Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/17/2009 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Alaska Railroad Overview | |
| SB75 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 75 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 75
"An Act making and amending appropriations, including
capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations,
and appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing
for an effective date."
10:05:36 AM
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AMANDA RYDER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT provided information regarding the department's
capital budget requests.
Reference No. 40056
Organization Grant $100,000
Ms. Ryder explained that the grant would defray the cost of
incorporation for the third and final payment to the city
and borough of Wrangell for incorporation as required by
statute.
Reference No. 38950
Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) Projects $31 million
Ms. Ryder explained that the request supports longstanding
(mostly federal) grants. The department expects $4 million
in federal funds from the Denali commission for bulk fuel
upgrades to replace tank farms with new refurbished
facilities that meet all applicable safety and
environmental standards. The program began in 1997 and has
expanded since FY 99 with federal Denali Commission funds.
When the work began there were 1,100 above ground tank
farms in 171 remote communities. She explained that $30
million is needed to complete the upgrades for the
remaining 25 communities on the list.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for a list of the communities. Ms.
Ryder agreed to provide a list after the meeting.
10:09:08 AM
In response to a question by Co-Chair Stedman, Ms. Ryder
observed that Alterative Energy grants were included in the
request because they are part of AEA's energy projects. The
Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency program is a long
standing federal program that receives grants for diesel
generation, hydroelectric project development pass through
federal grants, wind energy, biomass geothermal, ocean
energy and energy cost reduction. The program does not deal
with the renewable energy grant projects that are funded
from the $100 million dollar fund created by the
legislature.
Ms. Ryder observed that the request also includes: $7
million for Rural Power System upgrades from the Denali
Commission, $1 million to develop the statewide Alaska
Energy Plan, and $2 million for Renewable Energy Grant Fund
projects. No state match is required for the Denali
Commission projects in this request.
Reference NO. 47877
AEA - Denali Commission $10 million
Match for rural power system upgrades
Ms. Ryder explained that the funding would come from the
Capital Income Fund. The Denali Commission asked the state
to provide a match to what had been 100 percent federally
funded projects.
10:13:41 AM
Reference No. 38946
Community Block Grant $6.1 million.
Ms. Ryder observed that the request contains $6,030.0
million in federal funds and $70 thousand in general funds
for grants to improve the quality of life for low income
rural Alaskans through RurAL CAP a non-profit community
agency. The request also includes funding for Food and
Nutrition Grants, Community Development Block Grants, and
Emergency Shelter Grants.
Reference No. 47006
Grants Tracking System $255 thousand
Ms. Ryder observed that the grants tracking system would
provide software to assist the department with its tracking
of grants and expand reporting capacity.
Co-Chair Stedman assumed that the requests were ranked in a
priority order. Ms. Ryder was uncertain but offered to
report back.
10:16:15 AM
Reference No. 41789
Kodiak Launch Complex Infrastructure $17.5 million
Ms. Ryder explained that $14 million of the request would
come from federal funds. The remaining $3.5 would be
general funds. This is the second year appropriation to
build a dedicated rocket motor facility and an additional
launch pad, which would allow multiple launches.
Reference No. 40242
Manufacturing Extension Program $806,401
Ms. Ryder highlighted the request which would support the
federal program set up to support small and medium
manufacturers. The request funds the state's third of the
project.
10:18:08 AM
Reference No. 38943
Community Development and Assistance $2.63 million.
Ms. Ryder observed that the general fund portion would be
$430 thousand. The request supports multiple federally-
funded programs providing grants and development
opportunities and assistant to communities and non-profits
for community development. The request includes funding for
the Alaska Floodplain and Erosion Management program,
business development, and the Coastal Zone Management
program.
Reference No. 47007
Licensing MyAlaska Integration $310 thousand
Ms. Ryder noted that the project goal is to integrate each
of the division's on line applications so that users do not
have to apply for separate ID's and passwords. She
concluded that the project would offer greater security and
ability to view accounts online.
Reference No.47878
Denali Commission Match/Rural Transportation $5 million
Ms. Ryder explained that the funding would come from the
Capital Income Fund. The purpose of the request is to
assist the Denali Commission's effort to fund cost
effective road construction and waterfront development
projects in rural Alaska. The request would benefit rural
Alaska by reducing the cost of goods and services,
improving village to village connections, providing access
to resources, and helping to create jobs and economic
development. She observed that there is 30,000 miles of
shoreline and that Alaska's marine facilities are an
integral part of local, statewide, and international
transportation of goods and services. The Denali Commission
previously funded 100 percent of these projects but has
requested state participation.
10:20:56 AM
Reference No. 47847
Shishmaref Beach Erosion $3 million
Ms. Ryder observed that the request funds phase III of a
four phase project. This phase would construct 550 feet of
ocean side protection for the washeteria and sewage lagoon.
She noted that phases I and II are complete.
Co-Chair Hoffman asked if these improvements would prevent
relocation of Shishmaref. Ms. Ryder understood that the
project would provide Shishmaref with time to plan. She did
not know how much time the project would buy.
10:22:51 AM
Reference No. 47987
Kenai River Bluff Erosion Project $5 million
Ms. Ryder explained that the request is the result of
erosion and is the number one priority for the city of
Kenai. The total cost of the project is $20 million ($13
million in federal funds). The local match is $2 million.
This request provides the state's portion.
