Alaska State Legislature

News From The House State Affair Committee

Ken Freeman, Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

House State Affairs Committee Holds Last Meeting of Session

For Immediate Release: May 10, 1997 Contact: Rep. Jeannette James (907) 465-3743

Juneau -- On Thursday, May 8, the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Representative Jeannette James, held its final meeting of the 1997 Legislative Session. "But State Affairs isn't finished working for the year. More meetings, probably via teleconference, are planned for the Interim," reported Chair James.

Issues which will be on the agenda for summer and fall State Affairs consideration are:

1. AGRICULTURE. House Bill 228, which proposes restructuring Alaska's agricultural services, was introduced by Representative James in March. It would create a Board of Agriculture and a subsidiary Agriculture Development Corporation comprised of grass-roots farmers. The agricultural revolving loan fund, as well as state land designated for agricultural use, would be managed by this new corporation.
   
2. REGULATION REFORM. House Bill 264, also introduced by Representative James, addresses the public's growing distress with out-of-control governmental regulations. It authorizes a system whereby regulations are negotiated between government and the industry affected. In other states, this has successfully freed private business from excessive, intrusive, and conflicting regulations.
   
3. LEGISLATIVE ETHICS. Senate Bill 105 is being held in House State Affairs for further study during the Interim. It creates changes to the Legislative Ethics Code, the Executive Branch Ethics Act, the State Personnel Act, and the State Elections Act.
   
4. CHARITABLE GAMING. House Bill 156 is also being held in State Affairs. It will require further redrafting during the interim in order to accomplish the Committee's goal of simplifying accounting procedures for the charities and making sure the charities receive a maximum dollar return.
   
5. DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. Representative James has been appointed to serve on the deferred maintenance task force. During the interim, this group will compile deferred maintenance needs in the state and hopefully come up with suggestions for funding.

Just a few of the bills which passed out of State Affairs during the 1997 session after extensive hearings and review by the committee include bills to:

1. Increase the tax on tobacco products,
2. Require parental consent for minors to get an abortion,
3. Ban partial-birth abortions,
4. Amend the definition of "political party" such that Alaska's governors could be elected by a larger majority,
5. Require voter approval prior to the imposition of new taxes,
6. Support the American Land Sovereignty Act,
7. Establish the first Thursday in May as the Alaska Day of Prayer,
8. Simplify the process for commercial vehicle inspections,
9. Support federal concealed gun legislation, and
10. Simplify Alaska's concealed handgun laws.

Representative James expressed appreciation to her committee members for their hard work and looks forward to more productive meetings during the interim.