HB 14 : Permanent Fund Allowable Absences
Signed into Law! Chapter 116 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Hugh Fate

An Act relating to an absence from the state while providing care for a terminally ill grandparent for purposes of determining eligibility for a permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date.

06-18-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 14 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Hugh "Bud" Fate (R-Fairbanks), HB 14 expands the legal definition of a family to include grandparents. This addition allows Alaskans to leave state for an extended amount of time to provide care for terminally ill grandparents without fear of losing eligibility for the permanent fund dividend.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 77 : William Ransom Wood Centennial Bridge
Signed into Law! Chapter 5 SLA 03
Sponsored by Sen. Gary Wilken

An Act naming the William Ransom Wood Centennial Bridge in Fairbanks.

04-09-03 : Governor Murkowski signed Senate Bill 77 into law on Wednesday. Sponsored by Sen. Gary Wilken (R-Fairbanks), SB 77 would name the Fairbanks Riverwalk Centennial Bridge in honor of a true visionary and leader for Alaska, Dr. William Ransom Wood.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 348 : Approve Flint Hills Royalty Oil Sale
Signed into Law! Chapter 6 SLA 04
Sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault

An Act approving the sale of royalty oil by the State of Alaska to Flint Hills Resources Alaska, LLC, and Flint Hills Resources, LLC; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS SB 348 (FIN)
Contact: Joe Balash, 465-4797
Action: 03-10-04: Signed into Law

The governor signed SB 348 into law March 9. It grants legislative approval to a contract for the sale of state royalty oil to Flint Hills Resources. The terms of the contract will result in increased state revenues of $2.6 million to $8.4 million.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Fact Sheet | [PDF - 1 Page - 31 KB]

HB 51 : Labeling Of Prescribed Drugs
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by Rep. Paul Seaton

An Act requiring pharmacists to include generic drug information on containers in which brand-name prescription drug orders are dispensed.

Version: CS HB 51 (HES)
Contact: Chris Knight, 465-6867
Action: 05-08-03: Passed the Senate

House Bill 51 moved out of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Tuesday. Sponsored by Rep. Paul Seaton (R-Homer), HB 51 requires pharmacists to include the generic drug name on containers of a brand name drug. The requirement aims inform people of a brand name drug's generic name and prevent them from mistakenly overdosing on the same drug. House Bill 51 awaits assignment to its next Senate committee.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 80 : Prohibit Soft Drinks In School
Sponsored by Rep. Mary Kapsner

An Act prohibiting sales of certain soft drinks in public schools.

| Sponsor Statement | [PDF - 1 Page - 5 KB]

HB 84 : Alaska History Curriculum
Passed House!
Sponsored by Rep. Mary Kapsner

An Act relating to a curriculum for Alaska history; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS HB 84 (HES)
Contact: Mary Kapsner, 465-4942
Action: 05-09-04: Passed the House

HB 84 recommends at least on semester of Alaska history to be taught in Alaska schools.

| Sponsor Statement | [PDF - 1 Page - 8 K]

HB 91 : Retired Peace Officer's Medical Benefits
Passed House!
Sponsored by Rep. Tom Anderson

An Act relating to medical benefits for retired peace officers after 20 years of credited service.

Version: CS HB 91 (FIN)
Contact: Josh Applebee, 465-4939
Action: 03-08-04: (S)STA ==> (S)L&C

HB 91 allows peace officers to collect their Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) and major medical benefits at the same time they are eligible for normal retirement, which is after 20 years of service. Currently, peace officers must work 25 years before collecting major medical benefits and must be 65 years old to receive their COLA. HB 91 returns these requirements back to their 1986 criteria.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 102 : Concealed Deadly Weapons Legal
Signed into Law! Chapter 62 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Eric Croft

An Act relating to concealed deadly weapons.

HB 115 : Extend Alaska Minerals Commission
Sponsored by Rep. Beth Kerttula

An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission.

| Sponsor Statement | [PDF - 1 Page - 70 KB]

HB 127 : Roadside Memorials
Signed into Law! Chapter 125 SLA 03
Sponsored by Rep. Jim Whitaker

An Act allowing certain roadside memorials to be placed within the right-of-way of a state highway.

06-18-03 : Gov. Murkowski signed HB 127 into law. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Whitaker (R-Fairbanks), HB 127 allows for roadside memorials within the right-of-way on state highways.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 147 : William Ransom Wood Centennial Bridge
Sponsored by Rep. Jim Holm

An Act naming the William Ransom Wood Centennial Bridge in Fairbanks.

03-11-03 : House Bill 147 moved out of the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Holm (R-Fairbanks), HB 147 names the Fairbanks Riverwalk Centennial Bridge in honor of former University of Alaska President Dr. William Ransom Wood. HB 147 moves to the House Rules Committee.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 304 : Jack Coghill Bridge To The Interior
Signed into Law! Chapter 7 SLA 04
Sponsored by Rep. John Coghill

An Act naming the Jack Coghill Bridge to the Interior.

