Joule's Resolution to Design a New State Seal
Passes Senate State Affairs

House Concurrent Resolution 5, sponsored by Representative Reggie Joule (D-Kotzebue), creates a special task force to design a new Alaska State Seal. The current state seal is nearly one hundred years old and could be updated to recognize the state Alaska has become and all of the diverse cultures here. For example, the Territorial Seal adopted in 1910 by Governor Clark eliminated depiction of Alaska Natives, Northern Lights, and icebergs. The task force would solicit proposals for changing the Seal. The Legislature will have final approval of a new design.

HCR 5 now goes to Senate Finance.

French's Bill to Help Victims of Domestic Violence
Passes Senate State Affairs

Senate Bill 308, sponsored by Senator Hollis French (D-Anchorage), will increase the duration of long-term protective orders from 6 months to 1 year. The purpose is to give longer protection for a person seeking it and to relieve the court system of the burden of repeat hearings for extending 6-month orders. If adopted, Alaska will join 42 other states that have long-term protective orders of 1 year or more.

Senate Bill 308 now moves to Senate Judiciary.

Olson's Resolution to Recognize the Late Senator
Frank Ferguson Passes Senate State Affairs

Senate Resolution 3, sponsored by Senator Donny Olson (D-Nome), Commemorates the many important contributions of former Senator Frank Ferguson. Senator Ferguson served in the Alaska State Legislature for sixteen years, in the House of Representatives from 1972 until 1976 and in the Alaska Senate until 1987. His area of responsibility included the vast regions of Alaska served by the regional hubs of Nome, Kotzebue and Barrow.

The resolution is to give recognition to Senator Ferguson, who passed away this summer, and to establish a large plaque in the capitol for recognizing Senators in the future since the possibilities for naming committee rooms, etc. are limited.

SR 3 now moves to Senate Finance.

Upcoming Events-

Thursday, March 18th - Former Senator Jim Duncan and Darryl Tseu (ASEA/AFSCME and IBU) will be guest speakers at the Bill Egan Forum. Their talk is entitled "Voices of Labor.”

Special Guest - Dennis Kucinich, Democratic Presidential Candidate will also be at the Bill Egan Forum!

Putting Alaskans First - Moving Alaska Forward