"An Act relating to legislator salary and benefits; establishing the Citizens' Commission on Legislative Salary and Benefits and defining its powers and duties and abolishing the State Officers Compensation Commission; and providing for an effective date by repealing secs. 9 and 12, ch. 124, SLA 1986. "

House Bill 349 creates a commission that will make recommendations regarding legislative pay. It does not raise salaries of legislators, but does provide an increase for the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate from $500 per year to $500 per month.

Current state statute provides for a commission, but such a commission has never been implemented due to language that ties the statutes to a constitutional change. House Bill 349 simplifies current law and establishes a process by which legislative salaries may be determined. This commission will be called the Citizens' Commission on Legislative Salary and Benefits and will consist of six individuals; three Alaskans appointed by the President of the Senate, and three Alaskans appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This commission will meet at least once every two years and compile a report of its findings and recommendations. This report will be made available during the first ten days of a regular legislative session. If this report is neither amended nor rejected after a period of 90 days, the policies within the report shall take effect.

By establishing a Citizens' Commission on Legislative Salary and Benefits, we are instituting a process through which legislative pay may be assessed and changes implemented. House Bill 345 will improve upon the current statutes that have been too problematic to put into practice and clarify the procedures that shall be used in this matter.

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