04/24/2002 09:16 AM Senate FIN

     CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 44(L&C)                                                                                 
     Relating to preparation of a joint state-federal research and                                                              
     development plan.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
This  was the  first  hearing  for  this resolution  in  the  Senate                                                            
Finance Committee.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman  explained that this resolution suggests  constructive                                                            
means  for  the  various  State  and  federal  agencies  engaged  in                                                            
research  in the State,  to coordinate their  activities to  promote                                                            
the "optima benefit for Alaska."                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEAD  TREADWELL,  Member,  Arctic  Research   Commission  (ARC)  and                                                            
Director, Institute of  the North, testified via teleconference from                                                            
Anchorage  and informed  the Committee  that ARC's  objective  is to                                                            
formulate  goals  and objectives,   and to  bring  federal  research                                                            
agencies  together  in  a  coordinated  manner  to  work  on  issues                                                            
affecting  Alaska. He  stated that  major projects  being  developed                                                            
include a study  on changes occurring in the Arctic  region, as well                                                            
as Bering Sea  research and health  issues research. He stated  that                                                            
this resolution  exemplifies the need to coordinate  various federal                                                            
and  State  research  programs   as  well  as  educating  the  State                                                            
Legislature  about the various federal  projects and their  funding,                                                            
in order  for the  State  to get its  priorities  "meshed" with  the                                                            
federal system.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MARY JANE FATE,  Member, Arctic Research Commission,  concurred that                                                            
the   coordination   of  research   would   provide   "a   wonderful                                                            
opportunity" to  benefit the State's people, resources,  and economy                                                            
as well as other regions and countries.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Kelly  asked whether the  US Arctic Commission is  the same                                                            
entity  as the  Arctic  Research  Commission  of the  United  States                                                            
(ARCUS).                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Fate clarified  that  these  two entities  work  together.  She                                                            
stated  that  the  US Arctic  Commission  is  involved  in  research                                                            
"policy-making."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Kelly reminded  the Committee that the University of Alaska                                                            
has  recently  re-instituted  the  position  of  Vice  President  of                                                            
Research.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Fate  noted  that  the person  hired  for  the  position  is  a                                                            
scientist and would enhance the State's research coordination.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman  noted that a technical correction is  required in the                                                            
legislation  on page 1 line 13; whereby,  the reference to  the WAMI                                                            
medical program should correctly be the WWAMI medical program.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman  moved to report "the committee substitute  for Senate                                                            
Joint  Resolution  #44,  Labor and  Commerce,  from  Committee  with                                                            
individual recommendations and accompanying zero fiscal note."                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
There  being  no objections,  CS  SJR  44 (L&C)  was  REPORTED  from                                                            
Committee  with a previous  zero fiscal note,  dated April  16, 2002                                                            
prepared by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.