LR033
Resolve: LR033
Source Root: HJR034
Year: 1997
Source Bill: HJR 34
Relating to proposed regulations of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council creating a new discriminatory halibut fishery in Alaska.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) has recently been urged to initiate a regulatory amendment outlining options for addressing certain unlawful practices in the conduct of personal consumption halibut fisheries in Alaska; and
WHEREAS the NPFMC Halibut Subsistence Committee has developed proposed regulatory options that include the creation of discriminatory qualifications based on race and residency; and
WHEREAS there is questionable legal authority for the NPFMC to adopt discriminatory regulations, especially those that are racially constructed; and
WHEREAS the proposed regulatory options provide the potential for an expanding new fishery on a resource that is currently fully allocated; and
WHEREAS the proposed regulatory options include possible commercial sale of subsistence caught halibut in violation of existing state law; and
WHEREAS the passage of the proposed special interest regulations will create major enforcement problems for federal and state enforcement officials throughout the coastal areas of Alaska; and
WHEREAS the Twentieth Alaska State Legislature is supportive of providing adequate legal means for Alaska residents to harvest fish and wildlife to meet their personal consumption needs; and
WHEREAS the Twentieth Alaska State Legislature is equally concerned about its constitutional responsibilities to provide for the "sustained yield" of Alaska's renewable resources by assuring that the first basic concern is the protection of the resource base; and
WHEREAS the proposed regulations discriminate against many major coastal communities and will create serious racial, social, and economic conflicts within the coastal communities of Alaska; and
WHEREAS all Alaskans have a personal use catch limit of two halibut a day, and the creation of this type of new fishery is not needed to meet the personal consumption needs of Alaskans; and
WHEREAS alternative regulatory options for personal consumption should be considered, such as special seasons, special methods and means, and special areas for harvesting halibut for personal consumption; and
WHEREAS the Alaska delegation in Congress, the Governor's office, and the Alaska State Legislature are already working hard to find common ground and permanent solutions to the already serious conflicts existing between state and federal laws over fish and wildlife management in Alaska; and
WHEREAS the passage of this type of new fishery as proposed under all identified options will result in the further polarization of positions regarding state and federal jurisdictional conflicts;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Secretary, United States Department of Commerce, to provide for personal use fisheries for halibut by all Alaskans through modification of existing regulations, such as special seasons and special methods and means, to provide a reasonable opportunity to meet personal consumption needs; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests that the North Pacific Fishery Management Council reject regulations designed to divide Alaskans along ethnic or other discriminatory lines.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable William M. Daley, Secretary, United States Department of Commerce; Rick Lauber, Chair, North Pacific Fishery Management Council; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR034
Resolve: LR034
Source Root: SCR016
Year: 1997
Source Bill: HCS CSSCR 16 (RES) am H
Urging the state executive branch administration, University of Alaska administration, and Alaska Court System administration to negotiate collective bargaining agreements that result in a net zero cost increase.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the legislature has declared that it is the public policy of the state to promote harmonious and cooperative relations between government and its employees; and
WHEREAS it is the responsibility of the state executive branch administration, university administration, and court system administration to negotiate and enter into collective bargaining agreements with the representatives of their employees; and
WHEREAS the legislature acknowledges that recurring revenues continue to fall short of recurring expenditures in the long term; and
WHEREAS the legislature is completing the second year of a five-year financial plan in an effort to close the fiscal gap between revenues and expenditures; and
WHEREAS the legislature finds it is not advisable to increase the cost of personal services in a time of deficit spending; and
WHEREAS the United States Department of Labor in 1993 reported that Alaska public sector wages are 144 percent of the national average; and
WHEREAS the United States Department of Commerce in 1993 reported that average Alaska state and local government salaries are 30.7 percent above the private sector; and
WHEREAS the state Department of Administration reported in 1994 that state employees are adequately compensated and may be ahead of the market for most job classifications; and
WHEREAS the Long Range Financial Planning Commission recommended the enactment of a tier III retirement system, the revision of geographic differentials, collective bargaining agreements based on market conditions, and an examination of publicly funded health plans to reduce personal services costs to the state; and
WHEREAS the legislature has appropriated funds to conduct an independent, objective study comparing state employees' pay and benefits with comparable private industry employees' pay and benefits; and
WHEREAS this salary and benefit study will further aid the state in responsible negotiations by providing a comparison on which to base future costs of personal services;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges the current state executive branch administration, university administration, and Alaska Court System administration to negotiate collective bargaining agreements that result in a net zero cost increase through reducing salaries, reducing benefits to pay increased salaries, implementing a two-tier salary structure, restructuring publicly funded health plans, or other methods; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that, if general fund revenues remain below expenditures, the Alaska State Legislature reserves the right to disapprove the monetary terms of any collective bargaining agreement that results in an increased cost of personal services.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Tony Knowles, Governor, State of Alaska; the Honorable Mark Boyer, Commissioner, Department of Administration; Jerome Komisar, President, University of Alaska; and Stephanie J. Cole, Administrative Director, Alaska Court System.
