HCR 16:  ESTABLISH STATE COAL POLICY                                         
                                                                               
  Number 019                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title to HCR 16 and asked if anyone                  
  was present who wished to present a sponsor statement.                       
                                                                               
  Number 028                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES joined the committee at the                   
  table and explained she was presenting the Sponsor Statement                 
  on HCR 16 on behalf of the House Economic Development Task                   
  Force.  She stated Alaska's coal industry is being hampered                  
  by misperceptions that our resources are not available for                   
  exploitation.  She noted several outside buyers were                         
  concerned specifically with the availability of coal due to                  
  the mental health lands' dispute.  She explained the House                   
  Task Force is making an effort to correct the image that                     
  coal is not readily available, and that such a plan had been                 
  endorsed by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska                 
  Coal Association and that the environmental community.                       
  There were no questions from the committee.                                  
                                                                               
  Number 080                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT MOVED for unanimous consent to pass                 
  HCR 16 from committee.  There was no objection, and IT SO                    
  MOVED.