Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
04/17/2023 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| SB61 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
April 17, 2023
1:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Matt Claman, Chair
Senator James Kaufman
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Löki Tobin
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Jesse Kiehl, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Alaska Judicial Council
Dennis DeWitt - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar
William Granger - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 61
"An Act relating to an interstate compact to elect the President
and Vice-President of the United States by national popular
vote; and relating to the selection of electors for candidates
for President and Vice-President of the United States and to the
duties of those electors."
MOVED SB 61 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 61
SHORT TITLE: US PRESIDENT ELECT. POPULAR VOTE COMPACT
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI
02/07/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/07/23 (S) JUD, STA
03/13/23 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/13/23 (S) Heard & Held
03/13/23 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
04/17/23 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
DENNIS DEWITT, Appointee
Alaska Judicial Council
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Judicial Council.
WILLIAM GRANGER, Appointee
Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar
Office of the Governor
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified for reappointment to the Board of
Governors of the Alaska Bar.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:30:24 PM
CHAIR MATT CLAMAN called the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Giessel, Tobin, and Chair Claman. Senator Kaufman
arrived immediately thereafter.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
ALASKA JUDICIAL COUNCIL
BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ALASKA BAR
1:31:06 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of Governor Appointees
to the Alaska Judicial Council and the Board of Governors of the
Alaska Bar.
1:31:26 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony.
1:31:37 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN joined the committee.
CHAIR CLAMAN invited Mr. DeWitt to testify.
1:31:57 PM
DENNIS DEWITT, Appointee, Alaska Judicial Council, Juneau,
Alaska, testified as an appointee to the Alaska Judicial
Council. He relayed his personal and professional history. He
remarked that his background prepared him for the
responsibilities of the council. His skills and responsibilities
include the ability to listen, review pertinent information,
remember the state's diversity and make fair judicial applicant
recommendations.
1:33:26 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL remarked that the Alaska Judicial Council is a
controversial entity. She wondered what Mr. DeWitt thought about
the hypothetical deletion of the Alaska Judicial Council and its
authority to put forth names to the governor.
MR. DEWITT replied that he believed that the council's
candidate-review process was effective. He shared his concern
about the council's lack of transparency. He expressed his wish
that the council could offer a greater number of recommendations
to the governor.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if he would support the council offering
occasional press releases about the names forwarded to the
governor. She wondered about the council sharing specific voting
details. She referred to consternation about attorneys running
the show on the Alaska Judicial Council.
1:35:25 PM
MR. DEWITT replied that all council votes are included in the
public record, but he supports the notion of greater
transparency. He shared his philosophy that greater transparency
and inclusivity are always best. He remarked that state
government belongs to all Alaskans and they have a right to be
informed.
1:36:06 PM
SENATOR TOBIN asked him to expound on what he views as a lack of
transparency and what he might do to address it.
MR. DEWITT replied that council executive sessions should be
limited to topics that are inappropriate for public discussion.
1:37:20 PM
SENATOR TOBIN recapped her understanding of his response. She
wondered if he interpreted that the council entered executive
sessions without consideration about privileged information. She
wondered if he might instead wish to bring transparency via his
participation and intent.
MR. DEWITT replied that both things are true. He stated that he
was sworn during last week's meeting. He recounted the council's
executive session where a litigation strategy was discussed. He
reflected later on his discomfort with a certain comment, and he
realized that further conversation was needed going forward.
1:38:50 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN followed up on Senator Tobin's question. He
understood that the council discussed the strengths and
weaknesses of different judicial nominees during executive
sessions. He wondered if Mr. DeWitt agreed with that tradition.
MR. DEWITT opined that conversations about the strengths and
weaknesses of judicial nominees should continue to be held in
executive sessions.
CHAIR CLAMAN restated Mr. DeWitts comment that the judicial
nominee discussions should be held in executive session.
MR. DEWITT concurred with Senator Claman.
1:40:13 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN recalled that the nomination standard involves
choosing two nominees who are among the most qualified. He
queried Mr. DeWitt's comfort in applying the traditional
standard.
MR. DEWITT replied that neither he nor Senator Claman had been
privy to past executive sessions. He stated that forwarding two
nominees was set in regulation, and its interpretation was the
question. He believed that the rating system played a role in
the number of nominees chosen.
CHAIR CLAMAN interpreted that Mr. DeWitt felt comfortable
applying the regulation the council adopted until the regulation
is changed.
MR. DEWITT affirmed Chair Claman's interpretation.
1:43:43 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN noted that Mr. DeWitt's daughter is Deputy
Attorney General Cori Mills. He asked Mr. DeWitt if he would
feel compelled to recuse himself from council deliberations if
Ms. Mills were to apply for a position on the judiciary.
MR. DEWITT replied that he absolutely would recuse himself.
CHAIR CLAMAN appreciated and expected the response.
MR. DEWITT stated that if his daughter opts to become a judge,
he will step down from his council service.
1:44:44 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL asked if he would continue his service on the
Alaska Labor Relations Board.
MR. DEWITT replied that he had already resigned, as required by
statute and the constitution.
CHAIR CLAMAN invited William Granger to provide his testimony
for reappointment to the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar.
1:46:03 PM
WILLIAM GRANGER, Appointee, Board of Governors of the Alaska
Bar, Office of the Governor, Anchorage, Alaska, testified for
reappointment to the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar. He
reported serving the board for 20 years. He enjoyed the
rewarding and important public service. He stated that most of
his tenure involved serving as the treasurer and he witnessed
the board mature financially during his tenure. He shared that
he was a lifelong Alaskan and a banker by trade.
1:47:56 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked whether public members have a voice compared
to the attorney members.
MR. GRANGER opined that the public member influence is
prevalent. He stated that public members' opinions are
considered respectfully.
1:49:43 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony on the appointments;
finding none, he closed public testimony.
1:49:48 PM
SENATOR TOBIN stated that the Senate Judiciary Standing
Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointments
be forwarded to a joint session for consideration:
Alaska Judicial Council
Dennis DeWitt - Juneau
Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar
William Granger - Anchorage
Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
CHAIR CLAMAN found no objection and stated that the names would
be forwarded.
SB 61-US PRESIDENT ELECT. POPULAR VOTE COMPACT
1:50:24 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 61
"An Act relating to an interstate compact to elect the President
and Vice-President of the United States by national popular
vote; and relating to the selection of electors for candidates
for President and Vice-President of the United States and to the
duties of those electors."
CHAIR CLAMAN stated that this is the second hearing, and his
office did not receive amendments. He asked if there were final
comments; finding none, he solicited a motion.
1:50:46 PM
SENATOR TOBIN moved to report SB 61, work order 33-LS0288\B,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
1:50:57 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no objection and SB 61 was reported from the
Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
1:51:24 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Claman adjourned the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting at 1:51 p.m.