Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/20/2018 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB155 | |
| SB65 | |
| HB236 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 65
"An Act establishing the Jonesville Public Use Area."
9:14:46 AM
SENATOR MIKE SHOWER, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation:
The community of Sutton is home to the incredible
"coal hills" which provides Alaskans with a variety of
outdoor recreational opportunities. Due to the lack
of defined activities zones, the area has become
dangerous for both users and residents.
Unfortunately, the Sutton/Jonesville area is commonly
referred to as the Wild West.
The recreational area has become a serious public
safety issue due to a multitude of issues from litter,
to drugs, to abandoned burned and shot-up vehicles, to
the unsafe discharge of firearms across hiking trails
and homes, and the fatal shooting of a photographer.
Recognizing that it is difficult for the Mat-Su
Borough's 36 officers to adequately patrol the
equivalent of West Virginia, a public use area is
needed to help improve public safety at this beautiful
recreational site.
SB 65 would establish the Jonesville Public Use Area
to protect, maintain, enhance, and perpetuate the
current use of the area for:
? year-round general public recreation,
? protecting and maintaining habitats for fish and
wildlife, ? use of off-road vehicles,
? access for miners and owners of private property,
and
? other activities as designated by the commissioner
of DNR.
The Jonesville Public Use Area would increase public
safety while preserving the recreational site for use
by all Alaskans.
9:17:36 AM
JAKE ALMEIDA, STAFF, SENATOR MIKE SHOWER, discussed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1
? Sec. 41.23.280 establishes the purpose of the
public use area
? Sec. 41.23.282
o Provides for management of the surface and
subsurface estate to be managed by DNR and
the fish and wildlife to be managed by Fish
and
Game.
o Clarifies that the public use area is not
part of the state park system
? Sec. 41.23.284 provides for the type of uses
that may and may not be prohibited
? Sec. 41.23.286 defines the boundaries of the
public use area
? Sec. 41.23.288 describes who has enforcement
authority for violations committed
? Sec. 41.23.289 states that the penalty is a
violation as defined in AS 11.81.900 and requires
the Supreme Court to create a bail schedule for
those violations
Section 2
? Uncodified law - directs the Supreme Court to
create a bail schedule within 90 days after the
management plan is adopted
9:19:58 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman wondered whether there were roads in the
area, and who were responsible for maintaining those roads.
Senator Shower replied there were a few roads, but there
were mostly unmaintained trails. He stated that the one
road was the Jonesville Road that exited from the Glenn
Highway, and was maintained by the state. That road stopped
approximately 200 yards past the neighborhood, and became
the unmaintained trails.
Co-Chair Hoffman asked whether the trails were used by
recreational vehicles (RVs). Senator Shower replied in the
affirmative.
Senator von Imhof looked at page 2, line 6, "the
commissioner is responsible for the management." She
wondered whether that was the commissioner of Department of
Natural Resources (DNR). Senator Shower replied in the
affirmative.
Senator von Imhof looked at line 8, "after adequate public
hearings." She wondered whether those hearings would begin
after the bill is passed, and it became a public use area.
Senator Shower replied in the affirmative.
Senator von Imhof noted that there could be a long public
process, and then incorporate a long public process.
Senator Shower replied that it would take approximately
three to five years.
Senator von Imhof wondered whether there would be a request
to expand or upgrade the parking lot. Senator Shower
responded that, if the DNR commissioner decided to execute
the management plan, there would possibly be an attached
fiscal note.
Senator Micciche noted that the letter from the
commissioner stated that the process would take five years
without additional funding, or three years with an
appropriation of $166,000 for the next two years to support
additional staff and contract work. He felt that Alaskans
needed to perhaps adjust to a parking fee.
Co-Chair MacKinnon announced that there were some people
available for questions.
9:25:26 AM
AT EASE
9:25:41 AM
RECONVENED
9:25:59 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER, CHAIRMAN, JONESVILLE ACTION
COMMITTEE, explained that there had been various attempts
to manage the area. He remarked that those attempts should
have included all the users in the group. He remarked that
there were four-wheelers, equestrians, hikers, hunter,
skiers, etc. He shared that the committee would connect
with the different groups about how to manage the area. He
noted that DNR had put $9 million into the area to
reacclimate the old coal mines with some infrastructure and
access.
9:30:21 AM
Vice-Chair Bishop encourage working with the different
funds moving forward. Representative Rauscher replied with
"thank you."
9:31:17 AM
JIM SYKES, ASSEMBLY MEMBER, MATSU BOROUGH ASSEMBLY (via
teleconference), stated that he represented the area with
the Jonesville Mine in the assembly. He encouraged the
committee to support the legislation. He felt that the
management would result in a more family friendly area. He
felt that the framework needed to be put in place in order
to develop the management plan. He recognized various
people involved in the process.
9:36:57 AM
Senator Micciche wondered whether the area was 20 square
miles. Mr. Sykes could not recall the exact amount, but
agreed that is sounded somewhat accurate. He noted that
most of it was state land.
Senator Micciche asked whether the damage that was hoping
to be managed was within a distance of the parking area or
spread throughout the property. Mr. Sykes replied that most
of the damage was near the entrance where the old mining
entrance was located.
