Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2022-03-09 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2022-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1971 SB 226 SENATE BILL NO. 226 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the Alaska marine highway system fund and the Alaska marine highway system vessel replacement fund; establishing the Alaska marine highway system fund and the Alaska marine highway system vessel replacement fund outside the 2022-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1972 general fund; authorizing the commissioner of transportation and public facilities to expend money from the Alaska marine highway system fund and the Alaska marine highway system vessel replacement fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Fiscal Note No. 2, Office of the Governor Fiscal Note No. 3, Office of the Governor Governor's transmittal letter dated March 8: Dear President Micciche: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the removal of the Alaska Marine Highway System fund (AMHS fund) and the Vessel Replacement fund from the general fund, authorizing that money appropriated to the AMHS fund or the Vessel Replacement fund may be spent by the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) without further appropriation, and defining purposes for which funds may be expended from the AMHS fund. This bill provides a framework for funding sources for legislative appropriation into the AMHS fund and provides stability to the AMHS fund and the Vessel Replacement fund by establishing both funds outside the general fund. This bill permits the DOT&PF Commissioner to use the AMHS fund to pay costs incurred through the operation of the Alaska Marine Highway System, excluding capital improvements, and otherwise fund and support the operation of Alaska Marine Highway System without the need of additional legislative appropriations. Additionally, the bill permits the DOT&PF Commissioner to use the Vessel Replacement 2022-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1973 fund for refurbishment of existing state ferry vessels, acquisition of additional state ferry vessels, and replacement of retired or outmoded state ferry vessels without further legislative appropriation. Passage of this bill will ensure a stable accounting and operating budget for the Alaska Marine Highway System. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor