Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/18/2025 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB63 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 63 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 63-LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION
1:31:05 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 63
"An Act relating to the Local Boundary Commission; and providing
for an effective date."
CHAIR MERRICK said this is the second hearing of SB 63 in the
Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee. The intention
is to hear a recap of the bill and look to the will of the
committee. She invited the bill sponsor and his staff to put
themselves on record and briefly review SB 63.
1:31:33 PM
SENATOR MIKE CRONK, District R, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 63 gave a recap of the bill.
1:31:41 PM
PAUL MENKE, Staff, Senator Mike Cronk, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, answered questions on SB 63.
1:31:44 PM
SENATOR CRONK gave the following recap of SB 63:
- The bill ensures commissioners appointed from each of the four
judicial districts live and vote in the judicial district from
which they are appointed.
- The bill creates an additional seat on the commission and
ensures that at least one of the six commissioners is from an
unorganized borough.
- The bill changes the statute regarding the selection of the
commission chair. He explained that the member appointed from
the state at-large currently serves as chair; however, SB 63
proposes that the commission select a chair from among its
members.
1:32:23 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked whether it would be a problem to add
one additional member. SB 63 proposes six members. She pointed
out that six is an even number and can sometimes result in a
tied vote.
SENATOR CRONK deferred to his staff.
1:32:41 PM
MR. MENKE replied that an important consideration in crafting
the bill was maintaining a geographical balance of members on
the Local Boundary Commission (LBC). He stated that the intent
was not necessarily to fill the commission with members from the
unorganized borough. He said that the sponsor is open to adding
a seventh seat if it is the will of the committee.
1:33:04 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR brought up historical insight to frame the
discussion. He noted that he chaired the Senate Community and
Regional Affairs Committee last year and, at that time,
discussed this topic with the Division [of Community and
Regional Affairs (DCRA)]. The division emphasized the importance
of retaining an at-large member, as it is difficult to find
qualified individuals to serve on the commission. DCRA did not
want to lose the at-large seat.
SENATOR DUNBAR said that he and the bill sponsor explored ways
to add a seat for the unorganized borough without displacing the
at-large seat. The end result was an even number of Local
Boundary Commission members. He said that while this is not
ideal, the Alaska Legislature and the Anchorage Assembly have an
even number of members. He noted that even-numbered bodies are
inherently more conservative, as a supermajority is required for
passage, whereas a tie vote results in failure.
1:33:55 PM
At ease.
1:34:45 PM
CHAIR MERRICK reconvened the committee and found no further
discussions or questions on SB 63.
1:34:52 PM
CHAIR MERRICK solicited the will of the committee.
1:34:54 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR moved to report SB 63, work order 34-LS0422\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s) and further authorize Legislative Legal Services
to make conforming changes.
1:35:09 PM
CHAIR MERRICK found no objection and SB 63 was reported from the
Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.
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