Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/12/2024 02:00 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB50 | |
| HB66 | |
| HB122 | |
| SB217 | |
| HB347 | |
| HB148 | |
| HB129 | |
| HB111 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 66 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 50 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 217 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 122 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 148 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 347 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 129 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 202 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 12, 2024
2:08 p.m.
2:08:54 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Olson called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 2:08 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Senator Bill Wielechowski; Senator Cathy Giessel; Ken
Alper, Staff to Co-Chair Olson; Edra Morledge, Staff,
Senator Julie Coulombe; Eugene Harnett, Staff,
Representative Jamie Allard.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Robert Doyle, Chair, Regulatory Commission of Alaska,
Anchorage; Gary Hennigh, City Administrator, City of King
Cove, King Cove, Alaska.
SUMMARY
SB 217 INTEGRATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
SB 217 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 50(FIN)
CARBON STORAGE
SCS CSHB 50(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee
with two "do pass" recommendations and five "no
recommendations"; three new fiscal notes from the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development, two new fiscal notes from Department
of Natural Resources, one new fiscal note from
the Department of Revenue, and one previously
published zero fiscal note: FN 9(DEC).
CSHB 66(FIN)am
CONTROLLED SUB;HOMICIDE;CRIMES;SENTENCING
SCS CSHB 66(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee
with three "do pass" recommendations, three "no
recommendations", and one "amend" recommendation;
and two new zero fiscal notes from the Department
of Public Safety, two new fiscal notes from the
Department of Administration, one new fiscal note
from the Department of Corrections, one new
fiscal note from the Department of Law, one new
fiscal note from the Department of Family and
Community Services, and one previously published
fiscal note: FN 9(DOA).
CSHB 111(EDC)
EDUCATION FOR DEAF & HARD OF HEARING
CSHB 111(EDC) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 122(FIN)am
RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING
SCS CSHB 122(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee
with five "no recommendations" and two "do pass"
recommendations; and two previously published
fiscal notes: FN 1(CED) and FN 2 (CED).
CSHB 129(JUD)
VOTER REGISTRATION
CSHB 129(JUD) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 148(FIN)
AK PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP; ELIGIBILITY
CSHB 148(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 202(EDC)
OPIOID OVERDOSE DRUGS IN SCHOOLS
CSHB 202(EDC) was SCHEDULED but not HEARD.
CSHB 347(CRA)am
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
CSHB 347(CRA)am was HEARD and HELD in committee
for further consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 50(FIN)
"An Act relating to carbon storage on state land;
relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Oil
and Gas Conservation Commission; relating to carbon
storage exploration licenses; relating to carbon
storage leases; relating to carbon storage operator
permits; relating to enhanced oil or gas recovery;
relating to long-term monitoring and maintenance of
storage facilities; relating to carbon oxide
sequestration tax credits; relating to the duties of
the Department of Natural Resources; relating to
carbon dioxide pipelines; and providing for an
effective date."
2:09:29 PM
Co-Chair Olson MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 4, 33-GH1567\T.12,
(Dunmire, 05/11/24)(copy on file).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
2:10:01 PM
KEN ALPER, STAFF TO CO-CHAIR OLSON, spoke to Amendment 4:
Page 34, line 20:
Delete new subsections
Insert a new subsection
Page 34, lines 21-29:
Delete all material.
Reletter the following subsection accordingly.
Mr. Alper explained that the amendment meant that the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska would not be given explicit
direction about how to treat the cost of an LNG import
facility for LNG imports that were many years in the
future.
2:11:07 PM
AT EASE
2:11:20 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Olson WITHDREW his objection.
Senator Bishop relayed that he had problems with the
amendment. He asked that members pay close attention to the
topic going forward. He expressed concern that the price of
imported LNG would be higher than expected and that
ratepayers would bear the burden.
2:12:18 PM
Co-Chair Olson MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 5, 33-GH1567\T.11
(Dunmire, 5/11/24).
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion.
