Alaska Personal Information Protection Act Becomes Law
Bipartisan HB 65 Strengthens ID Theft and Fraud Protection for Alaskans

North Pole, AK – Alaska’s Personal Information Protection Act, House Bill (HB) 65, was signed into law. Sponsored by Representative John Coghill, R-North Pole, and Senator Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, the bill provides better protection to Alaskans against identity theft and fraud. Sen. Therriault sponsored the companion bill in the Alaska State Senate.

For the past four years Sen. Therriault and Rep. Coghill have worked together with other legislators in a true bipartisan effort to make passage of this protection a reality. Those Legislators included former Sen. Gretchen Guess, D-Anchorage, and Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage.  Throughout this process Rep. Coghill and Sen. Therriault also worked closely with stakeholders: consumer advocacy groups, the business community, and government officials to ensure that Alaska becomes a leader in protecting individuals’ personal information while still allowing modern commerce to continue.

In the modern world of electronic commerce and massive databases, it is now commonplace to read headlines detailing the latest data breach and steps that can be taken by people to protect themselves. However, as the concern by Alaskan consumers grew, it became increasingly apparent that Alaska laws lagged behind most states when it came to personal information protection.

“Identity theft is an issue of concern for all Alaskans. With the proliferation of the ever-changing information technology we now have at our disposal, we had to craft clear rules and guidelines to let businesses continue to work and also ensure the proper care of this personal information,” said Rep. Coghill. “We have been trying for more than three years now to find that balance of protection from identity theft while still allowing commerce and transactions to continue, and this bill meets that need. The AARP has called this the most important issue before the Legislature this session, and I would agree.”

“Recent security breaches at large companies, many of which do business in Alaska, and the growth in the use of computers and the Internet have increased the occurrence of identity theft.  In 2006 the Federal Trade Commission reported that there were 384 victims of identity theft and fraud in Alaska.  We all need to be more careful – and now we will finally have laws that will help you protect yourself and your personal information,” Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, said.

Rep. Coghill and Sen. Therriault have in the past been staunch supporters of Alaskan’s individual information.  In 2001 they worked together closely to pass critical legislation to prohibit government from printing social security numbers on hunting, fishing, and drivers’ licenses.

This legislation will provide Alaskans with tools to help better protect themselves against identity theft and fraud. Some of the important provisions of the new law include:

• Notification of Security Breaches.  Requires businesses and government entities that collect your personal data, to notify you if your information is acquired without authorization and it is determined that identity theft may result.
• Freeze Access To Your Credit Report. Enables you to choose to protect against identity theft by freezing access to your credit report.
• Protecting Social Security Numbers. Limits businesses and government from intentionally communicating your Social Security Number unless authorized by local, state, or federal law.
• Disposal of Records.  Business and government must take all reasonable measures to protect your personal information by developing policies and procedures for destruction of their records containing your personal information.
• Factual Declaration of Innocence after ID Theft.  Allows you as a victim of identity theft to petition the court and file a police report to declare your innocence.  It allows the state to create a database of claims of identify theft and establish a toll-free phone number for reporting.
• Credit Card Numbers.  Businesses and government may not print more than the last four digits of your credit card or the expiration date on receipts.

“This legislation will help protect Alaskans from the threat of identity theft,” said Sen. Therriault. “It places restrictions on the use of Alaskans’ personal information by others and gives individuals more control over their own personal and financial information. It also addresses the increasing risk to Alaskans as personal information is collected, distributed, and discarded by the private sector and governmental entities. Rep. Coghill did a great job shepherding the bill through the process.”

HB 65 carries three separate effective dates. The Personal Information Protection Act takes effect immediately. The transition period for state agencies to promulgate regulations also takes effect immediately. The care of records section takes effect on July 1, 2009.

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For the past four years we have worked together with other legislators in a true bipartisan effort to pass legislation to protect the identity of individual Alaskans. In the modern world of electronic commerce and massive databases, it is now common place to read headlines detailing the latest data breach and steps that can be taken by people to protect themselves. However, as the concern by Alaskan consumers grew, it became increasingly apparent that Alaska laws lagged behind most states when it came to personal information protection. With that in mind we set out to develop a solution to help you better protect yourself. These efforts resulted in the passage of House Bill 65 this year, and Alaska is now poised to become a leader in protecting individuals’ personal information while allowing modern commerce to continue.

