Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 211
02/04/2009 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
February 4, 2009
1:52 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Hollis French, Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski, Vice Chair
Senator Kim Elton
Senator Lesil McGuire
Senator Gene Therriault
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Confirmation Hearings
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics
Herman G Walker, Jr. - Anchorage
Dennis "Skip" Cook - Fairbanks
CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
Herman G Walker, Jr.
Anchorage, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Nominee to the Select Committee on
Legislative Ethics
Dennis "Skip" Cook
Fairbanks, AK
POSITION STATEMENT: Nominee to the Select Committee on
Legislative Ethics.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:52:37 PM
CHAIR HOLLIS FRENCH called the Senate Judiciary Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:52 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Elton, McGuire, Wielechowski and French.
Senator Therriault arrived soon thereafter.
^CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
1:52:55 PM
CHAIR FRENCH announced the committee would hear from Herman
Walker, Jr. and Dennis "Skip" Cook who are nominees to the
Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. He asked Mr. Walker to
tell the committee about himself and why he wants to serve.
HERMAN G. WALKER, Jr., Nominee to the Select Committee on
Legislative Ethics, said this will be his third term and the
primary reason he would like to serve another term is that this
is an end of an era. A lot of rule changes have occurred in the
ethics code and he feels that continuity and historical
knowledge will be particularly important during the next three
years.
CHAIR FRENCH said he couldn't agree more and he appreciates that
he is willing to continue to serve. He noted that he too has
served on the ethics committee and knows that it is not an easy
job. The state is lucky to have you, he said. "If I remember
correctly it doesn't pay you a nickel for doing that does it?"
MR. WALKER said, "No and I'm losing money as I sit here now."
1:55:13 PM
SENATOR ELTON thanked him for his service and asked how he has
dealt with the client issue.
MR. WLAKER replied it hasn't been a problem. He had been asked
to represent individuals associated with Veco Corporation when
that issue came down but he declined. "Other than that, I have
not really had any issues," he said.
SENATOR MCGUIRE thanked him for his service and asked what
thoughts or direction the ethics committee might give with
respect to constituent advocacy-the practice of legislators
advocating for their constituents and not knowing were the line
really is.
MR. WALKER replied it's a difficult question but the two issues
are to look at the statute and define the term "benefit" as it
relates to constituent services and then to determine how that
relates to a legislator using their office for the private
benefit of another.
CHAIR FRENCH found no further questions and solicited a motion.
SENATOR MCGUIRE moved to forward the name Herman G. Walker, Jr.
to the full body for confirmation to the Select Committee on
Legislative Ethics.
CHAIR FRENCH found no objection and announced that the name
Herman G. Walker, Jr. would be forwarded to the full body. Doing
so does not reflect intent by any of the members to vote for or
against the individual in any further sessions.
CHAIR FRENCH welcomed Mr. Cook to the committee and asked if he
or Mr. Walker had served longer.
DENNIS "SKIP" COOK, Nominee to the Select Committee on
Legislative Ethics, introduced himself and said he has served
longer.
CHAIR FRENCH thanked him for his lengthy service and asked him
to tell the committee how long he has served, something about
his background and why he is seeking reconfirmation.
2:00:39 PM
SENATOR THERRIAULT joined the committee.
MR. COOK said he's been on the committee since 1998, which has
given him a chance to look at the ethics statutes as they
existed initially and how they have evolved over the years. Some
of the changes are due to the fact that the committee found
areas that needed to be better defined or that needed
exceptions. He conceded that "There is still some of that
difficulty with the act as you just discussed a few moments
ago." Over the years he has gained insight into the working of
the Legislature and has enjoyed his association with the public
members and legislators on the committee. He believes that
continuity is important and the way the committee is structured
there is a fair amount of turn over. He's been encouraged to
stay on by the administration and some committee members who
feel it would be useful. "I enjoy the work and would like to
continue serving," he said.
2:02:26 PM
CHAIR FRENCH said he believes it's extremely important to have
continuity. The public depends on legislators to police
themselves and the ethics committee is a crucial part of that. I
thank you, he said. He found no further questions and commented
that the lack of questions indicates enormous trust and respect.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to forward the name Dennis "Skip"
Cook to the full body for confirmation to the Select Committee
on Legislative Ethics.
CHAIR FRENCH found no objection and announced that that the name
Dennis "Skip" Cook will be forwarded to the full body. Doing so
does not reflect intent by any of the members to vote for or
against the individual in any further sessions.
SENATOR THERRIAULT disclosed that Mr. Cook is in a business
partnership with his wife.
2:04:07 PM
CHAIR FRENCH adjourned the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
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