Legislature(2021 - 2022)GRUENBERG 120
04/01/2021 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB118 | |
| HB106 | |
| HB103 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 118 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 106 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 103 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 118-EXPANDING PRISONER ACCESS TO COMPUTERS
3:07:48 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the first order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 118, "An Act relating to state
identifications and driver's licenses for persons in the custody
of the Department of Corrections; relating to the duties of the
commissioner of corrections; relating to living conditions for
prisoners; and providing for an effective date."
3:08:37 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS moved to adopt Amendment 1, [labeled 32-
LS0024\B.2, Radford, 4/1/21], which read:
Page 7, lines 1 - 2:
Delete "[(A) OBTAINING STATE IDENTIFICATION;
(B)]"
Insert "(A) obtaining state identification if one
or more prisoners will not otherwise possess a valid
state identification card upon release;
(B)"
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN objected for the purpose of discussion.
3:09:40 PM
LINDSAY BIRK, Staff, Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins,
Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Kreiss
Tomkins, prime sponsor of HB 118, said the in its current form,
the bill would remove a mandatory tutorial on how to receive a
state identification (ID) card. Amendment 1 would reinsert that
language into the bill, such that a prisoner without a valid ID
would participate in a mandatory tutorial before leaving prison,
which would teach him/her how to receive an ID.
3:10:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether the bill would assist
prisoners with the renewal of their licenses online or by mail
while incarcerated.
MS. BIRK was unsure of the answer.
3:11:25 PM
KELLY GOODE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections,
explained that state IDs are kept in the prisoners' property to
be distributed upon release. She said institutional probation
officers would work with the releasing inmates on how best to
get a new ID. She added that prisoners would be given a voucher
that allows the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to bill the
Department of Corrections (DOC) for tasks, such as getting a new
ID picture taken.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE clarified her question, asking whether
license renewals could be accomplished while incarcerated or if
the prisoners would have to wait "until they are under the care of
the probation officer."
MS. GOODE explained that the institutional probation officers
(IPOs) work with prisoners inside the facilities. She shared
her understanding that there would be no action taken on a
request for a license renewal; however, the IPO would work with
prisoners prior to release on the best way to get a valid ID.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE observed that being unable to renew one's
license while incarcerated could be an unrecognized hurdle,
which creates further obstacles once released. She surmised
that assisting with renewals could ease some of the burden that
this legislation is attempting to address.
MS. GOODE clarified that DOC is capable of assisting with a
prisoner's ID renewal when necessary.
3:15:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN sought to clarify the purpose of the
following language in Amendment 1: "if one or more prisoners
will not otherwise possess a valid state identification card
upon release".
MS. BIRK said the language indicates that if a prisoner
[possesses a valid ID], he/she would not have to participate in
the tutorial. She began to address the phrase "one or more" and
asked whether that is Representative Claman's specific concern.
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN confirmed. He shared his belief that "one
or more" wouldn't add anything to the bill because it's likely
that, systemwide, there's at least one prisoner that may not
have a valid ID card upon release.
MS. BIRK was unsure whether "one or more" adds to or detracts
from the bill.
3:16:58 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:16 p.m. to 3:18 p.m.
3:18:25 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS stated his understanding that the language
in question suggests that if 100 percent of the releasing
prisoners had ID cards, the training requirement would not
apply; however, if one or more of the prisoners did not possess
a valid ID, the tutorial would be required. He noted that in
conversations with reentry groups, this was the preferred
language.
3:20:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN proposed replacing "one or more" with
"any." He asked whether that would satisfy the sponsor's
intent.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS agreed that "any" would imply the same
substantive meaning; however, he expressed no interest in
changing the language.
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN voiced his support for the existing
language in Amendment 1, as reentry groups had emphasized it's
importance.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS agreed.
3:21:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN withdrew his objection to the adoption of
Amendment 1. Without further objection, Amendment 1 was
adopted.
3:21:23 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS moved to adopt Amendment 2, [labeled 32-
LS0024\B.3, Radford, 4/1/21], which read:
Page 4, lines 16 - 22:
Delete all material and insert:
"(11) make a good faith effort, in
consultation with the commissioner of administration,
to ensure [ASSIST] a prisoner has [IN OBTAINING] a
valid state identification card upon the prisoner's
release; if the prisoner does not have a valid state
identification card before the prisoner's release, [;]
the department shall pay the application fee for the
identification card; and"
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN objected for the purpose of discussion.
3:21:43 PM
MS. BIRK informed the committee that Amendment 2 would clarify
the bill's purpose by streamlining the language.
3:22:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN asked whether removing the language that
requires DOC to assist prisoners serving terms of imprisonment
"exceeding 120 days" would create problems for department.
MS. GOODE said if the last 4 lines of Amendment 2 would allow
the department to continue providing vouchers to prisoners who
release in under 120 days, the department is supportive of the
amendment. She asked if she interpreted the language correctly.
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN deferred to the department's expertise.
3:24:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE questioned whether removing the 120-day
timeframe could increase the fiscal note due to an increased use
of vouchers.
MS. GOODE shared her belief that there would not be a
significant difference in cost, adding that vouchers are already
provided to any [inmate] who may need one.
3:25:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN removed his objection to the adoption of
Amendment 2. Without further objection, Amendment 2 was
adopted.
3:25:43 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that HB 118, as amended, was held
over.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 118 Letter of Support - GHS 3.25.21.pdf |
HSTA 4/1/2021 3:00:00 PM |
HB 118 |
| HB 103 Letter of Support - MSHF 3.26.21.pdf |
HHSS 4/13/2021 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/1/2021 3:00:00 PM |
HB 103 |
| HB 103 Letter of Support - AK Regional Hospital 3.26.21.pdf |
HHSS 4/13/2021 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/1/2021 3:00:00 PM |
HB 103 |
| HB 118 Letter of Support - ACLU 3.25.21.pdf |
HSTA 4/1/2021 3:00:00 PM |
HB 118 |
| HB 118 Amendments B.2 and B.3 - 4.1.21.pdf |
HSTA 4/1/2021 3:00:00 PM |
HB 118 |