Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/29/2024 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 29, 2024
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Scott Kawasaki, Chair
Senator Matt Claman, Vice Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator Kelly Merrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Jesse Bjorkman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of
Alaska relating to actions upon veto.
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 15
SHORT TITLE: CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) CLAMAN
02/19/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/24 (S) STA
02/29/24 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR CLAMAN, District 21
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SJR 15.
BREANNA KAKARUK, Staff
Senator Matt Claman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for SJR 15.
ANN RAPPOPORT, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 15.
KALEB CALLAHAN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 15.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:11 PM
CHAIR SCOTT KAWASAKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Claman, Merrick, and Chair Kawasaki. Senator
Wielechowski arrived thereafter.
SJR 15-CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE
3:32:53 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 15 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of
the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto.
3:33:21 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN, District 21, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, presented SJR 15:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Joint Resolution 15
Sponsor Statement Version A
"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the
State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto."
Senate Joint Resolution 15 Sectional Analysis
Version A Section 1 The Constitution of the State of
Alaska. Article II, Section 16. Deletes the three-
fourth vote requirement for the legislature to
override vetoes for revenue and appropriation bills or
items. Changes the vote requirement for the
legislature to override vetoes for revenue and
appropriation bills or items to a two-third vote.
Section 2 The Constitution of the State of Alaska.
Conforms with Article XIII, Section 1 of the Alaska
Constitution and the state election laws to put the
amendment proposed by this resolution before
registered voters in the State of Alaska at the next
general election.
Senate Joint Resolution 15 amends the Constitution of
the State of Alaska by changing the requirement to
override a veto on revenue and appropriation bills or
items from three-fourths of the legislature to two-
thirds of the legislature in joint session. If Senate
Joint Resolution 15 passes the legislature, it will
put the resolution on the ballot for registered
Alaskan voters to consider in the next general
election.
According to Alaska's Constitution: A Citizen's Guide
published by the Legislative Affairs Agency, "[f]ew
other states make the distinction between a bill
dealing with substantive law and an appropriation
bill." Alaska may be the only state that has a three-
fourths requirement to override the governor's veto on
revenue and appropriation matters.
Amending this provision in our constitution will
strengthen the legislature and improve the public's
ability to influence executive and legislative
decisions on revenue matters.
3:35:36 PM
BREANNA KAKARUK, Staff, Senator Claman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis
for SJR 15:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Joint Resolution 15
Sectional Analysis Version A
Section 1
The Constitution of the State of Alaska. Article II,
Section 16.
Deletes the three-fourth vote requirement for the
legislature to override vetoes for revenue and
appropriation bills or items. Changes the vote
requirement for the legislature to override vetoes for
revenue and appropriation bills or items to a two-
third vote.
Section 2
The Constitution of the State of Alaska.
Conforms with Article XIII, Section 1 of the Alaska
Constitution and the state election laws to put the
amendment proposed by this resolution before
registered voters in the State of Alaska at the next
general election.
3:36:07 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI inquired about the number of votes needed in both
legislative chambers for the passage of SJR 15 during this
legislative session.
3:36:30 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN responded that the Senate would require 14 votes
or two-thirds, while the House would require 27 votes or two-
thirds. If both bodies vote to approve SJR 15, the governor
would not have any say in the matter. The legislation would then
proceed to the ballot. If a majority of Alaskans vote in favor
of SJR 15, the Constitution would be amended.
3:37:01 PM
SENATOR MERRICK said there is a two-thirds threshold for
legislation. The governor could veto the legislation and the
legislature could override the veto. She wondered if the
governor could still veto the appropriation effectively vetoing
SJR 15.
3:37:30 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN replied that if there were a fiscal note attached
to the legislation, it would not be considered part of the
legislation itself. Overriding a veto on the budget bill would
necessitate a three-quarter vote.
3:37:50 PM
SENATOR MERRICK clarified that since SB 140 was passed by both
bodies, the governor can now sign, veto, or let it go into law
without his signature. However, when the appropriations bill is
submitted, the governor could line-item veto the Base Student
Allocation (BSA) money, etcetera. She inquired about the
implementation of the law under SB 140 in the absence of any
funding.
3:38:27 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN responded that it is his understanding that
fiscal notes on SB 140 would be attached to the budget when it
passes. Therefore, the budget would be subject to line-item
vetoes and a potential veto by the governor.
3:39:07 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked for confirmation of his understanding that
the governor could veto the legislative intent behind SB 140 by
choosing not to allocate funding for the bill.
