HB 31-INITIATIVE/REFERENDUM PETITIONS  HJR 5-CONST AM: INITIATIVE/REFERENDUM PETITIONS  9:13 a.m. MR. TIM BARRY, staff to Representative Williams, sponsor of HB 31 and HJR 5, reminded members that at the last hearing, Senator Ogan asked about limiting the scope of HJR 5 and HB 31 to wildlife initiatives. He told members that Representative Williams has been working on this legislation for six years now, during which time various suggestions have been made. The current version has developed statewide support and he is reluctant to make any changes at this time. SENATOR FRENCH asked how the two pieces of legislation work together. MR. BARRY explained that the Constitution sets out the procedure to put a question on the ballot. In addition, statutory language also addresses that process. In order to make this change, both the Constitution and statute will have to be amended. The statutory change is contingent upon passage of the constitutional amendment by the voters. SENATOR FRENCH said he understands that people from Anchorage drive the initiative process while rural folks don't get to participate, with the exception of one voter from a district. He asked Mr. Barry to elaborate on the sponsor's concerns about wildlife initiatives. CHAIR SEEKINS interjected that a good illustration is on the charts of district participation in initiative petitions, and the concern is that the primary movers of initiatives that get on the ballot are from the urban areas; there is very little inclusion of the rural folks in the initial question. He said he agrees with the premise that expanding the requirements to a broader cross section of the community that includes rural folks is more equitable. MR. BARRY agreed and said Representative Williams has heard from many people who are concerned about what could happen, such as in California where the legislature's hands are tied by the initiative process. In addition, he has heard many concerns about out-of-state organizations that create an issue over wildlife management that is not of concern to many Alaskans. When these bills were debated on the House floor, rural legislators discussed the English-only initiative that was on the ballot a few years ago. CHAIR SEEKINS announced that with no further participants, public testimony was closed. SENATOR THERRIAULT moved HJR 5 from committee with its attached fiscal notes. SENATOR OGAN stated that some will claim this legislation is a legislative power grab in an attempt to end run the will of the voters. He said he believes this legislation goes a long way to change the perception of rural Alaskans that the will of the urban areas is being foisted on them. This will not undo the will of the voters at all because the voters will cast their vote on the measures. He said this accurately takes into account the shift in demographics toward the urban areas and will better reflect the will of people throughout the state. CHAIR SEEKINS agreed and said it is an attempt to make the political process more inclusive. He then announced that with no objection, HJR 5 moved from committee. SENATOR THERRIAULT moved HB 31 and its attached fiscal notes with individual recommendations from committee. CHAIR SEEKINS announced that without objection, the motion carried.