Legislature(2017 - 2018)BUTROVICH 205
04/25/2018 08:15 AM Senate RULES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR19 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HCR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HCR 19-GOVERNOR: AK NATIVE LANGUAGES EMERGENCY
8:15:45 AM
CHAIR MEYER announced consideration of HCR 19. [SCS CSHCR
19(STA), version 30-LS1402\T, was before the committee.] He said
this resolution had been heard in the Senate Community and
Regional Affairs and Senate State Affairs Committees; it was
amended in the Senate State Affairs Committee changing the title
and emergency language to "recognizing the urgent need for
language revitalization efforts." This meeting is being held
today to address two amendments.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLY moved Amendment 1.
30-LS1402\T.2
Martin
4/24/18
AMENDMENT 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR KELLY
TO: SCS CSHCR 19(STA)
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "issue an administrative order
recognizing"
Insert "recognize"
Page 2, line 24:
Delete "issue an administrative order
recognizing"
Insert "recognize"
CHAIR MEYER objected for discussion purposes.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLY explained that current language states that
the Alaska legislature urges Governor Walker to issue an
administrative order recognizing the urgent need for language
revitalization efforts. This amendment just takes out the
administrative order words and conforms the title, because of a
separation of powers issue. The legislature writes statutes and
the governor has the right to write administrative orders, but
the legislature shouldn't be asking the governor to do what the
legislature is able to do in a statute.
This resolution speaks to something that the state needs and the
amendment does not change the spirit of it. It just allows the
legislature to be vigilant about the separation of powers.
CHAIR MEYER removed his objection. Finding no further
objections, he said Amendment 1 was adopted.
SENATOR GARDNER moved Amendment 2.
30-LS1402\T.1
Martin
4/24/18
AMENDMENT 2
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR GARDNER
TO: SCS CSHCR 19(STA)
Page 1, lines 1 - 2:
Delete "the urgent need for language
revitalization efforts"
Insert "a linguistic emergency"
Page 2, lines 24 - 25:
Delete "the urgent need for language
revitalization efforts"
Insert "a linguistic emergency"
CHAIR MEYER objected for discussion purposes.
8:19:26 AM
SENATOR GARDNER related how one of her majors in college was
linguistics and she remembers discussions on how language colors
culture. For example, in Gambia, an uncle - any of the father's
brothers - uses the same word as the father and a mother's
sisters are all called mother, because they all carry the
responsibilities and obligations of the father and mother; as a
child, they would all mother you. Their language defines that
very clearly, and when you lose a language you really lose the
way of seeing the world, and that is why it is an emergency.
8:20:45 AM
SENATOR MICCICHE remembered about 25 years ago when his
community made the effort of recording the Dena'ina language
through the help of two remaining fluent speakers and he thinks
this resolution recognizes the need to take immediate action,
but when he thinks of an emergency, he thinks of life and death
situations, and this needs to be a comprehensive plan on
mobilizing for documenting existing languages. "Urgency" does
not adequately capture that. He just wants this resolution to
get to the floor and it doesn't need additional complications at
this point.
SENATOR GARDNER said they are really discussing degrees of
importance. To those who are relatively new to the state it has
little impact, but to some Alaskans whose history in the state
goes back thousands of years it makes a huge difference. It is
critically important and that was heard in their emotional
testimony. They are talking about the ongoing death of a
culture, and for some people it is a death.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLY explained why he won't support her
amendment. "Emergency" has a statutory definition; it is not
just a term of art. It means the Governor declares an emergency
and the National Guard or FEMA is called out. The legislature
doesn't do this. This issue needs some community involvement and
he feel uncomfortable using the word "emergency" in this regard.
SENATOR GARDNER responded that she will look into that between
now and the floor session.
CHAIR MEYER maintained his objection.
8:25:45 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Senator Gardner voted yea; Senators
Micciche, Kelly, MacKinnon, and Meyer vote nay. Amendment 2
failed on a 1:4 vote.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLY moved to report SCS CSHCR 19(RLS), as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note. There were no objections and it was
so ordered.
##
8:26:34 AM
CHAIR MEYER adjourned the Senate Rules Committee meeting at 8:26
a.m.
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