LR035
Resolve: LR035
Source Root: SCR010
Year: 1997
Source Bill: SCR 10
Supporting continued use of Alaska's renewable furbearer resources.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS Alaska's furbearer populations are renewable natural resources; and
WHEREAS none of the furbearer species in Alaska are threatened or endangered; and
WHEREAS these furbearer populations are professionally managed by the State of Alaska; and
WHEREAS trapping is an important wildlife management tool that can help maintain healthy furbearer populations; and
WHEREAS the diversity of both trapping conditions and furbearing species requires the use of a variety of tools, including snares, foot-hold traps, and body-gripping traps; and
WHEREAS trapping is a traditional activity for many Alaskans; and
WHEREAS the harvest and use of furbearers provides food, income, and clothing for many Alaskans; and
WHEREAS trapping is compatible with other activities on public land, including national wildlife refuges; and
WHEREAS trapping provides social benefits by enhancing self-reliance and maintaining traditional lifestyles;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature supports the continued harvest and use by humans of Alaska's renewable furbearer resources consistent with the principles of sustained yield.
LR036
Resolve: LR036
Source Root: SJR030
Year: 1997
Source Bill: SSSJR 30
Relating to the defense of Alaska from offensive nuclear attack.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS Alaska is the 49th state to enter the federal union of the United States of America and is entitled to all of the rights, privileges, and obligations that the union affords and requires; and
WHEREAS Alaska possesses natural resources, including energy, mineral, and human resources, vital to the prosperity and national security of the United States; and
WHEREAS the people of Alaska are conscious of the state's remote northern location and proximity to Northeast Asia and the Eurasian land mass, and of how that unique location places the state in a more vulnerable position than other states with regard to missiles that could be launched in Asia and Europe; and
WHEREAS the people of Alaska recognize the changing nature of the international political structure and the evolution and proliferation of missile delivery systems and weapons of mass destruction as foreign states seek the military means to deter the power of the United States in international affairs; and
WHEREAS there is a growing threat to Alaska by potential aggressors in these nations and in rogue nations that are seeking nuclear weapons capability and that have sponsored international terrorism; and
WHEREAS a National Intelligence Estimate to assess missile threats to the United States left Alaska and Hawaii out of the assessment and estimate; and
WHEREAS one of the primary reasons for joining the Union of the United States of America was to gain security for the people of Alaska and for the common regulation of foreign affairs on the basis of an equitable membership in the United States federation; and
WHEREAS the United States plans to field a national missile defense, perhaps as early as 2003; this national missile defense plan will provide only a fragile defense for Alaska, the state most likely to be threatened by new missile powers that are emerging in Northeast Asia;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the President of the United States to take all actions necessary, within the considerable limits of the resources of the United States, to protect on an equal basis all peoples and resources of this great Union from threat of missile attack regardless of the physical location of the member state; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests that Alaska be included in every National Intelligence Estimate conducted by the United States joint intelligence agencies; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the President of the United States to include Alaska and Hawaii, not just the contiguous 48 states, in every National Intelligence Estimate of missile threat to the United States; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges the United States government to take necessary measures to ensure that Alaska is protected against foreseeable threats, nuclear and otherwise, posed by foreign aggressors, including deployment of a ballistic missile defense system to protect Alaska; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature conveys to the President of the United States expectations that Alaska's safety and security take priority over any international treaty or obligation and that the President take whatever action is necessary to ensure that Alaska can be defended against limited missile attacks with the same degree of assurance as that provided to all other states; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests that the appropriate Congressional committees hold hearings in Alaska that include defense experts and administration officials to help Alaskans understand their risks, their level of security, and Alaska's vulnerability.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Ted Stevens, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations; the Honorable Bob Livingston, Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations; the Honorable Strom Thurmond, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services; the Honorable Floyd Spence, Chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on National Security; and to the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senator, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR037
Resolve: LR037
Source Root: HJR027
Year: 1997
Source Bill: SCS HJR 27 (TRA)
Requesting the Federal Aviation Administration to grant exemptions from the "commuter rule" in order to maintain a high level of air safety and air transportation service in rural Alaska.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to make aircraft with 10 or more passenger seats and all turbojet aircraft in scheduled passenger service in the state subject to the "commuter rule"; and
