Legislature(1993 - 1994)

02/23/1993 05:00 PM House ARR

Audio Topic
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
txt
  TAPE 93-2, SIDE A                                                            
  Number 000                                                                   
                                                                               
  The meeting was called to order at approximately 5:45 p.m.                   
  by Chairman Gary Davis.  A quorum was not present for the                    
  meeting.                                                                     
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN DAVIS invited DEBRA BEHR, from the DEPARTMENT OF                    
  LAW, to come back at a later date when more committee                        
  members would be present to listen to her overview.  The                     
  discussion of HJR 11 and SJR 11 was postponed as well.                       
                                                                               
  Chairman Davis decided to have BONNIE WILLIAMS make her                      
  presentation since the teleconference was set up.                            
                                                                               
  BONNIE WILLIAMS, CHAIR, GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON REGULATORY                  
  REVIEW, discussed the creation and mission of the task                       
  force.  She said the main objective of the task force was to                 
  determine regulations that inhibit economic productivity.                    
  Task Force members contacted various industries and inquired                 
  about what regulations were most costly and elicited                         
  complaints.  The task force then developed recommendations                   
  and changes to regulations and administrative codes.                         
                                                                               
  MS. WILLIAMS said the three areas where the most complaints                  
  were heard involved agriculture, mining, and underground                     
  storage tanks.  Other areas rendering complaints included                    
  tourism, contamination, fishing guides, and EPA                              
  (Environmental Protection Agency) drinking water.  There                     
  were also some unresolved items regarding state procurement                  
  procedures involving private enterprise and the University                   
  of Fairbanks.                                                                
                                                                               
  MS. WILLIAMS noted that other findings included that many                    
  mandates are placed upon the state by the federal                            
  government, especially through the EPA.  However, in many                    
  cases, Alaska often increases the requirements.                              
                                                                               
  MS. WILLIAMS said the task force membership included:                        
                                                                               
       Charles P. Boddy, vice president of Usibelli Coal in                    
       Fairbanks;                                                              
                                                                               
       Edwin Bostrom, a farmer/beekeeper in the North Pole;                    
                                                                               
       Craig Ingham, president of McKinley Bank in Fairbanks;                  
                                                                               
       Sandra Jacques, D.C., an Anchorage chiropractor;                        
                                                                               
       Gloria McCutcheon, president of Alaska Fish & Farm                      
       Products, Inc., in Anchorage;                                           
                                                                               
       Roy Ricketts, executive director of Fairbanks                           
       Industrial Development Authority;                                       
                                                                               
       Wayne Stevens, executive director of the Kodiak Chamber                 
       of Commerce;                                                            
                                                                               
       Kathleen Weeks, an Anchorage attorney who formerly                      
       worked for the Pacific Legal Foundation;                                
                                                                               
       Senator Bert Sharp and Representative Carl Moses.                       
                                                                               
  MS. WILLIAMS acknowledged that the task force was somewhat                   
  biased towards Fairbanks and the interior in terms of its                    
  membership.  She stated this was part of an effort to reduce                 
  travel and communication costs.                                              
                                                                               
  MS. WILLIAMS stated that the task force would meet on                        
  Saturday, February 27, to go over their draft copy of                        
  recommendations and hopefully be able to finalize it for                     
  publication.  If not, there was a tentative meeting                          
  scheduled for March 13 if needed.  Once the draft is                         
  finalized, Ms. Williams said she would look forward to                       
  meeting with the committee and going into specifics as to                    
  the task force's recommendations.                                            
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN DAVIS adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.                            

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