LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL February 08, 2001 1. ROLL CALL  The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 12:15 p.m. by Representative Joe Green, Legislative Council Chair, in the House Finance Committee Room at the Alaska State Capitol. The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, Torgerson and Elton. Staff present were Varni, Cook, Finley, Gullufsen, Ibesate, McCauley, Price, Schofield and Wyatt. 2. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 11, 2001 MINUTES    Representative Porter moved the minutes of the January 11, 2001 meeting be approved. With no objection the motion was approved unanimously. 3. FAIRBANKS OFFICE LEASE RENEW    Pamela Varni, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency submitted lease agreement information for the Fairbanks Office lease renewal. This is the first renewal option of the original two year lease agreement with five (5) one year renewal options approved in July 1999. The total lease amount would be $110,571.72 for the year. Senator Donley moved to approve the lease renewal as proposed by Legislative Affairs. With no objection the motion was approved unanimously. 4. SOLICITATION, AWARD & EXPENDITURE OF FLAG PINS  Pam Varni, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency, explained that we currently have 9,000 flag pins and 35,000 map pins on hand. The last order of 100,000 flag and 100,000 map pins was received March of 1998. She requested Legislative Council approve the solicitation, award and expenditure of flag pins. Discussions followed by Senator Cowdery on the possibility of producing flag pins in state and by Senator Torgerson regarding the possibility of cloth pins. Legislative Affairs Agency will look into the possibilities of producing in state and producing cloth pins. Senator Torgerson moved that the Legislative Council approve the solicitation, award and expenditure of flag pins in an amount not to exceed $30,000. With no objection the motion was approved unanimously. 5. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE    Representative Joe Green, Chair, Legislative Council proposed an Information Technology Subcommittee be established with the task of providing information on computer lease extensions, computer purchases, and updating policies on rotations, hardware and software upgrades for the Legislative Branch. He proposed Representative Pete Kott, as Chair, Senator Drue Pearce, Juli Lucky, Senate President's Office, and Ken Erickson, Majority Web Master, as members of the subcommittee. Discussion by Representative Berkowitz followed with a suggestion that the committee also have a minority member assigned. Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council appoint a subcommittee as indicated with one more member selected by the minority members of Legislative Council. With no objection the motion was approved unanimously. Mike Gutierrez of Senator Ellis' office was later assigned to the subcommittee. 6. APPROVAL OF INTRODUCTION OF REVISOR'S BILL    Pam Finley, Revisor of Statutes, Legislative Affairs Agency, provided information on the introduction of the revisor's bill that is produced annually pursuant to statute to correct technical errors. Discussion followed by Representative Berkowitz, Senator Cowdery and Representative Porter. Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council move the Revisor's Bill from committee to Senate Rules for introduction. With no objection the motion was approved unanimously.       7. APPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING MANUAL  Pamela Finley discussed the format and language changes in the Legislative Drafting Manual. Senator Torgerson moved that Legislative Council adopt the drafting manual as presented. With no objection the motion was approved unanimously.   8. PACIFIC NORTHWEST ECONOMIC REGION DISCUSSION    Representative Dyson and Representative Max Black of Idaho (via teleconference) presented information on the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER). Alaska dropped membership in the organization in 1995. Discussion followed by Representatives Murkowski, Porter, Green and Senators Elton and Torgerson. Representative Berkowitz moved that the State appropriate $15,000 for dues and request membership in PNWER. Roll call YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Berkowitz, and Elton NAYS: Cowdery, Halford, and Torgerson, ABSENT: Donley, Kelly, Pearce, and Rokeberg, The motion failed 7-3. Representative Dyson asked if the vote could be reconsidered at a later time. Discussion followed and it was decided to reschedule the item for further discussion and reconsideration at a later meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm