Legislature(2015 - 2016)CAPITOL 120
03/09/2015 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
March 9, 2015
1:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Chair
Representative Wes Keller, Vice Chair
Representative Bob Lynn
Representative Charisse Millett
Representative Matt Claman
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Neal Foster
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
^CONFIRMATION HEARINGS:
^ALASKA SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS
Dennis E. "Skip" Cook
Herman Gene Walker, Jr.
-CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED -
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
DENNIS E. "SKIP" COOK
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As appointee to the position of the Alaska
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, discussed his
qualifications and answered questions.
HERMAN WALKER
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As appointee to the position of the Alaska
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, discussed his
qualifications and answered questions.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:04:25 PM
CHAIR GABRIELLE LEDOUX called the House Judiciary Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. Representatives Keller,
Lynn, Millett, Claman, Gruenberg, and LeDoux were present at the
call to order.
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS(S)
ALASKA SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS
1:04:39 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX announced that the only orders of business brought
before the committee today are the appointments of Dennis E.
"Skip" Cook and Herman Gene Walker, Jr., to the positions of the
Alaska Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. [Packets contain
biographical information on both appointees.]
CHAIR LEDOUX advised the committee it would be hearing the
qualification of these two individuals today and recommending
that their names be referred to the Joint House and Senate for
consideration. Chair LeDoux reminded the committee that its job
is only to review the history and qualifications of these men.
She stated there will be no vote for or against their
confirmations in this committee. Committee members should feel
free to ask questions as they arrive, but bear in mind that the
committee is not voting on their qualifications, merely
reviewing them, she highlighted.
1:05:53 PM
DENNIS E. "SKIP" COOK, Fairbanks, Alaska, said that he is a
retired attorney and was born in Fairbanks. He advised he has
been on the Alaska Select Committee on Legislative Ethics since
1998 and he has enjoyed his service on the committee. He opined
that the matters that come before it are difficult but are
interesting and, he noted, it is useful for the committee to
exert themselves to be available particularly for training and
advisory work. He is willing to serve again, especially during
the transition period because, he expressed, continuity is
important to the committee.
1:07:02 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX asked if there is anything in particular in his
resume that he would like to point out to the committee.
MR. COOK said he has a history of being available for public
service and this is a role he has enjoyed filling. He further
said that he has been active in the Boy Scouts of America.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG noted that Mr. Cook held the honor of
"Vigil, Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America in 2003," and
remarked that it is a high honor as there are not many.
1:08:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT related that during the past five years
she has had an opportunity to serve with Mr. Cook on the Alaska
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, and noted he was its
past chairman. She described his service as "comfortable" when
issues regarding co-workers are on the table, and admired his
ability to keep the committee on task.
1:09:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN noted Mr. Cook has retired and questioned
if he had stopped all association, financial or otherwise, with
his former firm.
MR. COOK responded in the affirmative and explained there is a
four year after retirement payment of a portion of fees received
and earned during the time he was employed. He is no longer an
owner or officer of the firm.
CHAIR LEDOUX closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
further wished to testify.
1:10:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to forward the name of Dennis E.
"Skip" Cook to the joint session of the House and Senate for
confirmation. There being no objection, the confirmation of
Dennis E. "Skip" Cook is advanced from the House Judiciary
Standing Committee.
1:11:11 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX announced that Herman Gene Walker, Jr.'s
confirmation to the Alaska Select Committee on Legislative
Ethics is next.
1:11:16 PM
HERMAN WALKER advised he has been on the Alaska Select Committee
on Legislative Ethics since 2002, and believes the committee
performs a vital public service. He noted he had been debating
as to whether to stay on the committee due to other "things" he
would like to do, and decided to stay and at least see it
through this transitional time with the new executive director.
He opined that since being on the committee he now has an
understanding and depth of knowledge that assists the committee
in its endeavors. He expressed that it is not an easy job,
reading the statutes and interpreting them to the best of their
abilities, but is one that is very fulfilling.
1:12:32 PM
CHAIR LEDOUX asked Mr. Walker if there is anything about his
qualifications that he would like to highlight.
1:12:45 PM
MR. WALKER opined that his resume speaks for itself, but he was
not certain it was completely up-to-date as far as his past
board memberships.
1:13:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT advised she has served with Mr. Walker on
the Alaska Select Committee on Legislative Ethics and that he
offered "great" leadership. She described that Mr. Walker made
serving on the committee "comfortable" in a sometimes
uncomfortable area of speaking about co-workers.
1:14:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG thanked Mr. Walker for his service on
the committee and described Mr. Walker and Mr. Cook as great
assets.
1:14:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN added his thanks to Mr. Walker for
stepping up and serving another round as his daughters not
getting younger.
CHAIR LEDOUX closed public testimony after ascertaining no one
further wished to testify.
1:15:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to forward the name of Herman Gene
Walker, Jr., to the joint session of the House and Senate for
confirmation. There being no objection, the confirmation of
Herman Gene Walker, Jr., is advanced from the House Judiciary
Standing Committee.
1:15:29 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Judiciary Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
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