Alaska Alaska Legislative Legislative Process 101Process 101

Shalon HarringtonShalon Harrington

Director of Director of Intergovernmental AffairsIntergovernmental Affairs

Mayor Dan Sullivan’s OfficeMayor Dan Sullivan’s Office

The Alaska LegislatureThe Alaska Legislature

Each year the Alaska Legislature convenes Each year the Alaska Legislature convenes the legislative session in Juneau on the the legislative session in Juneau on the second Tuesday in January. second Tuesday in January.

Each Legislature consists of two sessions, Each Legislature consists of two sessions, lasting for a period of 90 days each. lasting for a period of 90 days each.

Alaska’s legislature is bicameral, meaning Alaska’s legislature is bicameral, meaning that it consists of two chambers. that it consists of two chambers.

SenateSenate House of Representatives House of Representatives

Alaska State SenateAlaska State Senate

Alaska has twenty Senate districts Alaska has twenty Senate districts across the state.across the state.

There is one Senator per Senate There is one Senator per Senate district, therefore we have twenty district, therefore we have twenty Senators. Senators.

Senate members serve four-year Senate members serve four-year terms.terms.

The Senate is presided over by the The Senate is presided over by the Senate President. Senate President.

Alaska State House of Alaska State House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

Each Senate district in Alaska has two Each Senate district in Alaska has two corresponding House districts, therefore corresponding House districts, therefore we have forty members in the House of we have forty members in the House of Representatives. Representatives.

Members in the House serve two-year Members in the House serve two-year terms.terms.

The House of Representatives is presided The House of Representatives is presided

over by the Speaker of the House.over by the Speaker of the House.

Lets Talk Legislation!Lets Talk Legislation!

How a bill is born!How a bill is born! A bill begins as an idea. These ideas come A bill begins as an idea. These ideas come

from a legislator, their staff, a constituent, from a legislator, their staff, a constituent, professional organizations, a legislative professional organizations, a legislative committee… committee…

A bill must be introduced by a legislator, A bill must be introduced by a legislator, legislative committee, or the Governor via the legislative committee, or the Governor via the Rules Committee. Rules Committee.

Whoever introduces the bill is the bill sponsor Whoever introduces the bill is the bill sponsor and will be responsible for “carrying the bill” and will be responsible for “carrying the bill” through the committee process. through the committee process.

Introduction of a BillIntroduction of a Bill

Bills introduced by the legislature have to be Bills introduced by the legislature have to be formally drafted and printed by the formally drafted and printed by the Legislative Legal Department. Legislative Legal Department.

Once the bill is in its final form, it is Once the bill is in its final form, it is introduced during floor session in either the introduced during floor session in either the Senate or the House. Senate or the House.

After the bill is read by the clerk (this is After the bill is read by the clerk (this is known as the “first reading”), the presiding known as the “first reading”), the presiding officer refers that bill to the appropriate officer refers that bill to the appropriate committees. committees.

Most bills receive two to three committees of referral. Most bills receive two to three committees of referral.

CommitteesCommittees

Each body has ten standing Each body has ten standing committees. committees.

Education Education FinanceFinance Health & Social ServicesHealth & Social Services Judiciary Judiciary Labor & CommerceLabor & Commerce Community & Regional AffairsCommunity & Regional Affairs ResourcesResources RulesRules State AffairsState Affairs TransporationTransporation

Committee MakeupCommittee Makeup

Each committee has an odd number Each committee has an odd number of members and is presided over by of members and is presided over by a chairperson. a chairperson.

In order to conduct business, the In order to conduct business, the committee must have a quorum (at committee must have a quorum (at least half of their members must be least half of their members must be present). present).

Committee HearingCommittee Hearing Once a bill is referred to a committee, the bill sponsor must Once a bill is referred to a committee, the bill sponsor must

submit a memo to the chair of the committee to request a submit a memo to the chair of the committee to request a hearing. hearing.

Once the Chairperson schedules the bill, the sponsor will Once the Chairperson schedules the bill, the sponsor will present the bill to the committee, public testimony is heard present the bill to the committee, public testimony is heard and members on the committee have the opportunity to ask and members on the committee have the opportunity to ask questions of the sponsor and debate and vote on the bill. questions of the sponsor and debate and vote on the bill.

Modifications in the form of additional language, deletions Modifications in the form of additional language, deletions of language, and technical changes can be made in of language, and technical changes can be made in committee by making “amendments”. If there is objection committee by making “amendments”. If there is objection to the amendment, a vote will be called. to the amendment, a vote will be called.

Once discussion/debate on the bill and amendments to the Once discussion/debate on the bill and amendments to the bill have been concluded, the bill is voted on by committee bill have been concluded, the bill is voted on by committee members. members.

