Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/27/1994 09:10 AM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CHAIRMAN LEMAN brings up HB 518 (EXTEND ALASKA BAR ASSOCIATION), and asks if there is anyone from the sponsor's office (House Judiciary Committee) who wishes to testify on HB 518. Hearing none, the chairman calls Mr. Volland to testify. Number 450 PHILLIP VOLLAND, President, Alaska Bar Association, states HB 518 incorporates the recommendation of the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee that the Alaska Bar Association continue its function as regulator of attorney practice in Alaska. Mr. Volland states the association supports the bill and urges its' passage. Mr. Volland relates information he thinks is helpful in understanding the importance of both what the Alaska Bar Association does and moving HB 518 from the Senate State Affairs Committee. Number 502 CHAIRMAN LEMAN asks Mr. Volland if five years is the normal cycle for the Alaska Bar Association. Number 503 MR. VOLLAND responds it is a four year cycle, plus one year for winding down operations. Number 506 SENATOR TAYLOR thanks Mr. Volland for his excellent presentation. Senator Taylor expresses concern that it will appear that the legislature, by having to pass legislation allowing the Alaska Bar Association to continue to operate, has some say in the Alaska Bar Association and the governance of attorneys. The legislature really has nothing to say about the Alaska Bar Association; the association derives its' authority from the court system, not the legislature. Having the legislature vote on legislation to continue the operation of the Alaska Bar Association stems from a time when public funds were used for the operation of the association. Senator Taylor thinks that since public funds are no longer used to operate the association, the Alaska Bar Association should not have to come to the legislature for authority in operating. Number 525 MR. VOLLAND responds it has always been a debate among the profession as to whether the legislature must authorize the operation of the Alaska Bar Association. However, Mr. Volland personally believes it is good for the association to have to answer to the public in some way. Mr. Volland does think it odd that the association has to answer to the legislature, since the association operates pretty well on its' own. Number 532 CHAIRMAN LEMAN thinks it is good for the legislature and the organizations to have to communicate with each other. The chairman asks Mr. Volland what role the Alaska Bar Association plays in the State Judicial polls. MR. VOLLAND replies the association does not play a roll in the statewide judicial polls. Number 548 CHAIRMAN LEMAN asks Mr. Volland if he is aware of any efforts to blackball some people who apply to judgeships. Number 550 MR. VOLLAND responds he is not. Mr. Volland states the poll itself is sufficiently detailed in identifying the respondents background and experience with a particular judge, that the Judicial Council is able to sort out those things in its' evaluation of judges. Most attorneys believe that judges shouldn't be evaluated on single issues or single cases; what attorneys want is a fair chance before a judge and nothing else. Number 565 CHAIRMAN LEMAN asks Mr. Volland if he can suggest any ways that the legislature can help the Alaska Bar Association do its' job. MR. VOLLAND replies he cannot think of any. Number 568 SENATOR TAYLOR makes additional comments regarding the relationship of the legislature, the Alaska Bar Association, and the Court System. Number 579 SENATOR TAYLOR continues his comments regarding the relationship between the legislature, the Alaska Bar Association, and the Court System. TAPE 94-32, SIDE B Number 576 SENATOR TAYLOR makes a motion to discharge HB 518 from the Senate State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations. Number 572 CHAIRMAN LEMAN asks if there is anyone else to testify on HB 518. Hearing none, the chairman orders HB 518 released from committee with individual recommendations.
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