ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL   FEBRUARY 28, 2024  5:30 PM    MEMBERS PRESENT  Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Chair  Representative Kevin McCabe, Vice Chair  Senator Click Bishop  Senator Matt Claman  Senator Jesse Kiehl  Senator Donny Olson  Senator Bert Stedman (alternate)  Senator Gary Stevens  Representative Bryce Edgmon  Representative Sara Hannan  Representative Craig Johnson  Representative George Rauscher  Representative Dan Saddler  Representative Cathy Tilton    MEMBERS ABSENT  Senator Lyman Hoffman    OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT  Representative David Eastman  Representative Andy Josephson  Representative CJ McCormick  Representative Louise Stutes    AGENDA  APPROVAL OF AGENDA  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  RATIFICATION OF CHARITY EVENTS  CONTRACT APPROVALS  EXECUTIVE SESSION  COMMITTEE BUSINESS    SPEAKER REGISTER  Jessica Geary, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency  (LAA)  Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer, LAA  Mindy Kissner, Finance Manager, LAA  John Wright, Print Shop Manager, LAA    I. CALL TO ORDER    5:31:16 PM  CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON called the Legislative Council meeting to  order at 5:31 pm on February 28, 2024, in Room 532 (Senate  Finance) of the State Capitol. Present at the call were:  Senators Bishop, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman, Stevens;  Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe, Rauscher,  Saddler, Tilton.    Thirteen members present.    Senator Claman joined the meeting at 5:42 pm.    II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA    5:32:15 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the  agenda as presented.    The motion passed without objection.    III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES    5:32:34 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the  minutes for December 14, 2023.    The motion passed without objection.    IV. RATIFICATION OF CHARITY EVENTS    5:32:53 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council ratify the  Chairs sanctioning of the following charitable events per AS  24.60.080 (a)(2)(B):    a. Alaska SeaLife Center Soiree - February 3, 2024  b. Trend Alaska Fashion Show - February 17, 2024  c. Juneau Animal Rescue Extravaganza - February 17, 2024  d. Sham Jam March 23, 2024  e. Kenai River Junior Classic - August 7, 2024  f. Ted Stevens Kenai River Classic - August 21, 22, 23, 2024  g. Kenai River Women's Classic - September 12, 13, 14, 2024    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  confirmed the previously sanctioned list of events are  501(c)(3) charities. The Chair removed her objection and asked  for additional comments or discussion for the ratification of  the events.    There was no discussion and the motion passed without  objection.    V. CONTRACT APPROVALS  a. Cybersecurity Licensing, Maintenance, and Technical  Support Renewal    5:34:15 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council authorize  $99,894 to renew annual cybersecurity licensing, maintenance,  and support.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  asked Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer, to speak to the  item and answer any questions.    SHAY WILSON, Chief Information Officer, Legislative Affairs  Agency (LAA), stated before Council members is a request for  consideration to approve the renewal of the annual  cybersecurity license, maintenance, and technical support  services which protect the legislative network and information  technology infrastructure. Mr. Wilson said the licenses cover  four pieces of hardware installed in two data centers located  in Juneau and Anchorage. The hardware devices provide security  to the legislature by acting as a network firewall, provide  remote access through VPN, and perform traffic inspections.  Without these protections the legislature would be vulnerable  to the dangers that exist on the internet. He said two quotes  were received for these licenses, the lower of which was  $99,894 from Structured Communications Systems. Mr. Wilson  recommended Legislative Council authorize the use of existing  operating funds to renew these licenses.    REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if any assurance could be given  that renewing these licenses would provide the protection the  legislature needs regarding cybersecurity.    MR. WILSON stated there are no assurances when dealing with  cybersecurity. Best practices are to measure risk and reward,  then take the best action with the resources available at the  time. He assured the committee Structure Communications  Systems products are the best of class for these services  while acknowledging that he cannot offer complete assurance  that this expenditure will make the legislatures networks  safe.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, noting there were no further questions,  removed her objection and called for the vote.    5:36:47 PM  YEAS: Senators Bishop, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,  Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, Rauscher,  Saddler, Tilton, McCabe    NAYS: None    The motion passed 13-0.    VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION  a. Legal Update (LAW/Janus)  b. Security Update  c. Salary Schedule Discussion    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON said Council would go into Executive  Session to receive a legal update and a security update, and  to have a discussion on the salary schedule.    