Legislature(2023 - 2024)ADAMS 519
04/18/2024 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB269 || SB187 | |
| Public Testimony | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 269 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 187 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 269
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(FIN) am
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and other
appropriations; making reappropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds; amending
appropriations; and providing for an effective date."
1:38:10 PM
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY
1:38:16 PM
AT EASE
1:39:17 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Edgmon OPENED public testimony.
JASON CUSTER, VICE PRESIDENT, ALASKA POWER AND TELEPHONE,
SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE, shared that he chaired the Energy
Committee for Southeast Conference. He stated Alaska Power
and Telephone was headquartered in Ketchikan. He asked the
committee to fully fund Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)
projects. He read from prepared remarks. He encourage
support for the Renewable Energy Fund program. The current
budget did not have sufficient funding for the fund. He
stated affordable options for the future were needed. It
made the process more transparent and inclusive of the
public. He stated the fund provided an incredible bang for
the buck
Representative Hannan understood the REF had a list of
projects. She wondered how many more projects could be
funded if the full funding was provided.
Mr. Custer answered that there were currently only two
projects funded.
Representative Ortiz referenced Mr. Custer's statement that
the funding leveraged other investments. He asked whether
the company would qualify for more federal funding.
Mr. Custer responded that there were a lot of ways, and the
company had a request for $100,000. He stated if there was
a federal project being used as matching funds, the company
paid for front end planning that could be harder to fund
many projects that would not have come to fruition
otherwise had been accomplished due to the REF.
Co-Chair Edgmon stated he thought it was an accurate
statement.
1:45:39 PM
ROBERT VENABLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE,
echoed the remarks provided by Mr. Custer. He stressed the
importance of energy security to the state. He asked for
full support for the AEA projects. He advocated for the
Village Corporation in Craig, Alaska mariculture programs.
He viewed it as a statewide model to support rural
communities in the mariculture industry.
1:47:58 PM
MILLIE RYAN, PRESIDENT, ALASKA MOBILITY COALITION, shared
that the AMC was a nonprofit organization with the mission
to develop increased public transit to enable Alaskans who
did not drive to get to appointments, work, church, the
store, and other locations. She recommended the addition of
$1 million for the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT/PF) to allow the state to maximize federal
funding and provide nonfederal match funding to help
seniors and people with disabilities to be a part of their
community.
1:49:54 PM
MASON VILLARMA, CITY AND BOROUGH OF WRANGELL MANAGER,
WRANGELL (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding
for the Department of Education and Early Development
(DEED) for school major maintenance. He believed the
current amount was a step in the right direction, but
additional funding was needed. He requested the amount
within SB 187.
1:51:39 PM
JANETTE BOWER, CITY MANAGER, SOLDOTNA (via teleconference),
testified in support of funding for the Soldotna regional
sports complex project. The complex was designed in the
1980s for multipurpose use, but was now not ideal to meet
community needs and lacked amenities the facility was
overdue for an upgrade.
1:53:30 PM
COLLEEN DUSHKIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATION OF ALASKA
HOUSING AUTHORITIES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),
provided information about AHA. She spoke about the Alaska
Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) programs included in the
capital budget including the supplemental housing grant
program.
Representative Josephson asked for a repeat of the numbers.
Ms. Dushkin answered $4 million for the supplemental
housing program, $3 million senior housing development, and
$7 million for weatherization.
1:56:19 PM
MARIYAM MEDOVAYA, ALASKA TRAILS, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), shared information about the organization.
She supported funding for the Alaska Long Trail project.
She thanked the committee for including more than $5
million for the project over the past several years. She
thanked the Senate for including over $3 million in the
current budget. She thanked the committee for its work on
the budget.
1:58:29 PM
BOB SCANLON, CEO, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), shared information about the nonprofit. He
thanked the legislature for including $2 million for the
Blood Bank in a previous session.
Representative Galvin appreciated how broadly the Blood
Bank supplied for Alaska including rural areas. She asked
if the organization also covered the military bases.
