Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/11/2007 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB209 | |
| HB110 | |
| HCR8 | |
| HB177 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 110 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 209 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HCR 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 110(L&C)
"An Act amending the powers and duties of the legislative
audit division regarding the Regulatory Commission of
Alaska; amending annual report requirements for the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska; extending the termination
date for the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; and providing
for an effective date."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
Co-Chair Stedman stated that this bill would extend the
termination date of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA).
REPRESENTATIVE KURT OLSON, the bill's sponsor, stated that this
bill would extend the termination date of the RCA four years.
The bill also contained a provision that required a "report
card" to be compiled every two years. The report card would
review the information provided in the RCA's annual report to
determine whether or not the RCA was in compliance with such
things as specified timelines and other performance measures.
The four year extension timeframe was considered reasonable
following discussions with the Governor Sarah Palin
Administration, the presiding officers of the House of
Representatives and the Senate, and in consideration of new
timelines specified in HB 209.
Co-Chair Stedman announced that public testimony would now
commence.
2:52:42 PM
DON REED, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Matanuska
Telephone Association, testified via teleconference from Mat-Su
in support of the bill. While the Association has not always
received favorable rulings from the RCA nor would expect that,
they have received and do expect "a fair and impartial unbiased
review of our cases."
Mr. Reed voiced that the Association has also witnessed a
tremendous increase in the efficiency of the services provided
by the RCA. This would include more timely docket reviews and
improved and clearly written orders. Access to information
online has also been beneficial. The improvements made by the
Commission have made dealing with them easier and less costly.
In conclusion, the Association fully supports the bill.
2:54:20 PM
DENNIS NEIDERMEYER, Representative, Bristol Bay Telephone
Association, testified via teleconference from Anchorage and
echoed Mr. Reed's comments in support of the bill. The work
conducted by the Commission is appreciated. Four years is the
shortest extension period that should be considered.
2:55:04 PM
JACK RHYNER, President and Chief Executive Officer, TelAlaska
Inc., testified via teleconference from Anchorage and advised
the Committee that TelAlaska Inc., which operates two telephone
companies in the State, is in favor of reauthorizing the RCA.
"It would be practically impossible to regulate utilities to
operate without the RCA." The efforts of Chairman Giard and the
other RCA commissioners to shorten the time in which matters are
addressed and orders are completed are noticeable.
2:55:54 PM
STEVE HAMLEN, President, United Utilities, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage, in support of this bill on behalf
of his company. United Utilities provides telecommunication
service to 70 different communities, primarily in the Yukon-
Kuskokwim Delta.
Mr. Hamlen avowed that there is a linkage between what the
Commission does and the need to conduct that business in
cooperation with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The State is the recipient of millions of federal dollars in
support of telemedical services, distance learning services, and
services to low-income households. In order to facilitate these
services, the RCA must work closely with the FCC. The RCA must
be fully staffed, be "up and running" and be fully funded in
order for the State to receive the federal benefits.
Mr. Hamlen stated that Chair Giard has been instrumental in
getting public access points established in many communities
throughout the State for broadband services, telemedicine
services, and services to low-income households.
2:57:32 PM
DEAN THOMPSON, Legal Representative, Municipal Light & Power,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in support of
reauthorizing the RCA. He noted that, for the regulated
utilities, "predictability and continuity is important. We need
to know what the rules are, and having a level of continuity
without interruptions of threats of sunset assists that."
2:58:06 PM
VIRGINIA RUSCH, Representative, AARP, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage. AARP is in support of extending
the commission. "RCA is essential to protect consumers by
setting just and reasonable rates."
2:58:33 PM
JIM ROWE, Executive Director, Alaska Telephone Association,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage in favor of
extending the Commission four years. This regulatory body is
needed. He urged the Committee to advance the bill in short
order.
2:59:11 PM
KRISTI CATLIN, Representative, AT&T, testified via
teleconference from Anchorage, in support of extending the RCA.
AT&T believes "the Commission has done a tremendous job in
reducing timelines and dealing with issues."
2:59:43 PM
KATE GIARD, Chair, Regulatory Commission of Alaska, testified
via teleconference from an offnet location. The issue of
extending the RCA is a public policy decision. The Commission
would be pleased with a four year extension.
3:00:07 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman moved to report the bill from Committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal note.
There being no objection, CS HB 110(L&C) was REPORTED from
Committee with previous fiscal note #2 from the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
AT EASE 3:00:42 PM / 3:01:38 PM
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