Throughout this process we worked closely with stakeholders: consumer advocacy groups, the business community, and government officials to provide Alaskans with tools to help better protect themselves against one kind of criminal. This wasn’t new territory for either of us. We both have been, and continue to be protectors of individual Alaskans’ personal information. In 2001 we worked closely together to pass critical legislation to prohibit government from printing your social security number on hunting, fishing, and drivers’ licenses. As we all know this is one of the most critical pieces of information bad actors use to steal identities and wreak havoc in the lives of hardworking people and seniors. It was important to make sure we had tools in place to mandate business and government agencies that collect your information, such as your social security number, to notify you and the Attorney General of the State of Alaska, if that information is breached and determined to be in the possession of would-be identity thieves.

The following are the critical provisions of the Alaska Personal Information Protection Act that allow Alaskans to better protect themselves:

• Notification of Security Breaches. Requires businesses and government entities, that collect your personal data, to notify you if your information is acquired without authorization and it is determined that identity theft may result.
• Freeze Access To Your Credit Report. Enables you to choose to protect against identity theft by freezing access to your credit report.
• Protecting Social Security Numbers. Limits businesses and government from intentionally communicating your Social Security Number unless authorized by local, state, or federal law.
• Disposal of Records. Business and government must take all reasonable measures to protect your personal information by developing policies and procedures for destruction of their records containing your personal information.
• Factual Declaration of Innocence after ID Theft. Allows you as a victim of identity theft to petition the court and file a police report to declare your innocence. It allows the state to create a database of claims of identify theft and establish a toll-free phone number for reporting.
• Credit Card Numbers. Businesses and government may not print more than the last four digits of your credit card or the expiration date on receipts.

People need to take identity theft seriously and guard their information carefully. What can you do to protect yourself? First, be sure to shred any sensitive information including documents with account numbers, account passwords, or any other credit-based information. Second, never give out personal information through email, the Internet, or over the phone unless you initiated the contact. Third, never carry your social security card or number with you, and only carry credit and debit cards you actually use frequently. Fourth, if you access any accounts online, you should have a password, which is not easily guessed.

Finally, you should review your credit reports, preferably every quarter. The federal government requires the three major credit bureaus to provide one free credit report per year to consumers. To receive a copy of your credit report, call 1-877-322-8228 or go to www.annualcreditreport.com.

Recent security breaches at large companies, many of which do business in Alaska, and the increase of computers and the Internet have increased the occurrence of identity theft. In 2006 the Federal Trade Commission reported that there were 384 victims of identity theft and fraud in Alaska. We all need to be more careful – and now we will finally have laws that will help you protect yourself and your personal information.

House Bill 65 awaits transmittal to Governor Sarah Palin for her consideration and signature and, if signed will become law in July of 2009.

• Representative John Coghill, R-North Pole
• Senator Gene Therriault, R-North Pole to Valdez

Senate Republican Caucus  Highlight on Success
“Making a Difference”

Juneau - The five members of the Senate Republican Caucus commented today on their role during the 25th Legislative Session and highlighted policy areas where their interaction made a difference.

“We focused on five significant areas where we believed we could make a difference in the process,” Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, said.  “Although the majority in our political system has control of the political levers, the minority tries to ensure that the majority’s power is used correctly, fairly, and with the best interests of the entire state in mind.  The minority’s role is to use its voice to highlight problems, when necessary, and work cooperatively on solutions to them.”

With that in mind, the Senate Republican Caucus focused on five key issues:  1) Restoring credibility to a legislature damaged by recent criminal convictions, 2) ensuring adequate and dependable education funding, 3) saving state oil revenue surplus, 4) developing a long-term fiscal policy, and 5) securing energy cost relief.

Restoring Credibility  In December of 2007 the Senate Republican Caucus urged the Senate leadership to make changes in key leadership positions in light of the ongoing public corruption investigation.

“We appreciate the Senate leadership replacing the chair of the powerful Rules Committee,” Sen. Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River, said.  “Although a small step, it was a positive move in the direction of restoring public trust.”

Education Funding   A long time advocate for fair and reliable education funding, Sen. Gary Wilken, R-Fairbanks, called attention to an oversight that involved HB 273, publicized as the bill that increased student funding $100 per student.  Wilken discovered that HB 273 removed previously funded school grants, with the effect that the $100 increase to the student BSA was a mere $11.58 in the first year.  Wilken offered an amendment on the Senate floor that would increase funding, but the amendment was rejected by the Senate coalition.

