1995-05-13                     Senate Journal                      Page 1804
HB 100                                                                       
Signing the report:  Senator Frank, Chair, Senators Halford, Zharoff,          
Representative Hanley, Chair, Representatives Foster, Grussendorf.             
                                                                               
                                                                               
                  INTRODUCTION AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS                 
                                                                               
SB 182                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 182 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
"An Act relating to elections; relating to the division                       
of elections; relating to voter registration procedures;                       
and providing for an effective date."                                          
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance          
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Zero fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor.                  
                                                                               
Governor's transmittal letter dated May 12:                                    
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution,          
I am transmitting a bill that implements most of the proposals                 
contained in my Administration's Election Policy Transition Team               
Report that require changes to existing law.  In addition, the bill            
makes some changes to state law that are required by federal statutes          
and makes a number of "housekeeping" amendments that the division              
of elections has recommended.                                                  
                                                                               
It is apparent that the state needs to adjust elections policies and           
procedures in an effort to boost public confidence that Alaska                 
elections are conducted fairly and efficiently.  One of Lieutenant             
Governor Ulmer's first acts was to appoint a panel of respected                
Alaskans (the Election Policy Transition Team), most of whom have              
expertise in the area of elections, to look into state elections policies      
and to make recommendations for change.  In deciding whether a                 
change is warranted, the transition team was requested to ask the              
following questions about the change: