Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/14/1995 01:03 PM House CRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HCRA - 02/14/95 HB 146 - SLED DOG RACE CLASSIC CO-CHAIR IVAN then asked the person attending on behalf of Representative Richard Foster to come forward and introduce HB 146, pertaining to sled dog race classics. He also recognized those waiting on teleconference from Nome and Mat-Su to give testimony regarding this bill. Number 593 BRYCE EDGMON, Legislative Aide to Representative Richard Foster, sponsor of the measure, introduced HB 146 which would help the Trail Committee raise money. He gave some estimates in terms of the money loss faced this year and next; $390,000; and $175,000. This loss is due at large from the withdrawal of corporate sponsorships. He paralleled the race itself to the race to keep the Iditarod financially afloat. The only alternative to this would be that there wouldn't be an Iditarod Race in the future. The purpose of HB 146 would allow the Trail Committee to conduct a statewide raffle to guess the arrival time of mushers at various checkpoints. Mr. Edgmon stated that the bill wouldn't authorize the individual wagers on any particular musher. Number 624 CO-CHAIR IVAN welcomed any comments. He also commented on how important the Iditarod was to the state's economy and that he supported it. He then welcomed the testimony from Mr. DeSalernos in Nome. Number 630 MATT DESALERNOS, Chair, Iditarod Trail Committee Board of Directors, testified via teleconference from Nome. He strongly supports HB 146. He felt that this would help develop a sound financial future for the race. He also added that it gave Alaska tremendous exposure both nationwide and worldwide and was good for the marketing program for the tourist industry. He felt that HB 146 would serve its purpose of getting money for the race without the committee having to come to the state government asking for the money. It would give a firmer standing for the Iditarod Committee which would be a benefit for all Alaskans. Number 655 JOHN HANDELAND, Mayor, City of Nome, testified via teleconference. He stated that his council recently passed a unanimous resolution in support of HB 146. He said that over the last several years, he's been a volunteer for the Iditarod, and he's met with people from all over the world that follow the Iditarod on a regular basis. He felt that the Iditarod was a very important race, not just for the local community, but for the state of Alaska as a whole. The great tourism potential and outside funding was something Mayor Handeland felt couldn't be overlooked. HB 146 would provide another vital tool to base the Iditarod as self- sufficient. Number 681 REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE asked Mayor Handeland about the amount of money that could be raised from this classic based on estimates from other classics. Number 684 MAYOR HANDELAND replied that there are other authorized classics, and he hadn't looked through those estimates. He felt that this classic would bring in a substantial amount of money if marketed properly. He hoped that the raffle tickets would be available statewide to maximize the benefits from the program. Over the last year, funding has come from local communities throughout the state, and corporate sponsors but it's not expected for them to continue funding to the extent that they have recently. Number 700 REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE wanted to make a suggestion saying he was all for HB 146 and he wanted all of the funding to be from the state of Alaska. His suggestion concerned his desire for members of the committee to do a quick analysis for future hearings of this bill to come up with an estimate based on other classics. By coming up with an actual dollar amount, it would show others the substantial amount of money that could be raised by Alaskans. Number 712 MAYOR HANDELAND agreed with this suggestion, and he followed up by saying that he hoped there would be substantial interest raised on the national level by those visiting Alaska and who purchase a ticket and who actually follow the race. TAPE 95-2, SIDE B Number 000 CO-CHAIR IVAN welcomed the comments from Stan Houley, in Mat-Su, testifying in support of HB 146. Number 006 STAN HOULEY, Executive Director, Iditarod Trail Committee, felt that this bill would allow a diversity in the funding base. He estimated a monetary amount from the sale of the classics which he felt could be close to a million dollars. This was generated on the basis of looking at the amount raised for the Nenana Classic which ranged around $200,000. This classic is more regionalized than the iditarod, and he believes that the million dollar figure is achievable. He urged the committee to consider the benefit of giving the trail committee a tool with which to make itself more successful. Number 077 CO-CHAIR IVAN introduce Joann Potts testifying from Mat-Su. Number 080 JOANN POTTS, Director, Iditarod Race, said she's been involved with the race for the past twenty years and she felt that it was important for the race to be able to continue. She strongly endorsed the proposed bill. Number 094 CO-CHAIR IVAN welcomed comments and questions at this point. Number 095 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON asked for clarification in determining the difference between a sled dog race classic and a dog mushers contest. Number 099 MR. EDGMON called upon Jeff Prather to answer the question. Number 105 JEFF PRATHER, Acting Director, Charitable Gaming Division, Department of Revenue, stated that he didn't think there was a difference between the two. This bill would prevent any other charitable organization from conducting a dog mushers contest. Number 120 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON followed up with a comment stating that HB 146 would prevent the occurrence of other organizations reaping the benefits of such a raffle and would give exclusive right to the trail committee. Number 125 CO-CHAIR IVAN expressed his appreciation for all the testimony supporting the bill. Number 129 MR. EDGMON added that SB 66 was a companion bill that had passed out of the Senate Finance Committee that morning and was headed toward the Senate Resources Committee. He also stated his appreciation at the willingness of the committee to hear HB 146. Number 138 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON moved to pass HB 146 out of the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee with individual recommendations.
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