HB 209-EMERGENCY FIREFIGHTERS                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:08:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR PATKOTAK  announced that the  only order of  business would                                                               
be  HOUSE   BILL  NO.   209,  "An   Act  relating   to  emergency                                                               
firefighters."                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:09:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE CRONK,  as prime  sponsor, gave final  comments on                                                               
HB  209.   He  said he  believes  the bill  is  overdue and  much                                                               
needed.   The  bill puts  people to  work and  supports what  the                                                               
governor  is trying  to  do with  increasing  fire protection  in                                                               
Alaska by rebuilding the state's  own crews rather than depending                                                               
on  crews from  the  Lower  48.   He  asked  for the  committee's                                                               
support.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:09:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HOPKINS  moved to report  HB 209 out  of committee                                                               
with  individual  recommendations  and  the  accompanying  fiscal                                                               
notes.  There being no objection,  HB 209 was reported out of the                                                               
House Resources Standing Committee.