HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE March 24, 2014 7:03 p.m. 7:03:20 PM CALL TO ORDER Co-Chair Stoltze called the House Finance Committee meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Alan Austerman, Co-Chair Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair Representative Mia Costello Representative Bryce Edgmon Representative Les Gara Representative David Guttenberg Representative Cathy Munoz Representative Steve Thompson Representative Tammie Wilson MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Mark Neuman, Vice-Chair Representative Lindsey Holmes PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE Mike Coons, Self, Palmer SUMMARY HJR 18 CONST. AM: ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL HJR 18 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18 Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the office of attorney general. 7:03:55 PM Co-Chair Stoltze stated that the purpose of the meeting was to take public testimony. He felt that it was important to have committee discussion related to HJR 18. 7:04:40 PM AT EASE 7:29:36 PM RECONVENED 7:30:30 PM MIKE COONS, SELF, PALMER (via teleconference), testified in support of HJR 18. He commented on the outcome of the Katie John vs. Norton case during Governor Tony Knowles' administration. He felt that the outcome of the case would have been different, if there had been an elected conservative Attorney General. He stressed that an elected conservative Attorney General was important to stand against the federal government regulations. He remarked that the people of Alaska needed to vote on the constitutional amendment, in order to open a federal road, build a coal power plant, and drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). He announced that a conservative Attorney General was necessary for the benefit of all Alaskans. 7:35:39 PM AT EASE 7:42:55 PM RECONVENED Co-Chair Stoltze CLOSED public testimony. ADJOURNMENT 7:43:56 PM The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.