Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
03/30/2023 05:15 PM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| HB105 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 30, 2023
5:15 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jamie Allard, Co-Chair
Representative Justin Ruffridge, Co-Chair
Representative Mike Prax
Representative CJ McCormick
Representative Tom McKay
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Maxine Dibert
Representative Andrew Gray
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 105
"An Act relating to parental rights in a child's education;
relating to access to school records; relating to sex education,
human reproduction education, and human sexuality education;
relating to school disciplinary and safety programs; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 105
SHORT TITLE: SEX/REPRODUCTION EDUCATION; SCHOOLS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
03/08/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/08/23 (H) EDC, JUD
03/13/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/13/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/13/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/29/23 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM DAVIS 106
03/29/23 (H) Heard & Held
03/29/23 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
03/30/23 (H) EDC AT 5:15 PM DAVIS 106
WITNESS REGISTER
DAVID BRIGHTON, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MARK FRAUD, Physical Education Teacher
Seward Elementary School
Seward, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MORGAN LIM
Planned Parenthood
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
LUPITA ALVAREZ, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
NELSON MERRIL, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
EMILY KANE, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
APAYAUQ REITAN, representing self
Kaktovik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
CHARLENE APOK, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
BRENDA TAYLOR, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 105.
IZZY ROWLAN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
NOAH WILLIAMS, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
KAY RAVERT, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MEAGAN HINTON, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
AARON BRAKEL, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
RICKY TAGABAN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
CONOR LANDRUM, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ABIGAIL LEATHERMAN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
PAT RACE, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
WENDY BYRNES, Teacher
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
KATIE BOTZ, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MARTIN STEPETIN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
NAOMI HOOD, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ONA ECKERSON, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MIAH LAGER, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
REECE BUTTON, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
VICKI TURNER MALONE, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JACOB RANNEY, representing self
Cordova, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
DAN SULLIVAN, representing self
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
EVERETT BENNETT, representing self
Petersburg, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
DANIELLE LOGAN, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MARIAH BENNET, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
APRIL SMITH, representing self
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
MISHA DANIELS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JOHN BERNITZ, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
BOBBY BURGESS, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ERIN WILLAHAN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
RACHELLE GRIFFITTS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
JAINA WILLAHAN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MELISSA CAPONE, representing self
Fairview, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
EMILY CHAPEL, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JULIE SMYTH, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
BRYAN MULKERN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
LESLEIGH HARTLEY, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ROSE O'HARA-JOLLEY, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
PORTIA ERICKSON, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
CHANDRA POE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ESTHER JOSEPH, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT:
LINDSEY BANNING, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ANDREW WEST, representing self
Bethel, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
RANDY HUGHEY, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105
RAYMOND LEE, representing self
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
NORA GECAN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
DAN POULSON, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MICHAEL GARVEY
American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MONICA WHITMAN, representing self
Eagle River, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MARY ELIZABETH KEHRHAHN-STARK, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
QUINN LINDEMANN, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MICHELLE SINNOTT, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
PATTY BROWN, representing self
Haines, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ALYSSA QUINTYNE, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
KIM HAYS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
LIZ DEAN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
BROOKS BANKER, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
COLBY PEREZ, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
LILLITH CORT, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
KC CASORT, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JAMIE GIBSON, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
DIDI PETERS, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
AMBER O'BRIEN, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JAMES SELVOG, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
BENJAMIN PRESTON, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
CHANDLER O'CONNELL, representing self
Sikta, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
NOLA LAMKEN, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
LILLIAN PARTEE, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MELODY MCCULLOUGH, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
ROSE TITUS, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MIKE COONS, President
Concerned Conservatives of Alaska
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
ZACHARY MACINTYRE, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
NATASHA FALKE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
KEARSTYN COTTON, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JAY MCDONALD, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
JOSHUA SMITH, representing self
Chugiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JESSICA VAUDREUIL, representing self
Buckland, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
KENDRA ARCINIEGA, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
LIV SWONGER, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
RAVEN AMOS, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
BONNY MCWETHY, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
COLLEEN DAHLQUIST, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
HOLLY WILLIAMS, representing self
Salmon Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
DAVID MORENO, representing self
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
BROOK BEVERIDGE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
KY MARTIN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
VERONICA BUNESS, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JACQUELINE DEBEVEC, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
MICHAEL PATTERSON
Party for Socialism and Liberation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JANET JOHNSON, representing self
Homer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
HERMAN MORGAN, representing self
Aniak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
MARGARET SHALIT, representing self
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
FELIX MYERS, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
WILLOW ALISIAE, representing self
No address provided
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
RON JOHNSON, representing self
Butte, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
BERT HOUGHTALING, representing self
Big Lake, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105
MADISON HECKART, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
JERA STEPHENS, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
TEAL HEIDENREITER
Fairbanks Wellness Coalition
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
HANNAH HILL, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
CASEY MCMILLAN, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
AMY AINSLIE, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
CLARICE JOHNSON, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
BUTCH MOORE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
CINDY MOORE, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
SAMI GRAHAM, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
KAREN JENSEN, representing self
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
AUDREY JIRAK, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
LEON JAIMES, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ELEILIA PRESTON, representing self
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 105.
