03/24/2022 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| HB157 | |
| SB129 | |
| SB126 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 157 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 129 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 24, 2022
3:34 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Shower, Chair
Senator Mia Costello
Senator Roger Holland
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lora Reinbold, Vice Chair
Senator Scott Kawasaki
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Police Standards Council
Michael Craig - Anchorage
David Knapp - Palmer
Jeff Brown - Utqiagvik
David Ross - Palmer
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
Alaska Public Offices Commission
Lanette Blodgett - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 157(FIN)
"An Act requiring the disclosure of the identity of certain
persons, groups, and nongroup entities that expend money in
support of or in opposition to an application filed for a state
referendum or recall election; relating to the location of
offices for the Alaska Public Offices Commission and the
locations at which certain statements and reports filed with the
commission are made available; relating to the duties of the
Alaska Public Offices Commission; clarifying the limits on
making, accepting, and reporting certain cash campaign
contributions; relating to campaign finance reporting by certain
groups; increasing the time the Alaska Public Offices Commission
has to respond to a request for an advisory opinion; repealing a
reporting requirement for certain contributions; relating to
contribution limits and recall campaigns; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 157(FIN) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 129
"An Act relating to information on judicial officers provided in
election pamphlets."
- MOVED CSSB 129(JUD) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 126
"An Act relating to the duration of a regular session of the
legislature; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 157
SHORT TITLE: APOC; REPORT REFERENDA/RECALL CONTRIBUTOR
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RASMUSSEN
03/31/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/31/21 (H) STA, JUD
04/17/21 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/17/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/17/21 (H) MINUTE(STA)
04/27/21 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/27/21 (H) Moved HB 157 Out of Committee
04/27/21 (H) MINUTE(STA)
04/28/21 (H) FIN REPLACES JUD REFERRAL
04/28/21 (H) BILL REPRINTED
04/28/21 (H) STA RPT 1DP 1NR 5AM
04/28/21 (H) DP: KREISS-TOMKINS
04/28/21 (H) NR: TARR
04/28/21 (H) AM: CLAMAN, STORY, EASTMAN, KAUFMAN,
VANCE
05/03/21 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519
05/03/21 (H) Heard & Held
05/03/21 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/04/21 (H) FIN AT 9:00 AM ADAMS 519
05/04/21 (H) Heard & Held
05/04/21 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/13/21 (H) FIN AT 9:00 AM ADAMS 519
05/13/21 (H) Moved CSHB 157(FIN) Out of Committee
05/13/21 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
05/14/21 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NEW TITLE 4DP 5NR
05/14/21 (H) DP: LEBON, JOSEPHSON, RASMUSSEN,
MERRICK
05/14/21 (H) NR: ORTIZ, CARPENTER, THOMPSON, WOOL,
FOSTER
05/19/21 (H) LIMIT ALL DEBATE TO 2 MIN EACH Y23 N16
E1
05/19/21 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/19/21 (H) VERSION: CSHB 157(FIN)
01/18/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/22 (S) STA, JUD
01/21/22 (S) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER JUD
02/17/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/17/22 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/01/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/01/22 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/03/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/03/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/03/22 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/24/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 129
SHORT TITLE: ELECTION PAMPHLET INFORMATION RE: JUDGES
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MYERS
04/21/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/21/21 (S) JUD, STA
05/05/21 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/05/21 (S) Heard & Held
05/05/21 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
05/12/21 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/12/21 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
05/14/21 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/14/21 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
01/28/22 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
01/28/22 (S) Heard & Held
01/28/22 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
01/31/22 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
01/31/22 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/02/22 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/02/22 (S) Heard & Held
02/02/22 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/09/22 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/09/22 (S) Heard & Held
02/09/22 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/11/22 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/11/22 (S) Moved CSSB 129(JUD) Out of Committee
02/11/22 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
02/15/22 (S) JUD RPT CS 1DP 2NR 1AM NEW TITLE
02/15/22 (S) DP: HOLLAND
02/15/22 (S) NR: SHOWER, KIEHL
02/15/22 (S) AM: HUGHES
03/10/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/10/22 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/17/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/17/22 (S) Heard & Held
03/17/22 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/22/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/22/22 (S) <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 03/24/22>
03/24/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 126
SHORT TITLE: REPEAL 90 DAY SESSION LIMIT
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
04/16/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/16/21 (S) STA, FIN
04/29/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/29/21 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/04/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/04/21 (S) Heard & Held
05/04/21 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/24/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
JEFF BROWN, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Utqiagvik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
DAVID KNAPP, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
DAVID ROSS, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
MICHAEL CRAIG, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
LANETTE BLODGETT, Appointee
Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC)
Department of Administration (DOA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Public Offices Commission.
