HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE March 9, 1994 1:15 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Rep. Brian Porter, Chairman Rep. Jeannette James, Vice Chair Rep. Pete Kott Rep. Gail Phillips Rep. Joe Green Rep. Cliff Davidson Rep. Jim Nordlund COMMITTEE CALENDAR Confirmation of Attorney General appointee, Bruce Botelho HB 300: "An Act relating to civil liability for commercial recreational activities; and providing for an effective date." CSHB 300(JUD) AMENDED AND MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE WITH INDIVIDUAL RECOMMENDATIONS HB 349: "An Act providing for the civil commitment of sexually violent predators." NOT HEARD HB 340: "An Act prohibiting the furlough of sex offenders." NOT HEARD WITNESS REGISTER BRUCE BOTELHO Attorney General Appointee Department of Law P.O. Box 110300 Juneau, AK 99811-0300 Position Statement: Addressed the committee NANCY LETHCOE Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association P.O. Box 1353 Valdez, AK 99686 (907)835-4300 Position Statement: Supported HB 300 KAREN COWART Executive Director Alaska Visitors Association 3201 C St., Suite 403 Anchorage, Ak 99503 (907)561-5733 Position Statement: Supported HB 300 REP. BILL HUDSON Alaska State Legislature State Capitol, Room 108 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Position Statement: Chair of Labor & Commerce Committee, sponsor of HB 300 PREVIOUS ACTION BILL: HB 300 SHORT TITLE: LIABILITY: COMMERCIAL RECREATION ACTIVITY SPONSOR(S): LABOR & COMMERCE JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION 05/06/93 1665 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S) 05/06/93 1665 (H) L&C, JUDICIARY, FINANCE 09/10/93 (H) L&C AT 09:00 AM CAPITOL 17 02/24/94 (H) L&C AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 17 02/24/94 (H) MINUTE(L&C) 02/28/94 2544 (H) L&C RPT CS(L&C) 4DP 02/28/94 2544 (H) DP: PORTER, GREEN, MULDER, HUDSON 02/28/94 2544 (H) -ZERO FISCAL NOTE (ADM) 2/28/94 03/09/94 (H) JUD AT 01:15 PM CAPITOL 120 BILL: HB 349 SHORT TITLE: CIVIL COMMITMENT OF SEXUAL PREDATORS SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) PARNELL,Toohey,Olberg,Sanders, Bunde JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION 01/07/94 2019 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 01/10/94 2019 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S) 01/10/94 2019 (H) HES, JUDICIARY, FINANCE 01/13/94 2056 (H) COSPONSOR(S): OLBERG 01/26/94 2160 (H) COSPONSOR(S): SANDERS 02/07/94 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106 02/07/94 (H) MINUTE(HES) 02/09/94 2310 (H) HES RPT CS(HES) 5DP 2NR 2AM 02/09/94 2310 (H) DP: KOTT, BUNDE, TOOHEY, B.DAVIS, BRICE 02/09/94 2310 (H) NR: OLBERG, NICHOLIA 02/09/94 2310 (H) AM: VEZEY, G. DAVIS 02/09/94 2311 (H) -3 FISCAL NOTES (DHSS, LAW, ADM) 2/9/94 02/09/94 2311 (H) -ZERO FISCAL NOTE (ADM) 2/9/94 02/09/94 2328 (H) COSPONSOR(S): BUNDE 02/14/94 (H) JUD AT 01:15 PM CAPITOL 120 02/16/94 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 03/09/94 (H) JUD AT 01:15 PM CAPITOL 120 BILL: HB 340 SHORT TITLE: NO FURLOUGHS FOR CERTAIN SEX OFFENDERS SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) PARNELL,Phillips,Toohey, Sanders,Olberg JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION 01/03/94 2016 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 01/10/94 2016 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S) 01/10/94 2016 (H) HES, JUDICIARY, FINANCE 01/12/94 2043 (H) COSPONSOR(S): TOOHEY, SANDERS 01/13/94 2055 (H) COSPONSOR(S): OLBERG 03/02/94 (H) HES AT 03:00 PM CAPITOL 106 03/02/94 (H) MINUTE(HES) 03/04/94 2603 (H) HES RPT 3DP 4NR 1AM 03/04/94 2603 (H) DP: BUNDE, TOOHEY, BRICE 03/04/94 2603 (H) NR: G.DAVIS, OLBERG, NICHOLIA, KOTT 03/04/94 2604 (H) AM: VEZEY 03/04/94 2604 (H) -FISCAL NOTE (CORR) 3/4/94 03/04/94 2604 (H) -3 ZERO FISCAL NOTES (DPS, 2-ADM) 3/4/94 03/04/94 2604 (H) REFERRED TO JUDICIARY 03/09/94 (H) JUD AT 01:15 PM CAPITOL 120 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 94-35, SIDE A Number 000 The House Judiciary Standing Committee was called to order at 1:30 p.m., on March 9, 1994. A quorum was present. Chair Porter announced there would not be a joint session of the House and Senate Judiciary Committee as the Senate was still in floor session. Number 014 BRUCE BOTELHO, Governor Hickel's designee for the Office of Attorney General, gave opening statements regarding what he felt was the responsibility of the attorney general, as well as what his personal priorities would be as attorney general. His opening statements were as follows: I am honored to be appearing before you as Governor Hickel's designee for the Office of Attorney General. It is the highest office to which a lawyer can aspire. I have worked with or for seven other Alaska attorneys general. Each have had different priorities. Collectively they have had dramatically different personalities. All have had different styles of doing business. Yet, all of them shared these characteristics: (1) high moral integrity; (2) strong