05/05/1993 01:17 PM Senate FIN

                                                                               
  SENATE BILL NO. 124                                                          
                                                                               
       An  Act  relating to  the  powers and  finances  of the                 
       Alaska Energy Authority; and providing for an effective                 
       date.                                                                   
                                                                               
  Upon convening the meeting, Co-chair Pearce directed that SB
 be brought on for discussion and advised that work draft                 
  CSSB 124 (8-GS1023\J, Cramer,  5/4/93) was being distributed                 
  for members'  review.  Senator  Sharp MOVED for  adoption of                 
  CSSB 124,  version "J."   No  objection having  been raised,                 
  CSSB 124 (Finance), version "J" was ADOPTED.                                 
                                                                               
  Senator Sharp explained  that CSSB 124 (Finance)  provides a                 
  vehicle  for  establishment  of  a  task force  to  evaluate                 
  regimented phase  out of the  Alaska Energy Authority.   The                 
  Senator noted complications associated with phase out due to                 
  bonding requirements.  Task force work would be accomplished                 
  during the interim between May and December.                                 
                                                                               
  Senator   Kerttula   noted    the   absence   of    minority                 
  representation on  the task  force.   Senator Sharp  advised                 
  that  he  would  have no  problem  accommodating  a minority                 
                                                                               
                                                                               
  member.  Senator  Frank suggested that the  Senate President                 
  and the Speaker of the House each appoint two members to the                 
  task force.  That would provide opportunity  to for minority                 
  participation.   Senator Sharp suggested  that the following                 
  amendment  be prepared  for  offering on  the  floor of  the                 
  Senate:                                                                      
                                                                               
       Page 2, Line 7                                                          
                                                                               
            Delete existing  subsection (3)  and replace  with                 
  the                                                                          
            following:                                                         
                                                                               
            (3)  two  members of  the House of  Representative                 
  and                                                                          
            two members of the Senate selected  by appropriate                 
            president officers, one of each  body being of the                 
            minority.                                                          
                                                                               
  Senator Kerttula concurred in the foregoing.                                 
                                                                               
  Co-chair Pearce queried members regarding disposition of the                 
  bill.  Senator Sharp MOVED that CSSB 124 (Finance) pass from                 
  committee with individual  recommendations.  Co-chair Pearce                 
  asked if the task force would operate without fiscal impact.                 
  Senator Sharp voiced his  understanding that the legislative                 
  budget would bear a  portion of the cost and  that utilities                 
  would provide their own funding.   Co-chair Pearce suggested                 
  that bill language  allow the  commissioner of commerce  and                 
  economic  development and the  commissioner of community and                 
  regional affairs to appoint designees to the task force  but                 
  noted that that  change could also be  made on the  floor of                 
  the Senate.  No  objection to passage of CSSB  124 (Finance)                 
  having been raised, it was REPORTED  OUT of committee with a                 
  new title, and a zero fiscal note from the Dept. of Commerce                 
  and Economic Development.   Co-chairs  Pearce and Frank  and                 
  Senators Kelly and  Sharp signed the committee report with a                 
  "do  pass" recommendation.    Senators  Kerttula and  Rieger                 
  signed "no rec."  Senator Jacko was absent and did not sign.                 
                                                                               
  [NOTE -  CSSB 124 (Finance)  was returned to  committee from                 
  the floor of the Senate on May 7, 1993.]