02/17/2005 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

                                                                                                                              
                  SB 100-ENHANCED 911 SURCHARGES                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CON BUNDE announced SB 100 to be up for consideration.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR RALHP SEEKINS asked what the definition of a local                                                                      
exchange access line is.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS. LAUREN WICKERSHAM, staff to Chair Bunde, read from                                                                          
AS29.35.133 (4) that a local exchange access line means a                                                                       
telephone line that connects a local exchange service customer                                                                  
or the local telephone company's switching office. It has the                                                                   
capability of reaching local public safety agencies, but does                                                                   
not include a line used by a carrier to provide inner exchange                                                                  
services.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:36:23 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR SEEKINS asked if Bartlett Hospital has an extension in                                                                  
50 rooms, do they have 50 local exchange access lines. Someone                                                                  
indicated yes.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MS. WICKERSHAM added under current statute you only get charged                                                                 
for the first 100 lines.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BUNDE pointed out that there are already access charges,                                                                  
but this bill only changes the amount charged for them.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:37:26 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR ELLIS asked if the committee resolved any differences                                                                   
between the terms call center and dispatch.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MS. WICKERSHAM replied that a call center is under the                                                                          
definition of 911 service; the dispatch center is under the                                                                     
police department duties. A call first comes into the call                                                                      
center and it sends that call to the appropriate state dispatch                                                                 
center - two different things. The call center is covered under                                                                 
the 911 surcharge; the money required to run a dispatch center                                                                  
is not.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
WALT MONEGAN, Chief, Anchorage Police Department, supported SB
.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:39:34 PM                                                                                                                    
TIM ROGERS, Alaska Municipal League, supported SB 100 and said                                                                  
he would respond to questions.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BUNDE asked if they both were comfortable going with the                                                                  
call center being the focus of this bill.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHIEF MONEGAN replied yes.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:40:13 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. DAVID GIBBS, Administrator, Kenai 911 program, said the                                                                     
present surcharge revenue is insufficient to cover the costs to                                                                 
provide the required services. The Kenai Borough prefers that                                                                   
the assembly sets the surcharge rate.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR BUNDE responded that the local government can set the rate                                                                
beyond the $2 cap with a public vote.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR GIBBS reiterated that they prefer to have the assembly set                                                                   
that rate.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:41:12 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. PAUL HARRIS, Fairbanks Police Department, supported the                                                                     
concept, but with a $3 cap.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:42:34 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR SEEKINS moved to pass CSSB 100(L&C), version Y, from                                                                    
committee with individual recommendations and zero fiscal note.                                                                 
There were no objections and it was so ordered.