Topics include:

• Oil tax legislation
• Gas pipeline
• Tougher penalties for human trafficking

From Governor Parnell's "Legislative Priorities" webpage.

Here are a few links to key information about this past session of the Alaska Legislature.

What bills and resolutions passed                                  

Capital Budget FY 2013 SB160

Operating Budget FY 2013 HB 284

The Four Caucus Groups’ Sites:

• Senate Bipartisan Working Group site (Senate Majority)
• House Majority site (House Republican Caucus)
• Senate Republican Caucus site (Senate Minority)
• House Democratic Caucus site (House Minority)

This is from the Alaska Legislature’s official website…Maggie

Bills and Resolutions Passed by the Alaska Legislature in 2012 session.

___________________________________________________

From the House Majority…Maggie

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Bill Activity for  Apr. 16, 2012
As of: 01:00:04 am Alaska Time
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HB 104 : Alaska Performance Scholarships
  
Sponsor Statement: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_jrn_page.asp?session=27&bill=HB104&jrn=0052&hse=H
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HB 121 : Loan Funds: Charters/ Mariculture/ Microloan
  Sponsored by the Hou. Rules by Request of the Governor
  An Act relating to certain commercial fishing loans and to loans for
  the purchase of fishing quota shares by certain community quota
  entities and establishing the commercial charter fisheries revolving
  loan fund, the mariculture revolving loan fund, and the Alaska
  microloan revolving loan fund and relating to those funds and loans
  from those funds; and providing for an effective date.

  Version: SCS CSHB 121(FIN)
  Status: PASSED (S) >> AWAIT TRANSMIT GOV

Sponsor Statement: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_jrn_page.asp?session=27&bill=HB121&jrn=0107&hse=H
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HB 125 : Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by the Hou. Rules by Request
  of the  Legislative Budget & Audit Committee
  An Act moving the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to the Department of
  Commerce, Community, and Economic Development and relating to duties of
  that department; relating to the exercise of peace officer powers
  granted by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; and providing for an
  effective date.

  Version: CSHB 125(L&C)(EFD AM)
  Status: (S) RLS >> PASSED (S)
  Contact: Juli Lucky, 465-4949

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb125-46
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HB 190 : PFD Allowable Absence
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Eric Feige 
  An Act relating to allowable absences from the state for purposes of
  eligibility for permanent fund dividends; and providing for an
  effective date.

  Version: CSSSHB 190(FIN)
  Status: (S) RLS >> (S) SUP CAL 4/15
  Contact: Michael Paschall, 465-5446

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb190-113
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HB 264 : Muni Property Tax Deferral: Subdivisions
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Cathy Munoz 
  An Act allowing a deferral of municipal property taxes on the increase
  in the value of real property attributable to subdivision of that
  property; and providing for an effective date.

  Status: PASSED (S) >> WITHDRAWN BY SPONSO
  Contact: Christopher Clark, 465-3789

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb264-238
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HB 279 : Extending Certain Boards & Commissions

  Contact: Juli Lucky, 465-4949

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb279-249
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HB 282 : Military Training Credit/Temp. License
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Bill Thomas 
  An Act relating to applying military education, training, and service
  credit to occupational licensing and certain postsecondary education
  and employment training requirements; providing for a temporary
  occupational license for qualified military service members; and
  providing for an effective date.

  Version: CSHB 282(FIN)
  Status: (S) RLS >> (S) SUP CAL 4/15
  Contact: Aaron Schroeder, 465-3732

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb282-185
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HB 284 : Appropriation: Operating Budget/ Loans/ Funds
  Sponsored by the Hou. Rules by Request of the Governor
  An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program
  expenses of state government and for certain programs, capitalizing
  funds, amending appropriations, and making reappropriations; and
  providing for an effective date.

  Version: CCS HB 284
  Status: CC REPORT ADPTD (H) >> AWAIT TRANSMIT GOV

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb284
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HB 285 : Appropriation: Mental Health Budget
  Sponsored by the Hou. Rules by Request of the Governor
  An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of
  the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and
  providing for an effective date.

