HOUSE ECONOMIC TASK FORCE February 24, 1993 5:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Eileen MacLean, Chair Representative Bettye Davis Representative Bill Hudson Representative Al Vezey Representative Carl Moses Representative Jerry Mackie Representative Jeannette James MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Bill Williams Representative Joe Green COMMITTEE CALENDAR Establish agenda for mini-summit March 13, draft mission statement. ACTION NARRATIVE (NOTE: MEETING WAS NOT TAPED DUE TO LACK OF TAPING EQUIPMENT.) REPRESENTATIVE EILEEN MACLEAN, CHAIR, called the meeting of the House Economic Task Force to order at 5:15 p.m. on February 24, 1993, in the Governor's Conference Room. CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN informed the Task Force that the Senate had also formed a task force on economic development, composed of the following members: Senator Tim Kelly, Chair; Senator Bert Sharp, Vice-Chair; Senator Robin Taylor, Senator George Jacko, and Senator Fred Zharoff. She was looking forward to accomplishing a great deal with both bodies working together. CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN next discussed the House and Senate Economic Task Force Mini-Summit, reporting the date had been set for Saturday, March 13, 1993, and the purpose of the Mini-Summit was for the business community to inform the Task Force about opportunities and roadblocks which the legislature could address and immediately act upon, and to make recommendations regarding removing barriers, aimed particularly at regulatory reform and tax incentives. She asked the Task Force for any suggestions or changes in the proposed Mini-Summit agenda. REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUDSON suggested the meeting be moved from the Senate Finance Room to the Juneau Convention Center, and said he would investigate that. He said John Sandor, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, should be invited to attend, as should banks and loan institutions to represent the investment side. CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN pointed out the Department of Commerce and Economic Development appeared several places on the agenda and could be moved to a panel on which all government agencies would be available for comment, but not actually placed in specific spots on the agenda, thus giving more time for industry presentations and public testimony. She asked that members let her know tomorrow (February 25, 1993) if they think of any more changes to the agenda. CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN asked any members of the Task Force who could meet next Wednesday, March 3, at 5:00 to hear a presentation by the Alaska Coal Association and the Northwest Coal Project to contact her tomorrow (February 25, 1993). CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN informed the Task Force that $50,000 had been provided by the Speaker of the House for Task Force work to be carried on during the session and the interim. She asked members to review the committee substitute for HB 245 regarding procurement, which was introduced last session on March 20, 1992, and did not get through the Senate, stating that it is a good bill which could fall within the Task Force's area of economic development; and, she requested that members review the packet of letters received from the business community and come prepared at the meeting in two weeks to recommend legislation or submit a draft of possible legislation to her sooner, and that members also review all legislation currently in their respective committees and identify any bills relative to economic development the Task Force might want to pursue. CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN directed Task Force members' attention to their copies of the proposed mission statement and asked for suggested changes; there were none. REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON recommended the Task Force support the Made In Alaska program REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MACKIE suggested the Task Force divide itself into work groups according to regional concerns to generate recommendations for legislation. CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN asked Representative Mackie to submit this suggestion in writing so it could be pursued during the interim. REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES advised that the state should join forces with the Native corporations to form a powerful force against federal control. CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN pointed out this would begin during the Mini-Summit's section on rural development. ADJOURNMENT CHAIRWOMAN MACLEAN adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.