Legislature(1999 - 2000)
04/14/2000 09:08 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 255(CRA) "An Act relating to cities incorporated under state aw that are home rule communities." REPRESENTATIVE FRED DYSON advised that HB 255 was intended to allow an existing second class city, or unincorporated area, to form a "home rule community" government structure under State law. The city or area would be allowed, through the charter system, to flexibly define its scope of governing powers and services to meet specific area needs. Currently, all home rule governments are required to meet strict financial auditing requirements, provide land-use, zoning and platting services and constitute their own school district. The proposed bill would remove these requirements allowing smaller communities to share in the strength and flexibility of the charter system while avoiding some of the red tape. The goal would be greater self-determination and a more locally relevant government structure. Senator Wilken stated that it was a puzzle to him why there are so many options for State government. He acknowledged that the framers of the State Constitution intended for the State to organized. However, Senator Wilken pointed out that most of the State does not want organized government but still wants funding for their school district education needs. If the people in the second class cities and unorganized areas want to govern themselves, they should be responsible for picking up their educational funding costs. Senator Wilken recommended that the bill not pass from Committee until discussion regarding that concern had been undertaken. Senator Adams observed that there are some places in the State that cannot pay for their educational needs, as they do not have a tax base. One of the things that the Legislature could do would be to determine if there is natural resource money earned in rural Alaska which could be given to those areas in the State to pay for education costs. The Alaska Constitution indicates that the State of Alaska must provide education. All people need to be taken care of even when they are not organized. Co-Chair Torgerson advised that the legislation would be HELD in Committee for further consideration. Tape: SFC - 00 #88, Side B 8:32 AM
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