The first session of the 26^th Alaska State Legislature came to a non-controversial end Sunday evening.  The spotlight ended up shining on Dennis Egan who was accepted by Senate Democrats and sworn in as Juneau’s newest Senator which put an end to that controversy. 

The session ended with the House and Senate passing a grand total of 52 pieces of legislation; 37 sponsored by the House and 15 sponsored by the Senate.  Although it is likely this is one of the lowest numbers of bills passed in recent history, I don’t believe this is a bad thing.  The focus this session was on the operating and capital budgets, particularly in light of falling oil prices this past year, sorting out the federal stimulus funding and whether or not strings were attached and several pieces of legislation that were considered major reforms; combining all the electrical utilities, energy, in-state gas, parental consent for abortions, capital punishment and health care.  I suspect a number of these issues are going to be addressed during the interim and I will try and keep you posted on dates, places and times meetings occur as the information becomes available.

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MAJORITY LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHT SUCCESSFUL 1ST SESSION

2009′s focus was on tightening state purse strings & federal stimulus funding

Sunday, April 19, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska State House today adjourned the first session of the 26th Alaska Legislature after passing the final appropriation bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 and FY 2010.

The House Majority Caucus strove to carefully and responsibly examine state expenditures in light of the drop in world oil prices and recession. At the same time, the Co-Chairs of the House Finance Committee worked with their Senate peers to craft a maintenance-level operating budget, House Bill (HB) 81, take full advantage of federal stimulus dollars available to Alaska in the non-transportation stimulus bill, HB 199, and keep the state economy moving with a reasonable and prudent capital spending plan, SB 75.

Yesterday, the House and Senate met in joint session to consider the appointments of a number of Alaskans for various boards and commissions and appointments to the Governor’s cabinet.  One of the most controversial appointments up for vote was Wayne Anthony Ross as the Attorney General.

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  CHENAULT REPEALS STATUTES NOT BEING USED

HB 170 repeals use of day fines for misdemeanors

Friday, April 17, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska State Senate today passed House Bill (HB) 170, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, repealing state statutes pertaining to day fines.

 HB 170 passed the Senate unanimously.

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 LEGISLATURE PASSES DO NOT CALL REGISTRY FOR CELL PHONES

Chenault’s HB 93 protects consumers from unwanted solicitation 

Thursday, April 16, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska State Senate today passed House Bill (HB) 93, sponsored by House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, to bring Alaska State Statutes in line with federal law, which allows individuals to add their home telephone or cellular telephone to the “Do Not Call Registry.”

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 HOUSE PRE-AUTHORIZES STATE BONDING,

INVESTMENT IN ENERGY PROJECTS

Chenault’s HB 44 offers avenues to address energy needs

Wednesday, April 15, 2009, Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska State House today passed House Bill (HB) 44, legislation pre-authorizing state agencies to issue bonds for energy-related programs and projects.

House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, sponsored the bill, which passed by a vote of 34 to 5.

The Administration is proposing the use of stimulus funds in place of general funds for education funding.  This review from Larry Persily of Representative Hawker’s office warns that there may be some negative consequences should this approach be taken by the Legislature and/or the Administration.

We are slowly but surely starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Today is the 84^th day of session which means we have 6 days remaining.  I have two personal bills in the Senate: House Bill 93 – Do Not Call Registry/Cell-Mobile Phones is on tomorrow’s Senate Labor and Commerce Committee schedule; House Bill 170 -  Repeal Day Fines has passed out of the Senate State Affairs Committee and is expected to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee within the next couple of days.

CS for HB113(FIN) – Supplemental

CSHB113(FIN), the supplemental spending bill for this fiscal year passed the House on Friday, April 10.  This bill was originally submitted by the Governor.

Hb 113 contained operating and capital expenses in a number of different categories.  The following action was taken by the House Finance Committee in each of the categories to arrive at the adopted Committee Substitute.

Sometime today, the House will pass out the Federal Economic Stimulus Non-Transportation Appropriation Bill (CSHB199) over to the Senate. 

 The bill includes all Non Transportation stimulus funding (operating and capital) except for the Unemployment Compensation amount of $15,600.

 The bill appropriates $527.3 million and includes the following items: