JUNEAU — Gov. Bill Walker has vetoed legislation that would have put lawmakers on the board of the state-sanctioned Alaska Gasline Development Corp., citing constitutional concerns.
The bill, from Sen. Mia Costello, would have put three lawmakers on the board in non-voting, unpaid roles. The idea was to give lawmakers a better understanding of the board’s decisions and to bring lawmakers’ own experience to the board.
In issuing the veto, Walker cited a constitutional provision barring legislators from holding dual offices.
Walker said legislators, even in non-voting roles, would still be influencing board decisions while having the power legislatively to determine funding for the corporation and change its laws.
A legislative attorney in March said that without additional guidance from the courts, it may be impossible to know whether uncompensated legislators serving on the board is unconstitutional.