KEN ALPER, STAFF TO Co-Chair Olson, spoke to Amendment 5
(copy on file):
Page 30, line 24, following paragraph,:
Insert (A)
Page 39, line 24, following capture:
Insert means the process of capturing carbon
dioxide from a chemical, mechanical, or industrial
process, or directly from the ambient atmosphere, and
reducing the carbon dioxide to a concentrated form,
including a superficial fluid; carbon capture.
Page 30, line 25, following treatment:
Insert;
(B) carbon stroage means the long-
term geologic storage of carbon dioxide in a
carbon storage facility permitted under AS
41.06.120 or a Class VI injection well, as
defined in 40 C.F.R 146.5 (f)
Co-Chair Stedman WITHDREW his objection. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
2:14:10 PM
Senator Bishop MOVED to WITHDRAW Amendment 6 (copy on
file). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
2:14:22 PM
AT EASE
2:15:22 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Olson noted that Amendment 7 had been withdrawn
(copy on file). [There was no motion to move Amendment 7].
2:15:39 PM
AT EASE
2:24:17 PM
RECONVENED
2:24:38 PM
Senator Bishop asked whether Mr. Doyle had seen Amendment
4.
2:25:11 PM
ROBERT DOYLE, CHAIR, REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), replied that he had not.
2:25:13 PM
Senator Bishop explained the intent of Amendment 4, and
asked whether the Regulatory Commission of Alaska had the
ability to regulate and approve imported gas tariffs.
2:25:42 PM
Mr. Doyle replied that the well head price of natural gas
was not set by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. He said
that the Regulatory Commission of Alaska regulated it at
the point in time when it was sold to the utility. The
negotiated price that the gas was bought, prior to the time
it was injected withdrawn, and sold to a utility, would not
change based upon the contract that were established when
the gas was purchased and put into storage.
2:26:34 PM
Senator Wilson wonder whether a natural gas entity would be
able to adjust rates for the expenditures of building a
storage facility or the export facility.
2:27:35 PM
Mr. Doyle understood that a corporations operating legacy
field wanted to recoup costs of investments and remain
competitive in offering services to utilities.
2:27:45 PM
Senator Wilson wondered whether the Regulatory Commission
of Alaska had the authority to offset the investment costs
of utilities down to the ratepayers.
Mr. Doyle replied that the adjustments would be made to
make sure that the price was fair, just, and reasonable for
ratepayers. He stressed that that more storage was needed
as well as more production.
2:28:41 PM
Senator Wilson clarified that he was not talking about
storage; he was talking about LNG importing. He asked if an
entity were to build an LNG facility, would the costs be
offset and did the Regulatory Commission of Alaska
currently have the authority to offset costs.
2:28:52 PM
Mr. Doyle responded that that there were FERC
considerations. He understood that utilities would be
utilizing storage, and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska
would support that storage.
2:29:47 PM
Senator Wilson reiterated that he was not talking about
storage. He said that he was talking about the building of
an LNG import facility for the importation of natural gas.
He asked whether a public utility could recoup the cost of
building a new LNG import facility to import natural gas
for Southcentral Alaska.
2:30:17 PM
Mr. Doyle replied in the affirmative.
2:30:48 PM
Senator Bishop surmised that storage was regulated by the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska whether it was in-field
production from existing Cook Inlet properties or imported.
Mr. Doyle responded that the Regulatory Commission of
Alaska regulated it at the point in time that it was sold
to utilities and the utilities put it into generation.
2:31:58 PM
AT EASE
2:32:33 PM
RECONVENED
Senator Bishop MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 50 (FIN) 33GH1567\T
from committee as amended with individual recommendations
and attached fiscal notes.
SCS CSHB 50(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with two "do
pass" recommendations and five "no recommendations"; three
new fiscal notes from the Department of Commerce, Community
and Economic Development, two new fiscal notes from
Department of Natural Resources, one new fiscal note from
the Department of Revenue, and one previously published
zero fiscal note: FN 9(DEC).
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 66(FIN) am
"An Act relating to homicide resulting from conduct
involving controlled substances; relating to
misconduct involving a controlled substance; relating
to sentencing; and providing for an effective date."
