CSHJR 37(JUD)-CONST AM: SEC. OF STATE REFERENCES  CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of CSHJR 37(JUD). 10:11:34 AM DENEEN TUCK, Staff to Representative Max Gruenberg, sponsor of HJR 37, explained that in 1970, the voters of Alaska approved amendments to the state constitution to change the name of "secretary of state" to "lieutenant governor". At that time, the drafting attorneys caught all but two of the references to secretary of state, and HJR 37 corrects those omissions. The attached $1,500 fiscal note is to cover the first-time publication of the corrected references. 10:12:36 AM CHAIR FRENCH recapped that Sections 1 and 2 each replace one reference to "secretary of state" with "lieutenant governor," and Section 3 says the constitutional amendments will be placed before the voters of the state because the legislature can't change the constitution without voter approval. MS. TUCK agreed. CHAIR FRENCH asked how the word "secretary of state" got into the state constitution in the first place. REPRESENTATIVE MAX GRUENBERG, sponsor of HJR 37, explained that in the past all states used the term "secretary of state" to identify the second highest office in the state. In the last 30- 40 years all but two states changed the second highest office to "lieutenant governor." Now some states have a secretary of state, but that person isn't the second in line after the governor. CHAIR FRENCH noted the bill history provided in the packet. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG credited former Representative Anderson th with introducing the legislation in the 24 legislature. 10:15:15 AM CHAIR FRENCH found no one who wished to testify on behalf of HJR 37, and closed public testimony. Finding no further discussion, he asked the will of the committee. SENATOR McGUIRE motioned to report CSHJR 37 and attached fiscal note(s) from committee with individual recommendations. CHAIR FRENCH announced that without objection CSHJR 39(JUD) is moved from the Senate Judiciary Committee.