HRES - 02/01/95 HJR 7 - EXPORT OF ALASKA OIL Number 008 JILL WHITTENBRADER, AIDE, REPRESENTATIVE DAVID FINKELSTEIN, PRIME SPONSOR, said HJR 7 endorses federal legislation to lift the ban on the export of Alaska North Slope crude oil. She noted that every year the legislature passes a similar resolution. It is felt that this year is an especially good year for this resolution because President Clinton has shown support for lifting the ban and Alaska's Congressional delegation is in an excellent position to push the lifting of the ban. MS. WHITTENBRADER stated lifting the ban would create more revenue for the state as well as the nation and would also help create jobs. REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a MOTION and asked for unanimous consent to ADOPT CSHJR 7(O&G). CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections. Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED. Number 035 JIM PALMER, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, BRITISH PETROLEUM EXPLORATION (ALASKA), stated he had submitted written testimony (may be found in the House Resources Committee Room, Capitol #124, and after adjournment of the second session of the 19th Alaska State Legislature, in the Legislative Reference Library). He said he had been around the issue since 1973 when the pipeline act was enacted in Congress. He felt this year there is the best opportunity to get the ban lifted. He indicated his endorsement of HJR 7. Number 050 BEVERLY WARD, REPRESENTATIVE, ARCO ALASKA, stated she was happy to be present to add ARCO's voice to the chorus of those asking that the oil export ban be lifted. She said ARCO pledges support to work with the state to win passage of federal legislation eliminating the ban on the export of North Slope oil. She noted that prior to the 1994 election, ARCO judged passage of legislation lifting the export ban as very unlikely. It now appears passage is possible. MS. WARD said ARCO will not benefit from elimination of the export ban. But because of the potential benefit to the state, and at the request of the Knowles Administration, ARCO reevaluated its long- standing neutral position on the issue and decided the time had come to join the state in working to open Pacific Rim markets to Alaska oil. She stated ARCO will make clear to members of Congress its support for legislation eliminating the export ban. ARCO will also work closely with the Alaska Congressional Delegation, the legislature, and the Knowles Administration on this issue in whatever way is appropriate. REPRESENTATIVE BARNES noted she is pleased to see that ARCO has moved from their neutral position. She found it offensive when a company, such as ARCO, remains neutral on an issue of such great importance to the state of Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE BARNES made a MOTION to MOVE CSHJR 7(O&G) out of committee with accompanying fiscal notes with INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS. CO-CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked for a roll call vote. Voting in favor of the motion were Representatives Davies, Austerman, Ogan, Nicholia, Kott, Barnes and Williams. The MOTION PASSED 7-0.