If it were a game show, it’d be the Lightning Round.
On Tuesday, members of the Alaska House of Representatives voted 39-0 to declare irreconcilable differences with Senate versions of a marijuana bill and two budget bills. If the Alaska Senate declines today, as expected, to retract its version of House Bill 75 and the two budget bills, the House and Senate will create a conference committee to resolve the House and Senate versions.
That action, with 11 days left in the regular 90-day session, will place the Legislature under its ‘24-Hour Rule,’ which means there must be only one day’s notice before a committee hearing.
“Realizing that time is fleeting,” said Jody Simpson, an aide to the Senate Rules Committee, it’s an opportunity to work more quickly.
Normally, the Legislature operates under rules requiring five days’ notice before a hearing.
As the Legislature addresses the state’s $4 billion annual budget deficit, business under the 24-hour rule is expected to include fast action and long hours.
Gov. Bill Walker has warned that lawmakers must take concrete action to address the deficit, or he will call them into a special session.
Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott added to that warning last week when he told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce that using Permanent Fund earnings alone as a tool to balance the budget in the next fiscal year is unacceptable.
