SB 119-OATH OF OFFICE  4:09:27 PM CHAIR HUGHES announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 119 "An Act relating to oaths of office; and requiring public officers to read the state constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution." [CSSB 119(EDC) was before the committee.] 4:09:40 PM At ease 4:10:11 PM CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting and asked the sponsor to introduce the bill. 4:10:17 PM SENATOR LORA REINBOLD, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 119, stated the purpose of the bill is to ensure the founding documents of this country are not taken for granted. It requires Alaskans who are statutorily or constitutionally required to take an oath of office in the state to sign a statement that they have read the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Constitution of the State of Alaska. These sworn statements would be filed with the municipal clerk in the appropriate jurisdiction. She suggested Senator Hughes may want to discuss the change made in the Education Committee. 4:11:36 PM CHAIR HUGHES explained that school boards were initially included and the previous committee determined that other municipal officials should be included. For that reason the bill picked up a referral to this committee. 4:12:02 PM CHAIR HUGHES opened public testimony on SB 119; finding none, she closed public testimony. She advised that written testimony would be accepted at scra@akleg.gov. 4:12:35 PM SENATOR MYERS asked if she believes people are not reading and paying attention to these foundational documents or if it is a matter of differing interpretations. SENATOR REINBOLD offered her belief that all students should read the Declaration of Independence in order to understand all the grievances in the early days of this country. She opined that understanding the grievances provides a greater appreciation for civil liberties and the Bill of Rights. At the very least, it is a good refresher, she said. 4:13:55 PM CHAIR HUGHES solicited the will of the committee. 4:14:02 PM SENATOR MYERS moved to report SB 119, work order 32-LS0163\G, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 4:14:18 PM SENATOR WILSON objected to ask if the intent was for the relevant individuals to read the constitution with all the amendments or just the original constitution. 4:14:44 PM SENATOR REINBOLD replied the intent is for the individuals to read the entire U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the State of Alaska. She noted that the statutes for the different officials were written at different times and SB 119 conforms the platform. CHAIR HUGHES offered her understanding that the common definition of the state and U.S. constitutions includes the amendments. In response to Senator Myers' question, she surmised that some people do not read these documents but they will if they have to sign that they did so. She noted that the next committee of referral was the Judiciary Committee. 4:15:51 PM SENATOR WILSON removed his objection. 4:15:53 PM CHAIR HUGHES found no further objection and CSSB 119(EDC) was reported from the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.