Legislature(2009 - 2010)SENATE FINANCE 532
03/17/2009 02:30 PM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB75 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 75 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 17, 2009
2:49 p.m.
2:49:04 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Stedman called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 2:49 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice-Chair
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Joe Thomas
MEMBERS ABSENT
None.
ALSO PRESENT
Leta Simons, Director, Division of Support Services,
Department of Natural Resources; Tom Lawson, Director,
Administrative Services, Department of Fish and Game;
Charles Swanton, Director, Division of Sport Fish,
Department of Fish and Game.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
James King, Director, Division of Parks and Outdoor
Recreation, Department of Natural Resources; John Hilsinger,
Director, Division of Commercial Fisheries, Department of
Fish and Game.
SUMMARY
SB 75 "An Act making and amending appropriations,
including capital appropriations, supplemental
appropriations, and appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
2:49:27 PM
SENATE BILL NO. 75
"An Act making and amending appropriations,
including capital appropriations, supplemental
appropriations, and appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
2:50:21 PM
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Co-Chair Stedman pointed out the pink sheets (copy on file).
LETA SIMONS, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, discussed project 1 or
41648, which would increase federal funding for the Costal
Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). She explained the details
of the project and where the funding would be used.
2:52:13 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 4 or 33955, "Wildland Fire
Truck Replacement". She explained that the funds would be
used for periodic replacement of critical firefighting
equipment. She detailed the project and where the funding
would be used.
2:53:24 PM
Co-Chair Stedman asked why project 6 or AMD47794, "State
Parks Deferred Maintenance and Emergency Repairs had been
moved to the supplemental.
Ms. Simons responded that the project had been moved to the
supplemental to take advantage of the cruise ship gambling
tax appropriation, which had been the department's the
planned source of funding, leaving no reason to postpone
until FY10. Moving the project to the FY09 supplemental
would allow the funds to be accessed quickly and spent
efficiently.
2:54:02 PM
Ms. Simons continued to 17 or 32552, "Land and Water
Conservation Fund Federal Grant Program. She described the
project and where the funds would be used. The next item was
deleted by the governor; AMD45255 or 19, "Architecture and
Engineering for a New Geologic Material Center in Eagle
River-Phase 2 of 2".
Co- Chair Stedman asked for a brief description of the
deleted item; AMD45255 or 19.
Ms. Simons explained that because of the recent drop in oil
prices, the administration had urged the department to
forego projects requiring general funds that could be
postponed to a later date.
2:55: PM
Ms. Simons continued to items 22-25, which were deleted by
the governor as she believed that they could be postponed to
a later date.
2:56:46 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 27 or 46947, "Fire Suppression
Trunk Road Facility Relocation". She stated that the
relocation would protect the state's investment and maintain
the facility for use by fire engines and initial attack
response.
Co-Chair Stedman thought that it was odd that the state
would lease a facility from the university, and the
university would then sell the land out from under the
leased facility. He queried the structure of the lease and
the actions of the university.
Ms. Simons responded that the land had been leased to the
state by the university and then the building had been
built. The recent sale of the land by the university created
the need for the building to be relocated.
CHRIS MAISCH, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF FORESTRY, DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES, replied that he did not know the details
in regard to the sale of the property. He felt it may have
to do with the addition to hospital property. He said that
he would research the lease and bring more information
before the committee.
2:58:50 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 29 or 38886, "Land Sales-New
Sub-Division Development". She detailed the project and
where the funds would be spent. She continued to item 32 or
AMD38480, "Remote Recreational Cabin Sites Surveys and
Appraisals", which was moved to the operating budget. The
next item 35 or 6855, "Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation
Federal Program". She explained that the line item provides
federal funding for reclamation of areas mined before
enactment of the Federal Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977.
3:00:04 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 38 or 40082, "Alaska Costal
Management Federal Pass Through Grants" and item 40 or
37769, "Fire and Local Government Funded Forestry and Fire
Projects". She detailed the line items and discussed where
the funds would be spent.
3:00:36 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 43 or AMD46953, "Private and
Public Forest Assessment", which is a request for funding
necessary to continue federal funds. The item will be
addressed in the operating budget. She continued to item 46
or 32553, "Alaska Boating Safety Program".
Co-Chair Stedman asked for details about the program.
3:01:27 PM
JAMES KING, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR
RECREATION, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (testified via
teleconference), discussed the Kids Don't Float program. He
stressed that the department is working diligently to
improve boating safety through the implementation of
programs for adults as well as for children.
Co-Chair Stedman asked if the program was ongoing.
Mr. King responded that there is a sunset clause.
