03/22/2002 09:38 AM Senate FIN

                                                                                                                                
     SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 37                                                                                             
     Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of                                                                 
     Alaska relating to officers and employees of the executive                                                                 
     branch.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
This  was the  first  hearing  for  this resolution  in  the  Senate                                                            
Finance Committee.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Kelly testified  this constitutional  amendment gives  the                                                            
Legislature authority to  "cross the separation of powers lines" and                                                            
direct the Executive  Branch to implement a hiring  freeze. He noted                                                            
this would  not affect the current  Governor, but could be  utilized                                                            
by future legislatures during budget shortfalls.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair  Kelly spoke  to the use  of hiring  freezes during  budget                                                            
crises by "managers  all over the  world" and "governments  all over                                                            
the country".                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Ward  offered a motion to  move from Committee, SJR  37 with                                                            
$1,500  fiscal note  from the Office  of the  Governor, Division  of                                                            
Elections.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Without objection the bill MOVED from Committee.