MINUTES SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE April 26, 1996 9:55 a.m. TAPES SFC-96, #94, Side 1 (000-268) CALL TO ORDER Senator Rick Halford, Co-chairman, convened the meeting at approximately 9:55 a.m. PRESENT In addition to Co-chairmen Halford and Frank, Senators Phillips, Rieger, and Sharp were present. Senators Donley and Zharoff arrived soon after the meeting began. ALSO ATTENDING: Representative Bunde; Representative James; Representative Sanders; Chris Christensen, Staff Counsel, Alaska Court System; Wendy Redman, Vice-President, University Relations, University of Alaska; Bob Cole, Director, Division of Administrative Services, Dept. of Corrections; Jetta Whittaker, fiscal analyst, Legislative Finance Division; and aides to committee members and other members of the legislature. SUMMARY INFORMATION HB 59 - RAFFLE OR AUCTION OF BIG GAME PERMITS Representative Con Bunde came before committee in support of the bill. An amendment to remove "Southeast" at page 1, line 13, was adopted. SCS CSHB 59 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a $1.0 fiscal note from the Dept. of Fish and Game. HB 75 - VEHICLE THEFT AND JOYRIDING Representative Jerry Sanders came before committee in support of his bill. CSSSHB 75 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with the following fiscal notes: DH&SS (Southcentral) $ 183.0 SH&SS (Southeast) 61.0 DH&SS (Northern) 61.0 DOLaw 146.8 DPS (Driver Services 49.5 Court System 86.7 DOA (PDA) 96.2 DPS (Troopers) 8.8 DOC $1,306.7 HB 80 - DNR APPROVAL OF PLATS IN UNORGANIZED BOROUGH Representative Jeannette James testified in support of her bill. It was subsequently held in committee pending incorporation of a conceptual amendment by Senator Phillips regarding fees. HB 382 - BOARD OF DISPENSING OPTICIANS Representative James again came before committee in support of her legislation. CSHB 382 (STA) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a fiscal note from the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development showing costs of $9.8 and revenue of $48.9. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 59(RES) An Act relating to raffles and auctions of certain permits to take big game; and providing for an effective date. Co-chairman Halford directed that CSHB 59 (Res) be brought on for discussion. REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE came before committee. He explained that the bill would allow qualified organizations to raffle off big game permits (Governor's tags). This type of effort has been successful in other states and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. The estimate is that the permits should raise $50.0 to $100.0 the first year in Alaska, and grow from that point. The program essentially allows wealthy sportsmen to make donations to the fish and game fund and have the prestige of obtaining a Governor's tag. A national organization that supports use of wildlife would auction the tags and be allowed to retain ten percent plus expenses. The remainder would flow to the state fish and game fund. Representative Bunde directed attention to SCS CSHB 59 (Res), Page 1, line 13, and voiced concern regarding the legality of the following language: The donations may be made only to nonprofit corporations based in Southeast Alaska . . . . and recommended removal of "Southeast." Senator Randy Phillips so MOVED. No objection having been raised, the amendment was ADOPTED. Senator Rieger MOVED that SCS CSHB 59 (Fin) pass from committee with individual recommendation and accompanying fiscal notes. No objection having been raised, SCS CSHB 59 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a fiscal note from the Dept. of Fish and Game showing a cost of $1.0 and revenues of $25.0. Co-chairmen Halford and Frank and Senators Rieger and Sharp signed the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation. Senators Donley and Phillips signed "no recommendation." CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(FIN) An Act relating to vehicle theft and the consequences of vehicle theft, including revocation of a driver's license, privilege to drive, or privilege to obtain a license; amending Rule 32.1, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date. Co-chairman Halford directed that CSSSHB 75 (Fin) be brought on for discussion REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS came before committee. He attested to need for legislation relating to vehicle theft, citing over 3,000 such thefts in Alaska each year. The proposed bill would make vehicle theft a felony rather than a misdemeanor. It provides for mandatory revocation of licenses and mandatory restitution. It also raises the maximum jail time from one year to five and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $50,000. Representative Sanders next referenced the accompanying fiscal notes. He pointed specifically to the note from the Dept. of Corrections and advised that it was $800.0 when the bill