SB 253-MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GAME    3:34:10 PM CHAIR HUGGINS announced the consideration of SB 253. As the sponsor, he asked Jodie Simpson to present the bill. JODIE SIMPSON, staff to Senator Charlie Huggins, explained that the statutory change brings the terms for the Board of Game members in line with those of the Board of Fisheries. This will prevent problems arising from the short timeframe for newly appointed members to prepare for the large regulatory board meeting held in early March every year. It also will reduce confusion among the public as to which board members to contact regarding issues. Noting packets included a letter from the board chair requesting the changes, she said Mr. Marcotte of the Boards Support Section would testify and answer questions. 3:35:56 PM JIM MARCOTTE, Director, Boards Support Section, Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G), said ADF&G supports SB 253. He explained that the short time between when appointments typically are made in February - early in the legislative session - and the major board meeting that usually occurs in early March causes administrative problems. It is uncertain whether existing members will be reappointed and thus will have to prepare for that March meeting, and new appointees have little time, often just days, to prepare. MR. MARCOTTE reported that a similar switch for the Board of Fisheries happened in 1996 and has worked well. It has given plenty of time for legislative review. Board members are seated starting July 1 and then are ready for the meeting cycle in fall, winter, and spring. It allows for new-member orientation, coordination with Department of Law staff, and so forth. MR. MARCOTTE explained that currently, with Board of Game appointments made prior to the full legislative confirmation process, members may be looking over their shoulders to see how some actions play out politically. It would be better to have fully seated members as they take action during the March meeting. He said this change is administrative in nature, but recognizes the important role that the board has. MR. MARCOTTE indicated packets also included the following: a chart of the transition period that allows current members to have terms which expire March 1, while terms for new appointees expire June 30; the current statute; a list of current Board of Game members; a summary of the board's two-year cycle, since it deals with different geographic areas of the state on a rotating basis; and an historical list of meeting dates and members. 3:39:59 PM CHAIR HUGGINS asked why it took 12 years to do this. He also requested details on the unexpired terms. MR. MARCOTTE replied that discussions of this issue have gone on for a couple of years and it was a matter of focus. As for unexpired terms, if a member leaves because of health or another reason, the replacement would continue only for the duration of the original term. Thus the expiration of the terms would stay intact. CHAIR HUGGINS mentioned failure to be confirmed. MR. MARCOTTE agreed that has happened in the past. CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether that is a change. MR. MARCOTTE answered no. In further response, he said he couldn't think of any opposition to the bill. CHAIR HUGGINS asked if it was Mr. Marcotte's brainchild. MR. MARCOTTE responded that it was in collaboration with Kristy Tibbles, the Board of Game, and others in the department. SENATOR STEVENS said it makes perfect sense to him. He asked what problems have arisen because members attend a meeting in March without legislative confirmation. MR. MARCOTTE replied it's a twofold problem. First, the public perception is that the newly appointed member, not yet confirmed, doesn't have the full support of two branches of the government; it undermines that person's status as an acting board member. Second, if the member acts on proposals in March and is subject to confirmation following that, there is undue scrutiny of specific details or a single vote; that happened recently. It would be more appropriate to look at someone's overall ability to serve, rather than focusing on a single issue for which the member acted in good faith at the time. CHAIR HUGGINS asked whether anyone else wished to testify; there was no response. 3:44:04 PM SENATOR STEDMAN moved to report SB 253 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, SB 253 was moved out of the Senate Resources Standing Committee.