SENATE BILL NO. 269 "An Act relating to the deadline for the submission of monetary terms of collective bargaining contracts between the state and a labor or employee organization representing state employees to the legislature." SENATOR PEARCE stated that SB 269 would modify current law and set an April 1st deadline for the submission of monetary terms included in collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the State Employee Union. She continued that often the Alaska Legislature finds itself receiving monetary terms of contracts in the final days of session often before they are able to look at the intricacies of the different contracts. She noted that under the current law, the legislature must make reasoned decisions involving these contracts in an extremely short period of time. She added that SB 269 allows the state to begin the negotiation process whenever necessary, while still providing a significant amount of time within a calendar year for legislative review of the terms. She cited the case University of Alaska vs. The Alaska Supreme Court, where it was decided that monetary terms in collective bargaining agreements do not become effective until the legislature specifically funds them. She then gave the history of this litigation. Senator Leman asked how this legislation would affect the legislature trying to limit session to a 90-day period. He wondered if it would not accomplish the same thing by stating that, "terms shall be submitted no later than 40 days before the constitutional deadline for regular session," rather than specifying a date. Co-Chair Parnell suggested that language could state that the final contract terms must be in place so many days following the commencement of the legislative session. A general discussion about how this language should be drafted took place. Co-Chair Torgerson asked if the Committee should consider an immediate effective date. Senator Pearce responded affirmatively. She added that the legislature usually responds to the monetary aspects of these contracts, while there are changes to language should be considered at the same. Co-Chair Torgerson referred to page one, line ten, which makes note of a calendar year, rather than a fiscal year. Senator Pearce responded that if for some reason the legislature did not deal with contractual terms, she assumed that most governors would bring the body back for special session. She noted that Alaska's session did work on a calendar year and then weighed the pros and cons of each calendar year versus a fiscal year. Amendment #1: This amendment makes the following changes to this legislation. Page 1, line 1: Delete "monetary terms of" Page 1, line 9: Delete "terms" Insert "final contract" Co-Chair Parnell made a motion to adopt Amendment #1. He explained that this amendment would make clear the contract language presented to the union members for ratification, the same language that the administration will submit to the legislature for appropriation purposes. Senator Adams asked if all final contracts in this situation would be arrived at by April 1, as noted in this legislation and pointed out that the previous "terms" language was a bit more general. Co-Chair Parnell responded to this query with his previous statement regarding language consistency. Senator Adams pointed out that this legislation affected numerous contracts and he wondered if negotiations could be completed by April 1. Co-Chair Torgerson responded that the unions are only required to submit the monetary terms of an agreement to the legislature within 10 days of final negotiations. He added that the parties can adjust negotiations to arrive at a new deadline regardless of what final date is chosen. Co-Chair Torgerson hearing no objection ADOPTED Amendment Senator Leman proposed a conceptual amendment, which would read "40 days before the end of the constitutional deadline," rather than a set date of April 1. Senator Pearce felt as though so many days from the beginning of session for a deadline might be a better approach. She outlined her reasoning for this assessment. There was additional discussion about the rational behind an up-front session deadline or at the end of session deadline for these employee contracts and how either of these options would affect future constitutional language changes to terms of session. Amendment #2: This was a conceptual amendment which would conceptually strike "April 1," on page one, line ten and insert "45 days after the start of the legislative session." Senator Wilken made a motion to adopt Amendment #2. Co-Chair Parnell responded that this language would square with the language in existing law. There was additional discussion about deadlines for contract negotiations. Co-Chair Torgerson hearing no objection ADOPTED Amendment Co-Chair Parnell made a motion to move SB 269, Version LS1386\A as amended from the committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note from the Department of Administration. Co-Chair Torgerson hearing no objection moved SB 269 FROM THE COMMITTEE.