02/19/2004 01:45 PM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 91                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     An Act relating to a cost-of-living allowance and                                                                          
     medical benefits for retired peace officers after 20                                                                       
     years of credited service.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Representative Fate  MOVED to report work draft  version #23-                                                                   
LS0426\I, Craver,  1/14/04, out of Committee  with individual                                                                   
recommendations and with the attached fiscal notes.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Harris OBJECTED.   He  pointed out  that the  large                                                                   
fiscal note is significant.  He  thought that the State might                                                                   
not be  able to afford  it long term.   He noted  he supports                                                                   
the  concept of  the  20-year retirement  system,  cautioning                                                                   
that  the  note  is large.    Co-Chair  Harris  WITHDREW  his                                                                   
OBJECTION.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Hawker OBJECTED in  order to make  a comment.                                                                   
He  voiced  concern  with  the  effect of  the  note  on  the                                                                   
municipalities.    He thought  it  could place  an  "unfunded                                                                   
mandate" upon them.   He understood that the  Municipality of                                                                   
Anchorage  had  become  more supportive  of  the  legislation                                                                   
while  recognizing the  costs they  might incur.   He  agreed                                                                   
that  the bill  is  "good and  does the  appropriate  thing".                                                                   
Representative Hawker WITHDREW his OBJECTION.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Williams  pointed out  that  the sponsor  had  been                                                                   
working with the  Governor's Office.  He added  that there is                                                                   
support throughout the Legislative House for the bill.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CS  HB 91  (FIN) was  reported out  of Committee  with a  "no                                                                   
recommendation" and with a new  fiscal note by the Department                                                                   
of  Administration  and  an  indeterminate  note  #1  by  the                                                                   
Department of Administration.