STATE CAPITOL
PO. Box 
luneau. AK 998ll-000l
907-465-3500

550 West Seventh Avenue, Suite I700
Anchorage. AK 
907?269?7450

 

Governor Michael J. Dunleavy
STATE OF ALASKA

January 29, 2019

The Honorable Cathy Giessel
Senate President

Alaska State Legislature
State Capitol, Room 111
Juneau, AK 99801

Dear President Giessel:

Under the authority of Article 111, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a
resolution to amend the Constitution of the State of Alaska, Article IX, Section 1. The proposed
amendment would provide that any law to establish or increase a State tax any tax will not take
effect without an af?rmative vote of the people. Additionally, the proposed amendment would
require any initiative passed by the voters that would establish or increase a state tax would not take
effect unless approved by the legislature.

I propose this measure as the most effective means to require State government to involve all
Alaskans in the decision to levy or increase taxes to pay for State services. My proposal retains
taxing power with the legislature but ensures that the legislature must listen to the voice of the
people, which is exercised through the ballot box. This amendment would be placed before the voters
during the next state general election.

Our State cannot achieve a permanent ?scal plan if Alaskans are not directly involved in the
decisions about the types and levels of State services they desire and are willing to support. With this
resolution, we can establish an effective way to implement the will of the people and move the State
forward in a transparent and positive manner. All government of?cials work for the people of the
State of Alaska.

I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.

Sincerely,
?ag/r;

Michael J. Dunleavy
Governor

Enclosure



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SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.
IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION
BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR

Introduced:
Referred:

A RESOLUTION

Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska prohibiting the
establishment of, or increase to, a state tax without the approval of the voters of the

state; and relating to the initiative process.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:

Section 1. Article IX, sec. 1, Constitution of the State of Alaska, is amended by adding
new subsections to read:

Any law enacted under Sections 14 - 18 of Article II establishing a state tax
or increasing the rate of an existing state tax shall not take effect unless approved by
the voters of the State in the next statewide election held more than one hundred
twenty days from enactment of the proposed law. The lieutenant governor shall
prepare a ballot title and proposition summarizing the proposed law, and shall place it
on the ballot. If a majority of the votes cast on the proposition favor its adoption, it
becomes effective ninety days after the certi?cation of the election returns by the
lieutenant governor. If a majority of votes cast on the proposition favor its rejection,

the proposed law is rejected and does not take effect.

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Any law enacted by the voters through the initiative process under Article
XI establishing a state tax or increasing the rate of an existing state tax shall not take
effect unless the legislature, by resolution, approves the initiated law by a majority
vote in joint session by adjournment of the next regular session occurring after the
lieutenant governor certi?es the election returns. If approved by the legislature, the
initiated law becomes effective ninety days after approval. If the legislature fails to
approve the initiated law by adjournment of the regular session, the initiated law is
rejected and does not take effect.
Sec. 2. Article XI, sec. 6, Constitution of the State of Alaska, is amended to read:
Section 6. Enactment. If a majority of the votes cast on the proposition favor

its adoption, the initiated measure is enacted. If a majority of the votes cast on the

 

proposition favor the rejection of an act referred, it is rejected. The lieutenant

governor shall certify the election returns. Except as provided in Section 1 of Article

'i an initiated law becomes effective ninety days after certi?cation, is not

 

subject to veto, and may not be repealed by the legislature within two years of its
effective date. It may be amended at any time. An act rejected by referendum is void
thirty days after certi?cation. Additional procedures for the initiative and referendum

may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 3. The amendments proposed by this resolution shall be placed before the voters of
the state at the next general election in conformity with art. sec. 1, Constitution of the

State of Alaska, and the election laws of the state.

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