Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/08/2000 04:06 PM Senate LEC
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
March 8, 2000
1. ROLL CALL
The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m. by
Senator Mike Miller, Legislative Council Chair, in the Butrovich Room
at the Alaska State Capitol.
The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members Miller, Donley,
Hoffman, Tim Kelly, Leman, Pearce, Torgerson, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Ogan,
Phillips, and Porter. Members absent were Barnes and Rokeberg. Staff
present were Varni, Cook, Finley, Gullufsen, Ibesate, Price, Schofield
and Wyatt.
2. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 20, 2000 MEETING MINUTES
Senator Pearce moved the minutes of the January 20, 2000 meeting be
approved.
With no objection the motion was approved unanimously.
3. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY FY 01 BUDGET
Pam Varni, Executive Director gave an overview of the Legislative
Affairs Agency's (LAA) FY 01 Budget. Representative Porter moved the
LAA FY 01 Budget be sent to the Finance Committees.
With no objection the LAA budget was forwarded to the Finance
Committees. The motion was approved unanimously.
4. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN FY 01 BUDGET
Maria Moya Acting Ombudsman gave an overview of the Office of the
Ombudsman's FY 01 Budget. Senator Leman, Representatives Phillips and
Cowdery presented discussion regarding the Anchorage building lease and
rental fees. Senator Miller moved the Ombudsman FY 01 budget be sent to
the Finance Committees.
With no objection, the Ombudsman FY 01 budget was forwarded to the
Finance Committees.
5. REVISOR'S BILL
Pam Finley, Revisor of Statutes gave an overview of the 2000 Revisor's
Bill.
Senator Tim Kelly moved that the Legislative Council submit the bill
for introduction in both Houses.
With no objection the motion was approved unanimously.
6. PUBLIC OPINION MESSAGE (POM) POLICY REVISION
Sue Gullufen Information and Teleconference Manager, gave an overview
of the POM policy approved by Legislative Council in 1985 and discussed
how POMs are handled at the LIOs now. Discussion followed by Senator
Leman, Representative Phillips, Representative Berkowitz,
Representative Porter and Senator Torgerson.
Representative Berkowitz moved to amend the policy by moving the 50
words or less requirement to the first paragraph rather than the
confidential section of the policy.
Representative Berkowitz moved to amend the acceptable ways of
presenting a POM to include email as long as it includes all
information that is required in any POM.
With no objection the two amendments to the POM policy were adopted.
Representative Porter and Senator Torgerson discussed the
interpretation of special needs. Senator Torgerson suggested the
amended POM policy be brought back to the Council at a future meeting.
Senator Miller stated the policy will be brought back at the April
meeting with the two amendments adopted.
7. TRAVEL AGENCY FEES
Pam Varni, Executive Director gave an overview of three options
regarding Travel Agency fees for services.
1. Pay fees to all travel agencies.
2. Encourage offices to use agencies that do not charge fees,
however, if a fee
is charged then Legislative Affairs will pay the bill.
3. Not pay any fees. If a fee is charged, the individual offices
will be charged.
Senator Miller recapped the general feeling of committee to encourage
legislators to use travel agencies not charging a fee, but in cases
where a fee is charged the Legislature will pay the fee.
8. ANCHORAGE VAN APPROVAL
Senator Miller appraised the Council that a van was purchased for
Anchorage. Senator Leman wanted it known for the record, the purchase
was made because the old van was unsafe and needed major maintenance.
With no objection the van purchase was approved unanimously.
9. ALASKA STATUTE CONTRACT
Information was distributed regarding the contract for the Alaska
Statutes. Options included submitting the contract to a bid process or
extending the current contract. This item will be brought back at the
April meeting.
10. LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACT AMENDMENTS
Senator Pearce stated the contract for legal services related to the
BP/AMOCO merger needed to be amended.
Senator Pearce moved the Legislative Council amend the contracts for
legal services related to the proposed merger between BP/AMOCO and
Atlantic Richfield in the amount of $27,000 for Preston, Gates & Ellis
and in the amount of $266,589 for Collier, Shannon, Rill & Scott.
Funding for these amendments would be from the unobligated balance of
the BP Merger fund, $100,000 from Legislative Council funds and
$174,589 equally from the House and Senate Operating Budget funds.
Representative Phillips objected to the amendment for the purpose of
discussion. A discussion followed by Representative Phillips,
Representative Berkowitz and Senator Tm Kelly.
Senator Tim Kelly clarified amending contracts from $250,000 to
$516,589 for Collier, Shannon, Rill & Scott and $175,000 to $202,000
for Preston, Gates & Ellis.
Hearing objection a roll call vote was taken.
Roll Call
YEAS: Miller, Donley, Hoffman, Leman, Pearce, Torgerson,
Berkowitz, Cowdery and Porter.
NAYS: Tim Kelly, Ogan, and Phillips
ABSENT: Barnes and Rokeberg
The motion passed.
11. REPORT FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Bruce Botelho, Attorney General, suggested the information to be given
on a number of cases should take place in Executive Session.
Representatives Phillips moved that the Council go into Executive
Session for the purpose of discussing information that may be harmful
to the State.
Legislative Council moved to Executive Session at 4:45 p.m. and
returned to an open meeting at 6:45 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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