04/05/2008 03:00 PM House RULES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB281 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| = | HB 281 | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE RULES STANDING COMMITTEE
April 5, 2008
3:08 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative John Coghill, Chair
Representative John Harris
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Ralph Samuels
Representative Beth Kerttula
Representative David Guttenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Anna Fairclough
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Bob Lynn
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 281
"An Act extending the statute of limitations for the filing of
complaints with the Alaska Public Offices Commission involving
state election campaigns."
- MOVED CSHB 281(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 281
SHORT TITLE: CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLAINTS
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) LYNN, GATTO
01/04/08 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/4/08
01/15/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/15/08 (H) STA, JUD
01/17/08 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
01/17/08 (H) Heard & Held
01/17/08 (H) MINUTE(STA)
01/19/08 (H) STA AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106
01/19/08 (H) Moved CSHB 281(STA) Out of Committee
01/19/08 (H) MINUTE(STA)
01/22/08 (H) STA RPT CS(STA) NT 1DP 3NR 2AM
01/22/08 (H) DP: LYNN
01/22/08 (H) NR: ROSES, COGHILL, DOLL
01/22/08 (H) AM: JOHNSON, JOHANSEN
01/22/08 (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER JUD
01/25/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
01/25/08 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
02/01/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
02/01/08 (H) Heard & Held
02/01/08 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
02/06/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
02/06/08 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 02/08/08>
02/08/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
02/08/08 (H) Heard & Held
02/08/08 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/19/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120
03/19/08 (H) Moved CSHB 281(JUD) Out of Committee
03/19/08 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/20/08 (H) JUD RPT CS(JUD) NT 2DP 3NR
03/20/08 (H) DP: LYNN, GRUENBERG
03/20/08 (H) NR: COGHILL, DAHLSTROM, RAMRAS
03/31/08 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/31/08 (H) Heard & Held
03/31/08 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
04/02/08 (H) FIN AT 8:30 AM HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/02/08 (H) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 1:30
Today>
04/02/08 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/02/08 (H) Moved CSHB 281(FIN) Out of Committee
04/02/08 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
04/04/08 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NT 3DP 3NR 2AM
04/04/08 (H) DP: HAWKER, THOMAS, GARA
04/04/08 (H) NR: NELSON, JOULE, MEYER
04/04/08 (H) AM: STOLTZE, CHENAULT
04/04/08 (H) RLS AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 120
04/04/08 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/05/08 (H) RLS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 120
WITNESS REGISTER
No witnesses to record
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR JOHN COGHILL called the House Rules Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:08:05 PM. Representatives Johnson,
Samuels, Kerttula, Guttenberg, Harris, and Coghill were present
at the call to order. Representative Lynn was also in
attendance.
HB 281 - CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLAINTS
3:08:57 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 281, "An Act extending the statute of limitations
for the filing of complaints with the Alaska Public Offices
Commission involving state election campaigns." [Before the
committee was CSHB 281(FIN).]
3:09:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 281, Version 25-LS1115\J, Bullard,
4/5/08, as the work draft. There being no objection, Version J
was before the committee.
CHAIR COGHILL [referring to changes encompassed in Version J]
mentioned Representative Gara's amendment that addressed
reporting on polling and the need to include a disclaimer, which
Representative Gara withdrew due to a legal question. He then
highlighted the change on page 2, line 9, which eliminated the
language related to contributions in excess of $250.
3:10:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS explained that the intent with the change
on page 2, line 9, is to have all candidates report the
occupation and employer of the contributor, regardless of the
amount of the cash contribution.
3:12:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG expressed concern for those who run
small, low-level campaigns for a couple hours a day on their
own. For such individuals, the additional reporting
requirements are seen as a hindrance and they may decide not to
run for office. Although he questioned whether the problem
exists, he also expressed concern that more onus is being placed
[on potential candidates].
3:14:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA asked whether there is still an
exemption such that campaigns below $5,000 don't have to report.
CHAIR COGHILL replied yes.
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA surmised then that groups and political
action committees (PACs) can still contribute and each group or
PAC is listed. Therefore, the amount won't be what's important,
but the main occupation and employer of every individual who
contributes will be listed.
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS confirmed that to be the intent. He then
commented that a $200 contribution is a good contribution. He
questioned why the $250 contribution limit was set, particularly
when one could receive a series of $200 contributions from the
same organization.
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA said she agrees with Representative
Samuels, but relayed that the reality of her campaign is that
she receives $5 and $10 contributions. She said that although
she would continue to think about this, she wouldn't object to
it today.
3:16:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG asked whether there is any retroactive
aspect to HB 281.
CHAIR COGHILL replied no, and pointed out that it's an immediate
effective date for Sections 1-14.
3:16:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS offered that the complaint is that the
Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) hasn't had the ability
to go back. He related his understanding that HB 281 would take
care of that and go back five years.
CHAIR COGHILL responded yes.
3:17:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS moved to report the proposed CS for HB
281, Version 25-LS1115\J, Bullard, 4/5/08, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, CSHB 281(RLS) was reported from the
House Rules Standing Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Rules Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:17 p.m.
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