05/07/2006 12:00 PM House FINANCE

HOUSE BILL NO. 316                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     An Act extending the termination date for the Board of                                                                     
     Governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and providing                                                                     
     for an effective date.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stoltze, Sponsor,  testified in support of the                                                                   
bill.  He explained  that the  legislation  would extend  the                                                                   
termination  date for the  Board of  Governors of the  Alaska                                                                   
Bar  Association. He  observed  that the  previous  committee                                                                   
decided to  extend the Board for  one year in order  to allow                                                                   
review of issues brought forth by a recent audit.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:13:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
There are no  special provisions, simply a  time extension to                                                                   
a previous sunset.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MOVED to  ADOPT the New  Zero Fiscal Note, 5/6/06,  Education                                                                   
and Early Development.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kerttula  asked  if the Board  spoke to  a one                                                                   
year extend. Representative Stoltze  responded that the Board                                                                   
would  like  eight years.  He  agreed  with the  Chairman  of                                                                   
Judiciary that it would be best  to address issues in a joint                                                                   
session of both bodies.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
TERESA OBERMEYER, ANCHORAGE, testified  via teleconference in                                                                   
support  of the  legislation.  She stressed  personal  issues                                                                   
with the Board.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:18:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Obermeyer  attempted to  navigate through charges  toward                                                                   
her.  She urged  that the  legislation  be reconsidered.  She                                                                   
commended   legislators  who   have  showed  leadership   and                                                                   
communication  with the  legislature. She  pledged to  do the                                                                   
work  that needs  to be  done for  the State  of Alaska.  The                                                                   
Alaska  Bar Association  has over 20%  licensed attorneys  in                                                                   
the State. She stated that she supports the bill.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:21:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Hawker  commented on the zero  fiscal note and                                                                   
observed  that  the Board  of  Governors  of the  Alaska  Bar                                                                   
Association  considers itself  exempt from the  appropriation                                                                   
powers of  the legislature and  pointed out that  these types                                                                   
of fiscal  notes  are generally  receipt supported  services.                                                                   
Representative Stoltze acknowledged  that the fiscal note was                                                                   
one of the issues of concern.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative Foster  MOVED to REPORT CSHB 316  (JUD) out of                                                                   
Committee   with   attached  fiscal   note   and   individual                                                                   
recommendations.  There  being   NO  OBJECTIONS,  it  was  so                                                                   
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CSHB316  (JUD)  was  REPORTED   OUT  of  Committee  with  one                                                                   
previously published  zero fiscal  note (JUD) and  individual                                                                   
recommendations.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:24:18 PM