Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/13/2021 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB23 | |
| SB77 | |
| SB118 | |
| SB120 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 77 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 118 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 120 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 118-CMTE ON NULLIFICATION OF FEDERAL LAWS
4:03:34 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 118
"An Act establishing the committee on nullification of federal
laws; and providing a directive to the lieutenant governor."
4:03:51 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD, speaking as sponsor of SB 118, introduced the
legislation first by reading from a document authored by the
North American Law Center. [A copy of the document is in the
bill file.] She further introduced the bill speaking to the
following sponsor statement: [Original punctuation provided.]
The purpose of SB 118 is to invalidate any federal law
that the state views as unconstitutional. Thomas
Jefferson wrote "nullification?is the rightful remedy"
in a draft of the Kentucky resolution in 1798. There
are more than a dozen other states include Alabama,
Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Wyoming, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South
Dakota, West Virginia, and Iowa. SB118 creates a
committee to review federal law and exercise state
sovereignty. The committee is comprised of the
President of the senate, six members and not more than
4 from one political party, and the House of
Representatives appointed by the speaker as well as 6
appointed members not more than 4 from each political
party.
4:10:18 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD said it is important for the people to
understand that any federal law or mandate that is
unconstitutional on its face does not need to be nullified. The
Committee on Nullification of Federal Laws is a formal committee
of the legislative branch that is created to address serious
issues such as the infringement on gun rights.
4:11:28 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD paraphrased the following sectional analysis
for SB 118: [Original punctuation provided.]
Section One: Establishes a committee on Nullification
of Federal Laws as a permanent interim committee of
the legislature composed of:
a. President of the senate, or the President's
designee
b. Six members of the senate appointed by the
president of the senate with no more than four
members being of the same political party.
c. The Speaker of the House of Representatives or
the speakers designee
d. Six members of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker with not more than four
members being of the same political party.
Section Two: Adds a new section, Directive, the Lt.
Governor shall forward a copy of the enrolled version
of this bill to the President of the United Sates, the
President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of
the United States House of Representatives, and each
member of the Alaska congressional delegation.
CHAIR SHOWER found no questions or comments
4:12:45 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SB 118.
4:13:21 PM
STUART THOMPSON, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska stated that
SB 118 is a good idea and constitutionally justified in the
pursuit of the philosophy of the separation of powers and a
series of checks and balances. The founders understood that
abuse of power and government corruption has the potential to
grow through time. He highlighted that Art. XII, Sec. 14
empowers the legislature or the Alaska people to check federal
statutes infringing upon certain Alaskan interests. He suggested
the members of the committee formed by this bill study and
comprehend this provision. He recommended modifications to the
bill to defend it against inappropriate attacks or uncontrolled
judicial interpretation. He urged the committee to pass the bill
quickly.
4:16:10 PM
MIKE COONS, representing self, Palmer, Alaska, stated full
support for SB 118. He charged that Congress and the White House
are attacking constitutional rights on a daily basis. He said
Alaska is thankfully a sanctuary state due to previous
legislatures. He emphasized that Alaska, along with other
conservative constitution-loving states must join in to tell the
socialist Congress and now the White House a resounding no. He
said the constitution did not envision a central government but
rather a group of states with powers. He said nullification is a
solid existing law for both individuals and the state to use to
address harmful federal laws. He said this legislation is needed
and he hopes other states follow Alaska's example.
4:18:59 PM
CHRIS EICHENLAUB, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska stated that
he was speaking in support of SB 118 because it is a great idea.
He thanked the sponsor for introducing the bill.
CHAIR SHOWER expressed concern that regardless of which party is
in office, there has been a consistent march toward federal
supremacy. He voiced support for local control.
4:20:25 PM
CHRISTINE HUTCHINSON, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, stated
support for SB 118 and the sovereign rights of states. She said
the federal government is overrunning states' rights and it is
the obligation of each state to hold the federal government
accountable for infringing. She expressed hope that all Senators
support SB 118 and urged them to read her POMS.
4:21:25 PM
CHAIR SHOWER closed public testimony on SB 118 and advised that
written testimony could be sent to ssta@akleg.gov and it would
be entered into the public record.
[SB 118 was held in committee.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 23 Support Written Public Testimony.pdf |
SSTA 4/13/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 23 |