ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE  February 22, 2024 8:03 a.m. DRAFT MEMBERS PRESENT Representative CJ McCormick, Chair Representative Kevin McCabe, Vice Chair Representative Thomas Baker Representative Justin Ruffridge Representative Rebecca Himschoot Representative Donna Mears MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Tom McKay COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE BILL NO. 279 "An Act relating to the Local Boundary Commission; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED CSHB 279(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 279 SHORT TITLE: LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CRONK 01/18/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/18/24 (H) CRA 01/30/24 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 01/30/24 (H) Heard & Held 01/30/24 (H) MINUTE(CRA) 02/13/24 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 02/13/24 (H) Heard & Held 02/13/24 (H) MINUTE(CRA) 02/20/24 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 02/20/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 02/22/24 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 WITNESS REGISTER DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff Representative Mike Cronk Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on Amendment 2 to HB 279, on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor. ACTION NARRATIVE 8:03:15 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK called the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. Representatives Baker, Ruffridge, Himschoot, Mears, and McCormick were present at the call to order. Representative McCabe arrived as the meeting was in progress. HB 279-LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION  8:04:10 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the only order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 279, "An Act relating to the Local Boundary Commission; and providing for an effective date." 8:04:36 AM REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 279, labeled 33-LS1177\A.2, Dunmire, 2/1/24, which read: Page 2, lines 1 - 20: Delete all material. Renumber the following bill section accordingly. CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that there being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 8:04:55 AM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 279, labeled 33-LS1177\A.3, Dunmire, 2/2/24, which read: Page 1, lines 12 - 14: Delete "The governor shall designate one member  as [STATE AT LARGE. THE MEMBER APPOINTED FROM THE STATE AT LARGE IS] the chair of the commission." Insert "The commission shall select a chair from  among its members [STATE AT LARGE. THE MEMBER APPOINTED FROM THE STATE AT LARGE IS THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION]." REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected for the purpose of discussion. 8:05:23 AM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT explained that Amendment 3 would align the commission with similar regulation-setting boards and commissions that select their own chair based on experience and longevity. She opined that empowering boards and commissions to promote their own self-governance was a good move. REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked the bill sponsor to weigh in. 8:06:30 AM DAVE STANCLIFF, Staff, Representative Mike Cronk, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Cronk, prime sponsor of HB 279, relayed that the sponsor was comfortable with the proposed amendment, as it would eliminate people from thinking of the chair as an extension of the executive branch. REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 3 was adopted. 8:07:37 AM The committee took a brief at-ease. 8:08:17 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK noted that Amendment 1 would not be offered at this time. 8:08:47 AM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to report HB 279, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 279(CRA), was reported from the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee. 8:09:13 AM The committee took a brief at-ease. 8:09:57 AM CHAIR MCCORMICK issued closing remarks. 8:10:06 AM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.