The public policy of the municipality is declared to be equal opportunity for all persons. The assembly finds that invidious discrimination in the sale or rental of real property, financing practices, employment practices, public accommodations, educational institutions, and practices of the municipality, based upon race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability, adversely affects the welfare of the community. Accordingly, such discrimination is prohibited.
It is the express intent of this title to guarantee fair and equal treatment under law to all people of the municipality, consistent with federal and state constitutional freedoms and laws, including freedom of expression, freedom of association and the free exercise of religion.
(AO No. 92-116(S); AO No. 93-99; AO No. 93-149, § 1, 10-15-1993; AO No. 2002-163, § 1, 1-7-2003; AO No. 2015-96(S-1), § 1, 9-29-2015)
Pursuant to the provisions of Charter section 17.02, there is established an equal rights commission of nine persons, which shall be known as the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission.
The mayor shall appoint members of the equal rights commission, subject to confirmation by the assembly, to three-year terms. A member chosen to fill a vacancy other than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom they are to succeed. A member of the commission shall be eligible for reappointment.
(AO No. 2002-163, § 1, 1-7-2003; AO No. 2021-30(S), § 10, 5-25-2021)
A. 
The equal rights commission is authorized to:
1. 
Develop programs designed to bring about the prevention and elimination of unlawful discrimination;
2. 
Investigate complaints of discrimination brought under this title;
3. 
Administer oaths and affirmations, certify its official acts, and issue subpoenas, subpoenas duces tecum, and other legal process to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of testimony, books, records, papers, accounts, documents or things in any inquiry, investigation, hearing or proceeding before the commission; the commission may petition the superior court of the state having jurisdiction to enforce its subpoenas, subpoenas duces tecum, and other legal process;
4. 
Conduct exit interviews with parties to the commission proceedings;
5. 
Hold public hearings and issue orders under this title;
6. 
Grant all appropriate forms of relief as described in this title;
7. 
Intervene in any court proceeding brought under this title;
8. 
Enter into agreements with counterpart agencies at all governmental levels to promote effective and efficient enforcement of the law;
9. 
Review complaints of discriminatory acts and practices made to the commission and prioritize allocation of its staff and commission resources among complaints received in order to best fulfill the purposes of Charter Article XVII, Section 17. In prioritizing its investigatory and enforcement activities, the commission shall seek to eliminate unlawful discriminatory practices in the most cost efficient and effective manner possible;
10. 
Hire an executive director, subject to the approval of the mayor, who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission; and hire administrative staff as is required in the execution of its duties;
11. 
Exercise general supervision of and direct the activities of the executive director;
12. 
Delegate to the executive director all powers and duties given it by this title, except the powers to designate hearing panels and reconsideration panels, hold public hearings, issue orders, and hire the executive director;
13. 
Recommend to the mayor and assembly new legislation, and adopt such procedural and evidentiary rules as are necessary to fulfill the intent of this title; and
14. 
Provide an annual report to the mayor and assembly.
(CAC 2.64.330; AO No. 2002-87, § 1, 6-11-2002; AO No. 2002-163, § 1, 1-7-2003; AO No. 2006-128, § 3, 9-26-2006; AO No. 2021-30(S), § 1, 5-25-2021)
The commission may establish such standing committees as the commission deems necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities.
(AO No. 2002-87, § 2, 6-11-2002; AO No. 2002-163, § 1, 1-7-2003; AO No. 2006-128, § 2, 9-26-2006)
A. 
The municipal attorney is the legal counsel for the commission. The municipal attorney shall advise the commission in legal matters arising in the discharge of its duties, shall assist in the preparation and presentation of complaints to the commission, and shall represent the commission in legal actions to which it is a party.
B. 
The commission may employ temporary legal counsel for proceedings before the commission and court actions involving the commission in which proceedings or actions the municipal attorney is representing another agency of the municipal government.
(AO No. 2021-30(S), § 1, 5-25-2021)