Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/28/2024 05:30 PM House LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 28, 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
Representative David Eastman
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Louise Stutes
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, LAA
Mindy Kissner, Finance Manager, LAA
John Wright, Print Shop Manager, LAA
I. CALL TO ORDER
5:31:16 PM
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON called the Legislative Council meeting to
order at 5:31 pm on February 28, 2024, in Room 532 (Senate
Finance) of the State Capitol. Present at the call were:
Senators Bishop, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman, Stevens;
Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe, Rauscher,
Saddler, Tilton.
Thirteen members present.
Senator Claman joined the meeting at 5:42 pm.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5:32:15 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the
agenda as presented.
The motion passed without objection.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5:32:34 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the
minutes for December 14, 2023.
The motion passed without objection.
IV. RATIFICATION OF CHARITY EVENTS
5:32:53 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council ratify the
Chairs sanctioning of the following charitable events per AS
24.60.080 (a)(2)(B):
a. Alaska SeaLife Center Soiree - February 3, 2024
b. Trend Alaska Fashion Show - February 17, 2024
c. Juneau Animal Rescue Extravaganza - February 17, 2024
d. Sham Jam March 23, 2024
e. Kenai River Junior Classic - August 7, 2024
f. Ted Stevens Kenai River Classic - August 21, 22, 23, 2024
g. Kenai River Women's Classic - September 12, 13, 14, 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. CONTRACT APPROVALS
a. Cybersecurity Licensing, Maintenance, and Technical
Support Renewal
5:34:15 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council authorize
$99,894 to renew annual cybersecurity licensing, maintenance,
and support.
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 request for
consideration to approve the renewal of the annual
cybersecurity license, maintenance, and technical support
services which protect the legislative network and information
technology infrastructure. Mr. Wilson said the licenses cover
four pieces of hardware installed in two data centers located
in Juneau and Anchorage. The hardware devices provide security
to the legislature by acting as a network firewall, provide
remote access through VPN, and perform traffic inspections.
Without these protections the legislature would be vulnerable
to the dangers that exist on the internet. He said two quotes
were received for these licenses, the lower of which was
$99,894 from Structured Communications Systems. Mr. Wilson
recommended Legislative Council authorize the use of existing
operating funds to renew these licenses.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if any assurance could be given
that renewing these licenses would provide the protection the
legislature needs regarding cybersecurity.
MR. WILSON stated there are no assurances when dealing with
cybersecurity. Best practices are to measure risk and reward,
then take the best action with the resources available at the
time. He assured the committee Structure Communications
Systems products are the best of class for these services
while acknowledging that he cannot offer complete assurance
that this expenditure will make the legislatures networks
safe.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, noting there were no further questions,
removed her objection and called for the vote.
5:36:47 PM
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,
Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, Rauscher,
Saddler, Tilton, McCabe
NAYS: None
The motion passed 13-0.
VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Legal Update (LAW/Janus)
b. Security Update
c. Salary Schedule Discussion
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON said Council would go into Executive
Session to receive a legal update and a security update, and
to have a discussion on the salary schedule.
5:37:30 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved 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, Megan
Wallace, Emily Nauman, Noah Klein, Santé Lesh, Rayme Vinson,
Stacie Bentley, any legislators not on Legislative Council,
and any staff of Legislative Council members.
5:38:17 PM
A roll call vote was taken.
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,
Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe,
Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton
NAYS: None
The motion passed 13-0.
5:39:01 PM
Council went into Executive Session.
6:14:42 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.
c. Salary Schedule Discussion
6:15:25 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve bill
draft version 33-LS1440\B and request the Senate Rules
committee to introduce it.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Ms. Geary to speak to the item and answer questions.
JESSICA GEARY, Executive Director, LAA, said the motion would
approve introduction of a bill to be carried by Senate Rules
by request of Legislative Council that would correct an issue
that came to light in 2023. In 2022, language was inserted
into a bill (HB 226) with the intent that exempt, partially
exempt, and classified employees would receive cost of living
adjustments (COLA) at the same time as the Supervisory Union
through their negotiated contracts; and that language was
perceived as inadequate to accomplish what was intended. The
bill before Council will correct the language and add parity
to the other employees of the State who are not covered by
unions.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for an estimation of what it may
cost and the number of personnel who may be affected by the
bill.
MS. GEARY stated for fiscal year 2024 the Supervisory Union
negotiated for a one percent cost of living adjustment, the
other employees did not receive that because of inadequate
language; for the legislative branch that was about a $500,000
increase. Approximately 2,000 employees statewide are affected
by the same salary schedule. The Supervisory Union is
currently in contract negotiations; we do not know what amount
they are negotiating for and we may not know until around the
end of May. In response to a follow-up question by
Representative Saddler, Ms. Geary said 517 legislative
employees would be eligible for the one percent COLA.
There were no additional questions; the Chair removed her
objection and asked for a roll call vote.
