Legislature(2019 - 2020)GRUENBERG 120
04/12/2019 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing: Commission on Judicial Conduct | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 124 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
April 12, 2019
1:12 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Matt Claman, Chair
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Vice Chair
Representative Laddie Shaw
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Adam Wool
Representative David Eastman
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING: COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT
- HEARD
HOUSE BILL NO. 124
"An Act relating to the recording of documents; relating to
notaries and notarization; and providing for an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JANE MORES, Deputy Municipal Attorney
City and Borough of Juneau
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointee to the Commission on
Judicial Conduct.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:12:17 PM
CHAIR MATT CLAMAN called the House Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting to order at 1:12 p.m. Representatives Shaw, LeDoux, and
Claman were present at the call to order.
^Confirmation Hearing: Commission on Judicial Conduct
Confirmation Hearing: Commission on Judicial Conduct
1:14:06 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced that the only order of business would be
a confirmation hearing for Jane Mores, the governor's appointee
to the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
1:14:26 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony on Ms. Mores's appointment.
1:14:40 PM
JANE MORES, Deputy Municipal Attorney, City and Borough of
Juneau, testified as appointee to the Commission on Judicial
Conduct. She paraphrased from a prepared statement, which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Thank you very much for this opportunity to introduce
myself, Jane Mores, as the Governor's appointee to an
attorney-seat on the Alaska Commission on Judicial
Conduct.
I'd like to share a little bit of my personal and
professional history with you, before turning to my
service commitment, should the legislature confirm my
appointment to the Commission.
My husband, Peter (here in the audience), and I are
semi-empty nesters, with 5 adult sons/stepsons between
us. Our last two are in college-- one in his 1st
year at UAS and the other finishing his second year at
a community college in Oregon.
I moved to Alaska from Ohio with my family, as a young
teenager in 1976. We joined a Christian Community
about 10 miles outside of Hoonah, known as Game Creek
or Mt. Bether, where I lived for the next 7 ? years.
Navigating those years in a close knit community
taught me a lot about hard work and human nature life
lessons I'll forever value and hold dear. I don't
milk cows, bridle horses, chop wood, can cauliflower,
dry greens, dig clams, cheek halibut, pitch hay, hand-
crank a tractor or hand-weed endless rows of carrots
much anymore, but that's ok. I like to think I
gained from my years at Game Creek, a work ethic,
critical thinking skills, relational skills and a
personal and professional code of conduct that help
define who I am today.
In my early 20's, I went from SE AK to the SEastern US
where I obtained my bachelor's degree in secondary
education from Auburn University. Having a classmate
named Bo Jackson is one of my favorite Auburn
memories. Yup, 'Bo Knows' (sort of, not really) ME!-
-- if sitting right behind me in a class, counts!
After a brief teaching stint in rural Alabama, I
obtained my law degree from Ohio State University and
was admitted to the Alaska Bar in 1990.
Since that time, I've represented individuals and
business clients large and small, first with a private
firm in Anchorage and then as a sole practitioner in
Haines. For the past 12 years, I have been in the
public sectorand had the pleasure of working for the
City and Borough of Juneau Law Department.
In my years of practice, I've handled tort & contract,
insurance defense, business & real estate, employment
law and probate and estate planning matters. I've
provided an array of legal services to CBJ municipal
departments and handled a variety of hearings,
administrative appeals and general civil litigation
matters. I've advised the Assembly and various
municipal boards and commissions, such as the Planning
Commission, the Bartlett Regional Hospital Board, the
Bid Review Board and the Board of Equalization.
Through my municipal work I've conducted specialized
board trainings on conflicts of interest and the
quasi-judicial role of certain boards---that of being
a fair and impartial tribunal vested with authority to
make decisions under applicable rules of law, much
like a judge. Before that I had the pleasure serving
6 years on the Alaska Bar Association's Ethic
Committee, a committee responsible for researching and
writing ethics opinions at the request of Bar Counsel
and/or the Board of Governors.
This brings me to my interest in serving on the
Commission, and the commitment I make to you, as
legislators, and to every Alaskan, should I be
confirmed.
I believe, and quote from the Preamble of the Alaska
Code of Judicial Conduct:
The role of the judiciary is central to American
concepts of justice and the rule of law....
