PO Box 20891
Juneau, AK
99802-089

Weekly Legislative Update 2010

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Session Two of the 26^th Legislature runs January 19-April 18, 2010.

The House Finance Fiscal Policy Subcommittee was created this week.  Rep. Austerman will chair the new committee.  Through a press release Rep. Austerman stated: "We're not looking for a quick fix. I envision a conversation that lasts throughout 2010 and brings us into the 2011 session with a pathway for future legislatures to execute a fiscal plan.  My goal is to have a realistic and honest conversation about the future of life in Alaska with declining oil. We tend to look to the gas pipeline as the next great thing," Austerman said. "But that's not a certainty. Today we depend on oil for nine out of ten dollars that pay for state government. We need to plan for a different future. I and all legislators need to ask ourselves this question: how can we use the wealth of today to support tomorrow's needs?"

A group of Representatives also formed the Liberty Caucus to promote conservative principles in state government. The caucus' guiding principles are fiscal discipline, personal responsibility, constitutionally-limited government, respect for family values, and free enterprise.  The caucus hopes to provide a forum for improved communications and more effective representation of a new and growing conservative constituency in Rep. Kelly, R-Fairbanks, was asked to act as spokesman for the caucus pending officer elections after the group is up to speed.

The Governor submitted the supplemental budget this week.  The appropriations bill includes a deposit of $1.1 billion in the Public Education Fund for the purpose of funding K-12 education and pupil transportation in the next fiscal year and approximately $402 million to repay the Constitutional Budget Reserve.  The supplemental request also covers unanticipated increases in fire suppression activities and replenishing the disaster-relief fund in response to flooding and other emergencies. State and federal funds of approximately $90 million are requested for formula program costs, given the increases in enrollments, program utilization and the cost of Medicaid services in FY2010.

Legislative Committee Assignments: 

Go to BASIS committee assignments list:

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/commbr_info.asp?session=26

NEW BILLS: Look here for legislation introduced during the previous week.  Click on the bill number to access the bill.

GOVERNMENT

 Bill:                         HB 323

Sponsor:                RLS by request

Title:                       Increase Number of Superior Court Judges

Referrals:              JUD, FIN

Content:                Adds one judge to the third judicial district.  Companion bill to SB 246 introduced last week.

Bill:         SB 249

Sponsor:                Ellis

Title:       Public Records/Electronic Transmissions

Referrals:              STA, JUD

Content:                Adds an electronic transmission, including a text message, an instant message, electronic mail, or any other form of communication not directly involving the physical transmission of paper that creates a record that can be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient of the communication and that can be reproduced in paper form through an automated process to the definition of public record. Requires public officers taking or withholding official action by electronic transmission that the transmission must be delivered through a system that is operated and maintained by the state.   Restricts the fee for copying public records to only cost of materials and supplies used to duplicate the records established by the public agency and may not include the labor costs or overhead costs associated with the duplication.

Bill:         SJR 21

Sponsor:                CRA

Title:       Const.Am:  Increase Number of Legislators

Referrals:              JUD, FIN

Content:                Increases the number of representatives to 48 and the number of senators to 24.  It’s scheduled for a hearing in JUD on Monday.

OTHER

Bill:                         HB 327

Sponsor:                Johansen

Title:                       Controlled Substances: Dextromethorphan

Referrals:              JUD

Content:                Classifies Salvia divinorum as Schedule II A Controlled Substance; amends Schedule III A definitions to include any material, compound, mixture, or preparation of the narcotic drug buprenorphine or its salts; establishes restrictions on the sale of products containing dextromethorphan including requiring a photo id to prove the buyer is over 18 and either marking the product as for sale to only persons 18 or older or limiting access to the product by placing it behind a counter or other similar means

Bill:                         SB 251

Sponsor:                Davis

Title:                       Nurse Licensure Compact

Referrals:              HSS, L&C, FIN

Content:                Inserts the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact into statute.  The compact specifies when and how nurses can move from one state into another and practice in states in which they have not been licensed.

UPDATES:  Look here to track bills of interest

HB 76, Legislative Council and LB&A membership, sponsored by Gruenberg and Buch, passed H STA.  It’s next referral is FIN.

HB 307. Sexual Assault Protective Orders, sponsored by Holmes and Fairclough, passed the House and was referred to S JUD.  It is scheduled for a hearing on the 10^th.

SB 92, US Presidential Election Compact, sponsored by Davis, passed STA.

Its next referral is JUD.

SB 238, Medicaid for Medical & Intermediate Care, sponsored by Davis, passed HSS.  Its next referral is FIN.

