House Judiciary Committee reports ethics‑committee bill out after sponsors stress confidentiality and clarity

The House Judiciary Committee on March 27 reported House Bill 298 out of committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note after sponsors said the bill modernizes and clarifies the statute that governs the Legislative Ethics Committee.

Rep. Galvin, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure is “about strengthening Alaska’s legislative ethics framework” and said the text adds clarity so the committee can “uphold high standards of accountability while being clear and transparent in its responsibilities.” She also said the bill’s confidentiality provisions aim to create a safe space for people who come forward with concerns.

Cosponsor Rep. Kevin McCabe described the bill as bipartisan and said updating the ethics code demonstrates the Legislature’s commitment to public trust. During member comment, Rep. Vance — who noted they are the subject of a current ethics investigation and therefore made no amendments — urged a deeper conversation about the committee’s purpose and cautioned against using ethics processes as a political weapon.

Rep. Kopp made the motion to report the bill out; the chair called for objections and, hearing none, ordered the bill reported out and authorized Legislative Legal to make technical and conforming changes. The committee took a brief recess to complete paperwork.

The committee set no roll-call vote on the floor record and the report-out was handled by voice; the motion was recorded in committee minutes as accepted.

The committee’s action moves HB 298 forward; sponsors said the next steps are consideration by the full House and any technical edits by Legislative Legal.