personal and professional judgments; (3) competence in their chosen profession; (4) an abiding love for their state: and (5) a strong allegiance to the rule of law. I hope I measure up. MR. BOTELHO went on to say the Office of Attorney General has statutory powers and outlined them as follows: The duty to appear for and to defend the state and its agencies. The right to control litigation and appeals. The right to intervene in legal proceedings on behalf of the public interest. The power to determine the state's legal policy. The authority to prosecute criminal activity. Number 203 MR. BOTELHO noted that Alaska is one of only a few states with an appointed attorney general. He said he supported that because it lessens the risk of politicizing the Department of Law and avoids duplication of services. He went on to say that in addition to the Office of Attorney General, each department maintains its own counsel, and this system best guarantees a single legal policy of the state. MR. BOTELHO'S testimony continued as follows: I serve the governor - as his chief legal officer. Institutionally, I owe him, as the elected representative of the people, my loyalty. Loyalty means to provide him the best legal advice that I and my department can render and to support his agenda in all ways consistent with the laws of this state and this nation. I regard this high office as a public trust to faithfully execute the laws, both prosecute and defend and, when exercising discretionary powers, to do so with impartiality. The governor has identified these priorities for our department: 1. Resolution of the back taxes claimed against Alaska's petroleum industry. In my mind these cases are the major single impediment to healthy relations between the industry and the state. 2. Resolution of the mental health trust litigation that truly brings finality to this longstanding controversy. 3. Continue to strengthen internal management with the Department of Law, a department made up of professionals dedicated to serving the justice. In conclusion, MR. BOTELHO told the committee there were two questions he was most commonly asked regarding his political affiliation and how that may effect his relationship with the governor. MR. BOTELHO said he spoke to the governor and expressed two reservations regarding subject matters on which he and the governor disagreed. He also spoke to the governor about potential political problems having a Democrat in his cabinet. MR. BOTELHO said the governor responded by saying that he expected some disagreement and was not concerned about political affiliation. MR. BOTELHO went on to say that the way of dealing with any disagreements that may come up between himself and the governor are first the obligation of the attorney general to support the governor and secondly provide the best legal advice possible. He went on to say that when working on a particular issue or case, there is a great deal of input from other attorneys within the department. Number 444 REP. GREEN asked Mr. Botelho where his responsibility to his position would lie regarding opinion versus obligation. Number 465 MR. BOTELHO responded by saying that the attorney general and the attorney general's staff at times serve in two capacities, one being the objective purveyor of the best judgement about what the meaning of law to serve in the role of advocate. He said the department provides information to the policy-makers and the role of the department is to allow the policy-maker to make the call, and when the call is made, advocate that position. He reiterated the responsibility of the attorney general to the governor, as the embodiment of the people. Number 489 REP. NORDLUND congratulated Mr. Botelho on being appointed and said he supported his appointment. He also pointed out to the committee that whatever disagreements may exist between the governor and the attorney general, do not necessarily reflect party affiliation. REP. NORDLUND asked Mr. Botelho if he thought the mental health lands trust issue would be resolved this year. Number 517 MR. BOTELHO said that he was hopeful that the department would supply the legislature with legislation, that if enacted, would have closure on the issue. Number 536 REP. PHILLIPS referenced the five characteristics that Mr. Botelho discussed in his opening comments and asked him to state his feelings about the philosophical and political differences between himself and the governor and how he would deal with this when presenting a defense. Number 554 MR. BOTELHO restated his obligation to the governor and provided an example of these differences by noting the planned parenthood case suing the state of Alaska regarding certain abortion regulations. Mr. Botelho said the department requested that those with any interest in defending the state participate in the defense of those regulations. As a result of that request, a task force was established to deal with the issue. He provided this as an example of how an attorney general can be most responsive