2025-02-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 0382
SJR 13                                                                                                                        
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 BY THE SENATE 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 and Judiciary                                                         
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2025-02-28                     Senate Journal                      Page 0383
Governor's transmittal letter dated February 26:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
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.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor