SB 286 : Direct Marketing Fisheries Business
Signed Into Law! Chapter 147 SLA 04
Sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman
Requested by the Jnt. Salmon Industry Task Force Committee

An Act relating to direct marketing fisheries businesses, to the fisheries business tax, and to liability for payment of taxes and assessments on the sale or transfer of fishery resources; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS SB 286 (FIN)
Contact: Ian Fisk, 465-3873
Action: 07-03-04: Signed Into Law

SB 286 passed the House May 5 by a vote of 32 to 1. It reduces the Fisheries Business Tax on direct marketing vessels of 65 feet or less from 5 percent to 3 percent, leveling their rate to that of shore processors and Bering Sea factory trawlers. It also taxes the products of small-boat fishermen on the same value as the prevailing grounds price on which other processors base their taxes.

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

SB 292 : Use Criminal Fines For Youth Courts
Sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman

An Act relating to youth courts and to the recommended use of criminal fines to fund the activities of youth courts; and relating to accounting for criminal fines.

Version: CSSB 292(STA)
Contact: Ian Fisk, 465-3873
Action: 03-18-04: (S)STA ==> (S)FIN

Designates up to 25 percent of revenues from court system fines to fund Alaska youth courts.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 300 : Attorney's Lien
Signed Into Law! Chapter 149 SLA 04
Sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman

An Act relating to an attorney's lien, to court actions, and to other proceedings where attorneys are employed.

Version: HCS CS SB 300 (JUD)
Contact: Miles Baker, 465-3873
Action: 07-03-04: Signed Into Law

Senate unanimously concurred with House changes May 5. SB 300 unanimously passed the House May 3. It prevents the Internal Revenue Service from double taxing award fees passed on to an attorney by clarifying that those fees are the attorney's income.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Fact Sheet | [PDF - 1 Page - 30 KB]

SB 328 : National Forest Income Program/DCED Regs
Signed Into Law! Chapter 150 SLA 04
Sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman

An Act relating to the national forest income program in the Department of Community and Economic Development and to the authority of the department to adopt regulations; and providing for an effective date.

Version: HCS CSSSSB 328 (CRA)
Contact: Dick Coose, 465-3873
Action: 07-03-04: Signed Into Law

SB 328 makes statutory changes required for the Department of Community and Economic Development to disburse National Forest Receipts in accordance with the federal act providing these funds. National Forest Receipts are distributed to the State for schools and roads within the boundary of the national forest in which they are collected. Amended in committee to define the student “average daily membership” for the purpose of distributing forest receipts within unorganized boroughs.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Fact Sheet | [PDF - 1 Page - 29 KB]

SB 346 : Monetary Terms: Masters/Mates/Pilots
Sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman

An Act approving the monetary terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots, Pacific Maritime Region, for the Masters, Mates, and Pilots Unit for fiscal year 2004; and providing for an effective date.

Version: SB 346
Contact: Miles Baker 465-3873
Action: 03-11-04: (S)STA ==> (S)FIN

SB 346 approves the monetary terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, Pacific Maritime Region, for fiscal year 2004.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 1 : Increase Amt Of Base Student Allocation
Sponsored by Sen. Gary Wilken

An Act relating to the base student allocation used in the formula for state funding of public education; and providing for an effective date.

Version: SSSB 1
Contact: Sheila Peterson, 465-2872
Action: 03-01-04: (S)HES » (S)FIN

Increases the base student allocation in the public education funding formula from $4,169 to $4,263.

| Sponsor Statement |

SB 295 : Extend Navigable Waters Commission
Signed Into Law! Chapter 41 SLA 04
Sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault

An Act extending the termination date of the Navigable Waters Commission for Alaska; and providing for an effective date.

