Legislature(2017 - 2018)GRUENBERG 120
03/15/2018 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB400 | |
| HB71 | |
| HB352 | |
| Presentation: Indirect Expenditures – Wwami | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 352 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 400 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 352-VOTER REGISTRATION & PFD APP REGISTRATION
4:20:30 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 352, "An Act relating to voter
registration; and providing for an effective date."
4:20:50 PM
JOSIE BAHNKE, Director, Central Office, Division of Elections,
Office of the Lieutenant Governor, on behalf of the House Rules
Committee by request of the governor, paraphrased from her
written testimony, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Today I am here to testify on House Bill 352, a bill
which harmonizes the interaction between the Permanent
Fund Dividend Division and the Division of Elections
in relation to the automated voter registration law
passed by ballot initiative in 2016. This bill makes
the necessary legal changes to enhance efficiency,
reduce state expenditures and improve the citizens'
experience registering or updating their voter
registrations via their permanent fund dividend
application. These functions are achieved by providing
the division the ability to leverage existing tools
and procedures already in use for processing automatic
voter registration between the Division of Elections
and the Division of Motor Vehicles. Mr. Chairman,
leveraging these tools and processes will save the
state more than two hundred thousand dollars every
year while maintaining the legal intent of the
original initiative.
4:22:08 PM
MS. BAHNKE continued to paraphrase her written testimony, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
In 2016, Alaska voters passed Ballot Measure #1 which
stipulated that information provided on PFD
applications will be used to register to vote or
update the applicants existing voter registration
unless the applicant "opts out" of voter registration.
The ballot measure became law effective March 1, 2017.
In the inaugural year of implementation, the "opt out
provision in Ballot Measure #1 required the Division
of Elections to send a notice by mail to the PFD
applicants, giving them an opportunity to "opt out".
If the applicant didn't "opt out" within 30 days of
receiving the notice, the PFD application information
was used to register or update the existing
registration record.
4:23:02 PM
MS. BAHNKE continued to paraphrase her written testimony, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
The administration is 100% supportive of the intent of
Ballot Measure #1 and allowing voters to use
information on their PFD application to register or
update their existing voter registration. In addition
to helping register Alaskan voters, the administration
also supports other goals of the ballot measure which
was to enhance accuracy of voter rolls, and save the
state money.
4:23:29 PM
MS. BAHNKE continued to paraphrase her written testimony, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
HB 352 was introduced to make the PFD automatic voter
registration to be fully-automated, more streamlined
and cost-efficient by allowing applicants the
opportunity to "opt-out" of voter registration at the
time they apply for their PFD online or with a paper
application. Adoption of HB 352 would allow the
Division of Elections to more effectively manage this
new program by eliminating the cost of sending
expensive mailings every year, remove the 30 day opt-
out period and allow voters to become registered or
update registrations more timely and reduce staff time
spent on registration activities. Since 2015 and prior
to voter approval of PFD Automatic Voter Registration,
the DOE has made several technological advancements to
improve access, efficiency, and accuracy of voter
registration rolls:
4:24:28 PM
MS. BAHNKE continued to paraphrase her written testimony, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
First of all, the DOE has fully implemented an online
voter registration (OLVR) process making registering
to vote or updating an existing voter registration
easy and efficient. When the PFD AVR petition was
being circulated, OLVR was not yet available. Since
being implemented, 49,000+ voters have used the OLVR
system to either register or update their existing
voter registration.
The Division of Elections has also fully automated the
process of receiving voter registration information
electronically from the Division of Motor Vehicles
when Alaskans update their driver's license. When the
PFD AVR petition was being circulated, the DMV
registration process was not automated and
registrations were sent to DOE on paper applications.
Since implementation, 63,000+ voters have either
registered or had their existing voter registration
updated through DMV electronic process.
MS. BAHNKE continued to paraphrase her written testimony, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
If HB 352 is adopted, the PFD Automatic Voter
Registration process will closely mimic how the
Division of Elections presently receives and handles a
majority of voter registrations, would save an
estimated $200,000 annually in mailing costs, and
provide for a mechanism by which voter registration
transactions performed by the DOE are fully automated
and reduce paper transactions. Should HB 352 become
law, PFD applicants will have the opportunity to
decline to register to vote or to update their
registration at the time of completing their PFD
application. This change will provide a more
efficient and user-friendly mechanism for voters to
decide to "opt-out' by eliminating the opt-out notice
to reduce paper transaction and save costs in mailing
the opt-out notice to eligible applicants.
4:26:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP related his understanding that this bill
would accomplish what was envisioned with same day voter
registration and the automatic voter registration bill
previously passed. He surmised that when people would file an
application for the permanent fund dividend (PFD) that the
applicant would "push a button" if he/she wanted to register to
vote. He was surprised to find out that an applicant was
automatically registered to vote unless the person declined. He
asked for further clarification on whether the button would be
available to applicants during the PFD application process.
MS. BAHNKE responded if HB 352 were to pass, that during the PFD
online application process an individual could opt out of voter
registration or to change to his/her voter registration record.
