Legislature(2003 - 2004)
01/27/2003 01:32 PM Senate JUD
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
January 27, 2003
1:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Ralph Seekins, Chair
Senator Scott Ogan
Senator Gene Therriault
Senator Johnny Ellis
Senator Hollis French
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Organizational Meeting
PREVIOUS ACTION
No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
No public testimony was taken.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 03-01, SIDE A
CHAIR RALPH SEEKINS called the Senate Judiciary Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. The quorum present
included Senator Ellis, Senator French, Senator Ogan and Chair
Seekins. Senator Therriault arrived at 1:40 p.m.
CHAIR SEEKINS described the purpose of the meeting as an
organizational meeting. He informed the committee that no
bills were scheduled currently and referred to a packet
containing the bill scheduling requirements.
CHAIR SEEKINS introduced committee staff member, Brian Hove.
Mr. Hove's background is primarily banking, eleven years with
National Bank of Alaska (NBA) and one and a half years with
Northrim Bank prior to his current position. Mr. Hove is a hard
worker, a good detail person and very dependable.
CHAIR SEEKINS said the scheduling of Friday afternoon meetings
would be avoided when possible. He preferred to start meetings
on time and spend no more time than necessary to cover all the
business before the committee. He asked if committee members
had any questions or comments.
SENATOR HOLLIS FRENCH asked about protocol when committee
members addressed one another.
CHAIR SEEKINS asked Senator Ogan, Chair of Senate Resources, how
members were addressed in that committee.
SENATOR SCOTT OGAN responded that it is formal. All questions
are addressed through and acknowledged by the committee chair.
Members refer to each other as Senator.
SENATOR FRENCH asked if when addressing a witness should
questions be directed through the chair.
CHAIR SEEKINS responded that was correct.
SENATOR OGAN said the response from witnesses should also be
through the chair.
CHAIR SEEKINS said some witnesses were more familiar with
protocol than others.
SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS asked if Chair Seekins wanted to share any
kind of guiding philosophy, principles or goals he may have for
the session and for the committee.
CHAIR SEEKINS said there are issues the Judiciary Committee
needs to address.
My personal goals at this particular time, Senator,
are to learn the ropes as fast as I possibly can, not
get in anybody's way in the process but, still, you
know, make sure we address the questions that the
people of this state have that would come before the
committee. I'm not a dogmatic type of a person. I
feel strongly about issues, I'll make sure that
everyone understands my feelings on it but I am here,
as I'm sure you are and everyone on the committee is,
to try to do the business of the people of the state
as efficiently as we possibly can...
I have no doubt that we'll all be able to work
together effectively. And I know, Senator French is
the only one I don't know, by either by reputation or
having been observed for quite sometime so I look
forward to working with all of you.
SENATOR ELLIS noted that has been the tradition and practice of
the Judiciary Committee for about a decade. The committee has
been very civil to one another, has operated in a very collegial
manner and accommodated everyone. He said it has been a
pleasant working environment and was sure that would continue.
He appreciated Chair Seekins' comments.
CHAIR SEEKINS said he did not anticipate they would have any
problems.
I come of a big family, there were seven of us, and on
Sunday afternoons after church we had discussions.
Some people thought they were arguments but they were
discussions and we all loved each other even though we
could disagree from time to time.
SENATOR ELLIS responded. "Well love may be pushing it."
1:40 p.m.
CHAIR SEEKINS announced Senator Therriault's presence.
CHAIR SEEKINS informed the committee that hearings would be
started promptly and they would move quickly through the agenda.
He summarized his experience as chair of large organizations,
most recently having been the National Chairman for the Ford
Dealer Council. He prefers to keep things moving and come to
some kind of action as quickly as possible.
SENATOR ELLIS noted the committee would have lawyers available
including one committee member.
CHAIR SEEKINS agreed that Senator French, being a lawyer, would
do what he can to keep the committee on track. "I tend to think
of the law as being common sense and if it gets outside of
common sense it's probably not the law." He added he would be
asking questions and hoped the rest of the committee would also.
The Legislative Legal Staff will provide guidance on
constitutional boundaries.
SENATOR GENE THERRIAULT apologized for being late. He asked
Chair Seekins the following question.
Would it be your preference that if there is a piece
of legislation that's in our packet for review and we
have an idea of how it should be wordsmithed a little
bit that we work that all out and as much as possible
have that incorporated into a CS (committee
substitute) or do you just want ideas brought to the
committee in amendment form.
CHAIR SEEKINS answered if it is something that committee members
informally talked about and it is substantial, going to a CS
would be fine. If it involves a small amount of wordsmithing
they should discuss it rather than prepare a CS ahead of time.
He asked if committee members had a preference.
SENATOR ELLIS said no, it was an old conundrum, amendments
versus committee substitutes. "You would prefer all committee
substitutes have to run through the chair?"
CHAIR SEEKINS said yes. "I'm sure I'll make a few mistakes
along the way and I appreciate your patience and I guarantee
I'll work hard at it. I'm sure you all will too."
CHAIR SEEKINS informed Senate President Therriault he was given
the chair closest to the door understanding the pressures of his
job. He explained to Senator Ellis that Mr. Hove is very detail
orientated. Another person may have a great deal of law
background but maybe is not as detail oriented. He said even
the smallest details do not get past Mr. Hove.
He announced a joint session with the House Judiciary Committee
on Friday, January 31st at 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. for the purpose of
confirmation hearings on the three members nominated by Chief
Justice Fabe for the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics.
SENATOR FRENCH asked what information would be provided before
that committee hearing.
CHAIR SEEKINS explained he would be working with Representative
McGuire's office on the preparation of informational packets.
Chief Justice Fabe supplied letters of recommendation and
resumes will be included upon receipt. Packets will be
distributed to committee members as quickly as the information
is available.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if those three individuals were all that
would be up for consideration at that hearing.
CHAIR SEEKINS answered yes.
SENATOR ELLIS asked if a date had been set for review of the
attorney general designee.
CHAIR SEEKINS disclosed Attorney General Gregg Renkes is going
to be traveling to Washington D.C. to make some introductory
arguments in front of the Special Master on the Glacier Bay
direct action lawsuit [United States Supreme Court, No. 128,
Original, State of Alaska, Plaintiff v. United States of
America]. Attorney General Renkes requested time to prepare the
argument prior to meeting with the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Chair Seekins had asked Attorney General Renkes for notification
of a possible date that would fit into his schedule as soon as
he returns from Washington D.C. "We want to get that done as
quickly as possible too without putting any additional pressure
on his preparation time."
SENATOR ELLIS mentioned the practice in the last eight years for
appointments had been to wait until the very last moment of the
legislative session for confirmation of the governor's
appointees. There may not be a rush for the Senate Judiciary
Committee to review the attorney general's confirmation. The
legislature usually keeps the governor on the line until the end
of the session. He said that executive/legislative tension can
be creative at times.
CHAIR SEEKINS said he did not feel any tension with the governor
but others may so he will take that under consideration.
SENATOR ELLIS clarified he was referring to that tension that is
in the Alaska State Constitution.
CHAIR SEEKINS said the House Judiciary Committee is trying to
schedule the attorney general confirmation hearing as quickly as
possible. He did not know of any conflict but they may have to
hold the confirmation hearing back for scheduling reasons.
CHAIR SEEKINS appreciated the committee members being present
and looked forward to working with them. "And please, if you
think there is something that you can add to how I handle this
seat I appreciate your input."
There being no further business to come before the committee, he
adjourned the meeting at 1:47 p.m.
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