Mr. Scanlon replied affirmatively. The organization also
served the Native organizations.
2:02:50 PM
ROB URBACH, CEO, IDITAROD, MAT-SU (via teleconference), the
organization was a key item for tourism bringing in funding
for 20 plus other events that served as Iditarod
qualifiers. Sustaining the Alaska icon had become extremely
difficult because of "eco-terrorists" with information
built on false pretenses. The attacks had resulted in the
crippling loss of sponsorship.
2:05:42 PM
BRUCE FRIEND, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in
support the need for matching funds for the corps of
engineers feasibility study related to the harbor. He also
supported funds for the high school for roof replacement.
He supported $250,000 to replace the roof on the Pratt
museum.
2:07:56 PM
CHRIS MELLO, BOARD MEMBER, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
blood bank. He stated there were only about 6 labs
nationwide
SEAN CASE, DEPUTY CHIEF POLICE, ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT
AND BOARD MEMBER, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in funding for the Blood Bank of
Alaska. He remarked that weather and natural disasters
impacted the ability to test blood.
Co-Chair Edgmon noted that Co-Chair Johnson had joined the
meeting 30 minutes earlier. He welcomed Representative
Jennie Armstrong in the room. He noted the call-in deadline
of 2:30 p.m. He provided email addresses and phone numbers
for public testimony.
2:13:13 PM
KIMBERLY HANKINS, SUPERINTENDENT, LOWER KUSKOKWIM SCHOOL
DISTRICT, BETHEL (via teleconference), supported funding
for school district major maintenance and the Regional
Educational Attendance Area (REAA) fund. She knew it was
not the only school district struggling to keep schools
open due to major maintenance needs.
Representative Galvin asked about the name of the
community.
Co-Chair Edgmon stated that it was Novachuk.
Ms. Hankins agreed.
Representative Josephson asked if the items were in the
budget.
Ms. Hankins replied that she was requesting that the items
in the budget remain funded and she was always asking for
additional funding.
Representative Ortiz asked if Ms. Hankins was asking for
funding. He thought the governor's budget only funded two
projects.
Ms. Hankins was calling in support of funding currently in
SB 187.
Co-Chair Edgmon noted that the Senate added $36 million to
the list.
2:18:11 PM
PATRICIA PHILLIPS, MAYOR, CITY OF PELICAN (via
teleconference), requested $700,474 from the REF fund for
hydroelectric project, the application requested funding
for the fish habitat restoration plan and projects related
to clean energy.
Representative Galvin believed the project was on a list of
16 projects. She wondered where on the list.
Someone on the committee indicated number 6.
Representative Galvin asked for more information.
Co-Chair Edgmon stated that the governor had requested $5
million and the Senate reduced it to $4 million.
2:20:35 PM
NILS ANDREASSEN, ALASKA MUNICIPAL LEAGUE, JUNEAU (via
teleconference), thanked the committee for continued
support for municipalities in the state. He appreciated
the funds in the budget for AHFC and encouraged additional
funds, specifically funding for water and sewer projects. e
remarked that the code blue program remained important. He
spoke to food security, and the issues around STIP
approval. He supported funding for the harbor matching
grants because the funding was important for local
communities. He spoke to issues related to economic growth
and public safety.
2:24:32 PM
MICHELLE BAKER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHCENTRAL
FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), she served the
behavioral services division of the foundation. She
supported funding to build a crisis stabilization center
and residential center in Anchorage. She strongly
encouraged the committee to support the capital request.
She thanked the committee for its time.
2:27:22 PM
BOB SIVERTSEN, CHAIRMAN, SOUTHEAST ALASKA POWER AGENCY,
KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), stated that energy was
critical to infrastructure, and if there was not an
opportunity for funding in the regional grant then there
should be a consideration to make a direct appropriation
through the AEA for moving the project forward.
