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Session: State Capitol, Room 502 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3424 Fax: (907) 465-3793 Send E-Mail Interim: 50 Front St., Suite 203 Ketchikan, AK 99901 Phone: (907) 247-4672 Fax: (907) 225-7157 |
Measure to Give Alaska's Initiative Process an Increased Statewide Perspective
Prepared: February 11, 1999
Contact: Kyle Johansen, Aide to Representative Bill Williams, at (907) 465-3424.
HB 45 and its companion measure, HJR 7, were introduced to ensure statewide support of an issue prior to it being put before the voters.
The legislation would require signatures from 15% of those who voted in the preceding general election in at least 75% of the house districts for a question to reach the ballot.
Currently, because of our population dispersal, initiative sponsors can easily gather the required signatures from single areas of the State. The current system does not require a statewide perspective in determining which topics will appear on the ballot as amendments to State law.
I am concerned that the whole of Alaska will suffer as question after question, of limited perspective, is placed on the ballot.
I urge your support of this legislation.