SJR 6-CONST. AM: PERM FUND & PFDS  3:46:44 PM CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund, appropriations from the permanent fund, and the permanent fund dividend. 3:47:11 PM CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SJR 6. 3:47:58 PM At ease 3:48:26 PM CHAIR SHOWER reconvened the meeting and asked Ms. Reid to begin her testimony. 3:48:51 PM CAROLYN REID, representing self, Soldotna, Alaska, stated that the portion of the permanent fund that goes to the people of Alaska as a dividend should be left alone unless the people vote for a change. She opined that the majority of Alaskans do not want the legislature to take their dividend away and they want the dividends that have been stolen. 3:50:13 PM TERRIE HARRIS, representing self, Anchor Point, Alaska, reminded the committee that they were not voted into office to make hard decisions. Rather, they were voted in to represent constituents and those constituents have repeatedly said to leave the dividend alone. She stated support for a vote of the people on the PFD on the traditional formula only. MS. HARRIS said she also wanted to testify on SJR 7 in support of a two-thirds majority vote of the people on new taxes and increases to existing taxes. 3:51:24 PM TERESA HANSON, representing self, [unk city] Alaska, recapped the history of the permanent fund up until the first $1,000 checks were distributed in 1982. Since then, she said legislators have tapped the permanent fund without consideration of the voice of the people. She emphasized that the legislature should only tap into the permanent fund with a vote of the people, and it should "be restored back to its original agreement as set forth." The permanent fund should not be a tool for the legislature to use when it overspends in other areas, she said. She concluded her comments by asking legislators to stop the steal. 3:53:13 PM BERT HOUGHTALING, representing self, Big Lake, Alaska, stated opposition to the governor's proposal because it puts all control over the permanent fund in legislators' hands. "You will ultimately end up being able to determine who will and who won't be able to get a PFD in the future." He noted that the resolution changes "shall" to "may" meaning that the legislature may choose to protect the dividend for the future but it may also choose to change the law and not protect the dividend for the future. If there is a constitutional cap on the budget, there may be nothing left for the dividend "So I am a no when it comes to SJR 6." 3:54:49 PM VIKKI JO KENNEDY, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated that she opposes SJR 6 because she does not want to put everything she depends on in the hands of the legislature when it can't be responsible for itself. She cited the example of legislators saying they would not collect per diem after 120 days but changing the law the next year. She stated support for using part of the permanent fund for essential services like road maintenance and ferry service. 3:57:53 PM MATTHEW MAIXNER, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, stated support for SJR 6 and sending the question to the people for a vote. He said he believes there is confusion about what SJR 6 does. He offered his understanding that the resolution gives the people control over how the PFD is spent. If the dividend is in the Alaska Constitution, it is untouchable, he said. He disagreed with a previous testifier that there may be nothing left for a dividend because 25 percent is removed from the fund and used specifically for dividends for the people. He understood the concern about essential services, but he believes the most essential service is to get the people the money that they deserve. He also agrees that the legislature should stop stealing from the people. He concluded his comments stating, "I do advocate the return of the money that you guys took from us." 4:01:07 PM CRIS EICHENLAUB, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified on SJR 6 to advocate for enshrining permission from the people to impose taxes or increase fees. He offered his belief that from this point forward, no bills should pass that tax the people or increase fees until the people have received their traditional formula PFD. He suggested that paying the people first would make the idea of taxes and fees more palatable. He noted that he missed the opportunity to testify on SJR 5 and SJR 7 asked if he had to call back to testify on SB 53 or if the committee would take his word that he opposed that legislation. CHAIR SHOWER apologized and advised that he could stay on the line to testify on SB 53 and he was welcome to submit written testimony on SJR 5 and SJR 7 to ssta@akleg.gov. It would be entered into the record. 4:04:01 PM CHAIR SHOWER closed public testimony on SJR 6 and solicited a motion. 4:04:37 PM SENATOR HOLLAND moved to report [SJR 6,] work order 32-GS1694\A from committee [with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s)]. There being no objection, SJR 6 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.