Judges, individually and collectively, must
respect and honor the judicial office as a public
trust and strive to enhance and maintain
confidence in our legal system. The judge ... is
a highly visible symbol of government under the
rule of law.
I believe public trust and confidence in our judicial
system is essential to the effectiveness of the
system. Public trust is not built on blind trust, but
must be earned and maintained through public
accountability. We know Judges have significant
authority and make decisions every day that change
lives and have far-reaching impacts. Those entrusted
with such positions must not only be competent in the
law, but must conduct themselves in and out of the
courtroom in a manner that upholds the integrity of
the office.
As you know, the Judicial Conduct Commission is tasked
with the oversight of judicial conduct through a fair
and impartial deliberative review process that
investigates and appropriately addresses complaints of
judicial misconduct and disability. This oversight
protects the public and maintains public trust. As a
member of the legal community, both of these things
are especially important to me.
I also respect the Constitutional make-up of the
Commission---that of public citizen members, judge-
members and attorney members. I can assure you that
in carrying out my Commission responsibilities every
perspective and voice on the Commission will be of
equal import to me. I think anyone who knows me would
vouch for that fact. You have my commitment on
that.
I'm very honored by this appointment from the Governor
& will undertake my duties to the absolute best of my
ability. I also want to acknowledge & give a shout
out to Juneau atty & colleague Lael Harrison, for her
integrity & professionalismas having been appointed
to this seat last year by the prior administration.
Thank you for your time and consideration --- I also
want to thank each of you for your hard work and
dedication to the people of the state of Alaska.
1:20:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked, Whos Bo Jackson?
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW explained that Bo Jackson was a great
athlete who played both baseball and football professionally.
MS. MORES added that Bo Jackson was the 1985 Heisman Trophy
winner.
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW informed Representative LeDoux that the
Heisman Trophy is a football award.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said she knows that. She noted that she
attended the University of Southern California (USC).
CHAIR CLAMAN commented that Bo Jackson was drafted by the
Oakland Raiders and suffered a hip injury fairly early during
his professional football career. He noted that Bo Jackson was
among the first to have a well-publicized hip replacement
surgery.
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW noted that the other Heisman Trophy winner
attended USC. He asked Representative LeDoux if she knows to
whom he is referring.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX answered yes. She said she attended USC
the same years that he was there.
CHAIR CLAMAN asked Representative LeDoux if O.J. Simpson ever
had a class with her at USC.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX answered no.
1:22:45 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN shared his personal history working with Ms. Mores
and spoke highly of her qualifications. He remarked that the
Commission on Judicial Conduct is vital to the integrity and the
reputation of the Alaska Court System.
1:23:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW commented that he supports the appointment
because Ms. Mores is well-spoken, and he can tell she is highly
respected. He added that he also grew up in Ohio.
1:23:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said Ms. Mores is extremely qualified.
She shared some of her own personal history with Ms. Mores.
1:25:03 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN, after ascertaining that no one wished to testify,
closed public testimony on Ms. Mores's appointment.
1:25:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX stated that the House Judiciary Standing
Committee has reviewed the qualifications of the Governors
appointee and recommends that the following name be forwarded to
a joint session for consideration: Jane Mores to the Commission
on Judicial Conduct. She stated that this does not reflect
intent by any of the members to vote for or against this
individual during any further session for the purposes of
confirmation.
1:25:48 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 1:25 p.m. to 1:28 p.m.
1:28:15 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN explained that he spoke with Legislative Legal
Services during the at-ease and was advised that the committee
could not take action on Ms. Moress appointment without a
quorum. He said the committee would seek to forward her name to
the joint session during the next meeting.
1:29:47 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Judiciary Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Commission on Judicial Conduct Appointment-Jane Mores Resume 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HB 124 v. A 4.12.2019.PDF |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 2/24/2020 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Sponsor Statement 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HB 124 Sectional Analysis ver A 4.12.19.PDF |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document-RON Process One - Pager 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document-RON Law State-by-State Graphic 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document-Why URPERA 4.12.19.PDF |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document - RULONA 2018 Summary 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document - Letters 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document - Quicken Loans Letter 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document - Alyeska Title Guaranty Agency Letter 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Supporting Document - Alaska Association of Realtors Letter 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |
| HB 124 Fiscal Note DNR-RO 4.12.19.pdf |
HJUD 4/12/2019 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/15/2019 1:00:00 PM |
HB 124 |