2019-02-20                     House Journal                      Page 0178
HB 53                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 53 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act making supplemental appropriations for fire suppression                                                            
     activities and restoration projects relating to earthquake disaster                                                        
     relief; capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date."                                                         
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 25 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Chief Clerk:                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska State                                                              
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to supplemental                                                                 
appropriations for the State's operating and capital budgets for Fiscal                                                         
Year (FY) 2019 related to the Southcentral Earthquake Disaster.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Days before I took office, Alaska was hit by the second-largest                                                                 
earthquake in our history. In the two short months that have followed,                                                          
roads have been repaired, cleanup efforts have been organized, and                                                              
emergency responders have secured the safety of impacted Alaskans.                                                              
The total costs of the earthquake response cannot be accurately                                                                 
calculated yet. The full damage to highways may not be known until                                                              
spring. An estimated appropriation for disaster relief that includes                                                            
funding for federal match requirement, authority to receive federal                                                             
disaster relief funding, and a capitalization of the Disaster Relief Fund                                                       
is transmitted for consideration. Further, this legislation provides                                                            
funding for the FY 2019 fire suppression season.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
I urge the favorable consideration of this request.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Michael J. Dunleavy                                                                                                             
Governor"