2:36:03 PM
Senator Merrick MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for
CSHB 66(FIN)am, Work Draft 33-GH1482\T (C. Radford,
5/10/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for discussion.
2:36:20 PM
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the
Summary of Changes, version N to O to T May 10,
2024:
Change 1 In removing and replacing the sections
related to the grand jury process, required witnesses,
child protection, and stalking, the amendment made a
change to a requirement for when a sex offender must
report their travel, which was flagged by the
Department of Public Safety as inconsistent with
federal law. This was Amendment #1.
Change 2 In removing and replacing the section related
to the crime of assault in the presence of a child,
the amendment incorporated two changes clarifying that
"present" meant physically present in the same housing
unit, and limiting the crime to assaults involving
domestic violence or sexual assault. This was
Amendment #6.
Change 3 Added new sections providing for additional
consecutive terms of imprisonment if a defendant
commits multiple violations of their condition of
release. This was Amendment #7.
Change 4 Removed section related to the requirements
and coverage of crime victim restitution. This was
section 21 of the Senate Judiciary version and
originated in HB286.
Change 5 Removed sections related to prohibiting the
Department of Public Safety from releasing certain
conviction records for possession of small amounts of
marijuana. These were sections 26-27 and 53 of the
Senate Judiciary version and originated in HB28.
2:38:29 PM
AT EASE
2:39:14 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Olson REMOVED his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
There being no further OBJECTION version T was ADOPTED as a
working document.
Co-Chair Olson moved AMENDMENT 8 (copy on File).
Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
2:40:13 PM
Mr. Alper spoke to Amendment 8:
Page 1, following Act
Insert relating to criminal law and procedure;
Co-Chair Hoffman REMOVED his OBJECTION.
There being no further OBJECTION Amendment 8 was adopted.
Senator Olson MOVED Amendment 9 (copy on file).
2:40:17 PM
Senator Kiehl explained that the amendment would tighten
up the language in the bill that pertained to hearsay. He
relayed that second and third order hearsay would no longer
be allowed, but the ability for law enforcement that was
directly involved in the investigation to present hearsay
would still be allowed. He said that the amendment applied
to all felonies.
2:41:58 PM
Co-Chair Olson there being no OBJECTION Amendment 9 was
adopted.
2:42:20 PM
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 11.
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
Co-Chair Hoffman explained that the amendment stemmed from
his concern that the Indigenous population of the state was
incarcerated at a higher rate than other groups. He
detailed that Indigenous Peoples comprised only 14 percent
of the states population but 40 percent of the states
incarcerated population. The amendment would require that
the issue be studied and would include Tribal Governments
and local stakeholders. The study would require the finding
th
to be submitted no later than the first day of the 34
Alaska State Legislature.
2:44:15 PM
Senator Wilson thanked Senator Hoffman for the amendment.
Co-Chair Olson REMOVED his OBJECTION.
There being no further OBJECTION the Amendment 11 was
adopted.
2:45:23 PM
Senator Merrick MOVED to REPORT HB 66 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes.
Senator Wilson OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion. He
expressed his dissatisfaction with the legislation as
written and hoped that the bill could be improved on the
Senate Floor. He believed that the bill would have
unintended consequences.
Understanding that he would not have the votes around the
table to stop the bill from moving - Senator Wilson REMOVED
his OBJECTION. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SCS CSHB 66(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with three
"do pass" recommendations, three "no recommendations", and
one "amend" recommendation; and two new zero fiscal notes
from the Department of Public Safety, two new fiscal notes
from the Department of Administration, one new fiscal note
from the Department of Corrections, one new fiscal note
from the Department of Law, one new fiscal note from the
Department of Family and Community Services, and one
previously published fiscal note: FN 9(DOA).
2:47:29 PM
AT EASE
2:48:59 PM
RECONVENED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 122(FIN) am
"An Act authorizing the Alaska Railroad Corporation to
issue revenue bonds to finance the replacement of the
Alaska Railroad Corporation's passenger dock and
related terminal facility in Seward, Alaska;
authorizing the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue
revenue bonds to finance the completion of the Port
MacKenzie Rail Extension in Point MacKenzie, Alaska;
and providing for an effective date."
