Legislature(2003 - 2004)
01/15/2004 05:00 PM Senate LEC
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
January 15, 2004
1. ROLL CALL
The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 5:10 pm by Senator Therriault,
Chairman, Legislative Council, in the House Finance Committee Room and via
teleconference.
The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members: Therriault, Cowdery, Ben
Stevens, Ogan, Gary Stevens, Coghill, Kott, Masek, Rokeberg, Stoltze, Lincoln,
Weyhrauch, Wagoner and Berkowitz (via teleconference). Staff present: Varni,
Bannister, Collins, Clothier, Cook, Ibesate, Johnston, Lounsbury, Maher, Price,
Schofield.
2. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 18, 2003 MINUTES
Senator Cowdery moved the minutes of December 18, 2003 meeting be approved.
YEAS: Therriault, Cowdery, Ben Stevens, Ogan, Gary Stevens, Wagoner,
Lincoln, Coghill, Kott, Masek, Rokeberg, Stoltze and Weyhrauch
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Berkowitz
With no objection the motion was approved.
3. RFP #391
Chairman Therriault asked for a motion to move into Executive Session.
Representative Rokeberg moved that Legislative Council move into Executive Session to
review RFP #391 under Uniform Rule 22(b)(3) for discussion of a matter that may, by
law, be regarded to be confidential and that the following individuals be approval to
attend the Executive Session: Pam Varni, Jan Price, Tam Cook, Terry Bannister, Curt
Clothier, Karla Schofield and Don Johnston.
With no objection the motion was approved.
Representative Berkowitz joined the meeting via teleconference.
The Council came out of Executive Session.
Representative Rokeberg moved that Legislative Council approve the Legislative Council
Anchorage Office Space Subcommittee recommendation to award RFP #391 to 716 W.
th
4 Avenue, and the terms of the third best and final offer as discussed.
YEAS: Therriault, Cowdery, Ben Stevens, Ogan, Gary Stevens, Wagoner,
Lincoln, Coghill, Kott, Masek, Rokeberg, Stoltze, Weyhrauch and
Berkowitz (via teleconference)
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
With no objection the motion was approved.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
Ethics Committee Recommendation:
Chairman Therriault stated that last year in Senate Bill 89 an amendment was inserted to
allow lobbyists to give tickets for charitable events to Legislators and staff. The charity
has to be a 501(c)(3) corporation and the Legislative Council is required to give its
approval. The value of the ticket counts against the annual limit to gifts from lobbyists,
which is currently set at $250. Chairman Therriault's understanding is the Select
Committee on Legislative Ethics met to discuss this issue this summer. Chairman
Therriault asked that Senator Ben Stevens, who is a member of the Ethics Committee,
brief the Ethics Committee on its recommendations.
Senator Ben Stevens stated this was brought before the Ethics Committee as a question
on the intent of the amendment. Ethics interpreted it as the ability of the Chairman of the
Legislative Council to sanction a charitable event. Example, if an event was to take place
and it was a 501(c)(3) event, members can accept tickets to a charitable event if
Legislative Council gives the Chairman the ability to approve the charitable event instead
of calling a Legislative Council meeting to approve the event itself. The next time that
Legislative Council meets the committee would have to approve the Chairman's decision.
Senator Ben Stevens stated that it would accrue against the $250 limit, when it is reported
and that Legislators and staff can continue to attend charitable events that lobbyist buy
tickets for if it is an event that charities benefit from Legislators attendance.
Discussion followed.
Senator Ben Stevens moved that Legislative Council delegate the authority to grant
interim sanction to charity events under AS 24.60.080(c)(10) to the Council Chairman
and that notice of each approved event be distributed to all Legislators. Such sanction
shall last until the next scheduled meeting of the Legislative Council.
Discussion followed.
YEAS: Therriault, Cowdery, Ben Stevens, Ogan, Gary Stevens, Wagoner,
Lincoln, Coghill, Kott, Masek, Rokeberg, Weyhrauch and Berkowitz (via
teleconference)
NAYS: Stoltze
ABSENT: None
Motion passed 13 - 1.
Red Cross Ball Charity Event:
Representative Weyhrauch moved that Legislative Council approve a charitable event
happening this weekend, the Red Cross Ball for purposes of the Ethics Reporting
requirement as the Red Cross Ball is noticed as a 501(c)(3) organization. Approval is
subject to verification of correct tax status on January 16, 2004.
YEAS: Therriault, Cowdery, Ben Stevens, Ogan, Gary Stevens, Wagoner,
Lincoln, Coghill, Kott, Masek, Rokeberg, Stoltze, Weyhrauch and
Berkowitz (via teleconference)
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
With no objection the motion was approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 pm.
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