02/22/1995 09:07 AM Senate FIN

                                                                               
  SENATE BILL NO. 47                                                           
                                                                               
       "An  Act relating  to  the extent  to which  the Alaska                 
       Public  Utilities Commission  may  exercise its  powers                 
       when  regulating  utilities; establishing  a regulatory                 
       cost charge on public  utilities and pipeline carriers;                 
       relating to the allocation of  costs in hearings before                 
       the Alaska Public Utilities Commission; relating to the                 
       method by which  utilities are  exempted from and  made                 
       subject to regulation  by the  Alaska Public  Utilities                 
       Commission;  relating  to  the  monetary threshold  for                 
       regulation of certain kinds of  utilities by the Alaska                 
       Public  Utilities  Commission;  extending   the  Alaska                 
       Public  Utilities  Commission;  relating  to  staggered                 
       terms  for  members  of  the  Alaska  Public  Utilities                 
       Commission; and providing for an effective date."                       
                                                                               
  Co-chair Halford asked  to take  up SB 47.   Co-chair  Sharp                 
  moved to pass out of committee SB 47 with zero fiscal notes.                 
  Senator  Donley  objected,  stating  the  fiscal  notes  are                 
  inaccurate,  that the notes do not  reflect a fee assessment                 
  by the Department  of Revenue which was sunset  in December.                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  Discussion was had  on the attached  fiscal notes.   Senator                 
  Donley stated a need  for an amendment to reflect  that this                 
  is a sunset bill.  Senator Rieger stated that the value of a                 
  sunset bill  is that  it  allows various  agencies to  bring                 
  concerns before the legislature.  He stated he supported the                 
  bill but  would also  support a  shorter extension.  Senator                 
  Donley  presented   an  amendment   indicating  a   one-year                 
  extension.  Senator Sharp noted that this bill  represents a                 
  balanced testimony including what the needs are of the APUC.                 
  Co-chair Halford recommended  a recess on  this issue to  be                 
  taken up after the supplements.  He recommended at this time                 
  reviewing Senator Donley's amendment to SB 47.                               
                                                                               
  Co-chair Halford recessed the meeting at 11:05 a.m.