Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/12/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR 2 | |
| HB 111 | |
| HB 44 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| HJR 2 | |||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HB 44 | ||
CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2(FIN)
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State
of Alaska requiring an affirmative vote of the people
before any form of gambling for profit may be
authorized in Alaska and setting other requirements.
9:40:00 AM
AT EASE: 9:40:03 AM
RECONVENED: 9:40:19 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NANCY DAHLSTROM presented an overview of the
house joint resolution. She explained that this bill would
create a constitutional amendment that places the question
for permitting for-profit gaming in Alaska on the general
election ballot. The resolution states that in order for
there to be for-profit gaming in Alaska their must be an
affirmative majority by the state voters. In addition, the
local communities must then approve, by a majority, gaming
in their area. The local vote requirement was added in the
House to assure balance for smaller communities.
9:42:48 AM
Senator Dyson questioned how this would affect gambling on
Native Alaskan lands.
Representative Dahlstrom reported that she is not sure as
this is not yet resolved.
9:43:32 AM
Senator Olson inquired how this would affect non-profit
gaming in Alaska.
Representative Dahlstrom reported this bill would not affect
any gaming activity already in law.
Co-Chair Stedman asked what would be the affect on Annette
Island, the only native reservation in Alaska.
Representative Dahlstrom advised that Annette Island is a
part of Alaska and the community would need to abide by the
same regulations as the rest of the state. If the residents
wished to have gaming in their area, it would have to be by
majority vote of the community.
Co-Chair Stedman pointed out that Annette Island is treated
differently by other Alaska departments, such as fish and
game laws. He wondered if there had been any research on the
special status of Annette Island in regard to gaming.
Representative Dahlstrom responded she could not comment on
the policy for Annette Island.
9:45:09 AM
Senator Elton asked if the state or municipal vote would
occur first.
Representative Dahlstrom reported that the state elections
would happen first.
Senator Elton expressed that some pull-tabs are on behalf of
non-profits. He questioned if the businesses that ran these
non-profit pull-tabs were considered for-profit
organizations would they be prohibited from conducting this
service without a vote by the people.
Representative Dahlstrom specified that pull-tabs are legal
in the state and nothing in existing state law would change.
9:46:29 AM
Senator Elton asked how a new pull-tab seller would be
treated.
Representative Dahlstrom repeated that this would not change
those gaming businesses already allowed by state law.
9:47:20 AM
Senator Thomas questioned where in the bill it states the
continuation of those gaming activities already allowed by
state law.
9:48:13 AM
KELLY GOODE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE DALSTROM answered Senator
Thomas's question by indicating Section 2 (b), page 2,
states:
(b) This section does not prohibit or restrict any form
of gaming lawfully conducted under Alaska law on the
date of the ratification of this section by the people
of Alaska, nor does this section affect the authority
of the legislature to authorize or regulate nonprofit
gaming by organized boroughs and cities or by nonprofit
organizations.
AT EASE: 9:49:46 AM
RECONVENED: 9:53:02 AM
9:53:45 AM
Ms. Goode explained that the difference between the
Judiciary and Finance version of the bills was that if the
state election votes affirmatively, then the local
communities would get a chance to vote on allowing gaming in
their community.
9:54:54 AM
Senator Elton asked what happens when both a borough and a
city is involved.
9:55:41 AM
Ms. Good replied it would depend on where the gaming occurs.
If the gaming was to be held within the city, then the vote
would be there; if outside the city but within the borough,
then the borough would vote.
9:56:27 AM
Ms. Goode remarked that the House Finance Committee wanted
to ensure this was a two-tier system with both state and
local voting.
Senator Elton acknowledged he is not a supporter of
legalized gambling and the back-up material relates the
negative impacts on families.
Co-Chair Stedman noted that this new resolution has just
been seen by the Committee and there has not been enough
time to thoroughly consider the resolution.
9:58:38 AM
Senator Olson suggested that since there would be a state-
wide election first, all Alaskans would have an influence if
gambling would be allowed.
Senator Elton recounted that the state can authorize
gambling but the communities need to feel comfortable.
9:59:05 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman stressed that this was actually a three-
tier system. First there would be the vote to amend the
Alaska Constitution, followed by a state-wide vote then the
vote on the municipal level. He believed the voters of
Alaska should decide whether they wanted gambling in the
state. If the voters approve gambling then in order for it
to be implemented, Alaskans would vote on the local level.
If the voters vote against gambling in the state then this
should be a clear message that gambling is not wanted.
10:00:52 AM
Ms. Goode replied that the House felt that some larger
communities could determine the outcome by their larger
populations which initiated the addition of the local
community vote.
10:01:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRY CRAWFORD indicated that it was the
sponsor's intention to have a statewide vote to settle the
question about gambling. As it moved through committees it
evolved to also getting a vote in local communities and the
sponsor's were fine with this idea.
10:02:55 AM
Senator Huggins inquired if this would have an effect on
cruise ship industry.
Representative Crawford replied that there will not be any
effect if they stay in outside waters.
10:03:32 AM
Co-Chair Stedman reviewed the fiscal note.
Senator Thomas requested more information on the cruise ship
tax.
CS HJR 2 (FIN) was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
AT EASE: 10:05:34 AM
RECONVENED: 11:17:42 AM
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