Senator Micciche thanked the community for coming together,
as he had problematic locations in his community.
Senator von Imhof noted that there was significant support
for the public area designation. She hoped that a nonprofit
called, "Friends of the Jonesville Recreation Area" may be
created.
Senator Stevens understood the importance of the plan for
the community. He wanted to ensure that it would not end
the community and assembly's participation in the plan. Mr.
Sykes replied that the borough and land manager were
committed to the plan.
9:43:13 AM
PATTI BARBER, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), testified
in support of the bill.
9:44:11 AM
KENNY BARBER, SELF, MATSU (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the legislation.
9:45:32 AM
LYNNE WOODS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the bill.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Micciche wondered whether Marty Parsons was
available.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked Ms. Parsons for comments on the
legislation.
9:48:22 AM
MARTY PARSONS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF MINING, LAND,
AND WATER, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (via
teleconference), stated that he had worked closely with the
community on the bill. He stated that it was a similar
situation to the Knik Public Use Area. He felt that it was
an admirable program.
Senator Micciche wondered whether it was problematic that
there was no DNR authority if it's not state park land, and
how it had worked in Knik Arm for the department. Mr.
Parsons replied that as part of the bill, enforcement
authority was provided to DNR similar to the Knik Public
Use Area. He stated that a bail schedule was set by the
Supreme Court, and a sworn individual could write
citations. He stated that without the action of the
legislature, DNR would not have the authority.
Senator Micciche wondered whether there had been dramatic
changes in authority in Knik Arm. Mr. Parsons responded
that there was not a rapid change, but it was a steady
change over time.
9:51:49 AM
HANS BRINKE, DIRECTOR, ALASKA STATE TROOPERS, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), echoed some previous testimony. He
stated that he was a commander in the Mat Su valley
previously. He noted a dramatic decrease in the issues in
the Knik Public Use Area after change in management. He
remarked that individuals moved to recreate in the
Jonesville area. He agreed with the issues about gunfire
and trash. He wanted to get the troopers there for
proactive enforcement, but there were some recruitment
issues that caused limitations.
9:53:58 AM
BRUCE DALE, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, PALMER (via teleconference),
introduced himself.
Vice-Chair Bishop wondered whether there were sport fish
opportunities in the area. Mr. Dale replied that there were
two or three stocked lakes in the area that were popular
for fishing.
Vice-Chair Bishop asked whether the lakes were stocked on
an annual basis. Mr. Dale replied in the affirmative.
9:55:03 AM
NANCY MEADE, GENERAL COUNSEL, ALASKA COURT SYSTEM,
introduced herself.
Vice-Chair Bishop wondered whether the bail schedule for
the Knik Public Use Area would be similar to the Jonesville
schedule. Ms. Meade replied expected that it would be
similar.
9:55:59 AM
ERIC PHILIPS, MANAGER, LAND AND RESOURCES, MATSU BOROUGH,
WASILLA (via teleconference), provided a letter of support
the year prior. He felt that it was still an important
idea.
9:56:23 AM
HUGH LESLIE, MANAGER, PARKS AND RECREATION, MATSU BOROUGH,
WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill.
He stated that it had the opportunity to be an economic
generator for the community through sales of fuel and
groceries.
Co-Chair Hoffman queried the establishment of the
boundaries. Senator Shower replied that the boundaries were
established with the help of the Mat Su Borough. The
various communities involvement groups worked with the
borough land management to find the boundaries; and plotted
around the state boundaries.
Co-Chair Hoffman wondered whether the borough owned any of
the adjoining properties. Senator Showers deferred to Mr.
Sykes.
Mr. Sykes stated that there was only 40 acres of borough
land that was contained within the boundaries, and the
remainder was state land.
Co-Chair Hoffman wondered whether the borough owned any of
the adjoining properties. Mr. Sykes deferred to Mr.
Philips.
Mr. Philips could not address the question.
Co-Chair MacKinnon asked for the information.
10:00:21 AM
Representative Rauscher stated that there were a couple of
pieces of property, which were mostly easements to
Usibelli. He stressed that they were not large portions of
land.
Senator Shower highlighted that there was much community
and borough involvement in the legislation's plan.
Senator Micciche was encouraged by the community's action.
He stated that he had faced similar issues in the Kenai.
Vice-Chair Bishop discussed the zero fiscal notes.
Co-Chair MacKinnon announced that amendments were due by
5pm.
SB 65 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
10:05:09 AM
AT EASE
10:12:47 AM
RECONVENED
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 236 Explanation of Changes A to D 7Feb2018.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB236 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB236 Consolidated Letters of Support.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB236 Supporting Document SBP Fact Sheet - Updated August 2017.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| SB 155 SCS v. O Explanation.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 155 |
| SB 155 SCS wrok draft v. O.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 155 |
| SB 65 Support Letter Bettine.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 65 |
| SB 65 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 65 |
| SB 65 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
SB 65 |
| HB 236 ACoA Support Senior Benefits.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |
| HB 236 Letter from DPA repgarding AARP proposal 4.6.18.pdf |
SFIN 3/20/2018 9:00:00 AM |
HB 236 |