2006-12-29                     House Journal                      Page 4429
HB 4001                                                                                           
The following letter, dated December 28, 2006, was received:                                        
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
Under the authority vested in me by art. II, sec. 15, of the Alaska                                 
Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill:                                                     
                                                                                                    
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 4001(FIN) am(efd fld)                                                     
    "An Act prohibiting the commissioner of administration from                                     
    adopting, allowing to become law, or implementing regulations                                   
    that grant or extend employment-related benefits to same-sex                                    

2006-12-29                     House Journal                      Page 4430
    partners of state employees and members of the state retirement                                 
    systems unless expressly authorized by statute."                                                
                                                                                                    
The Alaska Supreme Court issued an order on December 19, 2006,                                      
that made effective regulations to provide employment-related benefits                              
to same-sex partners of public employees and members of the state                                   
retirement systems. The Department of Law has advised me that the                                   
Alaska Supreme Court is likely to find that this bill is unconstitutional                           
and, therefore, the bill would not effectively prohibit the provision of                            
benefits under those regulations.                                                                   
                                                                                                    
The regulations are already in effect in accordance with the court's                                
order of December 19, 2006. Allowing this bill to become law would                                  
violate my oath of office to uphold and defend the Constitution of the                              
State of Alaska.                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
Please know that this veto does not signal any change or modification                               
to my disagreement with the action and order by the Alaska Supreme                                  
Court. It is my intention to work with the legislature and to give the                              
people of Alaska an opportunity to express their wishes and intentions                              
whether these benefits should continue.                                                             
                                                                                                    
                               Sincerely,                                                          
                               /s/                                                                  
                               Sarah Palin                                                         
                                Governor"