CSHB 462(STA) - USE OF STATE MONEY FOR IMAGES/MESSAGES CHAIRMAN GREEN brought CSHB 462(STA) before the committee as the first order of business. REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIAULT, prime sponsor of HB 462, directed attention to the current version of the legislation and said there is some concern with the language on page 1, lines 12 and 13 where the limitation on the longevity bonus check stub is "limited to stating the requirements or deadlines of a program." He said that language is pretty tightly worded and he suggested changing that wording to "relating to the program." The restriction would not be so tightly worded and it would still be a prohibition on any message coming from an elected official; however, the people that are involved in the program would have a little bit more latitude. He said the legislation is designed to curtail the increasingly prevalent practice of using state publications for further personal political agendas, and it would not preclude information related to the overall operation of the program. Number 075 SENATOR WARD moved the following amendment to CSHB 462(STA): Amendment No. 1 Page 1, lines 12 - 13: Delete "limited to stating the requirements or deadlines of" and insert "related to" Hearing no objection, the amendment was adopted to be incorporated into a SCS CSHB 462(STA). In his closing comments, REPRESENTATIVE THERRIAULT emphasized that the purpose of the legislation it to prevent the underlying programs behind these application and check stubs from becoming politicized because there have been examples in the past where the Administration has taken some steps that have moved towards that. Number 110 JACK KREINHEDER, Senior Analyst, Office of Management & Budget, stated the Administration is opposed to HB 462. It is there view that the Governor is the chief executive officer of the state and, as such, any Governor should have the prerogative to communicate freely with the people of the state. Mr. Kreinheder made reference to the Governor's letter in last year's permanent fund dividend application booklet, and he said it was not a political message; it simply discusses the importance of the permanent fund, the fund's success, and it encourages people to apply in a timely manner. He also noted there has been discussion about the size of the Governor's picture on the booklet, but he pointed out that it was something initiated entirely at the division. Mr. Kreinheder commented that the bill appears to be an election year bill and they should be flattered that the Legislature is considering adopting it. He said it seems to imply that there is some confidence that this Administration will be around in the next election cycle as well. Number 140 CHAIRMAN GREEN stated she took exception to Mr. Kreinheder's remarks because she doesn't think it would be appropriate for any Governor to be involved in this practice. She added that it isn't only the message in the permanent fund dividend booklet that has outraged her constituents, but messages on longevity bonus stubs as well. She said there has been an inappropriate use of going into homes with various mailings, and they need to be curtailed regardless of who occupies the third floor. Number 150 SENATOR WARD asked Mr. Kreinheder if he thinks the legislation will stop the Governor from running quarter-page ads with his picture on it in the newspapers. MR. KREINHEDER responded that the legislation only applies to application forms, warrants or direct deposit notices. Number 160 SENATOR MILLER moved SCS CSHB 462(STA) and the accompanying zero fiscal note be passed out of committee with individual recommendations. Hearing no objection, it was so ordered.