Legislature(1995 - 1996)
05/02/1995 08:35 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 2, 1995
8:30 A.M.
TAPE HFC 95-109, Side 1, #000 - end.
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Mark Hanley called the House Finance Committee
meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.
PRESENT
Co-Chair Hanley Representative Martin
Co-Chair Foster Representative Mulder
Representative Brown Representative Navarre
Representative Grussendorf Representative Parnell
Representative Kelly Representative Therriault
Representative Kohring
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Mike Miller; Kelly Goode, Staff, Senator Halford;
Major Buell Russel, Division of Fish and Wildlife
Protection, Department of Public Safety; Bob Robadeau,
Lieutenant Governor's Office.
SUMMARY
SB 21 An Act relating to penalties for violations of
commercial fishing laws.
CSSB 21 (RES) was reported out of Committee with a
"do pass" recommendation and with three zero
fiscal notes, one by the Department of Law dated
3/8/95, and one by the Alaska Court System dated
3/8/95, and one by the Department of Public Safety
dated 3/8/95.
SB 124 An Act relating to the human services community
matching grant program; and providing for an
effective date.
SB 124 was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a zero fiscal note
by the Department of Health & Social Services.
SB 142 An Act establishing the Alaska Human Resource
Investment Council and transferring certain
functions of other entities to the council;
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establishing a planning mechanism for employment
training and other human resource investment
needs; and providing for an effective date.
HCS CSSB 142 (FIN) was reported out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and a House
Finance Committee Letter of Intent, and with a
fiscal impact note by the Office of the Governor
dated 3/27/95, and with six zero fiscal notes all
dated 3/27/95 by the University of Alaska,
Department of Education, Department of Labor,
Department of Health & Social Services, Department
of Commerce and Economic Development, and
Department of Community and Regional Affairs.
SENATE BILL NO. 124
"An Act relating to the human services community
matching grant program; and providing for an effective
date."
SENATE MIKE MILLER, SPONSOR testified in support of SB 124.
He observed that the community match for the Human Services
Community Matching Grants Program was set at 30 percent. He
observed that the authorizing statute was structured to
increase the community match to 50 percent in FY 96. He
stressed that cities are facing declining revenues in
municipal assistance and revenue sharing. He stated that 30
percent participation should be maintained. He noted that
most matching grant programs only require a 30 percent
match. He emphasized that the legislation will not cost
additional state dollars.
In response to a question by Representative Martin, Senator
Miller clarified that communities will match $.30 cents on
each state dollar. No additional state dollars will be
required. He reiterated that cities currently match at the
30 percent level. He noted that the current general fund
contribution to the program is $1.7 million dollars.
Fairbanks and Anchorage contribute approximately $500.0
thousand dollars for a total of $2.3 million dollars.
Representative Mulder noted that a similar bill was vetoed
by the Governor in FY 95. Senator Miller could not
elaborate on why the previous legislation was vetoed.
Representative Kohring MOVED to report SB 124 out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SB 124 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
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recommendation and with a zero fiscal note by the Department
of Health & Social Services.
SENATE BILL NO. 21
"An Act relating to penalties for violations of
commercial fishing laws."
KELLY GOODE, STAFF, SENATOR HALFORD testified in support of
SB 21. She noted that SB 21 increases the punishment for
violations of commercial fishing laws. Senate Bill 21
increases the maximum fine allowable for third and
subsequent violations of commercial fishing laws to $9.0
thousand dollars. She noted that similar legislation was
passed by the Senate, but did not make it to the House floor
for concurrence before adjournment. She observed that the
previous legislation would have placed greater sanctions on
first and second violations.
Co-Chair Hanley noted that the prior legislation would have
raised the maximum penalty for all fines. He reiterated
that SB 21 only raises fines on the third offense. He
observed that the legislation sets the maximum penalty
allowed and is not mandatory.
BUELL RUSSEL, MAJOR, ENFORCEMENT COMMANDER, DIVISION OF FISH
AND WILDLIFE PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
testified in support of SB 21, via the teleconference
network. He stated that the legislation would provide a
deterrent.
Representative Parnell noted that he represents commercial
fishermen.
In response to a question by Representative Navarre, Ms.
Goode stated that Senator Halford chose to introduce new
legislation.
Representative Mulder MOVED to report CSSB 21 (RES) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal notes.