If the bill receives support from the majority of the If the bill receives support from the majority of the members on the committee, it moves out of committee and members on the committee, it moves out of committee and moves on to the next committee of referral. moves on to the next committee of referral.

Movement from one house Movement from one house to the other… to the other…

When a bill has made its way through the committee When a bill has made its way through the committee process, it is then scheduled by the Rules Chair for process, it is then scheduled by the Rules Chair for consideration by the entire body during floor session. consideration by the entire body during floor session.

When the bill is brought back before the full body and When the bill is brought back before the full body and read across by the clerk, this is known as “second read across by the clerk, this is known as “second reading”. reading”.

When the body concludes amendments, discussion and When the body concludes amendments, discussion and debate, the bill is voted on in “second reading”. If the debate, the bill is voted on in “second reading”. If the bill passes “second reading” it moves to “third reading”, bill passes “second reading” it moves to “third reading”, this is when the FINAL vote in that body is made. this is when the FINAL vote in that body is made.

If the bill is in third reading, it can be returned to If the bill is in third reading, it can be returned to second reading for the purpose of a specific amendment second reading for the purpose of a specific amendment to the bill. to the bill.

Once the bill passes third reading, it is then transmitted Once the bill passes third reading, it is then transmitted to the other body for consideration. The bill will go to the other body for consideration. The bill will go through the same process on the other side. through the same process on the other side.

Final PassageFinal Passage If a bill is amended in its second body of If a bill is amended in its second body of

referral, the bill has to go back to the original referral, the bill has to go back to the original body for “concurrence”. body for “concurrence”.

If the originating body does not accept the If the originating body does not accept the changes to the bill, a conference committee changes to the bill, a conference committee will be appointed by the presiding officers will be appointed by the presiding officers and the bill will be considered in conference and the bill will be considered in conference committee. committee.

Once a final version is agreed upon by both Once a final version is agreed upon by both bodies, the bill is signed by both the Senate bodies, the bill is signed by both the Senate President and the Speaker of the House and President and the Speaker of the House and transmitted to the Governor for his signature. transmitted to the Governor for his signature.

Bill Becomes LawBill Becomes Law

The Governor has several options The Governor has several options once a bill arrives on his/her desk. once a bill arrives on his/her desk.

He/she can sign the bill, making it law. He/she can sign the bill, making it law. He/she can allow the bill to sit on his/her He/she can allow the bill to sit on his/her

desk without signature and it desk without signature and it automatically becomes law 90 days after automatically becomes law 90 days after passage (unless another “effective date” passage (unless another “effective date” is specified in the bill).is specified in the bill).

He/she can veto the bill. He/she can veto the bill.

Alaska Legislative Alaska Legislative BudgetBudget

The Alaska Constitution requires the The Alaska Constitution requires the Governor to submit a budget and associated Governor to submit a budget and associated appropriation bills for the next fiscal year. appropriation bills for the next fiscal year.

The Constitution also bestows the power of The Constitution also bestows the power of appropriation to the legislature. appropriation to the legislature.

Therefore, the Governor submits the budgets Therefore, the Governor submits the budgets to the legislature for their consideration and to the legislature for their consideration and approval. The Legislature has the ability to approval. The Legislature has the ability to amend the budgets during this process and amend the budgets during this process and eventually vote on the final versions of the eventually vote on the final versions of the budgets that will go back to the Governor for budgets that will go back to the Governor for his signature. his signature.

Different Types of Different Types of BudgetsBudgets

The Governor typically submits the The Governor typically submits the following appropriations bills for following appropriations bills for legislative consideration:legislative consideration:

Operating BudgetOperating Budget Mental Health Budget (containing operating Mental Health Budget (containing operating

and capital mental health appropriations)and capital mental health appropriations) Two Supplemental Budgets (one fast-track Two Supplemental Budgets (one fast-track

& one slow-track)& one slow-track) Capital BudgetCapital Budget

Operating BudgetOperating Budget

Annual appropriations covering Annual appropriations covering ongoing operations of state ongoing operations of state programs. programs.

Operating budget appropriations are Operating budget appropriations are typically made for a fiscal year, with typically made for a fiscal year, with unexpected unobligated funds unexpected unobligated funds lapsing at the end of the fiscal year. lapsing at the end of the fiscal year.

Capital BudgetCapital Budget An appropriation for items that have an An appropriation for items that have an

anticipated life that exceeds one year and anticipated life that exceeds one year and that usually costs more than $25,000. that usually costs more than $25,000.

Capital budget appropriations generally Capital budget appropriations generally lapse after a five-year period. lapse after a five-year period.

