03/04/1998 01:50 PM House FIN

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 36                                                  
                                                                               
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State                          
of Alaska relating to redistricting of the legislature,                        
and repealing as obsolete language in the article                              
setting out the apportionment schedule used to elect                           
the members of the first state legislature.                                    
                                                                               
JEFF LOGAN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE GREEN provided members                       
with Amendment 1 (copy on file).  He noted that the                            
amendment applies to the effective date and the                                
applicability section.  The amendment would leave the                          
effective date but delete the applicability section.                           
                                                                               
(Tape Change, HFC 98 -53, Side 1)                                              
                                                                               
Mr. Logan explained that the amendment would clarify that                      
the reapportionment plan that is currently in effect is the                    
plan that the sponsor wants to be under until the new plan                     
takes effect.  He maintained that a governor could                             
reapportion the state at times other than immediately after                    
the decennial census.                                                          
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault pointed out that there has not been a                      
problem with a governor trying to redistrict before the                        
census.  Mr. Logan noted that there was a mid session                          
reapportionment in 1964 as the result of a court decision.                     
He asserted that reapportionment could be necessary due to a                   
dramatic rise in population in time of war or during                           
construction of a new pipeline.                                                
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault pointed out that the Governor would                        
select the reapportionment board.                                              
                                                                               
Representative Davies asserted that the State would want to                    
reapportion if there were a dramatic change in population.                     
Mr. Logan stressed that the intent is to clarify that the                      
reapportionment plan that is currently in place would be the                   
plan that would be used.                                                       
                                                                               
Representative Davies MOVED to delete section 10.  There                       
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                         
                                                                               
Representative Martin expressed concern with the use of                        
"contiguous".  He observed that the US Supreme Court has                       
required that districts be compact as well as contiguous.                      
                                                                               
HJR 36 was HELD in Committee for further consideration.