03/05/1998 01:40 PM House FIN

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 44                                                  
                                                                               
Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State                          
of Alaska relating to redistricting of the                                     
legislature.                                                                   
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault noted that the Committee would be                          
working with the 0-LS0528\I, Glover, 3/3/98, version of the                    
proposed legislation.                                                          
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault MOVED to adopt Amendment #6.  [Copy on                     
file]. Discussion followed among Committee members                             
regarding deletion of the language, "until sixty days after                    
adoption and final adjudication of the succeeding                              
redistricting plan and proclamation of redistricting".                         
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment #6 was adopted.                            
                                                                               
Representative Gary Davis asked the outcome of the final                       
redistricting plan referenced on Page 4, Line 6 - 13.  Co-                     
Chair Therriault noted that passage of Amendment #6 would                      
remove the confusion.                                                          
                                                                               
Co-Chair Therriault spoke to the fiscal note as provided by                    
the Department of Law.  Representative J. Davies understood                    
that the fiscal note had been submitted because there would                    
be costs in obtaining pre-clearance which would require                        
expertise and time.                                                            
                                                                               
JIM SOURANT, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER, thought                       
that the fiscal note would not be relevant with passage of                     
Amendment #6.  Co-Chair Therriault explained that the                          
mechanism for drawing the lines would be changed, not the                      
requirements of who is eligible to vote.  He also                              
questioned the need for the fiscal note.                                       
                                                                               
Representative J. Davies commented that the base of the                        
fiscal note was to address preclearance which would                            
guarantee that there are no problems before the changes are                    
implemented.  This would be an expense which would occur in                    
any case when a significant change has been made.  Co-Chair                    
Therriault reiterated that a change in the method of                           
drawing the lines would not require a preclearance.                            
Representative Mulder suggested that the bill's fiscal note                    
could be changed on the House Floor or in Conference                           
Committee.                                                                     
                                                                               
Representative Mulder MOVED to report CS HJR 44 (FIN) out                      
of Committee with individual recommendations and with the                      
accompanying fiscal notes.  Representative J. Davies                           
OBJECTED.                                                                      
                                                                               
Representative J. Davies believed that the approach taken                      
with the province of the justice system could be a large                       
mistake.  He suggested that this system would encourage                        
politicizing among the Supreme Court Judges with far                           
reaching consequences.  He stated that he strongly opposed                     
the legislation.                                                               
                                                                               
Representative Martin acknowledged that the legislation                        
could be interuptive to the political process, causing                         
chaos.                                                                         
                                                                               
A roll call vote was taken on the motion to MOVE the bill                      
from Committee.                                                                
                                                                               
IN FAVOR: Foster, Kelly, Mulder, G. Davis, Hanley,                             
Therriault                                                                     
OPPOSED: Grussendorf, Kohring, Martin, Moses, J.                               
Davies                                                                         
                                                                               
The MOTION PASSED (6-5).                                                       
                                                                               
CS HJR 44 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do                       
pass" recommendation and with fiscal notes by the                              
Department of Law dated 2/18/98 and the Office of the Lt.                      
Governor dated 2/18/98.