HCR 6 - TASK FORCE: TRANSFER STATE FUNCTIONS CO-CHAIRMAN HARRIS announced that the next order of business before the committee would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6, Establishing the Task Force on the Impacts of Transfers of Governmental Functions to Local Governments. PATRICK FLYNN, Legislative Assistant for Representative Berkowitz, Alaska State Legislature, informed the committee that it should have a draft committee substitute (CS) based on the recommendations from Tuesday's hearing. Number 1340 REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI moved that the committee adopt the proposed CSHCR 6, Version LS0803\G, Cramer, 4/20/99, as the working document before the committee. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MR. FLYNN explained the changes in the proposed CS. On page 1, line 5 language referring to the decline in daily production in oil was inserted. The Whereas clause on page 1, lines 11-12 was inserted. The role of the federal government was included in the task force on page 2, lines 1-3. Page 2, lines 6-13 reduces the number of appointees by the Senate President and the House Speaker by one each and replaces them with two appointees appointed by the AML and one appointee appointed by the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) to represent the unincorporated borough. CO-CHAIRMAN HALCRO referred to page 2, lines 1-3 and asked if the language provided the flexibility to address the tribal government. MR. FLYNN believed the language does allow that flexibility, but he was open to making the language more explicit. REPRESENTATIVE MURKOWSKI referred to page 2, lines 14-15 which states that members are not entitled to travel or per diem payments. She assumed that the members appointed by the AML and AFN are those that are not entitled. MR. FLYNN clarified that the members appointed by the AML and the AFN are not entitled to travel or per diem payments. The legislature cannot give those members a per diem because that would be an appropriation which must be done through natural bills. Number 1559 CO-CHAIRMAN HALCRO proposed an amendment on page 2, line 1, after "state," insert "tribal". CO-CHAIRMAN HARRIS asked if there were any objections. REPRESENTATIVE KOOKESH believed that the amendment made sense. However, he indicated that perhaps the language "nonprofit" would work better than "tribal". Sometimes legislation has failed due to the language "tribal". REPRESENTATIVE DYSON appreciated both concerns. However, Representative Dyson felt that Representative Kookesh was probably being more wary than necessary. There has been an interest to ensure that the legislature does not do anything to substantiate any portions of Alaska falling into the "Indian Country" category. Representative Dyson believed that "tribal" would work and be understood here. Utilizing that language would work towards building bridges between rural and urban Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE KOOKESH commented that in reality, the tribes do provide service to rural Alaska. He said that he wanted to make sure that the language did not hinder the bill's passage. REPRESENTATIVE BERKOWITZ stated that the language would strengthen the legislation. He noted that he would like for the legislation to be as inclusive as possible. Representative Berkowitz suggested, "Just so the record is clear, I would include under that 'tribal', just for the intent in my mind, that it would include nonprofits." CO-CHAIRMAN HALCRO appreciated the intent that this is to be all inclusive. CO-CHAIRMAN HARRIS noted that the resolution has a House Finance Committee referral. Co-Chairman Harris asked if there were any objections to the amendment. There being no objections, the amendment was adopted. Number 1827 CO-CHAIRMAN HALCRO moved to report CSHCR 6, Version LS0803\G, Cramer, 4/20/99, as amended out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, it was so ordered.