Legislature(2011 - 2012)
2011-02-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0167 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday February 4, 2011 Eighteenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:00 a.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senators Hoffman, Paskvan, were excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Dr. Phil Campbell of Northern Light United Church. Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. On Wednesday I mentioned public theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr, author of the Serenity Prayer. As I prepared for my final morning of prayer with you, other words of Niebuhr came to mind. Those of you gathered here inevitably deal with disagreement and divergent views. At times when I have been in the midst of conflict and divergence, Niebuhr's words spoke to me and thus I offer them to you. He would often say amid the fray, "We must fight their falsehood with our truth, but we must also fight the falsehood in our truth." With the challenge of Niebuhr' s words in mind, I invite us into a time of reflection and prayer together. Let us pray: I thank you, Gracious Creator, for meaningful work and for the opportunity to serve this great state and all its inhabitants. Embolden all of us to act with the courage of our convictions, and grant to us also a spirit of humility that we may be attentive to viewpoints and experiences different 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0168 from our own. Remind us that whatever our perspective, it is unavoidably partial, and that together we see a larger portion of the entire picture than any of us can alone. And now, abide with all those gathered here in their deliberations and considerations. O Gracious Creator, in this time of service, hear these and all our prayers. Amen. Senator Coghill led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the sixteenth and seventeenth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated February 2 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HJR 13 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 BY REPRESENTATIVES STOLTZE, Pruitt, Thomas, Costello, Chenault, Fairclough, Hawker, Johansen, Johnson, Keller, Millett, Neuman, Olson, Seaton, P.Wilson, Gatto, Lynn, Saddler, Munoz, Thompson, Herron, Honoring President Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. Senator Wielechowski, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent that the State Affairs Committee referral be waived on HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 Honoring President Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth. The State Affairs Committee passed SENATE 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0169 JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Honoring President Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth, out of committee, (page 155) with a do pass recommendation. Without objection, the resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Standing Committee Reports SB 12 The Health and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 12 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Nursing; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Davis, Chair; Senators Meyer, Dyson, Egan, Ellis. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 31 The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to the counting of write-in votes" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 31(JUD) Signing do pass: Senator French, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Paskvan, McGuire. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 33 The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to the disposition of remains of a member of the military if the member dies while in a duty status" and recommended the adoption of the State Affairs Committee Substitute offered on page 111. Signing do pass: Senator French, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Paskvan, McGuire. 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0170 The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 16 The Health and Social Services Committee considered HOUSE BILL NO. 16 "An Act extending senior benefits." Signing do pass: Senator Davis, Chair; Senators Dyson, Meyer, Egan, Ellis. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health and Social Services The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 6 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 BY SENATOR OLSON, Urging the United States Army and United States Air Force to extend the public comment period for the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex Modernization and Enhancement Environmental Impact Statement that ends February 18, 2011, for a minimum of 90 days to allow for effective communication and full state and user involvement during the comment period. was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 78 SENATE BILL NO. 78 BY SENATOR MCGUIRE BY REQUEST, entitled: 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0171 "An Act relating to liability of certain limited liability organizations holding liquor licenses." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. SB 79 SENATE BILL NO. 79 BY SENATOR MENARD, entitled: "An Act making a special appropriation to the Knik Arm Crossing fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. SB 80 SENATE BILL NO. 80 BY SENATOR MENARD, entitled: "An Act relating to the authority and obligations of the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority, to bonds of the authority, and to reserve funds of the authority; authorizing the state to provide support for certain obligations of the authority; relating to taxes and assessments on a person that is a party to an agreement with the authority; and establishing the Knik Arm Crossing fund." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. SB 81 SENATE BILL NO. 81 BY SENATOR DAVIS, entitled: "An Act establishing as a standard for the procurement of group life and health insurance for retirement systems for certain public employees a requirement that dependent coverage medical benefits provided to the systems' retiree members may not be less than dependent coverage medical benefits provided to the systems' active members." