Juneau -- Representative Andrew Halcro (R-Anchorage) introduced a Constitutional Amendment limiting the legislative session to 90 days. The legislation, HJR 40, would cut the length of the legislative session by 30 days. Legislators would be take office in early December instead of in January and the session would begin in February and last through April.

"Twenty-five state legislatures manage to address the needs of the people in less than 120 days. I firmly believe we can take care of the states' business in 90 days," said Halcro. "Six states, including Texas, Montana, Nevada and Oregon, only meet in alternate years. Virginia, with a budget 5 times larger than Alaska's and 10 times more people, manages to conduct its business in 60 days.

"The Resolution also contemplates that legislators will take office earlier and the session will start later. This will allow legislators to work on legislation in their districts before the session starts," Halcro explained.

"Because of the fiscal crisis facing our state, we are asking Alaskans to do more with less," said Halcro. "This legislation would require the legislature do the same. The legislature can do its work in 90 days and save the people money in the process."

The Amendment also permits legislative committees to meet while the legislature is not in session. "With the advent of teleconferencing, there is no reason that committee members all be in the same room. Committees should be able to meet without having members leave their districts," concluded Halcro.

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