WHEREAS the "commuter rule" imposes additional operational, certification, and management requirements on aircraft operators in the state and additional equipment and performance requirements for aircraft in the state; and
WHEREAS the "commuter rule" is supposed to improve aviation safety in the state; and
WHEREAS the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its 1995 report on aviation safety in Alaska neither recommended that aviation safety in the state would be enhanced if all operators of smaller aircraft were subject to regulations designed for large aircraft nor even mentioned the "commuter rule"; and
WHEREAS the NTSB has recommended that the FAA and the National Weather Service provide weather observation services at more Alaska airports to enhance aviation safety; and
WHEREAS the NTSB has noted that the number of weather observer stations in Alaska has not increased since 1980, contrary to recommendations otherwise; and
WHEREAS improved weather observation services and reporting would improve aviation safety in Alaska more than would imposition of the "commuter rule" on small aircraft in the state; and
WHEREAS, of the Alaska operators to which this new rule will apply, those operators operating in rural areas have chosen to avoid the "commuter rule" by either removing seats from aircraft in order to be under the rule's threshold or disposing of their larger aircraft entirely; and
WHEREAS operators of 10- to 19-seat, twin-engine, turbo-propeller aircraft have a better safety record than operators of smaller aircraft; and
WHEREAS the communities of rural Alaska rely heavily upon air transportation services for movement of people and goods; and
WHEREAS the "commuter rule" will not benefit communities in rural areas of the state; and
WHEREAS the Congress has authorized the FAA to exempt small air carriers in Alaska from provisions of the "commuter rule";
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Federal Aviation Administration to either allow affected air carriers to continue to operate in specific rural Alaska locations under the operating rules of Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135 or expeditiously grant specific exemptions from the "commuter rule" to individual operators who operate in rural Alaska.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Rodney E. Slater, Secretary, U. S. Department of Transportation; the Honorable David R. Hinson, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; Guy S. Gardner, Associate Administrator for Regulation and Certification, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR038
Resolve: LR038
Source Root: HJR035
Year: 1997
Source Bill: HJR 35
Encouraging federal legislation to improve federal fiscal terms for a trans-Alaska gas pipeline.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS Alaska's North Slope, including the Prudhoe Bay and Point Thomson oil and gas fields, hold at least 35 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves, an amount sufficient to supply a large natural gas export project in the state; and
WHEREAS companies operating in the state, including permit holders, oil and gas leaseholders, and other parties, have indicated an interest in investing in a trans-Alaska gas pipeline if it is economically feasible; and
WHEREAS a study recently commissioned by the State of Alaska prepared by Dr. Pedro Van Meurs indicates that the project economics could be substantially improved through changes in federal tax laws related to this project; and
WHEREAS the United States Congress recently passed similar tax changes to facilitate development of frontier deep water oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico; and
WHEREAS Dr. Van Meurs' report estimated federal tax revenues under the current structure to be $26,000,000,000, none of which will be realized if the project is not completed; and
WHEREAS there would be substantial additional benefits to the United States from the project, including increased employment opportunities across the nation and an improved trade balance with Asian countries; and
WHEREAS liquefied natural gas projects proposed for other countries are competing to meet the Asian market demand for liquefied natural gas in the 2005 to 2010 market window and could displace the Alaska project;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the United States Congress to enact tax legislation that would improve the economics and likelihood of an Alaska liquefied natural gas export project; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Governor to use his best efforts to support passage of this federal legislation.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR039
Resolve: LR039
Source Root: HJR033
Year: 1997
Source Bill: CSHJR 33 (TRA)
Relating to Federal Aviation Administration approval of installations of tundra tires on aircraft.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS, after January 21, 1997, the Federal Aviation Administration no longer allows aviation safety inspectors to issue field approvals for installation of tundra tires on aircraft; and
WHEREAS persons who wish to install tundra tires on their aircraft must now contact an aircraft certification office to obtain approval for the installation of tundra tires; and
WHEREAS tests conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration demonstrated that the installation of tundra tires on aircraft had either negligible effects or acceptable effects on aircraft handling and stall characteristics; and
WHEREAS the Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the installation of tundra tires on aircraft does not represent a hazard to safety; and
WHEREAS the Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the major cause of aircraft accidents involving aircraft with tundra tires is pilot error; and
