SENATE BILL NO. 61 "An Act making appropriations for qualified regional seafood development associations, for investigation and litigation relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system, and for a special advisory election; and providing for an effective date." This was the third hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Co-Chair Stedman moved to adopt Senate Finance committee substitute, Version 25-GS1063\M, Kane, dated April 10, 2007, as the working document. There being no objection, the Version "M" committee substitute was ADOPTED as the working document. 5:13:43 PM Amendment #1: This amendment deletes the language of subparagraph (g) of Section 1, Chapter 3, FSSLA 2005, page 67, lines 17 through 19 amended by Section 6 on page 4, lines 22 through 27 of the bill and inserts new language to read as follows. (g) The unexpended and unobligated balance of the appropriation made by sec. 1, ch. 3, FSSLA 2005, page 67, lines 17 - 19 (Chitina, personal use dip net fishery access area - $700,000) is reappropriated to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for Chitina fishery access and facility improvements. Co-Chair Hoffman moved for adoption and objected for purposes of explanation. Co-Chair Hoffman stated that this amendment was offered at request of the Governor Sarah Palin Administration. The amendment would "remove the conditional language that is attached to the original appropriation". He explained that "A name change, as proposed in SB 61 will not remove the language and will prevent the department from being able to complete the replacement of the O'Brien Creek Bridge and add a boat ramp this year." 5:15:12 PM Co-Chair Hoffman removed his objection. Senator Olson asked whether the action proposed by this amendment was considered significant. Co-Chair Hoffman reminded the Committee that this issue had been discussed during the previous hearing on this bill. The amendment would simply "clarify the language." There being no further objection, Amendment #1 was ADOPTED. 5:16:16 PM Amendment #2: This amendment inserts a new section into the bill as follows. Department of Education and Early Development. The sum of $740,271 is appropriated from the general fund to the school construction grant fund (AS 14.11.005) for payment by the Department of Education and Early Development as a grant under AS 14.11.015 to the Chugach School District for Chenega Bay School roof replacement. Co-Chair Hoffman moved for adoption and objected to explain that this amendment would provide State general funds for the Chenega Bay School roof replacement. Co-Chair Hoffman removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment #2 was ADOPTED. 5:16:54 PM Amendment #3: This amendment inserts a new subsection into Section 5 as follows. (c) The sum of $6,500,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Health and Social Services for the Fairbanks virology laboratory completion from the following amounts: General fund $3,500,000 Interest earnings on certificates of participation $3,000,000 Co-Chair Hoffman offered a motion for adoption and objected to provide an explanation. This amendment would provide significant cost savings to the State by allowing the project to proceed on schedule. Co-Chair Hoffman removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment #3 was ADOPTED. AT EASE 5:18:20 PM / 5:18:35 PM Co-Chair Stedman offered a motion to authorize the Division of Legal and Research Services to review the amendments and make conforming and technical changes as necessary. There being no objection, the motion PASSED. 5:19:11 PM Co-Chair Stedman offered a motion to report CS SB 61, Version 25-GS1063\M, as amended, from Committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, CS SB 61(FIN) was REPORTED from Committee. AT EASE 5:19:51 PM / 6:03:49 PM