HB 115-PERMANENT ABSENTEE VOTING CHAIR LYNN announced that the last order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 115, "An Act establishing a permanent absentee voting option for qualified voters; and providing for an effective date." 9:53:25 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he does not want [HB 115] to be held over and subsequently listed as heard and held for the next hearing. He explained that he wants to "properly notice" the bill so that the public will have an adequate opportunity to come forward and testify. He opined, "I don't think this is one of those things that we want to have brought up under bills previously heard, without plenty of notification." 9:53:54 AM REPRESENTATIVE GATTO concurred. CHAIR LYNN said the committee would hear a quick introduction to HB 115 and, before its next hearing, would "notice the bill." 9:54:09 AM REPRESENTATIVE BOB BUCH, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, introduced HB 115. He said the bill would give voters the option to register for permanent absentee voting status. An absentee ballot would automatically be sent to any voter choosing that option. He commented on the convenience of receiving a ballot at home and voting no matter where a person is. Representative Buch reported that permanent absentee voting is gaining popularity nationwide; currently, eight states have it and 21 other states "have some version of it." The system in Oregon is the most commonly known and has been in place since the '80s. Officials in Oregon were consulted before drafting HB 115. REPRESENTATIVE BUCH stated that HB 115 would not make any changes to statutes or procedures that govern the absentee voting process. The proposed bill only applies to state elections - not local elections. Alaska voters would still have the option of requesting a one-time absentee ballot or vote at the polls. The proposed legislation would take affect in 2010. Representative Buch predicted those whom the bill would benefit would include: soldiers, miners, North Slope workers, and the elder population. The bill would streamline the absentee voting process for the Division of Elections by cutting down on paperwork and administrative costs, and that entity supports the proposed legislation. 9:57:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE BUCH described the [permanent] absentee ballot application. He emphasized that the change made by the bill would be minimal and offer convenience. 9:57:49 AM REPRESENTATIVE PETERSEN said that based on the comments he has received from his constituents, he sees the need for the option of permanent absentee voting. 9:59:07 AM LARRY BENSON, American Postal Workers Union, in response to Representative Lynn, expressed his support of HB 115. 9:59:16 AM DORSEY ROLAND, National Association of Letter Carriers, in response to Representative Lynn, expressed his support of HB 115. 9:59:42 AM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON said he wants Representative Buch to address the issue of people moving out of state next time the bill is heard. 10:00:30 AM REPRESENTATIVE GATTO said he would like the bill sponsor to express his belief regarding whether election day should last "only a single day." 10:01:01 AM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he would like the answer regarding voters moving to include discussion of how to monitor those changing districts. 10:01:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE WILSON said she wants to know how the state purges records when someone dies. She related that in some states where the record is not purged frequently, some people have used the names of deceased voters as a means by which to vote. 10:01:58 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that HB 115 was held over.