WHEREAS discontinuing the former practice of allowing field approval of tundra tire installations will not improve air safety but will cause significant inconvenience to pilots in Alaska; and
WHEREAS the use of tundra tires has allowed Alaskans to pioneer the remote areas of Alaska and to access those areas much more safely than through the use of standard aviation tires;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Federal Aviation Administration to reinstitute the practice of allowing aviation safety inspectors to issue field approvals for tundra tire installation.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Rodney E. Slater, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation; the Honorable Barry L. Valentine, Acting Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR040
Resolve: LR040
Source Root: HJR031
Year: 1997
Source Bill: HJR 31
Requesting the United States Congress to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS improving patient access to quality health care is a paramount national goal; and
WHEREAS the key to improved health care, especially for persons with serious unmet medical needs, is the rapid approval of safe and effective new drugs, biological products, and medical devices; and
WHEREAS minimizing the delay between discovery and eventual approval of a new drug, biological product, or medical device derived from research conducted by innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies could improve the lives of millions of United States citizens; and
WHEREAS current limitations on the dissemination of information about pharmaceutical products reduce the availability of information to physicians, other health care professionals, and patients and unfairly limit the right of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS the current rules and practices governing the review of new drugs, biological products, and medical devices by the United States Food and Drug Administration can delay approvals and are unnecessarily expensive;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully urges the Congress of the United States to address the important issues described above by enacting comprehensive legislation to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 - 395) to facilitate the rapid review and approval of innovative new drugs, biological products, and medical devices, without compromising patient safety or product effectiveness.
COPIES of this resolution, properly certified, shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; to the Honorable Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR041
Resolve: LR041
Source Root: HCR006
Year: 1997
Source Bill: HCR 6
Relating to Alcohol-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects, which are birth defects related to alcohol consumption by pregnant women, can be prevented if pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant abstain from alcohol consumption; and
WHEREAS fetal alcohol syndrome results in permanent growth retardation, physical malformations, and permanent central nervous system damage, including developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems, and is most often accompanied by mental retardation; and
WHEREAS pregnant women who consume alcohol also risk having children with fetal alcohol effects, which most often include permanent developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems; and
WHEREAS fetal alcohol syndrome is the number one identifiable cause in the United States of birth defects accompanied by mental retardation and the only preventable one; and
WHEREAS alcohol-related birth defects have only recently been discovered to be a major health problem and many questions regarding them remain unanswered; and
WHEREAS the latest research shows that children with fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects are often unable to live totally independent lives; and
WHEREAS the research has also shown that additional children of a woman who has previously given birth to a child with an alcohol-related birth defect are most often born with alcohol-related birth defects in successively severe degrees if the woman continues to drink during her pregnancies; and
WHEREAS, without exception, mothers of infants born with fetal alcohol syndrome consumed alcohol during pregnancy; and
WHEREAS the Surgeon General has issued an advisory that pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant should not consume alcohol; and
WHEREAS the division of alcohol and drug abuse, Department of Health and Social Services, will be conducting a statewide campaign designed to increase awareness of fetal alcohol syndrome during the week of May 11 - 17, 1997; and
WHEREAS the legislature recognizes that the sobriety of fathers is also important to the well-being of their children and the healthy functioning of their families; and
WHEREAS the legislature wishes to acknowledge RurAL CAP's statewide activities against irresponsible use of alcohol during pregnancy;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages widespread involvement in RurAL CAP's Mother's Day Campaign, which is occurring during May 11 - 17, 1997; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Governor to proclaim both the week of Mother's Day, May 11 - 17, 1997, and the week of Father's Day, June 15 - 21, 1997, as Alcohol-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week and urges schools, health care organizations and practitioners, and other public and private agencies and individuals observe the weeks with appropriate activities.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the governing body of each school district, the State Medical Board, the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives, the Board of Nursing, RurAL CAP, and the chief executive officer of each hospital and health clinic in the state.
