Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/09/2024 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB60 | |
| SB182 | |
| SJR15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 60 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SJR 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the
State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto.
9:54:56 AM
SENATOR MATT CLAMAN, SPONSOR, referred to the Sponsor
Statement (copy on file):
Senate Joint Resolution 15 amends the Constitution of
the State of Alaska by changing the requirement to
override a veto on revenue and appropriation bills or
items from three-fourths of the legislature to two-
thirds of the legislature in joint session. If Senate
Joint Resolution 15 passes the legislature, it will
put the resolution on the ballot for registered
Alaskan voters to consider in the next general
election.
According to Alaska's Constitution: A Citizen's Guide
published by the Legislative Affairs Agency, "[f]ew
other states make the distinction between a bill
dealing with substantive law and an appropriation
bill." Alaska may be the only state that has a three-
fourths requirement to override the governor's veto on
revenue and appropriation matters.
Amending this provision in our constitution will
strengthen the legislature and improve the public's
ability to influence executive and legislative
decisions on revenue matters.
9:57:23 AM
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the veto override would be
for both legislation and a budgetary item.
Senator Claman replied that the legislation would make it a
required two-thirds vote on both legislation and budgetary
items.
Co-Chair Stedman queried the involvement of the governor as
related to constitutional amendments.
Senator Claman replied that amending the constitution
required a two-thirds vote in each body of the legislature,
and the governor had no say in that process.
9:58:55 AM
BREANNA KAKARUK, STAFF, SENATOR MATT CLAMAN, discussed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1
The Constitution of the State of Alaska. Article
II, Section 16.
Deletes the three-fourth vote requirement for the
legislature to override vetoes for revenue and
appropriation bills or items. Changes the vote
requirement for the legislature to override
vetoes for revenue and appropriation bills or
items to a two-third vote.
Section 2
The Constitution of the State of Alaska.
Conforms with Article XIII, Section 1 of the
Alaska Constitution and the state election laws
to put the amendment proposed by this resolution
before registered voters in the State of Alaska
at the next general election.
Co-Chair Olson noted the fiscal note of $38,000, and asked
for comment on the fiscal note.
Senator Claman stated that the fiscal note related to the
cost of additional pages in the voter pamphlet.
10:00:18 AM
CAROL BEECHER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, OFFICE OF
THE GOVERNOR, agreed with Senator Claman.
Co-Chair Olson surmised that the legislation was in sync
with previous constitutional amendments.
Ms. Beecher agreed, and furthered that there had been a
recent increase in the cost of paper.
Senator Merrick wondered there were multiple pamphlets sent
to households with more than one registered voter.
Ms. Beecher replied that it was done by household address.
Senator Wilson remarked that seven states had a three-
fifths vote, which would put Alaska's vote threshold to
thirty six.
Senator Claman replied that the two-thirds vote was
reasonable, so that was the reason for making everything a
two-thirds vote.
Senator Kiehl wondered about the requirement for vote
totals during the joint session.
Senator Claman responded that there was an interesting
numbers dynamic, because of the weight of each body.
Senator Wilson wondered when the last time the three-
quarters vote had resulted in an override.
Senator Claman agreed to provide that information, and
recalled that early in statehood there were some budgetary
overrides, but remarked that it was overall fairly rare.
SJR 15 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.