04/07/2010 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

SENATE BILL NO. 184                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to public access to legislative                                                                           
     committee meetings during regular legislative sessions                                                                     
     by Internet broadcast."                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:54:13 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  HOLLIS FRENCH  stated that  the legislation  allows                                                                    
for webcams in every committee  room in the capitol allowing                                                                    
access  to  committee  processes   by  any  citizen  with  a                                                                    
computer. He commented  that that the lack  of today's gavel                                                                    
to  gavel broadcast  with seven  key  pieces of  legislation                                                                    
heard by the  committee provides the perfect  example of the                                                                    
need  for  the mentioned  webcams.  He  understood that  the                                                                    
Legislative  Affairs  Agency  (LAA)  supports  the  idea  of                                                                    
committee webcams and have  pursued an independent procedure                                                                    
for  installation. He  suggested  placing  the procedure  in                                                                    
statute allowing for  continuity despite potential personnel                                                                    
changes within the LAA.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman  acknowledged the fiscal note  from LAA for                                                                    
$88  thousand  in general  funds.  He  stated that  LAA  has                                                                    
sufficient funds to absorb the cost.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:57:26 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MATT  WALLACE, EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR,  ALASKA PUBLIC  INTEREST                                                                    
RESEARCH GROUP (via teleconference)  testified in support of                                                                    
the  legislation. He  stated that  the research  group cares                                                                    
deeply about the idea of open and transparent government.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator French noted support  from Arliss Sturgulewski, Bill                                                                    
Legere, the  general manager of KTOO  Broadcasting, the City                                                                    
of Juneau, and the Alaska Committee.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SB  184  was  HEARD  and   HELD  in  Committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.