Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
05/13/2025 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB207 | |
| HB184 | |
| HB126 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 184 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 207 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
May 13, 2025
8:05 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Co-Chair
Representative Donna Mears, Co-Chair
Representative Carolyn Hall
Representative Ky Holland
Representative Mike Prax
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Justin Ruffridge
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 207
"An Act relating to a matching grant program for fire station
construction and renovation; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED HB 207 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 184
"An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export
Authority; and relating to workforce housing development
projects."
- MOVED CSHB 184(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 126
"An Act relating to the reinstatement of Native corporations;
and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 126(TRB) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 207
SHORT TITLE: FIRE STATION GRANT PROGRAM
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SCHRAGE BY REQUEST
04/25/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/25/25 (H) CRA, FIN
05/06/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
05/06/25 (H) Heard & Held
05/06/25 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
05/08/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
05/08/25 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
05/13/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 184
SHORT TITLE: AIDEA FINANCE WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOP.
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STORY
04/11/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/11/25 (H) CRA, L&C
04/24/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/24/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/24/25 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/29/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/29/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/29/25 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
05/01/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
05/01/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/08/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
05/08/25 (H) Heard & Held
05/08/25 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
05/13/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: HB 126
SHORT TITLE: REINSTATEMENT OF NATIVE CORPS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) FOSTER
03/05/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/05/25 (H) TRB, CRA
05/01/25 (H) TRB AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
05/01/25 (H) Moved CSHB 126(TRB) Out of Committee
05/01/25 (H) MINUTE(TRB)
05/02/25 (H) TRB RPT CS(TRB) NEW TITLE 6DP 1NR
05/02/25 (H) DP: MOORE, UNDERWOOD, SCHWANKE, BURKE,
STORY, DIBERT
05/02/25 (H) NR: CARRICK
05/08/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
05/08/25 (H) Heard & Held
05/08/25 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
05/13/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, gave a recap of HB 207.
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, gave a recap of the bill.
PAUL LABOLLE, Staff
Representative Neal Foster
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a summary of CSHB 126(TRB) on behalf
of Representative Foster, prime sponsor.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:05:52 AM
CHAIR DONNA MEARS called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
Representatives Hall, Holland, Himschoot, and Mears were present
at the call to order. Representative Prax arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 207-FIRE STATION GRANT PROGRAM
8:07:17 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 207, "An Act relating to a matching grant
program for fire station construction and renovation; and
providing for an effective date."
8:07:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor, gave a recap of HB 207, which relates to grants
for fire stations in Alaska. The bills would allow the state to
create a structured program from which to fund the renovation or
construction of fire halls throughout the state. He highlighted
a need for this program in Ketchikan, for example, where old
sewage lines are backing up into the fire station, as well as
fire halls that have been damaged from prior earthquakes or have
asbestos in their building materials. He reiterated that the
bill would create a structured way to identify need and make
long-range plans on how to fund facilities and depoliticize the
process.
8:10:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the sponsor had considered
adding this to the "community grants section" to ensure that all
community capital requests are considered and prioritized.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said that question prompted some thought,
but he opted to keep it as a standalone grant program to avoid
complication.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX contended that if the program were to be
depoliticized, there needs to be an evaluation prioritization
procedure established ahead of time.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE agreed and expressed his hope that [the
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
(DCCED)] would opt to draft regulation for the program.
Alternatively, the Fire Chiefs Association could be used as a
secondary means to help score and prioritize these structures.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether DCCED would have the expertise
to understand the needs of the fire departments. He suggested
that the program should instead go through the State Fire
Marshal's office within Department of Public Safety (DPS), or
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF).
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE opined that DCCED is equipped to handle
the program given its experience with grants. He added that the
department could coordinate and information share with other
agencies to accomplish the task.
CO-CHAIR MEARS pointed out that it would reinforce DCCED as a
community liaison and a touchstone for projects.
8:15:31 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND referenced the letter from Director
Moller, Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA),
[included in the committee packet] and asked whether the bill
language should be modified to suggest that funding for fire
stations would meet the criteria for funding, or whether there's
enough flexibility in the existing language.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said he was pleased with DCRA's response
with respect to flexibility for integrated facilities because it
acknowledges that fire stations are often co-located with
emergency management services and dispatch services, and would
fit within the proposed program, per Alaska statutes. He opined
that the bill would meet the need of the grant requests.
8:18:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL asked for the bill sponsor's thoughts on Ms.
Moller's suggestion that if the legislature intends for multiple
funding sources to be used, it would be best to outline that in
statute.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said adding more specifics into statute
would almost certainly provide further clarity, but the document
also acknowledges that it could be done through regulation. He
stated that the intent is to provide flexibility that allows for
multiple funding streams for the construction.
CO-CHAIR MEARS reiterated that the intent is to use multiple
sources of funding.
8:20:38 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 8:20 a.m.
8:21:02 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT moved to report HB 207 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX objected. He opined that there's no real
hurry to establish this fund and shared his belief that the
program could be made better with specific instructions,
integration into the community grant fund, and an established
process for the grant applications. Further, he opined that the
program would not depoliticize the process and shared an
example.
CO-CHAIR MEARS pointed out that the way projects are funded is
changing, and this would be a way to identify statewide needs.
