04/08/1999 03:32 PM Senate STA

                                                                                                                                
           SCR  6-UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANNUAL REPORT                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON, co-sponsor of SCR 6, explained the measure simply                                                                
requests that in the same way members of the congressional                                                                      
delegation are invited to speak to the legislature, the president                                                               
of the University of Alaska statewide system be asked to address a                                                              
joint session.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GREEN asked if anyone from the University of Alaska was                                                                 
invited to speak to the committee about SCR 6.  CHAIRMAN WARD                                                                   
answered University officials are aware the bill was scheduled.                                                                 
SENATOR GREEN noted she does not support the measure and will                                                                   
recommend a "do not pass" vote on SCR 6.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS noted joint sessions are held to hear from the                                                                 
Governor, the Chief Justice, Alaska's congressional delegation and                                                              
extra special guests, such as a government leader from another                                                                  
jurisdiction.  He asked, if SCR 6 passes, what will prevent another                                                             
resolution from being introduced to schedule commissioners to speak                                                             
to joint sessions of the legislature.  SENATOR ELTON thought the                                                                
commissioners' concerns should be addressed within the Governor's                                                               
two presentations to the legislature.  He pointed out the                                                                       
University of Alaska is independent of the Executive Branch in the                                                              
same way the Judicial Branch is independent.  He noted committee                                                                
members' packets contain a letter from the University President who                                                             
would welcome an opportunity to address the legislature.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Number 214                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS stated although the Judicial Branch is separate                                                                
from the Executive Branch, the University of Alaska falls under the                                                             
umbrella of the Executive Branch.  He expressed concern that                                                                    
passage of SCR 6 will open the door for department commissioners to                                                             
give separate presentations.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON pointed out the difference between the University of                                                              
Alaska and state departments is that commissioners convey their                                                                 
concerns to the Governor in a cabinet meeting each week; the                                                                    
University President does not.  He added the University of Alaska                                                               
is elevated in several respects:  it has campuses in 18 communities                                                             
across the state, it is a significant employer, and the University                                                              
holds the key to Alaska's future in terms of research projects.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Number 246                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked Senator Wilken whether the University has                                                                
ever requested permission to speak before a joint session.  Senator                                                             
Wilken did not know.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WILKEN noted he supports SCR 6 because a good case can be                                                               
made for why the University President should speak to the                                                                       
legislature, however he stated he is sensitive to opening the door.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PHILLIPS informed committee members that the only special                                                               
guests who have spoken to a joint session of the legislature are                                                                
the Premier of British Columbia and a government leader of the                                                                  
Northwest Territory.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Number 269                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN WARD asked Senator Elton whether he considered making the                                                              
invitation a one-time event next year to see how it goes, as                                                                    
opposed to requesting an annual invitation.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON clarified SCR 6 does not bind the legislature in the                                                              
future to inviting the University President on a regular basis or                                                               
at a specific time.  SCR 6 merely sets up a procedure to do so.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GREEN questioned whether an invitation could be extended                                                                
without a resolution.  CHAIRMAN WARD replied one can.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR GREEN asked Senator Elton if he talked to the University                                                                
President about SCR 6.  SENATOR ELTON said he has not but he did                                                                
speak to members of the President's staff.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON moved SCR 6 from committee.  There being no                                                                       
objection, the motion carried.