Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 120
04/25/2005 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR12 | |
| SB129 | |
| SB143 | |
| Violent Crimes Compensation Board | |
| Commission on Judicial Conduct | |
| Alaska Judicial Council | |
| HB266 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HJR 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 266 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 268 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 36 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 143 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 129 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 143 - STATE INFO SYSTEM PLAN: LEGISLATURE/UNIV 2:04:31 PM CHAIR McGUIRE announced that the next order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 143(STA), "An Act amending the definition of the term 'state agencies' as it applies under Executive Order No. 113; relating to information systems in the legislative branch and to the Telecommunications Information Council; and providing for an effective date." HEATHER BRAKES, Staff to Senator Gene Therriault, Senate State Affairs Standing Committee, Alaska State Legislature, explained, on behalf of the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee, sponsor of SB 143, that Executive Order (EO) 113, which took effect March 14, 2005, eliminated the Telecommunications Information Council (TIC) and transferred its powers and duties to the commissioner of the Department of Administration (DOA). Under EO 113, the legislature was included in the definition of "state agency" and, as a result, the legislative branch was placed under the jurisdiction of the executive branch with regard to the specific statutes now listed in SB 143. Senate Bill 143 removes the legislature from the aforementioned definition and sets the legislative branch apart from the executive branch, reflecting the reality that the legislature already oversees its own telecommunications operations. 2:06:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL relayed that he had no objections to the bill. PAMELA A. VARNI, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency (LAA), offered the following comments: I believe the passage of this bill would reflect how the legislature actually operates within the State of Alaska's information technology community. This bill will allow the legislature to operate with the same autonomy as the judicial branch, and having the ability to decide what is best for our own branch of government is important. We have always enjoyed a cooperative relationship with the Department of Administration and information technology group. This bill will allow us to continue to work with them, but cleans up references which currently put the legislature's data processing program under their direction. Executive Order 113 could not make substantive changes to the law. That is why SB 143 is so important for you to pass. The Legislative Affairs Agency has its own data processing group, which supports the legislature. Under the auspices of the Legislative Council's IT subcommittee, long-range and short-term goals are established for the legislature and voted on by Legislative Council. These goals take into account the legislature's unique needs and plans for the future. It is important that the legislature have the flexibility to develop our own programs and procedures to meet the goals which are specific to the Alaska legislature, both now and in the future. MS. VARNI, in conclusion, thanked the committee for the opportunity to speak, and offered to answer questions. 2:08:14 PM CURTIS CLOTHIER, Manager, Data Processing, Legislative Administrative Services, Legislative Affairs Agency (LAA), said he would echo Ms. Varni's comments, adding his belief that the intent of SB 143 is to put the legislature's data processing staff on the same footing as the judicial branch's data processing staff, and that the bill would not affect how his section currently operates. He, too, offered to answer questions. 2:09:03 PM STEVEN SMITH, Chief Information Technology Officer, Office of Information Technology, University of Alaska, said that the University of Alaska wishes to not be included in EO 113's definition of "state agency", and noted that CSSB 143(STA) already effects that change. He said he would echo many of the previous comments, adding that the University of Alaska's information technology policy is set through the University of Alaska Board of Regents, and that as a public educational institution, the University of Alaska has the opportunity to realize [savings] in contractual relationships with vendors. Additionally, much of the University of Alaska technology and research needs are very specific, and thus require the University of Alaska to be considered as a separate entity, apart from, and with different needs than, the executive branch, though the University of Alaska does work closely with the information technology organizations in all other branches of government in order to maintain certain standards. 2:11:32 PM CHAIR McGUIRE, after ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on SB 143. REPRESENTATIVE KOTT said he is surprised that no one from the administration is present to testify, since the bill would not have been necessary had the administration worked with and given consideration to the legislative branch and university during the development of EO 113. He suggested that those in the administration who develop executive orders in the future should learn from this example. In conclusion, he said he supports the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee's endeavor to provide the legislature and university with the autonomy they deserve. REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON moved to report CSSB 143(STA) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSSB 143(STA) was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.
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