Legislature(1993 - 1994)
01/27/1993 09:12 AM Senate STA
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
January 27, 1993
9:12 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Loren Leman, Chairman
Senator Robin Taylor
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Mike Miller
Senator Jim Duncan
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of
Alaska relating to repeal of regulations by the legislature.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Alaska relating to capital projects and loan appropriations,
and to the expenditure limit.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of
Alaska authorizing the use of the initiative to amend the
Constitution of the State of Alaska by approval of two-
thirds of the votes cast on the proposed amendment.
PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION
SJR 11 - No previous action to record.
SJR 8 - No previous action to record.
SJR 6 - See State Affairs minutes dated 1/25/93.
WITNESS REGISTER
Senator Drue Pearce
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Prime Sponsor of SJR 11.
Senator Randy Phillips
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Prime Sponsor of SJR 8.
John Shepherd, Aide
Senator Rick Halford
State Capitol
Juneau, Alaska 9980l-1182
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information on SJR 6.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-5, SIDE A
Number 001
Chairman Leman called the Senate State Affairs Committee
meeting to order at 9:12 a. m.
SENATOR LEMAN brought SJR 11 (REPEAL OF REGULATIONS BY
LEGISLATURE) before the committee as the first order of
business.
Number 020
SENATOR LEMAN invited the prime sponsor of SJR 11, SENATOR
PEARCE, to introduce her bill.
SENATOR PEARCE explained that the resolution would permit
the annulment of regulations by joint resolution by the two
houses. This would allow the legislature to take action on
poorly considered regulations promulgated by state agencies.
Adoption of a resolution annulling a regulation would
require approval by majority vote of each body of the
legislature.
Number 090
SENATOR LEMAN asked what had changed in the legislation that
would lead her to believe that the response from the voters
would be any different from what it has been the last three
times this was on the ballot? SENATOR PEARCE replied that
there is an awareness by constituents who have been
affected by regulations that have gone beyond the statutes.
Number 135
SENATOR TAYLOR moved to pass SJR 11 from committee with
individual recommendations. Hearing no objections, it was
so ordered.
Number 160
SENATOR LEMAN introduced SJR 8 (CAPITAL PROJECTS/EXPENDITURE
LIMIT) and the prime sponsor, SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS.
SENATOR PHILLIPS explained this legislation would limit
state spending of general fund dollars. SJR 8 also provides
that at least 10 percent of the amount appropriated in each
fiscal year must be designated for capital project and
loans. It has a sunset provision.
The expenditure limit can be lifted or exceeded by two-
thirds of both the House and the Senate. Any revenues in
excess of the expenditure limit will be deposited in the
constitutional reserve account.
SENATOR PHILLIPS explained why this should be placed before
the voters; the legislature collectively has not come to
grips with dealing with declining oil revenues, has
declining revenues, yet expenditures are going up.
SENATOR PHILLIPS said a constitutional amendment was the
only way to force the legislature collectively to deal with
this problem. There is presently in place a statutory
limit, but it doesn't have an enforcement mechanism.
Number 215
SENATOR TAYLOR moved to pass SJR 8 from committee with
individual recommendations. Hearing no objections, it was
so ordered.
SENATOR LEMAN introduced SJR 6 (USE OF INITIATIVE TO AMEND
CONSTITUTION) as the final order of business.
JOHN SHEPHERD, staff member to SENATOR HALFORD, said that
two questions were raised at the 1/25/93 committee hearing
of SJR6 and responses have been prepared for the committee
members.
Included in the responses was a breakout of the
constitutional amendment proposals that have gone before the
voters since statehood. Of the 31 amendment proposals
submitted, 9 failed passage, 13 passed by a margin of 66
percent or greater, 7 passed by margin of 60 to 66 percent
and only 2 by a margin of between 50 and 60 percent.
Also, in answer to SENATOR DUNCAN'S question concerning
constitutional amendments by initiative, Mr. Shepherd
clarified that there are 21 states that have a statutory
initiative, Alaska being one of them. Seventeen states have
a constitutional initiative, one of those being indirect.
Number 260
SENATOR DUNCAN asked if the proposed constitutional
amendments can be adopted either by a two-thirds vote by
initiative of the people or by just a majority if the
legislature puts it on the ballot? SENATOR LEMAN
acknowledged that SENATOR DUNCAN was correct, but that there
also was one other method, the constitutional convention.
Number 280
SENATOR TAYLOR moved to pass SJR 6 from committee with
individual recommendations. Hearing no objections, it was
so ordered.
SENATOR LEMAN stated he was asked by COMMISSIONER USERA to
consider introduction of a bill to revise statutes to enable
the department to reduce the residency requirement for the
pioneer homes from 15 years to 1 year.
SENATOR TAYLOR suggested much more was needed than just a
little statute cleanup. He questioned if the residency
requirement should be eliminated altogether and place the
pioneer's home system under a needs based situation.
Then the state would be eligible to receive 50 percent of
the full cost from the federal government.
Number 345
After a brief discussion it was agreed the legislation
should be introduced by the Governor.
There being no further business to come before the
committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:34 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|