SHERRY COBURN, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 105.
KC ELLIOT, representing self
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to HB 105.
ACTION NARRATIVE
5:15:11 PM
CO-CHAIR JAMIE ALLARD called the House Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Representatives
Himschoot, Story, McKay, McCormick, Ruffridge, and Allard were
present at the call to order. Representative Prax arrived as
the meeting was in progress. Also present were Representatives
Dibert and Gray.
HB 105-SEX/REPRODUCTION EDUCATION; SCHOOLS
5:15:52 PM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the only order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 105, "An Act relating to parental rights in a
child's education; relating to access to school records;
relating to sex education, human reproduction education, and
human sexuality education; relating to school disciplinary and
safety programs; and providing for an effective date."
5:16:35 PM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD opened public testimony on HB 105.
5:17:04 PM
DAVID BRIGHTON, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. He said he is a teacher at Skyview Middle School and
expressed his concern about the implications behind the bill.
His goal, he said, is to work with special education students so
they would reach their full potential; however, there are many
things kids bring to the classroom that some students are not
prepared to learn, and he opined that the bill would interrupt
the learning process for many students in the lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) community. He said
that students must feel safe, and he explained he had students
who asked him to use specific pronouns, and when he does that
for them, "their faces light up" and they have expressed they
are comfortable around him. He asked the committee to respect
the rights of the communities of people who are "just looking
for common decency," and he stated he thought the bill violated
the rights of expression.
5:19:35 PM
MARK FRAUD, Physical Education Teacher, Seward Elementary
School, spoke in opposition to HB 105. His job as an educator
is to teach students and keep them safe, with his motto being
"come as you are," he said. He expressed his belief that with
the high suicide rate the LGBTQ+ communities faced, he found the
bill targeted these students and is an overreach. The bill, he
said, is a distraction from the overwhelming issues that face
students in school, and he urged the committee to focus on the
impacts of flat funding and supporting students.
5:21:08 PM
MORGAN LIM, Planned Parenthood, said he spoke on behalf of
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Alaska in opposition to HB
105. He opined the bill is an attack on LGBTQ+ youth and it
forcibly outs them. All students deserve to have school be
their safe space to learn, grow, and develop, and HB 105 forces
educators and counselors' hands by requiring them to disclose
student health records to parents and get parental permission
before respecting a student's gender identity, he said. He
offered his belief that LGBTQ+ [students] should have the right
to have their pronouns respected and should be able to share
their identity in their own time. He added that teachers should
not be forced to betray the trust they work so hard to build.
He pointed out areas in the bill he opined were violations of
privacy and stated that the bill was also an attack on a
student's ability to access basic comprehensive sex education.
He urged the committee to oppose HB 105.
5:24:14 PM
LUPITA ALVAREZ, representing self, stated that she was a teacher
in Juneau and had worked with children over 25 years. She said
the bill is not a good idea, and it puts a lot of pressure and
fear on teachers trying to support students. She asked the
committee not to approve the bill.
5:25:10 PM
NELSON MERRIL, representing self, said he opposed HB 105, and he
opined the trans community was in perpetual fear of policies and
hateful ideology like "what the bill represents." He added that
supporting trans people and their transitions reduces suicide
and depression rates which, he said, are astronomical in this
demographic. He expressed his surprise at the bill even being
heard "out of respect for the governor" at the expense of some
of the state's most vulnerable, he said.