LR042
Resolve: LR042
Source Root: SCR018
Year: 1997
Source Bill: SCR 18
Suspending Uniform Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) of the Alaska State Legislature concerning House Bill No. 63, relating to motor fuel taxes.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
That under Rule 54 of the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, the provisions of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) of the Uniform Rules, regarding changes to the title of a bill, are suspended in consideration of House Bill No. 63, relating to motor fuel taxes.
LR043
Resolve: LR043
Source Root: SCR017
Year: 1997
Source Bill: SCR 17
Suspending Uniform Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) of the Alaska State Legislature concerning House Bill No. 241, relating to the Pioneers' Home program.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
That under Rule 54 of the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, the provisions of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) of the Uniform Rules, regarding changes to the title of a bill, are suspended in consideration of House Bill No. 241, relating to the Pioneers' Home program so that the title is "An Act relating to payment assistance for costs of residing in the Alaska Pioneers' Home, and providing that certain income and assets of a resident shall be disregarded in determining payment assistance, including income from any source in an amount equal to at least $100, cash dividends and other income equal to at least $2,000 received under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, a permanent fund dividend, an amount for burial expenses of the resident, the resident's spouse and dependents of the resident, the primary residence of the resident's spouse or a dependent of the resident, and other property equal to at least a total value of $5,000; relating to claims against the estate of a beneficiary of the Pioneers' Home program; and providing for an effective date."
LR044
Resolve: LR044
Source Root: SCR015
Year: 1997
Source Bill: SCR 15
Suspending Uniform Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) of the Alaska State Legislature concerning House Bill No. 152, relating to hospice care.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
That under Rule 54 of the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, the provisions of Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e) of the Uniform Rules, regarding changes to the title of a bill, are suspended in consideration of House Bill No. 152, relating to hospice care.
98
LR045
Resolve: LR045
Source Root: HJR007
Year: 1998
Source Bill: HJR 7
Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to notice of committee meetings held during the first week of a first regular session.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
* Section 1. Rule 23(a), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, is amended to read:
(a) Written notice of the time, place and subject matter of all meetings of standing, special, and joint committees during a week shall be provided by the person who chairs the committee to the chief clerk or secretary by 4:00 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the week of the meeting, except that, during the first week of the first regular session, not less than 24 hours notice must be given [PRECEDING THURSDAY]. The person who chairs the committee to which a bill or resolution is first referred shall provide to the chief clerk or secretary written notice of the time and place of the first public hearing on the bill or resolution at least five days before the hearing. However, this requirement may be waived by motion of the person who chairs the committee to which a bill or resolution is first referred if concurred in by majority vote of the full membership of the house. The chief clerk or secretary shall publish and distribute copies of the weekly schedule of committee meetings and of the five-day notice of hearing.
