HCR 5-DECLARE 2015-2017 AS YEARS OF THE ARCTIC  8:16:17 AM CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE announced the consideration of HCR 5. [CSHCR 5(EDA)AM was before the committee.] 8:16:31 AM REPRESENTATIVE BOB HERRON, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HCR 5, declaring 2015-2107 as Years of the Arctic, said the resolution is appropriate because on April 24, 2015, Alaska assumes the Chair of the Arctic Council until April 2017. Specifically, the resolution resolves that the Years of the Arctic is a period during which Alaska should make every effort to highlight the importance of the Arctic to Alaskans and Americans. The legislature encourages the state and its partners to work with the Institute of the North in encouraging the state to promote its Arctic policy and increase Arctic awareness. The legislature also encourages the state to promote its Arctic policy during this period and to address the strategic recommendations found in the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission Implementation Plan. CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE noted that CSHCR 5(EDA)AM was before the committee. NILS ANDREASSEN, Executive Director, Institute of the North, testified in support of HCR 5. He related that the next two years are an especially important time for Alaska and for the nation. During the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council, the state has an opportunity to declare its leadership, both from a policy perspective and as citizens and active participants in the Circumpolar North. He concluded that the resolution sends the right message. 8:19:51 AM CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE thanked Mr. Andreassen and noted the arrival of Senator Hoffman. CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE asked about the Senior Arctic Official (SAO) meetings and the intention to have as many of the meetings as possible in Alaska over the next two years. She suggested mentioning this in HCR 5. She also suggested including the creation of an Arctic host committee to support and welcome the SAO's over the next two years. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON said that there are two SAO meetings every year, one in the spring and one in the fall. He understood that the State Department is going to hold all of those meetings in Alaska. Most of the other eight working groups will be held in Alaska. He thought it wouldn't hurt to add her suggestions. CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE proposed Conceptual Amendment 1 - Whereas, we encourage the State Department to continue working with us to hold as many of the Senior Arctic Official meetings in Alaska during the next two years. There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 1 was adopted. CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE proposed Conceptual Amendment 2 - Whereas, it is the intent of the state to organize a host committee to welcome Senior Arctic Officials and other Arctic diplomats that will be coming to Alaska during the next two years. She said it would be a means of coalescing around a goal to have a host group that is representative of the business community, indigenous populations, lawmakers, and the executive branch to help set the agenda where possible. 8:23:28 AM CO-CHAIR GIESSEL voiced concern about a possible fiscal note. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON stated that the Governor and his special assistant are already planning for that and have requested funds to do so. He suggested that the resolution could say that the Senate Special Committee on the Arctic and the House Arctic Committee could be ex-officio members of the host committee and there would be no need for a fiscal note. That would show support for the Governor's efforts and the committees could have supporting roles. CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE reworded Conceptual Amendment 2 to say that the State Senate Special Committee on the Arctic and the House Special Committee on the Arctic and Economic Development would like to join the Governor's efforts as ex-officio members of the host committee. There being no objection, Conceptual Amendment 2 was adopted. 8:26:27 AM CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE closed public testimony. CO-CHAIR GIESSEL moved to report CSHCR 5(EDA)AM, version 29- LS0562\H.A, as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SCS CSHRC 5(ARC) was reported from the Senate Special Committee on the Arctic. CO-CHAIR MCGUIRE said she would set up a press availability when the Governor signs the three Arctic-related bills.