Legislature(2015 - 2016)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/08/2015 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing: Alaska Public Offices Commission | |
| HB5 | |
| SB76 | |
| SJR15|| SCR4 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 5 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SCR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| SJR 15 | |||
| + | SB 76 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SJR 15-CALL FOR US COUNTERMAND CONVENTION
SCR 4-US COUNTERMAND CONVENTION DELEGATES
2:49:28 PM
CHAIR MCGUIRE announced the consideration of SJR 15 and SCR 4.
2:49:40 PM
ORIN BROWN, Intern, Senator Bill Stoltze introduced SJR 15 and
SCR 4 on behalf of the sponsor, speaking to the following
sponsor statement: [Original punctuation provided.]
Recent actions taken by the Federal Government
constitute an unprecedented level of overreach in
Alaska.
SJR 15 and SCR 4 seek to restore the balance of power
between the states and federal government. The pair of
resolutions would strengthen state sovereignty by
providing states with veto (countermand) power over
federal decisions deemed not in their best interest by
establishing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
These two resolutions in tandem are intended to start
the process of amending the US Constitution via the
powers granted in Article V.
SJR 15 (The Application) provides Alaska's call to
Congress for a clearly defined, single-issue
Countermand Amendment Convention. The Countermand
Amendment to the United States Constitution, when
ratified, will allow states to propose Countermand
Initiatives, which upon approval by three-fifths of
the state legislatures, will repeal any federal
statute, executive order, judicial decision, or
regulatory decision listed in the Initiative.
SCR 4 (The Delegate Resolution) enables the state
legislature to institute parameters for the
convention, ensuring that a "runaway convention" is
not possible, and provides for a productive, safe and
timely process. The Delegate Resolution establishes a
Credential Committee for selection of delegates to the
convention, and outlines the duties of the delegates.
SCR 4 also includes the language of the proposed
Countermand Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
These two resolutions do not pertain to a conservative
versus liberal agenda; this is a state versus federal
issue. Passage of these resolutions is an actionable
step the Legislature can take toward restoration of
the proper balance of state and federal powers.
2:52:46 PM
MIKE COONS, National Director, Citizens Initiatives, Palmer,
Alaska, testified in support of SJR 15 and SCR 4. He described
SJR 15 as the vehicle to get the ball rolling and SCR 4 as the
key. SJR 15 defines the convention rules, the function of the
delegates, the language of the amendment, and that state
legislators are in control of the delegates and the ultimate
outcome of the convention. SCR 4 defines the convention.
He discussed the credentials committee explaining that
legislators will appoint the delegates, establish the rules, and
provide guidance during the convention. He said that some states
may want to make amendments to the Countermand Amendment
language and those would be brought to the legislature for
approval or denial. Once 26 states vote to approve the language,
the convention would end and the language would be forwarded to
Congress for the ratification process. He clarified that 34
states are needed to make an application for the convention and
26 or more states are needed for a quorum to pass the amendment.
He stressed that this convention follows art. V, Constitution of
the United States. Each state has one vote so Alaska has the
same authority as New York.
MR. COONS reported that following ratification the vision is to
assemble a national strategy steering committee to research the
federal rules, regulations, laws, executive orders, and judicial
decisions that are of most concern to the freedoms, liberties,
and direction of the states. The committee then would pass
resolutions to repeal the problems and submit the proposed
resolution to the state legislatures for committee hearings and
final passage. This process has citizen involvement at the
grassroots level.
2:59:17 PM
SENATOR COGHILL expressed hope that Mr. Coons would return for a
subsequent hearing because time was short today to debate the
issue.
CHAIR MCGUIRE solicited a motion to adopt the proposed judiciary
versions of the resolutions.
3:00:00 PM
SENATOR COGHILL motioned to adopt the work draft committee
substitute (CS) for SJR 15, labeled 29-LS0425\H, as the working
document.
CHAIR MCGUIRE announced that without objection, version H was
before the committee.
3:00:37 PM
SENATOR COGHILL motioned to adopt the work draft committee
substitute (CS) for SCR 4, labeled 29-LS0548\W, as the working
document.
CHAIR MCGUIRE announced that without objection, version W was
before the committee.
SENATOR COGHILL offered his understanding that the committee
substitutes contain conforming language that the House is also
considering.
[SJR 15 and SCR 4 were held in committee for further
consideration.]