News from the Senate Majority

Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

For Immediate Release: April 9, 1997 Contact: Senator Dave Donley, 907/465-3892

The Alaska Regulation Reform Act Enhances Alaska’s Business Environment to Create Jobs for Alaskans

Juneau -- To create a business environment that encourages economic growth, Senator Dave Donley introduced "The Alaska Regulation Reform Act" that places reasonable and needed restraints on the increasing number of state regulations Alaskans live with. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a first hearing on the bill Wednesday at 1:30 in the State Capitol.

Senator Dave Donley (R-Anchorage) said he introduced Senate Bill 101 to reform how state regulations are adopted. The legislation gives Alaskans greater access to government and an increased voice in how government conducts its business.

"Over the years, many examples have surfaced involving state agencies that have adopted regulations without allowing adequate input from the public," Donley said. "State agencies have at times refused to consider or acknowledge public testimony which was in direct conflict to proposed regulations."

"Without adequate public input, unwise regulations are sometimes adopted that unnecessarily hamstring Alaskan businesses and infringe on individual rights," Donley said. "Senate Bill 101 will give those Alaskans affected by state regulations a better opportunity to participate in the regulatory process."

Pam Labolle, President of the Alaska State Chamber, wrote to Senator Donley that reform of the present regulatory system is one of the highest priorities of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce. "Our resolution on this matter asks the legislature and the administration to create a regulatory and economic environment supportive of business development that encourages business to locate and grow in Alaska," Labolle wrote.

Becky Gay, Executive Director of the Resource Development Council, said RDC’s 1997 priorities include measures that will streamline permitting, implement realistic regulations, and generally improve the regulatory climate for resource industries.

"This legislation appears to accomplish those goals," Gay said. "Bringing the regulated community to the table will create a partnership between the private and public sector that shows Alaska is not only open, but ready for business."

Significant changes made by SB 101 include:

• If a department rewrites a proposed regulatory action and the rewrite is significantly different in substance from the original regulatory action, it is required to provide a supplemental notice and the opportunity for additional public comment.
• When a department adopts a regulation, an order of appeal, or an amendment to a regulation, it is required to submit a breakdown of the costs resulting from the regulatory action -- this would make each department justify that the fiscal benefit of proposed regulatory action outweighs the cost to the public.
• Expands the opportunity for individuals to challenge the validity of regulations from superior courts to include district courts. District courts are more numerous in Alaska and less costly.
• Mandates a department to not intrude on the rights and the property of persons affected when adopting a regulation except when a department can prove that a compelling state interest requires such an action.
• Requires the Legislative Administrative Regulation Committee to review regulations of principal departments every 10 years and report its recommendations to the Legislature.

"Today, entrenched state bureaucrats, with little incentive to be responsive to the public, often have more real control over public policy through regulations than elected state officials," said Donley. "The Alaska Regulation Reform Act puts the Alaskan public back into the state regulation process."

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