02/02/1994 04:00 PM House ECO

                                                                               
                    HOUSE ECONOMIC TASK FORCE                                  
                        February 2, 1994                                       
                            4:00 p.m.                                          
                                                                               
  MEMBERS PRESENT                                                              
                                                                               
  Representative Jeannette James, Vice Chair                                   
  Representative Al Vezey                                                      
  Representative Bill Williams                                                 
  Representative Bettye Davis                                                  
  Representative Joe Green                                                     
  Representative Bill Hudson                                                   
  Representative Carl Moses                                                    
                                                                               
  MEMBERS ABSENT                                                               
                                                                               
  Representative Eileen MacLean, Chair                                         
  Representative Jerry Mackie                                                  
                                                                               
  COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                           
                                                                               
  Discuss interim working group recommendations                                
                                                                               
  ACTION NARRATIVE                                                             
                                                                               
  TAPE 94-02, SIDE A                                                           
                                                                               
  VICE CHAIR JAMES called the meeting of the House Economic                    
  Task Force to order at 4:17 p.m. February 2, 1994.  She                      
  suggested the Task Force deal with action items only by                      
  discussing just items designated as "Legislation".                           
                                                                               
  Representative Williams discussed the three items of new                     
  legislation in the Timber Subcommittee recommendations:                      
                                                                               
  1.  Introduce a joint resolution asking the U.S Congress to                  
  review the impact in the Alaska economy and forest products                  
  industry of wilderness designations in national forests, and                 
  to increase the amount of timber available for harvest in                    
  the Tongass National Forest.  Representative Williams agreed                 
  to draw up the resolution and present it to the Task Force                   
  next week.                                                                   
                                                                               
  2.  Introduce a joint resolution asking the U.S. Department                  
  of Agriculture, Forest Service, and the U.S. Department of                   
  the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, to permanently                      
  exclude lands in Alaska managed by the Forest Service or the                 
  BLM from the requirements of PACFISH.  PACFISH is a                          
  comprehensive strategy for managing Pacific anadromous fish                  
  watersheds and habitats on land in several western states                    
  that limits the development of those lands, including timber                 
  harvesting.  Representative Williams agreed to draw up this                  
  resolution for presentation at the next meeting.                             
                                                                               
  3.  The legislature should support proposed amendments to                    
  Title 38 expected to be introduced by the Governor in 1994                   
  that are specifically designed to streamline the regulatory                  
  process and encourage timber industry development.  The Task                 
  Force directed staff to follow up on this by acquiring a                     
  copy of the "cleaned-up" version of applicable portions of                   
  Title 38 from Department of Natural Resources.  It was                       
  decided that the Resources Committee could submit this                       
  resolution.                                                                  
                                                                               
  Representative Green presented the new legislation                           
  recommendations of the Oil, Gas, and Mineral Resources                       
  Subcommittee:                                                                
                                                                               
  1.  Improve methods of land access for development and                       
  product transportation, either through Title 38 revamp or                    
  new legislation.  Staff was directed to bring this to the                    
  next meeting.                                                                
                                                                               
  2.  Send a resolution to Canada encouraging development of                   
  Windy Craggy area when copper prices are right, as this will                 
  provide jobs to Haines residents and send a message to                       
  Canada that we encourage mine development.  The Task Force                   
  authorized Representative Green to draft this resolution and                 
  present it for approval at the next meeting.                                 
                                                                               
  3.  Redistribute tax and royalty burden more equitably among                 
  other industries such as timber, fish, and tourism, and stop                 
  raiding energy industries.  Representative Green explained                   
  that this is an effort to create more tax equity among the                   
  various industries.                                                          
                                                                               
  After some debate on Item 3, Vice Chair James suggested                      
  that, since this recommendation is in dispute, the Task                      
  Force not adopt it as a goal.  There were no objections.                     
                                                                               
  Representative Green presented the next two items, under                     
  "Existing Legislation":                                                      
                                                                               
  4.  Support pending legislation for exploration licensing                    
  (HB 199 or SB 150), which encourages companies to explore                    
  remote areas for oil and gas.                                                
                                                                               
  5.  Support pending legislation for exploration tax credits                  
  (HB 200 or SB 151) or reinstate a discovery royalty                          
  provision.                                                                   
                                                                               
  The Task Force agreed to support the concepts of these                       
  bills, but asked that copies of the bills be brought next                    
  week before making a final decision.                                         
                                                                               
  Vice Chair James suggested, in order to speed up the                         
  process, each subcommittee chair bring resolutions, bills,                   
  drafts, and written suggestions to the Task Force meetings                   
  prior to discussion of their recommendations.  The next                      
  meeting will be held Wednesday, February 9, 1994, in Room                    
  124.                                                                         
                                                                               
  Vice Chair James adjourned the meeting at 5:00 p.m.