Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/28/2017 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB8 | |
| SJR4 | |
| HB18 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 18-RACE CLASSICS
4:22:54 PM
CHAIR BISHOP called the meeting back to order and announced
consideration of HB 18.
4:22:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 18, introduced himself.
ELIZABETH BOLLING, staff to Representative Daniel Ortiz, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced herself.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ said HB 18 is a simple, straight-forward
race classics bill. While it is simple and straight-forward, it
is also necessary for the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce to
obtain a race classic permit as the term "race classic" is so
narrowly defined in statute as to provide only for the Mt.
Marathon race classic held by the Seward Chamber of Commerce.
The Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce also has an interest in
obtaining a race classic permit for a human race, the Race to
Alaska, which is a non-motorized boat race beginning in Port
Townsend, Washington, and ending in Ketchikan, Alaska. It is a
750-mile race, and the idea of attaching this to a race classic
permit will allow the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce to do a
little fundraising by providing the opportunity for people to
wager on the exact day, hour, minute, and second of the arrival
of the first-place boat.
4:25:14 PM
BILL SWIFT, Executive Director, Greater Ketchikan Chamber of
Commerce, Ketchikan, Alaska, said the Chamber unanimously
supports HB 18. Their research has determined that specific
legislative authorization is necessary to have a race classic,
and HB 18 gives the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce permission to
conduct a charitable community fund raiser of this type based
around the Race to Alaska by including this event within the
state's existing definition of a "race classic." It specifies
that this event would be administered by the Ketchikan Chamber
of Commerce.
The tradition of classics is a fun and common form of Alaskana,
and a great many non-profit entities throughout Alaska have been
given permission by the legislature to conduct classic fund
raisers of this type: dog mushers, rain classics, fish derbies,
moose derbies, and goose and canned salmon classics.
MR. SWIFT said there is a strong precedent for the Chamber to
host events of this type. Similar events are hosted by the
Chamber organizations for Juneau, Fairbanks, Kenai, Seward,
Petersburg, Delta, and Big Lake. He thanked the legislature for
taking time to consider their request for what is a relatively
small administrative change that is necessary and does not cost
the state anything.
4:28:16 PM
CHELSEA GOUCHER, Vice President, Ketchikan Chamber Board of
Directors, Ketchikan, Alaska, wholeheartedly supported HB 18.
She related that she is currently employed as an account
representative for Alaska Marine Lines, but in the past she was
employed by the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce as executive
director. Representative Ortiz's bill would allow the Ketchikan
Chamber of Commerce to raise money by operating and
administering a race classic with a gaming permit as is
currently done by the Seward Chamber with the Mount Marathon
Race Classic.
MS. COUCHER said she also supports Mr. Swift's letter of support
adding that the monies it generates can be put towards projects
the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce has undertaken recently such
as workforce development initiatives, economic and community
development programs, lighting of the town Christmas tree and
the July 4th parade, employee wellness training, informational
programs, networking events to encourage a vibrant economy,
assistance to new and developing businesses, hosting special
programs such as the Ketchikan Marine Industry Council,
fostering the Ketchikan Young Professionals Network, and
advocating for a sound business plan for Ketchikan and the
entire state, as well as doing close work with organizations
like Southeast Conference, the Alaska Chamber, the Alaska Forest
Association, and the Alaska Miners Association. These activities
are self-funded by the Chamber which relies on very little
government money or grants and depends primarily on member dues
and fund-raisers to function.
She said HB 18 would help sustain these efforts despite
decreases elsewhere in the community, state, and local funding.
In fact, a race classic would likely attract outside money as
racers, families and friends, sports fans, and residents of Port
Townsend, and the race's community of origin can buy a chance to
win this newest of race classics.
4:30:55 PM
JASON CUSTER, member, Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce, Ketchikan,
Alaska, supported HB 18. He agreed with comments by Mr. Swift
and Ms. Goucher. He said the Chamber is probably the largest and
most diverse non-profit organization in Ketchikan with 274
members.
The benefits of HB 18 to their organization and community would
include providing a new source of locally generated, self-
generated revenue for community projects, which otherwise would
not be present. It supports community development and economic
development activities and programs. HB 18 will help get
Alaskans and residents of Ketchikan excited about contributing
to community projects and initiatives, promoting a culture of
community giving and self-sufficiency. This would not cost the
state anything, but creates a new source of funding for
community projects and initiatives.
MR. CUSTER said numerous Chambers around the state have been
given the ability to administer similar programs including
Juneau, Fairbanks, Petersburg, and Seward.
4:33:15 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN said HB 18 is a good idea. This race is a good
way for a community to generate money and also have fun. He
noted that this one-sentence bill is the shortest he has seen
and it has a zero fiscal note, too.
SENATOR MACKINNON referred to the games of chance and contest of
skills statute and said it seems that an entire chapter was
created to say okay to gaming one issue at a time, and she
wondered, given the current recession the state is in and folks,
non-profits specifically, trying to work for themselves, why
they should continue to have one agency and one non-profit at a
time come forward to ask for permission to do something which
requires years of advance planning. Because as she understands
it, they still have to comply with the same rules. Is there any
reason the door was not opened wider? Are they just complying
with this past practice for all the individual requests?
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that they are just complying with
past practice.
CHAIR BISHOP found no further comments and closed public
testimony. He held HB 18 in committee to await Senator
MacKinnon's amendment.