Legislature(2021 - 2022)ADAMS 519
03/26/2021 02:00 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB128 | |
| HB27 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 128 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 26, 2021
2:01 p.m.
2:01:39 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Merrick called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 2:01 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair
Representative Kelly Merrick, Co-Chair
Representative Dan Ortiz, Vice-Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter (via teleconference)
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Bart LeBon
Representative Sara Rasmussen
Representative Adam Wool
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative DeLena Johnson
Representative Steve Thompson
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Zack Fields, Sponsor; Sara Perman, Staff,
Representative Louise Stutes.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Connor Bell, Fiscal Analyst, Legislative Finance Division;
Colleen Glover, Director, Tax Division, Department of
Revenue; William Webber Sr., Self, Cordova; Kim Aspelund,
Self, Cordova; Mike Webber, Self, Cordova; Katrina
Hoffmann, Self, Cordova; Mike Lesmann, Legislative Liaison,
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
SUMMARY
HB 27 NAMING IRENE WEBBER BRIDGE
HB 27 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 128 USE OF INTERNET FOR CHARITABLE GAMING
HB 128 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
Co-Chair Merrick reviewed the agenda for the day.
HOUSE BILL NO. 128
"An Act relating to charitable gaming online ticket
sales and activities."
2:02:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ZACK FIELDS, SPONSOR, briefly reintroduced
the bill. House Bill 128 ensured that charitable gaming
operators could sell raffle tickets online. It would extend
an authority established by regulation for the pandemic and
proved to be beneficial in all circumstances.
Co-Chair Merrick indicated Representative Edgmon had joined
the meeting. She asked Connor Bell from the Legislative
Finance Division to review the fiscal note.
2:03:17 PM
CONNOR BELL, FISCAL ANALYST, LEGISLATIVE FINANCE DIVISION,
reviewed the fiscal note associated with the legislation.
The bill would allow for certain charitable gaming
activities to be conducted online. The Department of
Revenue (DOR) would need to establish standards for online
ticket sales and guidelines. The department did not expect
any change in revenues or operating expenditures and would
be able to make any needed changes with its current
resources. He indicated that while there might be some
revenue impact, the total impact to the state for gaming
was about $500,000 per year. Therefore, any impact to state
revenue would be relatively small.
Co-Chair Merrick reported Representative Wool had joined
the meeting.
Representative Wool asked Mr. Bell if state gaming revenue
totaled about $500 million. He asked if the figure included
all charitable gaming. Mr. Bell responded positively and
clarified that the figure was net of expenses related to
the administration of the tax. The amount did not reflect
gross receipts.
Co-Chair Merrick invited Ms. Glover from the Tax Division
to comment.
Mr. Connor added that the total UGF revenue from charitable
gaming was about $2.4 million in FY 20. Representative Wool
clarified that the net revenue for charitable gaming after
expenses was $500,000. Mr. Bell thought the number was
correct based on the fiscal note. The Department of Revenue
could provide additional information.
2:05:50 PM
COLLEEN GLOVER, DIRECTOR, TAX DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF
REVENUE (via teleconference), reported that the annual
proceeds for all charitable gaming revenue was
$2.4 million. The majority of revenue came from pull tab
taxes comprising approximately $2.0 million of the
$2.5 million in gaming revenues. The bill did not impact
the pull tab tax. The other revenue to the state included a
net proceeds fee (net proceeds on on proceeds over
$20,000). There were also license and permit fees of about
$500,000 per year. Those would be the only proceeds
impacted by the bill.
Representative Wool asked whether it would make a
significant revenue impact if there was a sudden surge in
ticket sales. Ms. Glover replied that it would take a large
quantity of additional sales to generate significant
revenue. Representative Wool queried about Bingo revenues.
Ms. Glover responded that Bingo comprised about 10 percent
of the $500,000 in gaming revenues.
Representative LeBon noted the non-profit community
participating in Bingo or other gaming events realized a
significant benefit. He spoke based on his tenure on the
Fairbanks Downtown Association. The association was a
beneficiary of a downtown Bingo operation. He wondered how
much a non-profit community would benefit.
Representative Fields had heard that some non-profits had
doubled their income on certain events even during the
pandemic. He thought it was surprising in a positive way.
