Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/14/2001 01:30 PM Senate CRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SB 75-SERVICE AREAS:VOTER APPROVAL/TAX ZONES CHAIRMAN TORGERSON said that although SB 75 is on the agenda, HB 13 deals with the same subject and has already been passed from the House to the Senate so that will be the bill that is used. Testimony on SB 75 will be heard for the record. DICK TREMAINE, Anchorage Municipal Assemblyman, testified that the Assembly passed a resolution supporting HB 13. They strongly believe that the people of Anchorage would like the protection for limited service areas. CHAIRMAN TORGERSON said he thought the only difference between the two bills is that the Senate bill deals with recreational service areas and the House bill does not. He asked for an opinion on the differences. MR. TREMAINE said that would make the Senate bill a subsection of the House bill and they supported HB 13. SENATOR PHILLIPS asked whether there was anything in writing. MR. TREMAINE said that he would send a copy of the resolution. CHAIRMAN TORGERSON said a copy would be in the bill packet for HB 13. ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, assembly member from Anchorage, represents Eklutna to Elmendorf Air Force Base. She is speaking as an assembly member covering service areas rather than as the legislative chair for the Anchorage Assembly in support of SB 75. Area wide protection of service area concepts is supported whether it's park and recreation or road service areas. Local people should be protected so that they are the ones who abolish or change the boundaries. OCIE ADAMS, representing Road Service Area 17, testified in support of HB 13 and SB 75. The only reservation he has is that, "we do not include a provision for the road service areas, where an annexation of six percent or less, without the vote of the people." (Balance indisc.) The 16 Road Service Area Boards in the Matanuska Susitna Borough support both SB 75 and HB 13. Number 120 JIM NARCROSS, from RSC 20, Willow, supports both SB 75 and HB 13. He is concerned about the six percent clause applying to road service and the tax differential clause. It is important that the voter has a say in how their tax dollars are spent within their community. LARRY DeVILBISS, an assemblyman from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, continues to support both bills SB 75 and HB 13 even though the assembly was asked to oppose the bill. Instead, they reached a compromise with the administration and asked for an amendment "to get the six percent flexibility ability to adjust service area boundaries." They feel that should apply to all service areas, not just fire service areas. Attorneys on and working for the assembly didn't understand the tax differentials within service areas, but as long as it doesn't mean that a wealthy part of the service area may be taxed to shift the money to a less affluent area it's acceptable. They thought it was important that the six percent rule wasn't abused. Perhaps limiting the option to once a year would be workable. At any rate, "They shouldn't be able to nibble away and destroy a service area piece meal." CHAIRMAN TORGERSON assured Mr. DeVilbiss that Mat-Su Borough attorney, Michael Gatti, had contacted his office. They had yet to speak with one another. KELLY LANKFORD represents district seven in the Mat-Su Borough. This district encompasses a large portion of the area covered by the borough in terms of square mileage and, because of this, isn't easy to represent. She stands in opposition to the borough resolution and strongly supports SB 75 and HB 13. Maximum grassroots participation by voters is always preferable at any level of government so she is philosophically aligned with the intent of the bill. There are, however, two areas in which she would like to see change. She would like to see road service areas included with fire protection service areas in the subsection proposing the six percent differential. She doesn't agree with or support section four where the assembly may make modifications to differential tax zones within a service area. CHAIRMAN TORGERSON said SB 75 would be held in committee.
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