Legislature(1993 - 1994)
01/28/1993 08:00 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
January 28, 1993
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Al Vezey, Chair
Representative Pete Kott, Vice Chair
Representative Harley Olberg
Representative Jerry Sanders
Representative Gary Davis
Representative Fran Ulmer
Representative Bettye Davis
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
OTHER HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Terry Martin
SENATE MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jim Duncan
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
*HB 44: "An Act making a special appropriation to the
principal of the permanent fund; and providing for
an effective date."
HELD IN COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
*HB 36: "An Act relating to retirement incentive programs
for the public employees' retirement system, the
teachers' retirement system, and certain persons
under the judicial retirement system; and
providing for an effective date."
HELD IN COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
*HB 42: "An Act relating to retirement incentive programs
for the public employees' retirement system, the
teachers' retirement system, and certain persons
under the judicial retirement system; and
providing for an effective date."
HELD IN COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
*HB 49: "An Act relating to facsimile absentee ballot
application and facsimile absentee voting."
PLACED IN SUBCOMMITTEE OF ONE: REPRESENTATIVE
PETE KOTT
*HB 47: "An Act relating to the delivery of the primary
ballots to persons making application for them
when, by operation of political party rule, two or
more primary ballots must be provided to the
public."
NOT HEARD
(* first public hearing)
WITNESS REGISTER
Representative Terry Martin
State Capitol, Room 411
Juneau, AK 99811-1182
465-3783
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor of HB 44 and HB 49
Jim Kelly, Research and Liaison Officer
Permanent Fund Corporation
Enserch Building
550 West Seventh Street
Anchorage, AK 99501-3510
277-1496
Position Statement: Explained how the permanent fund related
to legislation for reserves
Representative Jerry Mackie
State Capitol
Court Building, Room 602
Juneau, AK 99811-1182
465-4925
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor of HB 36; Supported HB 42
Barry Haight
Public Safety Employees
991 Vail View Drive
Fairbanks, AK 99712
457-2545
Position Statement: Supported HB 36 and HB 42
Robert Stalnaker, Director
Division of Retirement and Benefits
Department of Administration
P.O. Box 110203
Juneau, AK 99811-0203
465-4470
Position Statement: Discussed program administration
Phyllis Taylor, Director
Federal Voting Assistance Program
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Room 1B, 457 Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301-1155
(800) 438-8683
Position Statement: Supported HB 49
Joe Kerwin, Chief of Elections
Office of the Secretary of State
State Capitol
Helena, Montana 59620
(406) 444-4732
Position Statement: Supported HB 49
Charlot Thickstun, Director
Division of Elections
P.O. Box 110017
Juneau, AK 99811-0017
465-4611
Position Statement: Inquired about absentee ballots and the
availability of federal monies
Willie Anderson, Lobbyist
National Education Association
114 Second Street
Juneau, AK 99801
586-3090
Position Statement: Supported HB 42 and HB 36
Representative Bill Hudson
State Capitol, Room 108
Juneau, AK 99811-1182
465-3744
Position Statement: Prime Sponsor of HB 42; Supported HB 36
Senator Jim Duncan
State Capitol, Room 119
Juneau, AK 99811-1182
465-4766
Position Statement: Supported HB 42 and HB 36
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 44
SHORT TITLE: APPROP: TO PERMANENT FUND PRINCIPAL
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MARTIN,Olberg
TITLE: "An Act making a special appropriation to the
principal of the permanent fund; and providing for an
effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/11/93 35 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/11/93 35 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, FINANCE
01/18/93 102 (H) COSPONSOR(S): OLBERG
01/26/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
01/28/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
BILL: HB 36
SHORT TITLE: RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MACKIE
TITLE: "An Act relating to retirement incentive programs for
the public employees' retirement system, the teachers'
retirement system, and certain persons under the judicial
retirement system; and providing for an effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/08/93 33 (H) PREFILE RELEASED
01/11/93 33 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/11/93 33 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, LABOR & COMMERCE,
FINANCE
01/28/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
BILL: HB 42
SHORT TITLE: RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) HUDSON,Ulmer
TITLE: "An Act relating to retirement incentive programs for
the public employees' retirement system, the teachers'
retirement system, and certain persons under the judicial
retirement system; and providing for an effective date."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/11/93 35 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/11/93 35 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, LABOR & COMMERCE,
FINANCE
01/28/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
BILL: HB 49
SHORT TITLE: ABSENTEE BALLOTING BY FAX
BILL VERSION:
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) MARTIN,Brice
TITLE: "An Act relating to facsimile absentee ballot
application and facsimile absentee voting."
