Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
02/15/2005 08:30 AM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Overview Presentation: Department of Law | |
| 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 15, 2005
8:40 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Ralph Seekins, Chair
Senator Charlie Huggins, Vice Chair
Senator Gene Therriault
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Hollis French
Senator Gretchen Guess
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
Overview Presentation: Department of Law
WITNESS REGISTER
Scott Nordstrand, Acting Attorney General
Department of Law
PO Box 110300
Juneau, AK 99811-0300
ACTION NARRATIVE
CHAIR RALPH SEEKINS called the Senate Judiciary Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:40:35 AM. Present were Senators
Charlie Huggins, Gene Therriault and Chair Ralph Seekins.
^Overview Presentation: Department of Law
SCOTT NORDSTRAND, acting attorney general for the Department of
Law (DOL), gave an overview of the Civil Division.
8:42:28 AM
MR. NORDSTRAND presented the recruitment brochure, which is also
a guide to the organization of the DOL.
8:43:12 AM
Sections within the Civil Division.
8:45:54 AM
Regulatory Affairs and Public Advocacy.
8:47:26 AM
Torts and Worker's Compensation.
8:48:26 AM
The Department of Transportation.
8:49:03 AM
Scope of Civil Division.
8:50:24 AM
Changes in Fiscal Year 05.
CINA work.
8:52:10 AM
Additions of attorneys for CINA, labor relations, ethics act,
regulations, and legislation.
8:54:12 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS announced a 5-minute recess.
9:02:54 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS called the committee meeting back to order.
MR. NORDSTRAND continued the overview. He spoke of new
initiatives.
9:03:38 AM
· Ability of government to collect money that is owed.
· Medicaid lien to recoup money from negligent people.
· Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) becoming
aggressive in collections.
9:06:18 AM
· Investment in management technology and legal research
technology.
· West KM (Knowledge Management).
· Web-based legal research service.
9:09:46 AM
· $150K - $200K savings per year by investing in technology.
· FY06 asking for a case management system for the Civil
Division.
· Currently limited capabilities for research, and no
calendaring system.
9:12:08 AM
· Billing system.
· Document management.
9:13:50 AM
Senator Therriault joined the committee.
9:14:30 AM
· Most important aspect of DOL: Recruitment and retention of
attorneys.
· Pay is issue: DOL currently at $50,000 starting pay as
compared to private sector, which is $80-90,000 per year.
· Federal and municipal lawyers paid more than state
attorneys.
9:18:05 AM
Turnover and training affects DOLs casework and productivity.
9:20:08 AM
Department of Law response to current challenges:
· Recruitment tools
· Law clerk program
· Recruitment tours
· Updated technology
· Retain lawyers
9:21:57 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS asked Mr. Nordstrand a question regarding inter-
agency charges and fees.
9:22:12 AM
MR. NORDSTRAND answered that it was a flat fee and it is
budgeted.
9:23:39 AM
Some examples were discussed regarding attorney pay and hours
worked.
9:31:00 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS commented regarding ethics and disclosure of pay.
He asked Mr. Nordstrand if the Office of Public Advocacy hires
attorneys from the private sector.
9:31:56 AM
MR. NORDSTRAND answered that they occasionally hire outside
counsel.
9:32:36 AM
Chair Seekins and Mr. Nordstrand discussed the difference in pay
for private and public sector attorneys.
9:41:36 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS asked Mr. Nordstrand why the DOL doesn't use
transportation pools, and why the DOL doesn't use case
management systems.
MR. NORDSTRAND replied that it takes capital, and that they do
have a system, although calendaring is newer technology.
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Seekins adjourned the meeting at 9:46:31 AM.
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