Legislature(2009 - 2010)
04/13/2010 09:46 AM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR21 | |
| SB217 | |
| SB300 | |
| SB247 | |
| SB248 | |
| SB301 | |
| HB426 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21
Creating and relating to the Economic Development
Planning Commission.
9:46:48 AM
ROB RULE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE HERRON, stated that HCR 21
is sponsored by the House Community and Regional Affairs
Committee. He explained that the legislation would create
an eleven member task force from the public and private
sectors to make recommendations to the state in its efforts
to support economic development. The commission would serve
as a filter and a bridge to assist the state through
economic development processes. He referred to the handout
"HCR 21 - Creating an Economic Development Planning
Commission"(copy on file). He noted that page two
summarizes the current statewide economic development
processes as the Alaska Forward Project led by the Alaska
Partnership for Economic Development (APED). He reported
that APED completed phase 1 of the project; a situational
analysis of the economic development in Alaska. In
addition, the governor's Legacy Plan created by
administrative order under Governor Palin is also part of
the economic development process. The Legacy Plan created
working groups to study Alaska industries, e.g. tourism,
mining, etc. He indicated the Alaska Forward and Legacy
projects will merge in the future.
He referred to page 3 that defines the Economic Development
Planning Commission eleven member structure and appointment
authority.
· One State Representative appointed by House Speaker
· One State Senator appointed by Senate President
· Two Public Members appointed by House Finance Chairs
· Two Public Members appointed by Senate Finance
Chairs
· One Public Member appointed by House Minority Leader
· One Public Member appointed by Senate Minority
Leader
· DCCED Commissioner appointed by Resolution
· DLWD Commissioner appointed by Resolution
· President of APED appointed by Resolution
Mr. Rule cited page 4; possible recommendations to the
legislature by the commission. He noted that the commission
could identify financial tools such as loan programs, tax
incentives and other policies to nurture industry in
Alaska.
He relayed the commissions Timelines listed on page 5.
· April 30,2010: Commission Begins Work
· Spring 2010: Alaska Forward Phase II Launches
· January 30, 2011: First Legislative Report Deadline
· December 15, 2011: Second Report Deadline
· June 30, 2012: Sunset
He concluded that page 6 identifies the need for cohesion
for economic planning and development in Alaska.
9:51:39 AM
Co-Chair Hawker wondered if the commission is it too large
to be efficient.
ERIN HARRINGTON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE AUSTERMAN, stated
that the size of the commission represents an attempt to
draw members from all sectors of industry.
Co-Chair Hawker opined that it is a well balanced
commission.
Co-Chair Stoltze asked what would happen with a minority
appointment if one legislative body did not have a
recognized minority.
Mr. Rule did not know the answer. He stated that scenario
was not anticipated.
9:53:10 AM
Ms. Harrington offered that the minority appointments were
added by the Labor and Commerce Committee.
Co-Chair Stoltze stated that he asked the question because
the uniform rule describes what a minority is.
9:53:58 AM
Vice-Chair Thomas asked where the commission's efforts
would be concentrated. He expressed concern that rural
Alaska might be overlooked. Ms. Harrington related that in
reviewing the work done previously by Alaska Forward
considerable attention was paid to the needs of rural
Alaska. She expected continued attention to rural Alaska's
needs because APEC is comprised of Alaska Regional
Development Organizations (ARDOR). ARDOR's membership is
regionally distributed throughout the state that includes
representation in rural Alaska.
Vice-Chair Thomas reiterated his concerns.
9:56:18 AM
Representative Foster wondered what efforts the commission
would make to ensure that rural Alaska is included in the
commission's process. Ms. Harrington reported that the
actual workings of the commission would be determined when
it convenes for the first time to make those types of
decisions. The fiscal note provides for travel and
teleconferences.
9:57:51 AM
Representative Austerman stated that "nowhere in the
resolution does it talk about rural versus urban". He noted
that on Page 3, line 1, the resolution speaks to the entire
state. He reiterated that Alaska Forward is made up of
ARDORS based all over the state. He felt that if HCR 21 is
given a chance it should work for the entire state and not
only urban areas.
9:59:02 AM
Vice-Chair Thomas related concerns about the timber
industry in Southeast Alaska. He worried that the
commission could recommend policies that do not support
economic activity in rural communities. Representative
Austerman pointed out that the purpose of the commission is
only to make recommendations to the legislature and not
create policy statements. He also suggested that
Representative Thomas try to get appointed to the
commission by the Speaker of the House. Vice-Chair Thomas
reiterated his concerns about lost jobs, economic
hardships, and crime in his district due to lack of
economic opportunity.
10:02:46 AM
Co-Chair Stoltze opened public testimony.
JOHN TORGERSON, SENATOR, KENAI PENINSULA ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, ALASKA PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (via teleconference),
supported the legislation. He believed that an effort to
focus all of the different economic development strategies
in the state is a good idea. The presence of legislators on
the commission would be especially helpful to move the task
force's recommendations forward.
KATHRYN DODGE, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH ARDOR, ALASKA
PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, VICE PRESIDENT (via
teleconference), supported the bill. She welcomed the
heightened level of engagement between the private sector
and the legislature. She believed it would strengthen the
strategic planning development effort and spur
implementation of the plans and policies resulting from the
effort.
10:05:48 AM
Representative Foster wondered how active the ARDOR's are
in the state. Ms. Dodge answered that the Borough's ARDOR
board meets ten times a year. The ARDOR regularly meets
with other economic development organizations at least once
a month.
Co-Chair Stoltze closed public testimony.
Co-Chair Hawker referenced the new fiscal note that creates
one full time position for the Legislature, appropriated
from the Legislative Council budget, to implement and
manage the commission. He felt that the increase was
unnecessary if the legislation passed and the commission is
established. He suggested that there is adequate fiscal and
human resources existing within the legislature's budget.
He requested that the committee prepare a zero fiscal note
with the caveat that the funds for the position are
appropriated out of the Legislature's existing budget and
not limit that the funds are allocated from a specific
committee.
Representative Austerman raised the question whether page
1; line 16 of the resolution must be corrected.
Co-Chair Hawker offered conceptual Amendment 1. He
requested that on page 1, line 16, delete "Legislative
Council" from "(Alaska Legislative Council)" and replace it
with "Alaska legislature". The change would read; "Further
Resolved that the (Alaska Legislature) shall provide
adequate…"
There being no objection conceptual Amendment 1 was
adopted.
Representative Kelly commented that there are too many
organizations in the state working on economic development.
He suggested that the commission's first task should be to
eliminate half of them. Representative Austerman stated
that the commission's main task would be to coordinate all
of the economic development efforts in the state.
Representative Kelly felt that economic development was
important but recommended to determine the most effective
entities and eliminate the rest.
10:11:50 AM
Representative Austerman MOVED to Report CS HCR 21(FIN) out
of Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying revised fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION,
it was so ordered.
CS HCR 21 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with the revised fiscal note.
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