5:26:56 PM
EMILY KANE, representing self, expressed her concern that HB 105
reduces safe spaces for children. She pointed out biology
versus society with brief examples, and attempted to give a
backdrop to clear up, she expressed, any confusion. She said
there is an idea that there can only be two genders, but human
expression is much more varied, and making it wrong and illegal
for people to express themselves should not be added to
everything else. She opined that "this is a mean bill" and
urged members to "make it go away."
5:29:56 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 5:30 p.m.
5:30:20 PM
APAYAUQ REITAN, representing self, said she was a 25-year-old
trans woman and noted that she became the first trans woman to
run the Iditarod. She provided her personal background and
expressed her worry about "bills like this" and whether she
could build a future in Alaska.
5:33:10 PM
CHARLENE APOK, representing self, provided a brief personal and
professional background, and she said that as a parent, she must
stand up for efforts that are targeting to harm LGTBQ+ and two-
spirit youth. She said that these youths deserve to have safe
access to resources, especially through schools, and having a
supportive adult in their lives increases well-being. Banning
sex education below the fourth grade is incredibly harmful and
can cause harm in communities, she opined. On the issue of
bathrooms, she offered her opinion that it was a misconception
of unsafety, and in addition, the bill would violate the privacy
of students. People who self-identify should be supported, she
said.
5:36:22 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 5:36 p.m.
5:37:03 PM
BRENDA TAYLOR, representing self, expressed specific concerns
about provisions in HB 105, additionally, she expressed her
confusion why an opt-out option would be replaced with an opt-in
option. She added that many times, permission slips get lost in
kids' backpacks and it would be detrimental to have the sexual
abuse or reproduction classes missed due to parents not
understanding they had to opt-in; however, she confirmed her
support for family involvement. The more teachers can be helped
to be great listeners and facilitators of difficult
conversations that encourage students to think for themselves is
what school should be, she opined.
5:39:56 PM
IZZY ROWLAN, representing self, stated they are a trans non-
binary individual who works with runaway and homeless youth in
Juneau. Their fear is that the bill would put trans children in
direct risk, in harm's way, and "actively kill" the youths of
Alaska. They stated children do not always have safe homes to
go to and if children are forcibly outed, the home would be even
more unsafe. They implored the committee to take this
seriously, and when kids die, they said they would hold the
committee responsible.
5:41:45 PM
NOAH WILLIAMS, representing self, provided a brief background,
and added that he worked with the Juneau Teen Council. He
expressed his belief that the bill was "the worst of the
garbage" he had seen over the last eight years since coming to
committee hearings when the governor originally proposed three
separate bills that had similar themes to HB 105. He said the
bill is incredibly harmful to Alaska's youth, and a
representation of systemic bullying of the most vulnerable
people in the state.
5:43:38 PM
KAY RAVERT, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 105
and said she had many concerns regarding the danger the bill
would put on the state's youth. The proposed restrictions on
sex education can prevent a child from learning how to verbalize
sexual abuse, she said. She added that the parental right to
keep children from participating in sex education could be used
by an abusive parent, therefore harming the child. The
restriction on education on sexual orientation and gender
identity could cause some to feel left alone, different, and
unsafe. The requirement for schools to notify a caregiver of
name and pronoun changes violates a child's privacy and could
cause harm, she said. She opined that overall, [the bill] is an
attack on queer youth and an attempt to keep survivors of sexual
abuse silent.
5:45:49 PM
MEAGAN HINTON, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105 and stated she was a teacher for 16 years. She said that
parents can opt out of sexual education and at the school it is
not an issue, but [the state] is making it an issue. Kids have
enough to figure out on their own, she said, and they do not
need other people telling them what they are doing is wrong when
it comes to expressing who they are as individuals, as it steps
on their First Amendment rights.
5:47:15 PM
AARON BRAKEL, representing self, shared that he had been
sexually abused as a child by an unsafe adult and having the
tools to speak of it did not come until many years later. All
children should have the availability of information and the
ability to speak safely about sexual abuse and their own gender,
he said, and safety does not always extend to their own
families; therefore, schools and societies need to protect
children from their families at times.
5:49:50 PM
RICKY TAGABAN, representing self, offered a personal background
about unacceptance he experienced as a youth, and that educators
provided him with a "lifeline" and made him feel accepted. He
said the bill would criminalize youths who are in the same
situation.