regardless of personal views that may differ from the governor's. MR. BOTELHO further stated that he had not found a great many areas in which he disagreed with the governor. REP. PHILLIPS asked if Mr. Botelho would be joining a campaign effort for another gubernatorial candidate. MR. BOTELHO said he would not, that it would be inappropriate. REP. GREEN asked about oil export ban litigation regarding breach of contract. Number 610 MR. BOTELHO responded as follows: Mr. Chairman, the oil export ban, in terms of the arguments made on behalf of the state, certainly are "near the edge of the envelope" in terms of the arguments being made to the court. I think the point Rep. Green is making is that there was a consideration for allowing TAPS (Trans Alaska Pipeline Service) to go forward promised that the national environmental policy be waived for the right-of-way. The agreement was made provided there would be no exporting of North Slope oil. I think it was a compelling argument and one that implicitly directed the court, although there are other very specific legal arguments that we made with regard to the discrimination of one state versus another. Certainly, the state was not a party to the agreement per se, although it participated in that result; so, it does pose some problems in terms of the state advancing the argument that it is going to hold the federal government to the contract with the state and yet we may not hold to ours. There is a degree of inconsistency. We are advancing a legal theory which we think is an honest one and one which the court should consider. Number 648 MR. BOTELHO concluded by saying he did not think it was an abuse of power to proceed with these lawsuits. Number 646 REP. DAVIDSON asked Mr. Botelho who he would be working for outside the Department of Law. Number 652 MR. BOTELHO responded by saying all negotiations have been a joint effort by the Department of Natural Resources and by the Department of Law in addition to three lawyers in-house, two lawyers on contract, as well as the staffs of various divisions within the Department of Natural Resources. MR. BOTELHO went on to say Commissioner Noah and himself have been keeping the governor and the chief of staff up-to- date with what is happening. There is no person specifically assigned within the governor's office and no desire to as the governor has confidence in those handling the issue. Number 669 REP. PHILLIPS asked if Mr. Botelho would be running for legislative office next session. Number 671 MR. BOTELHO responded no. Number 685 REP. JAMES asked Mr. Botelho, if he were asked to provide an opinion, as attorney general, that was very important to the administration and found that the position was not a good one to take, how would he deal with that? MR. BOTELHO responded by saying that the lawyer is not the policy-maker. The job of the department is to provide good advice to indicate what the relative risks are in one course of action or an another. MR. BOTELHO said the responsibility of the Department of Law is to defend the position of an agency as long as it is within the reasonable boundaries of law. REP. GREEN asked Mr. Botelho what his opinion was regarding the back taxes received by the state from the industry. In addition, he said there is an impression among the public that the alleged amount of money owed is the same as potential money available to the state rather than the fact that it being an amount of money in dispute. Number 772 MR. BOTELHO responded by saying that currently the $5.5 billion represents claimed taxes as well as interest. He clarified that the 5.5 billion is a claim, not a debt owed. The job of the department is to pursue litigation, if necessary, and collect on what is, if deemed by the courts, owed to the state. Number 816 REP. JAMES aired a concern about settling tax disputes and said that she felt the claims should be settled without public scrutiny. She asked Mr. Botelho if there was any reason that the state had to report the large amounts of potential awards to the public. Number 834 MR. BOTELHO said there are competing policy interests. The legislature has a policy stating that taxpayers, corporate or individual, have a qualified right to file and have those returns be treated as confidential, as well as any matter that arises from them. MR. BOTELHO also said he felt it was important that the public have a sense of the extent of the alleged obligation. He went on to say that the role the legislature is to provide in oversight as auditors of the executive branch as representatives of the public, and he felt that when dealing with tax matters they should be done in executive session. MR. BOTELHO further commented on Rep. James' concern of the policy issue of a taxpayer to have some reasonable certainty what the tax liability is. Number 885 REP. PHILLIPS asked Mr. Botelho to describe his fiscal philosophy and his development philosophy regarding the development of Alaska's resources. Number 889 MR. BOTELHO described himself as a