SJR 13-APPOINTMENT OF STATE JUDGES                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
5:02:03 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  KAWASAKI  announced  the  consideration  of  SENATE  JOINT                                                               
RESOLUTION  NO. 13  Proposing amendments  to the  Constitution of                                                               
the State of  Alaska relating to the appointment  of state judges                                                               
by the governor.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
5:03:03 PM                                                                                                                    
TREG TAYLOR, Attorney General, State  of Alaska, presented SJR 13                                                               
and stated  that the Governor's  proposal aims to  restore public                                                               
trust  in Alaska's  judicial system  by  shifting some  authority                                                               
from  the   Alaska  Judicial  Council  to   the  legislature  and                                                               
Governor. The  legislature would set detailed  qualifications for                                                               
judges,  and  the  Governor  could   choose  from  all  qualified                                                               
candidates, adjusting  the checks  and balances  between branches                                                               
to increase confidence in the judiciary.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
5:07:37 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SJR 13 in committee.