2:29:23 PM
CAROLINE VENUTI, SELF, HOMER (via teleconference),
supported funding for the Homer harbor, and stated that the
city had appropriated matching funds. She remarked that if
a large vessel were to come into the boat harbor it would
be very dangerous. She supported increased school
maintenance funding for the replacement of the Homer high
school roof. She thanked the committee for its support of
$250,000 for the Pratt Museum roof.
2:32:05 PM
CRAIG AMBROSIANI, SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER,
SEWARD (via teleconference), relayed that the center was
federally qualified medical clinic that served and it did
not turn anyone away. The center provided transportation
services, primary care, and limited behavioral health
services for local schools, veterans. The center saw a
little over 2,000 patients per year. He supported funding
to build a new facility about 18,000 square feet.
2:36:23 PM
CAROLINE STORM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE COALITION FOR
EDUCATION EQUITY, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), requested
a significant increase in funding for major maintenance
projects. She had applied for funding through Senator
Murkowski's office to get funds to fix the school. She
remarked that the state was failing students by asking kids
to go to school in buildings that could collapse.
2:39:13 PM
KIRK ROSE, CEO, ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY AND LAND TRUST,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), asked for support for a
commercial kitchen incubator. He spoke to the importance of
food security.
2:42:25 PM
CHRIS REITAN, SUPERINTENDENT, CRAIG CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT,
CRAIG (via teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
school major maintenance funding. He thanked the committee
for its time and consideration.
2:44:13 PM
LISA PARADY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COUNCIL OF SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATORS, JUNEAU (via teleconference), thanked the
committee for the opportunity to testify. She identified
school major maintenance as an issue impacting students'
safety.
2:47:19 PM
ERIC GURLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ACCESS ALASKA INC.,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), stated that the mission was
to encourage and promote Alaskans to live in the community
of their choice. He felt that the issue did not correspond
with the lack of transportation, and that seniors were
living in isolation and were becoming more homebound, and
should allow others to help seniors get to their medical
appointments. He urged funding for senior services. The set
aside allowing for the federal match had not occurred.
Representative Josephson thanked Mr. Gurley for his work
and efforts.
2:50:28 PM
TOM ATKINSON, CEO, KOTZEBUE ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, KOTZEBUE
(via teleconference), supported additional funds for the
Renewable Energy Fund to replace the current megawatt,
which was slated to get part of the original $5 million,
but unfortunately the amount had been reduced to $3
million; therefore, the association would not get the
funding.
2:53:07 PM
KURT BUCHHOLZ, BOARD MEMBER, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, SOLDOTNA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding to enable
the Blood Bank of Alaska to do testing in state. Currently,
blood was sent out of state, which could be delayed by
weather and other. It would greatly improve the ability to
provide blood quickly. He appreciated the opportunity to
testify.
Representative Hannan referred to the mention of $2
million. She observed it was in the Senate budget at $1.75
million. She asked if the project could still move forward
if the full $2 million was not funded.
Mr. Buchholz answered that the full project was $4 million
and close to completion.
2:57:01 PM
PETER HAEUSSLER, SELF, WRANGELL (via teleconference), noted
he was currently in Wrangell and lived in Chugiak. He
advocated for funding for a warming chalet at the rink in
Anchorage. He requested support to help build the chalet.
Representative Galvin thanked Mr. Haeussler for his work.
ART GEUSS, SELF, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), supported
funding for the skating chalet, and was trying to make
Anchorage a better place to live and work. He thanked the
committee.
3:03:44 PM
TIM POTTER, ANCHORAGE SKATES, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for a
skating park and warming chalet in midtown Anchorage. He
spoke in support of a safe and stable park. He stressed
there needed the ability to access a bathroom. He provided
an example about a kid needing a restroom.
Co-Chair Edgmon thanked Mr. Potter for his testimony.
Co-Chair Edgmon CLOSED public testimony.
HB 269 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSSB 187(FIN) am was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
Co-Chair Edgmon reviewed the schedule for the following
day.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 269 Public Testimony Rec'd by 041724.pdf |
HFIN 4/18/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 269 |