CRYSTAL KOENEMAN, Staff
Representative Sara Rasmussen
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information about HB 157 on behalf
of the sponsor.
SENATOR ROBERT MYERS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 129.
SUSANNE DIPIETRO, Executive Director
Alaska Judicial Council (AJC)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Stated that AJC has not taken a position on
SB 129.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Reintroduced SB 126 and provided updated
data.
SENATOR GARY STEVENS (via teleconference)
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 126.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:34:48 PM
CHAIR MIKE SHOWER called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Holland, Costello, and Chair Shower.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Police Standards Council
Alaska Public Offices Commission
3:35:20 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of Governor Appointees
to Boards and Commissions.
3:35:59 PM
JEFF BROWN, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council,
Department of Public Safety (DPS), Utqiagvik, Alaska, stated
that he started his law enforcement career over 20 years ago. He
moved to Alaska in 2006 and served in various capacities until
he moved into the chief of police position in Utqiagvik. His
varied experience gives him a unique and well-rounded
perspective of law enforcement that makes him well-suited to
serve on the council. He thanked the committee for its
consideration and support.
3:36:49 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND thanked him for his interest in serving.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he had any skeletons in the closet that
the committee should know about now that might come out later.
CHIEF BROWN replied nothing relevant would come up.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he could identify key areas that need to
be fixed and the solutions he would recommend.
CHIEF BROWN replied it's important to ensure that the council
stays on top of national trends and always looks for well-
thought-out processes that will work for both rural and urban
areas where training is a little easier. The council looks at
things such as training qualifications, continuing education,
and increasing recruitment efforts, looking in particular at
recruiting out of rural communities. He emphasized the
importance of thoughtful consideration when considering any new
regulations or process.
CHAIR SHOWER mentioned the national trend of increased tension
between communities and law enforcement and asked if he had seen
any of those trends in Alaska. He also asked if he saw any
solution-based community policing standards that might be
relevant in Bush Alaska.
3:40:42 PM
CHIEF BROWN replied that he encourages community engagement in
the nine communities he is responsible for in the North Slope
Borough. Officers get to know the people better than in more
urban areas because there is no trooper presence and little
opportunity to work anyplace other than where you live. He said
the rotational staff is also more engaged with the communities,
and with such an open flow of communication it is possible to
solve some of the issues that are a problem in some Lower 48
communities that have been in the spotlight. When an entire
community has just one law enforcement officer, the officers
rely on the volunteer fire department and other known community
members to serve as backup on calls. He said his department
isn't faced with the overuse of force complaints that are common
in some communities across the nation. He opined that the North
Slope Borough Police Department specifically and Alaska in
general does a better job in training law enforcement officers
to serve in rural communities and that's helpful too. To ensure
that continues, training must keep evolving.
3:43:47 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on the appointment of Chief
Jeff Brown to the Alaska Police Standards Council; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
3:44:13 PM
DAVID KNAPP, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council,
Department of Public Safety (DPS), Palmer, Alaska, stated that
he grew up in Skagway, currently works as a staff sergeant for
the Department of Corrections, and resides in Palmer. If
reconfirmed, he said this will be his second term. He has worked
for DOC for 17 years and for the past five years he has been
assigned to prisoner transportation. His duties are focused on
identifying gangs and gang members in DOC facilities and passing
information along to help frontline staff conduct drug
suppression activities.