Co-Chair Stedman asked if there were any funding shortages
or overlap with the Alaska Marine Safety Education
Association.
Mr. King responded that the programs work closely together
and that there is some sharing of funds.
3:03:57 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman referred to prior funding history. The
program has funds left over from the last three
appropriations.
Mr. King pointed out that the dates of the federal fiscal
year vary from the state's fiscal year. This can cause
challenges where grants with time limits are concerned. He
added that money left over from federal funds and grants
will be used for safety improvement.
3:05:28 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 50 or 6865, "National Historic
Preservation Fund Federal Grant Program", which includes
$200,000 in general fund match. Item 53 or 6854, "National
Recreational Trail Grants Federal Program", would provide
money to for grants for recreational trail development and
maintenance. Recent grantees include; Ketchikan Gateway
Borough, Mat-Su Borough, Wasilla, Fort Yukon, Homer, Galena,
Barrow, Cordova, Aleknagik, and Circle. She continued to
item 56 or AMD45270, "DNR Information Technology
Infrastructure Upgrades-Phase 2 of 2", which was deleted.
3:06:31 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 60 or 45272, "Matanuska Susitna
Borough Hydrogeology Assessment-Phase 2 of 3. The goal of
the study is to study ground water to effectively manage the
ground water resources in the area. She continued to item 64
or 37762, "Cooperative Water Resource Program". This funding
pays for the installation and operation of equipment used to
obtain hydroelectric data. She detailed item 66 or 33690,
"Snowmobile Trail Development and Program Grants". The funds
are spent on direct grants to various organizations and
agencies for trail and trailhead development, safety and
education programs, and grant administration and support of
the statewide Snowmobile Trails Advisory Committee.
3:08:03 PM
Ms. Simons continued to item 70 or AMD6853, "Mental Health
Trust Land Development", which has been moved to the
operating budget. Item 72 or AMD40474, "Mental Health Trust
Facilities Maintenance", will fund ongoing property
management, snow removal maintenance, and repair of mental
health trust properties. Item 74 or AMD 47798, "Chilkoot
River Bear Viewing Areas", has been moved to the operating
budget. Item 76 or 46965, "Gas Pipeline Implementation",
will fund the retention of outside experts and consultants,
continued gasline analysis, analysis and advice on tariffs,
royalty evaluation methodology, and enforcement and remedies
related to license terms and conditions. Item 78 or
AMD45278, "Reservoir Studies to Evaluate Oil and Gas
Resources on the North Slope-Phase 2 of 3", is for reservoir
studies to evaluate oil and gas resources on the north
slope.
3:09:48 PM
Ms. Simons continued to the last item 80 or 41415, "Gas
Pipeline Corridor Geologic Hazards and Resources-Phase 4 of
5" which will allow for the continuation of geologic
mapping, hazard assessment, and resource evaluation along
the purposed natural gas pipeline corridor from Delta
Junction to the Canadian border.
Co-Chair Stedman noted that the items had been in priority
order.
3:11:01 PM AT EASE
3:11:13 PM RECONVENED
DEPARTMENT OF FISH and GAME
TOM LAWSON, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
FISH AND GAME, discussed the project review listing
beginning with item 1 or AMD43322, "Statewide Annual
Deferred Maintenance, Repair, Upgrades, and Equipment". He
detailed the cost of maintenance in each of the areas of the
department.
3:13:35 PM
Co-Chair Stedman asked if the $250,000 reduction in the line
item fund source total, from $11,000,000 to $850,000, had
forced the deletion of projects.
Mr. Lawson stated that the department would cut back on
deferred maintenance of various facilities. He felt that the
department could survive the year with less money by
trimming back on all areas to accommodate the overall
funding reduction.
Co-Chair Stedman asked if the projected $1.1 million
targeted maintenance numbers remain the same.
Mr. Lawson replied that the numbers would stay the same.
Mr. Lawson continued to item 3 or AMD47027, "Data and
Infrastructure Backup". The project would allow for the
purchase of hard and software for data backup in Anchorage
and Fairbanks. He stated that the backup systems for the
department had been lacking across the board and cited a
recent situation of server data loss at the headquarters
office. He stressed that the data gathered by the department
is a critical asset to the state and must be safely stored.
Co-Chair Stedman spoke of lost information in the past. He
wondered about the man hours it would take to re-enter or
recover data lost.
Mr. Lawson replied that the amount would be equal to the
line item request, possibly more. He added that the data
recovery took months and required a substantial number of
staff members.
3:17:17 PM
Mr. Lawson continued to item 6 or AMD47028, "Application
Development Software". The project would provide software to
perform various applications to prepare customized reports.
