Resolution seeks firm 90-day limit to legislative sessions

Pre-filed legislation by Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage would amend the Alaska Constitution to limit the length of legislative sessions to 90 days.

The measure is to be formally introduced and receive committee assignments when the 31st Alaska Legislature convenes on Jan. 15 in Juneau.

Claman said that his House Joint Resolution 2 would force legislators to focus attention on state finances and shorten the schedule for adopting a budget and reduce the quantity of “personal” legislation. The resolution would also allow the governor, should circumstances arise requiring a special session, to narrow the agenda to vital issues and prevent consideration of non-essential legislation, he said.

Alaskans voted in 2006 to limit legislative sessions to 90 days, but since oil prices dropped in 2014, the Legislation has never finished the state’s business within that time frame.

Claman said legislators have repeatedly ignored the voter-approved 90-day limit because of the longstanding legal principle that the Constitution always takes precedence when there is a difference between a statute and the Constitution.

Failure to adjourn in 90 days also limits the ability for Alaska to have true citizen legislators, people who have regular jobs and serve in the Legislature, Claman said. These unpredictably long sessions make it more and more difficult for citizen legislators – fishermen, contractors, administrators, lawyers, miners and others, to serve, he said.

Advertisement
Advertisement