2017-01-20                     House Journal                      Page 0066
HB 71                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 71 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                    
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to compensation, merit increases, and pay                                                                 
     increments for certain public officials, officers, and employees not                                                       
     covered by collective bargaining agreements; and providing for an                                                          
     effective date."                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                                                           
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Fiscal, Office of the Governor/Various Depts.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 19 follows:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                

2017-01-20                     House Journal                      Page 0067
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to pay for nonunion state                                                       
employees, public officials, and legislators.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The bill would freeze salaries by prohibiting the payment of general                                                            
salary increases and eliminating the payment of merit step increases                                                            
and pay increments, between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019, for                                                                
partially exempt, exempt, and other nonunion employees in the                                                                   
Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and employees of the                                                                      
University of Alaska. Additionally, the bill would give the Governor                                                            
the authority to waive any portion of the Governor's salary during the                                                          
period July 1, 2017, through July 1, 2019. The bill would not apply to                                                          
persons who are members of a collective bargaining unit established                                                             
under AS 23.40.070 - 23.40.260 (Public Employment Relations Act).                                                               
                                                                                                                                
This two-year freeze in employee pay will allow time for the State to                                                           
responsibly address the serious budget deficit.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Bill Walker                                                                                                                     
Governor"