Juneau -- The Alaska State House of Representatives today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Bill Williams (R-Saxman) that would modify the initiative process in Alaska. The legislation, House Bill 45 and House Joint Resolution 7, would require a certain level of statewide support of an initiative question before it is put on the general election ballot. HJR 7 passed 35-4 and HB 45 passed 37-2.

Currently, an initiative needs signatures amounting to 10% of the total voters in the preceding general election. In addition, initiative sponsors need at least one signature from twenty-seven of the forty election districts.

HB 45 and HJR 7 would require signatures from 4% of the number of those who voted in the previous general election from thirty of the forty House Districts. This would require that at least 30 election districts showed a level of support for a measure before it reached the ballot, thus ensuring a statewide perspective on any particular question.

"I am pleased that the legislation received such strong support of my colleagues from across the state. They recognized the need to bring the whole state into the conversation when initiatives are proposed. When we make laws in the capitol we take into account the different perspectives of all areas of the state. I believe this change will make that the case with the initiative process." Williams said.

He continued, "Our constitutional fathers belabored this very point in 1955. In those days, gathering signatures from across the state would indeed have been too much of a burden. However, in the information age and with improved communication and transportation I believe that concern has been allayed. Also, in 1955 the demographics of Alaska were much different than they are today. Our population was spread out much more evenly. Today, the majority of our population is centered in one distinct area. Alaska is so large, geographically, we must consider how these citizen laws affect areas from Ketchikan to Barrow and all points between."

Williams concluded, "Moving this out of the House this year is a positive step. I look forward to working this idea through the Senate next year and getting it on the ballot for the 2000 general election."

The bills will now be referred to the Senate for consideration.

Note: The House Bill (45) is needed to change statutory language regarding the initiative process. The Joint Resolution (HJR 7) is needed to change the language in the state constitution.