(JUNEAU) - The Alaska State Legislature's Administrative Regulation Review Committee (AARC) convened its first meeting Wednesday, February 2nd.

The comment period for the Alaska Food Code Regulation changes ends March 15, 2005. Several workshops to explain the changes are scheduled throughout the state by the Department of Environmental Conservation. AARC Chair, Representative Tom Anderson (R-Anchorage) said, "Restaurant owners need to look at these proposed changes and let us know how they are going to be affected by them."

Since October of last year, regulations have been sent directly to the legislative legal staff for review before their adoption. Representative Anderson said, "I am pleased to see this new process of reviewing proposed regulations by the Legislative Affairs Agency before they get filed with the Lt. Governor's Office."

Representative Anderson said he wants the committee to work closely with state agencies to ensure that regulations are necessary, clear, meet legislative intent and do not place undue burden upon Alaskans. "The public process is critical," he said. Representative Anderson went on to say, "It maintains the trust between government and the people. This committee plays a key role in the process by giving legislative oversight to the writing of regulations."

Testifying before the Committee were Deborah Behr, Assistant Attorney General, Dave Marquez, Supervising Attorney and Legislative Liaison for the Department of Law, Robert Pearson, Special Assistant on Regulations to the Lt. Governor, and Larry Hackenmiller of the Fairbanks Chapter Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association.

The Administrative Regulation Review Committee meets year-round and is a joint committee made up of three Senators and three Representatives.

# # #