03/21/2023 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB61 | |
| HB17 | |
| HB84 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 21, 2023
8:04 a.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative CJ McCormick, Chair
Representative Kevin McCabe, Vice Chair
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Justin Ruffridge
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Donna Mears
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Josiah Patkotak
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Julie Coulombe
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 61
"An Act relating to restrictions on firearms and other weapons."
- MOVED HB 61 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 17
"An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and
related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for
contraceptives and related services; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 17(HSS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 84
"An Act relating to municipal property tax; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 61
SHORT TITLE: LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TILTON
02/06/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/06/23 (H) CRA, STA
03/16/23 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/16/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/16/23 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/21/23 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 17
SHORT TITLE: CONTRACEPTIVES COVERAGE:INSURE;MED ASSIST
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CARRICK
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) HSS, CRA, L&C, FIN
02/07/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
02/07/23 (H) Heard & Held
02/07/23 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
02/18/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
02/18/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
03/02/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/02/23 (H) Moved CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee
03/02/23 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/07/23 (H) HSS AT 3:00 PM DAVIS 106
03/07/23 (H) Moved CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee
03/07/23 (H) MINUTE(HSS)
03/08/23 (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 3DP 2NR
03/08/23 (H) DP: RUFFRIDGE, SUMNER, MINA
03/08/23 (H) NR: SADDLER, PRAX
03/16/23 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/16/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/16/23 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/17/23 (H) FIN REFERRAL REMOVED
03/17/23 (H) BILL REPRINTED
03/21/23 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 84
SHORT TITLE: MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROP
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SUMNER
02/27/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/27/23 (H) CRA, FIN
03/21/23 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
DICK TRAINI, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
MIKE COONS, President
Concerned Conservatives of Alaska
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
LUANN MCVEY, representing self
Douglas, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 61.
CAROLINE PORTER, representing self
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
ED MARTIN, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
ANNA YANCY, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
TABITHA NARDINI, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
KEN GRIFFIN, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
ROCHELLE PARKER, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 61.
MICHAEL LAFAY, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 61.
JAN CAULFIELD, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 61.
MARIAN CLAEGH, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 61.
ODETTE EDGAR, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 61.
FRANK RUP, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 61.
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, re-capped HB 17.
MORGAN LIM
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
KC CASORT, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
KATELYN SAFT, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
JAMIE GIBSON, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
ROSE TITUS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
MIKE COONS
President of the Concerned Conservatives of Alaska
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 17.
CHARLES SEMLING, Pharmacy Manager
Alaska Medicaid
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
17.
ROSE O'HARA-JOLLEY, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 17.
BROOK BEVERIDGE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
PAIGE HODSON, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
ALEX KOPLIN,
representing self
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 17.
REPRESENTATIVE JESSE SUMNER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 84.
JESSE LOGAN, Staff
Representative Jessie Sumner
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided additional commentary on HB 84 on
behalf of Representative Sumner, prime sponsor.
BILL POPP, President and CEO
Anchorage Economic Development Corporation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 84.
MIKE ROBBINS, Executive Director
Anchorage Community Development Authority
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 84.
NILS ANDREASSEN, Executive Director
Alaska Municipal League
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 84.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:04:41 AM
CHAIR CJ MCCORMICK called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:04 a.m.
Representatives McKay, Ruffridge, Himschoot, Mears, McCabe, and
McCormick were present at the call to order. Also present was
Representative Coulombe.
HB 61-LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS
8:05:45 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 61, "An Act relating to restrictions on
firearms and other weapons."
8:06:20 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:06 a.m. to 8:07 a.m.
8:07:01 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK opened public testimony on HB 61.
8:07:38 AM
DICK TRAINI, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
8:08:57 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK stated he will refrain from questions from the
committee due to time restrictions.
8:09:25 AM
MIKE COONS, President, Concerned Conservatives of Alaska,
testified in support HB 61.
