Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/30/2024 05:30 PM House LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
APRIL 30, 2024
5:30 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Chair
Representative Kevin McCabe, Vice Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Matt Claman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Donny Olson
Senator Bert Stedman (alternate)
Senator Gary Stevens
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Sara Hannan
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative George Rauscher
Representative Dan Saddler
Representative Cathy Tilton
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT
None
AGENDA
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RATIFICATION OF CHARITY EVENTS
CONTRACT APPROVALS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
SPEAKER REGISTER
Jessica Geary, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs
Agency (LAA)
Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer (CIO), LAA
JC Kestel, Procurement Officer, LAA
Emily Nauman, Legislative Legal Services Director, LAA
I. CALL TO ORDER
5:32:04 PM
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON called the Legislative Council meeting to
order at 5:32 pm on April 30, 2024, in Room 532 (Senate
Finance) of the State Capitol. Present at the call were:
Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,
Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, McCabe, Johnson,
Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton.
Fourteen members present.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5:33:02 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed without objection.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5:33:24 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the
minutes for the February 28, 2024, Legislative Council
meeting.
The motion passed without objection.
IV. RATIFICATION OF CHARITY EVENTS
5:33:43 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council ratify the
Chair's sanctioning of the following charitable events per AS
24.60.080 (a)(2)(B): Legislative Skits on April 27, 2024, and
Victim Servies Awards on April 25, 2024.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
confirmed the previously sanctioned list of events are
501(c)(3) charities. The Chair removed her objection and asked
for additional comments or discussion for the ratification of
the events.
There was no discussion and the motion passed without
objection.
V. CONTACT APPROVALS
a. FY25 Computer Hardware Refresh
5:34:29 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the
FY25 computer hardware refresh expenditure of $213,238.00 out
of existing capital funds.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer, to speak to the
item and answer any questions.
SHAY WILSON, Chief Information Officer, Legislative Affairs
Agency (LAA), stated before Council members is a memo
regarding the annual hardware refresh for fiscal year 2025,
which comes before Council every year for approval to replace
outdated technology equipment across the legislature. This
years proposal includes Legal Services and the Legislative
Information Office, which were inadvertently excluded from
annual requests in the past. Without this expenditure, the
Division of Technology and Information (DTI) would not be able
to replace equipment as it breaks down or loses functionality
due to aging, thereby making the legislature less productive
when work cannot be accomplished without the necessary
technology support. The total cost of the FY25 hardware
refresh is $213,238 to be paid out of existing capital funds.
The cost, replacement equipment list, and quantities were
reviewed by the IT Subcommittee which recommends Legislative
Council approve this proposal.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, noting there were no follow up questions,
removed her objection and called for the vote.
5:36:18 PM
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,
Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,
McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton
NAYS: None
The motion passed 14-0.
VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. RFP 672 Office Space in Anchorage (OVR)
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON said Council would go into Executive
Session to consider a Notice of Intent to Award for office
space in Anchorage for the Office of Victims' Rights.
5:37:43 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved and asked unanimous consent that
Legislative Council go into Executive Session under Uniform
Rule 22(B)(1), discussion of matters, the immediate knowledge
of which would adversely affect the finances of a government
unit and 22(B)(3), discussion of a matter that may, by law, be
required to be confidential. The following individuals may
remain in the room or online during Executive Session: Jessica
Geary, Santé Lesh, JC Kestel, Ernest Daigle, Emily Nauman,
Shay Wilson, Angela Garay, Michael Shaffer, Linnea Dishner,
any legislators not on Legislative Council, and any staff of
Legislative Council members.
5:38:33 PM
A roll call vote was taken.
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,
Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,
McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton
NAYS: None
The motion passed 14-0.
5:39:09 PM
Council went into Executive Session.
5:50:29 PM
Council came out of Executive Session.
A roll call vote was taken to establish a quorum.
Present at the call were Senators, Bishop, Claman, Gray-
Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman, Stevens; Representatives
Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton.
Fourteen members present.
5:51:08 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the
award of RFP 672 for Anchorage office space to L92, LLC, for a
five-year lease and five optional two-year renewals.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked JC Kestel, Procurement Officer, to speak to this item
and answer any questions.
JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer, LAA, stated that on February
28, 2024, LAA issued RFP 672 to solicit proposals for office
space in the downtown Anchorage area for the Office of
Victims' Rights. The RFP closed on April 9, and there were two
proposals received, one from the Alaska Bar Association, and
the other from L92, LLC. There was a Proposal Evaluation
Committee (PEC) comprised of staff from the Office of Victims'
Rights who scored the proposals after conducting site visits
and reviewing proposals. The PEC awarded the Alaska Bar
Association with 81.33 points, and L92, LLC, with 87.03
points. Enclosed in members packets is a summary of the
proposals. Based on the above information and the information
provided in your packet, LAA recommends the award of RFP 672,
to L92, LLC, for the lease.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection and asked for a roll
call vote.
5:52:48 PM
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,
Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,
McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton
NAYS: None
The motion passed 14-0.
VII. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
a. Travel and Per Diem Policy Amendment re: Wallet Funds
5:53:38 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council adopt the
Travel and Per Diem Policy as amended.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Ms. Geary to explain the amendment and answer any
questions.
