Alaska News

Legislative news in brief

Almost half the Legislature is headed for energy conference

JUNEAU -- Nearly half the 60-member state Legislature plans to be in Washington, D.C., next week for an Energy Council conference.

Lawmakers defend the annual trip as important given Alaska's heavy reliance on oil. They say it's also an opportunity to meet with decision-makers.

At least 28 lawmakers are expected to attend, according to interviews and lists provided by the majority offices.

The state representatives are Craig Johnson, Carl Gatto, Eric Feige, Reggie Joule, Anna Fairclough, Chris Tuck, Paul Seaton, Lance Pruitt, Neal Foster, Tammie Wilson, Bob Lynn, Alan Austerman, Berta Gardner, Scott Kawasaki and Dan Saddler.

The state senators are Gary Stevens, John Coghill, Fred Dyson, Johnny Ellis, Cathy Giessel, Lyman Hoffman, Lesil McGuire, Linda Menard, Donny Olson, Joe Paskvan, Bert Stedman, Joe Thomas and Tom Wagoner.

-- The Associated Press

ADVERTISEMENT

Bill would move the authority for specialty license plates

JUNEAU -- The Senate State Affairs Committee is considering a bill, SB 93, to move the responsibility for approving special license plates from the Legislature to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

The bill, which was first reported by KTUU, would give the DMV the authority to approve specialty license plates. It comes as the Legislature is considering four new license plate proposals.

A statement from bill sponsor Sen. Bill Wielechowski says one specialty plate required 15 committee meetings and nine bill revisions before it was approved.

The Anchorage Democrat said there are better uses for legislators' time than approving license plates.

-- The Associated Press

UA regents could be removed under bill in House committee

JUNEAU -- The state House has proposed a bill, HB 6, that would give the governor more authority over University of Alaska regents and allow him to fire a member when "good cause" exists.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported the House Education Committee on Monday advanced the bill after minor changes that would, among other things, ensure a regent on suspension could make his or her case at a hearing.

The chief sponsor, Anchorage Democratic state Rep. Max Gruenberg, said the plan resulted from former regent and Fairbanks Mayor Jim Hayes' refusal to resign in 2007.

Hayes faced felony theft charges involving federal aid given to his wife's tutoring and mentoring center. Then-Gov. Sarah Palin and others unsuccessfully pressed Hayes to resign but he declined until impeachment proceedings began.

-- The Associated Press

ADVERTISEMENT