04/21/1998 09:25 AM Senate FIN

                                                                               
 SENATE BILL NO. 281                                                           
                                                                               
"An Act relating to general grant land entitlements for                        
the City and Borough of Yakutat; and providing for an                          
effective date."                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                               
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 281(RES)                                                
                                                                               
"An Act relating to general grant land entitlements for                        
the City and Borough of Yakutat; and providing for an                          
effective date."                                                               
                                                                               
Senator Jerry Mackie was invited to join the committee.  He                    
briefly read his sponsor statement into the record.  He said                   
this legislation was introduced to complete the formation of                   
the Yakutat Borough.  He said it would correct the defects                     
in the borough formation process that resulted in such a                       
small land entitlement for the City and Borough of Yakutat                     
by increasing its entitlement to 21,500 acres.  The                            
Resources Committee version of the bill would reduce the                       
original entitlement to 8,552 acres.  The bill would also                      
extend the authority of the Division of Lands, Department of                   
Natural Resources to condition and restrict any of the                         
municipality selections made under this increased grant.  He                   
said they believed they qualified for about 33,000 acres.                      
Through negotiations in the Community and Regional Affairs                     
committee it was reduced to 21,000 acres.  Everyone,                           
including Mental Health, Department of Natural Resources,                      
Department of Fish and Game, Department of Environmental                       
Conservation, Chugach, and the University of Alaska.  He                       
said he would appreciate it if the committee would move the                    
bill along as it is.                                                           
                                                                               
Senator Torgerson MOVED CSSB 281(RES).  WITHOUT OBJECTION it                   
was REPORTED OUT with individual recommendations and                           
accompanying fiscal note from the Department of Natural                        
Resources, Land Development in the amount of $6.0.                             
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp handed the gavel to Co-chair Pearce to                          
continue the budget portion of the meeting.  Co-chair Pearce                   
called SB229.