SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE April 8, 1999 3:32 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Jerry Ward, Chairman Senator Lyda Green Senator Gary Wilken Senator Kim Elton MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Randy Phillips COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 102 "An Act designating the State Trooper Bruce A. Heck Memorial Corridor." -MOVED SB 102 OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 104 "An Act relating to the Kuskokwim Ice Classic." -MOVED SB 104 OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6 Requesting that the President of the University of Alaska deliver to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature an annual State of the University report. -MOVED SCR 6 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SB 102 - No previous Senate committee action. SB 104 - No previous Senate committee action. SCR 6 - No previous Senate committee action. WITNESS REGISTER Senator Georgianna Lincoln Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 102 Holly Sherouse, Legislative Intern Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99081-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 102 Tim Grussendorf, Legislative Aide Alaska State Capitol Juneau, AK 99801-1182 POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for Senator Hoffman, sponsor of SB 104 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 99-9, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN WARD called the Senate State Affairs Committee to order at 3:32 p.m. Present were Senators Green, Wilken, Elton, and Chairman Ward. Senator Phillips arrived at 3:35 p.m. SB 102-TROOPER HECK MEMORIAL CORRIDOR SENATOR GEORGIANNA LINCOLN, sponsor of SB 102, and Holly Sherouse, legislative intern to Senator Lincoln, took the witness stand. SENATOR LINCOLN explained that SB 102 is a straightforward piece of legislation that she introduced after Laurie Heck, the widow of Trooper Bruce Heck, contacted her. Trooper Heck was a well respected, 15 year veteran of the Alaska State Troopers, who died on the Glenn Highway last year while in the line of duty. SB 102 concurrently names the portion of the Glenn Highway between milepost 128 and milepost 189 the "State Trooper Bruce A. Heck Memorial Corridor." HOLLY SHEROUSE informed committee members that Reverend Tom Thompson was unable to attend today's meeting however he asked her to submit a petition in support of SB 102 signed by 481 people from Slana, Paxton, Eureka, Mentasta, Tyco River and all residents along the named stretch of the Glenn Highway. The Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce also submitted a letter in support of SB 102. As a resident of Tok and acquaintance of Trooper Heck, she believes SB 102 is a fitting bill to honor a person who died in the line of duty. CHAIRMAN WARD asked Senator Lincoln to convey to Mrs. Heck that the Senate State Affairs Committee members very much appreciate the sacrifice that her family has made on behalf of the State. SENATOR GREEN asked how the Glenn Highway will be concurrently designated. SENATOR LINCOLN stated the highway will have two signs along that section of the highway. SENATOR PHILLIPS asked if milepost 128 to milepost 189 of the highway is close to Nilchina. SENATOR GREEN replied Nilchina is at mile 135 and Glennallen is at mile 189. SENATOR ELTON thanked Senator Lincoln and Ms. Sherouse and moved SB 102 from committee. There being no objection, SB 102 moved to its next committee of referral. SB 104-KUSKOKWIM ICE CLASSIC TIM GRUSSENDORF, legislative aide to Senator Hoffman, sponsor of SB 104, described the bill as a housekeeping measure that changes the legal name in statute of the organization that manages the Kuskokwim Ice Classic from Bethel Social Services, Inc., to Bethel Community Services Foundation. The transfer is required by the Department of Revenue. SENATOR GREEN asked whether a generic name could be used for the organization that will be managing the Kuskokwim Ice Classic so that legislation does not have to be introduced if the managing organization changes. MR. GRUSSENDORF was not sure. SENATOR PHILLIPS asked when Bethel Social Services began managing the Kuskokwim Ice Classic. MR. GRUSSENDORF replied the Bethel Social Services name change occurred in 1985. The Bethel Community Services Foundation was created to manage fundraising for Bethel Community Services, Inc. in 1991. SENATOR GREEN moved SB 104 from committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, the motion carried. Number 160 SCR 6-UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANNUAL REPORT SENATOR ELTON, co-sponsor of SCR 6, explained the measure simply requests that in the same way members of the congressional delegation are invited to speak to the legislature, the president of the University of Alaska statewide system be asked to address a joint session. SENATOR GREEN asked if anyone from the University of Alaska was invited to speak to the committee about SCR 6. CHAIRMAN WARD answered University officials are aware the bill was scheduled. SENATOR GREEN noted she does not support the measure and will recommend a "do not pass" vote on SCR 6. SENATOR PHILLIPS noted joint sessions are held to hear from the Governor, the Chief Justice, Alaska's congressional delegation and extra special guests, such as a government leader from another jurisdiction. He asked, if SCR 6 passes, what will prevent another resolution from being introduced to schedule commissioners to speak to joint sessions of the legislature. SENATOR ELTON thought the commissioners' concerns should be addressed within the Governor's two presentations to the legislature. He pointed out the University of Alaska is independent of the Executive Branch in the same way the Judicial Branch is independent. He noted committee members' packets contain a letter from the University President who would welcome an opportunity to address the legislature. Number 214 SENATOR PHILLIPS stated although the Judicial Branch is separate from the Executive Branch, the University of Alaska falls under the umbrella of the Executive Branch. He expressed concern that passage of SCR 6 will open the door for department commissioners to give separate presentations. SENATOR ELTON pointed out the difference between the University of Alaska and state departments is that commissioners convey their concerns to the Governor in a cabinet meeting each week; the University President does not. He added the University of Alaska is elevated in several respects: it has campuses in 18 communities across the state, it is a significant employer, and the University holds the key to Alaska's future in terms of research projects. Number 246 SENATOR PHILLIPS asked Senator Wilken whether the University has ever requested permission to speak before a joint session. Senator Wilken did not know. SENATOR WILKEN noted he supports SCR 6 because a good case can be made for why the University President should speak to the legislature, however he stated he is sensitive to opening the door. SENATOR PHILLIPS informed committee members that the only special guests who have spoken to a joint session of the legislature are the Premier of British Columbia and a government leader of the Northwest Territory. Number 269 CHAIRMAN WARD asked Senator Elton whether he considered making the invitation a one-time event next year to see how it goes, as opposed to requesting an annual invitation. SENATOR ELTON clarified SCR 6 does not bind the legislature in the future to inviting the University President on a regular basis or at a specific time. SCR 6 merely sets up a procedure to do so. SENATOR GREEN questioned whether an invitation could be extended without a resolution. CHAIRMAN WARD replied one can. SENATOR GREEN asked Senator Elton if he talked to the University President about SCR 6. SENATOR ELTON said he has not but he did speak to members of the President's staff. SENATOR ELTON moved SCR 6 from committee. There being no objection, the motion carried. There being no further business to come before the committee, CHAIRMAN WARD adjourned the meeting at 3:51 p.m.