The Senate Resources passed my House Joint Resolution 20 out of committee today without objection.

The legislation can be found here:

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?session=27&bill=HJR20

The resolution would ask the Federal Government to exempt Hydro and Natural Resource projects in the Tongass and Chugach National Forests from the Roadless Rule.

Next stop is the Senate Finance Committee.

Thanks for visiting and catch me on twitter @akrepjohansen

House Bill 182, “An Act relating to electronic publication of certain municipal notices and publication and electronic distribution of reports by state agencies” passed the State House today 39-0.

The bill and its history can be found here:

http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20182&session=27

State law written as far back as the 60′s required agencies to produce print copies and distribute them.  Most of these reports are already posted online, however the agencies were still required to follow the law.

This bill would make electronic distribution the default with options for the head of each agency for printing and distribution.

I expect savings of well over a million dollars per year if not more.

The bill also gives municipalities the option of posting on the internet the foreclosure lists, rather than printing them in the newspapers.  Again, currently law requires newspaper publication of these lists and this bill will make it optional.

Thanks to all my co-sponsors who helped craft and ultimately pass this meaningful legislation.

Until next time!

Greetings from Juneau!

Strictly by the calendar, we are half way through session.  However, most of our work still looms ahead in the final five weeks of session.  Oil taxes, coastal zone management and gas-line projects are just a few of the issues being positioned at part of the adjournment package.  Now that is just for the regular session, I have every expectation that we will be in special session number one very soon after the 90 day session ends (if it ends!).  The Senate last year had legal opinions saying the 90 day session was moot as our constitution allows for 121 days.

This week the operating and mental health budget will be sent to the floor for approval while the capital budget begins its review first in the Senate. These are the only  bills we are constitutionally required to pass each year.

My bill to require electronic distribution of state reports will have its second hearing in the House Finance committee this Friday morning.  Each department has a myriad of laws that require, by statute, printing of various reports costing the state millions of dollars each year.  While most are posted on the internet, our laws have not kept up with technology and still require printing and distribution.  My legislation cures that ill and drags the state, kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

That’s all for today!

Give me a call at 1-800-303-2455 or 465-3424 or my cell at 209-5592 and let me know what is on your mind.

email at rep.kyle.johansen@legis.state.ak.us

snailmail at State Capitol, room 114, Juneau 99801

follow me on twitter @akrepjohansen

Thanks to all those who help me move our district, region, state and nation forward!!!!

Sincerely,