Legislature(2001 - 2002)
02/21/2001 01:32 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 21, 2001
1:32 PM
TAPE HFC 01 - 32, Side A
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Williams called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:32 PM.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair
Representative Bill Williams, Co-Chair
Representative Con Bunde, Vice-Chair
Representative John Davies
Representative Carl Moses
Representative Richard Foster
Representative John Harris
Representative Bill Hudson
Representative Ken Lancaster
Representative Jim Whitaker
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Eric Croft
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Dave Donley; Eddy Jeans, Manager, School Finance &
Facilities Section, Department of Education and Early
Development; Catherine Reardon, Director, Division of
Occupational Licensing, Department of Community and Economic
Development; Pat Davidson, Executive Director, Legislative
Budget and Audit Division; Heather Brakes, Staff,
Legislative Budget and Audit Committee.
SUMMARY
HB 90 "An Act relating to reimbursement of municipal
bonds for school construction; and providing for
an effective date."
CSHB 90 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a
"do pass" recommendation and with a new zero
fiscal note by the Department of Education and
Early Development.
SB 53 "An Act extending the termination date of the
Board of Barbers and Hairdressers."
SB 53 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a new zero fiscal
note by the Department of Community and Economic
Development.
CSSJR 6(FIN)
Urging the Congress of the United States to
provide federal education funds as a block grant
to the state.
HCS CSSJR 6 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee
with a "do pass" recommendation and with a
previously passed zero fiscal note by the Senate
Finance Committee.
HOUSE BILL NO. 90
"An Act relating to reimbursement of municipal bonds
for school construction; and providing for an effective
date."
Co-Chair Mulder noted that they had looked at potential
amendments. They were not able to come to a compromise.
Co-Chair Mulder MOVED to ADOPT a technical amendment on page
4, line 19: change (p) to (o). There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
Co-Chair Mulder noted that the legislation corrects a
technical error in HB 281, Chapter 130, SLA 2000, school
capital funding and bond debt reimbursement. The bill was
prospective as opposed to retroactive. The Northwest Arctic
Borough and Anchorage School District had already approved
the bonds by vote. House Bill 90 reauthorizes what was
already authorized.
Representative Foster MOVED to report CSHB 90 (FIN) out of
Committee with the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 90 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a new zero fiscal note by the
Department of Education and Early Development.
CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6(FIN)
Urging the Congress of the United States to provide
federal education funds as a block grant to the state.
SENATOR DAVE DONLEY, sponsor, spoke in support of the bill.
He observed that the legislation would encourage Congress to
provide federal education funds as block grants. States have
been successful in reducing the cost and improving delivery
of welfare to their citizens since the federal government
began distribution of welfare through block grants. He
stressed that there are high the administrative costs
associated with the various federal education programs. This
money could be used in the classrooms. Many local school
districts have complained about the administrative burden
for federal programs, which go through three levels:
federal, state and local.
In response to a question by Vice-Chair Bunde, Senator
Donley stressed that any movement toward block grants would
allow flexibility and lower administrative costs.
Representative John Davies expressed support for the
legislation. He pointed out that language on line 4 could be
misunderstood to indicate that the federal government
provides all of the funding for education. He recommended
the addition of "categorical."
Representative John Davies MOVED to amend the legislation on
line 4: insert "categorical" before "funding". There being
NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HCS CSSJR 6 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with a previously passed zero
fiscal note by the Senate Finance Committee.
SENATE BILL NO. 53
"An Act extending the termination date of the Board of
Barbers and Hairdressers."
HEATHER BRAKES, STAFF, LEGISLATIVE BUDGET AND AUDIT
COMMITTEE noted that SB 53 amends title 8 Chapter 3, Section
10 to extend the board an additional four years from June
30, 2001 to June 30, 2005. She observed that a legislative
audit was released on Dec 6, 2000. The audit concluded that
the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers should be
reestablished and that the regulation and licensing of
qualified barbers, hairdressers and estheticians is of
benefit to the public's health, safety, and welfare. The
board benefits the public by establishing minimum
educational and experience requirements that provide
reasonable assurance that persons licensed are qualified.
Assurances that those licensed act in a competent manner is
provided by active investigation of complaints conducted by
the Division of Occupational Licensing's investigative unit
within the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Alaska Statute 08.03.010(c) (4) requires the Board of
Barbers and Hairdressers be terminated on June 30, 2001.
Under AS 08.03.020, the board has a one-year period to
administratively conclude its affairs. The audit recommended
that the board's termination date be extended to June 30,
2005.
CATHERINE REARDON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL
LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
provided information on the legislation. She explained that
licenses are valid for two years. They expire at the end of
August on even fiscal years. She explained that there would
always be a high and low year. On the years when the
licenses are not renewed revenues come from new licenses.
There are no general funds in the component. The legislature
generally rolls forward the excess revenue collections to
allow the boards to cover their two-year costs with two-year
revenues.
Representative Foster noted that the number of commissions
has increased. He suggested that the four-year sunset date
is a waste of time.
PAT DAVIDSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE BUDGET AND
AUDIT DIVISION explained that they recommended that that the
Board be extended for four years because tattooist is a new
occupation under the Board. The normal four-year extension
would allow the profession to establish regulations.
Vice-Chair Bunde MOVED to report SB 53 out of Committee with
the accompanying new fiscal note. Representative John Davies
observed that the fiscal note would reflect the new. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SB 53 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with a new zero fiscal note by the
Department of Community and Economic Development.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
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