MINUTES  HOUSE AND SENATE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE  FOR SB 250  March 23, 2000  4:11 PM TAPES CC-00 #1, Side A CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Sean Parnell convened the meeting at approximately 4:11 PM PRESENT Chair Sean Parnell Vice-Chair Eldon Mulder Senator John Torgerson Representative Gene Therriault Senator Al Adams Representative John Davies Also Attending: DAVID TEAL, Director, Division of Legislative Finance SUMMARY INFORMATION SB 250-SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS The Committee adopted a conference committee report. HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 250(FIN) "An Act making supplemental appropriations; amending appropriations; making an appropriation to capitalize a fund; making a reappropriation under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." Chair Parnell reviewed motions the proposed conference committee motions. [See attached motions sheet.] Vice-Chair Mulder moved to adopt all of the proposed conference committee motions as described by Chair Parnell. Senator Adams objected. Senator Adams spoke to his objection saying he hoped the amount approved by the House of Representatives would be adopted on Item #9, thus funding the Power Cost Equalization (PCE) program through the end of the fiscal year. Representative Davies added that a commitment was made to fund this program through the end of the year. He didn't understand that, if this was the intent, why the program only funded through May 15, 2000. Vice-Chair Mulder stated that if PCE were not endowed with NPRA funds, the issue would not have to be addressed three times on one fiscal year. Senator Adams responded and suggested using money from the annual Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) dividend funds. Co-Chair Parnell pointed out that everyone at the table hoped for a long-term solution to the issue. He said that by simply funding the entire program now, the discussions about the future funding would go away and a solution would not be found. Representative Davies disagreed that fully funding the program through FY 00 would end discussions, because funding for FY 01 was still being considered. Co-Chair Parnell countered that the intent was that PCE would be fully funded with NPRA funds, which would be the long-term solution. His goal was to eliminate the need to look for funding each year and to have an efficiently operated energy program. A roll call was taken on the motion. IN FAVOR: Representative Therriault, Senator Torgerson, Vice-Chair Mulder and Co-Chair Parnell OPPOSED: Representative Davies and Senator Adams The motion PASSED (4-2) The conference committee report was ADOPTED. ADJOURNED Chair Parnell adjourned the meeting at 4:18 PM.