SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE March 26, 1998 3:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator Lyda Green, Chairman Senator Jerry Ward, Vice-Chairman Senator Mike Miller MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Jerry Mackie Senator Jim Duncan COMMITTEE CALENDAR CONFIRMATION HEARING: State Commission for Human Rights Ruth G. Benson - Fairbanks WITNESS REGISTER Ms. Ruth G. Benson 1551 Farmers Loop Fairbanks, AK 99709 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 98-14, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN GREEN called the Senate State Affairs Committee to order at 3:30 p.m., and noted the presence of Senators Ward, Miller and Green. She stated the only item on the committee agenda was a confirmation hearing on governor appointee Ruth G. Benson to the State Commission for Human Rights. MS. RUTH BENSON, speaking to the committee via teleconference from Fairbanks, stated she is a retired nurse and she has lived in Fairbanks since 1960. She expressed her interest in learning how the Commission operates and in fulfilling the functions that she agreed to when she accepted her appointment. Number 020 CHAIRMAN GREEN asked Ms. Benson if she made application to serve on the Commission. MS. BENSON replied that she was approached by a member of the Governor's office in Fairbanks last year about serving on the Commission, and when the vacancy materialized, she received her appointment. CHAIRMAN GREEN inquired if she has in any way ever been involved with any hearings in the past at the Commission, or if she has ever known anyone investigated by the Commission, and MS. BENSON answered "No" to both questions. CHAIRMAN GREEN asked Ms. Benson what special qualities she has that makes her feel qualified to do this job. MS. BENSON explained she is interested in human beings, having had a career in nursing, and she is interested in their rights and responsibilities as citizens. She added that she thinks she is intelligent enough and reasonable enough to apply impartial findings on issues should she be called upon to make decisions like that. CHAIRMAN GREEN asked if the State Commission for Human Rights is quasi-judicial, and MS. BENSON replied that it is. Number 065 SENATOR WARD asked Ms. Benson what her opinion was on sexual orientation. MS. BENSON responded that she doesn't have an opinion on sexual orientation. She knows that it exists and that there are variations in sexual orientation, but she does not have an opinion on it. There being no further questions for Ms. Benson, CHAIRMAN GREEN stated she would accept a motion on her appointment. SENATOR MILLER moved that the name of Ruth G. Benson be forwarded to a joint session for consideration, and that this does not reflect an intent by any committee member to vote for or against the nominee. Hearing no objection, CHAIRMAN GREEN stated the motion carried. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 3:37 p.m.