CSHB 386(FIN) - RE AK INDUS. DEVELOP & EXPORT AUTHORITY SENATOR GREEN moved to adopt SCSCSHB 386(TRA), version K, as the working document before the committee. VICE-CHAIR WILKEN informed committee members the change on page 6 addresses Senator Halford's concerns about access to confidential information. MR. JOE FIELDS stated he was available to answer questions via teleconference. MR. KEITH LAUFER and MS. KATELYN MARKELY of AIDEA noted they were available to answer questions via teleconference. MR. MIKE SCOTT, Mat-Su Borough Manager, stated he was available to answer questions and supports the version of the bill under discussion. Number 491 SENATOR HALFORD expressed concern that version K still provides for confidentiality of credit reports from consumer reporting agencies, and other credit information. He emphasized that when a business applies for money from a government, it should agree to public review of financial information as long as the information is not to be used in an anti-competitive manner. He added the Legislature should be able to access the confidential items listed in the bill, provided legislators swear to keep the information confidential. AIDEA wanted to change the list to delete one of the items he had a concern with, and to add a section allowing legislators access to confidential information. Senator Halford thought both of those changes should be part of the committee substitute. VICE-CHAIR WILKEN informed Mr. Laufer that Senator Halford was suggesting that lines 1 and 2 on page 7 be deleted. KEITH LAUFER, Financial and Legal Affairs Manager for AIDEA, pointed out that a provision allowing legislators to access confidential information was included in the committee substitute in Section D. Regarding credit reports, AIDEA believes that the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act prohibits release of that information, which is covered by item 7. SENATOR HALFORD moved to delete item number 4, on lines 1-2 on page 2, recognizing that part is covered by federal law. There being no objection, the motion carried. VICE-CHAIR WILKEN informed committee members the second change to the bill is the addition of the harbor facilities project for the City of Whittier, beginning at the bottom of page 13. Number 450 JOHN WALSH, a lobbyist for the City of Whittier, made the following comments. The City of Whittier is soon to become a major access point for travel around Prince William Sound. The Whittier access project is nearing completion, and has entailed expanding the train tunnel to accommodate vehicle traffic. Phase 1 of the project is near completion; it will provide for travel from the Portage Visitor Center to Bear Creek. DOTPF has received two bids for Phase 2 which will expand the main tunnel. Phase 3 will include moderate road improvements on the Whittier side to allow access to the marine terminal. As soon as this project is completed, DOTPF anticipates the number of annual visitors to increase to 875,000, and within five years to 1.4 million. Many of the visitors will be Alaska residents who will recreate in Prince William Sound. The moorage capacity at Whittier is about 340 vessels, and there is a current waiting list of over 700. The City of Whittier desperately needs to consider harbor expansion; the inclusion of that project in this bill is a major step in that direction. The committee took a brief at-ease. VICE-CHAIR WILKEN informed participants an attempt was being made to contact Senator Ward. VICE-CHAIR WILKEN announced that HB 386, HJR 63, and HJR 67 are pending in committee and that the 24 hour rule is now in effect. He asked participants to await Chairman Ward's direction on movement of the legislation. He then adjourned the meeting.