Often times projects are completed and Often times projects are completed and funds are left over. These funds will most funds are left over. These funds will most times be re-appropriated to an entirely new times be re-appropriated to an entirely new project. project.

If a project is not completed in the 5 year If a project is not completed in the 5 year time period and funds are still left over, an time period and funds are still left over, an time extension can be requested to time extension can be requested to complete the existing project. complete the existing project.

Supplemental BudgetSupplemental Budget

An appropriation increasing or decreasing An appropriation increasing or decreasing the operating or capital budget for the the operating or capital budget for the CURRENT fiscal year. CURRENT fiscal year.

Departments at the State level occasionally Departments at the State level occasionally have expenses that exceed their expected have expenses that exceed their expected budget. In this case, they submit a request budget. In this case, they submit a request to the Governor and the legislature to have to the Governor and the legislature to have additional funds placed into the additional funds placed into the supplemental budget that will become supplemental budget that will become available to them in the same fiscal year, if available to them in the same fiscal year, if approved. approved.

Operating Budget Operating Budget ProcessProcess

1.) State agencies prepare their budget requests1.) State agencies prepare their budget requests2.) Requests are submitted to Office of Management & Budget (OMB) for 2.) Requests are submitted to Office of Management & Budget (OMB) for

consideration by the director and Governor. consideration by the director and Governor. 3.) Final budget requests approved by OMB Director and Governor are submitted 3.) Final budget requests approved by OMB Director and Governor are submitted

to the legislature in both bodies. to the legislature in both bodies. 4.) The bills are automatically referred to the Finance committees on each side. 4.) The bills are automatically referred to the Finance committees on each side. 5.) Finance Subcommittees are appointed by the presiding officers to handle each 5.) Finance Subcommittees are appointed by the presiding officers to handle each

department’s budget request. department’s budget request. 6.) Each Subcommittee considers the budgets and makes recommendations to the 6.) Each Subcommittee considers the budgets and makes recommendations to the

full Finance Committee. full Finance Committee. 7.) The full Finance Committee considers the bill, has opportunity to debate, 7.) The full Finance Committee considers the bill, has opportunity to debate,

discuss and amend. Then eventually pass the bill out of committee. discuss and amend. Then eventually pass the bill out of committee. 8.) The bills go to the floor to be considered by the full body in “second reading”. 8.) The bills go to the floor to be considered by the full body in “second reading”.

After floor amendments and discussion/debate, the bill moves to “third After floor amendments and discussion/debate, the bill moves to “third reading” for a final vote. reading” for a final vote.

9.) And as all other bills do, the operating budget has to travel through both 9.) And as all other bills do, the operating budget has to travel through both bodies and have concurrence from the originating body. If it starts in the bodies and have concurrence from the originating body. If it starts in the Senate, it will end up back in the Senate for final approval/vote. If the two Senate, it will end up back in the Senate for final approval/vote. If the two bodies cannot agree on the budget, the items they cannot agree on will end up bodies cannot agree on the budget, the items they cannot agree on will end up in conference committee. in conference committee.

10.) When the legislature passes the budget, it is transmitted to the Governor for 10.) When the legislature passes the budget, it is transmitted to the Governor for his consideration and signature. The Governor has 20 working days his consideration and signature. The Governor has 20 working days (excluding Sundays) to review the bill and exercise line item veto power, if (excluding Sundays) to review the bill and exercise line item veto power, if desired. desired.

11.) The bill becomes law and is typically effective on the first day of a fiscal year.11.) The bill becomes law and is typically effective on the first day of a fiscal year.

Capital BudgetCapital Budget What is typically included in a capital What is typically included in a capital

appropriations bill?appropriations bill? New infrastructure construction New infrastructure construction Capital improvements to existing infrastructureCapital improvements to existing infrastructure Infrastructure maintenance/deferred maintenance Infrastructure maintenance/deferred maintenance Information technology upgradesInformation technology upgrades Equipment purchasesEquipment purchases Materials stockpiling Materials stockpiling State equipment fleet replacementState equipment fleet replacement Trail/parks construction and maintenance Trail/parks construction and maintenance Land purchasesLand purchases Grants to Municipalities, Communities and Grants to Municipalities, Communities and

Organizations. Organizations.

Developing the Capital Developing the Capital Budget BillBudget Bill

1.1. Governor submits his budget to the legislature.Governor submits his budget to the legislature.2.2. Identical capital budget bills are introduces and referred Identical capital budget bills are introduces and referred

to the finance committees in each body.to the finance committees in each body.3.3. It is common that one body will begin work on the It is common that one body will begin work on the

capital budget early while the other begins work on the capital budget early while the other begins work on the operating budget early.operating budget early.

