CSSB 130(STA): "An Act establishing the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council and relating to the preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Alaska Native languages."
00 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 130(STA) 01 "An Act establishing the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council 02 and relating to the preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Alaska Native 03 languages." 04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 05 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 06 to read: 07 LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that the preservation of Alaska 08 Native languages is a critical component in the sustenance of cultural identity. The legislature 09 further finds that Alaska Native languages are the foundation of cultures and are vital in 10 maintaining traditional knowledge and understanding. 11 * Sec. 2. AS 44.33 is amended by adding a new section to read: 12 Article 7A. Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. 13 Sec. 44.33.530. Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory 14 Council. (a) The Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council is
01 established in the department for the purpose of recommending the establishment or 02 reorganization of programs to support the preservation, restoration, and revitalization 03 of Alaska Native languages. 04 (b) The council established under this section shall 05 (1) advise both the governor and legislature on programs, policies, and 06 projects to provide for the cost-effective preservation, restoration, and revitalization of 07 Alaska Native languages in the state; 08 (2) meet at least twice a year to carry out the purposes of the council; 09 members may participate in meetings telephonically; and 10 (3) prepare reports of its findings and recommendations for the 11 governor's and the legislature's consideration on or before January 1 of each even- 12 numbered year. 13 (c) The governor shall appoint to the council established in this section five 14 voting members who are professional language experts and who represent diverse 15 regions of the state. In addition, one member of the senate appointed by the president 16 of the senate and one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker 17 of the house of representatives shall serve on the council as nonvoting members. In 18 appointing the nonvoting members of the council, the president of the senate and the 19 speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint a member of the bush caucus, if a 20 bush caucus exists. In this subsection, "bush caucus" means a group of legislators that 21 represents rural areas of the state. 22 (d) The members appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the 23 governor. 24 (e) Members of the council shall serve without compensation but are entitled 25 to per diem and travel expenses as provided under AS 39.20.180. 26 * Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 27 read: 28 REPORT; APPOINTMENTS. (a) Notwithstanding AS 44.33.530(b)(3), the first 29 report under AS 44.33.530(b)(3), added by sec. 2 of this Act, is due on or before July 1, 2014. 30 (b) The governor shall make the appointments required by AS 44.33.530(c), added by 31 sec. 2 of this Act, on or before December 1, 2012.