2022-03-14                     House Journal                      Page 2084
HB 400                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 400 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act providing that the Alaska Railroad Corporation is subject                                                          
     to the Executive Budget Act; providing that expenditures of the                                                            
     Alaska Railroad Corporation are subject to appropriation; and                                                              
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance                                                          
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 11 follows:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Stutes:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill making the Alaska Railroad                                                               
Corporation (ARRC) subject to the Executive Budget Act (AS 37.07)                                                               
and providing that the expenditures of the ARRC are subject to                                                                  
legislative appropriation.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
This bill requires the ARRC to comply with the Executive Budget Act                                                             
similar to other public corporations and state agencies. This bill also                                                         
requires that the ARRC be responsible for the operating, capital, and                                                           
debt service expenditures of the corporation in accordance with                                                                 
appropriations made by the Legislature.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
This bill increases the accounting and fee collection oversight by the                                                          
legislature and the executive branch in relation to the operations of the                                                       
ARRC, requiring it to engage in the same budgeting and accounting                                                               
processes as other state agencies.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"