03/31/1998 02:25 PM House FIN

HOUSE BILL NO. 462                                                             
                                                                               
"An Act relating to the contents of certain state                              
documents."                                                                    
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault stated that HB 462 was designed to                         
curtail the increasingly prevalent practice of using State                     
publications to further personal political agendas.                            
                                                                               
HB 462 would place a number of publications off-limits to                      
State officials for personal purposes.  In the past, these                     
documents have been used to disseminate legitimate                             
programmatic and deadline information.  Co-Chair Therriault                    
continued, while any elected official would relish the                         
opportunity to send political and personal messages to the                     
electorate at the State's expense, these messages should be                    
restricted to individual stationary or a newsletter format                     
purchased through the appropriate budgets.  The use of                         
routine publications has the potential of politicizing the                     
underlying programs.  He pointed out examples of                               
politicizing contained in the members bill file packet.                        
                                                                               
BRAD PIERCE, POLICY ANALYST, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND                          
BUDGET, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, commented that the Governor                    
does not support the proposed legislation.  The Governor                       
sees this work as part of his job as Chief Executive to the                    
public.  Anyone who holds the position has the right and                       
obligation to have their photograph on official                                
communication with the public.                                                 
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault asked if the Governor is able to                           
differentiate between ongoing applications and programmatic                    
mailings and information put out by his press.  Mr. Pierce                     
noted that he was not qualified to answer that question.                       
                                                                               
Representative Grussendorf commented that some of the                          
information cited by the Governor is both appropriate and                      
factual. Co-Chair Therriault interjected that over the                         
years, the Permanent Fund Dividend application has become                      
more visually pleasing except for the number of photographs                    
used.  He suggested that these publications should be put                      
out by interests not running for election.  He acknowledged                    
that any official running for office would like to be able                     
to use that avenue to disseminate their information.  Co-                      
Chair Therriault added that dispersal of the Longevity Bonus                   
monthly checks should not be a place to politically                            
advertise.                                                                     
                                                                               
Representative Kelly indicated his consternation with                          
political messages being distributed which he felt were                        
"pure political bantering".  He noted that he took exception                   
to the use of a political tool being forced upon the public                    
through wide spread public mailings.                                           
                                                                               
Representative J. Davies observed that in this Legislative                     
session, there are many bills which transfer power from the                    
Governor to the Legislature with the intent to limit the                       
power of the Governor.  Representative J. Davies pointed out                   
that HB 462 had been sponsored by the House Finance                            
Committee without the approval of all members.  He noted,                      
for the record, he did not support the bill.                                   
                                                                               
Representative Mulder MOVED to report CSHB 462 (STA) out of                    
Committee with individual recommendations and with the                         
accompanying fiscal note.  Representative J. Davies                            
OBJECTED.                                                                      
                                                                               
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.                                      
                                                                               
IN FAVOR: Kelly, Kohring, Martin, Mulder, G. Davis,                            
Foster, Therriault                                                             
OPPOSED:  Grussendorf, J. Davies                                               
                                                                               
Representatives Moses and Hanley were not present for the                      
vote.                                                                          
                                                                               
The MOTION PASSED (7-2).                                                       
                                                                               
CS HB 462 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do                       
pass" recommendation and with a zero fiscal note by the                        
Office of the Governor dated 3/23/98.