HB 336-ELECTRIC & TELEPHONE COOPERATIVES' VOTING  9:52:37 AM CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 336, "An Act relating to electronic voting procedures for electric and telephone cooperatives; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee is CSHB 336(STA).] 9:52:44 AM NANCY MANLY, Staff, Representative Bob Lynn, Alaska State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the House State Affairs Standing Committee, sponsor, paraphrased from the following written sponsor statement [original punctuation provided]: House Bill 336 puts in statute the ability for telephone or electric cooperatives to allow members to vote by electronic transmission as specified by the coop's by-laws. The bill was filed at the urging of coops around the state. Currently, coop members may only vote in person or via the postal service. This method, however, is outdated and could be having a negative impact on member participation in elections and other important matters. By allowing telephone and electric coops to permit voting via electronic transmission approved in its by- laws, the Legislature will make it so common 21st century practices may be applied to important public involvement matters. Coops in every corner of Alaska will be enthused the Legislature has had the foresight to pass legislation important to the public process. This bill does not make electronic transmission voting mandatory, and cooperatives choose whether they want to partake or not. Already, however, Matanuska Telephone Association (MTA) members have voted to adopt a new bylaw allowing electronic transmission voting. All MTA, and other coops, need is for the Legislature amends the statute to allow these coops to do so. Please help me in facilitating the quick passage of HB 336. 9:54:02 AM PHIL STEYER, Director, Government Relations & Corporate Communications, Chugach Electric Association, informed the committee that Chugach Electric Association is supportive of HB 336. He noted that the committee packet includes letters of support from a number of other electric cooperatives. He highlighted that the legislation is discretionary. He noted that the Chugach Electric Association or any other electric cooperative shouldn't engage in electronic voting unless they can do so in a secure manner. 9:55:06 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER inquired as to who would carry the burden of the cost of the software and that the system is secure. MR. STEYER answered that currently the cost would be borne by the cooperative not the state. In further response to Representative Keller, Mr. Steyer confirmed that the aforementioned means that the liability would also lay with the cooperative. 9:55:41 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS asked if Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P) supports HB 336. MR. STEYER clarified that AEL&P is a for-profit business. CO-CHAIR HERRON, in response to Representative Harris, related that the entities providing electricity in his area are privately held entities. 9:56:09 AM CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to report HB 336 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered.