Legislature(2005 - 2006)HOUSE FINANCE 519
03/24/2006 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB266 | |
| SB172 | |
| HB190 | |
| HB377 | |
| HB278 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 190 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 266 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 377 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 172 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 278 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 172
An Act relating to the presentation of initiatives and
referenda on the ballot.
Vice Chair Stoltze MOVED to ADOPT work draft #24-LS0859\U,
Kurtz, 3/24/06, as the version of the bill before the
Committee. There being NO OBJECTION, it was adopted.
SUZANNE CUNNINGHAM, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN MEYER,
addressed the modifications made to the committee
substitute. There are two essential changes from the House
Judiciary Committee (HJC) version.
· In the HJC version, there was a requirement that the
summary be no more than 100 words for each section.
The House Finance Committee (HFC) substitute reduces
that to 50 words per session.
· The HFC version requires the Division of Elections to
prepare and publish a pamphlet for the primary election
if there is an initiative that will appear on the
ballot. There is already a requirement in State law
that the Division of Elections prepare a pamphlet for
the General Election ballot, except for, in that
description, the summary would be 50 words or less.
2:00:12 PM
Representative Hawker asked if the interpretation as
proposed was for the 100 words and was meant for each
section or the entire bill. Ms. Cunningham replied that
when preparing the summery, the Division of Elections, in
describing each section of the initiative, could use up to
50 words only. There is no aggregate limit.
ANNETTE KREITZER, CHIEF OF STAFF, OFFICE OF THE LT.
GOVERNOR, clarified that would be a technical correction.
It is the job of the Lt. Governor to make that description,
not the Division of Elections.
2:01:54 PM
Representative Hawker asked further clarification. Ms.
Kreitzer reiterated it was clear to their office, that it
would be 50 words or less per section.
2:04:07 PM
Co-Chair Meyer acknowledged concerns but realized there must
be a limit to keep encouraging citizens to vote. The bill
also requires an information pamphlet sent out before the
election.
Representative Hawker asked if that was what was truly
intended. Ms. Kreitzer stated that the Legislature must
make the policy call and then the Lt. Governor and the
Division of Elections will carry it out.
2:05:30 PM
JOE BALASH, STAFF, SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT, responded to
queries by Representative Hawker noting that the sponsor
supports the proposed approach.
Representative Kelly asked what other states are doing to
address such concerns. Mr. Balash offered to research that.
Representative Kelly indicated his concern with the fiscal
note.
Representative Kerttula MOVED to ADOPT Amendment #2. Vice
Chair Stoltze OBJECTED.
Representative Kerttula noted that she supported including
the information in the voter pamphlet as voters could
actually take time to read it. The intent of the amendment
is to keep the ballot the same as it currently looks at 100
words; she did not think voters would actually read a 50-
word ballot. The amendment is meant to leave the 25-word
title limit alone but limit the description to 100 words.
2:09:21 PM
Mr. Balash commented that the sponsor was satisfied with the
product of the Committee.
Representative Hawker worried how realistic the amendment
would be. He thought that the Lt. Governor needs to have
the expanded authority to decide what is contained in the
voter's pamphlet. He did not support the amendment.
Representative Kerttula explained that her concern is the
actual ballot. Placing too many words on the actual ballot
is not good and the amendment could save money.
Co-Chair Meyer hoped that including the information in the
pamphlet, the voter would then be able to make the most
educated voting decision. Representative Kerttula agreed
about the pamphlet but thought that the extra language on
the ballot will make it more expensive and confusing.
2:12:44 PM
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Kerttula, Moses, Weyhrauch
OPPOSED: Kelly, Stoltze, Foster, Hawker, Meyer
Representative Holm, Representative Joule and Co-Chair
Chenault were not present for the vote.
The MOTION FAILED (3-5).
2:14:28 PM
Representative Kelly reiterated concerns regarding how other
states are addressing the concern.
2:15:42 PM
WHITNEY BREWSTER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, OFFICE OF
THE LT. GOVERNOR, stated that the Municipality of Anchorage
has the full language on their ballot and had heard mixed
reactions to that.
Representative Kelly hoped that researched information could
be brought forward to the House Rules Committee. Co-Chair
Meyer noted that Mr. Balash would research it.
2:16:34 PM
Co-Chair Meyer pointed out that the Lt. Governor would be
receiving plenty of latitude with up to 50 words. He
pointed out the new fiscal note.
Ms. Cunningham advised that there had been discussions with
the Office of the Lt. Governor and the Division of Elections
regarding the changes made in the version before the
Committee, particularly the provision that requires them to
print a pamphlet. If there was a need for something on the
general election ballot, they prepared a cost estimate,
indicated by fiscal note dated 3/24/06, itemizing the
contractual costs. Through continuing discussions, the
Division has "real concerns" regarding the length of various
initiatives that may appear on the ballot. She recommended
both notes be moved with the bill:
· The one dated 2/10/06, Office of the Lt. Governor,
and
· The new one proposed by the House Finance Committee.
Ms. Cunningham believed the final costs could be rectified
during the Conference Committee action.
2:19:48 PM
Co-Chair Meyer knew that the Lt. Governor's office wanted to
avoid a supplemental request. Ms. Kreitzer acknowledged
that was correct. She appreciated the Committee working
with their Office to avoid such action.
2:20:23 PM
Representative Weyhrauch appreciated the testimony.
Representative Foster MOVED to REPORT HCS CS SB 172 (FIN)
out of Committee with individual recommendations and with
the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it
was so ordered.
2:21:24 PM
Ms. Cunningham pointed out that the substitute adopted by
the Committee, includes a reference to election pamphlets,
which must be incorporated into the title. Consequently,
there is an accompanying title change resolution.
Co-Chair Meyer stated that the bill would be passed from
Committee including the accompanying title change
resolution.
HCS CS SB 172 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation, with two new fiscal notes by the
Office of the Lt. Governor and the House Finance Committee
and with the accompanying title change resolution.
2:23:02 PM
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