HOUSE BILL NO. 467 An Act establishing an Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission to develop the design concepts and to make recommendations regarding the final design of the Alaska quarter under the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act; and providing for an effective date. JIM SHINE, STAFF TO REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON, explained that the bill follows the federal authorizing legislation of the Fifty States Commemorative Coin Act, and it establishes the Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission with eleven members. From 1999 to 2008, the U.S. Mint is annually issuing five quarter dollar coins with state designs displayed on the reverse side. The quarter honoring Alaska is scheduled for issuance in August 2008. He discussed the membership, noting that six of the eleven members would be public members appointed by the Governor. Mr. Shine noted that the presiding officers of the Alaska House of Representatives and the Alaska Senate would appoint a majority and minority member from each body. The Governor's Office would initiate a public process to solicit narrative design concepts for the Alaska quarter. The calendar year of the issuance of the Alaska quarter would coincide with events leading to the celebration of the fiftieth year anniversary of Alaska statehood, in HB 476. Representative Foster assumed that the backsides of the state quarters were the states' emblems or seals. Mr. Shine said that the design guidelines are strict and they prohibit the use of state seals, and copyrighted photographs require permission for use. Representative Foster asked if the coin designs might use state flags. Mr. Shine said that he didn't think so. Representative Hawker referred to the fiscal note and asked why there would be a half-time position over two years instead of using a current staff position. Mr. Shine replied that the drafter included that language, but the bill sponsor might agree to use an existing organization. Representative Hawker commented further on the existing support within the Administration. Representative Hawker MOVED to ADOPT a zero fiscal note for CS HB 467(STA). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. Co-Chair Harris asked if it would also zero out the part- time authorization employees. Representative Hawker confirmed that it would. Representative Foster asked what would happen to the design of the quarter if the bill doesn't pass the Legislature this session. Mr. Shine said that the bill would die. The U.S. Mint would contact the Governor's Office two years before the calendar year of issuance of the quarter. He pointed out that this bill simply sets the framework in place. Co-Chair Williams read the Letter of Intent from the State Affairs Committee that accompanies the bill. Representative Stoltze suggested substituting the Letter of Intent as the context of the bill. Mr. Shine explained that the State Affairs Committee wanted the design concept to go through the framework of a commission, and the Letter of Intent simply solicits design concepts in a statewide contest. Co-Chair Harris referred to the Sponsor Statement and asked if the majority and minority members of the Commission would be public members or legislators. Mr. Shine replied that the intent is to appoint a majority and a minority member from both the House and Senate separate from the six public members. The Governor or his appointee would occupy the eleventh seat. Representative Stoltze commented that he would prefer the Commission membership to be less politically driven and to include geographic and ethnic considerations. Mr. Shine replied that the issue had not been considered. Representative Foster agreed with Representative Stoltze, and recommended one member from each of the four judicial districts so that the composition would be regional. Mr. Shine noted that there already are four public members, one from each judicial district. He would discuss the removal of legislators from the commission with the bill sponsor. Representative Stoltze offered to work on the bill. HB 467 was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration.