02/25/2025 09:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB35 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 35 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 25, 2025
9:12 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Co-Chair
Representative Donna Mears, Co-Chair
Representative Carolyn Hall
Representative Ky Holland
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Justin Ruffridge
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 35
"An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices
by prisoners."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 35
SHORT TITLE: PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/USE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HIMSCHOOT
01/22/25 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) CRA, STA
02/20/25 (H) CRA AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
02/20/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/20/25 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
02/25/25 (H) CRA AT 9:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
ELLA LUBIN, Staff
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an explanation of changes to HB
35 on behalf of Representative Himschoot, prime sponsor.
APRIL WILKERSON, Deputy Commissioner
Department of Corrections
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
35.
BARBARA MONGAR, Matsu Regional Coordinator
Alaska Reentry Partnership
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 35.
BOBBY DORTON, Consultant
Healing Homes
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 35.
ACTION NARRATIVE
9:12:37 AM
CO-CHAIR REBECCA HIMSCHOOT called the House Community and
Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 9:12
a.m. Representatives Ruffridge, Prax, Holland, Hall, Mears, and
Himschoot were present at the call to order.
HB 35-PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/USE
9:13:18 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the only order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 35, "An Act relating to the use and
possession of electronic devices by prisoners."
9:13:44 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for HB 35, Version 34-LS0355\I, C. Radford, 2/22/25, as the
working document.
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT objected for the purpose of discussion.
9:14:16 AM
ELLA LUBIN, Staff, Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Alaska
State Legislature, presented the changes in Version I from the
written explanation of changes [included in the committee
packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
In the CS relating to the use of electronic devices
for HB 35, page 3 lines 12 -17 have been modified to
clarify the justifications behind allowable electronic
device use. Use of electronic devices is not
restricted for access relating to rehabilitation or
compliance with reentry and case plans. Otherwise, HB
35 remains unchanged.
HB 35 version I includes three revisions:
• Specifies compliance with a reentry plan or
case plan as one of the allowable uses. This
clarifies that prisoner's rehabilitation is
included as one of the other allowable uses along
with many others, like access to legal reference
materials, telehealth services, and visitation
opportunities, etc.
• "Only" is removed in order to clarify intent
and broaden acceptable reasons for electronic
device usage.
• "And may not be used for another purpose" (page
3, line 17) is removed, allowing devices to be
used for other purposes not specified.
9:16:50 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:16 a.m. to 9:19 a.m.
9:19:40 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT sought questions from members of the
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked whether the new language had been
reviewed by the department.
9:20:19 AM
APRIL WILKERSON, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections
(DOC), responded yes, and said the new language would allow DOC
through regulations to implement the intended efficiencies of
the tablet program.
9:20:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE suggested removing subparagraph (I) [on
page 3 of the bill] entirely.
MS. WILKERSON said that would be a policy call.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND shared his understanding that removing
subparagraph I would require further clarification of paragraph
(3) [on page 2]. He said he was happy with the flexibility
offered by Version I.
9:22:51 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the change in DOC regulation
would require public notification.
MS. WILKERSON answered yes, the department would follow the
normal regulation process. In response to a follow up comment,
she said DOC works with the Department of Law (DOL) on a regular
basis on regulation updates.
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT removed her objection.
9:24:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected.
9:25:17 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:25 a.m.
9:25:57 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Hall, Holland,
Himschoot, and Mears voted in favor of adopting Version I as the
working document. Representatives Prax and Ruffridge voted
against it. Therefore, Version I was adopted by a vote of 4-2.
9:26:42 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease 9:26 a.m.
[Co-Chair Himschoot passed the gavel to Co-Chair Mears.]
9:27:30 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT said Version I would clarify language that
seemingly tied the use of the tablets to a reentry plan. The
current version of the bill would give more latitude to the DOC
commissioner and allow individuals without a reentry plan and
those on pretrial to use the tablets for visitation, telehealth,
reentry plans, and education, thereby broadening their use.
9:28:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE said he had hoped that tablet use would
be contingent upon a reentry plan. He asked whether the bill
would allow for open use of tablets inside an inmate's
individual cell, including for entertainment purposes, such as
movies, TV shows, and music.
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT shared her understanding that none of the
tablets are allowed to be used in the cells. She asked him to
repeat the question.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE, referring to sub-subparagraph (ii),
contended that the bill would allow the use of computers or
electronic tablets inside the prisoner's cell as long as it's
used for the purposes approved under subparagraph (I).
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT agreed. She clarified that the bill was
never intended [to allow for tablets to be used for
entertainment purposes in the individual cells].
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE questioned the requirements of the
pilot program at the Highland Mountain Correctional Center
(HMCC).
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT deferred to Ms. Wilkerson.
9:32:41 AM
MS. WILKERSON explained that the pilot program allows for
professional visitation and access to the digital law library
and the inmate handbook, as well as a platform specific to the
Alaska Court System (ACS), which has not been utilized. The
tablets are also used to deploy communications from the
superintendent to the prison population. Requests for
information (RFI), grievances, and other inquiries can also be
made on the tablets. She added that movies, games, and music
are not available on the tablets at this time.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE sought to confirm that the tablets are
not currently used for video visitation.
MS. WILKERSON said that is correct, as Alaska statutes do not
allow for video visitation. She added that education and
telehealth are also being considered on a limited basis.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked why inmates would choose to use
the tablets if they only provide access to [the digital law
library], the inmate handbook, or RFIs and grievance
submissions.
MS. WILKERSON did not know the answer.
9:38:17 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 9:38 a.m.
[Co-Chair Mears passed the gavel back to Co-Chair Himschoot.]
9:39:14 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT opened public testimony on HB 35.
9:39:49 AM
BARBARA MONGAR, Matsu Regional Coordinator, Alaska Reentry
Partnership, shared background on the Alaska Reentry
Partnership. She said the bill would help to remove barriers
that restrict inmates from using electronic devices for improved
access to rehabilitative programming and activities. She
expressed further support for DOC's efforts to expand access to
digital technology. She said early access to services would
improve the likelihood of successful reintegration into the
community.
9:42:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE asked how these tablets would help
someone reintegrate into the community.
MS. MONGAR said they would help with treatment, vocational
classes, and to facilitate contact with case managers prior to
release.
9:44:24 AM
BOBBY DORTON, Consultant, Healing Homes, shared his personal
story and recounted his experience with the justice system. He
shared his professional background after releasing from prison
and said the tablets would allow individuals to find a career
while in prison. He said the tablets would have furthered his
education significantly and would help people find their
purpose.
9:50:10 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT gave closing remarks.
[HB 35 was held over.]
9:50:42 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 9:50 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 35 Version N 1.22.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Sectional Analysis - Version N 2.12.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/20/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Sponsor Statement - Version N 2.9.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/20/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Research - Technology to Support Reentry 2022.pdf |
HCRA 2/20/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Research - Technology Protects Inmate Mental Health 12.12.23.pdf |
HCRA 2/20/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Research - Technology Education Programs in Prisons 3.4.24.pdf |
HCRA 2/20/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Support - Alaska Reentry Partnership.pdf |
HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Work Draft CS - Version I 2.22.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 CS Explanation of Changes - Version I 2.24.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Testimony - Received by 2.24.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |
| HB 35 Fiscal Note - DOC-IDO 2.20.25.pdf |
HCRA 2/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HCRA 3/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 35 |