Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/10/2014 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB138 | |
| HB298 | |
| SB137 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 138 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 298 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 137
"An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska
Seismic Hazards Safety Commission; and providing for
an effective date."
10:29:41 AM
BRITTANY HUTCHISON, STAFF, SENATOR CLICK BISHOP, explained
SB 137. She stated that Alaska had more earthquakes than
any other region in the U.S. and was one of the most
seismically active areas in the world. Given the historical
record and inevitable potential of future earthquake
activity, Alaska needed the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission (ASHSC). The legislation would extend the ASHSC
termination date from June 30 2014 to June 30, 2020. The
public need is proven and the public interest is served in
the following ways:
1) The commission assists with seismic hazard safety
training efforts. For example, in 2011 and 2012, the
ASHSC coordinated with the Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs to facilitate training workshops for
volunteer first responders who would respond after a
severe earthquake.
2) They hope to significantly improve school safety
by collaborating with the Department of Education and
Early Development on seismic issues concerning school
construction and renovations. Seismic hazard
mitigation efforts for schools are an important
commission priority, as schools are critical
infrastructure.
3) The ASHSC served the public's interest by making
seismic hazards mitigation recommendations to the
governor, legislature and private entities through
annual reports.
4) The commission helps facilitate collaboration
amongst agencies with related missions and private
sector entities on seismic hazard mitigation.
Vice-Chair Fairclough asked to hear from the commission
about the absenteeism of board members, and the efforts to
replace members who were chronically absent from board
meetings.
10:33:32 AM
Ms. Curtis stated that LB&A conducted a sunset review of
the commission dated September 2013. The previous sunset
review was conducted in 2011, at which LB&A recommended a
four-year extension. The legislature only approved a two-
year extension, so they reviewed the commission again in
2013. She announced that LB&A concluded that the commission
was operating in the public's interest, and requested
extending the commission for six years. The audit had four
recommendations, which were outlined in the audit (copy on
file).
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The commission should improve prioritization and
accountability within its strategic planning
documents.
2. The commission should recommend replacing
habitually absent members in a timely manner.
3. The Office of the Governor and the commission
should work together to fill all commission vacancies
in a timely manner.
4. The commission should ensure recommendations
clearly identify the organization responsible for
implementing an action and the action to be performed.
10:37:07 AM
ROBERT SCHER, CHAIR, ALASKA SEISMIC HAZARD SAFETY
COMMISSION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), explained that
the commission was considered an advisory body that
provided recommendations having to do with mitigating
seismic hazards. He stated that the duties were not
directly shared by any other state department or
commission. The commission was comprised of several
geologists; several civil and structural engineers;
emergency response planners and managers; and a
representative from the insurance industry. The commission
covered a broad range of experiences and knowledge relative
to the effects of how to manage mitigating seismic hazards.
The commission believed that it functioned in the state and
public's best interests.
In response to a question from Vice-Chair Fairclough, Mr.
Scher explained that there were two of the four
recommendations from LB&A that were related to board
meeting attendance. He stressed that meeting attendance did
not necessarily correlated with commission activity. The
commission met roughly seven times a year, mostly by
teleconference. He stressed that the board meetings, at
which business was conducted, always contained a quorum. He
agreed that there were some times with habitually absent
members. The commission had recently updated its rules of
procedure for the commission, to be clearer to the members
of their duties and responsibilities.
10:45:55 AM
Co-Chair Meyer CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Meyer looked at the fiscal note for $10,000 from
DNR.
Co-Chair Kelly MOVED to REPORT SB 137 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SB 137 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with previously published fiscal note:
FN:1 (DNR).