SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto. 9:54:56 AM SENATOR MATT CLAMAN, SPONSOR, referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on file): Senate Joint Resolution 15 amends the Constitution of the State of Alaska by changing the requirement to override a veto on revenue and appropriation bills or items from three-fourths of the legislature to two- thirds of the legislature in joint session. If Senate Joint Resolution 15 passes the legislature, it will put the resolution on the ballot for registered Alaskan voters to consider in the next general election. According to Alaska's Constitution: A Citizen's Guide published by the Legislative Affairs Agency, "[f]ew other states make the distinction between a bill dealing with substantive law and an appropriation bill." Alaska may be the only state that has a three- fourths requirement to override the governor's veto on revenue and appropriation matters. Amending this provision in our constitution will strengthen the legislature and improve the public's ability to influence executive and legislative decisions on revenue matters. 9:57:23 AM Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the veto override would be for both legislation and a budgetary item. Senator Claman replied that the legislation would make it a required two-thirds vote on both legislation and budgetary items. Co-Chair Stedman queried the involvement of the governor as related to constitutional amendments. Senator Claman replied that amending the constitution required a two-thirds vote in each body of the legislature, and the governor had no say in that process. 9:58:55 AM BREANNA KAKARUK, STAFF, SENATOR MATT CLAMAN, discussed the Sectional Analysis (copy on file): Section 1 The Constitution of the State of Alaska. Article II, Section 16. Deletes the three-fourth vote requirement for the legislature to override vetoes for revenue and appropriation bills or items. Changes the vote requirement for the legislature to override vetoes for revenue and appropriation bills or items to a two-third vote. Section 2 The Constitution of the State of Alaska. Conforms with Article XIII, Section 1 of the Alaska Constitution and the state election laws to put the amendment proposed by this resolution before registered voters in the State of Alaska at the next general election. Co-Chair Olson noted the fiscal note of $38,000, and asked for comment on the fiscal note. Senator Claman stated that the fiscal note related to the cost of additional pages in the voter pamphlet. 10:00:18 AM CAROL BEECHER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ELECTIONS, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, agreed with Senator Claman. Co-Chair Olson surmised that the legislation was in sync with previous constitutional amendments. Ms. Beecher agreed, and furthered that there had been a recent increase in the cost of paper. Senator Merrick wondered there were multiple pamphlets sent to households with more than one registered voter. Ms. Beecher replied that it was done by household address. Senator Wilson remarked that seven states had a three- fifths vote, which would put Alaska's vote threshold to thirty six. Senator Claman replied that the two-thirds vote was reasonable, so that was the reason for making everything a two-thirds vote. Senator Kiehl wondered about the requirement for vote totals during the joint session. Senator Claman responded that there was an interesting numbers dynamic, because of the weight of each body. Senator Wilson wondered when the last time the three- quarters vote had resulted in an override. Senator Claman agreed to provide that information, and recalled that early in statehood there were some budgetary overrides, but remarked that it was overall fairly rare. SJR 15 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration.