Legislature(2005 - 2006)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/01/2006 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB500 | |
| HB283 | |
| HB338 | |
| HB83 | |
| SB160 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 231 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 160 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 500 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 283 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 338 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 83(STA)
"An Act relating to the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety
Commission; and providing for an effective date."
This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance
Committee.
9:41:08 AM
SUZANNE HANCOCK, Staff to Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, the
bill's sponsor, stated the bill would extend the termination
date of the Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, which is
under the auspices of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
until June 30, 2012 and increase the Commission's membership
from nine to eleven. The increase in membership would provide
more local government representation. The Governor appoints
members of the Commission for three-year terms.
Ms. Hancock noted "the scientific community and the insurance
industry" support the legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE GABRIELLE LEDOUX supported Ms. Hancock's remarks.
Amendment #1: This amendment deletes the entirety of language in
Sec. 3(4), page 2, lines 8 through 11 and replaces it with the
following.
(4) "seismic hazard" means an earthquake-induced geologic
condition that is a potential danger to life and property;
in this paragraph, "geologic condition" includes strong
ground shaking, landslide, avalanche, liquefaction, tsunami
inundation, fault displacement, and subsidence;
Co-Chair Wilken moved to adopt Amendment #1.
Co-Chair Green objected for explanation.
Co-Chair Wilken explained that the Senate State Affairs
Committee added "definitional language" to the bill. DNR deemed
that language "too broad" in its scope, and requested the
original bill language be reinstated. Thus, this amendment would
reinstate the original language.
Co-Chair Green removed her objection.
There being no further objection, Amendment #1 was ADOPTED.
9:43:25 AM
ROD COMBELLICK, Member, Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission
and Deputy Director, Division of Geological & Geophysical
Surveys, Department of Natural Resources, testified via
teleconference from offnet site and affirmed that DNR is the
administrator of the Commission. Amendment #1 addressed both the
Commission's and the Department's concern that the Senate State
Affairs language would "broaden the scope" of the Commission's
responsibilities "to include all geologic hazards even those
that were not seismically induced". Amendment #1 "would refocus
the Commission's purview in the area of earthquake hazards".
Mr. Combellick noted the bill would also expand the Commission's
"purview to include tsunami hazards". This expansion is
considered "appropriate".
Mr. Combellick pointed out that Amendment #1 would also remove
volcanic eruptions from the purview of the Commission. The
Commission supports this exclusion because that activity is
currently under the purview of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
(AVO), in which the State is a participant. The Commission's
responsibilities should not overlap with those of that "very
effective body".
Mr. Combellick stated DNR supports the Commission extension, as
it would allow the Commission to further its recommendations on
issues it had identified in a recent report [copy not provided]
to the Department.
9:45:52 AM
Senator Olson asked the level of communication between the
Commission and AVO.
Mr. Combellick responded that a "considerable" amount of
communication occurs between the two entities, specifically as
the State's participation in AVO is conducted through his
agency. He is the direct conduit between the entities.
Mr. Combellick shared that during the recent Mount Saint
Augustine volcano eruption there was concern the volcano "might
generate a tsunami". The Commission relied on AVO to
appropriately address that situation.
9:46:57 AM
Co-Chair Wilken noted the State would provide for the travel
expenses of the eight Commission's member employed by the State.
To that point, he asked whether funds would be allocated for the
travel expenses incurred by the Commission's three public
members, as specified in Sec. 2(c)(7) page 2 lines 4 through 6
of the bill. Else wise, this issue might negatively impact
public member recruitment.
Mr. Combellick noted that sufficient funding is available to
provide for all members' travel. He pointed out, however, that
the agencies in which the State Commission members are employed
typically cover these expenses.
Co-Chair Wilken concluded therefore that not addressing this
issue in the bill "would not preclude the public members' being
taken care of".
Mr. Combellick affirmed. While this issue is not specifically
addressed in this bill, the Commission was granted such
authority in the original legislation.
Co-Chair Green understood therefore that Commission travel
expenses were addressed in existing Statute.
Mr. Combellick affirmed. Travel authority for the Commission was
provided in legislation adopted in 2002.
9:48:56 AM
JOHN AHO, Chair, Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission,
testified via teleconference from an offnet site. The Commission
has been very active and this extension would enable it to
continue its "seismic risk mitigation activities". The
Commission's efforts "are extremely important" to the State.
Co-Chair Wilken moved to report the bill from Committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, SCS CS HB 83(FIN) was REPORTED from
Committee with previous zero fiscal note #4 dated January 20,
2006 from the Department of Natural Resources.
AT EASE 9:50:19 AM / 10:10:46 AM
Co-Chair Green called the meeting back to order.
10:10:56 AM
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