Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2008-01-30 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2008-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1720 SB 257 SENATE BILL NO. 257 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to distribution of the Alaska Administrative Code and Alaska Administrative Register; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor Governor's transmittal letter dated January 28: Dear President Green: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to change the Alaska Administrative Procedure Act to provide for better and more cost-effective access to administrative information. 2008-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1721 The bill stems from requests of some local governments to stop receiving paper copies of the Alaska Administrative Code and the Alaska Administrative Register. Space in some local government offices is limited and the storage and disposal of these documents can be problematic. Under current law, the Lieutenant Governor, at state expense, is required to supply a complete set of the Alaska Administrative Code, the Alaska Administrative Register, and each supplement to the code or register to the clerk of each local government unit. Many local governments have indicated that paper copies of these publications are neither utilized nor desired. The bill allows the clerk of a local governmental unit to choose to forego receipt of the paper copies. Paper copies would continue to be supplied to governmental units that do not request cessation of the deliveries. Because electronic access to the Alaska Administrative Code is currently available through the Legislature's website, and through links to that website from various state agency websites, we anticipate that many local governments would prefer this "no-cost" option for electronic access to the information, and paper copies would not be needed. The bill also provides an easy method for the local government to "opt back in" to start receiving paper copies of the documents if the local government's needs changed. I urge your prompt consideration and passage of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Sarah Palin Governor