04/15/2000 02:50 PM Senate L&C

          HB 265-ALASKA REGIONAL ECONOMIC ASSIST. PROGRAM                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS. MELANIE LESH,  aide to Representative Alan Austerman,  explained                                                            
that  HB 265 will  extend  the sunset  date of  the Alaska  Regional                                                            
Development  Organizations (ARDORs)  to 2003.  To date, 13  regional                                                            
entities  have been  organized to  promote economic  development  in                                                            
Alaska and  a plan is underway to  add one more in Fairbanks.   This                                                            
program is funded with  an AIDEA dividend given to the Department of                                                            
Community  and Economic  Development (DCED)  through a reimbursable                                                             
services  agreement.  Of  the $650,000 total,  $620,000 is  directly                                                            
granted  to the 13  ARDORs.   DCED's budget  contains the  remaining                                                            
$30,000 for  administration;  half is used  for travel expenses  for                                                            
non-employee members for ARDOR travel.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN  moved to report HB  265 with its accompanying  fiscal                                                            
note from committee with  individual recommendations.  There were no                                                            
objections and it was so ordered.