Legislature(2011 - 2012)BARNES 124
03/22/2011 03:00 PM House ENERGY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR20 | |
| HJR23 | |
| HCR9 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HJR 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HCR 9 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HCR 9-STATE ENERGY PRODUCTION WORKING GROUP
4:05:49 PM
CO-CHAIR FOSTER announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9, Establishing in the Alaska
State Legislature the Alaska Working Group on Interstate Energy
Production.
4:06:00 PM
DIRK CRAFT, Staff, Representative Lance Pruitt and the House
Special Committee on Energy, introduced HCR 9 on behalf of the
House Special Committee on Energy, saying that the resolution
establishes in the Alaska State Legislature the Alaska Working
Group on Interstate Energy Production. This legislation is in
response to legislation proposed by other states that produce
energy and energy resources. Alaska, along with other states,
continues to experience the negative consequences from delay or
cancellation of economically viable energy-related projects
because federal law and federal law enforcement too often
overreach the federal government's constitutional authority to
make and enforce laws. This working group will develop a
proposal for an inter-legislature agreement that will facilitate
collaboration between the Alaska State Legislature and other
state legislatures in efforts to influence federal energy-
related law and policy and to discourage delay or cancellation
of economically viable energy-related projects in the state and
in other states. The intent of this working group is to create
a more unified voice from the states most affected by the
consequences of energy-related federal law. He called attention
to page 2, line 10, and noted the resolution directs that the
working group shall consist of four members, two of which are
appointed by the President of the Senate and two appointed by
the Speaker of the House. On page 2, line 14, the resolution
directs the working group will meet during and between regular
sessions of the Alaska State Legislature and members may travel
to meetings, subject to approval by the President of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House. On page 2, line 20, the
resolution directs that the working group will terminate on
1/18/13. On page 2, line 22, the resolution directs that the
working group shall issue its report on or before 1/17/12, and
allows for additional reports that the group considers
advisable.
4:07:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER clarified that the intent of the
resolution was not to establish interstate energy production
with another state.
MR. CRAFT concurred. The resolution is unusual, but it is
similar to resolutions in Utah and Wyoming, although Alaska is
acting through a concurrent resolution rather than statute.
4:08:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether Alaska would be working
with Utah and Wyoming.
MR. CRAFT indicated correct, and also Texas.
CO-CHAIR FOSTER determined that there was no public testimony.
4:09:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK moved to adopt Amendment 1, labeled 27-
LS0600\B.2, Wayne, 3/21/11, which read:
Page 2, line 11:
Delete "four"
Insert "six"
Delete "two"
Insert "three"
Page 2, line 12:
Delete "two"
Insert "three"
Page 2, following line 13:
Insert a new resolution section to read:
"FURTHER RESOLVED that at least one of the three
senators appointed to the Alaska Working Group on
Interstate Energy Production shall be a member of the
largest minority caucus in the Senate, and at least
one of the three representatives appointed to the
Alaska Working Group on Interstate Energy Production
shall be a member of the largest minority caucus in
the House of Representatives; and be it"
CO-CHAIR PRUITT objected for discussion purposes.
4:09:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said he was very proud of the past work done
by the House Special Committee on Energy, and especially of the
work done on the state's energy policy by the committee and a
group of stakeholders that included a variety of interested
parties; this group was able to develop a "unified voice." He
explained that the amendment would increase the members of the
proposed working group from four to six, consisting of three
senators and three representatives. The amendment further
directs that at least one member shall be a member of the
largest minority caucus in the Senate and one member shall be a
member of the largest minority caucus in the House. The purpose
of this increase is to allow minority members to be included in
the working group and "we continue having that unified voice
from both bodies."
4:11:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER observed the proposed working group will
bring back to the committee proposals from work outside of the
state's boundaries. He opined for compactness, efficiency, and
cost, the working group should be kept to the size proposed.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK pointed out there would be no additional
cost as there is no fiscal note attached to the resolution.
4:12:22 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT there is a fiscal note related to travel
estimated at $5,000 per individual. He stated that the other
states have four members each.
4:13:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK withdrew Amendment 1.
4:14:02 PM
CO-CHAIR PRUITT moved to report HCR 9, Version 27-LS0600\B, out
of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being no further objection, HCR
9 was reported from the House Special Committee on Energy.
4:15:19 PM