Although the Senate coalition refused to fix the problem before HB 273 passed, they eventually agreed to a temporary fix that would provide an additional $20 million in the form of energy relief grants to the school districts.

“I’m pleased that they responded to the information that I provided and made good on the promises made early on in the session to educators,” Wilken said.

Saving Surplus  The Senate Republican Caucus has always advocated that the legislature control spending in an attempt to increase savings.  During this session, the Senate Republican Caucus kept up the call for savings.  On March 19, in a press release distributed statewide, the Senate Republican Caucus publically challenged the Senate to save an additional $3.6 billion.

“At that time the State Department of Revenue had projected FY 2008 revenues to exceed $8.5 billion,” Therriault said.  “Saving a total of $7 billion seemed reasonable.  The Legislative Finance Division assured us that this amount was justifiable if the operating and capital budgets stayed reasonably contained, or even reduced from the amount spent last year.”

The Senate Republican Caucus tried to increase savings one last time when the state’s FY 2009 operating budget was on the Senate floor.  Therriault offered an amendment to set aside an additional $1.9 billion of the projected oil tax revenue.  The amendment was rejected by the Senate coalition.

“Although my amendment was voted down, we were pleased that our continued pressure paid off in the end,” Therriault said. “By April 2, the Senate had set aside a total of $5 billion dollars.”

Long Term Fiscal Policy  Sen. Dyson and his colleagues are proponents of the state developing a long-term fiscal policy that would guide future legislators and encourage more disciplined spending and savings.  Last year Wilken and Dyson both introduced bills to that end:  SB 25 and SB 134.

“We hoped to get these bills on the table to encourage debate and to put many minds to the task of developing a plan,” Dyson said.  “That’s the benefit of the committee process.”

Although the bills got little attention in committee, the Senate Republican Caucus kept up the pressure throughout 2007 and 2008.

Eventually the Senate passed HB 125, Budget Planning & Long-range Fiscal Plan, which incorporated some of the contents of Dyson’s SB 25.

“Although the expectations set forth in the bill are vague, which might cause the governor confusion about what to submit each year to the legislature, this was a positive step forward,” Dyson said.

Energy Cost Relief  Recognizing that the soaring cost of oil would heavily burden Alaska citizens while at the same time fill state coffers with record breaking revenues, Wagoner and Therriault pre-filed SB 217.  After initial criticism the bill was changed to provide a $750 per year credit to every Alaska resident’s electric bill.

Instead of discussing options for immediate energy cost relief, the Senate appropriated funds to expand an existing program that provides weatherization grants to low income homeowners, a long-term approach to the problem.

“Weatherizing homes is good for lowering fuel consumption and will reduce the future cost to homeowners, but we haven’t done anything to deal with costs suffered by homeowners this winter,” Therriault said. “Constituents want energy relief now.”

“It’s shameful,” Wilken said during a floor debate.  “We’ve got $13 billion sitting in a coffee can and we can’t help people across the state who are hurting.  We have nine days left to do something.  If we don’t do something while we are here, shame on us.”

That same day on the Senate floor Wagoner offered to remove his name from the bill if doing so would inspire the co-chair of the Finance Committee to hear the bill.

“My bill could provide relief to Alaskans now by lowering electric bills $750 in this coming year,” Wagoner argued.  “The way the bill is set up, it could assist about 90 percent of all Alaskans.”

Shortly after the Republican Caucus members’ impassioned floor speeches, the legislature appropriated $10 million into the capital budget for an energy assistance program that targets energy needs of some Alaskans.

“I’m glad that the Senate coalition reached a little deeper to find funds for energy relief for a few,” Wagoner said, “but this is one of the Senate’s biggest failures this year.  There are many middle-class Alaskans also feeling the pinch that could have used some help.  My bill would have provided that help and also set up an energy council to look at how to address energy needs and distribution in Alaska long term.”

# # #

Senate Republican Caucus urges Senate Coalition to Address Energy Needs Now

Juneau – Today the Senate Republican Caucus urged their colleagues in the Senate to address energy relief for Alaskans now.  One possible solution, SB 217, sits in the Senate Finance Committee.  The legislation would provide a direct reduction to citizens’ electric bills by about $750 a year.

