Legislature(2019 - 2020)BARNES 124
03/03/2020 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
HB193 | |
HB221 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= | HB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 221 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 221-STATE RECOGNITION OF TRIBES 8:14:55 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 221, "An Act providing for state recognition of federally recognized tribes; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee was CSHB 221(TRB).] 8:15:11 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND opened public testimony on CSHB 221(TRB). 8:15:23 AM KENDRA KLOSTER, Executive Director, Native People's Action, testified in support of HB 221. She said: Alaska Native people have lived on these lands for thousands of years. Our cultures are deep within Alaska history. Tribal governments have held special recognition and place in Alaska as sovereign governments providing important services and support, including public safety, economic development, and protecting our land and waters. This bill will be good for not only tribal citizens but for all of Alaskans. Alaska's home to 229 federally recognized tribes. This formal relationship was established with the federal government; however, we have not had any formal recognition by the State of Alaska. We have to recognize that in Alaska there is no Alaska without the indigenous people, and it's time, finally, that our state government in Alaska formally recognize the First People of Alaska. MS. KLOSTER concluded her testimony by stating her appreciation of the bill sponsor, Representative Kopp, for bringing HB 221 forward and expressing hope that the legislature would support and pass the proposed legislation. 8:17:13 AM KELSEY WALLACE, Communications Director, Native People's Action, testified in support of HB 221. She indicated that she is testifying as a tribal citizen. She said Native people have stewarded the land and waters [that make up Alaska] since time immemorial. Today, tribes provide essential services and programs, including public safety, economic development, and education, as well as employment opportunities for people in rural areas. She opined that HB 221 is long overdue. She added that she says that "with a smile." She said the proposed legislation would "open up silos that have been created between tribal governments and the State of Alaska." She said it will benefit Alaska as a whole. 8:19:42 AM RONALD LEIGHTON, President, Organized Village of Kaasan, testified in support of HB 221. Concurred that it is about time this legislation took place. Tribal, state, and federal government is beneficial; it brings in federal funds. He said he thinks tribes working together benefit from pooling funds. He congratulated the state "on new reform with this" and anticipated "better things to come in the state because of this - both for tribes and the State of Alaska." 8:23:09 AM JUDITH JAMES testified in support of HB 221. She said as a student at the University of Alaska, she did a practicum regarding "the language of the land." She said every tribe in Alaska is working on healing from historical trauma. She said she was a drug and alcohol counselor for 7 years. She has spoken about historical trauma. She said she grew up in the '60s where in her community "the lights went out at 10 o'clock and we brought out our oil lamps." She said she tries to give back to any community in which she has lived. She has been a member of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, among other organizations. She said she believes that tribal sovereignty and the State of Alaska go hand in hand. The state is rich in culture. She thanked the committee. 8:25:58 AM MARINA ANDERSON, Administrator/Vice President, Organized Village of Kasaan, offered an introduction in her Native language. Then she stated, "The tribes in Alaska operate a very heavy and sustainable economic base for the small areas that surround us." She indicated that tribal citizens and non-tribal citizens benefit from "our growing economy." She stated that she thinks it is important to pass HB 221. She said she thinks there are opportunities for [tribes and the State of Alaska] to work together in areas such as natural resources, tribal courts, law enforcement, education, and the economy. 8:28:23 AM CO-CHAIR DRUMMOND closed public testimony on CSHB 221(TRB). 8:28:38 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN moved to report CSHB 221(TRB) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHB 221(TRB) was reported out of the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee.
Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
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HB 221 Written Testimony--RuralCap 3.1.2020.pdf |
HCRA 3/3/2020 8:00:00 AM |
HB 221 |
HB 193 Written Testimony NPA 3.1.2020.pdf |
HCRA 3/3/2020 8:00:00 AM |
HB 193 |
HB 193 NPA Support Letter AK State Song 2nd Verse.pdf |
HCRA 3/3/2020 8:00:00 AM |
HB 193 |
HB 221 Letters of Opposition.pdf |
HCRA 3/3/2020 8:00:00 AM |
HB 221 |