3:39:21 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN clarified that several years ago, legislation had
established a specific amount for the Permanent Fund Dividend
(PFD), and the legislature consistently appropriated funds in
accordance with that formula. He recounted an incident when
Governor Walker initially exercised a line-item veto to decrease
that amount. Overriding that veto would have necessitated a
three-quarter vote.
3:40:02 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN stated that Senator Merrick's question
underscores the value of having the same override threshold for
both financial and legislative matters, as it would eliminate
confusion.
3:40:21 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI opened public testimony SJR 15.
3:41:27 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI joined the meeting.
3:40:42 PM
ANN RAPPOPORT, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
in support of SJR 15. She said with swift approval from the
legislature, SJR 15 could be presented to voters in the upcoming
general election later this year. Alaska stands alone among
states in having a high bar to overturn a governor's veto, which
is never met in highly divided times. When there is majority
support for a revenue item, it demonstrates strong bipartisan
support, which is ample to override a governor's veto. The high
threshold grants the governor excessive authority. A previous
Alaskan governor acted vindictively and failed to consider
broader interests. She referenced the education bill that had
over 90 percent support from legislators in the State House and
Senate, but was compromised due to the governor's line-item veto
power. Some of that support might have fizzled as legislators
rallied around the governor, contrary to the hours of testimony
and thousands of letters from people in favor of increased
education funding She stressed the importance of achieving a
two-thirds majority, indicating either strong support or a fair
compromise. She said the state cannot let a governor veto
something because it does not align with all of their interests.
Senator Claman and his staff provided a thoughtful analysis of
why this resolution is needed and the history that led to the
uniquely high requirement for a three-fourths vote to override
revenue measures, which is out of sync with the requirement for
a two-thirds vote to override non-revenue measures. SJR 15
emphasizes an important issue for all Alaskans and with your
approval will come before voters for approval.
3:43:33 PM
KALEB CALLAHAN, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of SJR 15. He stated he is an intern for the Alaska
State Legislature. He expressed concern over the considerable
power held by the governor in Alaska, surpassing that of
governors in other states. The legislative body is a better
representation of the people and the democratic values as
opposed to a single executive. While acknowledging that the
governor is elected by the people, he said the governor's
election is based on the values presented during campaigns,
potentially allowing them to exploit their centralized power. He
warned of the potential damage a corrupt governor could inflict
by vetoing the democratic process within the legislature. He
expressed his belief that power should be distributed among
many. The adjusted veto override proposed by SJR 15 is an
appropriate check on legislative power. He thanked the
legislators for their support of education but questioned the
hesitation in adjusting the Base Student Allocation (BSA) to
account for inflation. Investing in education is investing in
the future, as today's students will eventually lead the nation.
3:45:18 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked what school he is attending and where he is
from.
3:45:30 PM
MR. CALAHAN replied that he is a lifelong resident of Kodiak. He
said he is currently taking classes at University of Alaska
Fairbanks and will soon graduate.
3:45:51 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI inquired about his experience as a legislative
intern and whether he enjoys working with his boss.
3:46:07 PM
MR. CALAHAN replied that the internship has been a fantastic
opportunity for young students like himself who are eager to
engage in the political process within the legislative body. It
has been an excellent opportunity to engage in the small
locality of Alaskan politics. He expressed gratitude for the
opportunity to work closely with Senator Wielechowski and
described him as a fantastic boss who allocates time for one-on-
one conversations.
3:47:02 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony SJR 15.
3:47:15 PM
SENATOR MERRICK inquired about the marketing strategy for SJR 15
to ensure the public understands the distinction between a two-
thirds and a three-quarter vote, recognizing that some
individuals may not readily understand or relate to this nuance.
3:47:48 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN replied that it is an important question as SJR
15 would significantly change the structure of government. He
outlined a two-step process that involves reaching out to
individuals supportive of SJR 15, recognizing that some may be
in favor while others may oppose it. Therefore, community
outreach is important to inform people about the proposed
changes.
3:48:40 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SJR 15 in committee.
3:49:39 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kawasaki adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 3:49 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SJR 15 Sectional Analysis version A 2.21.2024.pdf |
SFIN 4/9/2024 9:00:00 AM SSTA 2/29/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 15 version A.pdf |
SSTA 2/29/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 15.Fiscal Note.Gov.pdf |
SSTA 2/29/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 15 Sponsor Statement version A 2.21.2024.pdf |
SFIN 4/9/2024 9:00:00 AM SSTA 2/29/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 15 |
| SJR 15 Support Letters.pdf |
SSTA 2/29/2024 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 15 |