2:49:28 PM
Senator Merrick MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for
CSHB 122(FIN)am, Work Draft 33-LS0623\R (Walsh, 5/11/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, spoke to the
document, Summary of Changes, version U.A to R, May
11, 2024 (copy on file):
Change 1 Removes the section authorizing the Railroad
to issue $58 million in revenue bonds for the Port
MacKenzie Rail Extension.
2:49:50 PM
Senator Wilson opposed the change in the bill but believed
that there was still time to procure funding for the
project despite the removal of the revenue bond
authorization.
2:50:48 PM
Co-Chair Stedman thought that there were possible rail
extensions proposed for several areas of the state. He
hoped that the Alaksa Railroad would come before the
committee to provide guidance on the prioritization of the
various proposed projects to maximize appropriations. He
supported rail extension projects.
Co-Chair Olson removed his OBJECTION.
2:52:36 PM
Senator Merrick MOVED to REPORT SCS for HB 122(FIN) 33-
LS623\R OUT OF COMMITTEE with individual recommendations
and attached fiscal notes.
SCS CSHB 122(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with five
"no recommendations" and two "do pass" recommendations; and
two previously published fiscal notes: FN 1(CED) and FN 2
(CED).
SENATE BILL NO. 217
"An Act relating to the taxation of independent power
producers; and increasing the efficiency of integrated
transmission system charges and use for the benefit of
ratepayers."
Senator Olson noted that the committee would continue with
the amendment process for bill version D of SB 217.
2:53:19 PM
Co-Chair Olson MOVED to ADOPT AMENDMENT 4 (copy on file).
Senator Olson OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
2:53:27 PM
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained that the
amendment was technical in nature and did not substantively
change the bill.
2:54:02 PM
There being no further OBJECTION Amendment 4 was ADOPTED.
Co-Chair Hoffman MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 5 (copy on file).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
Co-Chair Hoffman explained amendment 5. He noted that the
change would remove the disincentives under PCE for smaller
municipalities to incur debt for renewable energy projects.
The amendment gave direction to AEA to provide a more
affordable interest rate for a power project loan if
warranted.
2:55:21 PM
GARY HENNIGH, CITY ADMINISTRATOR, CITY OF KING COVE, KING
COVE, ALASKA (via teleconference), said that the amendment
would result in the annual savings of $40,000 annually for
King Cove, which would then be parlayed into residential
rate reductions. He added that the amendment would lower
kilowatt costs for resident of King Cove.
2:56:10 PM
Co-Chair Stedman asked Mr. Hennigh to elaborate on an
instance where a community that used PCE had installed
renewable energy infrastructure and it had not resulted in
any savings for the community.
Mr. Hennigh explained that in 2018, a second hydro plant
was brough online in King Cove, which had resulted in the
community not receiving a PCE subsidy. He said that in the
process of the annual reporting, credit had not added up to
the $300,000 of fuel taken out of the equation by use of
hydropower, which disqualified King Cove for the PCE
credit.
Co-Chair Olson removed his OBJECTION to Amendment 5.
There being no further OBJECTION Amendment 5 was ADOPTED.
2:58:01 PM
AT EASE
2:59:40 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Olson announced that Amendment 6 (copy on file)
would not be offered.
Co-Chair Olson MOVED Amendment 7 (copy on file).
2:59:41 PM
Mr. Alper spoke to Amendment 7, which dealt with the tax
status of independent power producers.
Co-Chair Olson removed his OBJECTION to Amendment 7. There
being no further OBJECTION Amendment 7 was ADOPTED.
Senator Bishop moved Amendment 8 (copy on file).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for the purpose of discussion.
3:00:44 PM
Senator Bishop explained that Amendment 8 would ensure that
the Regulatory Commission of Alaska had the best qualified
staff to make the best decisions for ratepayers in Alaska.
3:01:32 PM
Co-Chair Olson removed his OBJECTION to Amendment 8. There
being no further OBJECTION Amendment 8 was ADOPTED.