fiscal conservative and said he supported a reimposition of the personal income tax because he feels that those who pay for government will be more concerned about what the government does. When describing the Department of Law budget he pointed out that their budget is larger, primarily as a result of the oil and gas component, which is directly targeted at bringing to conclusion some of the largest outstanding tax cases. In other respects there is not much growth except in the criminal division, which is simply a maintenance budget. If the legislature directs the department to cut expenses, it will do so. He went on to say that he felt the responsibility of the department is to prioritize its functions. TAPE 94-35, SIDE B Number 000 MR. BOTELHO went on to say that over the years there has been an increasing focus on the retention of paralegals as opposed to lawyers and being able to separate out tasks that have been done by lawyers but which have been successfully undertaken by paralegals. He also added that the department hired a person to be a full-time auditor on billings from outside counsel to make sure there is good management in that area. With respect to the matter of development, MR. BOTELHO said Alaska has been and always will be a state whose well-being is directed by natural resources, some renewable, some nonrenewable. In that regard he believes that development not only is necessary but one that can be done in great compatibility and sensitivity towards the environment. Number 114 REP. GREEN, having referenced the issue of the death penalty, asked Mr. Botelho, if he had a position in one court, would that have any influence on prosecutorial decisions in another? Number 140 MR. BOTELHO said the attorney general does not interfere with the criminal justice system and the discretion which is permitted to the district attorneys to prosecute cases. He went on to say that as a policy matter and as a personal religious conviction he opposed the death penalty, but if the legislature enacts the law the department had a responsibility to defend that. If legislation were enacted, the district attorney would determine the course to take. He continued by saying he would not issue a directive that the state of Alaska would not seek the death penalty in any case. Number 180 REP. DAVIDSON asked Mr. Botelho to discuss the effects of the suggested budget cuts made by the governor coupled with the potential passage of a package of crime bills. He also asked for Mr. Botelho's personal priority and the governor's priority and other mandates and priorities. Number 226 MR. BOTELHO responded by saying that any cuts the department would make would affect the civil division before the criminal division. The department would look first at programs that should be cut in terms of laying off lawyers. He added that the cuts in the Department of Law are personnel cuts. MR. BOTELHO continued by saying the priorities of the department are dealing with health and safety issues, child proceedings and emergency situations. In addition, Mr. Botelho stated that natural resource litigation is a priority of the department because of the impact both legally and financially to the state. MR. BOTELHO further stated that cuts to the department would mean a delay in response to requests for opinions and/or projects. In addition, the department would need to exercise more discretion when considering litigation. As a result, the department would only be dealing with the most serious cases concerning health and safety issues. Number 322 REP. DAVIDSON asked what the trade-off would be using paralegals instead of lawyers. Number 330 MR. BOTELHO commented that paralegals do not appear in court. The advantage of having paralegals is their ability to take on research responsibilities, thereby freeing up time for the attorneys so they can be in court. He said there is time when there just is not enough support and though the department has not reached that level, it is possible considering the projected budget difficulties. REP. DAVIDSON aired a concern that the department is putting too much off on the deputy attorney general and asked if there was any way to compare the caseload of the deputy attorney general with an attorney in the private sector. Number 365 MR. BOTELHO said he could not answer that specifically but commented that in some sections of the department there are higher levels of stress and work load than in others. He further commented that the human services area and the criminal division are the most stressful. Number 405 REP. NORDLUND asked what Mr. Botelho's opinion was about issuing opinions from the attorney general's office that may not be well received by the legislature and thereby presenting the potential of retribution in the form of budget cuts. Number 420 MR. BOTELHO said that the department is expected to provide honest legal advise and though there are consequences of that, he had never experienced that type of coercion. He further noted that the effectiveness