SB 103 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FEES & HEARINGS CHAIRMAN GREEN brought SB 103 before the committee as the next order of business. PAULA HALEY, Executive Director, Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, testifying from Anchorage on SB 103, stated the legislation is part of their agency's response to the increased demand for services for the public in the wake of diminishing resources. She pointed out that during the past 15 years complaints of discrimination filed with the commission have nearly tripled, while during the same time frame, the agency lost 35 percent of its staff. Due to the extraordinary increase in filings of complaints their case inventory has increased to an all time high. To better face this increased workload, the commission has reviewed and revised procedures, amended its regulations, proposing further amendments, as well as proposing this legislation. Ms. Haley explained SB 103 will allow for both cost-saving measures and the authority to charge fees for certain services. Any fees generated and, most importantly, the money saved from the holding the hearings at the commission's office and not transcribing each hearing will be used towards the investigation and enforcement of the human rights law. The money will allow the agency to use temporary staff in the processing of investigations, pay for overtime and possibly will allow them to schedule more hearings so there is not delay at that end of the process. In closing, Ms. Haley urged the committee's support for passage of SB 103. Number 309 SENATOR MACKIE noted correspondence had been received from the Alaska Native Brotherhood relating to their concern that there may be individuals who do not have the resources to post a fee, and he asked Ms. Haley if these individuals would be denied services if they were unable to post the fee. MS. HALEY responded that the same concern was raised in the House in hearings on HB 155 so the word "educational" was added in front of the words "services, information and materials". She added that the genius of this particular bill originated from the fact that one of the commission's roles is to eliminate discrimination, not only from enforcement but through prevention education, so the commission is not so much concerned about filing fees. SENATOR MACKIE moved the following amendment to SB 103: Amendment No. 1 Page 1, line 12: Between the words "for" and "services" insert "educational" Hearing no objection to the amendment, CHAIRMAN GREEN stated the amendment was adopted and would be incorporated into a State Affairs CS. SENATOR MACKIE moved CSSB 103(STA) be passed out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.