SB 217 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
3:01:45 PM
AT EASE
3:02:37 PM
RECONVENED
3:02:47 PM
RECESS TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR
5:00:18 PM
RECONVENED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 347(CRA) am
"An Act relating to assessment of property, boards of
equalization, and certification of assessors; and
providing for an effective date."
5:00:36 PM
EDRA MORLEDGE, STAFF, SENATOR JULIE COULOMBE, explained
that the intent of the bill was to provide fairness when it
came to property taxes by putting sideboards in place for
municipalities, including greater transparency, which still
ensuring local control. The bill would direct the
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
to set standards for Alaskans to be clear on what the rules
are for assessing property values, while still allowing
municipalities to adopt their own standards to meet their
specific needs. The legislation would change the default
for those who heard tax appeals to an appointed board of
equalization instead of local officials. The bill would
prohibit municipalities from increasing the assessed
property value during an appeal, ceasing any immediate
punitive damage or action. Finally, the bill would assure
assessors had the necessary experience and credentials to
do the job well for both taxpayers and municipalities. She
stated that changes in the previous committee included the
addition of a municipal property tax exemption; the
inclusion of provisions in SB 77, which allowed
municipalities to levy taxes on blighted properties by
ordinance; and clarifying language had been added about
meetings between taxpayers and assessors.
5:03:22 PM
Senator Bishop MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for
CSHB 347(CRA)am, Work Draft 33-LS1430\T (Dunmire, 5/10/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for discussion.
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the
changes in the committee substitute. He read from the
document, Summary of Changes, version H to T May 10,
2024:
Change 1 Increased the required municipal property tax
exemption for a primary residence owned and occupied
by a resident who is 65 years of age or older, a
disabled veteran, or a qualified widow or widower,
from $150,000 to $450,000. This is in Section 1 of the
committee substitute.
Change 2 Increased the optional municipal property tax
exemption for residential property from $75,000 to
$150,000. This is in Section 2 of the committee
substitute.
Change 3 Removed the option for certain municipalities
to levy a tax on blighted property. This was Sections
2 and 9 of the Community and Regional Affairs version.
Change 4 Changes 1 and 2, above, have the same
effective date as the other parts of the bill, January
1, 2026.
5:05:15 PM
Senator Kiehl spoke to Change 1 in the latest version and
wondered how it compared to the current mandatory
exemption.
5:05:31 PM
Mr. Alper replied that the current mandatory exemption was
$150,000 and had been in place since the 1990s. He said
that the number had been adjusted for inflation by triple.
5:05:52 PM
Senator Kiehl recalled that there was a law that state that
the state was supposed to fund the mandatory exemption. He
wondered what the number would be in 2024 if the state
funded or reimbursed the exemption.
5:06:13 PM
Mr. Alper replied that the statute (AS 49.45.030) that
mandated the exemption had been dormant and unfunded for
many years. He said that the current impact that
municipalities claimed for the current senior exemption was
$100 million.
5:06:56 PM
Senator Kiehl remarked that the total was closer to $105
million. He asked whether there was anything in the bill
that would cause the unfunded mandate to municipalities to
do anything but triple.
5:07:11 PM
Mr. Alper did not think the number would triple because
there was a substantial number of homes worth well under
$450,000.
5:07:57 PM
Senator Kiehl noted that the mandate currently totaled 7
percent of the operating budget for the Municipality of
Anchorage.
5:08:56 PM
Senator Merrick asked how much tax revenue would be forgone
due to Change 1.
5:09:08 PM
Mr. Alper replied that he did not know, but there would be
some number between zero and $200 million.
5:09:51 PM
AT EASE
5:10:22 PM
RECONVENED
5:10:28 PM
Co-Chair Olson REMOVED his objection to the ADOPTION of
version T. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
5:10:34 PM
Senator Kiehl asked whether the chair intended to move the
bill today.
5:10:37 PM
Co-Chair Olson replied in the negative.
