Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/09/2013 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB94 | |
| HB84 | |
| HB99 | |
| HB153 | |
| HB56 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 96 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 94 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 153 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 99(RES)
"An Act relating to the membership of the Alaska
Minerals Commission; and extending the termination
date of the Alaska Minerals Commission."
9:38:58 AM
Representative Saddler explained that HB 99 would help to
ensure the growth and sustainability of the minerals
development and mining sector of Alaska's economy by
extending the Alaska Minerals Commission by an additional
10 years. The commission was established by the legislature
in 1986 and has since been reauthorized four times. The
commission is responsible for identifying road blocks to
mineral development in the state and for making
recommendations to the governor and the legislature on how
to clear any obstacles. The commission meets three times
per year in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau where
commissioners deliver an annual report to the capital
during the first ten days of the legislative session. Since
the commission's last reauthorization in 2003 it had made
several key recommendations which the legislature had since
implemented or was currently working on putting into place:
· Reforming the state's permitting process to make
permitting more timely and efficient
· Funding infrastructure development under the Roads to
Resources program
· Asserting and defending public access to roads, trails
and navigable waters
Representative Saddler reiterated that the commission was a
proven and affordable voice for an important sector of
Alaska's economy; mining employed 4,500 Alaskans and
provided over $600 million in direct and indirect payroll.
The bill provided for three year terms and a limit of two
consecutive terms, in addition to the annual election of a
chair and a vice-chair.
9:41:14 AM
Co-Chair Meyer queried when the commission was last
audited.
Representative Saddler replied that there had never been a
request made to audit the commission.
9:41:33 AM
Co-Chair Meyer understood that the bill would provide for a
10 year sunset date. He wondered if the request was
standard.
Representative Saddler replied in the affirmative. He added
that the commission had previously received several 5 year
extensions and one 10 year extension.
9:42:35 AM
KRIS CURTIS, AUDITOR, DIVISION OF LEGISLATIVE AUDIT,
testified that the division had no opinion on the
legislation because it had not performed an audit on the
commission. She furthered that the commission was an entity
that was not subject to mandatory audits.
9:43:22 AM
Vice-Chair Fairclough asked what the state was currently
spending to operate the commission.
Representative Saddler responded approximately $13,000 per
year, which included travel to meetings, the cost of
printing the annual report and minimal staff support.
Co-Chair Meyer asked if the report on the commission was
available to the public.
Representative said that printed copies had been distributed
earlier in the session and the PDF version could be found
online at the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development website.
Co-Chair Meyer noted the fiscal note for $13,000.
9:44:43 AM
Co-Chair Kelly MOVED to REPORT CS HB 99(RES) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CS HB 99(RES) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with previously published fiscal
impact note: FN2 (CED).
9:45:14 AM
AT EASE
9:48:33 AM
RECONVENED