HOUSE BILL NO. 157 "An Act requiring the disclosure of the identity of certain persons, groups, and nongroup entities that expend money in support of or in opposition to an application filed for a state referendum or recall election; and providing for an effective date." 9:31:20 AM Co-Chair Merrick noted that HB 157 was previously heard in committee on May 3, 2021. REPRESENTATIVE SARA RASMUSSEN, SPONSOR, introduced herself. She relayed that the purpose of the bill was to align the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) reporting requirements for recalls and referendums with ballot initiatives making the requirements the same for all three items. 9:32:22 AM HEATHER HEBDON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA PUBLIC OFFICE COMMISSION (via teleconference), reviewed the fiscal note [FN1 (ADM)]. She anticipated an increase in workload with passage of the bill. She noted the additional workload for filing assistance, education, and regulation promulgation as well as monitoring, auditing, and enforcement of the new requirements. The fiscal note reflected the addition of one Paralegal and associated costs. 9:33:27 AM Representative Thompson asked if there were no recalls or referendums in the current year, what the additional employee would do. Ms. Hebdon responded that currently, the agency only had two dedicated employees to oversee campaign finance disclosures and the position would likely assist with the other campaign disclosure work. Representative Josephson asked how many staff positions worked on campaign finance disclosures 10 years prior. Ms. Hebdon would have to research the full answer. She relayed that in 2015 the agency had 13.5 full time staff members; four employees were dedicated to campaign finance disclosure. Representative Josephson asked how many staff did the job currently. Ms. Hebdon replied that currently there were two employees that oversaw campaign finance disclosure. 9:35:39 AM Representative Josephson wanted further clarification. He asked how many total employees APOC had in 2015. Ms. Hebdon restated that that in 2015 the agency had 13.5 full time staff members. Representative Josephson inquired about the number of total staff that currently worked at APOC. Ms. Hebdon answered that currently there were 8 APOC staff members. Co-Chair Merrick indicated amendments were due in her office by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. HB 157 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further consideration. 9:36:28 AM AT EASE 9:37:23 AM RECONVENNED