SB 66-ST. COUNCIL ON THE ARTS: PUBLIC CORP.  8:10:10 AM CHAIR HUGHES announced that the final order of business would be SB 66. It is the second hearing on the bill and she would look to the will of the committee to move the bill. As sponsor, she noted they are not bringing a new CS forward today due to its lacking transitional language, but would provide the proposed changes to the Senate Finance Committee. She commented that when considering the makeup of other states' arts boards, many of which have 9 members instead of 11, they propose to change Alaska's Board of Trustees from 11 to 9 members for cost savings purposes. The proposed CS also recommends the council appoint regional ambassadors and delete the reference to the federal code, which is unnecessary for the bill or for the council to function. The CS would also require the council to report how it can reduce state funds by 50 percent over a five-year period and report it next January. There was also an omission of transitional language in the proposed CS related to the length of Board of Trustee service. 8:13:07 AM SENATOR GIESSEL asked why we are doing this. BEN BROWN, Chair, Alaska State Council on the Arts, presented information on SB 66. He explained that since Senator Giessel was not present for the first hearing of the bill, he would be glad to address her question. The Alaska State Council on the Arts has decided to be a part of the budget solution and going to a quasi-private status will make for a more effective and efficient player in state government. The bill restructures the council to still be eligible for federal matching funds and makes it easier to seek out, receive, and expend private foundation monies. He spoke of their very good relationships with the Rasmussen and Margaret A. Cargill Foundations and their intent to seek other partners out. 8:14:21 AM CHAIR HUGHES asked Mr. Brown to respond to the proposed recommendations. MR. BROWN replied that the council is ok with reducing the number to nine, rather than eleven trustees. The transition language was problematic, but is going to be fixed. Removing the reference to federal legislation is not a problem. Creating ambassadorships is a good idea. He addressed the proposal for the council to report back on their five-year plan and shared the council's willingness to look for earned income opportunities. 8:16:26 AM CHAIR HUGHES asked whether the council houses the loan library of art for public offices. MR. BROWN said yes. They are the repository and managers of the Alaska Contemporary Art Bank. They currently do not charge for that service, but might look at monetarizing those assets. CHAIR HUGHES brought that idea up in a finance subcommittee. She appreciated the council's willingness to look at that kind of opportunity. MR. BROWN commented on the winner of Poetry Out Loud. 8:18:00 AM SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SB 66, version 30-LS0435\D, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. There being no objection, SB 66 passed from the Senate Education Standing Committee.