HSTA - 03/18/95 HB 234 - ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATIONS Number 096 TERESA WILLIAMS, Assistant Attorney General, testifying via teleconference from Anchorage, presented HB 234. She stated the bill is an effort to save time and money in Administrative Procedures Act (APA) adjudication. It clarifies language in the APA, changes the requirement for "registered mail" to "certified mail," allows telephonic hearing, clarifies witness expenses, gives agencies discretion to allow reasonable types of discovery, clarifies standards for burdens of proof, and sets time limits for reconsideration petitions. Number 204 CHAIR JAMES commented she appreciated the efforts to smooth out the process and said she was sure there would be money saved as a result. Number 210 REPRESENTATIVE GREEN referred to the "or" on page 3, asking, if a party objecting to telephonic witnessing lived 31 miles away, would his objection be over-ruled. MS. WILLIAMS replied no, personal participation could always be required if telephonic participation would substantially prejudice the objecting party's rights. Number 225 REPRESENTATIVE ROBINSON made a motion to move HB 234 from committee with individual recommendations and zero fiscal note. Hearing no objection, HB 234 was moved out of committee.