CSHB 347(CRA)am was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
5:11:13 PM
AT EASE
5:12:27 PM
RECONVENED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 148(FIN)
"An Act relating to the Alaska performance scholarship
program."
5:12:42 PM
Senator Kiehl MOVED to ADOPT the incorrect item.
5:13:10 PM
AT EASE
5:13:22 PM
RECONVENED
5:13:38 PM
Senator Kiehl MOVED to ADOPT committee substitute for CSHB
148(FIN), Work Draft 33-LS0624\Y (Bergerud, 5/11/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for discussion.
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the
changes in the committee substitute. He referred to the
Summary of Changes (copy on file):
Change 1 New Section 1 removes a reference to Head
Start Program Performance Standards that was
in the 2022 READS Act. This section has
prevented rural Head Start programs from
accessing funding designated in that bill.
Change 2 New Section 2 requires the Department of
Education make a grant to each eligible Head
Start agency equal to the program's required
nonfederal contribution.
Change 3 Added a section that was in the Senate
companion, that increases a student's
eligibility for performance scholarships by
one semester for each semester the student
is enrolled part time in a qualified
university or college. This is Section 8 of
the committee substitute.
Change 4 Deleted language related to a grants program
for the Technical Vocational Education
Program operated through the Alaska
Workforce Investment Board. Removes the
sunset date that would have ended the
current practice of direct percentage
allocations to specific workforce training
providers. This is in Sections 13-14, and 27
of the Committee Substitute.
Change 5 Modified the percentage allocations to
several workforce training providers:
University of Alaska: 45% to 30%, with 5%
of that specifically allocated to the
University of Alaska Southeast
Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical
Center: 3% to 4%
Southwest Alaska Vocational and Education
Center: 3% to 4%
Amundsen Educational Center: 2% to zero
Ilsagvik College: 5% to 6%
Prince of Walkes Community Learning
Center: new allocation for 5%
Sealaska Heritage Institute: new
allocation for 2%
Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center: new
allocation for 7%
Change 6 The changes to the TVAP program, described
in Changes #4 and #5, are retroactive to
June 30, 2024 if the bill takes effect after
that date.
Change 7 Added language clarifying that contributions
of either cash or equipment are eligible for
a taxpayer to receive Education Tax Credits.
Also added an additional eligible criterion
to the Education Tax Credit program, for a
nonprofit educational research center
coordinating high school curricula in ten
specific subject areas and providing student
scholarships. This is in Sections 11, 15,
17, 19, 21, 23, and 25 of the committee
substitute.
Change 8 Increased the total allowable Education Tax
Credit a taxpayer can claim in a year from
$1 million to $3 million. This is in
Sections 12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 of
the committee substitute.
Change 10 Technical correction to a reference to the
Internal Revenue Code, in Section 16 of the
committee substitute.
Change 11 Extends the sunset of the Education Tax
Credit program for four years, to January 1,
2029. This is in Section 29 of the committee
substitute.
5:17:40 PM
Co-Chair Olson REMOVED his objection. There being NO
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 148(FIN) was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 129(JUD)
"An Act relating to voter registration; and providing
for an effective date."
5:18:07 PM
AT EASE
5:18:41 PM
RECONVENED
5:18:43 PM
Senator Bishop MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for
CSHB 129(JUD), Work Draft 33-LS0668\D (Klein, 5/11/24).
Co-Chair Olson OBJECTED for discussion.
KEN ALPER, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the
changes in the committee substitute.
Co-Chair Olson REMOVED his objection. There being NO
further OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 129(JUD) was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
5:20:55 PM
AT EASE
5:23:42 PM
RECONVENED
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 111(EDC)
"An Act relating to public school students who are
deaf or hard of hearing."
5:23:54 PM
EUGENE HARNETT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE ALLARD,
introduced the legislation and summarized the Sponsor
Statement (copy on file).
CSHB 111 (EDC) was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 202(EDC)
"An Act relating to the availability and
administration of opioid overdose drugs in public
schools."
CSHB 202(EDC) was SCHEDULED but NOT HEARD.
ADJOURNMENT
5:26:45 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 5:26 p.m.