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Dear Neighbors,
The Legislature is continuing to work on a variety of issues facing the state. I thought you'd like to get an update on what the Senate
has been doing regarding the fiscal gap and get a glimpse of some of the other issues on which Senate committees are working.
If you would like to know what the House is working on, please give me a call or go to www.legis.state.ak.us/basis and click on the link
for Committee Meeting and Public Hearing Schedules near the bottom right of the page.
Senate Finance Committee Works to Address the Fiscal Gap
SJR 3 by Senator Dyson
Would establish a constitutional spending limit. I have co-sponsored this resolution. It has had six work sessions in Senate Finance so
far (including this morning) in addition to several hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The resolution is almost ready to be
moved out of the committee.
SJR 18, by the Joint Legislative Budget and Audit Committee
Would enact the Percent of Market Value (POMV) approach to managing the Permanent Fund. This resolution could be referred to as
a “straight POMV” proposal, as it does not indicate how earnings would be distributed. Specific information about POMV can be found
at www.apfc.org/pomv/index.cfm.
SB 374 Permanent Fund Income Distribution, by Senator Ben Stevens
Would change state law to allow use of incoming mineral revenues to offset a portion of the inflation proofing transfers from the
earnings of the Permanent Fund to the principal of the Permanent Fund. The bill also directs a portion of the earnings to be transferred
to the Constitutional Budget Reserve on an annual basis. This would assist in meeting the legal requirement that CBR funds used to fill
the fiscal gap must be re-paid. It would also extend the life of the CBR for at least ten years, providing a means of balancing our budget
until more income from resource development is likely. That would limit the need for new personal taxes in that time period. I've asked
for additional work sessions on this bill.
SB 326 Permanent Fund Investments, by the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee
Would clarify investment guidelines for the Alaska Permanent Fund to explicitly authorize certain investments under a basket clause that
allows the trustees to invest up to 5 percent of the Fund in investments that are restricted under the statutory list, but are appropriate
under the prudent investor rule. It also increases the percentage that can be invested under the basket clause up to 10 percent. This bill
is awaiting final action in the committee.
SB 366 State Sales Tax, by Senator Ben Stevens
Would enact a statewide sales tax with standard exceptions that would override a municipality's existing exemptions. There is a revenue
sharing provision for those communities that currently have a local sales tax. Those communities with a local sales tax at 3% or higher
would be remitted a portion of state's tax. This bill is still a work in progress.
SJR 32 by Senator Elton
Would establish the Percent of Market Value (POMV) approach to managing the Permanent Fund, and would place in the Constitution
that 80% of the earnings would fund PFDs and leaves the remaining 20% to the Legislature's discretion. This resolution is awaiting final
action by the committee.
Other bills and ideas being considered by the committee include:
SJR 19 by Senator Lincoln and SJR 24 by Senator Ogan. Both resolutions would place the PFD in the Constitution and require a vote of
Alaskans to make any changes to the current PFD calculations.
Senator Therriault offered the committee his proposal to authorize a second PFD payment to be mailed to qualified Alaskans after the
November election if voters approve the POMV approach. An additional hearing is pending on this proposal.
Senate Committee Schedule for March 31, 2004
Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee
SB 361, Small Cruise Ship Discharges
Would enact a regulatory system that allows older small commercial passenger vessels to continue to operate in Alaska waters, while
taking steps to minimize discharges and harm to the marine environment from vessel activities.
Senate Finance
SB 357, Insurance (passed from Senate Finance this morning)
This is a housekeeping bill for the Division of Insurance re: regulation of insurance, insurance fraud, etc.
SB 366, State Sales Tax (scheduled for another hearing tomorrow)
See above list of Senate Finance Committee hearings.
Senate Health, Education and Social Services
SB 248, High School Competency Exams/Diplomas
This bill would allow all high school juniors to be exempted from the requirement to pass the exit exam if their teacher, principal,
superintendent and a state level board each agree that the student's schoolwork proves they have learned all the standards tested on the
exam.
SB 372, Secondary School Assessments
This bill would allow all students with disabilities (both those with severe cognitive disabilities and those who have average or
above-average intelligence and some learning disability) to get a diploma if they cannot pass the exit exam but did pass some type of
individualized assessment.
Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 340, Damages in Construction Claims
Would allow courts to limit awards to reasonable costs and expenses in cases of building design, construction or remodeling except in
instances of gross negligence, or reckless or intentional misconduct.
SB 340, Detention of Minors
Discusses the circumstances under which minors may be held in detention.
HB 349, Illegally Obtained Evidence
Under this bill, statements made during a criminal investigation before a Miranda warning was issued may be used to impeach a
defendant's or witness's testimony if the statement was made voluntarily and not coerced and does not violate the defendant's or
witness's rights.
HB 513, CSED Name Change/Driver’s License Suspension
Changes the name of the Child Support Enforcement Division to Child Support Services Division. Also relates to the enforcement of
child support orders through the suspension of drivers’ licenses.
Senate Resources
HJR 34, Federal Training and Assistance for Fishermen
Requests federal agencies to extend various benefits to Alaska fishermen under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Act.
The committee will also hear information about Alaska Stranded Gas applications.
If you would like a complete House and Senate hearing schedule for the entire week, it is available on the Bill Action and Status Inquiry
System (BASIS) at . Just click on the link for “Committee Meeting and Public Hearing Schedules” located
near the bottom right of the page. Committee meeting schedules will be published there for the coming week after 4:00 on Thursdays.
If you would like more information on any of the bills being considered by the Legislature, please get in touch with me.
Also, you should have received my session letter and survey by now. If you didn't, it is available on my website at
. Please do fill it out and return it. Representative democracy works
best when legislators hear from their constituents.
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