SB 217, introduced at the beginning of this session by Sen. Tom Wagoner, R – Kenai, and co-sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault, R – North Pole, has sat in the Senate Finance Committee since January 16.

“It’s shameful,” Sen. Gary Wilken, R – Fairbanks, said.  “We’ve got $13 billion sitting in a coffee can and we can’t even help people across the state who are hurting.  We have nine days left to do something.  If we don’t do something while we are here, shame on us.

“We have ways to do it and we have the money,” Wilken argued.  “We’ve got the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program already set up that we could fund to provide additional relief to the needy, or there is Senator Wagoner’s bill.  We have the means, we have the knowledge, and we have programs in place that we could fund to help.  Why wouldn’t we give people a hand?”

During debate on the floor Sen. Wagoner even offered to remove his name from the bill, arguing that if his minority status was causing the bill to be held in committee, he would be happy to let a member of the Senate majority, made up of both Democrats and Republicans, take authorship in order for the bill to move.

“We have energy costs in Alaska all year around,” Wagoner said.  “This bill could provide relief to Alaskans now by lowering electric bills $750 in this coming year.  The way the bill is set up, it could take care of about 90% of all Alaskans.”

Alaskan residents without an electric meter would be able to apply for the same benefit from the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development.

“The sad irony,” Wagoner pointed out, “is that the state is getting rich with the high price of oil, but our people are being hit hard by those same prices.  The windfall we have been busy spending and saving is the very windfall that’s creating the burden on Alaskans.

“While we’re here in the capitol building enjoying the problem of what to do with the surplus, people on fixed incomes, people in Bush Alaska, in urban areas, in Southeast, all over the state, have to decide whether to pay for their medications, their food, or their energy bills.”  Wagoner said.

During the floor debate some members of the Senate majority highlighted other bills passed and under consideration that address some long-term energy issues.

“The weatherization bill the Senate recently passed is a good package,” Therriault agreed, “but it doesn’t address the immediate need.  Winterizing homes is good for lowering fuel consumption and will reduce the cost to home owners, but we haven’t done anything to deal with costs suffered by home owners now, this winter, or next year.  It would take a number of years to realize the benefits of winterization.  We’re talking about some kind of relief now.”

The relief afforded under SB 217, also called the Alaska Power Cost Reduction Program, would take affect when oil prices reach the level where the state’s ACES tax progressivity is triggered, about $60 per barrel, and stays at that level for at least 12 consecutive months.

SB 217 also sets up a commission that would be tasked with preparing an energy plan to address residential, municipal, and rural community energy delivery and needs in the years to come.

Senator Therriault’s bill allows Lions Club and other Non-profits to Provide Alaskan’s with Used Glasses  - SB 149 Passes Legislature

Juneau – Today the Alaska State Legislature passed a bill that would enable the Lions Club or other non profit organizations to provide Alaskans in need with second hand glasses.  Sen. Gene Therriault, R – North Pole, introduced the legislation at the request of the Lions Club of Alaska.

“This new law allows an important need to be met.”  Therriault explained.  “The Lions Club devotes a tremendous amount of volunteer time and resources to gathering, repairing and providing used eye glasses to people in third world countries;  this new law allows them to continue their good work to serve those in need right here in Alaska.”

Under the new law, a non-profit can apply to be certified by the state to safely fit any Alaskan, free of charge, with a set of used glasses.  To be fit for glasses, the Alaskan must present a prescription obtained from a licensed optometrist or physician.  The glasses provided will conform, to the greatest extent possible, to that prescription.

“Representative John Coghill, R – North Pole, carried the bill on the House floor and I want to thank him for helping to secure its passage.” Therriault said.

Also speaking in favor of the bill was Rep. Bill Stoltze, R – Chugiak/Matsu, a Lions Club member, charter member of the Chugiak Lions Club, and 2007 recipient of the Chugiak Lions Club member of the year award.  Rep. Stoltze complimented the Lions Club on their mission to help Alaskan citizens to achieve better vision and voiced his support for SB 149 which would assist in that important mission.

The legislation passed both the House and Senate unanimously showing broad bipartisan support.

Senate Majority Declines Republican Caucus’ Challenge to Save $2.6 Billion of Alaska’s Windfall

Juneau – Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole introduced an amendment on the Senate floor yesterday during the debate on the state’s FY 09 operating budget that would have bolstered savings and paid down debt by $2.6 billion.

