SENATE BILL NO. 134 An Act authorizing the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to determine the amount of and to collect a charge for operating wells subject to the commission's jurisdiction, and to allocate expenses of investigation and hearing, and repealing the oil and gas conservation tax; and providing for an effective date. Co-Chair Therriault MOVED to adopt Amendment #1. [Copy on File]. ROBERT MINTZ, (TESTIFIED VIA TELECONFERENCE), ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LAW, commented that the amendment addresses program receipts. The bill guarantees that regulatory cost charge receipts would be treated as program receipts. He added, that there are other receipts addressed in Section 1, which should also be addressed with this formula. There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment #1 was adopted. Co-Chair Therriault MOVED to adopt Amendment #2. [Copy on File]. Mr. Mintz explained that Amendment #2 would clarify cost charge related to regulatory wells. Each charge is based on guaranteeing that the well is properly accounted for. He continued, current language in Subsection A describes only wells with reference to one criterion. As currently written, the second criteria describes a person, not a well. To avoid confusion, the Department is suggesting that the language be written so that the criteria describes a well. There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment #2 was adopted. Co-Chair Therriault MOVED to adopt Amendment #3. [Copy on File]. Mr. Carter explained that language was added in the "spirit of compromise" with industry. The amendment would obligate AOGCC to attend to all ratepayers within 30 days of their budget. Representative J. Davies questioned the estimated time, voicing concern that this element of the budget would be made public prior to the Governor submitting it. Representative G. Davis questioned the number of other statutory receipts, which could begin to "snow-ball". Mr. Carter pointed out that making the change would be "up to the will of the Committee". A roll call vote was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Therriault OPPOSED: Austerman, Bunde, J. Davies, G. Davis, Foster, Grussendorf, Moses, Williams, Mulder Representative Kohring was not present for the vote. The MOTION FAILED (1-9). SB 133 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.