CSHB 83(FIN)-SEISMIC HAZARDS SAFETY COMMISSION  4:26:01 PM CHAIR THERRIAULT announced HB 83 to be up for consideration and noted that his staff would review the \S version, Senate committee substitute (CS). HEATHER BRAKES, Staff to Senator Therriault and the Senate State Affairs Committee reviewed the proposed changes. Section 1: Page l, line 6 remove "A member holds office until a successor is appointed." Section 5 allows staggered terms. It also allows appointed members to continue on the board and it allows board members to be reappointed. Section 2: Page 1, line 12 insert "in a separate seismically active region of the state;" She explained that the bill that passed the House adds two additional local government representatives and the proposed CS follows the auditor's recommendation that members come from different seismic regions of the state. Section 3: Defines "seismic hazard" to address the stated concern that by specifically listing "tsunami" other geologic conditions might be excluded. Section 4: Extends the commission until 2012. That year was selected because no boards and commissions come up for renewal in that year. MS. BRAKES referenced page 2, line 12 and informed members that the department suggested inserting ", landslide" after "earthquake" and deleting "undersea" to address concerns related to volcanic eruptions. 4:30:37 PM CHAIR THERRIAULT asked for a motion to adopt the \S version. SENATOR THOMAS WAGONER motioned to adopt work draft version 24- LS0372\S as the working document. CHAIR THERRIAULT reiterated the suggested amendment to insert ", landslide" after "earthquake" and to delete "undersea" on page 2, line 12 and asked for a motion. SENATOR CHARLIE HUGGINS moved Amendment 1. CHAIR THERRIAULT noted that without objection Amendment 1 was adopted. 4:32:19 PM SENATOR KIM ELTON referenced page 2, line 28 and asked if it means that a commission member could only serve two terms. MS. BRAKES replied she didn't believe so; it simply provides for the transition. CHAIR THERRIAULT asked if his question hinges on whether "a term" specifically means just one term. SENATOR ELTON said he's concerned that it could be restrictive. CHAIR THERRIAULT said he didn't believe it's limited, but he would check with the drafter. MS. BRAKES informed the committee that statute currently provides that six members of a nine member commission constitutes a quorum. CHAIR THERRIAULT asked whether someone from the department was available to speak. MELANIE LESH, Legislative Liaison, Department of Natural Resources, stated that board member Dr. John Aho could speak to the issue. JOHN AHO, Ph.D., Chair, Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission, testified via teleconference. He stated that a quorum consisting of a simple majority wasn't a problem in his view. CHAIR THERRIAULT remarked the previous requirement was a super majority and asked if it's been problematic so far. DR. AHO answered there's been 100 percent involvement to date and he doesn't anticipate a problem in any event. CHAIR THERRIAULT expressed comfort with a simple majority and noted that the bill has a Finance Committee referral so the fiscal note would come under scrutiny there. Finding no further discussion, he asked for the will of the committee. 4:36:26 PM SENATOR ELTON motioned to report the amended \S version SCS CSHB 83(STA) from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. CHAIR THERRIAULT announced that without objection, SCS CSHB 83(STA) moved from committee.