ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE  March 20, 2014 3:36 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Peter Micciche, Chair Senator Cathy Giessel, Vice Chair Senator Dennis Egan Senator Click Bishop MEMBERS ABSENT  Senator Lyman Hoffman OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT  COMMITTEE CALENDAR  SENATE BILL NO. 213 "An Act relating to the appointment of municipal election boards." - MOVED SB 213 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: SB 213 SHORT TITLE: MUNICIPAL ELECTION BOARDS SPONSOR(s): COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS 03/17/14 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/17/14 (S) CRA 03/20/14 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205 WITNESS REGISTER LARRY SEMMENS, Staff Senator Micciche Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of SB 213. COLETTE THOMPSON, Borough Attorney Kenai Peninsula Borough Soldotna, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 213. MICHELE TURNER, Borough Clerk Assistant Kenai Peninsula Borough Soldotna, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 213. HOLLY MONTAGUE, Deputy Borough Attorney Kenai Peninsula Borough Soldotna, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 213. KATHIE WASSERMAN, Executive Director Alaska Municipal League Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Supports SB 123. ACTION NARRATIVE 3:36:50 PM CHAIR PETER MICCICHE called the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:36 p.m. Present at the call to order were Senators Egan, Bishop, Giessel, and Chair Micciche. SB 213-MUNICIPAL ELECTION BOARDS  3:37:37 PM CHAIR MICCICHE announced the consideration of SB 213, sponsored by the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee. 3:38:03 PM LARRY SEMMENS, Staff, Senator Micciche, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read a bill overview as follows: There is growing interest by some municipal entities to conduct elections by mail and other methods. Current statutes require municipalities to appoint an election board for each precinct regardless of whether the election board is needed. When using other methods than in-person voting, such as when ballots may be submitted by mail or electronic transmission and election board is not needed at each precinct. Elections which do not involve in-person voting do not need election boards as there are no polling places except for an absentee precinct. The requirement that an election board be appointed for each precinct is costly and not necessary. This bill clarifies that election boards are only required for elections and precincts in which voters cast in-person ballots. MR. SEMMENS called attention to a resolution in support from the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks. 3:39:47 PM CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony. 3:40:11 PM COLETTE THOMPSON, Borough Attorney, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Soldotna, Alaska, said she supports SB 213. MICHELE TURNER, Borough Clerk Assistant, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Soldotna, Alaska, said she supports SB 213. HOLLY MONTAGUE, Deputy Borough Attorney, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Soldotna, Alaska, said she supports SB 213. 3:41:13 PM KATHIE WASSERMAN, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League (AML), Juneau, Alaska, announced that AML is in support of SB 213. She pointed out Senator Egan's and Chair Micciche's experience as locally elected municipal officials. She explained that the two senators can relate to the fact that when clerks have a stand on something, it is usually based on good knowledge. She said SB 213 will fix something and provide assistance for municipal clerks to make their jobs easier. CHAIR MICCICHE thanked Ms. Johni Blankenship from the Kenai Peninsula Borough for bring the bill forward. 3:42:48 PM SENATOR GIESSEL moved SB 213, labeled 28-LS1558\U from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, the motion carried. 3:43:02 PM CHAIR MICCICHE announced that without objection, SB 213 moved from committee. 3:43:10 PM There being no further business to come before the committee, Chair Micciche adjourned the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee meeting at 3:43 p.m.