  Version: CCS HB 285
  Status: CC REPORT ADPTD (H) >> AWAIT TRANSMIT GOV

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb285
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HB 286 : General Obligation Bonds: Transportation Projects
  Sponsored by the Hou. Rules by Request of the Governor
  An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of general obligation
  bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of state transportation
  projects; and providing for an effective date.

  Version: SCS CSHB 286(FIN)
  Status: PASSED (S) >> AWAIT TRANSMIT GOV

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb286
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HB 295 : Closing Certain Land To Mineral Entry
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Mike Hawker 
  An Act approving an interim classification by the commissioner of
  natural resources closing certain land within the Glacier Creek and
  Winner Creek drainages to new mineral entry; amending the mineral entry
  closure in sec. 2, ch. 8, SLA 2003, for certain land within the Glacier
  Creek and Winner Creek drainages; and providing for an effective date.

  Version: CSHB 295(RES)
  Status: (S) SUP CAL 4/15 >> PASSED (S)
  Contact: Juli Lucky, 465-4949

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb295-339
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HB 298 : Exemptions From Mining Tax
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Paul Seaton 
  An Act exempting quarry rock, sand and gravel, and marketable earth
  mining operations from the mining license tax; and providing for an
  effective date.

  Version: CSHB 298(FIN)
  Status: (S) SUP CAL 4/15 >> PASSED (S)
  Contact: Louie Flora, 465-3923

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb298-210
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HB 340 : Petersville Recreational Mining Area
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Mark Neuman 
  An Act relating to the reservation of certain mining claims from all
  uses incompatible with the purposes for establishing the Petersville
  Recreational Mining Area.

  Status: (S) RLS >> (S) SUP CAL 4/15
  Contact: Rex Shattuck, 465-2679

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb340-263
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HB 345 : Waive Cdl Skill Test For Certain Veterans
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Dan Saddler 
  An Act relating to regulations adopted by the Department of
  Administration waiving the commercial motor vehicle driving skills test
  for certain drivers with military commercial motor vehicle experience.

  Status: (S) RLS >> (S) SUP CAL 4/15
  Contact: Lynne Smith, 465-3783

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb345-318
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HB 359 : Sex Crimes; Testimony By Video Conference
  Sponsored by the Hou. Rules by Request of the Governor
  An Act relating to conspiracy to commit human trafficking in the first
  degree or sex trafficking in the first degree; relating to the crime of
  distribution of indecent material to minors, the crime of online
  enticement of a minor, the crime of prostitution, and the crime of sex
  trafficking; relating to forfeiture of property used in prostitution
  offenses; relating to testimony by video conference; adding Rule 38.3,
  Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective
  date.

  Version: CSHB 359(FIN) AM
  Status: (S) RLS >> (S) SUP CAL 4/15

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb359
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HB 361 : Disposals Of State Resources/Royalties
  Sponsored by the Hou. Rules by Request of the Governor
  An Act relating to the Alaska Land Act, including certain leases,
  sales, and other disposals of state land and materials; relating to
  production royalties from miners; providing for the conveyance of
  certain land to the City and Borough of Juneau for the construction of
  the Auke Bay commercial loading facility; and providing for an
  effective date.

  Version: SCS CSHB 361(FIN)
  Status: (S) SUP CAL 4/15 >> AWAIT TRANSMIT GOV

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb361
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HB 366 : Disaster Planning And Services
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by the Hou. C & R Affairs 
  An Act establishing an Alaska intrastate mutual aid system and relating
  to the duties of the Alaska division of homeland security and emergency
  management and the duties of the Alaska State Emergency Response
  Commission.

  Status: (S) SUP CAL 4/15 >> PASSED (S)
  Contact: Terry Harvey, 465-5392

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hb366-312
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HCR 24 : State Food Resource Development Group
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Bill Stoltze 
  Relating to the establishment and operation of a state food resource
  development working group.

  Version: CSHCR 24(FIN)
  Status: (S) RLS >> (S) SUP CAL 4/15
  Contact: Darrell Breese, 465-4958

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hcr24-329
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HCR 32 : Suspend Uniform Rules For SB 23
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by the Hou. Finance 
  Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the
  Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 23, relating to
  transferable film production tax credits and film production tax credit
  certificates; and requiring the legislative audit division to audit the
  Alaska film production incentive program.

  Status: PASSED (H) >> PASSED (S)

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hcr32
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HCR 33 : Suspend Uniform Rules For SB 182
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by the Hou. Finance 
  Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the
  Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 182, amending the
  amount of state funding provided to school districts for pupil
  transportation.

  Status: PASSED (H) >> PASSED (S)

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hcr33
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HCR 34 : Suspend Uniform Rules For SB 25
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by the Hou. Labor & Com. 
  Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the
  Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 25, establishing
  the sustainable energy transmission and supply development program in
  the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; relating to the
  interest rates of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export
  Authority; and relating to taxes paid on interests in property owned by
  the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority and to the local
  contribution for public education funding related to that property.

  Status: TRANSMITTED TO (S) >> PASSED (S)

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hcr34
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HCR 36 : Suspend Uniform Rules For SB 119
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by the Hou. Labor & Com. 
  Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the
  Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 119, relating to
  athletic trainers.

  Status: PASSED (H) >> PASSED (S)

Bill Info: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hcr36
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HJR 32 : Remove Wood Bison From Endangered List
  * House Majority Legislation
  Sponsored by Rep. Alan Dick 
  Urging the United States Congress to remove wood bison from protection
  under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and to grant control of wood
  bison in Alaska to the state.

  Version: CSHJR 32(RES)
  Status: (S) RLS >> (S) SUP CAL 4/15
  Contact: Paul Verhagen, 465-2847

Sponsor Statement: http://www.housemajority.org/spon.php?id=27hjr32-328

Press release from the Senate Bipartisan Majority….Maggie

___________________________________________

Senate Bill 25 creates the Alaska Sustainable Strategy for Energy Transmission and Supply

JUNEAU-The Alaska State Legislature has passed Senate Bill 25, the Alaska Sustainable Strategy for Energy Transmission and Supply (ASSETS).   Senate Bill 25, sponsored by Senator Lesil McGuire (Anchorage) and Representative Lance Pruitt (Anchorage), establishes a new fund within the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) for the purpose of financing or facilitating the financing of energy projects in Alaska.

“At the Arctic Imperative Conference in Girdwood last year I presented alongside individuals who represented large, multi-national investors like Guggenheim and Citigroup,” said Senator McGuire. “I was inspired by the discussion of how private sector investment can be attracted through co-investment by the State and other financing mechanisms.” Senate Bill 25 empowers AIDEA to work with the private sector to finance, or facilitate the financing of energy projects in Alaska. The bill creates a new fund within AIDEA, the Sustainable Energy Transmission Supply Development fund (SETS), which was capitalized with $125,000,000 in the fiscal year 2013 operating budget passed by the Legislature.

Unlike other revolving loan funds, AIDEA pays a dividend from its earnings to the State. “With billions in savings invested in the capital markets, Alaska is promoting economic activity outside while our companies, electric cooperatives and communities look elsewhere for financing,” said Senator McGuire. “Our goal in sponsoring Senate Bill 25 was to put a small portion of those savings to work in Alaska to create jobs, industry and new revenues for the state.”

The House version of Senate Bill 25 (HB 357) was sponsored by Representative Lance Pruitt (R-Anchorage) who chairs the House Energy Committee. “Energy is the foundation of our state and access to affordable, reliable energy is the key to unlocking our resources and diversifying our economy,” said Representative Pruitt. “In the House Energy Committee, we have worked with communities, businesses and Alaskans and I have heard again and again that access to capital is a serious obstacle to developing new energy projects in Alaska.”

Senate Bill 25 provides access to capital by allowing AIDEA to enter into public-private partnerships, guarantee loans and bonds and defer principal payments. The bill also allows AIDEA to offer long-term financing of up to 50 years for hydroelectric and transmission projects. “With declining throughput in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline,” said Senator McGuire, “now is the time to responsibly diversify our economy by providing access to capital instead of simply grants so that the next generation has the resources to build on the foundation we build today.”

Senate Bill 25 now heads to Governor Parnell for his signature.

For more information, please contact Michael Pawlowski in Senator McGuire’s office at 907-465-2995.