Legislature(2011 - 2012)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/20/2012 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB91 | |
| SB201 | |
| SB146 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 201 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 146 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 146
"An Act establishing a snow classic as an authorized
form of charitable gaming."
10:54:25 AM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, introduced SB 146 and
relayed that it had no fiscal impact. She stated that the
bill established a Snow Classic, which was essentially the
Nenana Ice Classic in reverse. The bill would add to the
charitable gaming list of opportunities for 501(c)(3) non-
profit Four Valleys Community School to run a guessing game
that would raise money for the schools 250-plus classes
offered in the Turnagain Arm area. The school provided
scholarships for athletes and local high school graduates
and participated in community services with the Girdwood
Lion's Club, Rotary, and volunteer fire department. She
expounded that the Snow Classic was similar to the Nenana
Ice Classic; people would make guesses about the
accumulated snow depth at a specific location on Mt.
Alyeska on a specific day. She noted that Mt. Alyeska was
the state's major ski resort.
Senator Giessel furthered that the profits for the gaming
would replace community school funding that had been
eliminated from the Anchorage school district; she referred
to the community school program that had been run by the
Anchorage School District, which had been eliminated 10
years earlier. She relayed that the Girdwood community had
elected to continue the program because it was an important
service to the community; it provided classes for youths
and adults at a low cost with local teachers. The Snow
Classic would help Four Valleys achieve self-sufficiency
and to keep the classes affordable and available. There
were many other charitable gaming opportunities listed in
statute (e.g. the Cabbage Classic run by the Palmer Rotary,
the Canned Salmon Classic run by the Petersburg Chamber of
Commerce, the Deep Freeze Classic in Delta, the Goose
Classic in Fairbanks, the King Salmon Classic, the Mercury
Classic, and other). The bill had 79 letters of support.
10:57:34 AM
Co-Chair Stedman referenced that the bill had one zero
fiscal note.
REBECCA REICHLIN, BOARD CHAIR, FOUR VALLEYS COMMUNITY
SCHOOLS, GIRDWOOD (via teleconference), spoke in support of
SB 146 on behalf of the Four Valleys Board. She detailed
that since 1981 the school's community programs were the
main source of education, recreation, and cultural
opportunities for community members of all ages in
Girdwood, Bird Creek, Indian, and Portage Valleys. The
school served approximately 6,800 participants and had 700
volunteers. The organization had a long and stable history
of providing quality programs for the community. She
relayed that the Girdwood year-round recreational program
through the school was a model that provided extensive and
varied opportunities for youths to be physically active; it
included activities such as cross country skiing, fall
trail running, indoor soccer, downhill and nordic skiing,
gymnastics and other. Since 1984 Four Valleys had
administered public funds for programs; all awarded monies
provided direct community services. To help with funding
the school had established partnerships with local
businesses, non-profits, and private donors; volunteers
contributed their time to support a wide range of
activities.
Ms. Reichlin expounded that Four Valleys had a prior
history utilizing gaming activities to raise funds; it had
offered a Monte Carlo night, but when gaming regulations
changed it could not continue to offer the event. The
legislation would allow Four Valleys to control its
financial destiny. She accentuated that in a small
community all of the organizations solicited community
support. She relayed that the bill would allow the school
to support its mission, eliminate dependence on property
tax dollars, and to meet its goal of self-sufficiency. The
bill expanded on current gaming regulations.
11:01:32 AM
DIANNA HIIBNER, SKI AREA GENERAL MANAGER, ALYESKA RESORT,
GIRDWOOD (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the
legislation on behalf of the resort. The resort had been
involved in the Alyeska Snow Classic since its inception.
The resort felt that the Snow Classic would be a great
fundraising opportunity for Four Valleys Community Schools
and the community of Girdwood. She urged the committee to
vote in favor of the Snow Classic that would be
administered by Four Valleys.
Senator Giessel reiterated that the bill had a zero fiscal
note and that it would benefit Girdwood.
SB 146 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda for the following
meeting.