Legislature(2011 - 2012)CAPITOL 120
02/29/2012 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Attorney General | |
| Violent Crimes Compensation Board | |
| Alaska Judicial Council | |
| Commission on Judicial Conduct | |
| Select Committee on Legislative Ethics | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
February 29, 2012
1:10 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Steve Thompson, Vice Chair
Representative Wes Keller
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Lance Pruitt
Representative Max Gruenberg
Representative Lindsey Holmes
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Carl Gatto, Chair
Representative Mike Hawker (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Attorney General
Michael C. Geraghty - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Violent Crimes Compensation Board
Regina C. Chennault, M.D. - Soldotna
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Alaska Judicial Council
Kenneth Kreitzer - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Commission on Judicial Conduct
Robert D. Sheldon - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics
Dennis E. "Skip" Cook - Fairbanks
Herman G. Walker, Jr. - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
MICHAEL C. GERAGHTY, Appointee
Attorney General
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the position of
Attorney General.
WILLIAM R. SATTERBERG, JR., Attorney at Law
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided comments during the confirmation
hearing of Michael C. Geraghty as appointee to the position of
Attorney General.
REGINA C. CHENNAULT, M.D., Appointee
Violent Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB)
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Violent
Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB).
KENNETH KREITZER, Appointee
Alaska Judicial Council (AJC)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Alaska
Judicial Council (AJC).
ROBERT D. SHELDON, Appointee
Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Commission on
Judicial Conduct (CJC).
DENNIS E. "SKIP" COOK, Appointee
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Select
Committee on Legislative Ethics.
HERMAN G. WALKER, JR., Appointee
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Select
Committee on Legislative Ethics.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:10:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, acting as chair, called the House
Judiciary Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:10 p.m.
Representatives Keller, Gruenberg, Lynn, and Pruitt were present
at the call to order. Representatives Holmes and Thompson
arrived as the meeting was in progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Attorney General
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Attorney General
1:11:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER announced that the first order of business
would be consideration of the appointment of Michael C. Geraghty
to the position of Attorney General.
1:11:36 PM
MICHAEL C. GERAGHTY, Appointee, Attorney General, referring to
his appointment as a privilege and an honor, said he is looking
forward to working with the House Judiciary Standing Committee
on the many challenges facing the state. He then provided the
committee with some personal information, including some
employment history and educational background. In response to a
question, he characterized the Department of Law (DOL) as an
excellent, well-run and well-managed department, and DOL
employees as exemplary; noted that his transition into the
position of attorney general has been seamless; and recounted
that the DOL's core services include providing the best possible
legal advice to the governor and executive-branch agencies,
protecting Alaskans via the prosecution of those who violate
Alaska's laws, promoting the development of Alaska's natural
resources, and promoting Alaska's fiscal integrity. He also
mentioned that as attorney general, he would be examining the
various aspects of the DOL and its operations for possible
improvements.
MR. GERAGHTY, in response to another question and comments,
explained that whenever the state is asked to join other states
in litigation, the merits of the particular case are carefully
evaluated to determine whether joining in would really be
appropriate for Alaska; and acknowledged his receipt of various
awards and recognitions for his legal work.
1:19:43 PM
WILLIAM R. SATTERBERG, JR., Attorney at Law, characterized the
appointment of Mr. Geraghty to the position of attorney general
as an excellent choice. He then recounted a case he is involved
in, one in which the state had previously declined to join, and
asked Mr. Geraghty to reconsider that decision should he be
confirmed as attorney general.
MR. GERAGHTY, expressing familiarity with that particular case,
declined to do so, relaying that he agreed with the decision to
not join in. He indicated, though, that the state has joined in
on another, similar, case.
The committee took an at-ease from 1:24 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.
MR. GERAGHTY, in response to other questions, mentioned aspects
of DOL's existing work load, adding that he takes seriously his
duty to uphold and defend the laws of Alaska and the Alaska
State Constitution; reiterated some of his previous comments;
explained that maintaining the integrity and independence of the
DOL is critical to the proper functioning of government, and
that his obligation is to the office of the governor, and
therefore to the people of Alaska, rather than to the individual
governor himself/herself; and assured the committee that he
takes his ethical responsibilities very seriously. In response
to comments and further questions, he noted that because there
are unsettled questions of law, there may well be times when his
legal opinion differs from that of Legislative Legal and
Research Services, particularly in instances wherein the
legality of one particular approach over another isn't at issue
and instead it's just a question of policy; and assured the
committee that he would keep members of the legislature updated
on particular issues of interest.
MR. GERAGHTY, in conclusion, again referred to his appointment
as a privilege and an honor, and reiterated that he is looking
forward to working with the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER reminded members that signing the reports
regarding appointments to boards and commissions in no way
reflect individual members' approval or disapproval of the
appointees, and that the nominations are merely forwarded to the
full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
1:39:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT made a motion to advance from committee
the nomination of Michael C. Geraghty to the position of
Attorney General. There being no objection, the confirmation
was advanced from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.
^Violent Crimes Compensation Board
Violent Crimes Compensation Board
1:40:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER announced that the next order of business
would be consideration of the reappointment of Regina C.
Chennault, M.D., to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board
(VCCB).
1:40:36 PM
REGINA C. CHENNAULT, M.D., Appointee, Violent Crimes
Compensation Board (VCCB), noting that she is up for
reappointment to the VCCB, proffered that it serves Alaskans in
a way that no other entity can, and she is therefore honored to
continue serving on the VCCB.