The applicant would not receive a mailer to ask to opt out. In
further response, she confirmed that "the button" would be
available online to allow people to opt out.
4:28:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK offered his belief that it was a good idea
to have a button on the PFD application for voter registration.
He expressed concern that the initiative would require an "opt
out" form be mailed to PFD applicants. He asked for
clarification on the limitations prohibiting altering
initiatives and whether those restrictions were for one or two-
year period after passage of an initiative.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS related his understanding that technical
changes could be made to initiatives but not substantive
changes.
4:29:22 PM
LIBBY BAKALAR, Assistant Attorney General, Labor and State
Affairs Section, Department of Law, explained the two-year rule,
which she said restricts the legislature from repealing an
initiative; however, a legislature may amend an initiative. At
what point an amendment constitutes a repeal was a
constitutional question; however, the types of amendments being
proposed in this bill do not rise to the level of a repeal, she
said. She reiterated that these amendments were appropriate
ones to be made within the two-year time limit.
4:30:31 PM
MS. BAHNKE, in response to Representative Tuck, responded that
she read her testimony into the record, but she had not
specifically read the language for the initiative. Under
current law, as passed by voters, the division is required to
send a mailer to existing voters with updates to their address
or name and allowed them a 30-day window to return the mailer to
opt out; otherwise, the division would update the information,
she said.
4:31:32 PM
MS. BAHNKE paraphrased the sectional analysis, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
HB 352 Sectional Analysis
Section 1: Establishes the voter registration
requirements that an applicant must provide in their
PFD application to register to vote.
Section 2: Establishes that the DOE will use the
application information provided on the PFD
application to register eligible applicants to vote or
update their voter registration if they did not
decline voter registration when completing their PFD
application.
Section 3: Establishes that the DOE will process
eligible voter registration applications received from
the PFD and send voters notification of their
registration status (voter registration card). This
section also removes the requirement to send a paper
opt-out notice to voters who are targeted as new voter
registrations or updated registrations.
Section 4: Removes the requirement for the applicant
to respond to the opt-out notice within 30-days.
Section 5: Establishing that PFD will only submit data
for applicants that did not decline to register to
vote.
Section 6: Establishes that changes made in this law
will be effective for PFD applications starting on
January 1, 2019.
4:32:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX related that she completed her PFD
application online. She did not recall anything that allowed
anyone to opt out of [voter registration].
MS. BAHNKE answered that this year's 2018 application did not
have a box to check, but rather at the end when the applicant
signed the application, an attestation certified that the
information was correct and advising that it would be used for
purposes of voter registration. She explained that this was the
first year that the law was being fully implemented; however,
should HB 352 become law it would be added to the PFD
application process.
4:33:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX related her understanding that the
initiative allowed people to opt out of the voter registration
process.
MS. BAHNKE answered that was correct; however, current law
requires the Division of Elections to send a mailer to each PFD
applicant identified as a new applicant or one who had updated
his/her information asking the applicant if he/she would like to
opt out. In further response, she agreed that was the reason
the division was trying to create efficiencies with HB 352.
4:34:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked whether the voter registration
initiative did not provide for any opt out provision on the
application form.
MS. BAHNKE answered no.
4:34:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked what Section 1 would accomplish since
it asked an applicant to comply "... with the information
required under (a)(1) - (4) and (7) - (9) of this section
included, ...." and he was unsure.
MS. BAHNKE answered that the language citation in "(a)(1) - (4)
and (7) - (9) of this section" referred to the requirements for
voter registration.
4:35:20 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS passed the gavel to Vice Chair LeDoux.
4:35:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK referred to Section 1 and 15.07.060(e) and
read, "Section 1. AS 15.07.060(e) is amended to read: (e) For an
applicant requesting initial registration by mail, by facsimile
or other electronic transmission approved by the director under
AS 15.07.050, ...."
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked whether this was clean-up language
since he did not see anything about the permanent fund dividend
application nor did he see it in AS 15.07.060.
MS. BAHNKE referred to page 1, line 6, which specifically
referenced the permanent fund dividend application. She said
this bill would also clean up language to harmonize language
between Title 15 and Title 43. She said that this would
essentially make requirements for voter registration the same as
for PFD applicants.
4:37:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON related her understanding that $360,000
was in the initiative but was not funded.
MS. BAHNKE agreed that the division did not receive an
appropriation to implement the ballot initiative.
4:37:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked whether the division would use
capital funds during the transition. She asked for
clarification on whether this would save the state money,
resulting in a negative fiscal note for the bill.
MS. BAHNKE responded that the division used operating funds to
sustain the automatic voter registration project. She stated
that if HB 352 were to pass, the division would not need to
request additional funds for the next fiscal year. She offered
her belief that the long-term cost savings would be $200,000 per
year.
4:39:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL related his understanding that next year
applicants could click "a box" if they wanted to opt out of the
voter registration process. He related that if an applicant did
not have any changes to their address, they would not need an
update and could opt out of the process. He asked whether this
bill would eliminate mailouts and postage altogether.
