02/26/1998 08:40 AM Senate FIN

                                                                               
 SENATE BILL NO. 234                                                           
"An Act extending the termination date of the Board of                         
Governors of the Alaska Bar Association."                                      
                                                                               
Senator Adams MOVED SB 234 with individual recommendations.                    
Senator Donley OBJECTED.  Co-chair Sharp indicated there                       
were a few individuals signed up to testify regarding the                      
bill.                                                                          
                                                                               
Senator Donley said he had been asked to inquire about                         
certain operations of the Bar Association.  He said he                         
prepared a list of questions for the Bar, faxed them this                      
morning and was now anticipating a response.  He requested                     
the bill be held in committee pending their response.                          
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp said that at a prior hearing they had not                       
responded to the Auditor's recommendations.  However, the                      
response is now in the file.                                                   
                                                                               
David Bundy, president, Alaska Bar Association testified                       
before the committee via teleconference from Anchorage.  He                    
appeared at the last meeting.  He said the reason the bill                     
was held because Senator Donley indicated he had questions                     
for them.  The initial requested information had been                          
provided and they had a conference with him yesterday.  He                     
noted for the record that he was present at the                                
teleconference cite since 8:30 a.m.  They had not received                     
the new set of questions from Senator Donley.  He did advise                   
the committee that the Association did not operate on State                    
money, rather on membership dues and there was no fiscal                       
impact to the State on the functioning of the Association.                     
They supported the bill and hoped it would be moved forward                    
soon so they could get on with the reauthorization of the                      
Bar.                                                                           
                                                                               
Senator Pearce requested a short at ease.                                      
                                                                               
(10:37 a.m. at ease)                                                           
                                                                               
Following a brief at ease, Co-chair Sharp asked if Mr.                         
Charles McKee was still present to testify via                                 
teleconference from Anchorage.                                                 
                                                                               
Charles McKee testified before the committee via                               
teleconference from Anchorage.  He said he was at a loss                       
regarding the activities of the Bar.                                           
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp advised that questions had been posed by                        
Senator Donley and the bill would be held in committee                         
pending response by the Bar.                                                   
                                                                               
Gordon Evans, president, Juneau Bar Association advised that                   
he would be available to answer any questions the committee                    
might have.                                                                    
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp announced SB 234 would be put into                              
subcommittee.  Senator Pearce, chair; Senator Sharp and                        
Senator Adams were appointed and he said they would work                       
with Senator Donley.                                                           
                                                                               
Senator Torgerson asked about the motion to move the bill                      
out of committee.   Senator Phillips said he would amend                       
Senator Adams' motion to move the bill and instead move that                   
it be held in committee pending response from the                              
subcommittee.  Senator Torgerson reminded the committee that                   
the motion was made to move the bill and the new motion to                     
amend would not be appropriate.  Senator Phillips withdrew                     
his motion.                                                                    
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp said the original motion before the committee                   
was by Senator Adams to MOVE the bill and noted the                            
OBJECTION of Senator Donley.   After a roll call vote called                   
by the Secretary the bill was HELD in committee by a vote of                   
five nays pending subcommittee report.                                         
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp reminded the committee there was a 4:30 p.m.                    
budget meeting and 6:00 p.m. public testimony hearing on SB
.                                                                            
                                                                               
                                                                               
ADJOURNMENT                                                                    
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp recessed the committee until 4:30 p.m.                          
                                                                               
SFC-98 -19- 2/26/98