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HJR 12                                                                                                                        
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12 by the House Rules                                                                                
Committee by request of the Governor:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
    Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska                                                             
    relating to the appointment of state judges by the governor.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and                                                       
Finance Committees.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Office of the Governor                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The Governor’s transmittal letter dated February 26 follows:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a resolution to amend the Constitution                                                          
of the State of Alaska, Article IV, Section 5. The proposed amendment                                                           
would streamline the judicial appointment process by allowing the                                                               
Governor to fill a vacancy in the Supreme Court or the Superior Court                                                           
from among all persons determined by the Judicial Council to meet the                                                           
constitutional qualifications, rather than from a limited number of                                                             
names.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
This change clarifies and simplifies how vacancies are filled, ensuring                                                         
the Governor has a broader pool of qualified candidates while                                                                   
preserving the Judiciary’s integrity and independence.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
I respectfully request your prompt and favorable consideration of this                                                          
resolution.                                                                                                                     

2025-02-28                     House Journal                      Page 0268
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"