MR. KNAPP said he enjoyed his first term on the board and would
like to continue the work to maintain high standards for
training for correctional, probation, and police officers. He
also wants to ensure that all officers who come before the
council are treated fairly. When he's asked about the national
response to law enforcement, he is pleased to relay that most
Alaskans support the police. He offered his perspective that
APSC has solid regulations and policies in place and any changes
should build on those to make them better. Changes should not be
based on what is occurring nationally.
3:46:59 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he had any skeletons in the closet that
the committee should know about now that might come out later.
MR. KNAPP answered no.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he had identified problem areas that he
would like to work on through his service on the council.
MR. KNAPP replied it's not a problem now, but he wants to ensure
that the standards for law enforcement officers are maintained
even though recruitment is sometimes difficult.
3:48:00 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO said she's an advocate of having police
officers in schools, particularly in high school. She asked if
it is the school board or the police department that makes the
decisions about whether or not to have a law enforcement
presence in Alaska high schools.
MR. KNAPP replied that is out of his purview since he is a
correctional officer.
3:48:56 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on the appointment of David
Knapp to the Alaska Police Standards Council; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
3:49:35 PM
DAVID ROSS, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council,
Department of Public Safety (DPS), Kenai, Alaska, stated that he
has been with the Kenai Police Department for almost 21 years.
He has served in a wide range of position and has been police
chief for the past six years. He was appointed to serve in one
of the four police chief positions on the council. He views this
role as an opportunity to continue to address the need for a
professional and well-trained law enforcement workforce in
Alaska.
Responding the Chair's questions to the previous appointees, he
said he has no skeletons in the closet that might arise later.
Areas he would like to focus on are to continue careful hiring
practices to ensure the right people enter the profession;
ensure certification and decertification processes that keep the
right people in the profession; and maintain ongoing training to
keep the workforce well-trained and capable.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he had seen or was concerned that the
national trend of increased tension between communities and law
enforcement was here or headed to Alaska and if he had any ideas
for mitigation.
CHIEF ROSS replied the department is looking at those national
trends and it has provided an opportunity to talk about the
training that law enforcement officers should receive so
officers avoid getting into trouble. He said the Kenai Police
Department enjoys community support and he was not interested in
initiating large changes based on what is happening elsewhere.
CHAIR SHOWER commented on the dip netting craziness that occurs
near Kenai in July.
3:53:09 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on the appointment of Chief
David Ross to the Alaska Police Standards Council; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
CHAIR SHOWER asked Senator Costello if she had questions for
Chief Ross.
SENATOR COSTELLO shared that she supports having a local police
presence in high schools to foster good relationships, and asked
who makes the decisions for that to come about.
CHIEF ROSS replied it probably varies by location. In Kenai the
police department, local schools, and the city worked
cooperatively to provide a school resource officer who teaches
at the elementary, middle, and high schools. The school district
supports this and the police department has built good
relationships with administrators and students.
CHAIR SHOWER said he's a fan of the program.
3:55:32 PM
MICHAEL CRAIG, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council,
Anchorage, Alaska, stated that he had worked for the Trans
Alaska Pipeline Company since 1983 in a range of positions. In
his current capacity as Employee Concerns Coordinator, he
investigates code of conduct violations for employees,
management, and contractors as well as media assessments and
code of conduct training. He described this work as a good fit
for the council. He fills a large community public position on
the council. He has served since 2017 and has enjoyed the
service.
3:58:05 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked if he had any skeletons in the closet that
the committee should know about now that might come out later,
and if he had identified problem areas that he would like to
work on through his service on the council.
MR. CRAIG replied he was not aware of any skeletons in the
closet. Regarding work on the council, he said he had enjoyed
the time and was treated with respect. He is serving as a public
member and believes it is beneficial to the council to have
representation from people such as himself who have never been
in law enforcement. Another observation is that the council
would benefit if it were to have more racial diversity. He said
he is also very interested in the training that is offered at
the academy. His understanding is that APSC is able to see the
topics but not the content of the training, which is intriguing.
He said it seems that firearms training is heavily weighted, but
he isn't seeing much training that might help officers talk to
people of different cultures and races in order to mitigate the
need to use weapons of deadly force. He further posited that
while there is alignment between law enforcement, corrections,
and Village Public Safety Officers, there are differences that
APSC might look at correcting. For example, corrections has a
course to train officers how to engage with people without
having to draw a weapon.
CHAIR SHOWER said he likes to hear opposing viewpoints and areas
to improve.
MR. CRAIG restated that his experience on the council has been
very good. Anytime he has had an opposing viewpoint it has been
considered respectfully and he has never felt pressured to go
along with what's being said. It is because of that openness and
respect for differing opinions that he wants to continue on the
Alaska Police Standards Council.
CHAIR SHOWER restated that he appreciated the comments.
4:03:58 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on the appointment of
Michael Craig to the Alaska Police Standards Council; finding
none, he closed public testimony.
4:04:20 PM
CHAIR SHOWER turned to the appointment of Lanette Blodgett to
the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC).
4:04:26 PM
LANETTE BLODGETT, Appointee, Alaska Public Offices Commission
(APOC), Department of Administration (DOA), Anchorage, Alaska,
stated that she was appointed to a seat that is restricted to a
Democrat. She is honored that both the party and governor
support this appointment. It is an opportunity to serve Alaska
by applying her paralegal administrative agency and disciplinary
committee experiences to the APOC process. She said she feels
she can contribute by fact-checking and in investigations. She
looks forward to committing her time to APOC. It should be very
interesting with the recent court decisions.
4:06:51 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked if she had any skeletons in the closet that
the committee should know about now that might come out later.
MS. BLODGETT replied she could think of nothing that would come
up.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if she had identified any areas that might be
a problem for APOC or that she would like to improve.
MS. BLODGETT replied she would need to spend more time with the
commission to be able to answer, but she likes what she's seen
and looks forward to the work. It seems to be evolving.
4:09:03 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND asked if this would be her first term.
MS. BLODGETT answered yes.
SENATOR HOLLAND thanked her for her interest in serving.
4:09:43 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on the appointment of
Lanette Blodgett to the Alaska Public Offices Commission;
finding none, he closed public testimony.
4:10:08 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee reviewed the following
and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session
for consideration:
Alaska Police Standards Council
Michael Craig - Anchorage
David Knapp - Palmer
Jeff Brown - Utqiagvik
David Ross - Kenai
Alaska Public Offices Commission
Lanette Blodgett - Anchorage
CHAIR SHOWER reminded members that signing the reports regarding
appointments to boards and commissions in no way reflects
individual members' approval or disapproval of the appointees;
the nominations are merely forwarded to the full legislature for
confirmation or rejection.
4:10:53 PM
At ease
HB 157-APOC; REPORT REFERENDA/RECALL CONTRIBUTOR
4:11:45 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 157(FIN) "An Act
requiring the disclosure of the identity of certain persons,
groups, and nongroup entities that expend money in support of or
in opposition to an application filed for a state referendum or
recall election; relating to the location of offices for the
Alaska Public Offices Commission and the locations at which
certain statements and reports filed with the commission are
made available; relating to the duties of the Alaska Public
Offices Commission; clarifying the limits on making, accepting,
and reporting certain cash campaign contributions; relating to
campaign finance reporting by certain groups; increasing the
time the Alaska Public Offices Commission has to respond to a
request for an advisory opinion; repealing a reporting
requirement for certain contributions; relating to contribution
limits and recall campaigns; and providing for an effective
date."
He asked the sponsor's staff if she had any final comments.
4:12:09 PM
CRYSTAL KOENEMAN, Staff, Representative Sara Rasmussen, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, summarized that HB 157
provides language intended to help the Alaska Public Offices
Commission (APOC) run more smoothly and streamline the reporting
process for certain contributions and expenditures.
CHAIR SHOWER found no questions or comments and solicited a
motion.