8:12:49 AM
LUANN MCVEY, representing self, stated she is a volunteer with
the Alaska Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, and
testified in opposition to HB 61. She urged the committee to
put their time and energy into constructive legislation.
8:15:07 AM
CAROLINE PORTER, representing self, testified in support of HB
61. She stated that during the [COVID-19] pandemic, singling
out the closure of a specific type of business - gun stores -
was unconstitutional, unfair, and citizens' Second Amendment
rights must be ensured.
8:17:43 AM
ED MARTIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 61. He
stated the bill would "cure a problem that never should have
happened," and that it "should have been in the opposite during
the emergency."
8:20:32 AM
ANNA YANCY, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
She stated individuals need to be able to protect themselves
during an emergency.
8:23:05 AM
TABITHA NARDINI, representing self, testified in support of HB
61. She said if a state emergency should happen, she would like
to be able to protect her family and home.
8:23:52 AM
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
She explained that she comes from generations with military
backgrounds, and also brought up an example of having to protect
her daughter during an attempted home invasion [in California],
and having a firearm stopped the intrusion. She stressed the
importance of home protection.
8:26:25 AM
KEN GRIFFIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 61,
and stated that "criminals do not buy guns from stores, they
steal or buy them on the street," therefore, the bill would not
aid criminals; it would aid law abiding citizens.
8:28:17 AM
ROCHELLE PARKER, representing self, stated she is a volunteer
with the Anchorage Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense
in America, and testified in strong opposition to HB 61.
8:29:58 AM
MICHAEL LAFAY, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
8:31:07 AM
JAN CAULFIELD, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61 "in its current form."
8:33:51 AM
MARIAN CLAEGH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61. She stated the Second Amendment is already protected, and
the bill invites needless expenses.
8:36:45 AM
ODETTE EDGAR, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61. She expressed objection to [subsections (s) and (d), and
she stated the bill is a solution in search of a problem.
8:38:33 AM
FRANK RUP, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 61.
He stated if it is about commerce and equity, it is great, but
his concern is the bill's vagueness as it is currently written.
8:41:24 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 61.
8:42:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK entertained a motion to move HB 61 from
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to report HB 61 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS objected. She stated that rights are
currently protected, and the bill would be redundant.
8:43:27 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK asked if any other committee members would like
to speak to the objection.
8:43:59 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:43 a.m. to 8:44 a.m.
8:44:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS maintained her objection.
8:44:51 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives McKay, Ruffridge,
McCabe, and McCormick voted in favor of the motion to report HB
61 out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. Representatives Mears and Himschoot
voted against it. Therefore, HB 61 was reported out of the
House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee by a
vote of 4-2.
8:45:31 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:45 a.m. to 8:50 a.m.
HB 17-CONTRACEPTIVES COVERAGE:INSURE;MED ASSIST
8:50:07 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 17, "An Act relating to insurance coverage for
contraceptives and related services; relating to medical
assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services; and
providing for an effective date."
8:50:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, provided a re-cap on HB 17 before public
testimony began. The bill would change the relationship between
the insurance company and the patient, as opposed to the
individual and their provider. It is an extension to mandate up
to 12 months for prescription contraceptives to be dispensed at
one time.
8:51:27 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:51 a.m.
8:51:42 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK opened public testimony on HB 17.
8:52:03 AM
MORGAN LIM, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska,
testified in support of HB 17.
8:55:11 AM
KC CASORT, representing self, testified in support of HB 17.
8:57:28 AM
KATELYN SAFT, representing self, testified in support of HB 17.
8:58:58 AM
JAMIE GIBSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 17.
She stated birth control "saved her life."
9:01:26 AM
ROSE TITUS, representing self, testified in support of HB 17.
She stated she uses birth control to relieve her endometriosis.
9:04:00 AM
MIKE COONS, President of the Concerned Conservatives of Alaska,
testified in opposition to HB 17. He stated the bill does
nothing for the poor and if mandated will add to the cost of
insurance.