He hoped it was the case more broadly with the authority in
the legislation. Only time would tell whether there would
be gains on a sustained basis.
2:09:28 PM
Co-Chair Merrick OPENED public testimony.
2:09:42 PM
Co-Chair Merrick CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Merrick indicated amendments were due by noon on
Sunday, March 28, 2021. She intended to take up amendments
on Monday and pass the bill out of committee if possible.
2:10:06 PM
AT EASE
2:10:49 PM
RECONVENED
HOUSE BILL NO. 27
"An Act naming the irene Webber Bridge."
2:10:57 PM
SARA PERMAN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES,
introduced HB 27. She reported that the 3-line bill simply
renamed an unidentified bridge in Cordova, known formally
by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOT) as Bridge 406 Scott Glacier #6 to the irene Webber
Bridge. She relayed that irene Webber was a Cordovan who
passed away in 2018. Naming the specified bridge after her
would serve to remind her Cordovan friends and neighbors of
the legacy she left behind.
Ms. Perman continued that irene was an Alutiiq woman born
in Ellamar near Tatitlek. She later moved to Cordova where
she raised her family. irene along with her husband and
their three children ran a seining operation in Prince
William Sound. irene was best remembered as an avid runner.
She was not a life-long runner, rather, she began running
as an adult. Earlier in life irene struggled with alcohol
dependency. As she got sober, she turned to running. Her
daughter, Kim, shared that running empowered and
invigorated her mom.
Ms. Perman relayed that in pursuing her passion, irene
founded the Cordova Running Club and was integral in
founding many of the local running events. She was likely
best remembered for running and founding the sole King
Salmon Marathon in 1986. She decided to run it and did a
full marathon length. Thirty-five years latter and in
addition to the King Salmon Marathon, there was the Sockeye
Half Marathon, the Coho 10 K, the Humpy 5 K, and the Smooth
1-mile Fun Run. The runs paralleled the Cordova Salmon runs
and 200 to 300 people attended each year. In addition to
working with the runs, irene was integral in creating the
Cancer 2 x 2 walks and the Sudden Infant Death Bike-a-thon
in Cordova.
Ms. Perman wanted to share a few anecdotes she learned from
family members. Her daughter, Kim, shared that on the boat,
"Dad may have been the captain of the boat, but Mom was
always the admiral." Kim also shared that everyone in town
knew irene, and it was common for people to call her,
"Grandma irene." irene liked to honk her horn and wave
every time she saw runners on the road.
Ms. Perman noted that the spelling of irene's name was
always spelled with a lower case "i" which was how irene
spelled it. A friend spoke that it was diminutive in
figure, and irene did not consider herself larger than
everybody else. The family requested that her name be
spelled with a lower case "i" on any signage.
Ms. Perman continued that the bridge in question was
9.5 miles between Cordova city center and the airport. The
bridge crossed the Scott River and looked back towards the
Scott Glacier. Notably, the Cordova Marathon and the Half
Marathon Salmon runs spanned over the area. The area was
also known as a local hub for recreation and contained the
9 Mile Sand Pile, an area for picnicking and other
activities. The area had 4-wheeling, snow machining, and
forest service trails nearby. The family identified with
the area because it was an area where families spent time
together.
Ms. Perman pointed out that there were two resolutions in
members': one from the City of Cordova and one from the
Native Village of Eyak supporting the bill. Additionally,
there was a fiscal note from DOT in the amount of $10,158
and was associated with the cost of materials for the signs
including the signage, the posts, the sauna tubes, and the
installation. She was happy to answer any questions the
committee might have.
Representative Edgmon spoke in support of the bill. He had
seen the bill in a prior session, but it did not make it to
the finish line before the session ended. He thought the
story was very uplifting and it was appropriate to name the
bridge after an ordinary citizen yet an unsung hero. He
recalled that irene became a runner in her fifties. Ms.
Perman thought his guestimate was close. Representative
Edgmon believed irene was an Alaska Native. He thought it
was amazing for someone to become a walker in their fifties
and even more remarkable to become a runner in their
fifties. He reiterated his support of the bill.