[Members of the committee then thanked Dr. Chennault for her
willingness to serve on the VCCB.]
REPRESENTATIVE PRUITT made a motion to advance from committee
the nomination of Regina C. Chennault, M.D., to the Violent
Crimes Compensation Board. There being no objection, the
confirmation was advanced from the House Judiciary Standing
Committee.
^Alaska Judicial Council
Alaska Judicial Council
1:43:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER announced that the committee would next
consider the appointment of Kenneth Kreitzer to the Alaska
Judicial Council (AJC).
1:44:07 PM
KENNETH KREITZER, Appointee, Alaska Judicial Council (AJC),
noting that he's been serving on the AJC since his appointment
last summer, said that the importance, enormity, and impact of
the AJC's work with regard to screening, nominating, and
retaining Alaska's judges was a big draw for him because he'd
been looking for a way to give back to the community via public
service. In conclusion, he relayed that he's been enjoying his
work on the AJC, considering it to be very interesting, and is
honored to be a part of it. In response to comments and
questions, he confirmed that he's already been involved in the
AJC's screening and nomination processes; explained that he'd
applied to serve on the AJC because he'd heard there was a
vacancy; mentioned that he is semi-retired and thus has the time
and energy to devote to the AJC; shared some personal
information; agreed to research the issues of gender
representation and minimum-nominee requirements; and assured the
committee that the AJC nominates potential judicial candidates
based only on the merits and character of the candidates,
seeking to nominate only those who would be loyal to the rule of
law.
[During Mr. Kreitzer's testimony, Representative Keller turned
the gavel over to Vice Chair Thompson, and Representative Holmes
thanked Mr. Kreitzer for his willingness to serve.]
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG made a motion to advance from committee
the nomination of Kenneth Kreitzer as appointee to the Alaska
Judicial Council. There being no objection, the confirmation
was advanced from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.
^Commission on Judicial Conduct
Commission on Judicial Conduct
1:56:55 PM
VICE CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the next order of business
would be consideration of the reappointment of Robert D. Sheldon
to the Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC).
1:57:19 PM
ROBERT D. SHELDON, Appointee, Commission on Judicial Conduct
(CJC), noting that he's been serving on the CJC since 2008 and
characterizing his appointment as an honor, explained that the
CJC addresses issues of improper courtroom behavior, illegal
influence, impropriety while off the bench, and other such
issues. He mentioned that his view point has broadened since he
first started serving on the CJC, adding that all members of the
CJC work together to address the few items with actual merit
that come before it. In conclusion, proffering that the CJC
performs a crucial function for the state, he said he would be
delighted to have his name forwarded to the full legislature,
and he looks forward to continuing to serve. In response to a
question, he offered his belief that currently, the Alaska Code
of Judicial Conduct is fairly well set and better left alone
unless and until a specific issue arises that warrants
addressing.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG made a motion to advance from committee
the nomination of Robert D. Sheldon to the Commission on
Judicial Conduct. There being no objection, the confirmation
was advanced from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.
^Select Committee on Legislative Ethics
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics
2:02:03 PM
VICE CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the next order of business
would be consideration of the reappointment of Dennis E. "Skip"
Cook to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics.
2:02:31 PM
DENNIS E. "SKIP" COOK, Appointee, Select Committee on
Legislative Ethics, noting that he's been serving since 1998,
said it's been a challenging but wonderful experience, and thus
he is willing to be reappointed. He then provided some personal
information to the committee, including correcting a mistake in
his disclosure forms regarding numbers of non-dependent
children. In conclusion, he said he's enjoyed serving on the
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, and again commented on
his willingness to continue serving.
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER thanked Mr. Cook for his service.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG disclosed that he's served on the
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics with both Mr. Cook and
Mr. Walker.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG made a motion to advance from committee
the nomination of Dennis E. "Skip" Cook as appointee to the
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. There being no
objection, the confirmation was advanced from the House
Judiciary Standing Committee.
2:05:28 PM
VICE CHAIR THOMPSON announced that the final order of business
would be consideration of the reappointment of Herman G. Walker,
Jr., to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics.
2:05:39 PM
HERMAN G. WALKER, JR., Appointee, Select Committee on
Legislative Ethics, noting that he's been serving since 2002,
said he's been enjoying it and hopes to be reappointed.
Although the work has been challenging, he remarked, it's never
been boring. In conclusion, he said he is looking forward to
continuing to serve, adding his belief that his perspective and
the experience he's gained while serving thus far will be of
benefit to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics and
Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES thanked Mr. Walker and Mr. Cook for their
service, and disclosed that she, too, has served on the Select
Committee on Legislative Ethics with both of them.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG made a motion to advance from committee
the nomination of Herman G. Walker, Jr., as appointee to the
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. There being no
objection, the confirmation was advanced from the House
Judiciary Standing Committee.
2:08:54 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Judiciary Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 2:08 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Ethics Committee Cook and Walker.pdf |
HJUD 2/29/2012 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Attorney General - Geraghty #1.pdf |
HJUD 2/29/2012 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Judicial Conduct - Sheldon #1.pdf |
HJUD 2/29/2012 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Judicial Council - Kreitzer #1.pdf |
HJUD 2/29/2012 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Violent Crimes Comp - Chennault#1.pdf |
HJUD 2/29/2012 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Attorney General - public comment.pdf |
HJUD 2/29/2012 1:00:00 PM |