HOUSE BILL NO. 36 "An Act prohibiting initiatives that are substantially similar to those that failed within the previous two years; relating to financial disclosure reporting dates for persons, groups, and nongroup entities that expend money in support of or in opposition to initiatives, initiative information contained in election pamphlets, initiative petitions, initiative petition circulators, and public hearings for initiatives; and requiring a standing committee of the legislature to consider initiatives scheduled for appearance on the election ballot." 9:54:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE KYLE JOHANSON, SPONSOR, explained that the presentation was to allow a full vetting of the concepts in the bill, to be contemplated during the interim. Representative Johanson reviewed sectional analysis (Copy on File). Section 1 refers to disclosure of money going into the initiative process. If more than $500 is spent, the process of disclosure begins, which would inform the public who is contributing to the changing of state statute. Sections 2 and three contain conforming language. Section 4 removes initiative from AS 15.13.110e and moves it into Section 5. Section 6 reexamines contribution disclosure; how money is reported to the public after it is put into the system. Section 7 remains the same. Section 8 was included by the Judiciary Committee. Section 9 requires that all signature gatherers have a complete copy of the initiative on their person, at all times, while collecting signatures. Section 10 discusses the change in the $1 per signature payment method to an hourly payment method. Research shows that the hourly method allows for honest signature collection and the possibility for discressionary bonuses. Section 11 discusses the requirement for two public hearings, in all four judicial districts, on the initiative, before the Lieutenant Governor announces that it will go to the ballot. This would allow for intention to be understood before an election takes place. He summarized that the intention of the bill was to allow for a better informed electorate. 10:02:40 AM Representative Johanson urged members to look at the legislation in the interim. He looked forward to discussion and debate of the bill in the 2010 session. SS HB 36 was HEARD and HELD in Committee for further consideration. 10:05:00 AM AT EASE 10:19:45 AM RECONVENED