01/21/2000 01:37 PM Senate JUD

                                                                                                                                
         SJR 29-DURATION OF REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Number 2131                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PARNELL stated that SJR 29 would place a constitutional                                                                 
amendment on the 2000 ballot limiting the Alaska legislature to                                                                 
annual sessions of 75 days, beginning on the fourth Monday of                                                                   
February.  A shorter session would save the state at least $1.2                                                                 
million.  This legislation would  help foster a citizen legislature                                                             
and help legislators to focus their priorities.  32 states now have                                                             
session limits shorter than 120 days and 22 states have session                                                                 
limits shorter than 75 days.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR TORGERSON was not sure a constitutional amendment was                                                                   
necessary.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR responded he had proposed a 90 day limit several                                                                
years ago by statute, but existing constitutional limitations would                                                             
override  and he felt an amendment may be necessary. Also, the                                                                  
Chairman felt this legislation would enhance a greater involvement                                                              
from  citizen legislators.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR TORGERSON felt the legislation was workable, but because                                                                
the proposed budget is published December 15, work should start                                                                 
sometime in January.  Work on the budget is difficult to accomplish                                                             
within the time limit now.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Tape 00-1, Side B                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PARNELL asked the committee if 75 days seemed workable.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR responded that certain members in the legislature,                                                              
especially finance committee members, would need more time.  He                                                                 
would have left the starting date in January and ended the session                                                              
earlier, because winter is when people have more time off.  A                                                                   
January start date would also keep the session closer to the budget                                                             
cycle.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PARNELL responded he had considered this option but had                                                                 
based his calender on oil revenues.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PARNELL requested that the committee move SJR 29 with his                                                               
amendment of 75 consecutive calendar days.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR moved SJR 29, as amended, from committee.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. RICK URION, representing himself, spoke in favor of this                                                                    
legislation as a person who had served in the legislature prior to                                                              
the 120 day limit when the sessions went on with no end in sight.                                                               
The 120 day limit has proven  work can be accomplished within a set                                                             
time and could probably be accomplished in less time.  He also                                                                  
feels this legislation will encourage a citizen legislature.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT CALDER, representing himself, supports SJR 29 from a                                                                      
citizen's standpoint.  He feels this proposal would give                                                                        
legislators more time to work with constituents and improve  public                                                             
perception.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR TORGERSON was concerned about the  February 1 start date                                                                
because of the trip to Washington D.C. every year in March.  The                                                                
legislature would be taking a five day break almost immediately                                                                 
after opening.  Starting February 1 would only give the legislature                                                             
31 days, after having the revenue forecast, to work on the budget.                                                              
He would like to see the starting date moved back to the second                                                                 
Monday in February.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DONLEY commented that the start date is set by statute,                                                                 
therefore, section 1 of the resolution was unnecessary, unless                                                                  
there was implied voter approval.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Number 1979                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PARNELL agreed except that terms of office would be                                                                     
affected.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DONLEY commented that legislators could take office in                                                                  
January to get up to speed on the budget even if the session did                                                                
not start until February, rather than having lame duck legislators                                                              
remain in office in January.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PARNELL agreed with this.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN TAYLOR said he would like to have a debate on holding a                                                                
budget session in an off election year, passing a two year budget                                                               
and then  coming back in the election year and taking up issues.                                                                
Many western states have this type of legislature.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR PARNELL responded that some sessions are 30 days one year                                                               
and 60 or 90 the next year.  Some states felt that this lead to                                                                 
diminished legislative power and increased executive power.                                                                     
SENATOR PARNELL stated that this legislation was drafted so that                                                                
legislative power was not diminished.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR TORGERSON moved SJR 29 from committee with individual                                                                   
recommendations.