5:51:24 PM
CONOR LANDRUM, representing self, stated that the first reason
he is in opposition to HB 105 was because a school would need
parental permission to address students by their pronoun or
chosen name. He said it created a policy where the default
position of the school is to agree with transphobic guardians of
transgender children and increase the reach of their abuse. He
expressed further opposition to the bill regarding locker rooms
and bathrooms according to biological sex, and he opined
everyone should use whatever space makes sense for their gender.
He said the bill encourages a transphobic baseline for
communities and urged the committee not to pass it.
5:52:56 PM
ABIGAIL LEATHERMAN, representing self, stated that the bill is
"thinly veiled transphobia" that puts the lives and wellbeing of
LGBTQ+ youth at risk. Not acknowledging pronouns and outing
kids before they are ready forces non-conforming kids into
disempowering and dangerous conditions, she said. Comprehensive
and age-appropriate sex education is critical in helping kids
identify and protect themselves from sexual abuse, and she
opined HB 105 is in direct violation of basic rights.
5:54:48 PM
PAT RACE, representing self, said that as a member of the
public, he thanked the committee for being attentive during the
hearing on HB 105. He said being a small business owner, he had
trans employees, served on volunteer boards with trans citizens,
and he observed that they are like any other member of the
community. He stated he is against the opt-in parental
permissions which he opined creates mounds of paperwork for
teachers. He offered his opinion that the bill is not well-
written, invites lawsuits, and takes away from the focus on the
classroom. He stated his belief that Alaska is a live and let
live state, and that is not the spirit of the bill.
5:57:04 PM
WENDY BYRNES, Teacher, offered her background as a teacher and
that she came from a long line of teachers. She said that her
job was to educate and build strong relationships with students,
and to take on this duty she must be ready to accept students
for who they are. She added that students must feel they are
with trusted adults. She stated that teachers are already
tired, and [the requirements proposed under HB 105] would result
in another huge issue that they should not have to face. She
relayed that as an educator, she celebrated and welcomed
diversity in her classroom.
5:59:53 PM
KATIE BOTZ, representing self, stated she is reverently opposed
to HB 105. As a state, she said, Alaska is one of the highest
in sexual assaults in the nation. She said that as an advocate
on behalf of victims of sexual assault, the bill was a "slap in
the face." She opined that the bill would silence students from
advocating for themselves if they were abused. School should be
a safe haven for children, she said, and students must be
allowed to express themselves. She asked the committee to say
no to HB 105.
6:02:52 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 6:02 p.m.
6:02:57 PM
MARTIN STEPETIN, representing self, said HB 105 is a very unkind
bill and not well-written. He added that he was on a school
board in Juneau, and opined every school board supports local
control, and he offered a description about the meaning of local
control. He opined that the bill violates local control in
every way of the idea of local control.
6:06:26 PM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD invited two young girls to the witness table to
testify together.
ONA ECKERSON and NAOMI HOOD, representing selves, introduced
themselves.
MS. ECKERSON said, "We are students here."
MS. HOOD added, "Yeah, and we think this bill is very wrong.
And we have a friend who is non-binary..."
MS. ECKERSON interwove, "...and they deserve privacy just like
everyone else."
MS. HOOD [nodded] and affirmed, "Yeah."
MS. ECKERSON added, "This bill should not be passed."
MS. HOOD [shook her head in agreement].
MS. ECKERSON, at the prompting of Co-Chair Allard that the girls
still had time left, stated, "I just think it's really wrong
because everyone should have their own right of who they are.
It doesn't matter what private part they have; it's who they are
from the heart."
MS. HOOD [nodded her head] and said, "Yeah."
MS. ECKERSON continued, "And that's just who they are and they
should be supported from who they are."
MS. HOOD stated, "And everybody deserves their right pronouns to
be heard, and they deserve to be recognized."
MS. ECKERSON reiterated, "And they should be supported for who
they are."
MS. HOOD [nodded] and said, "Yeah."
6:08:15 PM
MIAH LAGER, representing self, spoke of growing up in Juneau and
experiencing its transformation throughout her time. She
expressed her belief that Juneau is an accepting place and
"going back" in any direction is detrimental. Supporting Juneau
children and providing a safe space is something the children
are owed, and they have a legal right to a protected space. She
asked the committee to not let HB 105 go any further.