6:18:22 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. FY23 Legislature Independent Audit
CHAIR GRAY-JACKON stated this was not an action item and is
informative only.
MINDY KISSNER, Finance Manager, LAA, said before Council is a
copy of the FY23 audit conducted by external auditors Elgee
Rehfeld. By statute the legislature undergoes an annual
independent audit of its internal controls and financial
statements. The outcome of the FY23 audit was a clean audit
with no exceptions.
MS. GEARY thanked Ms. Kissner and noted it is wonderful the
legislature received a clean audit, which is a big
accomplishment.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked for a motion before calling for an
at-ease.
6:20:35 PM
There was a brief at-ease after some confusion about whether a
motion was required. Determining there was no need for a
motion, Chair Gray-Jackson shared she was pleased the
Legislature received a clean audit.
b. FY25 Legislative Council Budget
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council, per AS
24.20.130, approve the FY25 Legislative Council proposed
budget and transmit it to the House and Senate Finance
Committees for their review and action.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
stated after discussion, if the motion is approved, the
Legislative Council budget would be advanced to the respective
legislature budget subcommittees. Legislative Council members
Representatives Tilton and Johnson serve on the House
subcommittee, and Senators Stedman, Hoffman, Olson, and
Stevens serve on the Senate subcommittee.
MS. GEARY stated before members is the Legislative Council
FY25 proposed budget and sectional narrative that details each
appropriation and allocation in the budget. She noted that in
preparing this request, she met with the Presiding Officers,
the Rules Chairs, the House and Senate Finance co-chair staff,
as well as the Council chair. Ms. Geary said Legislative
Council is responsible for authorizing the transmittal of the
budget request to the finance committees for action; by voting
yes, members agree to pass the budget to the finance
committees for any additional work or changes the committees
may make.
Ms. Geary highlighted significant items in the budget:
Overtime hours worked by LAA staff, which have been a big
topic of discussion for the last few years, are still high
though moving in the right direction, especially with
implementation of the 40-hour work week. Recruitment and
retention remain challenging in specific areas, mainly
seasonal and lower range positions.
The Administrative Services portion of the budget includes a
$235,000 increment funded by general fund program receipts,
which is rent received from the Assembly Building Apartments
(ABA). The income will pay for the operating expenses of the
ABA. There is also a FY24 supplemental.
There is a transfer out of Administrative Services into the
newly created Division of Technology and Information, which is
a transfer of positions and budget authority.
The Select Committee on Legislative Ethics allocation has a
$22,700 increment to fund transitioning the part-time
legislative secretary position to full-time.
The Legislative State Facilities Rent allocation has a $90,800
increment to cover increases to statewide lease costs,
primarily related to increases in space rented from the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which are
interagency lease costs.
There is an increment of $100,000 to the Security Services
allocation which allows moving a part-time guard position to
full-time and one armed guard position to become a
commissioned officer position to help with overall security.
Lastly, within Session Expenses there is a $581,000 increment
which was placed in the budget last year to ensure adequate
funding for this allocation, especially in the event of a
special session. It was vetoed by the Governor and has been
placed back into the Legislative Council budget.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, seeing no questions, removed her objection
and asked for a roll call vote.
6:25:33 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. Print Shop Policy Amendment
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated the Print Shop Policy was first
discussed at the August 28, 2023, Legislative Council meeting.
Since then, draft language was crafted by Representative C.
Johnson, his staff Tom Wright, LAA, and Chair Gray-Jackson.
Print Shop Manager John Wright printed and distributed samples
to Council members. Based on feedback from members and in
consultation with Representative Johnson, before members is
revised policy language that changed the proposed required
statement from Paid for by the Legislative Print Shop to the
revised Printing paid for by the Legislative Print Shop.
6:27:07 PM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved Legislative Council approve the Print
Shop Policy as amended. He noted this version of the policy
says REVISED in the upper right-hand corner of the document.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Representative Johnson to share his comments and answer
any questions.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated the purpose of the policy
revision is to clearly identify to the public who paid for the
printing of items produced by the Legislative Print Shop, much
like members do with campaign funds. He said he thinks the
public has a right to know that documents produced by the
Print Shop are paid for with State funds. He said the
amendment [adding the word Printing to the proposed
language] clarifies it so that, for example, should a pin be
attached to an item produced by the Print Shop, it will be
clear that only the printing was paid for by the Print Shop.
He continued that, in terms of transparency, its when a
legislator sends out a mailing, where it was produced and who
paid for it be clearly identified.
SENATOR CLAMAN asked if there have been complaints from the
public about print materials. He said he has often used the
Print Shop and had not heard complaints from his constituency
about the current policy; and wondered who else the public
would think would be paying for it.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated he had heard of a few complaints
in the past where items were mailed that were paid for by the
Print Shop that were mis-mailed and so it wasnt clear where
it came from. He continued that just because there havent
been complaints doesnt mean we cant fix things before they
happen. He said he thinks this is a transparency issue, the
public has a right to know where the money comes from that
pays for the printing, that it is not campaign money and it is
not personal money, it is paid for by the Print Shop.