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0172 SB 82 SENATE BILL NO. 82 BY SENATOR DAVIS, entitled: "An Act relating to the procedures and jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Social Services for the care of children who are in state custody; relating to court jurisdiction and findings pertaining to children who are in state custody; and modifying the licensing requirements for foster care." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Judiciary Committees. SB 83 SENATE BILL NO. 83 BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act providing for payment and loan incentives to public school teachers for national board certification." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. SB 84 SENATE BILL NO. 84 BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to funding for high school vocational education as a component of funding for public schools; increasing the base student allocation used in the public school funding formula; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0173 Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - Mary C. Krogstad Senator(s) Huggins, Olson, Stevens, Coghill, Davis, Dyson, Egan, Ellis, Giessel, Hoffman, Kookesh, McGuire, Menard, Meyer, Paskvan, Stedman, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski In Memoriam - M. Celeste Toussaint Senator(s) Davis, Stevens, Coghill, Dyson, Egan, Ellis, Giessel, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Menard, Meyer, Olson, Paskvan, Stedman, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski Senator Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 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 Honoring - Edward S. Itta Senator(s) Olson, Hoffman, Stevens, Coghill, Davis, Dyson, Egan, Ellis, French, Giessel, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Menard, Meyer, Paskvan, Stedman, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski Representative(s) Joule 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. 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0174 Senator Huggins moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, February 11 through evening plane time, February 13. Without objection, Senator Huggins was excused. SB 33 Senator McGuire moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to the disposition of remains of a member of the military if the member dies while in a duty status." Without objection, it was so ordered. HB 16 Senator Thomas moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cross sponsor on HOUSE BILL NO. 16 "An Act extending senior benefits." 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 7, 2011. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:14 a.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0175 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 08 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 10 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Alaska's Mayors Forum ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 04 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM += SB 43 ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 07 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM += SB 43 ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 09 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM += SB 43 ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 11 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM += SB 43 ALASKA PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 09 Wednesday Barnes 124 8:00 AM + Joint House/Senate Education Committee Meeting Presentation: Best Beginnings/Early Childhood Program 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0176 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 11 Friday Barnes 124 8:00 AM Joint House/Senate Education Committee Meeting + Presentation: Higher Education and Career Readiness Task Force Mar 18 Friday Barnes 124 8:00 AM Joint House/Senate Education Committee Meeting + Presentation: State Board of Education and Early Development ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 04 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 07 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 3 FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS + HB 16 EXTEND SENIOR BENEFITS PAYMENT PROGRAM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 08 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 09 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation on the Goose Creek Prison by the Department of Corrections + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 10 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation on Oil and Gas Tax Credits by the Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 11 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 04 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0177 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued) Feb 07 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentations: Department of Health & Social Services Overview Commissioner William Streur Alaska Health Care Commission Report/Update Deborah Erickson, Executive Director and Ward Hurlburt, MD, MPH, Chair Feb 09 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 17 SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS AS SCHEDULE IIA + Citizen Review Panel + Office of Children's Services Christy Lawton, Acting Director Feb 11 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 04 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 07 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 62 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND + SB 72 CRIMES INVOLVING MINORS/STALKING/INFO + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 09 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Reducing the Cost of Crime: Therapeutic Courts, Doug Wooliver, Court System Prisoner Reentry Programs Carmen Gutierrez, Department of Corrections Bridge Home Program Jeff Jessee, Mental Health Trust Authority + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 11 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0178 LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 08 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 70 ALASKA HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 10 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 38 POLICE & FIREFIGHTER DEATH BENEFITS + SB 67 LOAN FUNDS:CHARTERS/MARICULTURE/MICROLOAN + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 04 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Larry Hartig, Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation Feb 07 