of the attorney general's office is directly related to its integrity and the ability of its staff to give honest advice. Number 480 CHAIR PORTER asked which of the pending cases involving the federal government did the state have a chance of prevailing on. Number 490 MR. BOTELHO responded by saying the case involving the federal compact which provides for the 90/10 split from which the federal government has attempted to take out of our 90; their administrative costs would likely prevail. Number 500 CHAIR PORTER asked Mr. Botelho if he thought that the oil and gas tax settlements would be resolved so that the state and industry will know what track they are on and so they can accurately predict what their tax obligation will be. Number 509 MR. BOTELHO said he felt there was a good likelihood of that happening and provided the example of the resolution of the oil royalty disputes with the industry. He went on to say that Commissioner Rexwinkel, himself, and representatives of the industry were meeting in an attempt to resolve some problems and come to some common agreement on how the state's tax program should be structured. Number 583 CHAIR PORTER asked if the attorneys providing testimony to the legislature on behalf of the department reflect the opinion of that particular attorney. Number 590 MR. BOTELHO said that it depends on the issue and if it is a controversial issue or a priority of the governor, the issue will have been reviewed by the department and the governor's office and staff. If the department was involved in the drafting of a particular piece of legislation, then the department provides a great deal of latitude for the attorneys who worked on that legislation to provide advice to the respective committees without having prior clearance from the attorney general, especially regarding areas of subject matter expertise. Number 634 CHAIR PORTER commented that the committee should not then assume that the opinion of a particular attorney is necessarily that of the department or the administration. Number 638 MR. BOTELHO agreed with Chair Porter's comment. Number 643 REP. GREEN moved to confirm Mr. Botelho and pass with individual recommendation. With no objection, it was so moved. Number 660 HB 300 - LIABILITY: COMMERCIAL RECREATION ACTIVITY CHAIR PORTER stated that HB 300 would be taken up next. Number 665 REP. BILL HUDSON, Chair of the House Labor & Commerce Committee, sponsor of HB 300, said the bill was developed upon the request of small tourism based businesses and other recreational organizations/businesses. REP. HUDSON said that HB 300 would establish a balance of responsibility of those operating the activities, as well as those who participate in commercial recreational facilities. (Rep. Hudson read from a sponsor statement.) For further clarification he quoted Section 2 from the sectional analysis. REP. HUDSON said that passage of this bill would reduce insurance premiums as well as reduce accidents. REP. HUDSON added that he had four amendments for the committee's consideration. Number 785 KAREN COWART, Alaska Visitors Association, testified in support of HB 300. She said it is imperative for the recreational industry to allow growth and development. Currently, she said costs are rising greatly because of nuisance litigation, inhibiting the growth and expansion of businesses. The passage of HB 300, by clarifying responsibility of the individual as well as business, would alleviate the high cost of liability insurance. Number 800 NANCY LETHCOE, President, Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association, testified in support of HB 300 and the additional amendments offered by Rep. Hudson. MS. LETHCOE said that adventure travel and ecotourism businesses are growing at a rate of twenty percent a year. She went on to say that passage of HB 300 would guarantee a basic standard and professional expertise when working with clients. REP. NORDLUND said he supported HB 300 because he felt that it would help make operations safer and help clarify the inherent risk involved in some of the stated recreational activities. He asked if passage of HB 300 will help decrease insurance cost. Number 866 MS. LETHCOE responded yes and further stated that it was requested by the insurance company that her organization pursue legislation with regard to liability. She went on to say that in other states with similar legislation studies show a decrease of 15-20% in insurance rates. TAPE 94-36, SIDE A Number 010 REP. NORDLUND asked Ms. Lethcoe if she would follow up with him in the next year to see if passage of HB 300 did Affect insurance rates. REP. PHILLIPS commented on the high insurance rates she experienced as a private business owner. Number 028 MS. LETHCOE added that many entrepreneurs have researched a potential business, have the professional training and financial capabilities to open and operate a business, but the cost of insurance is prohibitive. CHAIR PORTER asked for a motion to adopt CSHB 300(JUD). Rep. James moved the