. Point McKenzie Rail Extension Overview                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Feb 03        Thursday                        Butrovich 205           1:00 PM                                                 
+ SB  41 SUSPENDING MOTOR FUEL TAX                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                            FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                 CORRECTIONS                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                         Butrovich 205           5:00 PM                                                 
+             Joint with House COR Finance Subcommittee                                                                         
              FY2012 Budget Overview                                                                                            
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                 FISH & GAME                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 10        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+             Department Budget Overview                                                                                        
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 17        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+             Department Budget Overview Continuation                                                                           
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 24        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+             **To be determined**                                                                                              
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0135
                           FISH & GAME (continued)                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Mar 10        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+             Other topics of interest to the committee not                                                                     
              covered previously, Budget Amendments, Q&A                                                                        
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Mar 17        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          8:00 AM                                                 
+             Budget Close Out                                                                                                  
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                           HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Feb 14        Monday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Department Budget Overview                                                                                        
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 16        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Public Health                                                                                                     
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 21        Monday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Behavioral Health - System wide including                                                                         
              implications in other areas, not just the                                                                         
              Behavioral Health budget component, focus on API.                                                                 
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Feb 23        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Medicaid, possible Affordable Care Act and impact                                                                 
              on Medicaid and the Division of Public                                                                            
              Assistance, Home and Community Based Rates,                                                                       
              Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center Rates,                                                                   
              CMS moratorium, Division of Senior and Disability                                                                 
              Services Corrective Action Plan                                                                                   
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Mar 09        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Other topics of interest to the committee not                                                                     
              covered previously, Q&A, Governor's Budget                                                                        
              Amendments                                                                                                        
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0136
                     HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued)                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mar 16        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Budget Close Out                                                                                                  
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               JOINT COMMITTEES                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                           ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Feb 08        Tuesday                   Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Presentation: Update on Alaska's Military, by                                                                     
              Lt. General Dana Atkins, Commander: Alaskan                                                                       
              Command, Alaskan North American Aerospace                                                                         
              Defense Command Region, Joint Task Force Alaska,                                                                  
              and Eleventh Air Force                                                                                            
              Maj. General Thomas Katkus, Adjutant General,                                                                     
              Alaska National Guard; Commissioner, Department                                                                   
              of Military and Veterans' Affairs                                                                                 
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                             LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Feb 03        Thursday                   House Finance 519          11:00 AM                                                  
              Agenda Forthcoming                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Feb 17        Thursday                                   Tba        11:00 AM                                                  
              Agenda Forthcoming                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mar 17        Thursday                   House Finance 519          11:00 AM                                                  
              Agenda Forthcoming                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Apr 07        Thursday                   House Finance 519          11:00 AM                                                  
              Agenda Forthcoming                                                                                                
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                OTHER MEETINGS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                          JOINT IN-STATE GAS CAUCUS                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Feb 01        Tuesday                  H Conf Rm 102 Tsb             12:30 PM                                                 
              Organizational Meeting                                                                                            
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    

2011-01-31                     Senate Journal                      Page 0137
                                JOINT SESSION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Feb 24        Thursday                     House Chamber            11:00 AM                                                  
              Annual Address by the Honorable                                                                                   
              Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Mar 09        Wednesday                    House Chamber            11:00 AM                                                  
              State of the Judiciary Address by                                                                                 
              Chief Justice Walter Carpeneti                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Mar 22        Tuesday                      House Chamber            11:00 AM                                                  
              Annual Address by the Honorable                                                                                   
              Mark Begich, U.S. Senator                                                                                         
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                            MISCELLANEOUS MEETING                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Jan 31        Monday                    Senate Finance 532            1:00 PM                                                 
              School District Legislative Fly-in                                                                                
              Informal Q&A Session Regarding Alaska's                                                                           
              Public School System