SENATE BILL NO. 146 "An Act establishing a snow classic as an authorized form of charitable gaming." 10:54:25 AM SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, introduced SB 146 and relayed that it had no fiscal impact. She stated that the bill established a Snow Classic, which was essentially the Nenana Ice Classic in reverse. The bill would add to the charitable gaming list of opportunities for 501(c)(3) non- profit Four Valleys Community School to run a guessing game that would raise money for the schools 250-plus classes offered in the Turnagain Arm area. The school provided scholarships for athletes and local high school graduates and participated in community services with the Girdwood Lion's Club, Rotary, and volunteer fire department. She expounded that the Snow Classic was similar to the Nenana Ice Classic; people would make guesses about the accumulated snow depth at a specific location on Mt. Alyeska on a specific day. She noted that Mt. Alyeska was the state's major ski resort. Senator Giessel furthered that the profits for the gaming would replace community school funding that had been eliminated from the Anchorage school district; she referred to the community school program that had been run by the Anchorage School District, which had been eliminated 10 years earlier. She relayed that the Girdwood community had elected to continue the program because it was an important service to the community; it provided classes for youths and adults at a low cost with local teachers. The Snow Classic would help Four Valleys achieve self-sufficiency and to keep the classes affordable and available. There were many other charitable gaming opportunities listed in statute (e.g. the Cabbage Classic run by the Palmer Rotary, the Canned Salmon Classic run by the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, the Deep Freeze Classic in Delta, the Goose Classic in Fairbanks, the King Salmon Classic, the Mercury Classic, and other). The bill had 79 letters of support. 10:57:34 AM Co-Chair Stedman referenced that the bill had one zero fiscal note. REBECCA REICHLIN, BOARD CHAIR, FOUR VALLEYS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, GIRDWOOD (via teleconference), spoke in support of SB 146 on behalf of the Four Valleys Board. She detailed that since 1981 the school's community programs were the main source of education, recreation, and cultural opportunities for community members of all ages in Girdwood, Bird Creek, Indian, and Portage Valleys. The school served approximately 6,800 participants and had 700 volunteers. The organization had a long and stable history of providing quality programs for the community. She relayed that the Girdwood year-round recreational program through the school was a model that provided extensive and varied opportunities for youths to be physically active; it included activities such as cross country skiing, fall trail running, indoor soccer, downhill and nordic skiing, gymnastics and other. Since 1984 Four Valleys had administered public funds for programs; all awarded monies provided direct community services. To help with funding the school had established partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and private donors; volunteers contributed their time to support a wide range of activities. Ms. Reichlin expounded that Four Valleys had a prior history utilizing gaming activities to raise funds; it had offered a Monte Carlo night, but when gaming regulations changed it could not continue to offer the event. The legislation would allow Four Valleys to control its financial destiny. She accentuated that in a small community all of the organizations solicited community support. She relayed that the bill would allow the school to support its mission, eliminate dependence on property tax dollars, and to meet its goal of self-sufficiency. The bill expanded on current gaming regulations. 11:01:32 AM DIANNA HIIBNER, SKI AREA GENERAL MANAGER, ALYESKA RESORT, GIRDWOOD (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the legislation on behalf of the resort. The resort had been involved in the Alyeska Snow Classic since its inception. The resort felt that the Snow Classic would be a great fundraising opportunity for Four Valleys Community Schools and the community of Girdwood. She urged the committee to vote in favor of the Snow Classic that would be administered by Four Valleys. Senator Giessel reiterated that the bill had a zero fiscal note and that it would benefit Girdwood. SB 146 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. Co-Chair Stedman discussed the agenda for the following meeting.