SENATE BILL NO. 95 "An Act relating to the right of first refusal of a volunteer search and rescue group with respect to surplus state property." 9:18:35 AM DAVID WILSON, SPONSOR, introduced himself. 9:18:45 AM JASMIN MARTIN, STAFF, SENATOR WILSON, introduced herself. Senator Wilson explained the legislation through the Sponsor Statement (copy on file): Search and rescue operations across the State of Alaska are largely done by volunteer organizations dispatched by the Alaska State Troopers. These groups provide lifesaving services to our state at minimal cost. SB 95 provides assistance to the groups at no cost to the state. While search and rescue groups can be reimbursed for costs incurred during specific operations, the state does not generally provide them with equipment. This legislation allows a volunteer search and rescue organization to exercise the right of first refusal on items related to search and rescue before the property is sold, leased, licenses, or disposed of. This bill enables these volunteer search and rescue groups to more easily obtain the equipment they need to fulfill their lifesaving mission. Ms. Martin addressed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file): Section 1: Names this act the Ellie Mae Act. Section 2: Amends AS 44.68.110 to allow an organized volunteer search and rescue group to exercise right of first refusal for surplus state items related to search and rescue before they are disposed of by the state. 9:21:56 AM Senator Hoffman remarked that the search and rescue operations in his district were frequently underfunded. He wondered why there would be a charge of the full appraised value. He felt that there should be a discount because they perform a public function. He also wondered how the search and rescue members would compete for highly prized items to provide search and rescue operations. Senator Wilson replied that the bill was intended to allow for the entities to find discounted items. Ms. Martin furthered that they do not necessarily need to perform a search and rescue party, but in statute it says that they "could" perform a search and rescue party. Senator Wielechowski queried the definition of a search and rescue group. Ms. Martin replied that it was not defined in statute. // Senator Hoffman asked about Ellie May. Senator Wilson responded that it was a fallen canine. 9:26:31 AM JONATHON HARSHFIELD, STATE PROPERTY MANAGER, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), introduced himself. Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether Mr. Harshfield was in charge of disposing of excess property. Mr. Harshfield replied in the affirmative. Co-Chair Bishop queried some hypothetical situations regarding applying for excess property in the state fleet. Mr. Harshfield replied that there would be a brief qualification process. Co-Chair Bishop surmised that there would be a competition with other state agencies. Mr. Harshfield responded that there would be competition with other search and rescue groups. Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether the state had a reutilization program within state agencies. 9:30:06 AM Mr. Harshfield replied that there were multiple tiers within the auction. Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether there were any other state-affiliated agencies that would have allowance for state property. Senator Wielechowski surmised that there was a tiered system for the property. Mr. Harshfield replied in the affirmative. Senator Wielechowski wondered how the search and rescue groups were in the second tier when they had the right of first refusal. Mr. Harshfield replied that they were in the right of first refusal for any entity outside of the state. Senator Wilson furthered that the state was releasing ownership of the equipment. Senator Wielechowski wondered who would receive the title of the property. Mr. Harshfield replied that most likely the leader of the group would receive the title, and agreed to work on who would get ownership at the moment of disbanding of the group. 9:35:01 AM Co-Chair Bishop wondered whether Mr. Harshfield was familiar with the federal government's Department of Utilization of Property. Mr. Harshfield replied in the affirmative. Senator Hoffman wondered whether there was a list of surplus property to the agencies, and wondered how the list was disseminated to the nonprofits. Mr. Harshfield replied that there was no schedule basis. He stated that there would be work with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and reaching out to known search and rescue groups. Senator von Imhof felt that it was interesting that an individual person would receive ownership, rather than an entity. Senator Wilson deferred to Ms. Martin. Ms. Martin replied that there was already a process for what happens to a piece of equipment that the state owns for a search and rescue group. She agreed that there was no regulation for the program because the program did not exist. She felt that it would be something that would be outlined in regulation. She stated that an individual person would take responsibility for a piece of property, but not necessarily ownership. Senator von Imhof wondered who would take ownership, and wondered whether there should be a definition. Ms. Martin replied that there had been discussion about limiting the program to certain types of organizations, but worried that it would leave out different types of volunteer organizations. Senator Olson asked for an example of items that would be considered excess property. Mr. Harshfield replied that it would be anything that DPS deemed assigned to that tier. 9:40:23 AM Senator Olson wondered whether it would include helicopters. Mr. Harshfield replied in the affirmative. Senator Olson wondered whether the Civil Air Patrol would be qualified in the program. Senator Wilson replied in the affirmative. Senator Hoffman surmised that the equipment could come from any department with surplus equipment. Senator Wilson replied in the affirmative. Mr. Harshfield stated that the process had not yet been put in place. Senator Olson wondered whether the North Slope Borough would be eligible for the excess property. Ms. Martin replied that they were eligible only if they were a volunteer organization. Co-Chair Bishop OPENED and CLOSED public testimony. SB 95 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.