HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Establishing a task force to make recommendations regarding job descriptions and salary changes for the commissioners and support staff of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE KURT OLSON, sponsor, explained that the bill which was a result of a February 22 letter from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) to Governor Palin indicating that the RCA commissioners needed a salary increase. The resolution would establish a legislative task force to make recommendations for job descriptions and salaries, as well as staffing within the RCA. The task force would consist of nine members, three from the House, three from the Senate, and Governor Palin or her designee, the Attorney General or his designee, and Commissioner Notti or his designee. The task force would meet up to five times during the interim and make recommendations to the legislature in the first week of the next session. It would sunset on May 30, 2008. He noted that the administration is supportive of HCR 8. He drew attention to the $10,000 fiscal note by the Legislature. 9:45:20 AM KATE GIARD, COMMISSIONER, CHAIR, REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (RCA), related that there have been thirty years of problems with RCA. She said the goal is to have open and transparent business and yet protect Alaska. There is a need to balance the needs of the infrastructure with those of the rate payers. She testified in support of HCR 8, which sets up a task force. A task force was set up in 2002, which never met. Ms. Giard looked at this legislation as an opportunity to work together. 9:49:54 AM SALLY SADDLER, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, said zero fiscal notes would be forthcoming. Vice Chair Stoltze asked who would absorb expenses of the executive branch. Ms. Saddler reported it would be administrative branch funds, not RCA. 9:51:13 AM Representative Hawker referred to a memo from the governor's chief of staff which states that the governor would select the commission chair. He pointed out that the bill does not provide for that. He asked if it would be problematic if the members elect the chair. Representative Olson reported that HB 209 would address that issue. Representative Hawker read from the memo regarding the governor's preferences. Representative Olson said HB 110 deals with the sunset date; HB 209 deals with the board appointment and timelines. Representative Hawker noted an inconsistency. Ms. Saddler said the administration is comfortable with this approach of two bills and a resolution. Representative Joule said the resolution speaks of a task force and the memo speaks to a commission. Representative Olson noted that the administration supports the resolution. 9:54:50 AM Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT CSHCR 8 (L&C) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. Representative Gara OBJECTED for discussion purposes. He commented on Ms. Giard's expertise. Representative Gara WITHDREW his objection. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHCR 8 (L&C) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with fiscal note #1 by the Legislature.