Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2007-01-25 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2007-01-25 House Journal Page 0108 HB 109 HOUSE BILL NO. 109 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the requirement for candidates, groups, legislators, public officials, and other persons to submit reports electronically to the Alaska Public Offices Commission; relating to disclosures by legislators, public members of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, legislative directors, public officials, and certain candidates for public office concerning services performed for compensation and concerning certain income, gifts, and other financial matters; requiring legislators, public members of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, legislative directors, public officials, and municipal officers to make certain financial disclosures when they leave office; relating to insignificant ownership interest in a business and to gifts from lobbyists for purposes of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act; relating to certain restrictions on employment after leaving state service for purposes of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act; and providing for an effective date." 2007-01-25 House Journal Page 0109 was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Dept. of Law The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 24, 2007, follows: "Dear Speaker Harris: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to reports to the Alaska Public Offices Commission and relating to the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. This bill would (1) generally require candidates, groups, legislators, public officials, and others to submit required reports electronically to the Alaska Public Offices Commission; (2) require legislators and other public officials to make financial disclosures when they leave office; (3) require candidates, legislators, and other public officials to disclose information about services performed for compensation and about certain income, gifts, and other financial matters; (4) establish a presumption that an interest of less than $5,000 in a business is an "insignificant" interest for purposes of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act; (5) establish a presumption that gifts from a lobbyist to a public officer and the public officer's immediate family members are prohibited under the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act, unless the lobbyist is an immediate family member of the gift recipient; and (6) tighten certain restrictions on employment after leaving state service for purposes of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act. The public's confidence in its government and governmental officials is essential. This bill would foster the openness in government that I have advocated as one means to increase that confidence. In preparing this bill, I have taken into consideration the advice and counsel of numerous individual Alaskans. The issues addressed by the provisions within this bill have largely been publicly discussed, and may even be addressed in other bills currently pending in the 2007-01-25 House Journal Page 0110 Legislature. For example, provisions to establish a presumption regarding "insignificant" interests were addressed in legislation last year that passed the Senate and moved all the way to the House Rules Committee. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Sarah Palin Governor"