State of Alaska
Department of Administration
Alaska Public Offices Commission
Who is APOC
1. What is the APOC?
The APOC is a quasi-judicial regulatory agency which administers four laws upholding the public's right to know the financial affairs of lobbyists and their employers, public officials and candidates for state and local offices. Alaska Statute 15.13.020.
2. How did APOC come into existence?
APOC is the only state agency created by citizens’ initiative. In 1973, Cliff Warren, Joe McKinnon and Rep. Bill Parker gathered signatures for a ballot initiative for disclosure laws. In response to this initiative, Senators Chancy Croft, Terry Miller, Jalmar Kerttula, Bob Palmer and Bill Ray sponsored a campaign disclosure bill which became law in 1974.
3. To whom does APOC report?
The people of Alaska are APOC’s boss (under Article I, Section 2 of the State Constitution) as all political power is inherent in the people. Most staff decisions are subject to the commission's review, and all APOC decisions may be appealed to Superior Court. As an agency of the State, APOC exists within the Department of Administration for administrative purposes. Please see Alaska Statute 15.13.020.
4. What jobs do APOC commissioners hold?
The Campaign Disclosure Law allows commissioners to hold any employment except being an elected official; an officer of a political party, committee or group; or a lobbyist. Please see Alaska Statute 15.13.020.
5. May citizens learn whom APOC has fined, the amount of the fines and whether they have paid the fines?
Yes. Any member of the public may obtain the information. It can be found by visiting our Interim Reporting System, or by contacting APOC staff at 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Room 128, Anchorage 99508 or at (907) 276-4176. APOC is a disclosure agency whose purpose is to provide information to the public about the funding of state and local campaigns, lobbying activity, and the personal finances of candidates and public officials.
For information about complaints that have been filed, you may also visit our Interim Reporting System.
