SENATE BILL NO. 34 "An Act relating to the duration of a regular session of the legislature." 9:07:35 AM SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation. She believed that the bill would help voter confidence in the work that was done in the legislature. She relayed that the bill would repeal the 90-day session statute, which had been passed in 2006 after a citizen initiative. The initiative was intended to streamline the legislative process and encourage legislators to get the work done. She addressed a chart that quantified how many days the legislature had been in session (copy on file). She noted that the bill became effective in 2008. She made note of special sessions and session lengths. She pointed out that there had only been two 90-day sessions since that time, in 2010 and 2013. In 2020 there was a session of only 69 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The following year there had been a legislative session of 217 days in total, including three special sessions. She believed the 90-day requirement undermined voter confidence. Senator Giessel drew attention to a document that listed the price of oil (copy on file). She contemplated that the legislature went over 90 days of session due to the complicated issues it had to deal with. She highlighted 2006 when the initiative passed and noted that the price of oil in 2008 was $204/bbl and was the highest price to date. The same year the initiative was also implemented, and the legislature went for 150 days, including special sessions. She mentioned policy issues. She highlighted that the oil price had plummeted to $63/bbl the following year. She remarked on the oil price volatility shown on the document and noted the complexities the legislature had to deal with. She thought that Co-Chair Hoffman had commented that the fiscal situation was the worst he ever recalled in his many years in the legislature. Co-Chair Hoffman clarified that he had been in the legislature for 39 years. Senator Giessel emphasized that the 90-day session was well-intentioned but was unrealistic. She pondered that a repeal would assuage public frustration. She mentioned that there was a sectional analysis for member to consider. Co-Chair Hoffman thought the bill was straightforward and relayed that the committee would forego consideration of a sectional analysis. 9:11:53 AM Co-Chair Stedman recalled that the creation of the 90-day session had been driven by two members of the legislature, neither of which were in leadership. He thought both members had wanted to return home for other business dealings. 9:12:27 AM Co-Chair Hoffman reported that he had been to more special sessions than regular sessions. 9:12:41 AM Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony. Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony. Senator Kiehl reviewed the fiscal note. The note was prepared by the Legislative Affairs Agency. There was no cost to the note, and he affirmed that the legislature always had a 120-day session in its budget. 9:13:17 AM AT EASE 9:13:40 AM RECONVENED SB 34 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.