SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE March 16, 1993 3:33 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Bert Sharp, Chairman Senator Randy Phillips, Vice Chairman Senator Tim Kelly Senator Georgianna Lincoln Senator Jay Kerttula MEMBERS ABSENT All Members Present COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 135 "An Act making a special appropriation to the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to determine the cost of acquiring real property within the right-of-way of the proposed extension of the Alaska Railroad from Eielson Air Force Base to the Alaska-Canada border; and providing for an effective date." SENATE BILL NO. 16 "An Act relating to the financing authority of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and giving approval of the issuance of bonds for an Anchorage airport seafood facility; and providing for an effective date." PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SB 135 - No previous action to record. SB 16 - No previous action to record. WITNESS REGISTER Representative Johnny Ellis State Capitol Building Juneau, Alaska 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 16. ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 93-16, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN SHARP called the Senate Transportation Committee to order at 3:33 p.m. The first order of business was SB 135 (APPRO: AK RAILROAD EXTENSION STUDY), sponsored by Senator Miller. Chairman Sharp said that Senator Miller was unable to attend the meeting as he is chairing another committee. SENATOR KELLY said he is ready to move the bill. Chairman Sharp indicated he has read the bill. Number 007 SENATOR KELLY moved that SB 135 pass out of the Senate Transportation Committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, the motion carried. Number 025 The next order of business was SB 16 (AIDEA BONDS: ANCHORAGE SEAFOOD FACILITY). SENATOR KERTTULA asked if a similar bill was introduced last year. SENATOR ELLIS, sponsor of the measure, it was in the AIDA bill. The private financing wasn't together last year so it was dropped from the regular bill. The AIDA bill that included the airport hanger died in the Senate at the end of session and then was resurrected, in a scaled down form eliminating the project, in the three day special session. Senator Ellis explained that the bill would create 450 new year around jobs for resident Alaskans. He said there would be about 200 construction jobs during the first phase of construction of the Alaska Seafood Center. He said he is proposing to authorize revenue bonds in the amount of about $50 million to match about $115 million of private sector investments. If the private financing doesn't come together, there is nothing at risk from the public. The total amount for the project is about $165 million and is the first of its kind in Alaska. It is for secondary fish processing facilities - cold storage facilities. Senator Ellis said it is time to reverse the trend of diverting a lot of fishery resources and processing to other states and countries. The shore based facility will allow us to achieve some of the goals we have been discussing for years. He said even though the private financing isn't completely firmed up at this point, the AIDA Board is supportive and wants to see the project move forward. SENATOR KELLY said he is confused about the location of the project. Senator Ellis said nobody knows exactly where the site is as the private developer has some land optioned. It is not on airport land as the airport was concerned about using up their land for private development. They also had concerns about birds in the air traffic pattern. Senator Ellis said Mr. Howard Benedict and people involved reacted very strongly because it is secondary seafood processing. They don't plan to have any kind of fish waste or smell. He said he believes there is some land optioned near the airport. There will be the close proximity to take advantage of the transportation hub. Senator Ellis said nobody knows where it is as the developer is still speculating on the price of the land. SENATOR KELLY said he is prepared to support the bill. Number 140 SENATOR KERTTULA moved that SB 16 pass out of the Senate Transportation Committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, the motion carried. Number 167 CHAIRMAN SHARP adjourned the meeting at 3:55 p.m.