motion. CSHB 300(JUD) was adopted. REP. HUDSON discussed the amendments as follows: on page 2, line 10, after "learn about" add "and expressly accepts" to more specifically state that someone not only learns about but accepts. Number 129 The committee discussed whether the wording should be "accept" rather than "accepts." It was decided that "accept" was acceptable. Number 184 REP. NORDLUND asked what the exact meaning of "expressly accept" and aired a concern that perhaps this wording would create more litigation than it would discourage. He asked if it meant a written statement. Number 202 REP. HUDSON said it was state of the art expression. With no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. REP. HUDSON continued with Amendment 2, page 2, line 24, insert after (A) "fundamental." This was a recommendation from outfitters and guide associations, the two underwriters of liability. Rep. Hudson said that line 2 would read "fundamental and inherent risks." It would be impossible to explain all the inherent risks and by inserting fundamental would recognize that fact. Number 216 Amendment 2 was moved and adopted without objection. Number 229 REP. HUDSON offered Amendment 3, page 2, line 25, delete "safely." He said that it was brought to his attention that though an organization may make every effort to make a particular activity safe, safety can not be guaranteed. With Amendment 2 it clarifies the language in case of litigation. Number 250 REP. GREEN objected to the amendment for purposes of discussion. He aired a concern regarding the potential shifting of responsibility to the operator. Number 270 REP. NORDLUND shared Rep. Green's concern. He commented that removing "safely" did not really change anything. Number 294 REP. HUDSON said there is inherent risk involved in the type of activities addressed in HB 300. A business or organization can educate and inform participants but cannot guarantee that the individual could "safely" participate. He further noted that if "safely" were left in, it may encourage litigation rather than discourage it. REP. JAMES supported the amendment and said that an individual could have all the appropriate equipment and skill but the activity could still be unsafe. Number 312 REP. GREEN noted that in the bill it says that an organization or business only has to "explain" the risks, not guarantee safety. Number 320 REP. JAMES, CHAIR PORTER and DANIELLA LOPER agreed with the concerns of Rep. Hudson. REP. GREEN maintained his objection to Amendment 3. A roll call vote was taken. Amendment 3 was adopted. Number 360 REP. HUDSON introduced Amendment 4, which lists types of activities that pertain to HB 300. Number 396 REP. JAMES asked if "adventure" could be included to cover types of activities. Number 405 MS. LETHCOE requested that "llama trips" be added to the list. Number 419 REP. NORDLUND pointed out that the statement "...but not limited to" does not remove the legal problem. He further noted that by establishing a listing, that listing elevates those activities to a greater level of validity and that by having a listing, it invites more potential litigation than it deters. Number 432 REP. HUDSON asked the committee to address the amendment as written including the requests by Nancy Lethcoe to add "llama treks and dog sledding." REP. GREEN commented that the amendment was getting into specifics and when doing that it creates exclusion. He suggested the committee leave the listing out. REP. KOTT agreed with Rep. Green's comments. MS. COWART asked if those participating in unsupervised activities would be included in the bill. CHAIR PORTER said they would be included. MS. COWART agreed that exclusion is better because of the fact that there are a growing number of new businesses with varying kinds of activities that may not be included in the list and thereby potentially forcing them to pay higher insurance rates because they would not be included in this legislation. REP. PHILLIPS reiterated that the bill states "...includes but not limited to." Number 504 CHAIR PORTER said he felt there was enough on record describing the kinds of activities the bill addresses. He further suggested the committee not adopt Amendment 4. Number 510 CHAIR PORTER asked if there was further discussion. Hearing none, he asked if there were objections. Number 520 REP. GREEN maintained his objection. A roll call vote was taken and Amendment 4 failed. Number 526 CHAIR PORTER asked if Rep. Hudson had any further comments on HB 300. Number 528 REP. HUDSON said he was satisfied with the work the committee had done with HB 300. Number 537 REP. JAMES motioned to move CSHB 300(JUD) with individual recommendations and zero fiscal note. Without objection, it was so moved. Number 565 CHAIR PORTER announced that the committee would take up the continuation of HB 292 on Friday; and on Saturday, March 12, the committee would continue with the Friday schedule. CHAIR PORTER adjourned the meeting at 3:40 p.m. HB 349 - NOT HEARD TODAY HB 340 - NOT HEARD TODAY