SENATE RULES COMMITTEE March 17, 2000 11:32 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Tim Kelly, Chair Senator Loren Leman, Vice Chair Senator Drue Pearce Senator Johnny Ellis MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Mike Miller COMMITTEE CALENDAR SENATE BILL NO. 269 "An Act relating to the deadline for the submission of monetary terms of collective bargaining contracts between the state and a labor or employee organization representing state employees to the legislature." -MOVED ALL VERSIONS OF SB 269 OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 268 "An Act relating to mandatory 99-year terms of imprisonment for persons convicted of certain murders." -MOVED ALL VERSIONS OF SB 268 OUT OF COMMITTEE PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION SB 269 - See Finance Report dated 3/6/00 and Rules minutes dated 3/7/00. SB 268 - See Judiciary Committee minutes dated 2/23/00. WITNESS REGISTER ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 00-5, SIDE A CHAIRMAN KELLY called the Senate Rules Committee meeting to order at 11:32 a.m. Present were Senators Pearce, Leman, Ellis, and Chairman Kelly. SB 269-DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF MONETARY TERMS SENATOR PEARCE, sponsor of SB 269, moved to adopt CSSB 269(RLS). SENATOR ELLIS objected and asked for an explanation of that version. SENATOR PEARCE stated last fall the Alaska Supreme Court issued a decision on whether the University of Alaska had to pay the raises negotiated under its collective bargaining agreements when the Legislature had not specifically approved those agreements. The court said that unless the Legislature specifically appropriated money for the purpose of fulfilling the monetary terms of the contracts, the contracts have not been accepted so the State cannot not use other monies to pay for the contracts. SENATOR PEARCE remarked that Alaska's present statutes are confusing in regard to the procedure the Legislature must use to approve contracts. She pointed out that last year, the Legislature did not approve the state employee collective bargaining agreements but there was some question about whether the Legislature acted correctly. It passed a resolution but took no action in the budget. CSSB 269 (RLS) clarifies and follows the court decision exactly as to what the Legislature's responsibility is when approving contracts. Language in Section 1(a) describes how the Legislature must act to approve the contracts while Section 2 does what her original bill did - it requires the agreement be submitted to the Legislature no later than the 45th day of the session in order to be considered during that session. CHAIRMAN KELLY added the reason for Section 2 is that today is the 67th day of the session, and the Legislature has not yet received all completed contracts from the Administration. The same thing will happen three years from now because all of the contracts are for a three year duration. The Legislature needs time to review and analyze those contracts. SENATOR ELLIS removed his objection. CHAIRMAN KELLY announced CSSB 269(RLS) was adopted. SENATOR LEMAN moved to calendar all versions of SB 269 with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered. SB 268-MANDATORY 99-YEAR TERM OF IMPRISONMENT SENATOR LEMAN moved all versions of SB 268 with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes for calendaring at the Chairman's discretion. SENATOR ELLIS objected and asked whether SB 268 has any fiscal impact. SENATOR DAVE DONLEY, sponsor of SB 268, replied the Department of Corrections submitted a zero fiscal note. SENATOR ELLIS removed his objection, therefore the motion carried. With no further business to come before the committee, CHAIRMAN KELLY adjourned the meeting at 11:32 a.m.