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 24 SPORT FISHING GUIDES: BOARD; LICENSES Presentation by Bill Sponsor (public comment at a later date) + SB 44 SOUTHEAST STATE FOREST Presentation and Public Comment Feb 09 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 42 POWER PROJECT; ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY Presentation by AEA Feb 11 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 42 POWER PROJECT; ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY Presentation by AEA (continued from previous meeting if necessary) Public Comment ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 08 Tuesday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM There will be no State Affairs Committee Meeting Due to a Meeting of the Joint Armed Services Committee Feb 10 Thursday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM += SB 18 DURATION OF REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS + SCR 2 UNIFORM RULES: PRESIDING OFFICER PRO TEM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0179 TRANSPORTATION Feb 08 Tuesday Barnes 124 1:00 PM + Joint with House & Senate Transportation Cmte Overview: Alaska Marine Highway System and the Marine Transportation Advisory Board Feb 08 Tuesday Barnes 124 2:30 PM + SJR 6 MILITARY OPERATIONS AREAS EXPANSION + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 10 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:00 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Feb 08 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 5:30 PM + FY2012 Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Feb 09 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Goose Creek Correctional Center Subcommittee Members will be Guests of the Senate Finance Committee Mar 03 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 5:30 PM Rehabilitation and Parole Initiatives Mar 10 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 5:30 PM Inmate Health Care, Medical Information System Community Residential Centers, Community Jails Mar 17 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 5:30 PM Closeout ---------------------------------------- COURT SYSTEM Feb 10 Thursday Sen Conf Rm 103 Tsb 4:00 PM + Overview and FY12 Budget Request Feb 22 Tuesday Sen Conf Rm 103 Tsb 4:00 PM + FY12 Budget Request 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0180 COURT SYSTEM (continued) Mar 15 Tuesday Sen Conf Rm 103 Tsb 3:00 PM + Closeout ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Feb 24 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM + Overview & FY12 Request Mar 01 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM + FY12 Budget Request Mar 10 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM + FY12 Budget Request Mar 17 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM + Closeout ---------------------------------------- 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> -- 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> -- ---------------------------------------- 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0181 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> -- Mar 16 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Budget Close Out -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Feb 14 Monday Fahrenkamp 203 12:00 PM Budget Overview by Commissioner Clark Bishop Department Overview Mar 09 Wednesday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM Budget Overview Continued (if necessary) Mar 10 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 11:00 AM Budget: Department Addresses Additional Questions and Overview of House Budget Actions 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0182 LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (continued) Mar 14 Monday Fahrenkamp 203 4:00 PM Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Feb 22 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Overview of the Department & FY12 Budget Request Mar 08 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Overview of the Department & FY12 Budget Request Mar 10 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Overview of the Department & FY 12 Budget Request Mar 15 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Overview of the Department & FY12 Budget Request ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Feb 17 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Budget Overview by Commissioner Dan Sullivan Department Overview Mar 08 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 12:00 PM Budget & Department Overview Continued (if necessary) Mar 11 Friday Fahrenkamp 203 12:00 PM Budget - Department Addresses Committee Questions Overview of House Budget Actions Mar 17 Thursday Fahrenkamp 203 12:00 PM Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Feb 08 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM + Department Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Feb 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM + Status of VPSO Program + Status of AST Recruitment and Retention -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0183 PUBLIC SAFETY (continued) Feb 22 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM + Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Programs -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 08 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM + Pre-Close-Out and Question/Answer Session -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM + Budget Close-Out -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION REVIEW Feb 15 Tuesday Fahrenkamp 203 1:30 PM + Overview: Regulation Process ---------------------------------------- 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> -- ---------------------------------------- HIGHER EDUC/CAREER READINESS TASK FORCE Mar 10 Thursday Terry Miller Gym 9:00 AM + Discuss Preliminary (Draft) Recommendations to the Legislature Detailed Agenda to be Announced Mar 11 Friday Terry Miller Gym 1:00 PM + Discuss Preliminary (Draft) Recommendations to the Legislature Detailed Agenda to be Announced 2011-02-04 Senate Journal Page 0184 LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Feb 10 Thursday House Finance 519 10:30 AM Audits: Executive Session + Other Committee Business <Teleconference Invitation Only> ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 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 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