CHAIRMAN LEMAN brings up HB 497 (OFFICERS OF UTILITY COOPERATIVES) as the next order of business before the Senate State Affairs Committee today. The chairman calls the first witness. Number 305 JEFF LOGAN, Aide to Representative Green, states current statutes require that the presiding officer of an electrical or telephone cooperative be called a "president". This has created a small problem with the states largest utility. Mr. Logan describes the problem as being one of respect. If corporations were allowed to refer to the presiding officer of the board as the chairman or chairwoman of the board, it would free up the title of "president" for the person who manages the day-to-day operation of the utility. CHAIRMAN LEMAN asks if there are any questions from committee members. Hearing none, the chairman asks if anyone in the audience wishes to testify. Number 339 LARRY MARKLEY, Representing the Alaska Rural Electric Cooperative Association (ARECA) and the Alaska Telephone Association (ATA), states both ARECA and ATA support HB 497. Mr. Markley asks the committee for its support. Number 364 SENATOR MILLER makes a motion to discharge HB 497 from the Senate State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations. CHAIRMAN LEMAN, hearing no objection, orders HB 497 released from committee with individual recommendations.