(ANCHORAGE) - The House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings tomorrow, in Anchorage, to listen to public opinion on two pieces of legislation that propose amendments to Alaska's Constitution. Chair McGuire and the Committee are interested in exploring all potential options for developing a long-range fiscal plan to address Alaska's current fiscal gap. HJR 4, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Samuels (R-Anchorage), proposes to reduce the limit for regular legislative sessions from 120 to 90 consecutive calendar days. HJR 9, sponsored by Rep. Bill Stoltze (R-Chugiak/MatSu), proposes to institute a constitutional spending limit that would limit annual spending to not exceed two percent of the amount appropriated for the last complete fiscal year; if an appropriation should exceed that limit, it would need to be approved by a three-fourths vote of the legislature. If either of these resolutions pass next year, the proposed constitutional amendment would be presented to the voters in the 2004 general election.

WHO: House Judiciary Committee

WHAT: Public Hearings for:
   - HJR 4: CONST AM: 90 DAY LEGISLATIVE SESSION
   - HJR 9: CONST AM: APPROPRIATION/SPENDING LIMIT

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Anchorage Legislative Information Office
   - 716 W. 4th Ave.
   - Room 220

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