ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE  March 4, 2002 10:42 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Randy Phillips, Chair Senator John Cowdery, Vice Chair Senator Rick Halford Senator Gene Therriault Senator Johnny Ellis MEMBERS ABSENT  All Members Present   COMMITTEE CALENDAR  SENATE BILL NO. 266 "An Act authorizing the commissioner of community and economic development to refinance and extend the term of a fishery enhancement loan." APPROVED FOR CALENDARING SENATE BILL NO. 337 "An Act relating to eligibility for an exemption from municipal property taxes for certain seniors and disabled veterans." APPROVED FOR CALENDARING PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION  SB 266 - See Labor and Commerce minutes dated 2/14/02, Resources minutes dated 2/25/02 SB 337 - No previous action to record. WITNESS REGISTER  Ms. Deborah Grundmann Staff to Senator Ben Stevens Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions about SB 266 Ms. Marilyn Wilson Staff to Senator Donley Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions about SB 337 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 02-3, SIDE A  Number 001 CHAIRMAN RANDY PHILLIPS called the Senate Rules Committee meeting to order at 10:42 a.m. Senators Cowdery, Therriault and Phillips were present. The committee took up SB 266. SENATOR COWDERY asked if the purpose of SB 266-FISHERY  ENHANCEMENT LOANS is to allow refinancing at a lower interest rate. MS. DEBORAH GRUNDMANN, staff to Senator Ben Stevens, sponsor of SB 266, stated that is correct; it will allow fish hatcheries to take advantage of lower interest rates by refinancing existing loans. SENATOR COWDERY moved to approve SB 266 for calendaring at the Chairman's discretion. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS announced that with no objection, SB 266 will be placed on today's calendar. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked, in relation to SB 337-ELIGIBILITY FOR  MUNICIPAL TAX EXEMPTION, if a person who is out of state for an allowable absence under the permanent fund dividend program would qualify for the municipal tax exemption. MS. MARILYN WILSON, staff to Senator Donley, sponsor of SB 337, explained that SB 337 allows municipalities to use the same criteria for allowable absences for the permanent fund dividend for a municipal tax exemption. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if both the eligibility requirements and allowable absences would be the same. MS. WILSON said that is her understanding. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if a person is out-of-state for medical services not available in-state could apply and receive a dividend. MS. WILSON said that is correct. SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if this requirement applies only if a municipality decides to require it. MS. WILSON said that is correct. SENATOR COWDERY moved to calendar SB 337 at the Chairman's discretion. CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS noted that with no objection, SB 337 will be calendared today. There being no further business to come before the committee, he adjourned the meeting at 10:46 a.m.