5:37:30 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council go into  Executive Session under Uniform Rule 22(B)(1), discussion of  matters, the immediate knowledge of which would adversely  affect the finances of a government unit and 22(B)(3),  discussion of a matter that may, by law, be required to be  confidential. The following individuals may remain in the room  or online during Executive Session: Jessica Geary, Megan  Wallace, Emily Nauman, Noah Klein, Santé Lesh, Rayme Vinson,  Stacie Bentley, any legislators not on Legislative Council,  and any staff of Legislative Council members.    5:38:17 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Bishop, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,  Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe,  Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 13-0.    5:39:01 PM  Council went into Executive Session.     6:14:42 PM   Council came out of Executive Session.    A roll call vote was taken to establish a quorum.    Present at the call were Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray- Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman, Stevens; Representatives  Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton.    Fourteen members present.    c. Salary Schedule Discussion    6:15:25 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve bill  draft version 33-LS1440\B and request the Senate Rules  committee to introduce it.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  asked Ms. Geary to speak to the item and answer questions.    JESSICA GEARY, Executive Director, LAA, said the motion would  approve introduction of a bill to be carried by Senate Rules  by request of Legislative Council that would correct an issue  that came to light in 2023. In 2022, language was inserted  into a bill (HB 226) with the intent that exempt, partially  exempt, and classified employees would receive cost of living  adjustments (COLA) at the same time as the Supervisory Union  through their negotiated contracts; and that language was  perceived as inadequate to accomplish what was intended. The  bill before Council will correct the language and add parity  to the other employees of the State who are not covered by  unions.    REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked for an estimation of what it may  cost and the number of personnel who may be affected by the  bill.    MS. GEARY stated for fiscal year 2024 the Supervisory Union  negotiated for a one percent cost of living adjustment, the  other employees did not receive that because of inadequate  language; for the legislative branch that was about a $500,000  increase. Approximately 2,000 employees statewide are affected  by the same salary schedule. The Supervisory Union is  currently in contract negotiations; we do not know what amount  they are negotiating for and we may not know until around the  end of May. In response to a follow-up question by  Representative Saddler, Ms. Geary said 517 legislative  employees would be eligible for the one percent COLA.    There were no additional questions; the Chair removed her  objection and asked for a roll call vote.    6:18:22 PM  YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 14-0.    VII. COMMITTEE BUSINESS  a. FY23 Legislature Independent Audit    CHAIR GRAY-JACKON stated this was not an action item and is  informative only.    MINDY KISSNER, Finance Manager, LAA, said before Council is a  copy of the FY23 audit conducted by external auditors Elgee  Rehfeld. By statute the legislature undergoes an annual  independent audit of its internal controls and financial  statements. The outcome of the FY23 audit was a clean audit  with no exceptions.    MS. GEARY thanked Ms. Kissner and noted it is wonderful the  legislature received a clean audit, which is a big  accomplishment.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked for a motion before calling for an  at-ease.    6:20:35 PM  There was a brief at-ease after some confusion about whether a  motion was required. Determining there was no need for a  motion, Chair Gray-Jackson shared she was pleased the  Legislature received a clean audit.    b. FY25 Legislative Council Budget    VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council, per AS  24.20.130, approve the FY25 Legislative Council proposed  budget and transmit it to the House and Senate Finance  Committees for their review and action.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  stated after discussion, if the motion is approved, the  Legislative Council budget would be advanced to the respective  legislature budget subcommittees. Legislative Council members  Representatives Tilton and Johnson serve on the House  subcommittee, and Senators Stedman, Hoffman, Olson, and  Stevens serve on the Senate subcommittee.    MS. GEARY stated before members is the Legislative Council  FY25 proposed budget and sectional narrative that details each  appropriation and allocation in the budget. She noted that in  preparing this request, she met with the Presiding Officers,  the Rules Chairs, the House and Senate Finance co-chair staff,  as well as the Council chair. Ms. Geary said Legislative  Council is responsible for authorizing the transmittal of the  budget request to the finance committees for action; by voting  yes, members agree to pass the budget to the finance  committees for any additional work or changes the committees  may make.    