03/23/2006 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS

           SB 215-ENERGY DIVIDEND: INCREASE  2005 PFD                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:54:25 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR GENE  THERRIAULT announced SB 214  and SB 215 to  be up for                                                               
discussion.   As one  of the bills'  sponsors, he  explained that                                                               
this  is  energy-dividend legislation.    He  noted that  he  had                                                               
touched base  with committee members  and asked them  to consider                                                               
passing  the  bill  on  to  the Senate  Finance  Committee.    He                                                               
reminded members that the bills  propose a dividend to help cover                                                               
increased  energy costs  for Alaskans,  with additional  money to                                                               
make up  a difference  for power cost  equalization (PCE)  in the                                                               
current  fiscal   year.    They   also  propose  a   $10  million                                                               
appropriation for multiple-year use for weatherization for low-                                                                 
income people.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
He pointed out  that when it comes to PCE  for the current fiscal                                                               
year and  the following one,  the issue ultimately will  be dealt                                                               
with  in  the  Senate  Finance   Committee.    He  suggested  the                                                               
likelihood  that funding  would continue  for weatherization  for                                                               
low-income  people,  and  said   he'd  like  the  Senate  Finance                                                               
Committee to consider a multiyear appropriation.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:56:25 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR CHARLIE  HUGGINS moved to report  SB 214 and SB  215 from                                                               
committee  with individual  recommendations  and attached  fiscal                                                               
note(s).   Without  objection, SB  214 and  SB 215  were reported                                                               
from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.