6:09:39 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 6:09 p.m. to 6:13 p.m.
6:13:45 PM
REECE BUTTON, representing self, offered examples of her
experience taking a health and sexuality class and that out of
her class, only one person opted out. She said HB 105 would
require students to be opted-in to this lesson and that many
busy parents may say it's "another ridiculous piece of paper"
they had to sign. She noted there are many youths effected by
their identity, and she questioned how many more hoops they
would have to jump through when it's hard enough for them to
find a safe space. She said since she is a student, the bill
would affect her as well as her peers. She asked the committee
to think of the students and reject HB 105.
6:16:19 PM
VICKI TURNER MALONE, representing self, provided her background
and spoke in opposition to HB 105. She said while researching
the bill, she found pages and pages of parental rights that she
opined were over gender issues. She offered her opinion that it
is really a "don't say gay" bill and adds another layer of
teacher training, fear, and stress, and she noted the current
critically short supply of teachers who are already overworked.
She pointed out the bill would require students to be separated
by biological sex and said she questioned why, as she stated she
had not heard any cases of girls being traumatized by
transgender girls in the bathroom; however, she related she had
heard of a transgender girl being "beat up" in a bathroom. She
offered her belief that the state should be more concerned with
the overall safety of girls in the school system instead of
"throwing a few transgender kids under the bus."
6:19:09 PM
JACOB RANNEY, representing self, stated he wished to speak on
why he thought HB 105 is a direct threat to the LGBTQ+ youth in
Alaska. He addressed Section 1 (a) (7) in the bill, which read:
"requiring written permission from a parent before the name or
pronoun used by a public school to address or refer to the
parent's child in person, on school identification, or in school
records is changed;". He opined this could put students
directly in harm's way, and that gender affirmation is suicide
prevention. He offered examples of studies and suicide
statistics. He pointed out Section 6 (a) (10), which read:
"procedures to address the physical safety and privacy of
students in locker rooms and restrooms through the separation of
students by biological sex, access to single occupant
facilities, or other safety and privacy protocols consistent
with AS 14.18.040." He opined that the fact it is presented
under the guise of safety is a complete falsehood. He offered
quotes from studies that addressed transgender citizens using
public facilities which relayed there were no increases in
safety risks. He stated his belief was that there was nothing
safe in the bill, and it would increase risks towards queer
students.
6:21:26 PM
DAN SULLIVAN, representing self, offered his belief that the law
had many flaws and he said it is a solution looking for a
problem. He said many of the stipulations are redundant and
duplicate what is already in practice. He added that he thought
implementation of the law would create unnecessary paperwork and
permission [slips], create a hostile environment between the
school system, teachers, and parents, and break down the trust
between students and teachers, he said. He opined that HB 105
would create an environment of fear and distrust where learning
and healthy human development cannot occur.
6:23:48 PM
EVERETT BENNETT, representing self, observed that when new bills
are passed, she had witnessed that it creates more work and less
focus on education. She added that schools are overworked,
underfunded, and logistically the bill does not make sense, she
said.
6:24:22 PM
DANIELLE LOGAN, representing self, said the human reproduction
system is natural and essential for students to learn, and if it
weren't for the education she received, she would not have
learned about the changes her body went through because her
parents never taught her. She added that her parents were not
always on top of opting-in to subjects like this, and now kids
would have to bring home permission slips. She offered her
opinion that the bill is not good because most parents don't
discuss this at home, and it could only hurt children as they
grow. She asked the committee to vote no on HB 105.
6:26:47 PM
MARIAH BENNET, representing self, stated she does not think that
any bill should have the right to check to see what biological
sex a child is and what bathroom they should be using in a
school. She added it is the right of the child to use whatever
name they see fit when they are enrolled in school, she said.
She said she thought HB 105 would be harmful to the LGBTQ+
community.
6:27:46 PM
APRIL SMITH, representing self, testified in support of HB 105.
She wished to remind the public, after much testimony in
opposition to the bill, that the rights that are asked to be
protected by the bill are natural rights. Not all parents are
abusers, and the bill gives parents the right to have knowledge
about their children's mental health that the school has, she
said. She added that issues such as these need to be solved at
the state level at this point.
6:30:22 PM
MISHA DANIELS, representing self, said HB 105 pushes a large
percentage of the population in a direction that is unsafe and
unwelcoming, which is the LBGTQ+ community and their families.