left the House. It has since been increased by approximately $500.0 to $1,306.7. The sponsor expressed frustration with department notes which show substantial costs associated with incarceration but little savings from alternatives. Co-chairman Halford noted that the final decision on fiscal notes would be made by the budget conference committee. Senator Randy Phillips MOVED for passage of CSSSHB 75 (Fin) with individual recommendations. No objection having been raised, CSSSHB 75 (Fin) was REPORTED OUT of committee with the following fiscal notes: DH&SS (Southcentral) $ 183.0 SH&SS (Southeast) 61.0 DH&SS (Northern) 61.0 DOLaw 146.8 DPS (Driver Services 49.5 Court System 86.7 DOA (PDA) 96.2 DPS (Troopers) 8.8 DOC $1,306.7 Co-chairman Halford and Senators Phillips and Sharp signed the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation. Senators Donley, Rieger, and Zharoff signed "no recommendation." CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 80(CRA) An Act establishing the Department of Natural Resources as the platting authority in certain areas of the state; relating to subdivisions and dedications; and providing for an effective date. Co-chairman Halford directed that CSHB 80 (CRA) be brought on for discussion and referenced SCS CSHB 80 (CRA). REPRESENTATIVE JEANNETTE JAMES came before committee. She explained that the bill would provided authorization for the Dept. of Natural Resources to serve as the platting authority for unorganized boroughs and boroughs that do not have a platting authority. She described the situation involving a subdivision in her district with no platting authority. She further advised of paper plats and "plats over plats" throughout the unorganized borough. Those plats are required to be filed with the department, but the department has no authority to do anything but file them. The proposed bill was developed to provide the department platting authority to enforce state laws. The proposed bill also defines "subdivision" which was previously defined differently in various statutes. This definition would be made consistent throughout state law. Representative James attested to support for the bill from engineers and surveyors. Senator Randy Phillips asked if the legislation would add another function of government for which unorganized areas would not pay. Representative James explained that a service would be provided, but it should be self-supporting through fees. There is a small fiscal note for setting up and preparing to take on the additional duties. The process should be revenue neutral as fees cover costs. Senator Rieger voiced support for the bill and inquired concerning language relating to fees. Representative James suggested that fee provisions are in existing statutes. They are to be approximately the same as those for organized boroughs. Senator Randy Phillips asked if the sponsor would object to a conceptual amendment requiring that fees cover the cost of services. Representative James said she would have no objection. Co-chairman Halford suggested that language say that the fee may not exceed the direct cost of the service. Senator Randy Phillips formally MOVED for adoption of a conceptual amendment that fees for services may not exceed the cost of services. Co-chairman Halford noted that the object is that the fee not be a revenue tool but merely a service tool. No objection having been raised, the conceptual amendment was ADOPTED for incorporation within a SCS CSHB 80(Fin) to be brought back to committee for final review. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 382(STA) An Act relating to the Board of Dispensing Opticians; and providing for an effective date. REPRESENTATIVE JAMES asked that CSHB 382(STA) be considered by committee. She explained that it would extend the board of dispensing opticians (scheduled to expire this year) to the year 2002. It also effects a change in licensure by credentials by requiring that credential standards be substantially equivalent to or higher than those of Alaska. Co-chairman Halford noted that he would normally question the six-year rather than four-year extension, but he acknowledged that it did not pose a serious threat to passage. Representative James referenced a request by legislative auditors for staggered sunset provisions for boards. The six-year term responds to that request for this particular board. Senator Rieger MOVED for passage with reservations regarding the six-year extension. No objection having been raised, CSHB 382(STA) was REPORTED OUT of committee with a fiscal note from the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development showing costs of $9.8 and revenues of $48.9. Co-chairman Frank and Senators Sharp and Zharoff signed the committee report with a "do pass" recommendation. Co-chairman Halford and Senators Donley, Phillips, and Rieger signed "no recommendation." ADJOURNMENT The meeting was recessed at approximately 10:15 a.m. for attendance at a leadership meeting.