House Speaker Mike Chenault sharing a laugh with members of the House Finance Committee before a the hearing

House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, sharing a laugh with members of the House Finance Committee before the hearing on House Bill 312. Speaker Chenault sponsored the bill, which would put an advisory question on the fall primary election ballot asking Alaskans whether they want permanent fund earnings used to help pay the costs of constructing an in-state natural gas pipeline, after the fund has been inflation-proofed and dividend checks have been paid. The Finance Committee held the bill over to give members time to look at the language in the proposed question to voters.