SB 129-ELECTION PAMPHLET INFORMATION RE: JUDGES    2:28:05 PM CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 129 "An Act relating to information on judicial officers provided in election pamphlets." [This was the third hearing for SB 129. The committee previously heard SB 129 on May 5, 2021 and January 28, 2022. The committee adopted a committee substitute (CS) for SB 129, Version O; and public testimony was opened and closed on January 28, 2022.] 2:28:31 PM SENATOR HUGHES stated that the first time a judge is up for a retention election, the election pamphlet must include a list of items. Currently, all judges must submit their business, professional, and educational backgrounds. These judges do not need to submit certain items during subsequent retention elections. She recalled that the Alaska Judicial Council (AJC) found that the relevancy of the experience diminishes over time. However, if it is good to have the information initially, it remains relevant because the voters may forget details about them. She related her understanding that the voter turnover rate is high. Thus, some voters may never have reviewed the biographical information on judges seeking retention. Further, it would standardize the information required. She asked the sponsor to consider requiring the exact biographical details for subsequent judicial retention elections. 2:31:00 PM SENATOR MYERS responded that he made this change based on advice from AJC. For example, judges are prohibited from participating in partisan political events and running for political office. He related that other things would still apply, including education or continuing education. He explained that he was balancing the applicability, relevant information, and space available in election pamphlets. He wants to provide sufficient, relevant information to allow voters to make decisions. Still, providing too much information in the voter pamphlet could lead to voters tuning out the information. For example, time spent as a trial lawyer might not be relevant once a judge has spent considerable time on the bench. 2:33:05 PM SENATOR HUGHES offered her view that it is a fairness issue for voters since they should view the same pertinent information. SENATOR MYERS suggested that some voters might be prompted to search for additional information. He noted that AJC retains that information, maintains a website, and he hoped that the election pamphlet would direct voters to the specific judicial background information on AJC's website. 2:35:16 PM At ease 2:35:42 PM CHAIR HOLLAND reconvened the meeting. He asked about the reason for the title change. 2:36:25 PM CLAIRE RADFORD, Attorney, Legislative Legal Services, Legislative Affairs Agency Juneau, Alaska, responded that the title was amended because Section 1 was added related to AS 15.58.030(g). This differs from the original version of the bill. 2:36:59 PM SENATOR HUGHES said she was still unsure why the title change was necessary. 2:37:16 PM MS. RADFORD read the previous title of SB 129, work order 32- LS0751\B, "An Act relating to information on judicial officers provided in election pamphlets." Section 1, AS 15.58.030(g) was amended in Version O, related to the information a judge files. The title was changed to "An Act relating to information on judicial officers seeking retention in office." She stated that the title change reflects the broader title. 2:38:35 PM CHAIR HOLLAND held SB 129 in committee.