HB 36 : Initiatives: Contributions/ Procedures News & Activity

HB 36 : Initiatives: Contributions/ Procedures

Thu, 9 Sep 2010 08:00:02 -0800

Sponsors : Rep. Johansen, Rep. Millett, Rep. Wilson

Relating to ballot initiative proposal applications, to ballot initiatives and to those who file or organize for the purpose of filing a ballot initiative proposal, and to election pamphlet information relating to certain propositions.

Version : SCS CSSSHB 36(JUD)
Status : TRANSM TO GOVERNOR >> CHAPTER 73 SLA 10 : 2010-06-11
Contact : Sonia Christensen, 465-3424

Alaska's lawmaking process is highly public and strives to be transparent. Shown by the passage of an omnibus ethics bill in 2006, Alaskan voters want to know who is contributing to candiddate campaigns. Initiative-created law has the same authority and effect as law created ...

Alaska House of Representatives Republican Majority Ajournment Book - 26th Alaska Legislature First Session 2010

Tue, 25 May 2010 15:25:31 -0800

Contact : Sonia Christensen, 465-3424

May 12, 2010

Dear Colleague,

This 2010 Adjournment Package is intended to help you report back to your districts and constituents about the Majority Caucus's successes during the 2010 legislative session. Inside the package you'll find detailed breakdowns of the budget bills, highlights of priority Caucus legislation, a breakdown by member and committee, and a comprehensive list of legislation passed by the 26th Alaska Legislature.

Legislature Passes Monumental Initiative Reform - Johansen, Wilson, and Millett's HB 36 safeguards the initiative process & raises accountability

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:38:41 -0800

Contact : Sonia Christensen, 465-3424

The Alaska State Legislature today passed House Bill 36, legislation providing safeguards to the state's voter initiative process. House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, and Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, sponsored the bill - the Open and Transparent Initiative Act - which is aimed to ensure Alaskans have more information about ballot measures.

The sponsors of HB 36 respect the constitutionally-guaranteed right citizens have to enact legislation through the initiative process. HB 36 makes the initiative process stronger and more transparent to the public.

"Alaska took a big step toward ballot initiative reform today," Majority Leader Johansen said. "Alaskans deserve to know who is funding initiatives from the very beginning, and HB 36 makes that possible."

House Passes Initiative Reform Legislation - Johansen, Wilson, and Millett's HB 36 safeguards the initiative process & raises accountability

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:34:57 -0800

Contact : Sonia Christensen, 465-3424

The Alaska State House today passed House Bill 36, legislation providing safeguards to the state's voter initiative process. House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, and Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, sponsored the bill - the Open and Transparent Initiative Act - which passed by a vote of to 35 to 5.

The sponsors of HB 36 respect the constitutionally-guaranteed right citizens have to enact legislation through the initiative process. Their goal is to make the initiative process stronger and more transparent to the public.

"HB 36 will restore Alaskan's faith in our election process by imposing more financial disclosures," Majority Leader Johansen said. "Right now groups don't have to file financial disclosures for up to year before the election. The public should be able to know who is funding initiatives from the very beginning. HB 36 changes the disclosure timeline so voters will see who is supporting or opposing initiatives from day one."

Right to Petition Belongs to State's Citizens - My Turn

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 19:46:13 -0800

Contact : Sonia Christensen, 465-3424

House Bill 36, also known as the Open and Transparent Initiative Act, is an attempt to tackle an enormous problem we have here in Alaska. Our initiative process is used as a way for special interests to maneuver around the lawmaking body to enact laws without regard for the public as a whole. The right to petition government belongs to the citizens of Alaska. It is imperative that the process be protected from abuse. HB 36 offers those safeguards.

Currently, initiative sponsors are not required to hold public hearings. However, the Legislature is required to hold public hearings on all bills that are voted on as a body. Most bills receive multiple committee referrals and spend hours being publicly vetted. Though bills passed by the Legislature and initiatives passed by the people have the same effect, they are not held to the same public hearing requirements. Mandating a proposed initiative go through a public hearing process is an essential element for developing sound public policy.

HB 36 requires that a standing committee review the proposed initiative. This allows the affected state agencies to come forward and express how the initiative will effect their operations. When a bill is in front of the Legislature, the affected state agencies come before the appropriate committee and explain the implementation of the policy. Initiatives that are passed by the people are law, and the agencies that have to administer those laws should be afforded the same ability.