HOUSE BILL NO. 244 "An Act extending the termination date of the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and providing for an effective date." 9:07:18 AM Co-Chair Meyer noted that the committee heard the Senate companion bill, SB 109 on February 24, 2014. REPRESENTATIVE WES KELLER, discussed the legislation extending the sunset date for the Citizens Advisory Commission on Federal Areas (CACFA). He requested a change in the termination date from 2018 to 2021. He pointed out that the executive director for CACFA, Stan Leaphart was available for questions. The change was suggested to avoid potential delays resulting from the election year. He spoke about his process of working with CACFA. He stated that regulations coming before the legislature were often the result of much work from CACFA. He appreciated the committee members' time hearing the bill. Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee substitute for HB 244, Work Draft 28-LS1188\U, (Martin 2/27/14). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The CS was adopted. 9:11:20 AM CHRISTINE MARASIGAN, STAFF, SENATOR KEVIN MEYER, discussed the two changes made in the CS. The CS shortened the time to sunset from 2021 to 2018. The second change brought the bill under AS 44.66.010 (a), which allowed an audit at the time of the commission sunset. She stated that the fiscal note would remain unchanged and a funding history was included in members' packets. She stated that CACFA operated from 1980 to 1999, when it was eliminated from the budget. The commission was reestablished in FY 08. Co-Chair Meyer asked about the rationale for shortening the termination date to 2018. Ms. Marasigan mentioned an ongoing discussion regarding boards' and commissions' sunset dates and costs. The consensus was that 2021 was too long since the commission had not been audited since 2008 because it did not fall under the audit provision. She deferred to Senator Fairclough for further information as the chair of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee. Vice-Chair Fairclough replied that committee discussion about Alaska's commissions revealed that CACFA had not yet been audited. The committee wished to exercise rights regarding state sovereign, but the commission must publically notify Alaskans. The audit would allow the determination that CACFA was living up to the state's expectations for public process. 9:14:46 AM Senator Olson asked Vice-Chair Fairclough about elections. He wondered about the sponsor's intent regarding the avoidance of termination during an election year. Vice-Chair Fairclough replied that reauthorization could happen any time. She stated that she would accept a termination date of 2017 or 2019. The board had come and gone without public oversight. Senator Olson asked about the 2021 option. Vice-Chair Fairclough replied that 2021 was five years out, which was a long extension for a board that had yet to be audited. 9:16:28 AM Co-Chair Meyer asked the sponsor for a response. Representative Keller replied that every word was recorded during CACFA meetings. He mentioned a recent federal overreach summit in which recordings of the meetings were available to the public online under the CACFA site on the Department of Natural Resources portion of the state website. He stated that CACFA welcomed an audit. He stressed that he was not requesting an extension to 2021 to avoid an audit. The reasons were related to potential delays from an election year. He spoke about times of public participation that were noticed appropriately and attended by concerned citizens with recorded comments. The intent of the commission was for proper notice. 9:18:18 AM Co-Chair Meyer stated that a compromise could be reached. He OPENED public testimony. Co-Chair Meyer CLOSED public testimony. He noted that the fiscal note was unchanged. Senator Olson asked about opposition to the bill, the commission or the extension date. Representative Keller was not aware of an oppositional response. Vice-Chair Fairclough pointed out that bylaws and meeting notices were not listed on the website. She elaborated that she was not targeting the commission, but instead addressing the structure of all state boards similarly and fairly. She wished for the general public to access the information to help advocate for the state's rights. 9:21:11 AM Representative Keller replied that the commission operated with the highest intent. He appreciated the value of an audit and welcomed one. 9:21:51 AM AT EASE 9:24:53 AM RECONVENED Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to ADOPT a conceptual amendment on line 6 of SCSHB 244 (FIN) to extend the reauthorization date to 2021. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The conceptual amendment was ADOPTED. Vice-Chair Fairclough explained that the committee issue was with the auditing provision. Representative Keller shared the desire for audit of all state boards and commissions. He stated that he would personally request an audit of CACFA. Vice-chair Fairclough clarified that the results of the audit would become available in the 2016 legislative session. Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to REPORT SCSHB 244 (FIN) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SCSHB 244 (FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note: FN 1 (DNR).