JRN-DATE JRN-PG ACTION
01/13/93 52 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME/REFERRAL(S)
01/13/93 53 (H) STATE AFFAIRS, JUDICIARY,
FINANCE
01/20/93 117 (H) COSPONSOR(S): BRICE
01/28/93 (H) STA AT 08:00 AM CAPITOL 102
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 93-7, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIRMAN AL VEZEY called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m.,
and noted a quorum was present.
HB 44: APPROP: TO PERMANENT FUND PRINCIPAL
CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title of HB 44 and invited
Representative Martin, the bill's sponsor, to testify before
the committee.
Number 024
REPRESENTATIVE TERRY MARTIN, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 44
discussed his handouts regarding funds within the permanent
fund. He stated future generations would pay the price in
large taxes if we did not put funds away in reserves.
Number 145
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the handouts and monies within the
fund.
Number 160
REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN discussed the table in the handouts.
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the table in the handouts.
Number 206
JIM KELLY, RESEARCH AND LIAISON OFFICER, PERMANENT FUND
CORPORATION (PFC), explained how the permanent fund related
to legislation for reserves. He stated it was the
responsibility of the PFC to manage money and maximize
income and the legislature's responsibility to designate
where the income was used. He explained a chart in the
committee member's packets.
Number 260
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the projection made in December for
the end of the year.
Number 267
REPRESENTATIVE HARLEY OLBERG asked for clarification of
funds in the account to date.
Number 268
MR. KELLY explained the funds within the account.
Number 287
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the reinvestment funds were put
into the permanent fund which came from investments out of
Alaska.
Number 306
MR. KELLY discussed investments in Alaska such as the Alaska
Housing Finance Corporation, the Alaska Industrial
Development Association, and Alaskan companies. He stated
the investments would stay in Alaska when the returns were
comparable and the risk not greater than investments out of
state or the country.
Number 326
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed investments in Alaska.
Number 330
MR. KELLY discussed investment requirements.
Number 340
REPRESENTATIVE HARLEY OLBERG stated he had experience in
banking and had never seen anyone go broke from investing.
Number 345
MR. KELLY discussed market assumptions.
HB 36: RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Number 361
CHAIRMAN VEZEY held HB 44 in committee for further
consideration and read the title of HB 36. He invited
Representative Jerry Mackie, the sponsor of HB 36 to testify
before the committee.
Number 379
REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MACKIE, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 36, stated
the bill was patterned after SB 337 from 1992. He read his
sponsor summary and discussed other pieces of information
within the packet.
Number 437
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the fiscal note.
Number 445
REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE discussed information within the
handouts he gave to the committee.
Number 487
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked questions regarding the cost savings of
the program over a three year period.
REPRESENTATIVE MACKIE discussed the savings by the Hoonah
School District as a sample of money that can be saved with
early retirement.
HB 42: RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Number 515
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the evaluation. He then opened
discussion on HB 42 which also related to retirement
incentive programs.
BARRY HAIGHT testified on behalf of Public Safety employees
in support of HB 42.
Number 565
REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS discussed the penalty for those
who retire and then return to work.
Number 581
BOB STALNAKER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF RETIREMENT AND
BENEFITS, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, discussed questions
regarding how the program was administered.
Number 590
REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY asked questions regarding the costs of
administering the program.
Number 593
MR. STALNAKER described the administration costs to the
retiring person.
Number 602
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the liabilities of the pension fund
being paid out of the general fund.
Number 619
MR. STALNAKER discussed how the system received monies from
the participating employee.
Number 628
CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated the fiscal note did not address the
obligation to the pension fund.
