03/07/1996 09:15 AM Senate FIN

                                                                               
  SENATE BILL NO. 86                                                           
                                                                               
       An  Act  relating to  issuance of  special request                      
       commemorative  gold  rush  motor  vehicle  license                      
       plates.                                                                 
                                                                               
  Co-chairman Halford directed  that SB 86  be brought on  for                 
  discussion.   TOM  GARRETT, Director,  Division of  Tourism,                 
  Dept. of Commerce and Economic  Development; and WENDY WOLF,                 
  Programs Manager, Division of Tourism, Dept. of Commerce and                 
  Economic  Development,   and  Co-chair,  Alaska   Gold  Rush                 
  Centennial  Task  Force; came  before  committee.   Ms. Wolf                 
  attested  to  a  close   working  relationship  between  the                 
  division and the Yukon as a result of the successful highway                 
  anniversary promotion.   She also  advised of a  cooperative                 
  agreement with Yukon  and British Columbia Tourism  North to                 
  build upon  the gold rush  anniversary as  another means  of                 
  creating tourism opportunities,  increasing highway  travel,                 
  and providing Alaskans  an opportunity to learn  about state                 
  history.   The  task force began  to form  in 1992.   It has                 
  involved   over  a   hundred  individuals,   statewide,  via                 
  teleconference.   The  effort is  conducted within  existing                 
  funding   for   the  division's   office   of  history   and                 
  archaeology.    In  1994  the  legislature,  by  resolution,                 
  recognized the gold rush centennial and the role of the task                 
  force to coordinate statewide activities.                                    
                                                                               
  Ms. Wolf referenced distribution of an annual newsletter and                 
  report  and a  series  of community  grants  as evidence  of                 
  ongoing efforts.   She further advised  of design of a  logo                 
  and  development  of a  press  kit in  conjunction  with the                 
  Alaska Tourism Marketing Council and the state library.  She                 
  then  distributed a  press  kit for  members'  review.   The                 
  public relations program grew as communities offered funding                 
  in support of state  efforts.  That enabled the  division to                 
  go  on  line and  share  a  page with  the  Yukon Territory,                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  establish a  recognition program  for pioneers and  historic                 
  properties, provide for coordination of museum and symposium                 
  planning, etc.                                                               
                                                                               
  Interest in the centennial is high.   The license plate made                 
  available through SB 89 is  a cost effective marketing tool.                 
  After sale of the first 260 plates (at $30 a set), the state                 
  will break even.   Those  purchasing subsequent plates  will                 
  pay for the cost of the program.  Ms. Wolf urged support for                 
  the bill.   Senator  Donley commented  on lack of  estimated                 
  revenue  on   1995  fiscal  notes.     Co-chairman   Halford                 
  concurred.  He  further noted analysis language  saying that                 
  "A revised  fiscal note  will  be submitted  to reflect  new                 
  general fund revenue."  He then observed that since there is                 
  no subsequent note, the status of the Dept. of Public Safety                 
  fiscal note is unknown.  The Co-chairman estimated that sale                 
  of $30  sets of  plates which  cost $2.60  to produce  would                 
  result in  a  positive fiscal  note of  $15.0 to  $18.0.   A                 
  fiscal note must be  provided before the bill can  move from                 
  committee.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Co-chairman Frank referenced previously proposed legislation                 
  requiring  vehicles  to  have  only  one license  plate  and                 
  suggested that perhaps that  provision could be incorporated                 
  within the present bill.  He  expressed need to discuss that                 
  possibility  with  the  sponsor.    As  an  alternative,  he                 
  subsequently  recommended  that  the  centennial  gold  rush                 
  license plate  become standard  issue.   Mr. Garrett  voiced                 
  appreciation for  that approach,  characterizing it as  "our                 
  ultimate marketing dream."                                                   
                                                                               
  In  response to  a question  from Senator Zharoff,  Ms. Wolf                 
  said that the  decade of  gold rush plates  would extend  to                 
  2004.                                                                        
                                                                               
  Discussion  followed between  Ms.  Wolf  and  Senator  Randy                 
  Phillips  regarding  division  efforts   during  the  Alaska                 
  Highway celebration.   She  advised that  perceived problems                 
  stemmed from the  fact that the Yukon  expended considerably                 
  more on the effort than did Alaska.                                          
                                                                               
  Co-chairman Halford directed that SB 86 be held in committee                 
  pending receipt of an updated fiscal  note and attendance by                 
  the sponsor, Senator Sharp.