COMMITTEE SCHEDULE:  Look here for committee meetings for the coming week.  Bill hearings OFTEN change.  If you are planning to testify it is a good idea to check the committee calendar the day of the hearing.  Go to BASIS Committee schedules:

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/hearing_form.asp?session=26

Monday, Feb. 8th

8:00 am                 H HSS FIN SUB Division of Behavioral Health

                                H ED  HB 235 Prof Student Exchange Loan Forgiveness

1:00 pm H JUD    HB 298 SEX OFFENSES; OFFENDER REGIS.; SENTENCING                                                                               HB 316  POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING; EVIDENCE

1:30 pm H FIN     HB 36 INITIATIVES: CONTRIBUTIONS/ PROCEDURES

                S HSS     SCR 12 FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS DAY

                                SB 215 PIONEERS HOME RX DRUG BENEFIT 

                S JUD     SB 246 INCREASING NUMBER OF SUPERIOR CT JUDGES                                                                               SJR 21 CONST. AM: INCREASE NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS

4:00 pm H EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT FIN SUB Teaching and                                   Learning Support: Statewide Mentoring, Teacher Certification, Child                                              Nutrition

Tuesday, Feb. 9th

8:00 am S HSS FIN SUB Public Assistance (PA) Programs: LEAN  Approach,                                      Adult PA Senior Benefit Payments, Child Care Assistance, and Heating                                                Assistance

9:00 am S FIN      Budget Bills--Operating, Mental Health, Deferred Maintenance,                                                                              Supplemental/Capital 

1:30 pm H FIN     Budget Bills--Deferred Maintenance; Supplemental/Capital  

2:00 pm S L&C    SB 247, Extending Board of Pharmacy

                                SB 248, Extend Bd of Marital & Family Therapy

3:00 pm H HSS    HJR 35 CONST AM: HEALTH CARE

                                HB 168 TRAUMA CARE CENTERS/FUND

Wednesday, Feb. 10th

8:00 am H HSS FIN SUB  Division of Public Health; Mental Health Trust

9:00 am                 Budget Bills, Deferred maintenance, supplemental/capital, operating,                                                                    mental health

11:00 am              JOINT SESSION Annual State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice

Noon                      JOINT HEALTH CAUCUS- Commissioning Healthy, Safe Families

1:00 pm H JUD    HB 316 POST-CONVICTION DNA TESTING; EVIDENCE

1:30 pm H FIN     Budget bills--deferred maintenance; supplemental/capital

                S HSS     SB 168 TRAUMA CARE CENTERS/FUND

                                SB 169 APPROP: TRAUMA CARE FUND

                S JUD     HB 307 SEXUAL ASSAULT PROTECTIVE ORDERS 

3:30pm  S ADMIN FIN SUB Violent Crimes Compensation Board

Thursday, Feb. 11th

8:00 am S HSS FIN SUB Medicaid, FMAP, Provider Rates, Denali  KidCare                                        Update

8:30 am H DPS FIN SUB Budget Overview & Follow-up from 02/04 Meeting

9:00 am S STA     SB 244 GOVERNOR'S DUTY STATION/TRAVEL                                                                                                     ALLOWANCES

11:00 am              H LAW FIN SUB Overview: Criminal Division Budget Request

1:30 pm S DPS FIN SUB Status of VPSO Program and Recruitment Efforts for                                   Them and the State Troopers  

3:00 pm                 H HSS HB 260 MEDICAID: PREVENTIVE CARE/DISEASE MGT.

                                                SB 101 STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES AND SURVEYS

                                                 HB 309 DENTAL CARE INSURANCE

Friday

1:30 pm S JUD     HB 6 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 

                                SB 214 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

                H FIN     HB 36 INITIATIVES: CONTRIBUTIONS/ PROCEDURES

                S HSS     SCR 12 FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS DAY

                                SB 215 PIONEERS HOME RX DRUG BENEFIT

                S JUD     SB 246 INCREASING NUMBER OF SUPERIOR CT JUDGES                                                                                SJR 21 CONST. AM: INCREASE NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS

                                SB 252, FAILURE TO APPEAR; RELEASE PROCEDURES

Download legislators contact information:

http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/docs/pdf/whoswho.pdf

Governor’s Corner:

View the FY11 Budget

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/omb/11_omb/budget/index_FY11_Operating.htm

Read the Governor’s state of the state address

http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=5246

The Governor announced appointment of two District Court Judges this week.  Paul E. Olson of Anchorage was appointed to the Anchorage District Court, and David L. Zwink of Wasilla was appointed to the Palmer District Court.  Alaska’s District Courts have jurisdiction over state misdemeanors and violations of city and borough ordinances. They may also hold preliminary hearings in felony cases, try civil cases valued at less than $100,000 and small claims cases valued at less than $10,000, hear domestic violence cases, and issue summonses, arrest warrants and search warrants.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2010 Women's Summit, to be held March 18 & 19 in Juneau.  The theme for this year is Interpersonal Violence in Alaska: Why Alaska Ranks at the Top and Strategies for Success.  Please join keynote speaker, Rebecca Levenson, Senior Policy Analyst with the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), as we discuss innovative approaches to addressing the issue of interpersonal violence in Alaska. 

A nationally recognized speaker, she has worked extensively in the area of reproductive and perinatal health within community clinics and home visitation programs for the past 15 years.  Currently Ms. Levenson is a co-principal investigator for an NIH funded research study, examining the effectiveness of a brief intervention for victims of pregnancy pressure, birth control sabotage and violence in reproductive health settings.  She will share findings from this research and evidence based solutions for addressing the issue. 

Others sessions at the Summit include presentations on sex trafficking and sexual violence in Alaska,  new ways to educate teenagers about interpersonal violence, legislative visits, a networking lunch with legislative staff lunch and more.  For more information on the Summit or to reserve a seat at the luncheon, please call 334.3055 or email geran@arjalaska.org.

Legislative Fly-Ins

February 24 & 25 Alaska Nurse's Association

March 30 & 31 Alaska Pharmacist's Association