SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the repeal of regulations by the legislature. SENATOR ROBIN TAYLOR advised that SJR 3 is a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska which would grant the Legislature the ability to repeal a regulation adopted by a state department or agency that is inconsistent with its enabling statute. The proposed amendment would allow the repeal of a regulation by a resolution passed by a majority of the members of each house. Senator Taylor mentioned that legislators did not create numerous regulations contained in the Alaska Administrative Code. The only recourse for the Legislature is to repeal the law that enabled the regulation which wastes Alaska's time and money in the process. The repeal of burdensome regulations is vital to the progress of economic development for all of Alaska. He noted that this issue has come before the voters in the past and now time has come again for the voters to reduce the amount of time and money spent in legislation. Representative J. Davies suggested that the legislation would be establishing new state policy without the checks and balances of the veto process. Senator Taylor argued that a new State policy was not being established. Up until the middle 1980's, the Legislature routinely did this. The Supreme Court stated that it was essential to recognize the separation of the powers between the branches of government. It is the result of that case, the proposed resolution would request the people of Alaska to reverse. Representative Grussendorf spoke to the number of times that the public has turned down the proposal. Representative Austerman mentioned that he supported the resolution. Representative J. Davies reported that he had a chair on the regulation committee for two years and that not one substantive issue came before that committee. The question is whether we need to fundamentally change the balance of power between the Executive and Legislative Branches of government. Co-Chair Mulder suggested that there should be a framework established to make it work. Representative G. Davis recommended that the legislation be given an effective date of 30 days after passage. Senator Taylor replied that the Legislature had acted with this authority for many years and that each time this question is put back before the public, the vote has gotten closer. Representative Kohring voiced his support of the legislation. He requested to be a cross sponsor noting that as a small businessperson, too many regulations exist. Representative Kohring MOVED to report SJR 3 out of Committee with individual recommendations and with the accompanying fiscal note. Representative J. Davies OBJECTED for the purpose of comment. He agreed that the regulation codes had increased at the direction of the Legislature. If people want fewer regulations, then the Legislature needs to take appropriate action. He concluded: "We've met the enemy, and it is us". Representative J. Davies WITHDREW his OBJECTION to move the bill from Committee. There being NO further OBJECTION, the bill was moved from Committee. SJR 3 was reported out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a fiscal note by the Office of the Lt. Governor dated 2/11/99.