Legislature(2013 - 2014)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/20/2013 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB64 | |
| HB99 | |
| HB84 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 64 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE BILL NO. 99
"An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska
Minerals Commission."
2:38:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, SPONSOR, explained the bill.
The Alaska Minerals Commission would be extended for an
additional 10 years. He read from a statement.
House Bill 99 extends the Alaska Minerals Commission
until February 1, 2024 and provides for terms and term
limits for those who serve on the Commission. The
Commission is currently set to expire on February 1,
2024, and commissioners are not currently subject to
terms or term limits.
The Commission was created in 1986 and charged with
making recommendations to the Governor and the
Legislature on ways to mitigate constraints on the
development of minerals in Alaska.
The Commission consists of 11 members: five appointed
by the Governor, three b the Speaker of the House, and
three by the President of the Senate. Each member must
have at least five years of experience in the minerals
industry. At least one member must reside in a rural
community. Current commissioners represent the placer,
hard rock, and coal mining industries across the
state.
The Commission annually reports its recommendations to
the Governor and the Legislature during the first ten
days of the legislative session.
Key recommendations made by the Commission and
implemented by the Legislature since the Commission's
last reauthorization in 2003 include:
· Funding infrastructure development under the
Roads to Resources program
· Reforming state permitting processes to make them
timelier and more efficient
· Gathering and publishing geological and
geophysical data on Alaska's mineral potential
· Assuming state primacy of the National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System
· Accelerating state land entitlement conveyances
in accordance with the Statehood Act
· Reestablishing the citizens Advisory Commission
on Federal Areas
· Asserting and defending public access to roads,
trails, and navigable waterways
· Funding University of Alaska mineral engineering
and geology programs
I urge you to allow the Commission to continue its
important work and to help ensure the growth and
sustainability of a vital sector of the Alaskan
economy by supporting HB 99.
2:40:01 PM
Co-Chair Stoltze asked about the policy related to term
limits. Representative Saddler replied that most
commissioners would serve only one term. Especially
effective commissioners would be invited to serve a second
term. He anticipated that commissioners might wish to serve
a second term because they care about the industry
tremendously.
Representative Guttenberg asked if an audit had been
performed for the upcoming sunset. Representative Saddler
replied that an audit had not been done.
Vice-Chair Neuman pointed to budget deficit issues and the
need to conserve money. He wondered about the possibility
of phasing out commissions following final recommendations
to the legislature. He stated that the Alaska Minerals
Commission cost $13 thousand per year, but with hundreds of
different commissions, the cumulative state expense was
great. He called attention to the role of private industry.
2:43:13 PM
Representative Saddler believed the question was fair. He
opined that the annual cost of $13 thousand for the board
was a "bargain-basement" cost. If the services were
contracted out, they would far exceed the cost. He
expressed one benefit of the commission was its command of
respect of regulators of the private industry for meetings
and dialogue.
Vice-Chair Neuman opined that the legislature must review
the state commissions and consider phasing some out in the
spirit of frugality.
Co-Chair Stoltze made a remark related to the expense of
the annual Energy Council conference.
Representative Gara echoed comments made by Vice-Chair
Neuman. He wanted evidence that the commission was
providing advantages that the governor's office was not
already performing.
Co-Chair Stoltze commented that the governor's efforts
might have been suggested by the commissions.
Representative Saddler answered that he did not know
whether the decisions were made before or after the
commission's recommendations.
Co-Chair Stoltze made a remark about the chicken or the
egg.
Representative Gara supposed that the information was
available if searched for.
2:47:07 PM
BILL JEFFRESS, CHAIR, ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION (via
teleconference), was available for questions. He stated
that the commission supported the legislation. Co-Chair
Stoltze referred to Representative Gara's question.
Mr. Jeffress replied that the commission's role was
independent. All members had different experiences with the
mineral industry in the state. The commission addressed
impediments to the minerals industry and actions that could
be taken to correct the issues. He stated that the members
were the "town criers."
Representative Saddler pointed to the 2004 Alaska Minerals
Commission report, which stated the goals of developing
more efficient permitting processes to assist in
infrastructure development, to benefit mining and other
industries, and to acquire baseline geological and
environmental knowledge statewide.
2:50:07 PM
DEANTHA CROCKETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA MINERS
ASSOCIATION (via teleconference) expressed strong support
for the legislation. She discussed recommendations to
Department of Natural Resources and she stressed the
importance of the board. The association supported the
amendments to the legislation as they believed in
circulating board members regularly.
Representative Gara asked if Ms. Crockett was on the
commission. Ms. Crockett answered in the negative.
2:52:31 PM
MARLEANNA HALL, PROJECT COORDINATOR, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation. She stated that historically, the mining
industry provided the cornerstone of Alaska's economy. The
appointed group made recommendations to the legislature and
the governor in an effort to promote Alaska's mineral
exploration and development industry. The industry provided
some of the state's highest paying jobs. The bill would
extend the commission for 10 years. She pointed out that
the bill had a low fiscal impact. She pointed to a broad-
based membership. She urged the committee to pass the
legislation.
Vice-Chair Neuman asked if the council would consider a
grant to help relieve financial burdens of the state and
private industry. Ms. Hall deferred the question.
Representative Costello believed that other boards and
commissions should strive for the frugality of the
commission. She requested electronic reports in the future.
STEPHEN TRIMBLE, MINERALS COMMISSION (via teleconference)
commented that the list of recommendations in
Representative Saddler's sponsor statements were put forth
by the commission and enacted by the administration. The
commission took a lead role in actively recommending ways
to mitigate constraints on state mineral resource
development.
Co-Chair Stoltze CLOSED public testimony.
Representative Saddler made a note related to the costs. He
noted that the report presented by the Minerals Commission
was available electronically.
Representative Costello discussed the fiscal impact note
from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
Representative Munoz MOVED to REPORT CSHB 99(RES) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
Representative Gara OBJECTED for discussion. He asked the
sponsor to relay to the commission his desire to have their
specific ideas brought to the administration's attention.
Representative Gara REMOVED his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 99(RES) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one fiscal impact note from
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
3:01:13 PM
AT EASE
3:03:05 PM
RECONVENED