SB 9-ELECTION PAMPHLETS  8:17:44 AM CHAIR LYNN announced that the next order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 9, "An Act repealing the authority to include certain material from a political party in the election pamphlet." [Before the committee was the proposed committee substitute (CS) for SB 9, Version 29-LS0244\W Bullard, 12/9/15, adopted as a work draft on 1/26/16.] 8:18:27 AM CHUCK KOPP, Staff, Senator Peter Micciche, Alaska State Legislature, testifying on behalf of Senator Micciche, prime sponsor, directed attention to a new proposed committee substitute (CS) for SB 9, [Version 29-LS0244\N, Bullard, 2/1/16], which he said takes into account the information security standard that is recognized as best practice in the industry for transmission of [confidential voter registration records]. He said Representative Keller had brought to the sponsor's attention that it would be good to have that [information] stated in the law to demonstrate that Alaska not only wants to adhere to the best practice of data security but also to emphasize the confidentiality of the data being transmitted under the section. Mr. Kopp stated that the prime sponsor agrees with the new language entirely. CHUCK KOPP, in response to Chair Lynn, clarified that the additional portion of the language mentioning the data security standard, is on page 2, lines 24-27, of Version N. 8:20:06 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for SB 9, Version 29-LS0244\N, Bullard, 2/1/16, as a work draft. There being no objection, Version N was before the committee. 8:20:35 AM MR. KOPP explained that current statute provides that anyone who registers to vote may access any one of a number of online abilities to register. The proposed legislation would regulate the confidentiality of how data can be released by the division. On page 2, lines 17-27, of Version N, language has been added to allow the sharing of voter registration information with states that have organized together for the purpose of verifying voter registration information - a state-led and state-regulated initiative - and includes the aforementioned language that would set best practices for industry security with respect to data. 8:21:41 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG alluded to a previous discussion [with the sponsor] about an amendment regarding the election pamphlet, and he stated his understanding that the prime sponsor would prefer that [such an amendment] not be added to this bill. MR. KOPP responded that [Representative Gruenberg] was correct. 8:22:15 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER clarified the new language proposed under Version N would add that "the information security standards of  the International Organization for Standardization;" has to be in place "or a published information security standard used by  the State of Alaska and approved by the Department of  Administration". He believed it to be an elegant sideboard that needed to be included in [the proposed legislation] and appreciated the sponsor's willingness to put it in. 8:22:48 AM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG requested a description of the International Organization for Standardization and its security standards be put on the record. 8:23:27 AM JOHN LINBECK, Executive Director, Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), offered that the International Standards Organization (ISO) sets standards for business practices around the world. The organization has an extensive set of standards for businesses and agencies that store and protect private data with regard to security of data. Auditors use these standards to audit a data center. It is the most common and respected standard and consists of many pages of requirements and standards that those protecting data are required to follow. It is considered the industry standard. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG thanked Mr. Linbeck and Representative Keller for their testimony. 8:25:10 AM SENATOR PETER MICCICHE, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, expressed his support of SB 9 and its merits, and he expressed his appreciation for the committee's improvements to the proposed legislation as he believes the security of the confidentiality of the records is extremely important, especially as [Alaska] participates in a national database. 8:25:48 AM REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked for what purpose the information going into the national database would be used. SENATOR MICCICHE replied that the information actually doesn't go into a national database. Alaska's information would be processed using a national database to determine that the voter rolls are secure and people are not registered elsewhere. Alaska's information, however, would remain secure. 8:26:37 AM MR. KOPP reiterated that this database is state-led, state- organized, and state-controlled; there is no link with any federal or national database. 8:27:06 AM CHAIR LYNN, after ascertaining no one wished to testify, closed public testimony on CSSB 9. 8:27:16 AM REPRESENTATIVE KELLER moved to report CSSB 9, Version 29- LS0244\N, Bullard, 2/1/16, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSSB 9(STA) was reported from the House State Affairs Standing Committee.