Legislature(2021 - 2022)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/19/2022 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB241 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 241 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 241
"An Act making appropriations for the operating
expenses of state government and certain programs;
making capital appropriations and supplemental
appropriations; capitalizing funds; and providing for
an effective date."
9:15:19 AM
NEIL STEININGER, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET,
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, introduced himself.
MILES BAKER, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT COORDINATOR,
introduced himself.
Mr. Baker discussed the presentation titled, "State of
Alaska; Office of the Governor; Infrastructure
Appropriation Bill SB241; Senate Finance Committee; April
6, 2022" (copy on file). He displayed slide 9, "Federal
Programs and Match":
Fish and Game
?Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson)
$24,000.0 ($18,000.0 Fed, $6,000.0 F and G Fund)
Co-Chair Bishop asked for a detailed list of projects.
9:17:22 AM
DAYNA MACKEY, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT
OF FISH AND GAME, JUNEAU (via teleconference), agreed to
provide that information.
Mr. Baker continued with slide 9:
Health and Social Services
?Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) $314.0 Fed
Military and Veterans' Affairs
?State and Local Cybersecurity Grants $2,404.4
($2,164.0 Fed, 240.4 UGF)
Senator Wilson wondered how many local and tribal
governments that the state planned to assist with the
funding.
Mr. Baker replied that he did not know.
9:21:42 AM
Mr. Baker continued with slide 9:
Natural Resources
?National Geological and Geophysical Data
Preservation Program (NGGDPP) $3,290.0 ($2,290.0
Fed, $1,000.0 UGF)
?Critical Minerals Mapping -Earth Mapping
Resources Initiative (MRI) $7,500.0 Fed
?Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Program
$1,333.0 Fed
Co-Chair Bishop surmised that the $1.3 million was
additional to the $3 million for the abandoned mine section
in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) budget.
Mr. Baker agreed.
Mr. Baker continued with slide 9:
?Community Wildfire Defense Grants (NEW) $3,000.0
Fed
Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether there was any helium in
the associated gas in the state.
9:27:40 AM
MELANIE WERDON, GEOLOGICAL SCIENTIST, DIVISION OF
GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), deferred to Mr.
LaPain.
9:28:13 AM
DAVID LAPAIN, DIRECTOR AND STATE GEOLOGIST, DIVISION OF
GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), replied that he
was not aware of helium in substantial quantities in the
state. He deferred to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation
Commission (AOGCC), who may track that data.
Mr. Baker addressed slide 10, "Federal Programs and Match":
Environmental Conservation
?Village Safe Water and Wastewater Projects
$45,000.0 Fed
o First Time Service $27,000.0 Fed
o Existing Service $18,000.0 Fed
?Drinking Water Fund Capitalization $39,972.2
($38,176.7 Fed, $1,795.5 UGF)
?Drinking Water Capital Subsidies
o Regular Program $6,246.5 Other (Drinking
Water Fund)
o Emerging Contaminant $5,353.4 Other
(Drinking Water Fund)
o Lead Line Service $9,836.9 Other (Drinking
Water Fund)
?Clean Water Fund Capitalization $21,857.4
($19,850.9 Fed, $2,006.5 UGF)
?Clean Water Capital Subsides
o Regular Program $9,241.9 Other (Clean
Water Fund)
o Emerging Contaminant $ 989.8 Other (Clean
Water Fun
9:33:13 AM
Mr. Steininger stated that each item was in the operating
budget, but the details were within the capital budget.
Senator von Imhof wondered how many years that the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) could spend
the money. She remarked that it was going to take manpower
and planning to distribute the money.
Mr. Steininger replied that some of the projects could take
as long as ten years, and deferred to Mr. Bates.
Senator von Imhof stressed the importance of there not
being a time limit and guideline for the projects.
Mr. Steininger deferred to Mr. Bates.
9:35:20 AM
RANDY BATES, DIRECTOR OF WATER, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSERVATION, JUNEAU (via teleconference), replied that the
federal government stated that the money could be spent for
up to twelve years or more.
Senator Wilson queried the number of communities in the
state that were still using landlines.