Ms. Geary highlighted significant items in the budget:    Overtime hours worked by LAA staff, which have been a big  topic of discussion for the last few years, are still high  though moving in the right direction, especially with  implementation of the 40-hour work week. Recruitment and  retention remain challenging in specific areas, mainly  seasonal and lower range positions.    The Administrative Services portion of the budget includes a  $235,000 increment funded by general fund program receipts,  which is rent received from the Assembly Building Apartments  (ABA). The income will pay for the operating expenses of the  ABA. There is also a FY24 supplemental.    There is a transfer out of Administrative Services into the  newly created Division of Technology and Information, which is  a transfer of positions and budget authority.    The Select Committee on Legislative Ethics allocation has a  $22,700 increment to fund transitioning the part-time  legislative secretary position to full-time.    The Legislative State Facilities Rent allocation has a $90,800  increment to cover increases to statewide lease costs,  primarily related to increases in space rented from the  Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, which are  interagency lease costs.    There is an increment of $100,000 to the Security Services  allocation which allows moving a part-time guard position to  full-time and one armed guard position to become a  commissioned officer position to help with overall security.    Lastly, within Session Expenses there is a $581,000 increment  which was placed in the budget last year to ensure adequate  funding for this allocation, especially in the event of a  special session. It was vetoed by the Governor and has been  placed back into the Legislative Council budget.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, seeing no questions, removed her objection  and asked for a roll call vote.    6:25:33 PM  YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 14-0.    c. Print Shop Policy Amendment    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated the Print Shop Policy was first  discussed at the August 28, 2023, Legislative Council meeting.  Since then, draft language was crafted by Representative C.  Johnson, his staff Tom Wright, LAA, and Chair Gray-Jackson.  Print Shop Manager John Wright printed and distributed samples  to Council members. Based on feedback from members and in  consultation with Representative Johnson, before members is  revised policy language that changed the proposed required  statement from Paid for by the Legislative Print Shop to the  revised Printing paid for by the Legislative Print Shop.     6:27:07 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved Legislative Council approve the Print  Shop Policy as amended. He noted this version of the policy  says REVISED in the upper right-hand corner of the document.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  asked Representative Johnson to share his comments and answer  any questions.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated the purpose of the policy  revision is to clearly identify to the public who paid for the  printing of items produced by the Legislative Print Shop, much  like members do with campaign funds. He said he thinks the  public has a right to know that documents produced by the  Print Shop are paid for with State funds. He said the  amendment [adding the word Printing to the proposed  language] clarifies it so that, for example, should a pin be  attached to an item produced by the Print Shop, it will be  clear that only the printing was paid for by the Print Shop.  He continued that, in terms of transparency, its when a  legislator sends out a mailing, where it was produced and who  paid for it be clearly identified.    SENATOR CLAMAN asked if there have been complaints from the  public about print materials. He said he has often used the  Print Shop and had not heard complaints from his constituency  about the current policy; and wondered who else the public  would think would be paying for it.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated he had heard of a few complaints  in the past where items were mailed that were paid for by the  Print Shop that were mis-mailed and so it wasnt clear where  it came from. He continued that just because there havent  been complaints doesnt mean we cant fix things before they  happen. He said he thinks this is a transparency issue, the  public has a right to know where the money comes from that  pays for the printing, that it is not campaign money and it is  not personal money, it is paid for by the Print Shop.    SENATOR BISHOP asked for clarification on the amendment to the  policy, specifically if a precise font size will be required.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON responded that the goal was to have a  font size that is clearly legible, which is similar to what  is required by the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC). He  said the Print Shop chose the font size for the samples  distributed to members. [Proposed policy language stipulates  easily discernable.] Representative Johnson said he would  anticipate the size of font used in the samples would be the  required size. In response to a follow-up question by Senator  Bishop, he said that he believed the font size printed on the  samples would be acceptable under the revised policy.  Representative Johnson restated that adding the word  Printing to the disclaimer is meant to clarify for the  public that the cost of printing was paid for by the  Legislative Print Shop.