Number 640
REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS discussed exceptions to legislative
and university employees.
Number 642
MR. STALNAKER explained that the difficulty in getting
certain employees in certain positions could be the reason
for the exemption.
Number 664
REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS asked if there were certain people we
did not want to attract back.
Number 668
MR. STALNAKER stated he could not answer Representative
Sanders' query because he was not the author of HB 42.
Number 677
REPRESENTATIVE FRAN ULMER discussed the Budget and Audit
savings statement in the committee packet.
Number 685
MR. STALNAKER stated employers were allowed to make a
determination on participation. They reported the
anticipated savings before they decided to participate, he
said.
Number 698
CHAIRMAN VEZEY clarified it was not the responsibility of
the department to review the report. "You just trust if
they say they will save money that it is enough to
participate in the retirement program," he said.
TAPE 93-7, SIDE B
Number 000
MR. STALNAKER stated the calculations done by employers were
not audited.
HB 49: ABSENTEE BALLOTING BY FAX
Number 048
CHAIRMAN VEZEY, after a short recess, read the title of HB
49. He tabled HB 36 and 42 until later so testimony could
be heard on HB 49.
Number 047
REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 49, stated Ms.
Phyllis Taylor in Washington D. C. was on the line to
testify in support of HB 49.
Number 128
PHYLLIS TAYLOR, DIRECTOR, FEDERAL VOTING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, spoke in support of HB
49 and discussed electronic application for absentee voting.
She referenced her written testimony within the committee
packet. She also referenced the "Uniformed and Overseas
Citizens Absentee Voting Act" 99-40 HR 4393.
Number 289
JOE KERWIN, CHIEF OF ELECTIONS, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF
STATE in Montana spoke in support of HB 49. He discussed
the absentee ballot process.
Number 306
REPRESENTATIVE ULMER stated concerns of voter fraud.
MS. TAYLOR explained there was one central system to prevent
fraud. She discussed provisions of checks and balances just
the same as receiving it through the mail.
Number 335
CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed actions to prevent fraud.
Number 344
MS. TAYLOR explained controls were in place which Alaska
would utilize.
Number 365
CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked if the results were satisfactory.
MR. KERWIN explained the rules that were in place. It was
not a secret ballot, signatures were compared to confirm the
voter was the voter registered, he added.
Number 379
CHAIRMAN VEZEY requested a copy of the regulations.
Number 386
CHARLOT THICKSTUN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, asked
what the voter turn out was for absentee ballots.
MR. KERWIN stated eight people in Montana voted by fax.
Number 440
MS. TAYLOR said there was a total of 4,000 application
forms, 1,000 absentee, 600 other documents, and 140 voted
fax ballots nationally.
Number 484
REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN reminded the committee everyone had
the right to vote. Even those on submarines!
Number 521
CHAIRMAN VEZEY made reference to military persons who spend
six months underwater.
MS. TAYLOR stated the service was free.
MS. THICKSTUN asked if there were federal monies available.
Number 564
CHAIRMAN VEZEY clarified the only cost to the state would be
in equipment, not service.
Number 580
REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT agreed to be a subcommittee of one,
by request of the Chair, and stated he would report back to
the committee.
HB 42 and HB 36: RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Number 596
WILLIE ANDERSON, a lobbyist for the National Education
Association, spoke in support of HB 36 and HB 42.
Number 626
CHAIRMAN VEZEY invited Representative Bill Hudson to speak
on behalf of HB 42.
Number 630
REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUDSON, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 42, stated
the purpose of HB 42 was to save public dollars. The
retirement incentive program was a tool to save the state
money, he added.
TAPE 93-8, SIDE A
Number 000
CHAIRMAN VEZEY invited Senator Jim Duncan to speak on behalf
of the retirement incentive program.
Number 110
SENATOR JIM DUNCAN related the history of the retirement
program. He explained the cost savings to the state.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Number 296
CHAIRMAN VEZEY announced HB 36 and HB 42 would be held in
committee for further consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIRMAN VEZEY then adjourned the meeting at 10:03 a.m.
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