Legislature(2021 - 2022)ADAMS 519
04/21/2022 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB61 | |
| HB307 | |
| HB61 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 413 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 307 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HOUSE BILL NO. 307
"An Act relating to the financing and issuance of
bonds for a liquefied natural gas production system
and natural gas distribution system; and providing for
an effective date."
3:05:49 PM
Co-Chair Merrick noted she did not receive any amendments
for the bill. She asked to hear from the bill sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE GRIER HOPKINS, SPONSOR, briefly described
the bill. He articulated that the bill was important for
the Fairbanks area as it looked to expand its natural gas
supply to businesses and residential neighborhoods and
ensure a stable supply. The bill allowed the Interior Gas
Utility (IGU) to utilize the Alaska Industrial Development
and Export Authority (AIDEA) bonding authority to utilize
the extension if bonding was necessary. He remarked that
bonding would be repaid by the ratepayers. He furthered
that the provisions had been in effect since 2013 and the
last extension was in 2017. The current bill would be an
additional five year extension to 2028.
3:07:41 PM
Co-Chair Merrick OPENED public testimony.
JOMO STEWART, PRESIDENT AND CEO, FAIRBANKS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation. He shared that he was the
general manager of the former Interior Gas Utility (IGU).
He pointed out that projects often took longer than
initially planned. The IGU had made significant progress in
achieving its goal of providing a lower cost, cleaner
energy alternative to the Fairbanks area. He noted that
under the current environment of high energy prices the
work to expand service was critical.
Co-Chair Merrick CLOSED public testimony.
3:09:28 PM
Co-Chair Merrick asked Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority (AIDEA) to review the fiscal note.
ALAN WEITZNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT AND EXPORT AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (via teleconference),
reviewed the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development zero fiscal note [FN 1 (CED)]. He reported that
there was no fiscal impact with the extension of current
bonding capacity for the IEP.
3:10:08 PM
Co-Chair Foster MOVED to REPORT HB 307 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note.
HB 307 was REPORTED out of committee with seven "do pass"
recommendations and one "no recommendation" recommendation
and with one previously published zero fiscal note: FN1
(CED).
3:10:48 PM
AT EASE
3:13:36 PM
RECONVENED