MS. BAHNKE responded that if HB 352 became law, the division
anticipated it would have a minimal mailing.
4:40:05 PM
CAROL A. THOMPSON, Absentee & Petition Manager, Absentee &
Petition Office, Division of Elections, Office of the Lieutenant
Governor, replied that the division anticipated minimal
notifications that would go with paper applications although
those were often data entered prior to [mailing]. She said that
part of the paper application with the PFD would include a check
box to opt out. She reiterated that the division would not have
many mailouts, if any.
VICE CHAIR LEDOUX returned the gavel to Chair Kreiss-Tomkins.
4:40:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL hoped people would not be confused. He
asked how the process would work for someone who wanted to
change his/her [political] affiliation but not his/her address.
He wondered if there would be additional boxes the person could
check.
MS. THOMPSON answered if the person chose not to opt out and
they had no changes to his/her voter registration nothing would
happen. In terms of political affiliation, the PFD application
does not require it, so the person's political affiliation would
remain the same.
4:41:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL related his understanding that he could
register to vote via PFD; however, if he wanted to register with
an affiliation that he would need to accomplish that through the
Division of Elections.
MS. THOMPSON answered yes. She explained that if a person was a
new voter registrant, the person's political affiliation would
appear as undeclared until the person informs the division
otherwise.
4:42:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL said if someone wanted to register to vote
via the PFD application process and the person does not contact
the Division of Elections, he/she will be a registered voter,
without any political affiliation and will be undeclared. He
surmised there would be an increase in new voters with a "U" or
undeclared status. Most people probably would figure their job
was done once they clicked the box. He asked whether the
division had considered that aspect.
MS. THOMPSON responded that the division selected undeclared [U]
because it would allow the voter the most opportunity in the
primary election to select the ballot option. She said the
division believes that will give the voters the biggest
advantage and the division waits for the voter to contact them.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL said that the voter registration form would
have a party affiliation option. He characterized the PFD voter
process as "voter registration light" since it omits a fairly
strong identification for voter registration. Some people would
think it was somewhat important.
4:43:49 PM
MS. BAHNKE answered that this bill, HB 352, as currently written
would give the Division of Elections (DOE) and Permanent Fund
Dividend Division the authority to adopt regulations to
establish an opt-out process. The DOE has begun discussions
with the PFD Division to determine the best process for an opt-
out process. She related that HB 352 was a harmonizing bill
following the initiative passage, but it also creates an opt-out
process during the PFD application process to save state funding
in mailings.
4:44:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL said if someone moves to Alaska and uses the
PFD as a first-time voter, the person would one have an
opportunity to select a party affiliation. He commented that it
would not be a "full option" to register to vote.
MS. THOMPSON acknowledged that political affiliation was not one
of options through PFD voter registration application process.
She said the PFD and voter registration were very similar, with
the exception of the political affiliation.
4:46:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked for the total number of registered
voters and how many new voters were added since March when the
initiative passed.
MS. THOMPSON answered that currently 531,335 voters are
registered in Alaska and as of March 27 an additional 15,589
voters were gained. She reported an additional 11,108 voters
updated their residence address or name.
4:47:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH confirmed about 15,000 additional voter
registrations happened as a result of the program.
MS. THOMPSON said that was correct.
4:47:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked why not add the party affiliation
because it seemed like it would be simple to do so.
MS. BAHNKE answered that she has not had that discussion with
the PFD Division. She offered to do so and report back to the
committee.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that HB 352 would be held over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB400 Sponsor Statement 3.7.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/13/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 400 |
| HB400 Sectional Analysis 3.7.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/13/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 400 |
| HB400 ver A 2.28.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/13/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 400 |
| HB400 Fiscal Note DPS 3.1.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/13/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 400 |
| HB400 Amendment 1 3.7.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/13/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 400 |
| HB400 Amendment2 3.13.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/13/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 400 |
| HB400 Amendment3 3.14.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 400 |
| HB 71 Sectional Analysis 3.7.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 71 |
| HB71 ver O 3.2.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 71 |
| HB 71 Explanation of Changes 3.7.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 71 |
| HB352 Sponsor Statement 2.15.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Sectional Analysis 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB0352 ver A 2.16.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB352 Fiscal Note DOE 3.12.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB352 Fiscal Note DOR 3.12.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Amendment March 7 2018.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Supporting Doc NEW voter Opt-Out Mailer.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Supporting Doc UPDATE voter mailer.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Supporting Document - DOE bullets points.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Supporting Document - Election Policy Work Group Report.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Supporting Document - Excerpt from 2017 DOE Fiscal & Policy Challenges Report.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB 352 Supporting Document 15PFVR-Statement-of-Costs.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| HB352 Letter of Support_Speaker Edgmon.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 352 |
| H STA Indirect Expenditure Hearings 3.13.18.pdf |
HSTA 3/15/2018 3:15:00 PM |