“Today the Legislature faces record breaking surpluses,” Sen. Therriault said. “Rather than spend this new flood of money we challenged the Senate to save funds for future generations to use for future state budgets. Regrettably they refused the challenge saying it would be fiscally irresponsible.”

Although we are currently experiencing surplus revenues we continue to be advised by economists that we should be saving more in anticipation of deficits in the near future.

The Senate voted against the amendment by a vote of 12 nays to 6 yeas. Sen. Fred Dyson, R - Eagle River, Sen. Tom Wagoner, R- Kenai, Sen. Con Bunde, R - Anchorage and Sen. Gary Wilken, R - Fairbanks, co-sponsored the amendment.

Therriault’s amendment to the operating budget would have set aside $1.9 billion of the projected FY 09 oil tax revenue and deposit it into the constitutional budget reserve, a long term state savings account. This fund has been in existence for thirteen years. Over the last even years the Legislature has borrowed $5.2 billion dollars from the CBR. The Legislature is constitutionally required to repay those funds. The CBR earns considerably more in interest than other Alaska short-term savings accounts.

Therriault introduced a separate amendment that would have appropriated $700 million of the current year’s surplus to pay down the state’s obligation to the Teachers’ Retirement System. By making this deposit the state would have realized an additional savings of $46 million dollars. The Senate voted against this amendment 13 nays to 5 yeas.

“The debt to the CBR is constitutionally unavoidable and must be paid down.” Sen. Con Bunde, R-Anchorage, said. “Most Alaskans realize that in times of surplus it is wise to pay down debt.”

Senate Joint Resolution Seeks to Protect Alaska’s Vital Tourist Industry - Heads to Governor for Signature

Juneau – The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously passed SJR 12 today.  Having passed both the House and Senate, the joint resolution now goes to Governor Sarah Palin for signature.

Sen. Gene Therriault, R – North Pole, introduced the resolution to put the legislature on record as opposing a U.S. Department of Homeland Security rule change that would require all foreign-flagged cruise ships to stop at least 48 hours in foreign ports.  Under the new rule, the amount of time spent in foreign ports would have to equal more than 50 percent of the total time spent in U.S. ports of call.

“The rule change could force cruise ship operators to reduce the number of stops in Alaskan ports and the length of time they stay in port, possibly even force them to eliminate visits to some Alaskan ports altogether,” Therriault said.  “This could have a devastating impact on the economies of both coastal and inland communities who are visited each year by cruise ship passengers.”

According to the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development about 158 voyages to Alaska carrying roughly 349,000 passengers would be affected by the change.  That means a potential loss of about $222 million in passenger spending and $17.5 million in cruise ship passenger taxes.  Corporate and gambling taxes paid to the state would also decline.

“This resolution puts the legislature formally on record as opposing a rule change that would be detrimental to a key industry in our state,” Therriault said.  “The tourism industry provides approximately 40,000 jobs and significant revenue to many Alaskan-owned and operated businesses.  With the unanimous support of both the House and Senate, this joint resolution sends a powerful message.”

The resolution opposes the rule change and alternatively requests that Alaska be deemed exempt from the rule if it is ultimately adopted.

Rep. Bill Thomas, R – Haines, introduced and spoke in favor of SJR 12 on the House floor.

“I want to thank Rep. Thomas, for an excellent job on the floor of the House today describing the impact of this regulation on the many cruise ships that visit Alaska each year and the need for the federal government to reconsider this regulation,” Senator Therriault said.

Once signed by the governor, the joint resolution will be sent to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff; Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, W. Ralph Basham; and U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens,  U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and U.S. Rep. Don Young.

Senate Republican Caucus Reacts to News of Record Breaking FY 2008 Oil Revenues - Challenges Legislature to Increase Savings for Alaska’s Future

Juneau – Today the Senate Republican Caucus reacted to the Alaska Department of Revenue’s news that the General Purpose Unrestricted Revenue for FY 2008 is projected to be a record breaking $8.5 Million.

“This year’s projected revenue is almost 30% higher than last year,” Sen. Gary Wilken, R – Fairbanks, said. “With this dramatic increase in revenue comes an equally dramatic duty to exercise self-restraint in spending and to save for future generations of Alaskans.”

Repeatedly during the 25th Legislature, the Senate Republican Caucus has called for the creation of a long term fiscal plan that includes a commitment to saving. This year in particular, they stepped up the call.

