SENATE BILL NO. 26 An Act relating to the location of the convening of the legislature in regular session; and providing for an effective date. Co-chair Pearce directed that SB 26 be brought on for discussion and further directed attention to packets of fiscal notes which she indicated were drafted by staff from the sponsor's office in conjunction with Senate Finance Committee staff. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS, sponsor of the legislation, came before committee. He explained that fiscal notes total approximately $500.0 for state agencies and $3.4 million for the legislature for the first year. Over the succeeding five years, those notes decrease. Senator Phillips said that in preparing agency fiscal notes, he asked each department how much was spent during the 1993 session for travel out of town. That provides a comparison of how much traveling is done while the legislature is in Juneau. He then suggested that if the legislature were to move to Anchorage, fiscal notes originally submitted by agencies would be reduced. Senator Phillips explained that the bill would move only the legislature from Juneau "closer to home for all of us around this table . . . , in Anchorage." Senator Phillips further pointed to need to review travel amounts for all state agencies. He noted that the actual for FY 93 was "almost $39 million." Travel for FY 94 is authorized at $44.5 million. He suggested that too much is spent on travel in light of the state's audio-visual teleconference system. Questions arose regarding figures set forth for both DOTPF and University travel. Co-chair Frank suggested that if travel costs were examined on a per employee bases, the legislature might not "look so good by comparison." Co-chair Pearce concurred. Co-chair Pearce requested a breakdown of the $3.4 fiscal note for the legislature. SHIRLEY ARMSTRONG, aide to Senator Phillips, came before committee. She directed attention to the original $4.8 million note from Legislative Affairs. In preparing the reduced note, $680.4 in moving expenses for staff was deleted as was $1.4 million for renovating the existing capitol building for occupancy by other agencies. The savings accruing from consolidation of leases was not used as an offset because the legislature does not, at this time, know whether agencies would move into the existing capitol building if it is not renovated to suit their purposes. Fiscal note costs for a new communications system and lease costs for a building in Anchorage appear to be reasonable. The largest cost is the Anchorage lease. Senator Kerttula remarked that the legislature should own its own building if it is to move. Senator Phillips advised there would be no problem "getting somebody to build a building for the legislature." Co-chair Pearce called for additional testimony on the bill. None was forthcoming. Senator Jacko MOVED that SB 26 pass from committee with individual recommendations. SB 26 was REPORTED OUT of committee. Senator Sharp signed the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation. Co-chair Frank and Senators Jacko, Kelly, and Rieger signed "no rec." Senator Kerttula signed "No rec., Needs amend to Wasilla." Co-chair Pearce did not sign. NOTE - Although the bill was reported out of committee this date and transmitted to Rules, accompanying fiscal notes were not released until March 30, 1994. The following notes were then attached: Gov. (All) $ 173.7 Gov. (Ex.Office) $ 76.6 Gov. (OMB) 97.1 DOA 37.4 DC&ED 28.4 DC&RA 9.9 DOC 0 DEC 18.0 DOE 25.9 DF&G 17.3 DH&SS 52.0 DOLabor 10.1 DOLaw 13.0 DMVA 8.2 DPS 23.6 DOR 25.9 DOTPF 28.4 LAA $3,398.0