Mr. Bates agreed to provide that information.
Mr. Baker highlighted slide 11, "Federal Programs and
Match":
Environmental Conservation
?Administrative Services
o Water Programs Accounting $417.7 Other
($359.7 CIP, $56.0 Drinking Water Fund,
$56.0 Clean Water Fund); 2 PFT
?Environmental Health
o Drinking Water Program Implementation
$8,126.1 Fed; 6 PFT
?Spill Prevention and Response (SPAR)
o Brownfield Response $1,000.0 Fed; 5 NP
?Water Quality
o Drinking Water Program Implementation
$4,582.7 ($4,276.9 Fed, $305.8 Drinking
Water Fund); 3 PFT
o Clean Water Program Implementation
$1,192.7 ($886.8 Fed, $305.9 Clean Water
Fund); 3 PFT
o Indian Health Service (IHS) Village Safe
Water Support $1,585.4 CIP; 5 PFT
Mr. Baker pointed to slide 12, "Federal Programs and
Match":
Transportation and Public Facilities
?Airport Improvement Program Increase $237,767.3 Total
o $ 73,400.0 FY22 ($ 70,000.0 Fed, $ 3,400.0
IARF)
o $164,367.3 FY23 ($152,967.3 Fed, $11,400.0
IARF)
o See attachment 2 for allocation details
?Surface Transportation Program Increase $211,408.3
Fed
o $ 98,756.5 FY22
o $112,651.7 FY23
o See attachment 3 for allocation details
?Bridge Formula Program (New) $90,000.0 ($45,000.0
FY22 and FY23)
?PROTECT Program (New) $35,800.0 ($17,900.0 FY22 and
FY23)
?Carbon Reduction Program (New) $31,400.0 ($15,700.0
FY22 and FY23)
?Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (New) $15,516.4 ($
7,758.2 FY22 and FY23)
?Federal Program State Match
o Federal Aid Highway $46,500.0 UGF
o Federal Aid Aviation $ 4,300.0 UGF
Senator von Imhof asked whether there had been studies on
how electric vehicles fared in very cold climates. She
wondered whether the state's electric grid could handle an
expansion in the use of electric vehicles.
9:46:58 AM
CURTIS THAYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY,
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
(via teleconference), responded that some electric cars
worked at 40 below and greater. He spoke to the electrical
grid and said there was no issue on the Railbelt grid. He
noted that Juneau had the highest number of electric
vehicles, per capita, of anywhere in the country.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the funds would be
available for local governments for alternative projects to
upgrade roads.
Mr. Thayer responded in the negative. He said that the
money was marked for very specific projects.
Senator Olson asked about funding for programs after they
were established, and whether the state was required to
fund the projects moving forward.
Mr. Baker said that the programs in the presentation were
new, so there was an expectation that the programs would
move forward with federal funding.
Co-Chair Bishop invited Mr. Carpenter to the table.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the transportation funds
would be available as pass-through funds to local
governments for road resurfacing or culvert replacement.
9:52:28 AM
ROB CARPENTER, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES (via teleconference),
replied in the affirmative, and stated that there was a
local component in the bill and that projects would be
competitively scored after project submission.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the projects would be
awarded to public private partnerships.
Mr. Carpenter responded that the capital budget was broken
into components. He spoke of TIPS or transportation
improvement plans. He mentioned community transportation
programs
Senator Wilson asked whether the future projects would
delay current projects.
Mr. Carpenter said that he could not predict what would
happen in the future.
Mr. Baker pointed out to the committee the total match
listed at the bottom of Slide 12.
9:56:03 AM
Mr. Baker addressed slide 13, "Additional Support of
Federal Initiatives":
Administration
?Cyber Security Upgrades and Security Monitoring
Improvements $2,849.0 UGF
Environmental Conservation
?SPAR Database Upgrades and Improvements $1,300.0
UGF
?State Brownfield Sites Clean-up $1,000.0 UGF
?Water Quality Additional Program Implementation
Support $135.4 UGF; 1 PFT
Natural Resources
?Critical Minerals Resource Mapping $3,000.0
($2,750 UGF, $250 SDPR)
Mr. Baker looked at slide 14, "Congressional Earmarks
(FY22):
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
?Teacher, Health Professional and Public Safety
Housing Program $4,000.0 ($2,000.0 Fed, $2,000.0
UGF)
?Includes $2,000.0 UGF match to specially address
Public Safety housing needs
Natural Resources
?Coastal and Nearshore Mapping $5,000.0 Fed
Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation (AHFC) had worked with the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED) to address teacher
housing.
10:02:11 AM
JAMES WIEDLE, BUDGET DIRECTOR, ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE
CORPORATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), replied that
the Teacher Housing Program built a number of homes for
teacher housing in rural Alaska. He stated that there were
some conversations with DEED over the years, but there was
not yet a prioritization list.
Co-Chair Bishop felt that teacher housing should be made a
priority immediately.
Senator Wilson agreed. He looked at slide 13, and wondered
how the additional funding through the infrastructure bill
would put a strain on the program.
Mr. Steininger replied that the project would enable the
work in a more effective way.
10:05:48 AM
Mr. Baker addressed slide 15, "Coordination and
Implementation":
Office of the Governor
?State Infrastructure Planning and Coordination
$5,480.0 ($5,000.0 UGF, $480.0 CIP); 2 PFT
Alaska Municipal League (AML)
?Local Government Capacity Building and Technical
Assistance $500.0 UGF
Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN)
?Navigator Program $2,500.0 UGF
10:10:26 AM
Co-Chair Stedman expressed concern about multi-year
appropriations.
Mr. Baker pointed to slide 16, "Investment in Competitive
Opportunities":
Electric Grid Modernization -AEA
?Grid reliability, resiliency and transmission
$6,000.0 ($1,000.0 UGF, $5,000.0 Fed)
Clean Hydrogen Technologies -AGDC
?Clean hydrogen research, development and
demonstration $6,000.0 ($1,000.0 UGF, $5,000.0
Fed)
Carbon Capture and Sequestration -DNR
?Carbon technology infrastructure research,
development and demonstration $6,000.0 ($1,000.0
UGF, $5,000.0 Fed)
Rare Earth and Critical Minerals -UA
?Rare Earth Elements (REE) Demonstration Facility
$500.0 UGF
?Critical Minerals Security Projects $9,500.0
($2,000.0 UGF, $7,500.0 Fed)
Senator Wilson queried the Railbelt Electric Reliability
organization progress.
10:16:19 AM
CURTIS THAYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), explained that the council
was currently underway, and had filed a 300-page
application and would be approximately 18 months to work
through the process to become an entity. He stated that
there was not that window of time, so the guidelines would
be released soon. He stated that there was work with
entities to apply for the available funding at the time of
approval.
Co-Chair Stedman cautioned against adding wind turbines. He
wondered why the carbon capture was not going to the
university for research.
Mr. Baker replied that the clean hydrogen technology had $8
billion from the federal government to fund clean hydrogen
hubs. He stated that the objective was to put public money
into the technology.
10:20:48 AM
Co-Chair Stedman expressed concern, because there was an
attempt to work with the university on the heavy oil and
hydrocarbon basin.
Mr. Baker agreed, and stated that the university needed to
be a key component of the partnership.
10:23:19 AM
AT EASE
10:23:31 AM
RECONVENED
10:23:36 AM
Co-Chair Bishop discussed the schedule.
SB 241 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 241 22.04.06 GOV Infrastructure Bill SFIN FINAL.pdf |
SFIN 4/13/2022 9:00:00 AM SFIN 4/19/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 241 |
| SB 241 Attachment 3 Capital Project for Wildlife Restoration Pittman-Roberston Funding.pdf |
SFIN 4/19/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 241 |
| SB 241 Attachment 2 Chinook Projects.pdf |
SFIN 4/19/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 241 |
| SB 241 Attachment 1 Indentified Orphan Wells.pdf |
SFIN 4/19/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 241 |
| SB 241 OMB Response to SFIN SB241 Questions.pdf |
SFIN 4/19/2022 9:00:00 AM |
SB 241 |