4:12:41 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND moved to report HB 157, work order 32-LS0669\B,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
4:13:03 PM
CHAIR SHOWER found no objection and CSHB 157(FIN) moved from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
4:13:16 PM
At ease
SB 129-ELECTION PAMPHLET INFORMATION RE: JUDGES
4:15:10 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 129 "An Act relating to
information on judicial officers provided in election
pamphlets."
4:15:34 PM
SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 129, summarized that the bill will take
information that is already being collected, primarily by the
Judicial Council, and place it in the pamphlets that the
Division of Elections prints before every election to educate
voters.
4:16:20 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND asked if any groups had objected to the bill.
SENATOR MEYER replied there had been no crystalized effort
either for or against the bill.
CHAIR SHOWER recalled that the court wasn't particularly
supportive of the bill.
SENATOR MYERS said both the Court System and Judicial Council
were leery initially, but over the past 18 months he'd modified
the bill to mollify many of the concerns. He expressed optimism
that the bill would actually help the court over the long term.
4:18:34 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO asked whether the Judicial Council had an
opinion on the bill.
4:18:39 PM
SUSANNE DIPIETRO, Executive Director, Alaska Judicial Council
(AJC), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that AJC had not taken a
position on SB 129.
4:19:05 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SB 129; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
SENATOR MYERS thanked the committee.
4:19:30 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND moved to report CSSB 129, 32-LS0751\N, from
committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal
note(s).
CHAIR SHOWER found no objection and CSSB 129(JUD) was reported
from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
4:19:59 PM
At ease
SB 126-REPEAL 90 DAY SESSION LIMIT
4:20:58 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 126 "An Act relating to the
duration of a regular session of the legislature; and providing
for an effective date."
4:21:32 PM
At ease
4:24:06 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting.
4:24:24 PM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, reminded the committee that the
bill was first heard last year and that presentation was on
BASIS and in the bill packets. He directed attention to the
sheet of new data in the packets that showed the following:
Total Session Days
• Overall historical average from 1970-2021: 134 days
• Average under the constitutional 120-day session from 1986-
2007: 131 days
• Average under a statutory 90-day session from 2008-2021 137
Special Session Days
• Overall historical average from 1970-2021: 15.1 days
• Average under the constitutional 120-day session from 1986-
2007: 10.2 days
• Average under a statutory 90-day session from 2008-2021
21.1 days
MR. LAMKIN stated that the data above demonstrates that the 120-
day session hits the sweet spot to do the legislature's critical
work of passing the budget. He highlighted that with the
additional federal money coming in, it is particularly
burdensome to make such critical budgeting decisions in 30 fewer
days. He pointed out that the executive branch works year-round
with that information and the legislature only works with it for
90 days. He maintained that when the people's branch of
government was limited to 90 days, it was a direct shift of
power to the executive branch.
He offered to answer questions or go through the presentation
the committee heard last year.
4:28:21 PM
At ease
4:29:19 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting. He asked how many days, on
average, the legislature meets during regular sessions.
MR. LAMKIN directed attention to page 13 that illustrated that
with few exceptions, the legislature met for 120 days during
regular sessions.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if the average number of days in session was
120, regardless of whether the statute said 90 or 120 days.
4:31:04 PM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 126, via teleconference, stated that the 90-day
session has been tested long enough to see that it doesn't work
very well. He reminded the committee that the initiative that
established a 90-day session was spearheaded by legislators who
wanted shorter sessions for personal reasons. It passed by a
thin margin, it hasn't been successful, and circumstances in the
legislature are different now than they were then. The
legislature is responsible for the largest budget in the state
and the largest permanent fund per capita in the world. He said
it is very important for the legislature to meet for the time it
needs to get the job done. It takes more than 90 days to be an
effective policy-making body and to keep from being dominated by
the executive branch. The constitution says 121 days and that's
the right approach.
4:34:14 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked his thoughts on the fact that this would be
overriding the will of the people.