Version: SB 295
Contact: Zach Warwick, 465-4797
Action: 06-04-04: Signed Into Law

Extends the life of the Joint Federal and State Navigable Waters Commission for Alaska until 2006. The commission’s purpose is to expedite the title process to the state’s submerged lands, to determine which bodies of water are navigable or non-navigable, and to recommend ways to improve the water navigability determination process and quickly clear title to the state’s submerged lands.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Fact Sheet | [PDF - 1 Page - 29 KB]

SB 305 : Asserting State Title To Submerged Land
Signed Into Law! Chapter 42 SLA 04
Sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault

An Act relating to state ownership of submerged land underlying water that was navigable at the time Alaska achieved statehood.

Version: HCS SB 305 (FIN)
Contact: Joe Balash, 465-4797
Action: 06-04-04: Signed Into Law

Senate unanimously concurred with House changes May 6. It outlines the state's position on the ownership of submerged lands and requires the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources to compile a list of navigable waters.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Fact Sheet | [PDF - 1 Page - 29 KB]

SJR 3 : Constitution Amendment: Appropriation/Spending Limit
Sponsored by Sen. Fred Dyson

Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to an appropriation limit and a spending limit.

Version: CS SJR 3 (FIN) Am
Contact: Lucky Shultz, 465-6580
Action: 04-13-04: (S)Floor » (S)FIN

SJR 3 was returned to the Senate Finance Committee April 13. It amends the current appropriation limit in the Alaska State Constitution. It allows growth based on population and inflation. It includes a four-year sunset provision and mechanisms for funding emergencies and extraordinary circumstances.

| Sponsor Statement |

SJR 27 : Submerged Land Title Disputes
Passed Legislature! Leg Resolve 45
Sponsored by Sen. Ralph Seekins

Relating to the resolution of submerged land title disputes.

Version: SJR 27
Contact: Brian Hove, 465-2327
Action: 06-04-04: Permanently filed

SJR 27 encourages the Interior Secretary to continue recording disclaimers of interest (statements that the federal government has no stake in the property); requests federal participation in the Joint Navigable Waters Commission for Alaska; and recommends amendment of the federal Quiet Title Act.

| Sponsor Statement |
| Fact Sheet | [PDF - 1 Page - 30 KB]

SR 2 : Ronald Reagan Day
Passed Senate! Senate Resolve 2
Sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault

Recognizing February 6, 2004, as Ronald Reagan Day in Alaska.

Version:
Contact:
Action: 07-16-04:

HB 233 : Increase Education Funding
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov. Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Wilson

An Act increasing the base student allocation used in the formula for state funding of public education; and providing for an effective date.

Version: CS HB 233 (FIN)
Contact: Jean Ellis, 465-3824
Action: 05-03-04: (S)FIN » (S)RLS

House Bill 233 moved out of the House on Monday. Sponsored by Rep. Peggy Wilson, HB 233 increases the base student allocation in the state foundation formula. The increase will assist state local schools districts to meet, or, exceed the public's expectations and demands. HB 233 moves to the House Finance Committee. Amended to add $419 dollars per student to the foundation formula. Adds $84.5 million dollars for education.

| 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 334 : Unlawful Exploitation Of Minor/ Child Porn
Passed Legislature! Await Transmit to Gov.
Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer

An Act relating to unlawful exploitation of a minor.

Version: CS HB 334 (RLS)
Contact: Suzanne Cunningham, 465-4945
Action: 05-08-04: Passed the Senate

CS HB 334 (RLS) increases the criminal penalty for AS 11.41.455 Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor to a class A felony for a person who has been previously convicted of this crime. Also, the criminal penalty for AS 11.61.125 Distribution of Child Pornography is raised to a class A felony for a person who has been previously convicted of this crime.

| Sponsor Statement |

HB 344 : Mining Fees, Rentals, & Royalties
Signed into Law! Chapter 26 SLA 04
Sponsored by Rep. Hugh Fate

An Act relating to annual rental fees for mining claims, and providing for reduced royalties during the first three years of production.

Version: SCS HB 344 (RES)
Contact: Jim Pound, 465-4976
Action: 04-13-04: House Concurrence with Senate Amendments

Allows a grace period if the mine's filing deadline is missed. By filing the necessary paperwork, paying the royalties, rent, and a penalty equal to one year's rent the claim remains protected.

| Sponsor Statement |