Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
04/25/2007 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB119 | |
| SR3 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SR 3-REQUEST REMOVAL OF REGENT HAYES
2:07:16 PM
CHAIR DAVIS announced SR 3 to be under consideration.
SENATOR WAGONER, sponsor of SR 3, said that Senator Elton has a
lot of the same feelings about the bill as he does. He commented
that he is a graduate of the University of Alaska (UA), and a
lot of students have contacted him about the issue; they have
clearly said that Mr. Hayes should step down from the Board of
Regents.
He went over the language in the sponsor statement, and
explained that ethics should be as important for the UA regents
as they are for legislators. It's important to remove even the
appearance of questionable behavior; Mr. Hayes was indicted in
January 2007, and because he's under investigation should
voluntarily step down from office without having to be pressed
on the matter.
SENATOR WAGONER cited other examples of politicians who have
stepped down from office while under investigation. He clarified
that the SR is not a statement of guilt, but a statement that
Mr. Hayes should step down from the UA board of regents and
remove the appearance of unethical behavior from his public
office. The case means that Mr. Hayes' attention is currently
focused on his personal issues rather than UA matters. Someone
with the time and energy to commit to the regents' duties should
be serving on the board, and not Mr. Hayes.
2:11:41 PM
He explained two items included in a packet provided to the
committee that showed that Mr. Hayes used undue influence for
the actions under investigation, and improper use of the UA
seal. He asked the committee to consider advancing the
resolution at the first available moment.
SENATOR WAGONER added that the fiscal note is premature; it
assumes that the legislature will be meeting in special session,
which won't necessarily be the case. The issue could be handled
for less money, and it won't necessarily take a long time. The
bill is being brought forward to urge Mr. Hayes to step down,
and contact the governor if need be.
2:15:47 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked if Mr. Hayes is still being reimbursed for
being a regent.
SENATOR WAGONER replied the reimbursement isn't significant.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if Mr. Hayes was paid anything for the
meetings he missed.
SENATOR WAGONER replied he was not; over the past year he missed
over 50 percent of the board meetings.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if Mr. Hayes is under indictment.
SENATOR WAGONER replied that he is.
SENATOR COWDERY asked if a date has been set for the trial.
SENATOR WAGONER replied he believes the trial is set for
September, but may be postponed. He added that the indictment is
ongoing, and has been expanded to include more charges. The
situation is a serious one.
2:18:28 PM
CHAIR DAVIS commented that the bill could not be moved at the
time due to lack of a quorum; it would be re-heard at another
date. She pointed out that the UA has said that people often
miss regent meetings, and it's not in and of itself a reason for
being removed. There are people who think that the governor
should remove the regent, but the attorney general advised her
against it. She added that she was hoping that the matter
wouldn't have to come to an SR, but that it's the proper
process.
SENATOR WAGONER pointed out that Mr. Hayes had a good attendance
record until the indictment came up; his absences started
immediately after. He added that other community boards around
the state have stipulations for member removal after two
subsequent unexcused absences.
2:21:25 PM
SENATOR COWDERY asked if the UA board has that stipulation.
SENATOR WAGONER said that it doesn't; he referenced his own work
with the UA, and said that of all his regent acquaintances, none
have had poor attendance records. A high sense of responsibility
seems to be the norm for regents.
SR 3 was held in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|