03/12/1998 01:50 PM House FIN

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4                                                   
                                                                               
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State                          
of Alaska relating to terms of legislators.                                    
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault explained that HJR 4 proposes to limit                     
terms by limiting the number of regular legislative                            
sessions a person may serve.  The resolution proposes that                     
a person may not serve consecutively more than twelve                          
regular sessions in the Legislature.  A person may not                         
again serve in the Legislature as a result of election or                      
appointment to fill a vacancy until at least two                               
consecutive regular sessions have lapsed.  In addition,                        
when tabulating the number of sessions served, special                         
sessions shall not be countered nor shall time served as                       
the result of appointment to fill a vacancy.                                   
                                                                               
He recommended that term limits are a positive legislative                     
reform, guaranteeing that new legislators will be elected                      
along with new ideas.  The popularity of term limits                           
indicates that a majority of our citizens do not prefer                        
career politicians representing them.  Term limits will                        
also level the playing field for challengers facing long-                      
term incumbents whose power oftentimes is derived primarily                    
from seniority.                                                                
                                                                               
Representative Martin suggested that Section 3 was not                         
needed.  Co-Chair Therriault responded that legal drafters                     
recommended adding that language so that the constitutional                    
amendment could be voted upon; however, at the same time,                      
legislators running on the year for which the language was                     
included, would be precluded from counting that year if                        
Section 3 was not added.  The language provides a delayed                      
effective date, so that those people are able to serve                         
their term out.                                                                
                                                                               
Representative J. Davies pointed out that from a national                      
legislative term study undertaken from 1959 through 1994,                      
legislators that served eight years or less comprised 84%,                     
whereas, legislators who served twelve years or less                           
comprised 94%.  He submitted, given those numbers, there is                    
no compelling or practical reason for the legislation which                    
would prohibit that 6% from serving longer terms.                              
Representative J. Davies ascertained that having a few                         
members in the legislative body with institutional                             
knowledge derived from a long tenure is useful.                                
Representative Kelly echoed Representative Davies concerns.                    
                                                                               
Representative Foster MOVED to report HJR 4 out of                             
Committee with individual recommendations and with the                         
accompanying fiscal notes.                                                     
                                                                               
HJR 4 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass"                           
recommendation and with fiscal notes by the Office of the                      
Lt. Governor dated 1/30/98 and the Legislative Affairs                         
Agency dated 1/30/98.                                                          
                                                                               
(Tape Change HFC 98- 66, Side 2).