SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE January 20, 1993 9:04 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Loren Leman, Chairman Senator Mike Miller, Vice Chairman Senator Robin Taylor Senator Jim Duncan MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Johnny Ellis COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3 Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to terms of legislators. PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SJR 3 - No previous action to record. WITNESS REGISTER Resa Jerrel, representing the National Federation of Independent Business 9159 Skywood Lane Juneau, AK 99801 POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SJR 3 Bonnie Jack 1063 W. 20th Ave. Anchorage, AK 99503 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SJR 3 Bob Bell 2610 Curlew Circle Anchorage, AK 99515 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SJR 3 Bob Gardner 4117 Raspberry Road Anchorage, AK 99502 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SJR 3 Myrna Maynard 2237 Forest park Drive Anchorage, AK 99517 POSITION STATEMENT: Opposed to SJR 3 Bill Collins 8511 Pluto Anchorage, AK 99502 POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SJR 3 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 93-1, SIDE A Number 001 Chairman Leman called the Senate State Affairs Committee meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. SENATOR LEMAN introduced SJR 3 (LIMITING TERMS OF LEGISLATORS), as the only order of business. Because the bill is sponsored by the Chair, SENATOR LEMAN turned the gavel over to MIKE MILLER, Vice Chairman. Number 019 SENATOR LEMAN explained that SJR 3 limits terms of legislators to eight consecutive years and provides for a two-year hiatus after which time a legislator would again be eligible to run for office. SENATOR LEMAN pointed out that it takes a two-thirds vote in each body to amend the Alaska Constitution, or it can be taken up by a constitutional convention. So to effect somewhat of a compromise, he said he looked at an approach that could garner enough votes in support of term limitations, SENATOR LEMAN said he thinks the concept of term limitations has been fueled to a large extent by a Congress that has become, to a large degree, a lifetime Congress. Also, legislatures across the country have been dominated in many respects by people that have served in office several terms. The public feels disenfranchised because they don't have as much of an opportunity to become involved in the process. He said he believes by limiting terms it will bring back the concept of a citizen legislature. In terms of public support, SENATOR LEMAN related that polls indicate 75 to 80 percent of the public support term limitations. Number 075 SENATOR LEMAN noted that SJR3 doesn't target any particular person in the legislature, and, in fact, it would not apply until after the 1994 election when the years would begin to accrue, so it would apply fairly to everybody. SENATOR LEMAN outlined what he considers to be key advantages to term limits: (1) it would give more people the opportunity to get involved, thus enhancing the concept of a citizen legislature; (2) it would diminish the advantages of incumbency and seniority; (3) it would help equalize influence of districts and the citizens in those districts whose legislators are senior members and could have more influence; (4) it would make the legislature more responsible and accountable for its actions; (5) it would help insure that on a systematic basis there is some turnover in the legislative body; and (6) it would help a public perception that many people have towards the legislature as being an entrenched body of people who care more about themselves than they care about doing the people's business. SENATOR LEMAN sees the legislation as being a step in the right direction for making reforms that would be beneficial and will make the legislature a better body. Concluding his comments, SENATOR LEMAN said he recognizes that there are those who think that the term limit restrictions are too lenient and that they should be more restrictive, as well as those who think they should be less restrictive. However, he believes his proposal achieves somewhat of a compromise that is reasonable and consistent with what many other states have done. SENATOR TAYLOR asked why the legislation was not directed at the congressional delegation as well. SENATOR LEMAN responded that there is merit to tieing it all together, but the problem, as he sees it, is that it complexes the issue. However, he would not have a problem with putting together a package that would include Congress as well. SENATOR TAYLOR commented that it has been a big point of debate in the state whether or not the congressional delegation should also be included. He said if, in fact, there is a place where seniority has an impact and where longevity in office seems to be occurring, it's in the United State Congress. He added that during the last election, Congress had one of the largest turnovers that has occurred historically in a long time. SENATOR LEMAN suggested that if term limits were included for the congressional delegation, it should be made effective when other states do the same so as not to put Alaska at a disadvantage. Number 202 SENATOR MILLER turned the gavel back over to SENATOR LEMAN. Number 220 Resa Jerrel, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, related that in 1991 one of the issues they polled their members on was term limitations. Eighty percent of their members responded that they were in favor of term limitations. A vast majority of their members favor an eight-year term limitation. She urged that SJR 3 be passed out of committee, and that the voters be given the opportunity to vote it up or down. SENATOR LEMAN thanked Ms. Jerrel for her testimony and then stated the committee would stand in recess for approximately 10 minutes to prepare for teleconference testimony. SENATOR LEMAN called the committee back to order, stating the committee would begin taking testimony from the Anchorage LIO. Number 270 BONNIE JACK testified in support of term limits for legislators. She added that she would support up to 12 years total service in either or both bodies combined with a two-year hiatus as a private citizen. MS JACK quoted statistics prepared by the Legislative Research Agency relating to the turnover in each Alaska Legislature since statehood. Number 325 BOB BELL, Chairman, Alaskans for Legislative Reform, urged support for SJR 3. He explained that in the last election fourteen states had term limits on their ballots and all fourteen passed. SENATOR LEMAN, commenting on term limits for Congress, said SJR 3 could be revised as a package or a companion resolution to also limit terms for Congress, but that it should not take effect until the other states had adopted term limits. BOB BELL said most of his committee would agree that it would be catastrophic for Alaska to vote on term limits for Congress at this time. He said he thought they would like to see two separate bills. SENATOR LEMAN said it was his intention to keep the two issues separate. SENATOR TAYLOR asked if it would also be appropriate to limit term of all sub-units of government, such as city councils, borough assemblies, school boards, etc. BOB BELL agreed wholeheartedly, and he said that the Anchorage Assembly and the Anchorage School Board are now subject to a three term limit (total of nine years). term limits. Number 420 ROBERT GARDNER, a 19-year Alaska resident, testified in support of SJR 3. He urged the members of the legislature to put term limits to a vote of the people. MYRNA MAYNARD testified against SJR 3. She believes that with the election process there is already a means to limit terms of office. MS MAYNARD suggested that if changes are necessary, to start with campaign financing by limiting to $1,000 the amount of money a candidate may receive from any individual or organization. Number 475 BILL COLLINS testified in favor of SJR 3. He said there are many people serving in public office that should have been replaced many years ago because that is not the will of the people. It's a will of financial support base. Due to the loss of a quorum, the Chairman announced the bill would be held over until the next meeting. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 a.m.