Ethics committee discusses public-member recruitment as chief justice transition approaches

At its Nov. 12 meeting, the Alaska Legislative Ethics Committee discussed public-member recruitment and the timing of appointments ahead of a planned change in the Alaska Supreme Court chief justice.

Chair Deb Fancher explained that public members serve three-year terms and that Conner Thomas’s appointment expires in 2025; she said he has expressed willingness to continue serving. Administrator Kevin Reeve proposed revisions to the vacancy announcement to increase interest and to clarify how alternate public-member duties differ from regular members. "The vacancy announcements were sent to all legislators and legislative staff," Chair Fancher said; members discussed re-sending the request and including the notice in the next Ethics Committee Advisor to broaden outreach.

Reeve told the committee the current chief justice is retiring on Jan. 14, 2025, and that the office is coordinating with incoming Chief Justice Susan Carney to arrange for a committee appointment letter to be sent during the first week of the next session. Representative Sara Hannan asked whether the two chief justices could nominate different public members given the transition; Reeve said he is working with both offices to minimize complications. Senator David Wilson noted it is common for the chief justice to send nomination letters to legislative leaders in the first week of session.

Committee members emphasized outreach and clarity for prospective applicants; Chair Fancher recommended including training dates and program updates alongside vacancy announcements. The committee did not take a formal vote on appointments at this meeting.