02/18/1994 08:15 AM House RES

  SJR 13 - Export Of Alaska Oil                                                
                                                                               
  SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS, PRIME SPONSOR, stated SJR 13 is a                      
  fairly straightforward resolution.  A lot of revenue is at                   
  stake - about $2.5 billion since 1974, when the unfair ban                   
  on the export of crude oil was placed on the state.  He                      
  added there are billions of dollars at stake in the future.                  
  He stated most people have become familiar with the                          
  favorable reasons why the ban should be lifted.                              
                                                                               
  SENATOR ELLIS said there is a lot of work ongoing currently                  
  with the Department of Energy.  He is providing information                  
  to them to affect their recommendation, and added there will                 
  be hearings this spring on the Export Administration Act                     
  which is up for renewal in April.  He felt it was important                  
  to move SJR 13 along as quickly as possible in order to send                 
  a clear message to Congress and the President that the state                 
  would like to see the situation change, as it is                             
  unacceptable.  The study that the Energy Department is                       
  conducting is on the pros and cons to the nation.  He said                   
  the pros for Alaska are known, but the leaders elected at                    
  the federal level have a responsibility for the entire                       
  nation.  Alaska does have allies in California.  Senator                     
  Ellis stated it is a good environment currently.                             
                                                                               
  Number 418                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE GREEN said there is a zero fiscal note and he                 
  felt there should be a strongly positive fiscal note.  He                    
  stated he is getting disgusted with the state's departments                  
  constantly giving zero fiscal notes when quite often there                   
  is a cost or a benefit.  He suggested as the resolution                      
  moves along, that a fiscal note be attached showing that the                 
  lifting of the ban is in the state's favor.                                  
                                                                               
  SENATOR ELLIS agreed.  He said that Governor Hickel also                     
  mentioned the $2.5 billion figure in his State of the State                  
  address.  He noted there may be an analysis attached or in                   
  the file, which makes reference to the money lost in the                     
  past and what is to be gained in the future.                                 
                                                                               
  Number 450                                                                   
                                                                               
  VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON said there really is an opportunity and                 
  felt there is a need to do some work on the West Coast and                   
  with the major producers, who have said they really do not                   
  have a great incentive to support this resolution, since                     
  they own many of the facilities on the West Coast, etc.  He                  
  felt there is a corporate conflict as far as Alaska's                        
  interests are concerned.  He stated at a previous meeting,                   
  there was a suggestion of spending time and money and                        
  sending a delegation to go down and talk with the western                    
  states, as there is an advantage to them also.                               
                                                                               
  Number 479                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE FINKELSTEIN made a motion to MOVE CSSJR
(RLS) out of committee with INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS.                    
  VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON asked if there were objections.                         
  Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED.                                             
                                                                               
  ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                
                                                                               
  VICE CHAIRMAN HUDSON announced there will be no committee                    
  meeting on Monday, February 21.  On Wednesday, February 23                   
  the committee will meet at 8:15 a.m. to hear HB 199, HB 398,                 
  HJR 55 and HJR 56.                                                           
                                                                               
  ADJOURNMENT                                                                  
                                                                               
  There being no further business to come before the House                     
  Resources Committee, Vice Chairman Hudson adjourned the                      
  meeting at 9:45 a.m.