For that reason, she opined that it would accomplish the goal of
depoliticization.
8:24:32 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Hall, Holland,
Himschoot, and Mears voted in favor of reporting HB 207 out of
committee. Representative Prax voted against it. Therefore, HB
207 was reported out of the House Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee by a vote of 4-1.
8:25:10 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:25 a.m. to 8:27 a.m.
HB 184-AIDEA FINANCE WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOP.
8:27:02 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 184, "An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority; and relating to workforce
housing development projects."
8:27:22 AM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDI STORY, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, gave a recap of the bill. She said Alaska's housing
crisis continues to contribute to the outmigration of Alaskan
individuals and families, which in turn, contributes to the
workforce shortage and highlights the need for multi-unit worker
housing. The bill seeks to expand the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority (AIDEA's) purpose in statute.
Section 1 adds to the purpose of AIDEA to create additional
employment by providing various means of financing and
facilitating the financing of construction of new workforce
housing facilities containing five or more dwelling units.
AIDEA has shown support for the bill despite not engaging in
financing workforce housing for some time.
8:28:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 184,
labeled 34-LS0855\A.1, Walsh, 5/9/25, which read:
Page 1, lines 1 - 2:
Delete "the Alaska Industrial Development and
Export Authority; and relating to"
Insert "financing by the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority for"
Co-CHAIR MEARS objected for purposes of discussion,
8:29:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL explained that Amendment 1 proposes a title
change to tighten the purpose of the bill. It would make clear
that the bill is about the financing of workforce housing loans
with AIDEA.
CO-CHAIR MEARS removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
8:29:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 184,
labeled 34-LS0855\A.2, Walsh/ 5/8/25, which read:
Page 6, line 28, through page 7, line 1:
Delete all material.
CO-CHAIR MEARS objected for purposes of discussion.
8:29:52 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HALL explained that Amendment 2 deletes Section
5, which provides the definition that sets financial limits as
defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(USHUD). The change was requested because the definition of
workforce housing was seen as an unecessary barrier, as the
monitoring of tenants' income could deter developers from
applying for the program. Furthermore, there's no need to put
restrictions on affordable housing, because when a typical
market rate apartment building is constructed, it's already
providing affordable housing.
CO-CHAIR MEARS removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
8:31:25 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT moved to report HB 184, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 184(CRA) was
reported out of the House Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee.
8:31:54 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:31 a.m. to 8:33 a.m.
HB 126-REINSTATEMENT OF NATIVE CORPS
8:33:45 AM
CO-CHAIR MEARS announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 126, "An Act relating to the reinstatement of
Native corporations; and providing for an effective date."
[Before the committee was CSHB 126(TRB).]
8:34:06 AM
PAUL LABOLLE, Staff, Representative Neal Foster, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Foster, prime sponsor,
said the bill would reinstate Native village corporations that
were involuntarily dissolved. He added that the House Special
Committee on Tribal Affairs committee substitute (CS) made it so
this could be resolved administratively, without legislation, by
DCCED.
8:34:57 AM
CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT moved to report CSHB 126(TRB) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 126(TRB) was
reported out of the House Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee.
8:36:36 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at House Community and Regional Affairs Standing
Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 207 - Sponsor Statement 4.30.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/6/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 207 |
| HB 207 Version A (34-LS0913A) 4.25.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/6/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 207 |
| HB 207 Sectional Analysis - Version A 4.30.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/6/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 207 |
| HB 207 Fiscal Note - DCCED-DCRA 5.2.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/6/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 207 |
| HB 207 - AFCA Letter of Support 5.5.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/6/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 207 |
| HB 207 Presentation - Fire Station Grant Program 5.6.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 207 |
| HB 126 Sponsor Statement version N.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM HTRB 5/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HB 126 Letter requesting reinstatment.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM HTRB 5/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HB 126 Fiscal Note DCCED.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM HTRB 5/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HB 126 Fiscal Note DCCED2.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM HTRB 5/1/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HB 126 Fiscal Note One - DCCED-DBS 5.2.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HB 126 Version G 5.2.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 126 |
| HB 184 Version A 4.17.25.pdf |
HCRA 4/24/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 4/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Sponsor Statement 4.17.25.pdf |
HCRA 4/24/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Sectional Analysis 4.17.25.pdf |
HCRA 4/24/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Fiscal Note - DCCED-AIDEA-04-18-2025.pdf |
HCRA 4/24/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Letter of Support - Alaska Municipal League 4.17.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Testimony Received by 4.23.25.pdf |
HCRA 4/24/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184- AHFC Follow-Up on AIDEA Workforce Housing 4.25.2025.pdf |
HCRA 4/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| An Overview of Alaska's Housing Shortage by AAHA - HB 184 Supporting Doc.pdf |
HCRA 4/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| Housing Alaskans - 2023 Housing Data Takeaways -HB 184 Supporting Doc.pdf |
HCRA 4/29/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - AHFC follow-up from HCRA Meeting 5.5.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/8/2025 8:00:00 AM HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Amendment 2 5.13.2025.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Amendment 1 5.13.2025.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 184 |
| HB 207 DCRA Response to HCRA 5.12.25.pdf |
HCRA 5/13/2025 8:00:00 AM |
HB 207 |