ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE  July 11, 2008 8:03 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Anna Fairclough, Co-Chair Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Co-Chair Representative Nancy Dahlstrom Representative Mark Neuman Representative Kurt Olson Representative Sharon Cissna Representative Woodie Salmon MEMBERS ABSENT  All members present OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT  Representative Paul Seaton Representative Bryce Edgmon COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE BILL NO. 4002 "An Act establishing the Alaska resource rebate program and relating to the program; and providing for an effective date." - HEARD AND HELD HOUSE BILL NO. 4003 "An Act making supplemental appropriations to the Alaska Energy Authority for power cost equalization; making special appropriations to the Department of Revenue and to the Department of Health and Social Services for the Alaska resource rebate program; making a special appropriation to the Department of Revenue for the payment of certain shared taxes relating to aviation fuel; and providing for an effective date." - HEARD AND HELD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB4002 SHORT TITLE: RESOURCE REBATE PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR 07/09/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 07/09/08 (H) CRA, FIN 07/11/08 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 BILL: HB4003 SHORT TITLE: APPROP: ENERGY RELIEF/REBATE/FUEL TAX SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR 07/09/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 07/09/08 (H) CRA, FIN 07/11/08 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 WITNESS REGISTER No witnesses to record ACTION NARRATIVE CO-CHAIR GABRIELLE LEDOUX called the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:03:42 AM. Representatives LeDoux, Fairclough, Dahlstrom, Neuman, and Olson were present at the call to order. Representatives Cissna and Salmon arrived as the meeting was in progress. Also in attendance were Representatives Seaton and Edgmon. HB4002-RESOURCE REBATE PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS HB4003-APPROP: ENERGY RELIEF/REBATE/FUEL TAX 8:04:03 AM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX reviewed the committee's schedule for the next couple of weeks, which includes meetings on July 15, July 17, July 22, and July 23. 8:06:18 AM CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH related that the schedule is being laid out so that members can continue to participate in the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) proceedings. She then expressed concern that there is a constitutional issue with HB 4002 regarding the length of time addressed outside of the permanent fund application dates. The Department of Law will need to be prepared to answer questions in defense of the constitution and those requirements. She noted that other courts typically have a lower threshold for days that are allowable. Co-Chair Fairclough then expressed concern with regard to the corpus of the permanent fund and how to defend the public interest. She related the need for the Alaska Attorney General to be able to defend the proposed one-time rebate of the resource without jeopardizing the corpus of the fund or weakening the argument used at the federal level. 8:09:44 AM REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN related a discussion he had with a senior citizen in his district who was concerned with regard to how this proposed rebate will impact those who receive senior benefits and welfare benefits as it will increase their overall income. 8:10:33 AM CO-CHAIR LEDOUX related her expectation that the administration would've considered the aforementioned and be prepared to address it during it's presentation to the committee. [HB 4002 and HB 4003 were held over.] 8:10:45 AM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 8:10:47 AM.