“During the ACES debate last fall, we proposed that a mechanism be put into place to prompt future legislatures to set aside sizeable portions of the increase in oil tax revenue under the new law – particularly revenue generated by the progressivity component of the tax,” Sen. Gene Therriault, R- North Pole, said.

“While the $3.6 billion set aside in SB 256 sounds good, it is a fraction of what we should deposit into Alaska’s savings accounts in a banner year like this one,” Wilken said. “With Friday’s revenue forecast, the legislature has the financial ability to set aside far more money than $3.6 billion.”

The Senate Republican Caucus is challenging the legislature to set aside an additional $3.6 billion of surplus as savings or through a combination of deposits to savings and debt pay down.

“The Legislative Finance Division assures us that this amount is justifiable if the operating and capital budgets stay reasonably contained, or even reduced from the amount spent last year,” Therriault said.

The Senate Republican Caucus’ position is bolstered by a recent Institute of Social and Economic Research opinion. Dr. Goldsmith, an economist and director of ISER, suggests that Alaska should redouble its efforts to save money now and reduce the risk that future generations will be forced to meet Alaska’s operating and capital needs by imposing income tax, sales tax and dipping into the permanent fund earnings reserve account.

“Dr. Goldsmith suggests that we view the increase in revenues over the past few years not as a trend that will continue, but as a windfall,” Sen. Tom Wagoner, R- Kenai, said. “The best strategy for dealing with a windfall is to put as much as possible in the bank and spread the spending out over a long period of time. It’s prudent, it protects future generations. Let’s step up to the plate and do what’s right.”

“With the unpredictability of our oil and gas revenue stream, the revenues we enjoy now might not be enjoyed by future generations,” Sen. Con Bunde, R- Anchorage, said. “It’s not a question of whether we will face sizeable deficits in the future, it’s a question of when; now is the time to save.”

“If we discover in future years that this windfall is a permanent and predictable increase in income, then we can modify the savings plan,” Therriault said. “But for now it would be robbing from future Alaskan’s to spend our non-renewable resource dollars without a plan. A better public policy is to agree that the petroleum wealth of the state should be shared equitably among today’s and tomorrow’s Alaskans.”

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Senator Therriault’s bill allows Lions Club and other non-profits to provide Alaskan’s with used glasses
SB 149 passes senate unanimously

Juneau – Today the Alaska State Senate joined together and passed SB 149 unanimously.  Sen. Gene Therriault, R – North Pole, introduced this legislation at the request of the Lions Club of Alaska.

“This new law allows an important need to be met.”  Therriault explained.  “The Lion’s Club devotes a tremendous amount of volunteer time and resources to gathering, repairing and providing used eye glasses to people in third world countries;  this new law allows them to continue their good work to serve those in need right here in Alaska.”

Under the new law, a non-profit can apply to be certified by the state to safely fit any Alaskan, free of charge, with a set of used glasses.  To be fit for glasses, the Alaskan must present a prescription obtained from a licensed optometrist or physician.  The glasses provided will conform, to the greatest extent possible, to that prescription.

Senate Joint Resolution Seeks to Protect Alaska’s Vital Tourist Industry
Passes Senate Today

Juneau – Today SJR 12 passed the Alaska Senate unanimously.  Sen. Gene Therriault, R – North Pole, introduced this resolution to put the legislature on record as opposing a U.S. Department of Homeland Security rule change that would require all foreign-flagged cruise ships to stop at least 48 hours in foreign ports.  Under the new rule, the amount of time spent in foreign ports would have to equal more than 50 percent of the total time spent in U.S. ports of call.

Recognizing that the potential impact of such a rule change could be devastating to the economies of coastal and inland communities who are visited each year by cruise ship passengers, Senator Lesil McGuire, R – Anchorage, chair of the Senate State Affairs Committee, spoke in favor of the resolution on the floor today.

“Senator McGuire did an excellent job on the floor of the senate today describing the impact of this regulation on the many cruise ships that visit Alaska each year and the need for the federal government to reconsider this regulation,” Senator Therriault said.

Senator Therriault was unable to be on the senate floor today for the final vote.  He is traveling to Washington D.C. as he has in the past to attend the Energy Council, a meeting of representatives from all energy producing states.

The resolution now goes to the House for consideration by Alaska State Representatives.