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON clarified by changing the language from  paid for to printing paid for the public will know the  postcard or newsletter is printed by the Print Shop and that  printing is paid for with State funds, but the postage is paid  for by the legislators office account.    PRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he formerly worked in a print shop  and the font size on the samples provided by the Print Shop  seemed to be about six point type. He said he might offer an  amendment to the policy change motion to say that the  disclaimer must be easily discernable and at least six point  font as the measurement of size.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked Representative Saddler if he would  like to make a motion.    REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to amend the original motion that  the disclaimer include a minimum font size of six points.    MS. GEARY stated the intent is that the legislative office be  responsible for placing the disclaimer on their document  submittal; it will not be the Print Shops responsibility. She  said that does not affect Representative Saddlers request  about font size and asked if John Wright, Print Shop Manager,  would address the topic of font size.    JOHN WRIGHT, Print Shop Manager, LAA, clarified that the font  size used in the samples was eight point though he did not  remember the font type. The software used in the Print Shop  has about six different fonts to choose from that allows staff  to easily stamp the proposed disclaimer on documents. He said  as Ms. Geary stated, it would be best if offices designing the  document incorporated that statement into their design.    REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER changed his amendment to the motion  stating the indicator must be easily discernable and at least  eight points in size.    6:33:58 PM  Council took an at-ease.    6:34:17 PM  Council returned from at-ease.   6:34:20 PM  REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, at the Chairs request, restated his  amendment to the motion to amend the proposed Print Shop  guideline change to indicate the size of the type must be  easily discernable and no less than eight-point size.    DISCUSSION FOLLOWED regarding the pros and cons of required  font size; whether the fund source should be the Alaska  Legislature rather than the Print Shop and the potential  perceptions and implications of each option; and clarifying  the intent of the policy language and whether members were  misusing the Print Shop resource.    SENATOR CLAMAN called a point of order that the motion before  members is whether to approve Representative Saddlers motion  to add eight points to the disclaimer and the discussion  being had is a separate discussion which may be the subject of  an additional motion about what the disclaimer should say.  Unless there are other comments on the eight-point topic,  members should vote on the eight-point motion and then return  to any other motions.     6:41:50 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Bishop, Kiehl, Stedman; Representatives Edgmon,  Johnson, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: Senator Claman, Gray-Jackson, Olson, Stevens;  Representatives Hannan, Rauscher, McCabe    The motion failed 7-7.    SENATOR CLAMAN said that it was his sense that although he  thinks this is a valuable discussion, there seems to be a lot  of diversity and people who may be unsettled about this topic;  Senator Claman moved to table the matter.    6:43:25 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Kiehl, Olson, Stevens;  Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Rauscher    NAYS: Senators Gray-Jackson, Stedman; Representatives Johnson,  Saddler, Tilton, McCabe    6:44:26 PM  Council took an at-ease.    6:44:37 PM  Council returned from at-ease.    The motion passed 8-6 and the item was tabled.    d. Subcommittee Updates    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated subcommittee members were announced  during the Legislative Council meeting on April 18, 2023. She  thanked all who have served on these subcommittees and noted  for the record a couple of updates to subcommittee membership  which were previously shared via email with Council members:    • Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer, will replace Tim  Banaszak as chair of the IT subcommittee.  • Representative Cronk will continue to serve as a member of  the Security subcommittee and Chair Gray-Jackson will  replace him as Chair.    She noted these subcommittee announcements were informational  only and not an action item.    e. Preview of Upcoming Items    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked Ms. Geary to share with the committee  a summary of items anticipated to come before Council in the  coming year.    MS. GEARY stated in members packets is a list of items  expected to come before Legislative Council for approval over  the next year, including contracts and RFPs for office space.  She stated members who want further details or have any  questions can reach out to her.    VIII. ADJOURNMENT    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked members if there were any questions  or comments prior to adjournment.    SENATOR OLSON said he may have a potential item for a future  Council meeting regarding the application of AS 24.60.75- Compassionate gift exemption.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON added that Council staff had been  consulting with Senator Olson on this item and will continue  to work with his office.    6:48:23 PM  With no further business before the committee, the meeting was  adjourned at 6:48 pm.