Legislature(1995 - 1996)
04/11/1996 01:45 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL 250
"An Act relating to the University of Alaska and to
assets of the University of Alaska; authorizing the
University of Alaska to select additional state public
domain land, designating that land as `university trust
land,' and describing the principles applicable to the
land's management; and defining the net income from the
University of Alaska's endowment trust fund as
`university receipts' subject to prior legislative
appropriation."
ALLISON GORDON, STAFF, SENATOR STEVE FRANK, noted that SB
250 would allow the University of Alaska to select 350
thousand acres of unencumbered land from the State of
Alaska. In this era of declining State funds, endowing the
University with additional lands will allow them to develop
those lands to produce income for university programs.
Under the Congressional Morrill Act of 1862, each state was
entitled to receive a grant for public lands, the income
from which would provide the financial base of operation for
at least one college or university. The University of
Alaska received about 112 thousand acres of land, less than
any other western public land state and less than the
national average entitlement by over 300 thousand acres.
Some universities have received one million acres.
She concluded that an additional grant of land would bring
Alaska up to the level of other western states and would
follow through with the original purpose of land grant
colleges.
WENDY REDMAN, VICE PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY RELATIONS,
UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, stated that the University of Alaska
is called a "Land Grant University". She pointed out
changes made in the bill from last year. The largest change
removed the portion of the bill which specified which lands
were available, and giving the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) responsibility for making that
determination. The University is willing to concede with
what DNR determines is in the "best interest" of the State.
5
A section has been added which would provide the same
protection for the University that the State has for the
proprietary information to the lands issue. Policy that
currently applies to the State is included. Another section
addresses the administrative foreclosure on the lands.
Ms. Redman added that the Board of Regents are trying to
determine alternative sources of revenue. Over the last
decade, the University has decreased from a 70% to 40%
dependency on general fund revenues. The majority of the
financial shift has been to the students. She emphasized
the need to generate additional money each year for the
University and thought that it could be accommodated through
the land use grant. Ms. Redman continued, DNR does not have
the resources available to adequately manage state land.
The University is looking for 1/10th of 1%. Last year, the
University received 350 million acres of land.
Representative Therriault asked if the bills language was
consistent with the language used last year. Ms. Redman
responded that the income from the receipts would be
classified as program receipts.
Ms. Redman addressed the amendment as distributed by
Representative Therriault. She stated that the amendment
was drafted in response to issues by the mining community.
The changes delete the "selection" when used with conveyance
of land rights. The intent of the bill is that land not be
tied up in any way, until the Legislature takes action to
give the lands to the University through the appropriation
process.
SARA HANNAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBY
(AEL), JUNEAU, voiced strong opposition to SB 250. She
stated that the University of Alaska's land grant obligation
is fulfilled. The State of Alaska has no additional land
obligation to the University, and has monetarily supported
the University since Statehood. The University has no
higher right to State resources than any other agency.
Ms. Hannan continued, in a time when we cannot fully fund
our public schools, it is inappropriate to give resources
worth millions of dollars to the University.
All Alaskans currently have access to share the opportunity
to the use of State lands. Putting 350 thousand acres of
State owned land into the "private" ownership of the
University preempts equal access. "Customary and
traditional use" of the land, like fishing, hunting,
camping, trapping and hiking will only be protected until
the University development plans conflict with it.
6
Ms. Hannan concluded that fracturing the ownership platter
of Alaska lands would not be in the State's best interest.
If the lands should be developed by the State, then the
State should lease them. Giving away valuable resource
lands, without a plan for future Alaska's land management is
short sighted.
DAN RITZMAN, NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER,
FAIRBANKS, stated that the Northern Center is opposed to SB
250 noting that the bill would remove 350 thousand acres of
public land from public control.
SB 250 exempts the selected lands from public oversight and
State land planning requirements. The University claims to
be concerned about public input into it's land management
although their recent history does not demonstrate this. He
added that the University tried to fast-track the bill right
past the public. SB 250 had only one hearing in the Senate,
which was not tele-conferenced.
Mr. Ritzman noted that the Northern Center believes that SB
250 is a "dangerous" bill for public lands. It would negate
years of good faith public participation in state land use
planning, that resulted in decisions to retain most lands
for fish and wildlife habitat, public recreation, and a host
of other purposes. The University's draft financial
management plan indicates that they would like to dispose of
much of their land holdings for cash that can be invested.
Mr. Ritzman noted that SB 250 fails to address the issue of
contiguity of land ownership. There is no provision in the
bill to prevent our land from being fragmented further,
which will lead to development conflicts with existing uses
on neighboring public and private land. He concluded that
the bill would violate the dedicated fund prohibition in the
State constitution. In addition, the University does not
have any more right to a land entitlement than the public
safety providers or the secondary school system.
Representative Therriault referenced Page 10, Section 9,
which speaks to the management and disposition of University
trust lands, with policy to provide for public notice, plans
and seeking of public comments. He disagreed that the
public was being excluded.
(Tape Change, HFC 96-113, Side 2).
Representative Therriault MOVED to adopt Amendment #1.
Representative Brown OBJECTED in order to read the
amendment. Amendment #1 was HELD with the MOTION pending.
Representative Mulder requested that staff from Department
of Natural Resources DNR) be present for the next hearing of
SB 250 was heard.
7
SB 250 was HELD for further discussion.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|