LR046
Resolve: LR046
Source Root: SJR015
Year: 1998
Source Bill: CSSJR 15(FIN) am H
Relating to reauthorization of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) substantially revamped the federal-aid highway program and the federal transportation program; and
WHEREAS ISTEA gave more flexibility to state and local governments to apply innovative solutions to the transportation problems that they face; and
WHEREAS ISTEA has shifted the focus of the federal surface transportation program toward preservation of highway and transit systems, increased efficiency of existing transportation networks, and integration of transportation modes to enhance efficiency of the transportation system; and
WHEREAS the states and regional and local governments have invested time and energy in making ISTEA work and this investment should not be lost by significantly altering the programs initiated by ISTEA; and
WHEREAS the ISTEA programs can be strengthened by allowing greater flexibility between programs and within programs, by allowing greater flexibility to address maintenance needs, by reducing time- consuming federal reviews, mandates, and sanctions, and by allowing self-certification at the state level; and
WHEREAS the Federal Highway Administration has adopted a regulation requiring that a major investment study be undertaken by metropolitan planning organizations whenever the need for a major metropolitan transportation investment is identified; and
WHEREAS the major investment study requirement overlaps and duplicates planning and project development processes that are already in place under requirements for long-range planning and congestion management systems; and
WHEREAS Congress should retain the critical role of the federal government to help fund highway, bridge, ferry, and transit projects and to focus the national transportation policy on mobility, connectivity, integrity, safety, and economic competitiveness; and
WHEREAS the State of Alaska receives money under ISTEA for construction and improvement of roads, highways, and the marine highway system and for bridge replacement and rehabilitation, state and metropolitan transportation planning, transit programs, highway safety programs, and enforcement of truck and bus safety requirements; and
WHEREAS the state also receives assistance under ISTEA for transportation projects to alleviate air pollution in two areas of the state where air quality does not meet national ambient air quality standards; and
WHEREAS 4,300 miles, or about 32 percent of the total mileage, of roads in the state are eligible for federal assistance under ISTEA; and
WHEREAS the State of Alaska has relied heavily on federal assistance to support construction and improvement of the surface transportation system in the state; and
WHEREAS continued federal assistance is essential to the establishment of the surface transportation system in the state; and
WHEREAS the existing surface transportation system in Alaska needs significant repair and maintenance in order to remain a safe and efficient system; and
WHEREAS surface transportation in Alaska is subject to extreme Arctic and sub- Arctic climate and soil conditions; and
WHEREAS the State of Alaska cannot maintain or expand the surface transportation system in Alaska without continued federal assistance; and
WHEREAS the funding authorizations for federal assistance and transportation programs under ISTEA expired September 30, 1997;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Congress to reauthorize the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) as soon as possible; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Congress to authorize increased funding for surface transportation projects under ISTEA, if possible, but, in any case, to maintain the current levels of funding available under ISTEA; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Congress to allow for a portion of the enhancement set aside funds to be used to maintain or improve pioneer access trails and historical roadways; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Congress to allow for a portion of the enhancement set aside funds to be used to maintain trails and other facilities that are constructed under that program; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Congress to authorize greater use of ISTEA funds for maintenance and repair of existing roads and highways; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Congress to eliminate the requirement for major investment studies under 23 C.F.R. 450.318 as part of the reauthorization of ISTEA; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests the Congress to authorize greater flexibility in the construction of low volume roads suited to Alaska's remoteness and sub-Arctic and Arctic environment.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable John McCain, Chair, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, U.S. Senate; and the Honorable Bud Shuster, Chair, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Rodney E. Slater, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR047
Resolve: LR047
Source Root: HJR039
Year: 1998
Source Bill: HJR 39
Urging the United States Congress to enact legislation that prohibits the President of the United States from extending or establishing national monuments without the express authorization of the Congress.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the Antiquities Act of 1906 (16 U.S.C. 431 - 433) grants authority to the President of the United States to establish national monuments; and
WHEREAS the Antiquities Act was intended to preserve only historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest; and
WHEREAS the Antiquities Act has been misused repeatedly to set aside enormous parcels of real property; and
WHEREAS the establishment in 1996 of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah set aside 1,700,000 acres of land, despite the objections of public officials in the State of Utah, making it the largest national monument in the continental United States; and
WHEREAS this designation clearly violates the spirit and letter of the Antiquities Act that requires monument lands to "be confined to the smallest area" necessary to preserve and protect historical areas or objects; and
WHEREAS the creation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has resulted in the loss of significant economic resources for the public schools and the taxpayers of the State of Utah; and
WHEREAS the power to establish national monuments can be checked only in limited circumstances; and
