Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
02/18/2008 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB253 | |
| HB165 | |
| SB176 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 165 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| = | SB 253 | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 253-MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GAME
3:34:10 PM
CHAIR HUGGINS announced the consideration of SB 253. As the
sponsor, he asked Jodie Simpson to present the bill.
JODIE SIMPSON, staff to Senator Charlie Huggins, explained that
the statutory change brings the terms for the Board of Game
members in line with those of the Board of Fisheries. This will
prevent problems arising from the short timeframe for newly
appointed members to prepare for the large regulatory board
meeting held in early March every year. It also will reduce
confusion among the public as to which board members to contact
regarding issues. Noting packets included a letter from the
board chair requesting the changes, she said Mr. Marcotte of the
Boards Support Section would testify and answer questions.
3:35:56 PM
JIM MARCOTTE, Director, Boards Support Section, Alaska
Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), said ADF&G supports SB 253.
He explained that the short time between when appointments
typically are made in February - early in the legislative
session - and the major board meeting that usually occurs in
early March causes administrative problems. It is uncertain
whether existing members will be reappointed and thus will have
to prepare for that March meeting, and new appointees have
little time, often just days, to prepare.
MR. MARCOTTE reported that a similar switch for the Board of
Fisheries happened in 1996 and has worked well. It has given
plenty of time for legislative review. Board members are seated
starting July 1 and then are ready for the meeting cycle in
fall, winter, and spring. It allows for new-member orientation,
coordination with Department of Law staff, and so forth.
MR. MARCOTTE explained that currently, with Board of Game
appointments made prior to the full legislative confirmation
process, members may be looking over their shoulders to see how
some actions play out politically. It would be better to have
fully seated members as they take action during the March
meeting. He said this change is administrative in nature, but
recognizes the important role that the board has.
MR. MARCOTTE indicated packets also included the following: a
chart of the transition period that allows current members to
have terms which expire March 1, while terms for new appointees
expire June 30; the current statute; a list of current Board of
Game members; a summary of the board's two-year cycle, since it
deals with different geographic areas of the state on a rotating
basis; and an historical list of meeting dates and members.
3:39:59 PM
CHAIR HUGGINS asked why it took 12 years to do this. He also
requested details on the unexpired terms.
MR. MARCOTTE replied that discussions of this issue have gone on
for a couple of years and it was a matter of focus. As for
unexpired terms, if a member leaves because of health or another
reason, the replacement would continue only for the duration of
the original term. Thus the expiration of the terms would stay
intact.
CHAIR HUGGINS mentioned failure to be confirmed.
MR. MARCOTTE agreed that has happened in the past.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether that is a change.
MR. MARCOTTE answered no. In further response, he said he
couldn't think of any opposition to the bill.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked if it was Mr. Marcotte's brainchild.
MR. MARCOTTE responded that it was in collaboration with Kristy
Tibbles, the Board of Game, and others in the department.
SENATOR STEVENS said it makes perfect sense to him. He asked
what problems have arisen because members attend a meeting in
March without legislative confirmation.
MR. MARCOTTE replied it's a twofold problem. First, the public
perception is that the newly appointed member, not yet
confirmed, doesn't have the full support of two branches of the
government; it undermines that person's status as an acting
board member. Second, if the member acts on proposals in March
and is subject to confirmation following that, there is undue
scrutiny of specific details or a single vote; that happened
recently. It would be more appropriate to look at someone's
overall ability to serve, rather than focusing on a single issue
for which the member acted in good faith at the time.
CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether anyone else wished to testify; there
was no response.
3:44:04 PM
SENATOR STEDMAN moved to report SB 253 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, SB 253 was moved out of the Senate Resources
Standing Committee.
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