SENATOR STEVENS said the legislature has tried it since the
public passed the initiative in 2006 and it hasn't worked. The
public has lost out because their funnel to know what is
happening throughout the state is gone most of the year. The
legislature needs to be in the capitol minding the public's
interest for the 121 days called for in the constitution.
CHAIR SHOWER asked how other states do this work in less time.
4:36:56 PM
SENATOR STEVENS restated that the legislature tried it and only
once had been able to get the work done in 90 days. He
questioned whether other states would be able to handle what
they typically do and the federal money that will be coming in
in a shortened time.
SENATOR COSTELLO asked if the conflict between the constitution
and the stature has resulted in higher costs when the
Legislative Affairs Agency has planned on a 90-day session and
the legislature is unable to meet that deadline.
SENATOR STEVENS replied it is without question more costly when
the legislature meets for a longer time.
SENATOR COSTELLO clarified that her question was whether it
costs more for Legislative Affairs to wind the session down when
it plans for one date and the legislature extends beyond that
time. For example, the Marine Highway System plans to move
legislators' cars after 90 days and when the legislature extends
beyond that date, they must quickly switch the schedule to
accommodate a different exit date.
SENATOR STEVENS said Legislative Council has had to establish
exit plans for both the 90- and 120-day sessions and he would
suggest the committee consult the council to look at that
record.
4:40:07 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND commented that it seems ironic to impose a 90-
day limit and chronically run past that, and also have more
special sessions. He asked if anything in particular had been
identified to account for that.
SENATOR STEVENS said more legislation is being introduced and
each piece is typically referred to three committees in each
body, which takes time.
SENATOR HOLLAND offered his belief that 121 days was the sweet
spot.
CHAIR SHOWER argued that resolving the permanent fund dividend
(PFD) issue would alleviate much of the problem associated with
extended and special sessions.
He asked the sponsor if he had additional comments.
SENATOR STEVENS thanked the committee for hearing the bill.
CHAIR SHOWER asked Mr. Lamkin if he would like to respond to any
of the questions or supplement the sponsor's responses.
4:42:50 PM
MR. LAMKIN followed up on the sponsor's comments, pointing out
that the platform the proponents of the 90-day session used was
misleading. The proponents argued that a 90-day session policy
would:
• reduce the cost of state government
• align with the policy in other states
• encourage more people to run for office
MR. LAMKIN said every argument that was used had since proven
not to be the case. Speaking to Senator Holland's and Senator
Costello's questions, he pointed out that the promised cost
savings had not been realized. In fact, short notice changes for
things like ferry schedules add to the costs. Costs for special
session and interim meetings have also gone up.
4:44:51 PM
CHAIR SHOWER offered his belief that opening the door six or
seven years ago to not follow the formula for the statutory
dividend had caused chaos. He asked Mr. Lamkin to comment now or
follow up with data that shows the largest cost spikes since the
formula had not been followed.
MR. LAMKIN responded that the 90-day session took effect in 2007
and the legislature had met that deadline just twice. He
highlighted that Senator Stevens was Senate President those two
years. He said it's fair to say that the PFD debate contributed
to special sessions, but he wouldn't say that was the entire
reason.
CHAIR SHOWER agreed the PFD was just a contributor, not the sole
reason for special sessions.
MR. LAMKIN offered his belief that if the status quo is
maintained, issues will continue to come up that will keep the
legislature beyond 90 days.
4:47:45 PM
CHAIR SHOWER held SB 126 in committee.
4:48:14 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Shower adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 4:48 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| B.4 amendment rasmussen.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 157 |
| CSSB 129 version N_Amendment N.1.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 129 |
| David Knapp Application_Redacted.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| David Ross Resume 2021_Redacted.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| David Ross Application_Redacted.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Jeff Brown Resume_Redacted.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Jeff Brown - APSC Interest.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Lanette Blodgett Application_Redacted.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| Michael Craig Application_Redacted.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| SB126-LEG-LEG-03-22-22.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 126 |
| SB 126 Research History of AK Legislative Sessions -updateMarch2022.pdf |
SSTA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 126 |