HOUSE BILL NO. 298
"An Act relating to confidentiality of performance
review records and reports of the legislature audit
division."
1:32:36 PM
SPEAKER MIKE CHENAULT, SPONSOR noted the legislation was a
technical fix to a previous bill.
SHARON KELLY, STAFF, SPEAKER CHENAULT, explained that HB
298 was a technical fix to AS 24.20.301(a). The fix
conformed confidentiality language for performance reviews
to the same language for audits. She reminded the committee
that HB 30 [State Agency Performance Audits] was adopted
into law in 2013 and re-established the practice of
departmental performance reviews to assist in informed
budget decision making. She related that Legislative Audit
discovered the discrepancy while undertaking the first
review.
KRIS CURTIS, LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, ALASKA DIVISION OF
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT, explained the technical request. The
performance review process began last year and required the
need for Legislative Audit to request a large volume of
information. She discovered a statutory difference between
the confidentiality requirements of audits and performance
review records.
Representative Guttenberg asked how the change affected
audits in progress.
Ms. Curtis noted that the fix would not impact audits, but
rather performance reviews. The division treated the
performance review information the same as audit records
and would continue under HB 298.
Representative Guttenberg asked about ongoing access to the
records. He asked if the nature of the confidentiality was
changed under the law.
Ms. Curtis answered that the legislation clarified that the
performance review records were confidential but
Legislative Audit already treated the records as
confidential.
Co-Chair Stoltze OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Stoltze CLOSED public testimony.
Representative Costello noted the fiscal note, FN1 (LEG)
with zero fiscal impact.
Vice-Chair Neuman MOVED to REPORT HB 298 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
HB 298 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass"
recommendation and with one new zero fiscal note from the
Alaska Legislature.
1:39:49 PM
AT EASE
1:40:57 PM
RECONVENED