Legislature(2003 - 2004)
05/05/2004 04:22 PM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 351(STA)
An Act requiring the Alaska Public Offices Commission
to accept documents by nonelectronic means, and
specifying the manner of preparing the forms that are
provided by the commission.
SENATOR LYDA GREEN, SPONSOR, explained that recently passed
legislation regarding the Alaska Public Offices Commission
(APOC) inadvertently included the words, "upon request of
the Commission" which gave the APOC authority to require
electronic filing of election campaign records. She felt
that this should be changed. Although all candidates would
eventually turn to electronic equipment, the program would
not be ready for at least two years. The bill has been
narrowed to candidates for election and provides that the
information may be printed legibly in dark ink on forms
approved and filed by the Commission. She expressed a
concern that forms be filed timely and be made ready for
public review. She disagreed with the current emphasis that
the information be immediately available to the public over
the Internet.
Senator Green pointed out the language that was changed on
page 1, line 6, "The commission may request," and offered it
for the Committee's consideration.
Representative Joule asked if faxes would be an acceptable
means of filing. Senator Green explained that filing may be
by fax, mail or electronically.
Vice-Chair Meyer voiced support for the bill because he had
experienced software glitches in filing electronically
during the past ten years.
Representative Chenault asked if a candidate could still fax
the reports under the proposed changes. Senator Green
replied that under the current statute, if APOC requested
it, a candidate could only transmit the information
electronically. She felt that the APOC should waive the
requirement for Representative Joule's district if a
candidate didn't own a computer. She believed that
candidates should be able to file in their accustomed
manner.
BROOK MILES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA PUBLIC OFFICES
COMMISSION (APOC), DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, stated that
the APOC does not support the bill. The Commission views
this reversal of the ability to request electronic filing as
a serious impediment.
TAPE HFC 04 - 106, Side B
Ms. Miles continued, stating that when the Legislature
agreed to give the APOC electronic filing, it also reduced
the Commission's budget by $100 thousand, which has resulted
in a 20% reduction to its workforce. She pointed out that
there is fewer staff to do a lot more work, and having
electronic filing would change APOC's ability to conduct
business, as well as inform the public of changes in the
law. The fiscal note is Indeterminate because APOC does not
know how many people will choose to file paper documents and
how many will file electronically. Ms. Miles said that
historically, never higher than 15% of all candidates have
filed electronically. She said that without additional
funding, the APOC would be unable to meet its mission. There
would be significant delays in getting the information to
the public in the 2004 State election, and the problem would
be magnified in the 2006 gubernatorial election.
Vice-Chair Meyer asked if the APOC could scan or otherwise
avoid retyping the information filed on paper. Ms. Miles
affirmed that it would be possible to scan forms, but a
relational database would not be possible if a picture is
scanned in.
Vice-Chair Meyer thought that candidates with multiple terms
would prefer electronic filing because it is easier. Ms.
Miles said the current program requires that the candidate
fill out the campaign disclosure form electronically, but
the new program is more interactive and "user friendly."
Representative Fate asked if the program is operational, and
commented that there were a lot of glitches in the upgraded
filing software that led to him filing a couple of typed
pages. Ms. Miles replied that the APOC will use a [indisc]
by next summer, or at least in next year's municipal races.
She said that it would be tested beforehand.
Representative Foster MOVED to report HCS CSSB 351(STA) out
of Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
HCS CSSB 351(STA) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and one previously published fiscal
impact note.
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