WHEREAS, in 1950, the State of Wyoming obtained statutory relief from the further establishment of national monuments without the express authorization of the Congress (16 U.S.C. 431a);
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests that the United States Congress enact legislation prohibiting the President of the United States from further extending or establishing national monuments without the express authorization of the Congress; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages the Governor to take action to encourage the federal government to provide the state with statutory relief from the establishment of national monuments in Alaska.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Strom Thurmond, President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Trent Lott, Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Thomas Daschle, Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Dick Armey, Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Richard A. Gephardt, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives; the Honorable Orin Hatch and the Honorable Robert Bennett, U.S. Senators of the Utah delegation; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR048
Resolve: LR048
Source Root: HCR019
Year: 1998
Source Bill: SCS HCR 19(HES)
Relating to the Alaska Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Council.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS Alaska has a long-standing commitment to serving its disabled citizens, including the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind; and
WHEREAS, based on national average rates, Alaska's population probably includes approximately 60,000 people who have hearing loss ranging from mild to severe; and
WHEREAS Alaska lifestyles include many activities that can cause hearing impairment, including travel by air and operation of four-wheelers, chain saws, snow machines, and other equipment; and
WHEREAS, although the hearing impaired represent the largest disability group in the United States, they are one of the most misunderstood and least served disability groups; and
WHEREAS the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind require many types of services, including rehabilitation, education, deaf interpretation, independent living, correctional, and mental health services; and
WHEREAS many deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind Alaskans experience drug and alcohol problems and live in communities with limited or no access to appropriate services; and
WHEREAS the several agencies, offices, and councils that provide services to the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind often develop policies and programs without adequate input from professional providers of these services or their consumers; and
WHEREAS coordination of services for this disability group could result in more efficient and effective service delivery; and
WHEREAS the Alaska Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Council (ADC) has been operating unofficially for several years as a referral center and clearinghouse of information for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind; and
WHEREAS several agencies that provide services to Alaska's deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind residents have expressed willingness to expand their financial support of the ADC in order to extend its effectiveness; and
WHEREAS the ADC has obtained a business license and certification as a nonprofit organization under sec. 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code; and
WHEREAS additional visibility in the community of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind, and the providers of professional services to these consumers, would help the ADC attract additional funding through grants, private fund raising, and donations; and
WHEREAS operation of the ADC does not require, nor is expected to require, funding from state government;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature recognizes the Alaska Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Council (ADC) as a statewide information clearinghouse and services referral center for issues affecting the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that private citizens, state agencies, schools, social service providers, private foundations, and all other parties who deal with the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind are encouraged to support the ADC and to use its services whenever appropriate.
A COPY of this resolution shall be sent to the Alaska Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Council, 731 Gambell, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99501-3754.
LR049
Resolve: LR049
Source Root: HJR026
Year: 1998
Source Bill: HJR 26
Urging support of the 1998 International People First Conference.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the 1998 International People First Conference will be held in Anchorage on April 23 - 25, 1998, at the Egan Convention Center; and
WHEREAS this conference is expected to link at least 1,000 participants from 41 countries in an effort to develop the leadership skills of developmentally disabled persons so that they can help themselves and other developmentally disabled persons to self-advocate and live independently; and
WHEREAS the conference is co-chaired by Joe Pichler, treasurer of People First of Alaska, and Beverly Tallman, University of Alaska Anchorage, Center for Human Development; and
WHEREAS the positive economic effect of the conference on the Anchorage area could be as high as $1,000,000; and
WHEREAS the success of the conference will depend on the involvement of corporations, businesses, and others in advance planning, funding, and the various activities necessary to accommodate a conference of this type;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature commends the involvement of the committee members who are working on this international conference, including members of The ARC of Anchorage, Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau, Access Alaska, Special Olympics Alaska, Hope Cottages, the Alaska division of vocational rehabilitation, and PARENTS; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges corporations, businesses, service clubs, school groups, and other persons to offer support to help make the conference an example of the finest welcome that the state has to offer.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to People First of Alaska, c/o The ARC of Anchorage, 2211 Arca Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508; and to the 1998 International People First Conference, Conference Headquarters, 2330 Nichols Street, Anchorage, AK 99508.
