04/27/1998 02:15 PM Senate JUD

                                                                               
             SJR 10 - ELECTION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL                             
                                                                               
MS. RENEE HOWELL, staff to the sponsor of SJR 10 SENATOR LYDA                  
GREEN, testified she was available to answer questions.                        
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR said many people in the state share a significant              
concern about amending the Constitution to elect an Attorney                   
General. Tragically, we don't currently have an Attorney General               
working in the interest of the people of Alaska, according to                  
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR. He said the Attorney General and the Department of            
Law are hiding behind a specious claim of attorney/client privilege            
and are unwilling to testify before this committee, though seem to             
be quite able to make statements to the press.                                 
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR said the "Attorney General" is not even the                    
Attorney General as he failed to stand for confirmation before the             
Legislature. CHAIRMAN TAYLOR referred to the issue of searches                 
conducted in dry villages and compared Bruce Bothelo's assessment              
that the law was "working" to the logic of Hitler and Stalin.                  
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR indicated that Mr. Bothelo's failure to prosecute              
in both the ponzi scheme and the APSIN matter belies this                      
Governor's crass, political motivation.                                        
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR also indicated the Attorney General's decision to              
drop the Babbitt suit was another reason that left us with no other            
option than to direct the voters to elect an Attorney General. He              
said he maintains his reluctance to change the Constitution, but               
finds no other way to ensure the Attorney General will be                      
accountable for his or her actions.                                            
                                                                               
Number 464                                                                     
                                                                               
SENATOR MILLER moved SJR 10 out of committee with individual                   
recommendations. Without objection, it was so ordered.