9:06:14 AM
CHARLES SEMLING, Pharmacy Manager, Alaska Medicaid, stated he is
not testifying but is available for questions.
9:06:28 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK confirmed there are no questions for Mr. Semling
at this time and will continue with online testimony.
9:06:45 AM
ROSE O'HARA-JOLLEY, representing self, testified in support of
HB 17. She stated she experienced perimenopause and medication
relieved her symptoms, but she could not get the time off [from
a remote job] to get the prescribed medication refilled after it
ran out.
9:09:40 AM
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
17. Stated birth control pills "can be very dangerous," and
patients should see their doctors often.
9:12:25 AM
BROOK BEVERIDGE, representing self, testified in support of HB
17. Stated she uses birth control to stabilize hormonal
imbalances.
9:14:05 AM
PAIGE HODSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 17.
9:15:25 AM
ALEX KOPLIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 17.
She commented that the bill is well-rounded and well crafted.
9:17:25 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK closed public testimony on HB 17.
9:17:35 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK stated there were no amendments received for HB
17. He entertained a motion to move HB 17 from committee.
9:18:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to report HB 17 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal
notes.
9:18:17 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS objected for the purpose of discussion.
She thanked everyone for testifying today and for sharing
personal medical history. She stated that she supports HB 17,
and she removed her objection.
9:19:10 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK mirrored Representative Mears' comments and
spoke on behalf of rural individuals that it means a lot to
these communities.
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced there being no further objection, HB
17 was reported out of the House Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee.
9:19:41 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:19 a.m. to 9:23 a.m.
HB 84-MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROP
9:23:57 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 84, "An Act relating to municipal property
tax; and providing for an effective date."
9:24:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JESSE SUMNER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 84. He gave the sponsor statement, which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
HB 84 provides local governments with additional,
optional tools to incentivize economic development.
First, HB 84 allows municipalities to fully exempt
property taxes for economic development purposes.
Currently, municipalities may only exempt the portion
of property taxes that is above the district's
required local contribution. HB 84 removes this limit
for economic development properties. However, this
change does not impact education funding. The mandated
local contribution must still be met, but other
revenue sources may be used to meet this requirement.
Second, HB 84 allows local governments to levy a
light tax". "Blighted" properties are heavily
deteriorated properties that can reduce property tax
and quality of life by devaluing neighboring
properties. Blighted properties often become a magnet
for criminal activity, which impose additional costs
upon the local government. A "blight tax" implements a
higher tax on these properties, however, the tax is
reduced when the property is appropriately remediated
and no longer considered "blighted." Under HB 84, it
is up to the local government's discretion to define
what properties are considered "blighted," what the
tax rate would be, and what is considered
"remediated." It is further left to the local
government's discretion whether they seek to establish
this system; they cannot use the blight tax tool
without adopting additional local code.
Declining state revenue has limited the State's
ability to invest in economic development initiatives.
This has left the municipalities to rely more on their
own means to facilitate those projects. Coupled with
rising construction costs and an insufficient labor
force, economic development initiatives have suffered.
HB 84 seeks to address these concerns by providing
further options for localities; however, it does not
impose any new requirementslocal governments are free
to use these tools or to decline to do so. I urge your
support.
9:26:54 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT expressed concern regarding language on
page 2, line 13, of HB 84, wherein local community sets
standards for determining whether a property is blighted. She
asked if it could be allowed for municipalities to increase
taxes on people who are actually occupying something that
appears blighted.
9:28:13 AM
REPRESENTITIVE SUMNER replied yes. He added that if a local
government chose to make such a politically interesting choice,
it will bear the repercussions.
9:29:18 AM
JESSE LOGAN, Staff, Representative Jessie Sumner, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Sumner, prime sponsor
of HB 84, in response to Representative Himschoot's concern,
explained that the property owner would have the right to
challenge that designation of blighting, and would raise it to a
level of public awareness to where there would, he assumed, have
to be public notice.
