CSHJR 56(RLS) - YTTRIUM MINING CHAIRMAN MACKIE brought CSHJR 56(RLS) before the committee as the next order of business. DOUG SALIK, an intern in Representative Bill Hudson's office, explained the resolution urges the Federal Railroad Administration to transfer the Linear Induction Motor Research Vehicle (LIMRV) to the state of Alaska. This transfer will allow for some potential development of new industrial and research business in Alaska. The development of yttrium, a rare earth element, could revitalize the Ketchikan and southeast area of Alaska, including Prince of Wales Island where yttrium is mined. In closing, Mr. Salik said the Power Superconductor Applications Corporation would use local employment in converting the LIMRV, and no state funding is requested at this time. Number 170 SENATOR WILKEN asked if yttrium is found in other areas of the state. MR. SALIK thought it had been found in other areas of the state but not in such mass quantities as on Prince of Wales Island. Number 185 CHAIRMAN MACKIE directed attention to a proposed SCS CSHJR 56(STA). As the resolution was originally introduced it spoke to doing production facilities in Ketchikan, Metlakatla and other places other than Prince of Wales Island so the committee substitute adds "Prince of Wales Island or elsewhere" in the appropriate places. Number 200 SENATOR PHILLIPS moved adoption of SCS CSHJR 56(STA) as a working document, and hearing no objection, it was so ordered. Number 221 SENATOR WILKEN expressed concern that the resolution directs the activity to Southeast Alaska, and he suggested it should refer to just Alaska as it does in the title of the legislation, and then let someone else decide the best place in Alaska for the activity. Number 247 SENATOR WILKEN moved that any geographical references to Southeast Alaska be deleted from SCS CSHJR 56(STA) and have it refer to Alaska in general. CHAIRMAN MACKIE objected to the amendment, and stated that it was just a resolution and he preferred to leave it as is. SENATOR WILKEN stated he doesn't mind mining yttrium wherever it is, but he finds it objectionable to state as a state policy that if somebody does read this resolution, we've directed them to do something with the LIMRV in Southeast Alaska. Number 285 MR. SALIK related that it was his understanding that the Power Superconductor Corporation wanted to keep it in the Southeast area to do some tests in the Annette Field area, as well as taking the LIMRV to Skagway for tests on the rail system to the railbelt in Anchorage. Number 320 SENATOR WILKEN suggested leaving in Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska wherever it has to do with mining, but to delete the reference wherever it has to do with LIMRVs. He then moved the following amendment to SCS CSHJR 56(CRA) Amendment No. 1 Page 1, line 15: Delete "Prince of Wales Island or elsewhere in Southeast Alaska" Page 2, line 8: Delete "Southeast" Page 2, line 17: After the word "facility" delete "on Prince of Wales Island or elsewhere" and after the word "in" delete "Southeast" Page 2, line 21: Delete "on Prince of Wales Island or elsewhere in Southeast" Page 2, line 28: Delete "Southeast" CHAIRMAN MACKIE stated his strong objection to the amendment and requested a roll call vote on the adoption of the amendment. The roll was taken with the following result: Senators Donley and Wilken voted "Yea" and Senators Hoffman, Phillips and Mackie voted "Nay." CHAIRMAN MACKIE stated the motion failed. CHAIRMAN MACKIE suggested just deleting the word "Southeast" throughout the resolution, with the intent of the committee that it states "in Alaska." Number 390 SENATOR PHILLIPS moved the following amendment to SCS CSHJR 56(CRA): Amendment No. 2 Delete the word "Southeast" wherever it appears in the resolution. Hearing no objection, CHAIRMAN MACKIE stated Amendment No. 2 was adopted. CHAIRMAN MACKIE requested a motion to move the resolution from committee. SENATOR DONLEY moved SCS CSHJR 56(CRA), as amended, pass out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.