HOUSE RULES STAINDING COMMITTEE February 10, 1998 5:12 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Pete Kott, Chairman Representative Gail Phillips Representative Brian Porter Representative William K.(Bill) Williams Representative Kim Elton MEMBERS ABSENT Representative Al Vezey Representative Irene Nicholia COMMITTEE CALENDAR RON SOMMERVILLE CONTRACT (* First public hearing) PREVIOUS ACTION No previous action to record WITNESS REGISTER PAMELA A. VARNEY, Executive Director Legislative Affairs Agency 130 Seward Street, Suite 313 Juneau, Alaska 99801-2197 POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the Ron Sommerville Contract. ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 98-2, SIDE A Number 0001 CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT called the House Rules Standing Committee meeting to order at 5:12 p.m. Members present at the call to order were Representatives Kott, Phillips, Porter, Williams and Elton. RON SOMMERVILLE CONTRACT Number 047 CHAIRMAN KOTT said there is one matter to come before the committee which is the sole-source contract for Ron Sommerville. He said it is his understanding that Mr. Sommerville's existing contract expired January 31, 1998. He said the committee would address the next 6-month contract. Number 0080 PAMELA A. VARNEY, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency, came before the committee. She said before the committee is a contract for $30,000 which would come from session expenses. She said the contract is a sole-source justification by Ted Popely who is the project director. Number 0129 REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER said he is familiar with the requirements for sole-source. He said he is also familiar with the justification that he believes the contract presents. Number 0147 REPRESENTATIVE KIM ELTON referred to the contract being renewed every 6 months and asked if there is a reason that this is done every 6 months and not every year. He questioned if it is because of the fiscal year changing in July. Number 0166 CHAIRMAN KOTT said, "I believe it's due not only the fiscal year changing in July, but I think from my perspective, I like to see these contracts on a 6-month basis so that if the work is done, we don't have somebody out there that we're obligated to pay and just give them the make-shift work." Number 0262 REPRESENTATIVE PORTER moved that the House Rules Committee approve the extension of the Ron Sommerville contract for 6 months. Number 0269 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON objected. REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS stated the motion should say, "For sole-source justification." She suggested Representative Porter amend his motion. REPRESENTATIVE PORTER amended his motion to include "sole-source justification." A roll call vote was taken. Representative Phillips, Porter, Williams and Kott voted in favor of approving the contract. Representative Elton voted against approving the contract. So the Ron Somerville contract was approved for a period of 6 months, beginning on February 1, 1998. ADJOURNMENT Number 0292 CHAIRMAN KOTT adjourned the House Rules Standing Committee meeting at 5:15 p.m.