Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage (left) speaks to Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River (standing center), Rep. George Rauscher, R-Sutton (standing right) and Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River (seated) before the final vote Friday, May 11, 2018 on House Bill 44. (Brian Hild | Alaska House Majority)

Legislature will boot ballot measure if governor signs ‘government accountability’ bill

The Alaska Legislature has likely removed a ballot measure from this fall’s statewide election.

In a 39-1 vote Friday night, the Alaska House of Representatives approved changes to House Bill 44 that make that measure “substantially similar” to the proposed Alaska Government Accountability Act ballot measure.

That measure and HB 44 propose new restrictions on legislators, their ability to accept gifts and the per-diem expense payments they receive while working.

If signed into law by Gov. Bill Walker, HB 44 will prohibit lawmakers from accepting per diem after Day 121 of the legislative session if a budget has not been approved. Lawmakers will be required to disclose financial conflicts of interest (either their own conflicts or those of immediate family members) in committee, not just on the floor. Lobbyists will be further restricted from providing meals and drinks to lawmakers.

Under the Alaska Constitution, a ballot measure may be removed from the election if the Legislature passes a bill that is “substantially the same” as the measure.

In the Senate, HB 44 was amended by Sen. Kevin Meyer, R-Anchorage, to include the ballot measure’s language. The most significant difference is how the bill addresses restrictions on campaign contributions from foreign corporations. Some changes were made after lawyers raised concerns with the original language.

A legislative lawyer opined in March that the new version of HB 44 would likely meet the “substantially the same” standard.

Rep. Jason Grenn, I-Anchorage and a sponsor of both HB 44 and the ballot measure, said he is “really happy for Alaska” with the passage of the bill.

“I’m thrilled to see the Legislature take action on this suite of good governance reforms,” said Rep. Jonathon Kreiss-Tomkins, D-Sitka and a fellow sponsor. “While this is a huge improvement over the status quo, HB 44 is still substantially weaker and diluted from the initiative itself, and I obviously prefer full-strength reforms over diluted reforms.”

Speaking Saturday morning, each said he would have preferred the language of the initiative, but he couldn’t say no to the bill.

“We like the initiative better. It’s stronger in some ways, but here’s a good piece of policy in front of us. Hard to say no thanks and not concur to the changes,” Grenn said.

Grenn said the 45,000 Alaskans who signed a petition to put the intiative on the ballot should not feel that they wasted their time. Without the initiative, the Legislature would not have felt pressure to pass the bill.

“I think Alaskans should realize they’re the ones that made this happen,” he said.

While Grenn supported passage of the bill, it does not accomplish his original goal of changing how the Legislature deals with conflicts of interest.

Under the Alaska Legislature’s existing rules, a lawmaker may declare a conflict of interest on the floor and ask to be excused from voting. If only one lawmaker objects to that person being excused from voting — an act that is not recorded in the Legislature’s official record — the person with the conflict will be required to vote.

HB 44 does not change that process, which is defined in the Legislature’s internal rules, not state law.

An attempt last year by Grenn to change the Legislature’s rules was defeated in a vote on the House floor. Rep. Sam Kito III, D-Juneau, and every member of the House Republican Minority voted against it. The idea needed 27 votes to advance; it received only 21.

Speaking Saturday, Grenn said that if he is re-elected to the Legislature, he will try again to change the rule.

Kreiss-Tomkins said he would also seek further improvements.

As for HB 44, the final decision on displacing the ballot measure will be made by the Alaska Department of Law after the governor signs the bill.


• Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast for the week of March 18

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

A board in the House Chambers at the Alaska State Capitol shows Monday’s vote tally of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of Senate Bill 140, one vote short of the two-thirds necessary. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Legislature fails by a single vote of 39-20 to override Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of education bill

Legislators warn bad blood may hamper other issues as numerous Republicans abandon earlier support.

With COVID-19 aid, more schools gave students and families experiencing homelessness prepaid cards to buy necessities like groceries and gas. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
Grocery cards and car repairs: How COVID aid changed the way schools can help homeless kids

Juneau student services specialist among those finding creative ways to provide assistance.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturay, March 16, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, March 15, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference Friday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Veto override vote on education bill expected to have consequences — and no assurance of extra funds

Retaliation by governor, fractured relationships within Legislature on other issues among concerns.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, March 14, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Kaskanak Creek in the Bristol Bay’s Kvichak watershed is seen from the air on Sept. 27, 2011. Threats to the watershed and other sites were cited by the Environmental Protection Agency when it issued a decision barring permitting of the Pebble mine. But the Dunleavy administration and Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. have taken legal action to try to reverse that decision. (Photo provided by Environmental Protection Agency
State lawsuit claims federal government owes Alaska $700 billion for quashing Pebble mine

The federal government owes Alaska more than $700 billion in compensation for… Continue reading

Tongass National Forest (Photo by U.S. Forest Service)
New Department of Interior opinion promises to recognize expanded tribal jurisdiction in Alaska

Tribes can exert jurisdiction over allotments granted to individual Natives, opinion states.

Most Read