SENATOR BISHOP asked for clarification on the amendment to the
policy, specifically if a precise font size will be required.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON responded that the goal was to have a
font size that is clearly legible, which is similar to what
is required by the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC). He
said the Print Shop chose the font size for the samples
distributed to members. [Proposed policy language stipulates
easily discernable.] Representative Johnson said he would
anticipate the size of font used in the samples would be the
required size. In response to a follow-up question by Senator
Bishop, he said that he believed the font size printed on the
samples would be acceptable under the revised policy.
Representative Johnson restated that adding the word
Printing to the disclaimer is meant to clarify for the
public that the cost of printing was paid for by the
Legislative Print Shop.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON clarified by changing the language from
paid for to printing paid for the public will know the
postcard or newsletter is printed by the Print Shop and that
printing is paid for with State funds, but the postage is paid
for by the legislators office account.
PRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he formerly worked in a print shop
and the font size on the samples provided by the Print Shop
seemed to be about six point type. He said he might offer an
amendment to the policy change motion to say that the
disclaimer must be easily discernable and at least six point
font as the measurement of size.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked Representative Saddler if he would
like to make a motion.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to amend the original motion that
the disclaimer include a minimum font size of six points.
MS. GEARY stated the intent is that the legislative office be
responsible for placing the disclaimer on their document
submittal; it will not be the Print Shops responsibility. She
said that does not affect Representative Saddlers request
about font size and asked if John Wright, Print Shop Manager,
would address the topic of font size.
JOHN WRIGHT, Print Shop Manager, LAA, clarified that the font
size used in the samples was eight point though he did not
remember the font type. The software used in the Print Shop
has about six different fonts to choose from that allows staff
to easily stamp the proposed disclaimer on documents. He said
as Ms. Geary stated, it would be best if offices designing the
document incorporated that statement into their design.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER changed his amendment to the motion
stating the indicator must be easily discernable and at least
eight points in size.
6:33:58 PM
Council took an at-ease.
6:34:17 PM
Council returned from at-ease.
6:34:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, at the Chairs request, restated his
amendment to the motion to amend the proposed Print Shop
guideline change to indicate the size of the type must be
easily discernable and no less than eight-point size.
DISCUSSION FOLLOWED regarding the pros and cons of required
font size; whether the fund source should be the Alaska
Legislature rather than the Print Shop and the potential
perceptions and implications of each option; and clarifying
the intent of the policy language and whether members were
misusing the Print Shop resource.
SENATOR CLAMAN called a point of order that the motion before
members is whether to approve Representative Saddlers motion
to add eight points to the disclaimer and the discussion
being had is a separate discussion which may be the subject of
an additional motion about what the disclaimer should say.
Unless there are other comments on the eight-point topic,
members should vote on the eight-point motion and then return
to any other motions.
6:41:50 PM
A roll call vote was taken.
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Kiehl, Stedman; Representatives Edgmon,
Johnson, Saddler, Tilton
NAYS: Senator Claman, Gray-Jackson, Olson, Stevens;
Representatives Hannan, Rauscher, McCabe
The motion failed 7-7.
SENATOR CLAMAN said that it was his sense that although he
thinks this is a valuable discussion, there seems to be a lot
of diversity and people who may be unsettled about this topic;
Senator Claman moved to table the matter.
6:43:25 PM
A roll call vote was taken.
YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Kiehl, Olson, Stevens;
Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Rauscher
NAYS: Senators Gray-Jackson, Stedman; Representatives Johnson,
Saddler, Tilton, McCabe
6:44:26 PM
Council took an at-ease.
6:44:37 PM
Council returned from at-ease.
The motion passed 8-6 and the item was tabled.
d. Subcommittee Updates
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated subcommittee members were announced
during the Legislative Council meeting on April 18, 2023. She
thanked all who have served on these subcommittees and noted
for the record a couple of updates to subcommittee membership
which were previously shared via email with Council members:
• Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer, will replace Tim
Banaszak as chair of the IT subcommittee.
• Representative Cronk will continue to serve as a member of
the Security subcommittee and Chair Gray-Jackson will
replace him as Chair.
She noted these subcommittee announcements were informational
only and not an action item.
e. Preview of Upcoming Items
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked Ms. Geary to share with the committee
a summary of items anticipated to come before Council in the
coming year.
MS. GEARY stated in members packets is a list of items
expected to come before Legislative Council for approval over
the next year, including contracts and RFPs for office space.
She stated members who want further details or have any
questions can reach out to her.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked members if there were any questions
or comments prior to adjournment.
SENATOR OLSON said he may have a potential item for a future
Council meeting regarding the application of AS 24.60.75-
Compassionate gift exemption.
CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON added that Council staff had been
consulting with Senator Olson on this item and will continue
to work with his office.
6:48:23 PM
With no further business before the committee, the meeting was
adjourned at 6:48 pm.