LR050
Resolve: LR050
Source Root: HCR005
Year: 1998
Source Bill: SCS CSSSHJR 49(RES)
Relating to opposition to a moratorium on the building of roads in the roadless areas of national forests.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the Clinton Administration has directed the United States Department of Agriculture to establish an interim policy regarding roadless areas in national forests; and
WHEREAS the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is considering a proposed two-year moratorium on the building of roads in those roadless areas; and
WHEREAS the National Forest Management Act of 1976 requires that amendments to a forest plan be done in accordance with regulations that, among other things, allow the public to participate in the development, review, and revision of land management plans for national forests such as the Tongass National Forest and the Chugach National Forest; and
WHEREAS the Chugach National Forest land management plan revision was initiated in April of 1997, and this plan revision process is the appropriate venue for addressing road building and roadless area issues in the Chugach National Forest; and
WHEREAS, after an extensive public process, the Tongass Land Management Plan has already considered the management of roadless areas on the Tongass National Forest; and
WHEREAS the application of such a moratorium to the Tongass National Forest would be a unilateral amendment to the Tongass Land Management Plan, which the Forest Service has just revised at a cost to taxpayers exceeding $13,000,000; and
WHEREAS, under the Tongass Land Management Plan, the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, plans to offer an average of only 200,000,000 board feet of timber annually, which is far below the 300,000,000 board feet needed for the timber industry as determined by the Governor’s Timber Task Force; and
WHEREAS the proposed moratorium could eliminate the timber industry that remains in Southeast Alaska by reducing the allowable sale quantity on the Tongass National Forest to nearly zero; and
WHEREAS application of the proposed moratorium in the state also violates the spirit of the "no more" provision of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), which prohibits federal agencies from establishing new wilderness areas in the state without an act of Congress;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature opposes any moratorium on the development of the roadless areas of national forests that overrides the forest planning process provided for by the National Forest Management Act of 1976, which allows full public participation in decisions affecting the multiple use of national forest lands; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature opposes any moratorium, restriction, or unilateral amendment to the Tongass Land Management Plan and the Chugach Land Management Plan that overrides the forest planning process required by the National Forest Management Act of 1976, which allows full public participation in decisions affecting the multiple use of national forest lands.
COPIES of this resolution shall be sent to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States; the Honorable Al Gore, Jr., Vice-President of the United States and President of the U.S. Senate; the Honorable Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture; and to the Honorable Ted Stevens and the Honorable Frank Murkowski, U.S. Senators, and the Honorable Don Young, U.S. Representative, members of the Alaska delegation in Congress.
LR051
Resolve: LR051
Source Root: SCR002
Year: 1998
Source Bill: CSSCR 2(RES)
Relating to management of Alaska's wildlife resources.
_______________
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
WHEREAS the Constitution of the State of Alaska requires that the replenishable resources of Alaska shall be managed on a sustained yield basis; and
WHEREAS the elected leaders of Alaska have the responsibility to protect the people, land, and resources of Alaska by ensuring that the constitutional mandate for sustained yield management of Alaska's resources is followed; and
WHEREAS shortages currently exist in numerous wildlife populations in Alaska and are continuing unabated; and
WHEREAS it is in the best interest of all Alaskans that the replenishable resources of Alaska are biologically managed for abundance; and
WHEREAS an abundance of wildlife will benefit all user groups and will greatly reduce competition among Alaskans for wildlife resources; and
WHEREAS the Alaska Board of Fisheries, the Alaska Board of Game, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have the responsibility for management of Alaska's wildlife resources;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature declares its intent to do everything within the scope of its powers, duties, and responsibilities to manage Alaska's wildlife resources on a biological basis for abundance; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests Governor Tony Knowles, the Alaska Board of Fisheries, the Alaska Board of Game, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game do everything within the scope of their powers, duties, and responsibilities to manage Alaska's wildlife resources on a biological basis for abundance; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature respectfully requests Governor Tony Knowles, the Alaska Board of Fisheries, the Alaska Board of Game, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to use their significant powers and influence to develop and implement regulations, policies, and programs to restore an abundance of wildlife in Alaska using all methods and means available to accomplish this goal, as quickly as possible.
