1997-02-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 0472
SB 103                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 103 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to hearings before and authorizing                            
fees for the State Commission for Human Rights;                                
and providing for an effective date.                                           
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance          
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor.                  
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated February 24:                                
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
In our efforts to reduce budgets, some actions that save money also            
create efficiencies which better meet public service goals. That is the        
case with this bill regarding the Human Rights Commission.  This               
proposal provides the Commission more flexibility in its operations            
and helps the body perform its essential work for the state.                   
                                                                               
The bill would allow the Human Rights Commission to hold                       
hearings at its office in Anchorage rather than where the alleged              
discrimination occurred, as is required under current law.  This will          
save time and money in travel costs.  The Commission would                     
continue to ensure that complainants may participate in the hearings.          
                                                                               
This bill would also allow the Commission to charge fees to cover              
the costs of services, information and materials and to provide tapes          
rather than transcriptions of the hearings, as currently required.             
                                                                               
These changes would reduce the cost and time involved in resolving             
cases, helping the Commission to work through its tremendous                   
backlog of cases, and better respond to the publics increased                  
requests for its services.  The result will be better human rights             
protection for Alaskans.                                                       
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor