House Bill 68 Will Save Money and Ensure Reports are Still Available
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2015
JUNEAU—Today, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 68: Paper Reduction Act. The bill enjoys bipartisan sponsorship and builds on previous efforts to reduce the estimated $585,000 a year the state spends on designing, printing, and publishing agency reports.
HB 68 is sponsored by Reps. Les Gara (D-Anchorage), Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak), Charisse Millett (R-Anchorage), Shelley Hughes (R-Palmer), and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D-Sitka, prime sponsor).
HB 68 changes the production and publication defaults for state agency reports. The legislation makes electronic publication the default, unless exceptions for print copies are deemed necessary. Similarly, HB 68 makes in-house design the default, instead of contracting out. HB 68 provides that reports be posted and archived on the Alaska Online Public Notice System, enhancing Alaskans’ access to public reports and information.
“The Paper Reduction Act is a twenty-first century piece of legislation. It saves public money and saves trees,” said Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins. “Bringing government into the digital era is trans-generational. I’m 26 and Rep. Lynn is 82, and we, and legislators of all ages in between, feel this is good money-saving public policy.”
HB 68 will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.
For additional information contact Rep. Kreiss-Tomkins at (907) 465-3732.
###
