In this chapter 'commission' means the State Officers Compensation Commission.

Repealed or Renumbered

It is the policy of the legislature that the commission determine an equitable rate and form of compensation, benefits, and allowances for legislators.

(a) If requested by the commission, the Legislative Affairs Agency shall provide staff for the commission.

(b) If requested by the commission, the director of personnel in the Department of Administration shall serve as secretary to the commission.

The regulation-making provisions of AS 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act) do not apply to proceedings of the commission.

Members of the commission serve without compensation but are entitled to per diem and travel expenses authorized for members of boards and commissions under AS 39.20.180 .

A member of the commission may not be employed by the state, including the University of Alaska, serve as a member of another state board, commission, or authority, or hold elective state or municipal office during membership on the commission.

The commission shall, upon transmitting its final recommendations for the compensation of legislators to the legislature, file the recommendations in the office of the lieutenant governor. When the recommendations become effective, the commission shall certify the copy of the recommendations on file in the office of the lieutenant governor.

(a) The commission shall review the salaries, benefits, and allowances of members of the legislature and prepare a report on its findings at least once every two years, but not more frequently than every year. The commission shall notify the legislature that the report is available.

(b) The commission may review the compensation, benefits, and allowances of the governor, lieutenant governor, justices and judges of the court system, and the heads of the principal departments and shall prepare a report of its recommendations for the legislature. The commission shall notify the legislature that the report is available.

(c) The commission shall prepare its preliminary findings and recommendations for the compensation of state officers by November 15. The commission shall give reasonable public notice of its preliminary findings and recommendations, solicit public comments, and give due regard to the public comments, before submitting a final report under (d) of this section.

(d) The commission shall make available a final report of its findings and recommendations as to the rate and form of compensation, benefits, and allowances for legislators during the first 10 days of a legislative session.

(e) The commission may prepare amendments to the report submitted under (d) of this section and notify the legislature that the amendments are available.

(f) A commission member who does not concur in the proposed or final recommendations may attach written objections to the commission's report of its findings and recommendations.

(a) [See effect of amendments note]. The State Officers Compensation Commission is established. The commission is composed of seven members appointed by the governor subject to confirmation by a majority of the legislature in joint session. Members serve for staggered terms of four years. Commission membership shall include at least one business executive, one representative of a nonpartisan voters' organization, one person with experience in public administration, and one representative of a labor organization. Except as provided in AS 39.05.080 (4), a vacancy shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term. A commission member may serve no more than two complete consecutive terms.

(b) The commission shall elect a member to chair its meetings. A majority of the commission members constitutes a quorum to transact business. The affirmative vote of four members is required to approve the commission's recommendations on compensation.

(c) The commission shall meet every other year at the call of the chair. Notice of a meeting shall be mailed to each member at least 15 days before the date scheduled for the meeting.

(d) The commission shall hold a public hearing to discuss its findings and recommendations before submitting its final report to the legislature.

(e) The commission shall be established in the Office of the Governor.