03/31/1999 06:00 PM Senate FIN

                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 101                                                                                                             
"An Act amending the definition of 'disaster.'"                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
This was the sixth hearing for this bill.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Amendment #10 was distributed to members relating to                                                                            
wildland fires.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Sean Parnell moved for adoption of Amend #10.                                                                           
Without objection, it was adopted.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Loren Leman requested George Utermohle to explain                                                                       
the flood provision.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
GEORGE UTERMOHLE, Legal Council, Division of Legal                                                                              
Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, told the committee                                                                        
that the President of the US could declare a flood a                                                                            
disaster emergency.  He explained the flood provision and                                                                       
how an event would qualify for $5 million or $1 million in                                                                      
aid.  It did not lower the amount of funds it just lowered                                                                      
the threshold that the Governor must come to the                                                                                
Legislature for further assistance.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Loren Leman clarified that it just changed the                                                                          
methodology that the Governor had to use to obtain the                                                                          
floods.  George Utermohle affirmed.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Gary Wilken asked if the Upper Chena River flooded                                                                      
and ten years later, the Lower Chena River flooded would                                                                        
that be considered the second flood.  George Utermohle said                                                                     
it would be incumbent upon the Governor to define the area                                                                      
affected.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair John Torgerson noted the limit was set at $5                                                                           
million. The authority was actually broadened.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair John Torgerson announced that Amendment #10 must                                                                       
be rescinded to allow the committee to adopt the CS Version                                                                     
"K". Action taken on Amendment #10 was rescinded without                                                                        
objection.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Sean Parnell moved to adopt the CS Version "K".                                                                         
Without objection it was adopted.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Sean Parnell moved to adopt Amendment #10. Without                                                                      
objection, it was adopted.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair John Torgerson asked if there was anyone wishing                                                                       
to testify for SB 101.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CAROL CARROLL, Director, Division of Support Services,                                                                          
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and Department                                                                      
of Natural Resources, testified.  She asked the committee's                                                                     
intent with the adoption of Amendment #10. Co-Chair John                                                                        
Torgerson said wildfires were exempted. They discussed the                                                                      
intent of the amendment.  Co-Chair John Torgerson stated                                                                        
that his intent was exactly as the amendment was worded.                                                                        
Carol Carroll stated her interpretation of that.  Co-Chair                                                                      
John Torgerson agreed that was correct.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator Lyda Green wanted to know if that was the current                                                                       
practice.  Co-Chair John Torgerson said it was not, that it                                                                     
had been set at $1 million.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator Lyda Green noted that there had been wildland fires                                                                     
much in excess of $5 million and she had never been polled                                                                      
on whether more funds should be expended.  Co-Chair John                                                                        
Torgerson explained that the presiding officers had made                                                                        
the decision in the past.  Under this legislation, the                                                                          
Legislature would be polled.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Carol Carroll asked if wildland fires would be less than $5                                                                     
million and more than $1 million.  Co-Chair John Torgerson                                                                      
requested George Utermohle explained the trigger procedure.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
George Utermohle this provision provided that either $5                                                                         
million or $1 million disaster depending on what the                                                                            
Governor declared and depended on whether the President                                                                         
declared. However, it exempted that it must be declared a                                                                       
federal disaster before additional funds could be                                                                               
appropriated.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Sean Parnell made a motion to move CS SB 101 (FIN)                                                                      
from committee. Without objection, it was so ordered.