SCR 2-UNIFORM RULES: PRESIDING OFFICER PRO TEM  2:36:30 PM CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of SCR 2, proposing amendments to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to the presiding officer pro tempore. [CSSCR 2(STA) was before the committee.] SENATOR BETTYE DAVIS, sponsor of SCR 2, informed the committee that Mr. Obermeyer would introduce the bill. TOM OBERMEYER, staff to Senator Davis, sponsor of SCR 2, said the committee substitute (CS) amends language in Section 4 on page 2. The original bill unintentionally placed the presiding officer pro tempore before the majority leader in the absence of the regular presiding officer. The CS establishes that in the absence of both the regular presiding officer and the majority leader, the presiding officer pro tempore elected under Uniform Rule 1(b) shall preside over sessions of the house. The result of the amendment to Section 4 is that the presiding officer pro tempore elected at the start of the first session of a Legislature, in addition to the duties of the presiding officer pro tempore set out in Rule 1(b), will continue for both sessions to serve as a backup in the absence of the regular presiding officer and majority leader. MR. OBERMEYER said the sponsor statement clearly establishes that the amendment to Uniform Rule 1 changes the titles of temporary presiding officers to presiding officers pro tempore and permanent presiding officers to regular presiding officers. These changes to the Uniform Rules essentially create a third permanent position in the leadership without changing the leadership structure, he said. 2:39:10 PM CHAIR FRENCH summarized that the bill makes two basic changes: 1) It replaces the temporary presiding officer with the president pro tempore and 2) it creates a permanent president pro tempore. SENATOR DAVIS agreed; it removes the temporary aspect and makes the president pro tempore a permanent position in the leadership. She stated that the committee packets should contain information on the number of states that have this. She added that this new position would make it easier for women to move into the leadership, but it doesn't take any duties away from the current leadership positions. CHAIR FRENCH noted that Doug Gardiner was available to answer questions. 2:43:10 PM SENATOR COGHILL observed that the majority leader currently fills that position. SENATOR DAVIS agreed and added that the majority leader is still second on the list. This bill just adds a third permanent leadership position. She offered to provide information on what other states have done with this position if it wasn't in the packet. CHAIR FRENCH said his packet was very thorough. Finding no further questions, he announced he would hold SCR 2 in committee.