Representative Rasmussen spoke in support of the
legislation. She thought anytime the legislature could
recognize an outstanding Alaskan woman was an effort she
could happily support. She was excited to hear from the
family and appreciated the respectful and appropriate
remarks made about Ms. Webber.
2:16:51 PM
WILLIAM WEBBER SR., SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference),
spoke fondly of his wife, irene. He provided a little
background about her life and revealed her addiction to
alcohol. She sought help to recover from her alcoholism
which saved their marriage. He indicated they had three
children and several grandchildren. She started running to
take care of her health at which time she started a running
club. She got many community members running. The marathons
attracted people from all over the country. He missed his
wife since she passed away.
2:20:16 PM
KIM ASPELUND, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), irene's
daughter, considered her mom a very inspirational person.
She admired her mom dealing with her drinking addiction.
Ms. Aspelund was a runner in college and taught her mom how
to run. irene was a strong Aleut woman who worked hard on
the family boat in the summers and was the root of the
family. The family missed irene very much. She thought the
naming of the bridge after her mother was a perfect
dedication. She inspired the community with her ambition
with the American Cancer Society and raising money for
Saint Jude's. She started many events in Cordova that
remained in place over several years. A proclamation for
"irene Webber Day" was issued by the mayor years prior
because of irene being an inspirational and passionate
person. She thanked the committee.
2:23:23 PM
MIKE WEBBER, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), irene's
son, fully supported HB 27. His mother had a big heart. She
was also known for being a very strong and competitive
fisherwoman. He spoke of her running the beaches in several
fishing areas around the state. She touched many people's
hearts through her inspiration. He thought it was a huge
honor to see his mother's name on the highway in Cordova.
He considered his mother a hero in the community of Cordova
and the family. He appreciated members supporting the bill
and thanked the committee for the opportunity to share.
2:26:27 PM
KATRINA HOFFMANN, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), was
impressed with the legacy that irene left behind. She
mentioned the philanthropic work irene did in support of
Saint Jude's Hospital and the American Cancer Society. She
thought irene was a woman worth honoring. She described the
site around the bridge.
Co-Chair Merrick relayed there were folks online to review
the fiscal note.
2:28:46 PM
MIKE LESMANN, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (via teleconference),
reported that the costs associated with the fiscal note
were material costs only. He mentioned that the costs of
the signs had increased since the prior bill was introduced
in the previous legislative session, specifically the cost
of aluminum. There were several things to considered when
DOT constructed and placed traffic signs. The Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities provided the services
in accordance with a document, The Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), by the Federal Highway
Administration. The department had an accompanying manual,
The Alaska Traffic Manual, that spoke to some of the
state's more unique and specific circumstances in Alaska.
He noted that the MUTCD was the nation's guidebook and was
supported by all of the DOTs across the United States. Like
the National Conference of State Legislatures which
provided good research information and best practices
guidelines to legislatures, state transportation agencies
belonged to the American Association of State Highway
Transportation Officials (AASHTO). He was happy to provide
additional information.
2:31:38 PM
Co-Chair Merrick OPENED public testimony.
2:31:55 PM
Co-Chair Merrick CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Merrick indicated amendments were due by Sunday,
March 28, 2021 at noon.
Representative LeBon complimented the Webber family for
their inspirational testimony. He thanked family members
for calling in to testify.
Co-Chair Merrick reviewed the agenda for the following
meeting on Monday, March 29, 2021.
ADJOURNMENT
2:32:51 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:32 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 27 Map of Bridge 406, Scott Glacier 6 3.03.2021.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB 27 Supporting Resolutions from City of Cordova and Native Village of Eyak.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM SFIN 5/4/2021 9:00:00 AM |
HB 27 |
| Sponsor Statement HB 27 vA 03.03.2021.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 27 |
| HB 128 Letter of Support AK WSF Received as of 3.19.2021.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 128 |
| HB 128 Letter of Support SCI AK Received as of 3.19.21.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 128 |
| HB128 Letter of Support APHA Received as of 3.20.2021.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 128 |
| HB 128 Public Testimony 032621.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 128 |
| HB 128 Public Testimony Pkt 2 032621.pdf |
HFIN 3/26/2021 2:00:00 PM |
HB 128 |