He gave an example of the fish ticket system currently used
by the department, which is used to compile data. He pointed
out that the current system does not allow for convenient
conversion of data into shareable formats.
3:18:37 PM
Mr. Lawson continued to item 8 or AMD47023, "Wildlife
Conservation Response Team", which was deleted. He continued
to item 10 or AMD47022, "Wood Bison Stocking and Release".
The program would establish up to three bison herds in
Interior Alaska, work to complete the regulatory and
planning hurdles facing the department, construct temporary
field camps and enclosures at release sites, aide in
transport of the bison to the release site, conduct the
initial biological monitoring of the bison herds, and fund
staff for the project.
3:20:42 PM
Mr. Lawson continued to item 13 or AMD42951, "Hazardous Site
Cleanups", which has been deleted from the capital budget.
Item 15 or AMD45368, "Assessment of Pacific Salmon Resources
in AYK, Northern Region", was moved from the capital budget
to the operating budget.
3:21:49 PM
Mr. Lawson continued to item 17 or AMD42050, "Collection and
Genetic Analysis of Chum Salmon Tissues in Western Alaska",
which will allow the department to use genetic stock in the
continuation of chum salmon identification research. The
research should provide estimates of productivity and
fisheries impacts on various fish stocks.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for clarification concerning details
of the research.
3:23:20 PM
JOHN HILSINGER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, (testified via teleconference),
stated that the project samples the commercial and
subsistence fisheries along the coast of Alaska, from
Chignik through Bristol Bay, and up to Norton Sound. The
information would track how the stocks move through the
area. In knowing the harvest of the fish stocks,
productivity will be increased.
Co-Chair Hoffman asked about the appropriation reduction for
the line item, and if it would affect the stock analysis.
3:24:35 PM
Mr. Hilsinger replied that the project could be completed
with the requested funding in place.
Mr. Larson continued to item 19 or 30432, "Sport Fish
Recreational Boating Access". The program would enable the
department to construct and up-grade boating and sport fish
access facilities statewide.
Co-Chair Stedman queried the particulars of the program. He
specifically asked about the Star Gavin boat ramp in Sitka.
3:25:59 PM
Mr. Lawson shared that the department is objective in
choosing which projects are eligible for the program.
3:26:25 PM
CHARLES SWANTON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF SPORT FISH,
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, understood that the funds to
complete Star Gavin boat ramp had been appropriated in FY07
and that the department was in the process of finishing the
project.
Co-Chair Stedman disagreed.
3:27:05 PM AT EASE
3:27:17 PM RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman believed that the item had been vetoed. He
requested that Mr. Swanton check the facts. He stated the
breakwater needed to be constructed to protect the
infrastructure of the facility. He requested that the
department research both completed and targeted boat ramp
projects for status and maintenance reports. He stressed
that the committee is committed to supporting boat ramp
projects.
3:28:26 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman felt that the data would be helpful to the
committee to ensure fair distribution of funds statewide.
Co-Chair Stedman ruminated on Star Gavin boat dock. He
stressed that the area has been very well received by the
community in Sitka, and should be a model for future
projects. He relayed that the committee is working to bring
a focused approach to the building of high quality boat
ramps throughout the state. He hoped that the department
maintained the same philosophy.
3:30:11 PM
Mr. Lawson continued to item 21 or 33647, "Pacific Coastal
Salmon Recovery Fund", which is an annual item. The program
objective is to ensure sustainable Alaska salmon fisheries.
The vetting process for the grants is stringent. Mr. Lawson
cited the "PCSRF Background" letter (copy on file).
3:31:43 PM
Mr. Lawson continued to item 23 or 47021, "Cooperative
Resource Program". The project allows the department to
accept funds from the private sector to match state funds.
3:32:52 PM
Mr. Lawson continued to the final item 25 or 47612, "Permit
Card Equipment for eLandings Program". This is a card that
is bar-coded and will likely take the place of fish tickets.
3:34:05 PM
Co-Chair Stedman pointed out that despite the $22 million
requested for the Salmon Recovery Fund, the department's
requests for funding are minimal. He felt that there would
be a discussion in the committee to work to extend as much
attention to departmental requests as possible.
3:35:17 PM
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 PM.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DNR Snow Machine Regs & Expend 08.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2009 2:30:00 PM |
SB 75 |
| DNR CIAP Overview.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2009 2:30:00 PM |
SB 75 |
| F&G Def Maint List FY2010.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2009 2:30:00 PM |
SB 75 |
| F&G PCSRF & AKSSF Ovrview & Projects.pdf |
SFIN 3/17/2009 2:30:00 PM |
SB 75 |