SB 40-APPROP: UNIV. ENGINEERING BUILDINGS  8:00:53 AM CHAIR STEVENS announced that the first order of business would be SB 40, which makes appropriations for engineering facilities at the University of Alaska - Anchorage and Fairbanks. He noted it was the second hearing of SB 40 and his intention was to move the bill out of committee. SENATOR HUGGINS [moved to adopt SB 40, labeled 28-LS0083\A, as the working document.] CHAIR STEVENS objected for purposes of discussion. 8:02:07 AM MATTHEW MOSER, Staff, Senator Johnny Ellis, offered to answer questions related to SB 40 on behalf of the sponsor. SENATOR HUGGINS asked how many students were enrolled in the engineering programs in Anchorage and Fairbanks (UAA) and (UAF). MR. MOSER replied that 1,137 students are enrolled at both campuses. He suggested Kit Duke might have the breakdown between the two campuses. SENATOR GARDNER stated that present enrollment of engineering students is nearly 1,200 students at the University of Alaska. 8:04:12 AM SENATOR HUGGINS said the question remained about how many are enrolled in UAF. CHAIR STEVENS said that information will be provided before the meeting ends. He asked if there was any public testimony. Seeing none, he closed public testimony. 8:05:04 AM At ease 8:08:08 AM CHAIR STEVENS brought the committee back to order. MR. MOSER related that 60 percent of undergraduate engineering students attend UAF and 40 percent attend UAA; 682 at UAF and 454 at UAA. SENATOR HUGGINS stated support for the development of the engineering program. He cautioned about future deficit spending. SENATOR DUNLEAVY noted that university projects total over $300 million. He said there would be further discussion of cost in the Senate Finance Committee. He agreed it will be difficult to fund every request. 8:09:50 AM CHAIR STEVENS stated that this is the Education Committee whose goal it is to determine what is good for the students of Alaska. He said SB 40 represents a good project; however, whether it is affordable is another question. SENATOR HUGGINS commented on declining oil production and the efforts to turn that around. 8:11:00 AM CHAIR STEVENS removed his objection. 8:11:18 AM SENATOR HUGGINS moved to report SB 40 from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried.