01/17/1995 09:15 AM Senate JUD

                   SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE                                  
                        January 17, 1995                                       
                           9:15 a.m.                                           
                                                                               
                                                                               
  MEMBERS PRESENT                                                              
                                                                               
 Senator Robin Taylor, Chairman                                                
 Senator Lyda Green, Vice-Chairman                                             
 Senator Mike Miller                                                           
 Senator Al Adams                                                              
                                                                               
  MEMBERS ABSENT                                                               
                                                                               
 Senator Johnny Ellis                                                          
                                                                               
  COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                           
                                                                               
 Reappointment of Margie MacNeile and Ed Granger to the Legislative            
 Ethics Committee                                                              
                                                                               
  WITNESS REGISTER                                                             
                                                                               
 Margie MacNeile via teleconference                                            
 8101 White Dr.                                                                
 Anchorage, AK  99516                                                          
                                                                               
  ACTION NARRATIVE                                                             
                                                                               
  TAPE 95-1, SIDE A                                                            
                                                                               
  Number 001                                                                   
                                                                               
    CHAIRMAN ROBIN TAYLOR  called the Judiciary Committee meeting to           
 order at 9:15 a.m. and announced the only agenda item was to                  
 consider the appropriateness of the confirmation of two public                
 members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, Margie Mac             
 Neile and Ed Granger.  Both have previously served in that capacity           
 but their terms have come up for renewal.  Chairman Taylor asked              
 Margie MacNeile to make an introductory statement to committee                
 members and asked committee members to question the appointee.                
                                                                               
 Number 025                                                                    
                                                                               
 Margie MacNeile testified via teleconference from Anchorage.  She             
 informed committee members that she had served as a member of the             
 Select Committee on Legislative Ethics three times during the past            
 two years.  She stated she worked hard and did the best she could             
 and was looking forward to serving again if reappointed.                      
                                                                               
 Number 030                                                                    
                                                                               
 Senator Adams noted that his question was to be directed to both              
 Ms. MacNeile and Mr. Granger.  He recounted that a Republican had             
 been charged with illegally accepting campaign funds and using                
 their office to pass out campaign materials this past summer.  He             
 noted that the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics required the            
 Republican to pay back the illegal campaign funds and to make the             
 appropriate apologies.  Senator Adams expressed concern that if               
 next year the same circumstances arise with a Democrat, will the              
 same punishment be administered?                                              
                                                                               
 Number 052                                                                    
                                                                               
 Ms. MacNeile replied that it would be inappropriate for her as a              
 single member of the committee to comment on a case previously                
 decided upon by the committee.  She did assure committee members              
 that she holds Republicans and Democrats to the same standards.               
                                                                               
 Number 055                                                                    
                                                                               
 Senator Adams stated that all he asks for is that the same                    
 standards apply to the same concern.                                          
                                                                               
 Number 057                                                                    
                                                                               
 Chairman Taylor asked if anyone in the audience would like to                 
 comment on the confirmation of Margie MacNeile.  No one wished to             
 comment.  He stated Mr. Granger was unable to be contacted but                
 there was information about Mr. Granger in his packet.  Chairman              
 Taylor then asked if anyone wished to make statements or questions            
 regarding Mr. Granger.  There were none.                                      
                                                                               
 Number 069                                                                    
                                                                               
 Senator Miller moved that the committee move the two names out of             
 committee with individual recommendations.  There were no stated              
 objections regarding confirmation of the named individuals, however           
 this does not necessarily indicate an intention of a committee                
 member to vote for or against the individuals named at the time of            
 joint session on confirmation.                                                
                                                                               
 Chairman Taylor adjourned the meeting at 9:26 a.m.