Legislature(1995 - 1996)

03/06/1996 05:32 PM House MLV

Audio Topic
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
txt
 HB 496 - FERRY TRANSPORTATION FOR NAT GUARD MEMBER                          
                                                                               
 Number 1450                                                                   
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN announced the next item on the agenda was HOUSE             
 BILL 496, "An Act relating to transportation of members of the               
 Alaska National Guard by the Alaska marine highway system."                   
                                                                               
 Number 1470                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT read the sponsor statement for HB 496, as                 
 follows:  "Many potential recruits to the Alaska National Guard               
 reside in isolated communities that are on the Alaska Marine                  
 Highway system.  These individuals are not able to join the guard             
 without paying their own fare to and from the drilling sites.  As             
 a result, guard recruitment in these communities is difficult.                
                                                                               
 "This bill would permit guard members to travel to and from their             
 drills without charge on the Alaska Marine Highway system, but only           
 on a space available basis.  These individuals perform great                  
 service to Alaska, for which they receive little compensation.  It            
 is not reasonable for the state to expect them to pay the                     
 prohibitively high costs of transportation in and out of their                
 communities for what little they are paid.  As a consequence, very            
 few such individuals can afford to serve.  The state, through the             
 passage of this bill, would ameliorate this problem without                   
 incurring any additional expenses.  Accordingly, your support is              
 urged."                                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 1579                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT stated a fiscal note was attached, and that the           
 bill would have minimal financial impact.                                     
                                                                               
 Number 1600                                                                   
                                                                               
 SAM S. KITO III, Legislative Liaison/Special Assistant, Department            
 of Transportation and Public Facilities, State of Alaska, stated he           
 was present to address any questions regarding the fiscal note.  He           
 commented that the cost of the bill would be minimal.  He noted,              
 however, that there would be indirect costs associated with free              
 passage on the marine highway system.  He explained that the fiscal           
 note also reflects these associated, indirect costs.                          
 Number 1661                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER moved that HB 496 with attached fiscal note             
 be passed out of the committee.                                               
                                                                               
 Number 1673                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES objected to moving the bill.  He stated he              
 thought the idea was a good one, but that he was concerned the                
 marine highway system is being pushed to do more with less.  He               
 advocated including the funds in an appropriate budget.  He also              
 noted the same argument could be made for recruits living in rural            
 Alaska.                                                                       
                                                                               
 Number 1787                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER stated that since the fiscal note was only              
 $1,000, he believed the committee should pass out the bill.                   
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN asked if there were any objections on the motion             
 to move the bill with attached fiscal note.                                   
                                                                               
 Number 1286                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES stated he objected to moving the bill.                  
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT concurred with the objection.  He stated                  
 various agencies are being asked to do more with less.  He noted              
 the importance of recruiting is certainly worth the money involved,           
 and advocated putting $5,000 into the budget to provide travel                
 reimbursement for recruits.                                                   
                                                                               
 Number 1972                                                                   
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER agreed with Representative Kott.  He stated             
 he would make a motion to amend the bill when it comes before the             
 Finance Committee.                                                            
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE DAVIES withdrew his objection.                                 
                                                                               
 CO-CHAIRMAN IVAN stated, there being no further objections, HB 496          
 with attached fiscal notes was passed out of the House Special                
 Committee on Military & Vetarans Affairs.                                     

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