03/09/2000 09:03 AM Senate FIN

SENATE BILL NO. 287                                                                                                             
"An Act making an appropriation for the state land                                                                              
disposal bank program; making an appropriation from the                                                                         
constitutional budget reserve fund under art. IX, sec.                                                                          
17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska; and                                                                                 
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate                                                                          
Finance Committee. It contained the funding appropriation                                                                       
for the land disposal program contained in SB 6.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator P. Kelly clarified that the funds would come from                                                                       
the CBR and would be paid back over time. He wanted to know                                                                     
the timeframe for repayment.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Torgerson answered the full amount was expected to                                                                     
be paid back by the year 2009. He stressed that if there                                                                        
were to be a land disposal program, there would need to be                                                                      
some up-front money to start the process.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman expressed concern over how the money would be                                                                     
spent in future years. While he would support the bill, he                                                                      
warned he would be carefully watching the department to see                                                                     
how the money was spent and that the program was a wise                                                                         
investment for the state. He encouraged the department to                                                                       
use its best efforts to disburse the land for less than $9                                                                      
million.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Senator P. Kelly stated that he would not vote for a $9                                                                         
million fiscal note.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Parnell offered a motion to move from committee, SB
 1-LS1489\A with individual recommendations.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator P. Kelly objected.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
A roll call was taken on the motion.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
IN FAVOR: Senator Green, Senator Donley, Senator Leman,                                                                         
Senator Wilken, Co-Chair Parnell, and Co-Chair Torgerson                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
OPPOSED: Senator Adams, Senator P. Kelly                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
ABSENT: Senator Phillips                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The motion PASSED (6-2-1)                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wilken recognized the work of co-chair, Darwin                                                                          
Peterson and the Department of Natural Resources.