HB 274-HEARINGS ON REFERENDA  8:06:55 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the first order of business was HOUSE BILL NO. 274, "An Act relating to public hearings on initiatives and referenda scheduled to appear on the ballot; and providing for an effective date." 8:07:01 AM JEFF TURNER, Staff, Representative Charisse Millett, Alaska State Legislature, presented HB 275 on behalf of Representative Millett, sponsor. He said the proposed legislation would extend the public hearing requirements for referendums. He described it as "an add-on" to House Bill 36, which was passed by the legislature in 2010. He said referendums do not commonly occur on the ballot, but noted there would be one later this year. In response to the chair, he reviewed that an initiative is a voter initiated item on the ballot that allows the public to enact a piece of legislation in place of the legislature; a referendum repeals a law that was passed by the legislature. Mr. Powell said HB 274 would require the lieutenant governor to hold public hearings in each of the judicial districts around the states, and it would require a hearing of a standing committee of the legislature whose members would be chosen by the presiding officers of the House and Senate. 8:08:47 AM CHAIR LYNN, after ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony. 8:08:57 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER said he appreciates the sponsor bringing forward HB 274. He said it seems like a great bill. 8:09:07 AM REPRESENTATIVE ISAACSON said he was thinking the same thing. He said it seems necessary and is consistent. He said, "Anytime we ask people to vote on something it is good to educate and have both sides." He stated his support of the proposed legislation. 8:09:29 AM CHAIR LYNN stated, "I, too, think it's a good thing." Regarding referendums, he opined public hearings are needed. 8:10:05 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report HB 274 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 274 was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee.