Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
05/08/2006 01:45 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB231 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | SB 231 | ||
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 231(FIN) am
An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations, supplemental appropriations,
reappropriations, and appropriations to capitalize
funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),
Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the
constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for
an effective date.
Co-Chair Chenault MOVED to ADOPT work draft #24-GS2034\C,
Kurtz/Kane, 5/08/06. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
adopted.
PETE ECKLUND, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER, explained
the changes incorporated into the committee substitute.
There were a number of items redirected by legislators
within their districts; as well as cleanup in grants, and
state funds that were not appropriated in the operating
budget, which slightly lowered the general fund
appropriation.
2:14:15 PM
Co-Chair Meyer MOVED to ADOPT Amendments 5 and 5a. Mr.
Ecklund explained that Amendment 5 would: change the grant
recipient from the City of Dillingham to the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities; remove "tobacco
cessation" from a project title; delete "Hatcher Pass" and
insert "Fish Hook"; move funding from a project in Thorne
Bay to Coffman Cove; move funds between Metlakatla and
Gustavus; and delete the requirement to run municipal grants
through the capital Matching Grant Program. He explained
that the deletion would speed grants.
Mr. Ecklund explained that Amendment 5A would shift an
appropriation from the City of Shishmaref to Kawarek, Inc.
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendments 5 and 5A were adopted.
2:18:14 PM
Representative Joule MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #1(a): add
$1,759,000 to unincorporated communities.
Co-Chair Meyer OBJECTED
Representative Joule explained that the amendment would be
in addition to funding in the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development for municipalities and
boroughs. There are approximately 70 unincorporated
communities, which would receive approximately $25 thousand
each, with the adoption of the amendment. He maintained that
the funding would help protect the state's investments in
these communities in terms of maintaining infrastructure.
Vice-Chair Meyer spoke against the amendment. He
acknowledged the need, but emphasized his intent to
encourage communities to incorporate. He observed that there
is no government to government relationship for transfer of
funding.
2:20:59 PM
Representative Joule observed that unincorporated
communities received state funding under the Community
Assistance and Safe Communities programs. He did not think
that it would be difficult to distribute the funds.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Joule, Kerttula, Moses
OPPOSED: Weyhrauch, Foster, Hawker, Holm, Kelly, Stoltze,
Meyer, Chenault
The MOTION FAILED (3-8).
2:22:33 PM
Representative Holm MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #2(a): add
$500,000 General Fund for the University of Alaska Museum.
Co-Chair Chenault OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
Representative Holm spoke in support of the amendment and
stressed the value of the museum in presenting the history
of Alaska. He observed that the museum needs approximately
$4 million.
Co-Chair Meyer spoke in support of the amendment.
Representative Kelly spoke in support. He noted public
support and emphasized its statewide benefit.
In response to a question by Representative Hawker, Co-Chair
Meyer observed that the tobacco bond contained $89 million
for the University. Mr. Ecklund noted there was over $100
million in the capital budget for the University.
2:26:04 PM
In response to a question by Co-Chair Meyer, Representative
Holm noted that only 30 percent of the museum's operating
costs come from the University.
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment 2 was adopted.
2:27:22 PM
SARAH GILBERTSON, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF FISH
AND GAME, responded to questions by Representative Stoltze.
She noted that the department is supportive of the increment
requested by the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Fishing Association,
but not at the cost of other department projects. The
Department will work closely with the Association. Current
funding will complement projects relating to Matsu fish
runs. The Association will be implementing fish weirs that
will help the Department with recapture project(s). There
would not be competing science.
2:29:27 PM
Co-Chair Chenault spoke in support of the project and noted
that there have been concerns regarding the salmon runs in
the Matanuska Susitna drainage area and how to best address
the problem.
2:30:40 PM
Representative Moses MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #3, #24-
LS8009\A.97, Kane, 5/02/06: add $6 million dollars to King
Cove and Cold Bay, road and hovercraft.
JOHN MACKINNON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, explained the
amendment represents an allocation of federal funds, which
would be expanded. The funds are already in the budget.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
2:32:42 PM
Representative Joule MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #4, Grants to
Municipalities (AS37.05.315), add Northwest Arctic Borough -
Northwest Arctic Borough School District for maintenance and
equipment in the amount of $300,000 general fund dollars.
Co-Chair Meyer observed that it would be a new item.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
2:34:00 PM
Co-Chair Meyer MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 6. Representative
Stoltze OBJECTED. Co-Chair Chenault observed that the
amendment would change a project description in District 35;
no monies are involved. Mr. Ecklund explained the funds are
for fire department utility extension for a senior housing
project. The title would be changed to reflect the
intention.
2:35:40 PM
Representative Kelly MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 7: page 4,
line 27 to insert "American Lung Association". There being
NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
2:38:00 PM
Co-Chair Meyer MOVED to give the Legislative Finance
Division the authority to make technical and conforming
changes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
2:38:32 PM
Co-Chair Meyer observed that the legislation contains money
for municipal assistance, three rural schools, roads,
harbors, and docks; and shares the larges of the state of
Alaska.
Representative Foster MOVED to report HCS CSSB 305 (FIN) out
of Committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HCS CS SB 231 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation.
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