03/24/1999 12:50 PM House LEC

                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL                                                                                                           
March 24, 1999                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
1.    ROLL CALL                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The Legislative Council meeting was called  to order at 12:50 p.m. by Senator                                                   
Miller, Legislative Council Chair, in the Butrovich Room, Capitol Room 205.                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The roll was taken.  In attendance were Council members Miller, Donley,                                                         
Hoffman, Leman, Pearce, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Ogan, G. Phillips, and Porter.                                                      
Members absent were T. Kelly, Torgerson,  Barnes and Rokeberg.  Staff present                                                   
were Varni, Cook, Ibesate, Kempton, and Schofield.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
2.    APPROVAL OF MARCH 17, 1999 MEETING MINUTES                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Representative Phillips moved that the  minutes of the March 17, 1999 meeting                                                   
be approved.  The motion was approved unanimously.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3.    RECENT COURT RULING ON THE ABORTION ISSUE                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Phillips stated her concerns regarding the recent court ruling                                                   
on the abortion lawsuit between Planned Parenthood of Alaska vs. State of                                                       
Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services.  A discussion followed.                                                       
Representative Phillips stated, for the  record, that she was highly incensed                                                   
that the Court System was making financial  policy decisions for the State of                                                   
Alaska.  Council Chair Miller stated that if the Administration does not move                                                   
forward in the defense at the next level, he would be coming back to                                                            
Legislative Council to review the Legislature's options.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4. LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM                                                                                   
                                                                                                                              
Kevin Kempton, Human Resources Manager,  stated that the proposed Legislative                                                   
RIP plan before the Council is essentially the same as the 1996 Legislative                                                     
RIP plan except that it restricts certain staff job classes.  A discussion                                                      
followed.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Pearce moved the Retirement Incentive Plan be opened to Legislative                                                     
employees in the Legislative Branch who  meet the eligibility requirements of                                                   
the RIP Plan prepared by Kevin Kempton.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
With no objection, the motion passed unanimously.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
5. SALARY & BUSINESS EXPENSE  SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT                                                                             
                                                                                                                              
Senator Donley stated that the subcommittee is recommending a bill be                                                           
introduced by Legislative Council through the Rules Committee regarding a                                                       
comprehensive report of certain state salaries and business expenses. The                                                       
report must include, for the most recent year for which it is available,                                                        
information about the compensation and expenses of:                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
      1.    legislators;                                                                                                        
      2.    the governor and the lieutenant governor;                                                                           
      3.    justices of the state supreme court, judges of the court of                                                         
            appeals, and the administrative director of courts;                                                                 
      4.    the president of the University of Alaska and chancellors of the                                                    
            individual campuses;                                                                                                
      5.    commissioners; deputy commissioners, and division directors of the                                                  
            principal departments of the executive branch of state government;                                                  
      6.    the executive heads of public corporations created by state law,                                                    
            including                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
            a.    the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AS                                                    
                  44.88.020),                                                                                                   
            b.    the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AS 18.56.020); and                                                    
            c.    the Alaska Railroad Corporation (AS 42.40.010).                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Pearce moved the salary and business expense bill be introduced as a                                                    
committee bill.  She also moved to include the exempt positions in the Office                                                   
of the Governor and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.  With no objection,                                                  
the motion passed.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Leman moved to amend and include the Permanent Fund Corporation.  With                                                  
no objection, the motion passed.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Berkowitz moved to amend and include all Legislative Staff.                                                      
Senator Miller objected to the motion.  The roll was taken:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
NAYS: Miller, Donley, Hoffman, Leman, Pearce, Cowdery, Ogan, Phillips, and                                                      
            Porter                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:       Berkowitz                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
ABSENT:     Kelly, T., Torgerson, Barnes, and Rokeberg                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The motion failed.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Donley moved to amend and include the Executive Director of the                                                         
Legislative Affairs Agency, and the Legislative Auditor.  With no objection,                                                    
the motion passed.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Council Chair Miller informed the Council that Ms. Sullivan in Valdez is suing                                                  
various State officials, including many legislators.  The suit alleges misuse                                                   
of the peoples money and drafting of the unconstitutional budget bills.  He                                                     
stated that we have 40 days to respond.  The Attorney General is handling the                                                   
case for the Legislature.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The meeting adjourned at 1:16 p.m.