Legislature(2009 - 2010)
04/16/2009 05:11 PM House FIN
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| SB1 | |
| HB88 | |
| HB151 | |
| SB57 | |
| SB96 | |
| SB170 | |
| SB114 | |
| SB75 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 88
"An Act extending the termination date of the Board of
Governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and providing
for an effective date."
Vice-Chair Thomas MOVED to adopt CS for HB 88, 26-LS410\R as
a working document. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
6:08:37 PM
JANE PIERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, SPONSOR,
explained that the bill would extend the termination date of
the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association to June
30, 2013. She informed the committee that the Alaska Bar
Association was established in 1955. The two primary
functions of the association are to screen applicants for
admission, and to provide discipline by investigating
grievances against members of the bar. The association also
provides classes for continuing legal education, lawyer
referral service, pro-bono services, and lawyer fee
arbitration. The board consists of 12 members; nine are
attorney members, elected by the active membership of the
Bar Association, three are non-attorney public members,
elected by the governor and confirmed by the legislature.
The Division of Legislative Budget & Audit (LB&A) concluded
in a November 4, 2008 report that the board, through the
Alaska Supreme Court, protects the public by insuring
persons licensed to practice law are qualified, and provides
for the investigation of complaints. The division
recommended the termination of the board be extended to June
30, 2017. The board is scheduled to terminate on June 30,
2009. Upon termination, the board would have one year to
conclude its administrative operations.
6:10:51 PM
PAT DAVIDSON, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, LEGISLATIVE AUDIT
DIVISION, LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY, explained the
extension audit was conducted as required by statute. The
division recommended that the board be extended for the next
eight years. Since the audit, conducted two years ago, the
bar dues have been reduced from $550.00 to $410.00. The
audit recommended mandatory continuing legal education for
members. Another prior recommendation included improving the
association's website to make discipline information
regarding attorneys available to the general public. The
division also recommended amending the bar bylaws to meet
public notice requirements.
6:12:47 PM
Co-Chair Hawker opened public testimony.
DEBORAH O'REGAN, ALASKA BAR ASSOCIATION testified via
teleconference. She offered to stay online to be available
to answer questions.
Co-Chair Hawker closed public testimony.
6:14:02 PM
Co-Chair Hawker addressed the zero fiscal note.
Representative Foster referred to page 3 of the Alaska Bar
Association 2007 Annual Report (copy on file). He asked how
many lawyers were members of the Alaska Bar Association. Co-
Chair Hawker understood that Anchorage had the highest
number of lawyers per capita of any city in America.
Ms. O'Regan reported that there are 38,000 members of Alaska
Bar Association. Of those, 1000 are either inactive or
outside the state. This brings the total of in-state members
to 28,000.
6:15:39 PM
Vice-Chair Thomas MOVED to report CSHB 88, 26-LS0410\R (FIN)
out of Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
CSHB 88 (FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with the
attached zero fiscal note the recommendations of individual
members.
6:16:21 PM
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