4.4. It is customary for one co-chair of each body’s finance It is customary for one co-chair of each body’s finance committee to oversee review and modification of the committee to oversee review and modification of the capital budget bill. capital budget bill.

5.5. Full Finance Committee meetings are held to consider Full Finance Committee meetings are held to consider the bill, hear public testimony and make amendments. the bill, hear public testimony and make amendments.

6.6. Staff to the Finance Committee works with all members Staff to the Finance Committee works with all members of their respective bodies to compile the requests from of their respective bodies to compile the requests from each legislator/legislative district. each legislator/legislative district.

7.7. Each body’s Finance Committee eventually produces a Each body’s Finance Committee eventually produces a Committee Substitute that includes that body’s Committee Substitute that includes that body’s amendments/recommendations. amendments/recommendations.

CAPSISCAPSISCACApital pital PProject roject SSubmission and ubmission and

IInformation nformation SSystemystem CAPSIS is the Legislative Finance Capital Project

Submission and Information System. Created in 2007, and under continuous refinement, this internet based user interface allows for each legislative office to input their capital project priorities for submission to the co-chair's office. In depth information for each project is captured in a digital format that can be retained in perpetuity and readily located by Legislative Finance. The information is also made available to the public on the internet, as well as be transmitted to OMB for post session veto analysis.

Capital Budget Bill Capital Budget Bill Becomes LawBecomes Law

After the capital budget bill has been considered by the After the capital budget bill has been considered by the legislature and passed and the Governor signs it into legislature and passed and the Governor signs it into law, the grants will become available in the following law, the grants will become available in the following fiscal year. fiscal year.

MOA will receive notification from Department of MOA will receive notification from Department of Commerce Community & Economic Development that Commerce Community & Economic Development that the grant has become available. the grant has become available.

Before the funds are received, a grant agreement must Before the funds are received, a grant agreement must be reached between the State and the MOA. be reached between the State and the MOA.

MOA reviews the grant language/scope and makes sure the project MOA reviews the grant language/scope and makes sure the project description matches our intentions for the funds. description matches our intentions for the funds.

MOA & the State then sign an agreement stating that the funds MOA & the State then sign an agreement stating that the funds will be spent specifically for the purposes stated in the will be spent specifically for the purposes stated in the appropriation language. appropriation language.

Again, the grantee typically has 5 years to spend the funds or the Again, the grantee typically has 5 years to spend the funds or the grant will lapse. grant will lapse.

Municipality of Municipality of AnchorageAnchorage

Developing our Budget & Developing our Budget & Request to the LegislatureRequest to the Legislature

MOA’s Budget ProcessMOA’s Budget Process Community Council surveys are sent out to all councils within Community Council surveys are sent out to all councils within

MOA. MOA. Mayor’s office communicates with each Anchorage legislator Mayor’s office communicates with each Anchorage legislator

on what their top priorities are. on what their top priorities are. Departments submit their priority lists through Team BudgetDepartments submit their priority lists through Team Budget The budget is formally introduced during their first meeting in The budget is formally introduced during their first meeting in

October. They are required to have at least two public October. They are required to have at least two public hearings on the proposed budget, which are held during the hearings on the proposed budget, which are held during the months of October and November. months of October and November.

Work sessions are held to allow the Assembly members to ask Work sessions are held to allow the Assembly members to ask questions and get additional information from the questions and get additional information from the Administration and various departments on the proposed Administration and various departments on the proposed budget. budget.

The Assembly has the opportunity to make amendments to the The Assembly has the opportunity to make amendments to the proposed budget during meetings that generally take place in proposed budget during meetings that generally take place in late November/early December. late November/early December.

The Anchorage Charter requires that the Assembly approve The Anchorage Charter requires that the Assembly approve the budget 21 days prior to the end of the year (December 10). the budget 21 days prior to the end of the year (December 10).

Forming the Legislative Forming the Legislative Program/RequestsProgram/Requests

The legislative program is provided to the The legislative program is provided to the legislature each year and includes all of the legislature each year and includes all of the projects included in the approved budget. projects included in the approved budget.

Once the program is in its final form, it is Once the program is in its final form, it is

presented to the Assembly for their presented to the Assembly for their consideration, discussion and amendments. consideration, discussion and amendments.

Once the Assembly approves the Program, it Once the Assembly approves the Program, it is printed in its final form and provided to all is printed in its final form and provided to all 60 Legislators. 60 Legislators.

Thank you! Thank you!

You can always reach me at You can always reach me at HarringtonS@muni.orgHarringtonS@muni.org

oror907-343-6783907-343-6783