HB 414-U.S.SENATE VACANCY/DEF OF POLITICAL PARTY  Upon reconvening, CHAIR SEEKINS informed members the committee would introduce HB 414 today and get it on the record, but not take public testimony. MR. HEATH HILYARD, staff to Representative Lesil McGuire, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, explained the amendments adopted by the Senate State Affairs Committee. The Senate State Affairs Committee adopted an amendment by Senator Guess that removed language on page 3, line 31, through page 4, line 10, which pertains to the recognition of political parties and the elections associated with that. SCS CSHB 414(STA) essentially leaves the new process for a special election for filling vacancies in the U.S. Senate intact and provides for temporary appointments. MR. HILYARD explained that Section 9 recognizes a political party as one with registered voters in the state equal in number to at least three percent of the total votes cast for governor at the preceding election at which a governor is elected. CHAIR SEEKINS affirmed that version V was before the committee. MS. VANESSA TONDINI, staff to the House Judiciary Committee, offered to answer questions. SENATOR FRENCH asked for an explanation of the last sentence in Section 3, which reads, "If a special election is not called for the reasons set out in AS 15.40.140, the individual shall fill the vacancy temporarily until the results of the next general election are certified." MR. HILYARD said that sentence is in reference to Section 2 on page 1. SENATOR FRENCH asked for a description of the circumstances under which that sentence could apply. CHAIR SEEKINS interjected that it appears that the position would be filled temporarily with a place keeper if the vacancy occurs in a shorter timeframe. MR. HILYARD affirmed that would occur if a vacancy occurs on day 59 prior to a primary election. CHAIR SEEKINS thought it is reasonable to want full state representation in the U.S. Senate in case of a critical vote. MR. HILYARD replied: Exactly...My understanding is we're at 59 days from the time of the primary. That could stipulate that we - with regard to a special election...it would then fall back to the general election, at which point there would be an election to fill the vacancy. That's my reading, that's my understanding.... MS. TONDINI added that provision was added by the House Judiciary Committee to cover a situation in which there is not enough time to place a candidate on the ballot and for the governor to call a special election before the primary. In that situation, a temporary appointment would be put in place to ensure that the state is represented at all times. There being no further questions, CHAIR SEEKINS announced he would take public testimony on the bill at a later date.