JESSICA GEARY, Executive Director, LAA, stated in members'
packets is a memo explaining the change to the Legislative
Council Travel and Per Diem Policy. This proposed change is to
clarify the requirements for use of wallet funds when seeking
reimbursement. She said it can be an onerous process to turn
in all the receipts and wallet history to the Accounting
Office for reimbursement, and a lot of time is spent by both
the traveler and Accounting staff. This policy change does not
reduce the required back-up but does put in policy what is
needed for reimbursement.
SENATOR STEVENS asked how the policy change would make the
process less onerous.
MS. GEARY clarified the change does not eliminate the
requirement but enshrines the requirement in policy so
Accounting has something to point to. What often happens is
Accounting must defend why they need certain receipts and
backup documentation to go with the expenditure to
substantiate the claim. The intent of the amendment is to
clarify the policy so individuals know what to expect. In
response to a follow-up comment by Senate President Stevens,
Ms. Geary agreed the policy change does not make it less
onerous; LAA cannot change the requirements of what is needed
for the accounting file.
SENATOR CLAMAN said he thinks the practical effect of the
policy for a long time has been that, if members can afford
to, they should save their wallet funds for other travel and
don't use them for legislative travel.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection and asked for a roll
call vote.
5:56:19 PM
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,
Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,
McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton
NAYS: None
The motion passed 14-0.
b. Four-Year Technology Plan
5:57:04 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council adopt the
Four-Year Technology Plan, 2024-2027.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Shay Wilson, CIO, to explain the Four-Year Technology
Plan and answer any questions.
SHAY WILSON Chief Information Officer, Legislative Affairs
Agency (LAA), stated this item is the Legislature's Four-Year
Technology Plan which was developed by the Division of
Technology and Information (DTI) with review and input by the
IT Subcommittee. He said as everyone is aware, technology is
an important facet of the legislatures work process. In the
quickly changing environment of technology, it is critical to
have a guide to help ensure limited resources are used to the
greatest benefit and target spending to meet the legislatures
technology priorities. This plan is arranged in three parts:
the first section defines the structure and responsibilities
of IT; the second section outlines the initiatives and
principles that guide the work; and finally, the last section
details projects and priorities for the next four years. He
said he recommends Legislative Council adopt the 2024-2027
Four-Year Technology Plan as a guiding document for DTI to
use. Adoption does not approve any funding, bypass procurement
rules, or signify Councils support of any of the individual
projects included in the plan. Specific requests will still
come before Council as appropriate. It also does not preclude
DTI from any additional initiatives or projects.
In response to a question by Representative Edgmon, Mr. Wilson
said the plan was developed internally with ideas from the IT
Subcommittee and DTI staff.
SPEAKER TILTON asked if there had been discussion regarding
the two-step verification that she heard has caused a lot of
challenges for members and staff.
MR. WILSON confirmed there have been many discussions about
the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) process which requires
that additional verification. He said it is the standard of
technology, and everyone is moving there. DTI realizes there
are difficulties with MFA and are trying to make the process
as seamless as possible so legislative work is not disrupted,
but still allowing for that extra verification.
SPEAKER TILTON indicated her hope is MFA will continue to be
part of the discussion moving forward.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection and asked for a roll
call vote.
6:00:44 PM
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson
Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,
McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton
NAYS: None
The motion passed 14-0.
c. Social Media Policy Update
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON reminded members that this agenda item is
for information purposes only; it is not an action item, and a
vote will not be held on the amended Social Media Policy
today. However, Ms. Nauman has important information about a
recent US Supreme Court case to share so members are fully
informed and can determine whether an update to the
Legislature's Social Media Policy is warranted in the near
future.
6:02:23 PM
EMILY NAUMAN, Legal Services Director, LAA, presented to
Council a review of the recent US Supreme Court case Lindke v.
Freed, which may impact legislator use of social media. Ms.
Nauman used the following documents in her presentation, which
are available on BASIS:
- PowerPoint slides;
- Memo to the Chair; and
- Draft of amended Social Media Policy.
TRANSCRIPTION NOTE: The discussion is not recorded in the
written transcript; it is available online via audio
transcript or by viewing the recorded stream.
6:33:50 PM
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, at the conclusion of Ms. Nauman's
presentation, reminded members that this item will come back
before Council at a future meeting and that a draft of the
amended Social Media Policy as currently proposed is in their
packets. She urged members to review the language, reach out
to Legal Services with questions, and be ready to discuss.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, after confirming there were no additional
comments by members, advised that the next Legislative Council
meeting will be June 17, 2024, in Anchorage. She added that,
subject to change, future interim Council meetings are
anticipated in August, late September, and early December. She
noted that the meeting schedule is based on deadline driven
dates for contracts, leases, and RFPs. The Chair thanked
members, LAA staff, and her staff for their contributions.
6:35:04 PM
With no further business before the committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:35 pm.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Leg Council Agenda 04.22.24.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Leg Council Minutes 02.28.24 DRAFT.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Sanctioning of Legislative Skits.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Sanctioning of Victim Services Awards.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Hardware Refresh FY25 Final.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| RFP 672 Lease of Office Space in Anchorage 04.12.24.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Travel and Per Diem Policy - Memo and Amendment 04.16.24.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Four-Year Technology Plan Draft as presented to IT subcommittee.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Social Media Policy_DRAFT Policy_4.30.24.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Social Media Policy_Legal Services Memo_04.24.24.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |
|
| Social Media Policy_PowerPoint_04.30.24.pdf |
JLEC 4/30/2024 5:30:00 PM |