CSSB 21 (RES) was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with three zero fiscal notes, one by the
Department of Law dated 3/8/95, and one by the Alaska Court
System dated 3/8/95, and one by the Department of Public
Safety dated 3/8/95.
SENATE BILL NO. 142
"An Act establishing the Alaska Human Resource
Investment Council and transferring certain functions
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of other entities to the council; establishing a
planning mechanism for employment training and other
human resource investment needs; and providing for an
effective date."
BOB ROBADEAU, OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR testified in
support of SB 142. He noted that similar legislation was
vetoed by Governor Hickel. He stressed that SB 142 attempts
to address concerns by agencies that were raised by the
previous legislation. He observed that the legislation
consolidates three federally mandated councils. The
Governor's Council on Vocational Education, the Alaska Job
Training Council and the Employment Security Advisory
Council would be combined into the Alaska Human Resource
Investment Council. He noted that the bill requires no new
general fund dollars. He observed that federal funds are
directly earmarked for the councils. He noted that the
councils are needed to garner federal funds. He stated that
the new Alaska Human Resource Investment Council will be
housed in the Office of the Governor. He emphasized that
the Council can be used as an economic development tool.
Representative Therriault questioned the need for section 1,
Legislative Findings and Purpose. Mr. Robadeau spoke in
support of retaining section 1.
Representative Parnell noted that there is a fiscal impact
note for the Office of the Governor. Mr. Robadeau clarified
that interagency transfer dollars would be used to
consolidate oversight by the Office of the Governor. He
emphasized that a savings will be realized by reducing
members from 40 to 23. He added that the Council will also
save money by reducing the number of meetings from 12 to 4 a
year.
Representative Brown queried how existing members will be
transitioned. Mr. Robadeau explained that a six month
sunset will allow private industry representatives to plan
their own consolidation. The Governor hopes that
consolidation can occur through attrition. He noted that
specific seats are mandated by federal law. He stressed
that the existing councils can recommend members of their
own councils that meet the criteria outlined. He observed
that the existing councils support the legislation.
Representative Brown asked what can be done to increase
resident hire. Mr. Robadeau emphasized that it makes
economic sense to hire Alaskans if they are trained. He
observed that the infrastructure to train Alaskans exists.
He stressed that the Council will be represented by the
private sector consumers. He emphasized that some of the
largest employers in the State are involved. He stated that
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employers want to identify jobs and develop a mechanism to
train Alaskans. He pointed out that Congress approved the
consolidation of councils in 1993. Since then, twenty one
states have consolidated.
Representative Therriault MOVED to delete section 1,
Legislative Findings and Purpose. Representative
Grussendorf OBJECTED. He emphasized that council members
will be from the public and could benefit from legislative
direction.
Representative Therriault MOVED to amend his amendment to
delete (a), page 1, line 7 through page 2, line 13.
Representative Grussendorf OBJECTED.
Representative Parnell noted that the purpose section could
be included in a sponsor statement or other direction to the
Council.
A roll call vote was taken on the MOTION to amend the
amendment.
IN FAVOR: Brown, Grussendorf, Navarre, Kelly, Kohring,
Martin, Mulder, Parnell, Therriault
OPPOSED: (none)
Co-Chair Hanley and Co-Chair Foster were absent from the
vote.
The MOTION PASSED (9-0).
A roll call vote was taken on the main MOTION to delete
section 1 (a).
IN FAVOR: Kelly, Kohring, Martin, Mulder, Parnell,
Therriault OPPOSED: Brown, Grussendorf, Navarre
Co-Chair Hanley and Co-Chair Foster were absent from the
vote.
The MOTION PASSED (6-3).
Representative Navarre MOVED to incorporate section 1 (a)
into a House Finance Committee Letter of Intent. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Parnell MOVED to report HCS CSSB 142 (FIN)
out of Committee with individual recommendations, the
accompanying fiscal notes, and the House Finance Committee
Letter of Intent. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
HCS CSSB 142 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
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pass" recommendation and a House Finance Committee Letter of
Intent, and with a fiscal impact note by the Office of the
Governor dated 3/27/95, and with six zero fiscal notes all
dated 3/27/95 by the University of Alaska, Department of
Education, Department of Labor, Department of Health &
Social Services, Department of Commerce and Economic
Development, and Department of Community and Regional
Affairs.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.
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