HOUSE BILL NO. 209                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
"An Act amending the size of grants for which the                                                                               
Alaska Science and Technology Foundation must allocate                                                                          
at least 50 percent of endowment income and amending                                                                            
the maximum amount of the grant that the Alaska                                                                                 
Science and Technology Foundation may award for                                                                                 
development of the Kodiak launch complex and Fairbanks                                                                          
satellite ground station space park; and providing for                                                                          
an effective date."                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
JAMIE KENWORTHY, Director, Alaska Science and Technology                                                                        
Foundation testified before the committee via OFFNET.  He                                                                       
explained the sponsor statement and the Kodiak Launch                                                                           
Facility.    He said this project was expected to be                                                                            
finalized at their board meeting 4 June.  He was available                                                                      
to answer any questions the committee might have.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Co-chair Torgerson asked about grants and how many they                                                                         
anticipated in making?  Mr. Kenworthy said they do                                                                              
approximately five per year.  In reference to page one of                                                                       
the bill, Co-chair Torgerson asked if this could be amended                                                                     
down to $200,000.  Mr. Kenworthy said at present they could                                                                     
live with it, but did not know what the Board would                                                                             
consider, especially as time goes on.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Co-chair Torgerson said he felt the amount of $200,000 as                                                                       
compared to $250,000 would make the committee more                                                                              
comfortable.  Senator Phillips said he would rather see a                                                                       
larger reduction.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The committee took a brief at ease at approximately 10:17                                                                       
a.m.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Co-chair Torgerson reconvened the committee.  Senator                                                                           
Wilken supported the bill and MOVED amendment #1 to delete                                                                      
"$200,000".  Mr. Kenworthy indicated the urgency to get                                                                         
this bill reported out.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
WITHOUT OBJECTION amendment #1 was ADOPTED.  Senator Wilken                                                                     
MOVED SCS HB 209 and by a roll call vote of 6 yeas                                                                              
(Torgerson, Leman, Wilken, Adams, P. Kelly, Green) and 1                                                                        
nay (Phillips) (Parnell, Donley absent) it was REPORTED OUT                                                                     
with individual recommendations and zero fiscal note for                                                                        
the Department of Commerce and Economic Development.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-chair Torgerson called HB 68.