ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE RULES STANDING COMMITTEE  April 5, 2008 3:08 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Representative John Coghill, Chair Representative John Harris Representative Craig Johnson Representative Ralph Samuels Representative Beth Kerttula Representative David Guttenberg MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Anna Fairclough OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT  Representative Bob Lynn COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE BILL NO. 281 "An Act extending the statute of limitations for the filing of complaints with the Alaska Public Offices Commission involving state election campaigns." - MOVED CSHB 281(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 281 SHORT TITLE: CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLAINTS SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) LYNN, GATTO 01/04/08 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/4/08 01/15/08 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/15/08 (H) STA, JUD 01/17/08 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106 01/17/08 (H) Heard & Held 01/17/08 (H) MINUTE(STA) 01/19/08 (H) STA AT 11:00 AM CAPITOL 106 01/19/08 (H) Moved CSHB 281(STA) Out of Committee 01/19/08 (H) MINUTE(STA) 01/22/08 (H) STA RPT CS(STA) NT 1DP 3NR 2AM 01/22/08 (H) DP: LYNN 01/22/08 (H) NR: ROSES, COGHILL, DOLL 01/22/08 (H) AM: JOHNSON, JOHANSEN 01/22/08 (H) FIN REFERRAL ADDED AFTER JUD 01/25/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 01/25/08 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 02/01/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 02/01/08 (H) Heard & Held 02/01/08 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 02/06/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 02/06/08 (H) 02/08/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 02/08/08 (H) Heard & Held 02/08/08 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 03/19/08 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 120 03/19/08 (H) Moved CSHB 281(JUD) Out of Committee 03/19/08 (H) MINUTE(JUD) 03/20/08 (H) JUD RPT CS(JUD) NT 2DP 3NR 03/20/08 (H) DP: LYNN, GRUENBERG 03/20/08 (H) NR: COGHILL, DAHLSTROM, RAMRAS 03/31/08 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519 03/31/08 (H) Heard & Held 03/31/08 (H) MINUTE(FIN) 04/02/08 (H) FIN AT 8:30 AM HOUSE FINANCE 519 04/02/08 (H) 04/02/08 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519 04/02/08 (H) Moved CSHB 281(FIN) Out of Committee 04/02/08 (H) MINUTE(FIN) 04/04/08 (H) FIN RPT CS(FIN) NT 3DP 3NR 2AM 04/04/08 (H) DP: HAWKER, THOMAS, GARA 04/04/08 (H) NR: NELSON, JOULE, MEYER 04/04/08 (H) AM: STOLTZE, CHENAULT 04/04/08 (H) RLS AT 5:00 PM CAPITOL 120 04/04/08 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 04/05/08 (H) RLS AT 3:00 PM CAPITOL 120 WITNESS REGISTER No witnesses to record ACTION NARRATIVE CHAIR JOHN COGHILL called the House Rules Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:08:05 PM. Representatives Johnson, Samuels, Kerttula, Guttenberg, Harris, and Coghill were present at the call to order. Representative Lynn was also in attendance. HB 281 - CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLAINTS 3:08:57 PM CHAIR COGHILL announced that the only order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 281, "An Act extending the statute of limitations for the filing of complaints with the Alaska Public Offices Commission involving state election campaigns." [Before the committee was CSHB 281(FIN).] 3:09:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 281, Version 25-LS1115\J, Bullard, 4/5/08, as the work draft. There being no objection, Version J was before the committee. CHAIR COGHILL [referring to changes encompassed in Version J] mentioned Representative Gara's amendment that addressed reporting on polling and the need to include a disclaimer, which Representative Gara withdrew due to a legal question. He then highlighted the change on page 2, line 9, which eliminated the language related to contributions in excess of $250. 3:10:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS explained that the intent with the change on page 2, line 9, is to have all candidates report the occupation and employer of the contributor, regardless of the amount of the cash contribution. 3:12:29 PM REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG expressed concern for those who run small, low-level campaigns for a couple hours a day on their own. For such individuals, the additional reporting requirements are seen as a hindrance and they may decide not to run for office. Although he questioned whether the problem exists, he also expressed concern that more onus is being placed [on potential candidates]. 3:14:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA asked whether there is still an exemption such that campaigns below $5,000 don't have to report. CHAIR COGHILL replied yes. REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA surmised then that groups and political action committees (PACs) can still contribute and each group or PAC is listed. Therefore, the amount won't be what's important, but the main occupation and employer of every individual who contributes will be listed. REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS confirmed that to be the intent. He then commented that a $200 contribution is a good contribution. He questioned why the $250 contribution limit was set, particularly when one could receive a series of $200 contributions from the same organization. REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA said she agrees with Representative Samuels, but relayed that the reality of her campaign is that she receives $5 and $10 contributions. She said that although she would continue to think about this, she wouldn't object to it today. 3:16:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG asked whether there is any retroactive aspect to HB 281. CHAIR COGHILL replied no, and pointed out that it's an immediate effective date for Sections 1-14. 3:16:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS offered that the complaint is that the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) hasn't had the ability to go back. He related his understanding that HB 281 would take care of that and go back five years. CHAIR COGHILL responded yes. 3:17:20 PM REPRESENTATIVE SAMUELS moved to report the proposed CS for HB 281, Version 25-LS1115\J, Bullard, 4/5/08, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 281(RLS) was reported from the House Rules Standing Committee. ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Rules Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:17 p.m.