She stated that more people are needed in Alaska and for
families to stop moving away, but she opined that the bill would
likely cause families of LGBTQ+ kids to relocate to safer
states.
6:31:22 PM
JOHN BERNITZ, representing self, stated that he was a public
defender and had represented hundreds of trans juveniles. He
said when they try to hide their transgender nature it leads to
mental health issues, and he urged the committee to not pass HB
105.
6:32:41 PM
BOBBY BURGESS, representing self, opined that regardless of the
bill's intent, the effect would cause harm to students,
educators, and school districts. Parental rights are an
important concern, but he stated that HB 105 seemed unnecessary
as parental rights are already intact in the state. He said his
concern is that the bill's focus on gender identity would result
in violation of student's rights and safety. He said when
members of the LGTBQ+ community are outed to guardians or
parents, they are at increased risk of abuse or homelessness,
and educators should not be put in a position of being fired or
sued.
6:35:34 PM
ERIN WILLAHAN, representing self, offered her opinion that the
bill is a thinly vailed attempt to shame trans and queer people
and is a violation of their rights. It is imperative, she said,
for schools to be a welcoming place for everyone, and improving
sex education for youth is critical. Children should be allowed
the safety of exploring themselves and the world with the
guidance that a teacher, curriculum, and supportive environment
can offer, she said. She reiterated her strong opposition to HB
105.
6:37:47 PM
RACHELLE GRIFFITTS, representing self, said she supported the
governor's bill, HB 105, to ensure parents' rights are respected
for their children's educational needs. She brought up an
example of her child being given a book assignment and that her
child brought its "disturbing contents" to her, and that she as
a parent was not informed of the graphic nature of the book to
decide if the content was appropriate for her child. She said
the book content disrupted her child's learning. She restated
her support for HB 105 so parents like her could be notified of
graphic sexual content before it is taught and may opt out of
the assignment before it is underway, she said. She asked the
committee to vote yes on HB 105 so parents can be informed
prior.
6:40:33 PM
JAINA WILLAHAN, representing self, offered her opinion that the
language of the bill shows its true intentions have nothing to
do with children's safety or the child parent relationship, and
everything to do with targeting and marginalizing LGBTQ+ and
nonbinary youth. She said for many, school is the only safe
space they can rely on. She asked that the state protect kids
by allowing them the opportunity to come out to their parents on
their own terms. She opined that passing the bill could lead to
a large increase in self-harm and suicide among queer youth who
feel unsupported. In addition, she said, the bill puts an
overwhelming weight on teachers who are already experiencing
increased stress and the possibility of losing their jobs. She
strongly urged the committee to oppose HB 105.
6:42:58 PM
MELISSA CAPONE, representing self, said that students should
feel safe in their school environments and the bill attacks the
basic rights of some of the most vulnerable students in the
community. She opined the bill could cause damage that these
students would have to process on their own. It is a goal for
students to graduate and find jobs in the community, she said,
and in the corporate world companies are moving toward gender
neutral restrooms and using chosen pronouns. Making kids feel
unsafe to be who they are is a horror that should never be put
on a child, and educators are there to help children feel safe
and accepted, she said. She strongly urged the committee not to
support HB 105.
6:45:28 PM
EMILY CHAPEL, representing self, said she vehemently opposed HB
105 and that LGBTQ+ people exist, are complete human beings, and
are constituents. These citizens are deserving of the same
privacy rights as others in the state, she said, and the bill
brings up privacy and safety concerns to her. She expressed her
frustration based on her understanding that the proposed
discriminatory changes [in HB 105] were tied to teachers'
bonuses, and she opined that teachers deserve all the money, but
not at the cost of their freedom. She asked committee members
to "trash the bill" and thanked them for their time.
6:49:20 PM
JULIE SMYTH, representing self, offered an explanation of
various names she uses that are not on her birth certificate but
would have required parental permission for her to use. She
wished for schools to be accessible for everyone even if their
expressions are different from each other's. She urged the
committee to vote against HB 105.
6:51:14 PM
BRYAN MULKERN, representing self, urged the committee to vote no
on HB 105 due to its potentially devastating economic impact on
Alaska's schools, he said. Parents can have the right to sue
the school for violations of not using the child's name on
record, and he provided examples. Given the state of the
economy, he pointed out, it is a real and perverse incentive
that could tempt any family struggling to pay rent or those
wanting to get rich quick at the expense of Alaska's taxpayers.
