(Juneau) - As previously agreed, the Senate Finance Committee begins work next week on legislation encompassing recommendations forwarded by the 55-member Conference of Alaskans that met in Fairbanks last month.

"We look forward to discussing the issues brought to us by the governor and the Conference of Alaskans in the hope that we can help lay a good foundation for developing a long-term fiscal plan," said Senate Finance Co-Chair Gary Wilken (R-Fairbanks).

The week's events will include presentations by Conference of Alaskans Chairman Mike Burns and administration officials. The committee will consider legislation to implement an appropriation limit, to constitutionally guarantee the dividend, and to allow for some limited use of surplus earnings of the fund. It will also consider proposals to switch to a percent of market value management approach for the permanent fund that will automatically inflation proof the principal.

The Finance Committee will take statewide public testimony Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., then again from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. reserved for legislative off-net sites.

The Statewide Public Testimony will be available by teleconference. Interested members of the public are encouraged to be available to testify at the beginning of the meeting. The Senate Finance Committee may adjourn before the stated time if no other Alaskans wish to testify.

Except for meetings held specifically for statewide public testimony, all hearings will be teleconferenced as listen only, with invited testimony.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday, March 15, 2004
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• State's Fiscal Picture - Looking Forward Presentation by Ms. Cheryl Frasca, Director, Office of Management and Budget
• Conference of Alaskans Presentation by Mr. Mike Burns, Chair
• Comments by Senator Ben Stevens, Conference of Alaskans ex-officio member, and Senator Kim Elton, ex-officio member designee

1:30-4:00 p.m.

• SJR 18 Constitutional Amendment: PF Appropriation/Inflation-Proofing
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

Tuesday, March 16, 2004
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• HB 233 Increase Education Funding
• SJR 19 Constitutional Amendment: Permanent Fund Income
• SJR 32 Constitutional Amendment: Permanent Fund Income for Dividends
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

• Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund Presentation by Mr. William Corbus, Commissioner, Department of Revenue
• SJR 24 Constitutional Amendment: Guarantee Permanent Fund Dividend
• SJR 3 Constitutional Amendment: Appropriations/Spending Limit
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

6:00 - 8:00 PM

• Continuation of the afternoon hearing, if necessary
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

Wednesday, March 17, 2004
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• Additional Legislative Proposals Offered by Senators
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

• Statewide Public Testimony (testimony may be limited to no more than 2 minutes, if necessary).

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

• Statewide Public Testimony - Legislative Off-Net Sites Only
  (testimony may be limited to no more than 2 minutes, if necessary.)

7:00 - 9:00 PM

• Statewide Public Testimony (testimony may be limited to no more than 2 minutes, if necessary.)

Thursday, March 18, 2004
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• Senate Finance Committee Discussion/Action
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

• Continuation of Senate Finance Committee Discussion/Action, if necessary
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

Friday, March 19, 2004
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• Continuation of Senate Finance Committee Discussion/Action, if necessary
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

Saturday, March 20, 2004
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

• Continuation of Senate Finance Committee Discussion/Action, if necessary
• Bills Previously Heard or Scheduled

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03-11-04: Senator Wilken discusses what he hopes will come out of next week's discussion on the issues brought forth at the Conference of Alaskans in Fairbanks.

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Gary Wilken 47 KB

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Gary Wilken 377 KB