Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/08/2024 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB102 | |
| SB219 | |
| HB97 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 219 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 97 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 102-REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS
1:34:54 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
102 "An Act relating to refuse utility rates and Regulatory
Commission of Alaska regulations regarding refuse utilities; and
providing for an effective date."
1:35:32 PM
SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, District Q, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 102, gave a recap of the bill. He
said SB 102 would extend the simplified rate stacking method
currently utilized by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA)
and apply it to refuse utilities. Previously, this method was
exclusively applied to electric co-ops by the commission for
expediting regulatory procedures.
1:36:30 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN stated the committee has received communication
from Anchorage residents expressing concerns about the effects
of SB 102 on their municipality. He requested a clearer
understanding of these impacts, as well as those on similarly
situated communities.
1:36:51 PM
SENATOR MYERS replied that his office had also been in contact
with the municipality of Anchorage regarding Solid Waste
Services (SWS). They understand that the Regulatory Commission
of Alaska (RCA) does not currently regulate solid waste
services, and SB 102 would not change this regulatory status.
1:37:18 PM
DAWSON MANN, Staff, Senator Robert Myers, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, clarified that in past reviews of
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) filings, the RCA has
exempted the municipality of Anchorage from certain sections of
statute concerning trash collection services. He emphasized SB
102 would not in any way change the existing relationship
between the RCA and the municipality of Anchorage.
1:37:46 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON expressed her satisfaction upon hearing
this clarification, as she previously understood that SWS was
not regulated by RCA. She appreciated confirmation.
1:37:56 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR mentioned that there was discussion on that
unique situation during the first hearing. He said there is a
simple solution for regulated refuse utilities. He asserted that
he would not make a conceptual amendment, as he had not prepared
one, but inquired as to whether there is a house companion to SB
102.
1:38:18 PM
SENATOR MYERS said there was not.
1:38:22 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR suggested that if SB 102 passes the Senate, the
sponsor might consider amending the legislation to add the word
"regulated" in front of "refuse utilities" to clarify that SB
102 only applies to currently regulated refuse utilities.
1:38:45 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 102.
1:39:15 PM
KURT FROENING, Division Vice President, Waste Connections,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 102. He said SB
102 would substantially decrease the amount of time and expense
required to adjust rates. It would enable refuse utilities to
react to market conditions and respond to small and more
frequent adjustments rather than large increases that come years
apart.
1:39:55 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 102 and sought the
will of the committee.
1:40:12 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to report SB 102, work order: 33-
LS0583\A, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
1:40:25 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SB 102 was reported from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.