9:30:08 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK welcomed invited testimony.
9:30:37 AM
BILL POPP, President and CEO, Anchorage Economic Development
Corporation, provided a brief background and gave invited
testimony in support of HB 84. He stated he and his
organization, Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC),
support passage of this legislation; it would add key tools in
the toolbox that currently do not exist in the "economic
development toolbox." It would provide more latitude to address
needs that he believed could be further addressed by Mr.
Robbins, a fellow invited testifier today. He further explained
that the bill could have the potential to be a game-changer in
many ways in terms of getting new housing started in Anchorage,
Alaska, and making housing more available to all levels of
income as well as cost-effective housing. He welcomed questions
from members of the committee.
9:35:10 AM
VICE CHAIR MCCABE inquired about what kind of protections AEDC
envisions that could be established to prevent an assembly from
not listening to the people and "just willy-nilly taking
property."
MR. POPP replied AEDC does not have power over the assembly. He
said he believes public process elements proposed under HB 84
would provide a robust debate.
VICE CHAIR MCCABE commented that he wished to strongly protect
homeowners, especially ones going through hard times. He also
stressed his support for protecting individual rights as well as
city rights.
9:38:45 AM
MIKE ROBBINS, Executive Director, Anchorage Community
Development Authority, offered invited testimony in support of
HB 84, and he stated the bill would stimulate economic and
housing development around the state. He noted the housing
shortages in Alaska are at "all levels." He said Section 1 of
the bill would help to address the challenge facing builders,
and this challenge is mainly the cost. The bill would give
cities more local control, bring the decision-making process
home to the local communities, and the cities would decide the
amount and length of an abatement. He opined that is something
that belongs at the city level; cities should have the
opportunity to make these determinations for themselves.
9:43:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT brought up that 100 percent abatement
is already allowed for deteriorated properties, and she asked
for confirmation if this is correct.
MR. ROBBINS replied that under current state law, local
municipalities are allowed to abate/tax the school district
portion of the property tax for deteriorated property.
9:45:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked about blighted property and what
it looks like in, for example, Anchorage.
MR. ROBBINS responded that his organization had not done a study
or identified all blighted property in Anchorage due to no
ordinances being passed.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE stated he is 100 percent in support of
the local control that HB 84 would provide. In terms of
blighted property, he asked if there would be an increase in
property taxes if the property is not remediated.
MR. ROBBINS replied that an owner may qualify for deteriorated
property or redevelop the property for economic purposes. Under
the provisions of HB 84, the owner would be able to take
advantage of the 100 percent tax abatement for redevelopment.
9:50:18 AM
NILS ANDREASSEN, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League,
gave invited testimony in support of HB 84. The bill would
support local governments to address community and economic
development. The bill speaks to the blight portion - the
"community redevelopment tax incentive program," - where there
is not currently any statute that would allow for local
governments to develop methods to remediate properties. Vacant
and underutilized properties would be used for more productive
purposes which increases values throughout the community. He
encouraged the committee to pass HB 84.
9:52:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked for examples of other states that
"do this" and she also inquired as to how a community may define
"blighted."
MR. ANDREASSEN replied he is aware of two states: Washington,
DC, and Georgia. In response to a follow-up question, he
explained the way the bill is structured, it would be up to the
community to define "blighted".
9:54:39 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked Representative Sumner if the
municipality would have the option to find revenue elsewhere
within its budget due to a gap in its funding [for the education
cap.]
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER replied that no district he is aware of
funds at the minimum effort, but if one property is accepted,
yes, the municipality would find the revenue elsewhere. He
stated it is the same with any amount of tax abatement.
9:56:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER thanked the committee for hearing HB 84
and said he looks forward to future consideration by the
committee members.
9:57:34 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced HB 84 was held over.
9:57:44 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 9:58 a.m.