HOUSE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE January 16, 1997 1:12 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Bill Hudson, Co-Chairman Representative Scott Ogan, Co-Chairman Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair Representative Fred Dyson Representative Joe Green Representative William K. Williams Representative Irene Nicholia MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Ramona Barnes Representative Reggie Joule COMMITTEE CALENDAR Organizational Meeting PREVIOUS ACTION No previous action to record WITNESS REGISTER Committee members only ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 97-1, SIDE A Number 001 CO-CHAIRMAN SCOTT OGAN called the House Resources Committee meeting to order at 1:12 p.m. Members present at the call to order were Representatives Ogan, Hudson, Masek, Dyson, Green and Williams. Representative Nicholia arrived at 1:16 p.m. Members absent, both excused, were Representatives Barnes and Joule. CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN expressed pleasure at co-chairing the House Resources Committee. He offered his opinion that the committee, with its responsibility to be visionary in resource development in Alaska, is perhaps the most important in the legislature. "Without the work that we do here, the money that keeps this state going would possibly be in jeopardy," he said, emphasizing the enormity of that responsibility. Number 201 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN introduced the House Resources Committee aides, Marieke Nordlinger, staff to Representative Hudson, and Hans Neidig, staff to Representative Ogan, as well as the committee secretary, Nancy Vidal, from House Records. Number 282 CO-CHAIRMAN BILL HUDSON commented that he believed the two co- chairmen would bring different but broad-based experience to the committee, providing balanced and meaningful legislation for all Alaskans. He expressed pleasure at working with former and new colleagues. Number 364 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN welcomed Representative Nicholia to the meeting. He referred to the memorandum dated January 16, 1997, regarding Resource Committee Procedures, and discussed its contents. He advised that meetings would be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. He acknowledged the potential scheduling conflict for members also serving on the House Health, Education and Social Services Committee. CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN stated his hope that the House Resource Committee meetings could be completed within two hours, especially if members arrived on time ready to begin business promptly at 1:00 p.m. Saturday meetings would occur, at the call of the chair, if business could not be concluded during the Tuesday/Thursday meetings. Co-Chairman Ogan asked that committee members remain in the room following meetings until committee reports were signed, to avoid staff having to track down members for that purpose. Number 502 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN asked that requests for hearings be submitted in writing to the appropriate committee aide before Thursday the week prior to the requested hearing date, in order to meet the five-day notice requirement. He pointed out that the five-day rule did not apply to bills previously scheduled and continued over. Teleconferences would be scheduled upon request of committee members or the public by 4:00 p.m. Thursday the week prior to a hearing. CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN said one copy of all packet materials was to be submitted to the appropriate committee aide before 9:00 a.m. the day before a scheduled hearing. He noted that in a tight time crunch, members might be required to build their own packets; however, he intended for that to be the rare exception. Committee packets should include a sponsor request for the bill to be heard; a sponsor statement; a copy of the bill; a sectional analysis; fiscal notes; and additional information or position papers. Number 572 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN explained that Majority Caucus members had been briefed regarding the policy on fiscal notes. The previous year, committees had requested the fiscal notes. However, current policy was not yet set. Co-Chairman Ogan offered to update the committee when further information was available. CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN pointed out that a file drawer was available in the committee room for each committee member. Number 616 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN advised that committee substitutes must be requested in writing through the co-chairman responsible for the original bill. He noted that House Resources Committee members might be given latitude to request committee substitutes, but the appropriate co-chairman would need to be informed. He said packets should be delivered to committee members and the public by noon the day before the scheduled hearing, allowing time for committee members to read the packets in preparation for the meeting. Number 655 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN discussed the division of labor and responsibility between the co-chairs, set forth in both the memorandum dated January 16, 1997, and in a letter to the Speaker of the House dated January 14, 1997. Co-Chairman Ogan would be responsible for issues relating to agriculture, oil and gas, public lands, sport fishing, subsistence, and wildland fire suppression. Co-Chairman Hudson would handle commercial fisheries, mental health trust lands, timber and mining. Handling of sport fishing and commercial fishing conflicts were delineated further. Co-Chairman Ogan would chair meetings regarding specific legislation that presented a potential conflict between commercial and sport fishing in the Susitna drainage and Cook Inlet approaches. He and Co-Chairman Hudson agreed to coordinate scheduling of fisheries-related bills, invitations of guests, witnesses, and conduct of hearings. Number 871 CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON said this was the first time in his experience that the responsibilities of the co-chairmen had been spelled out so thoroughly. He and Co-Chairman Ogan wanted the process to run smoothly and for everyone to be heard, resulting in balanced legislation. They recognized there would be some contention between certain commercial and sport fish interests, as related bills had already been introduced. Number 958 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN concluded the business part of the meeting and asked if there were comments. Number 999 REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY MASEK expressed that she looked forward to working with the committee members. She commended the co-chairmen for spelling out the duties and flow of business. CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON noted that Representative Masek was the Vice Chair and emphasized the importance of the person holding that office staying informed about committee business. Number 1026 CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN explained that he had encouraged Representative Masek to take an active role as Vice Chair. He stated it was an honor to have former House Resources Committee co-chairmen Joe Green and William K. Williams on the committee, as well. CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON indicated he and Co-Chairman Ogan were open to suggestions from the former co-chairmen and other committee members including, specifically, Representative Nicholia, with whom he had served in the past. Number 1094 REPRESENTATIVE IRENE NICHOLIA responded that she was looking forward to working with the co-chairmen. She explained that mining and timber issues, as well as commercial, sport and subsistence fishing concerns, were important in her district. Number 1127 CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON noted that the next meeting, a joint meeting with the Senate Resources Committee on Tuesday, January 21, would be a presentation by Cominco, Incorporated. CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN said that meeting would be held in the Senate Finance Committee Room. He advised that the following meeting, Thursday, January 23, would cover four bills. Number 1164 CO-CHAIRMAN HUDSON added that although four bills would be scheduled, any requiring further work would be continued to a future date. Number 1217 ADJOURNMENT CO-CHAIRMAN OGAN adjourned the House Resources Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m.