01/16/1996 04:04 PM Senate RLS

                     SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                    
                        January 16, 1996                                       
                           4:04 p.m.                                           
                                                                               
  MEMBERS PRESENT                                                              
                                                                               
 Senator Mike Miller, Chair                                                    
 Senator Drue Pearce, Vice Chair                                               
 Senator Bert Sharp                                                            
 Senator Jim Duncan                                                            
 Senator Judy Salo                                                             
                                                                               
  MEMBERS ABSENT                                                               
                                                                               
 All members present                                                           
                                                                               
  COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                           
                                                                               
 -- EXTENSION OF RON SOMERVILLE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT                 
                                                                               
    ALSO PRESENT                                                               
                                                                               
 Pam Varni, Executive Director                                                 
 Legislative Affairs Agency                                                    
 Goldstein Bldg, Suite 313                                                     
 Juneau, AK 99801                                                              
                                                                               
  ACTION NARRATIVE                                                             
                                                                               
 TAPE 96-1, SIDE A                                                             
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN MILLER  called the Senate Rules Committee meeting to order          
 at 4:04 p.m.  He stated the purpose of the meeting was                        
 consideration of an amendment to the professional services contract           
 between the Senate Rules Committee and Mr. Ron Somerville.                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR DUNCAN noted that the amendment changes the amount of                 
 compensation to $75,000, and he asked what the compensation figure            
 was in the original contract.  CHAIRMAN MILLER clarified that the             
 original contract amount was $50,000.  SENATOR PEARCE added that              
 the original contract dated February 6, 1995, will expire on                  
 January 31, 1996, and the amendment extends that date to July 31,             
 1996.                                                                         
                                                                               
 SENATOR SALO asked if the major issue that Mr. Somerville has                 
 worked on has been federal fisheries issues.  SENATOR PEARCE                  
 responded that Mr. Somerville has primarily worked on legislation             
 relating to the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson Act                   
 reauthorization, as well as working with Senator Murkowski's                  
 office, in particular, on RS 2477.  CHAIRMAN MILLER pointed out               
 that at the request of Senator Duncan, Mr. Somerville has been                
 providing monthly reports to keep the Senate Minority informed on             
 his activities.                                                               
                                                                               
 There being no further questions, CHAIRMAN MILLER asked for                   
 pleasure of the committee.                                                    
                                                                               
 SENATOR PEARCE moved and asked unanimous consent the amendment to             
 the Ron Somerville Professional Services Contract be approved.                
 Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.                                      
                                                                               
 There being no further business to come before the committee, the             
 meeting was adjourned at 4:12 p.m.