SENATOR KELLY called the Senate Labor and Commerce meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. and announced SB 171 AIDEA BONDS; BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROG. to be up for consideration. SENATOR PEARCE said if enacted, SB 171 would accomplish two key objectives for the Alaska Industrial Development Authority (AIDA). Section 1 gives legislative approval to AIDA to authorize the issuance of bonds up to $40 million to finance the acquisition, design, and construction of public use aircraft fueling facilities at the Anchorage International Airport. Section 2 of the bill extends the sunset date of AIDA's business assistance fund to July 1, 1996. SENATOR PEARCE noted there were two proposed amendments. The first tightens the Title and the other deletes the word "revenue." JOHN OLSON, Deputy Director of Development, AIDA, supported SB 171 although it originated through the legislature and not the Governor's office as is usual. SENATOR RIEGER asked if these bonds are payable by statute solely out of the revenue proceeds of the owner of the project. MR. OLSON explained they would use the general obligation of the Authority as credit for the bonds. Under this program the project would have to cost less than $10 million. The only way they can issue revenue bonds greater than $10 million is if AIDA owns the project. Number 176 SENATOR RIEGER said he wanted to be sure the legislature could issue, if they choose, revenue bonds instead of authorizing general obligation bonds. MR. OLSON said the legislature can authorize revenue bonds, but AIDA still wants the option to use the g.o. capacity of the Authority, should it be necessary, to finance projects. SENATOR KELLY asked if he was implying AIDEA might not be able to sell revenue bonds based on these two projects? MR. OLSON replied they do not know, yet, about the depth of credit of either entity they are dealing with. SENATOR KELLY asked what was the contribution of MIDREX to the Point McKenzie project. MR. OLSON explained the portion of the project AIDA would finance is the dock and load-off system. The infra-structure to the port might need some improvements, but that is to be done by the borough. ASHLEY REED, representing the Mat-Su Borough, said the roads and utility extensions are already in place. SENATOR SHARP asked if Tesoro presently utilized the Port of Anchorage for supplying fuel? MR. OLSON said he thought Tesoro supplied fuel by pipeline, although fuel will eventually get to the new system through the Port of Anchorage. Number 249 MR. REED explained that all the refiners have the same ability to use the Anchorage Port facilities and do so now. The fuel is off-loaded there and is piped to the airport. SENATOR SHARP said he saw an advantage being given to Tesoro if they have a direct line from their refinery right into the tank farm partially financed by AIDA. MR. OLSON said this project is supported by MAPCO, but he would find out more about the operations of the pipeline. MR. OLSON said the $40 million was to be used at the airport on the west side of the north-south runway. SENATOR RIEGER wanted to know what statute covered AIDA's bonding authority and SENATOR KELLY wanted the Nikiski Pipeline question answered. SENATOR SALO said she would like to see the questions answered before the bill was moved to Finance. SENATOR RIEGER stated he had strong reservations on adding to the state's ownership of projects. SENATOR PEARCE said she doubted if there were any airlines who would cooperate in owning the facility at the airport. She noted that the expansion at the Anchorage Airport can not continue until the fuel tanks are moved and the environmental clean-up happens. SENATOR RIEGER moved to pass SB 171 from committee with individual recommendations. There were no objections and it was so ordered.