Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/16/2024 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB174 | |
| SJR20 | |
| SCR13 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 279 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 174 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SCR 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SJR 20-WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEM STATION OUTAGES
1:43:25 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 Urging the
United States Congress to address outages of Automated Weather
Observing System stations and Automated Surface Observing System
stations occurring in the state.
This is the second hearing of SJR 20 in the Senate Community and
Regional Affairs Standing Committee. The intention is to
consider a committee substitute (CS) and look to the will of the
committee to report the resolution out.
1:43:46 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited a motion.
1:43:49 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for
SJR 20, work order 33-LS1505\S, as the working document.
1:43:57 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR objected for purposes of discussion.
1:44:11 PM
ARIELLE WIGGIN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the following summary of
changes for SJR 20.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Summary of Changes
Version B to Version S
Page 5, Line 9
List of recipients of Senate Joint Resolution 20
expanded to include the below list of officials, in
addition to Alaska's Congressional Delegation:
• US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
• FAA Administrator Michael G. Whitaker
• FAA Executive Director for National Engagement and
Regional Administration Sean Torpey
• FAA Alaskan Regional Administrator Mike O'Hare
• NWS Director Ken Graham
• NWS Regional Director Alaska Region Scott Lindsey,
PhD.
• DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson
• Governor Mike Dunleavy.
1:44:50 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR withdrew his objection. He found no further
objection, and CSSJR 20 was adopted as the working document.
1:45:03 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to CSSJR 20.
[Original punctuation provided.]
CONCEPTUAL AMENDMENT 1
BY SENATOR DUNBAR
Add following list of recipients to receive copies at
end of resolution: where appropriate:
"the US Senate and US House Chairs and Ranking Members
of the FAA Reauthorization Act Pre-Conference
Committee: Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Ted Cruz,
Representative Sam Graves, and Representative Rick
Larson"
1:45:41 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL objected for purposes of discussion.
1:45:45 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR invited Senator Hughes to speak to Conceptual
Amendment 1.
1:45:59 PM
SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES, District M, Alaska State Legislature,
Palmer, Alaska, explained that when requests, like SJR 20, are
sent to Washington, D.C., there is often uncertainty about
whether they are read and who needs to see them. She noted that
in this case, the four named members are directly involved in
crafting the final version of the bill in a pre-conference
committee. Instead of following the typical process where the
Senate passes its version and differences are resolved in a
conference committee, leadership has chosen to work on a Senate
version that will be acceptable to both chambers. She emphasized
that these individuals, who are working under a May 10
extension, are the critical audience for the request,
particularly regarding language to address issues with automated
weather observation systems at rural airports. While it is
helpful for others to see the request, the immediate priority is
ensuring this specific group reviews it.
1:47:15 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL withdrew her objection to Conceptual Amendment
1.
1:47:22 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no further objection, and Conceptual
Amendment 1 was adopted.
1:47:27 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony for SJR 20.
1:47:55 PM
MIKE JONES, Assistant Professor of Economics, Institute of
Social and Economic Research (ISER), University of Alaska
Anchorage (UAA), Anchorage, Alaska, gave invited testimony in
support of SJR 20. He expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm
and interest in SJR 20 and its subject. He noted the importance
of [weather and surface observing system] infrastructure for
authorizing flights under challenging weather conditions,
enabling air carriers to transport people and goods to rural
areas reliant on aviation systems. He acknowledged the sector's
complex technological and logistical challenges and emphasized
that this issue consistently emerges as a top priority among
stakeholders. As a researcher in the field, he expressed
gratitude that policymakers recognize the significance of the
issue and are taking action, fostering real momentum.
1:49:17 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR thanked Mr. Jones for his invited testimony.
1:49:26 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR solicited the will of the committee.
1:49:26 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report CSSJR 20, work order 33-
LS1505\S, as amended, from committee with individual
recommendations.
1:49:45 PM
CHAIR DUNBAR found no objection and CSSJR 20(CRA) was reported
from the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing
Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 20 Senate Community and Regional Affairs CS Version S 4.16.24.pdf |
SCRA 4/16/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 20 |
| SB 174 Senate Community and Regional Affairs CS Version S 4.16.24.pdf |
SCRA 4/16/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |
| SJR 20 Summary of Changes, Version B to Version S 4.16.24.pdf |
SCRA 4/16/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 20 |
| SB 174 Summary of Changes, Version B to Version S 4.16.24.pdf |
SCRA 4/16/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 174 |