Version: HB 304
Contact: Rynnieva Moss, 465-3719
Action: 02-25-04: Passed the Senate ==> awaiting transmission to Gov.

This bill names Bridge #216, which currently has no name, the "Jack Coghill Bridge to the Interior" to commemorate the contributions of one of Alaska's great citizens. Jack Coghill has served the state in various positions throughout the twentieth century.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 333 : Public School Endowment
Passed House!
Sponsored by Rep. Dan Ogg, Rep. John Coghill, Rep. Jim Holm

An Act relating to an endowment for public education; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS HB 333 (FIN)
Contact: Cliff Stone, 465-2487
Action: 04-28-04: Passed the House

House Bill 333 would establish a separate education fund of the state. The principal of the fund would be created by sums transferred to the account by the commissioner of revenue each year. This sum would equal the total receipts derived from the management of state and University of Alaska lands as established in AS 14.40.507. Amended to make minor languages changes.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 426 : Tourism & Recreation Assessment/Car Tax
Sponsored by Rep. Pete Kott

An Act relating to the levy and collection of an assessment on certain tourism-related and recreation-related goods and services, to tourism marketing contracts, and to vehicle rental taxes; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS HB 426 EDT
Contact: Sue Stancliff, 465-3777
Action: 03-16-04: (H)EDT ==> (H)L&C

Collects a 2% tax on certain tourism related business. It is intended that these revenues got the Marketing of Alaska. Minor conceptual amendments were offered by the committee.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 472 : Claims Against Health Care Providers
Sponsored by the Rep. Tom Anderson

An Act relating to claims for personal injury or wrongful death against health care providers; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS HB 472 (JUD)
Contact: Josh Applebee, 465-4954
Action: 03-22-04: (H)JUD ==> (H)RLS

HB 472 seeks to establish a predictable risk assessment environment for medical liability insurance carriers doing business in Alaska. Alaska's medical liability system is on the verge of a break down. amended to limit damages and provide clear and convincing evidence that a wrongful death was a result of reckless or intentional misconduct.

| Sponsor Statement

HCR 1 : Congratulate Governor/Lt. Governor
Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn

Honoring Governor Frank H. Murkowski and Lieutenant Governor Loren D. Leman for their years of public service; and congratulating Governor Murkowski and Lieutenant Governor Leman and extending them best wishes.

HCR 2 : Extend Alaska Railroad To Ft. Greely
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 12
Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn

Relating to the extension of the Alaska Railroad to Fort Greely to serve the anti-ballistic missile launch facility.

04-11-03 : The Alaska State Senate approved House Concurrent Resolution 2 by a vote of 16 to one on Friday. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn (R-Anchorage), HCR 2 supports a 70-mile extension of the Alaska Railroad from the vicinity of Eielson Air Force Base to the Fort Greely anti-ballistic missile launch facility near Delta Junction.
Permanently Filed: 05-02-03.

| Sponsor Statement |

HCR 3 : Support Roads/Hot Springs Loop Road
Sponsored by Rep. Jim Holm

Relating to economic development generated by new road construction and to the design and construction of the Hot Springs Loop Road to connect Chena Hot Springs and Circle Hot Springs.

HCR 11 : Alaska Salmon Day
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 15
Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Wolf

Relating to Alaska Salmon Day.

05-01-03 : The Alaska State Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 11 by a vote of 19 to zero on Friday. Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Wolf (R-Kenai), HCR 11 proclaims July 2, 2003 as "Alaska Wild Salmon Week" to recognize the salmon industry's significance to the state.
Permanently Filed: 05-09-03.

| Sponsor Statement |

HCR 12 : Honoring Congressman Don Young
Sponsored by Rep. Bill Stoltze

Commemorating Congressman Don Young's 30 years of service in the House of Representatives of the United States Congress.

HCR 19 : Alaska History Curriculum
Sponsored by Rep. Mary Kapsner

Urging implementation of an Alaska history curriculum in public schools.

HJR 7 : Repeal Federal Estate Tax
Sponsored by Rep. Lesil McGuire

Relating to urging the United States Congress to amend the tax code to permanently repeal the federal estate and generation-skipping transfer tax.

| Sponsor Statement |

HJR 16 : Supporting Members Of Military
Sponsored by Rep. Cheryll Heinze

Expressing confidence in and support for all members of the military, their families, and employers of members of the National Guard.

| Sponsor Statement |

HJR 18 : Supporting Military Action Against Iraq
Passed Legislature! Leg. Resolve 8
Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn

Supporting the men and women of the United States armed forces in the military action to free Iraq and to protect the world from Saddam Hussein.

04-04-03 : The Alaska State Senate unanimously approved House Joint Resolution 18 by a vote of 19 to zero on Friday. Sponsored by Rep. Bob Lynn (R-Anchorage), HJR 18 supports President George Bush's decision to take military action against Saddam Hussein in Iraq and supports the American troops involved in that military action.
HJR 18 will now be forwarded to the President of the United States, and our State's Congressional delegation.

| Sponsor Statement |