Reference No. 41956
Municipality of Anchorage $10 million
Expansion of the Port of Anchorage
Ms. Ryder observed that the Port of Anchorage serves 80
percent of Alaska's population and is the entry point of 90
percent of the consumer goods shipped to Alaska. The port
is securing funding of $350 million to $400 million through
a combination of state, federal and local resources. The
total federal cost is 52 percent; 48 percent would come
from state grants, port retained earnings and loan
proceeds. The state has so far appropriated $55 million for
this purpose.
Reference No. 47879
Alaska Marine Exchange 0
Ms. Ryder clarified that the governor removed this item
that would have expanded the vessel tracking system due to
the state's fiscal situation.
10:25:40 AM
Co-Chair Stedman noted that the original request for the
marine exchange system was $650 thousand and questioned if
the cruise ship head tax would be an appropriate fund
source. Ms. Ryder was unable to answer but offered to
discuss the issue with OMB. Co-Chair Stedman questioned if
deletion of the request would impact cruise ship tracking
and monitoring of discharge. He asked if other areas would
be increased and questioned the long term "deal" with the
transmitter network of the Alaska Marine Exchange. He
wanted to ascertain if the deletion was temporary. Ms.
Ryder responded that she was unable to comment on the
policy issues behind the deletion but offered to talk with
OMB.
10:28:35 AM
Reference No. 38713
Arctic Power $120 thousand
Ms. Ryder explained that the grant would support eduation
efforts in opening up ANWR for oil and gas exploration and
development.
Reference No. 41959
Arctic Winter Games Team Alaska $250 thousand
Ms. Ryder clarified that the request would support
participation in the 2009 Arctic Winter Games.
Reference No. 38948
NPR-A Impact Grant Program $15,967,840
Ms. Ryder explained that the request funds fifteen grants
to communities impacted by oil and gas lease sales and
development within the National Petroleum Reserve of
Alaska.
Co-Chair Stedman asked about a list of the grants and
applications that were not funded. Ms. Ryder agreed to
provide the list and pointed out that the grants were
ranked.
Co-Chair Hoffman asked the reason for the amendment that
reduced the request by $7 million.
10:31:40 AM
Ms. Ryder answered that one of the lease sales did not
occur. The appropriation was based on the actual lease
sales.
Co-Chair Stedman reiterated his request for a list of grant
applications that were declined.
Reference No. 47031
Electrical Emergencies Program $250 thousand
Ms. Ryder clarified that the request is a long standing AEA
program that funds technical support when an electrical
utility has lost or is in danger of losing the ability to
generate power, creating a situation that is a threat to
health, life and/or property. A language appropriation is
also included to reappropriate the cash balance of the
Rural Electrification Revolving Loan Fund ($80.4 thousand).
The total cost would be $330.4 thousand.
Reference No. 45662
Climate Change Impact Mitigation Program $300 thousand
Ms. Ryder explained that the program provides planning
assistance to the most at risk villages and provides a
planned approach to shoreline protection, building
relocation and/or the eventual relocation of the village.
The request would fund approximately five grantees.
10:33:59 AM
Reference No. 47898
Cruise Ship-Related Grant Projects $22.54 million.
Ms. Ryder noted that the grants to municipalities use the
Cruise Ship Impact Fund. The Department of Transportation
and Public Facilities worked with the department to rank
and review the projects based on need and cruise ship
industry impact to the communities and specific projects.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for more information on the process
used to collect and rank projects. Ms. Ryder observed that
OMB outlined the ranking process in a letter dated February
26, 2009. The Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities gathered project information and prioritized
projects based on OMB's letter.
Co-Chair Stedman did not see Petersburg on the list. Ms.
Ryder did not know which communities had proposals. Co-
Chair Stedman asked for more information on the pool of
requests and ranking. He observed that there are still some
funds available and noted that some projects requested in
the previous year were not funded. He asked for any
information provided by the industry that was used in
ranking with the objective to keep the industry in the loop
in regards to the selected grants project. He pointed out
that Fairbanks and Anchorage receive cruise ship visitors.
10:37:56 AM
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Reference No. 47009
Banking and Securities Imaging $580 thousand
Ms. Ryder added that a number of the department's
information and technology projects were placed under the
Office of the Governor. She observed that an imaging
project for the Banking and Security Management System
remains. The project uses an imaging system previously
developed for the Division of Insurance as a base for the
new project. Imagines are currently stored in hard copy
format. The request would improve document accessibility
and eliminates the cost of paper.
Ms. Ryder discussed the items that were deleted.
Reference NO. 47005
Community and Regional Affairs Imaging $690 thousand
Ms. Ryder observed that the request was deleted due to the
state's fiscal situation.
Reference NO. 47010
Banking and Securities Management System $890 thousand
Ms. Ryder explained that the request was removed due to an
incident that convinced the administration to start on the
project prior to FY 10. The request encompasses systems
that address STAR, ANCSA and Native corporations. The STAR
system was deemed at risk and the request was added to the
supplemental appropriation. Co-Chair Stedman observed that
the intent was to remove capital from the supplemental.
10:42:10 AM
Co-Chair Stedman suggested that the department's request be
stacked in priority order.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for information regarding
applications for climate impact mitigation funding. Ms.
Ryder noted that applications were ranked by the department
but did not know how the applications were submitted. She
observed that some applications have been returned for more
information.
10:45:04 AM
Co-Chair Stedman referred to economic stimulus funding for
the department. Ms. Ryder observed that requests for
economic stimulus funding would be made for longstanding,
existing programs. Co-Chair Stedman observed that the issue
would be given further review.
10:46:46 AM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DCCED Kodiak AADC Overview.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2009 9:00:00 AM |
SB 75 |
| AK Railroad briefing 31709.ppt |
SFIN 3/17/2009 9:00:00 AM |