HB 291-PUBLIC NOTICES POSTED AT POST OFFICES  1:39:24 PM CHAIR FRENCH announced the consideration of HB 291. PAMELA FINLEY, Revisor of Statutes, Legislative Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, explained that HB 291 would delete four statutory references that require posting certain notices at U.S. post offices. This would address the issue that since 2007, the federal government has not allowed any postings other than government notices. The specific statutes that HB 291 would amend are AS 03.35.030 pertaining to controlled livestock districts; AS 34.35.175(d) pertaining to personal property lien sales; AS 34.45.050(b) pertaining to consignee and bailee lien sales; and AS 43.20.270(d)(2) pertaining to state tax lien sales. These notices are still required, but do not have to be posted at a U.S. post office. CHAIR FRENCH asked how the bill came about. MS. FINLEY said this problem came to light last year in a bill dealing with execution sales. Although the reference to post offices was deleted from that bill, it makes sense to remove it from the books. 1:41:23 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI noted that it was a substantive change and questioned it as a revisor's bill. MS. FINLEY explained that she made it a separate revisor's bill to give the Legislature the opportunity to decide what it wanted to do with the provision. She agreed that was a substantive change. CHAIR FRENCH asked what would constitute a conspicuous public place for the purpose of posting these notices. MS. FINLEY said it would depend on the district, but it might be a public library, or fire hall, for example. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI observed that Section 1 appeared to remove more than just the reference to the post office. MS. FINLEY said the language that was removed was redundant. CHAIR FRENCH asked who makes the decision where to post these notices. MS. FINLEY replied the district judge would issue the order, but the exact location would probably depend on the situation. For example, in Section 2 it would probably be the person who was holding the sale. CHAIR FRENCH mused about how long these statutes might last, given the Internet. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI questioned why nobody knew that posting in post offices was prohibited when these statutes were enacted. MS. FINLEY replied these statutes all predate 2007 when the federal prohibition was issued. 1:46:13 PM CHAIR FRENCH closed public testimony on HB 291. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI raised the question of amending the bill to require online postings. Some discussion ensued and it was agreed that it was a good suggestion for some time in the future. CHAIR FRENCH asked for a motion. 1:48:10 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report HB 291 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR FRENCH announced that without objection, HB 291 moved from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.