The intent of HB 105, he opined, is to deny transgender students
the right to be called by the names they prefer, and it would
enable frivolous litigation against the education system.
6:53:44 PM
LESLEIGH HARTLEY, representing self, provided a personal example
of discomfort in telling her parents about how she wanted to
express herself. Further, she expressed her concern over the
possible creation of a horrible dichotomy between teachers,
students, and parents. She expressed her belief that schools do
not need to be dealing with lawsuits, but they should be funded
and provide proper education to kids. If parents have school
records, it could damage mental health, she said.
6:56:21 PM
ROSE O'HARA-JOLLEY, representing self, said the bill was an
attack on LGBTQ+ youth, and they deserve equality and safety in
school. She opined that the legislature continues to fail to
enact proactive protection and that HB 105 contained potentially
unconstitutional and dangerous provisions. Every child should
have a safe and supportive family but that is not always the
case, and having a safe and trusted adult saves lives, she said.
She urged the committee to oppose HB 105.
6:58:34 PM
PORTIA ERICKSON, representing self, testified in support of HB
105 and thanked the governor for introducing what she opined is
a crucial bill. She stated she has had a child in school since
2019, and that the past couple of years there have been
difficulties staying up to date with schools' rules,
regulations, and lack of transparency. She expressed her belief
that the bill firmly defines parental authority and provides
more transparency for parents, children, teachers, and school
administrators. The bill would ensure privacy for both students
and parents, she said.
6:59:41 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 6:59 p.m. to 7:19 p.m.
7:19:53 PM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD briefly discussed public testimony protocol and
said she looked forward to hearing more testimony. She further
explained that if a call is dropped, testifiers may e-mail their
testimony.
7:21:13 PM
CHANDRA POE, representing self, said she had school-aged
children and that she found all the provisions and proposed
changes in the bill to be alarming. She said she already had
the right to opt her kids out, and the other aspects of the bill
felt like a personal attack on, for example, her transgender
child. She said transgender kids are not a risk but are at
risk. She opined that the passage of HB 105 directly harms her
family and many other families. She urged the committee to not
go along with the bill.
7:23:21 PM
ESTHER JOSEPH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She stated she is already uncomfortable sharing her true
self in school, but the passage of the bill would ensure that
she would feel unsafe in any school setting. She said the
banning of sex education below fourth grade is redundant because
sex education about puberty is not generally taught below fourth
grade, and it would affect children who need to know how to
express themselves were they abused.
7:25:31 PM
LINDSEY BANNING, representing self, adamantly stated opposition
to HB 105. She said the rights of trans kids are being debated
and as one of the most targeted groups, they are being
marginalized. Despite knowing how high-risk trans kids are,
there is still debate on passing a bill that would increase
stigma and isolation among trans kids, she opined. She restated
her opposition to HB 105.
7:28:17 PM
ANDREW WEST, representing self, said he strongly supported those
who have spoken about the dangers HB 105 holds to LGBTQ+
students. He pointed out the right to sue in the bill, as well
as the harm it could bring to the teacher retention crisis. The
lawsuit subsection also affects the notification of content
section, he said, and he questioned how much power just one
parent would have to prevent all students from accessing
materials. He thanked committee members for their time and
patience.
7:30:11 PM
RANDY HUGHEY, representing self, commended people who spoke more
eloquently on HB 105 prior to his testimony, and added that it
is a "terrible, heartless" idea. He stated that everyone should
welcome and accommodate all students of all gender expressions
into the schools.
7:30:57 PM
RAYMOND LEE, representing self, stated that HB 105 targeted the
queer demographic; therefore, the bill is their responsibility
and not the governor's alone. He said parental rights in the
bill are redundant since they have already legally been put in
place, and the reality, he opined, is that students' rights to
education are the focus as students are the ones who are most
affected. Students need support from responsible public
services including school resources because sometimes they have
nowhere else to turn to, he said.
7:33:20 PM
NORA GECAN, representing self, opined that Alaska is not a safe
place for all queer and trans kids, and some get forcibly outed
to their unsupportive families, which would happen more if the
bill passed. She added that it could lead to many horrible
outcomes. She expressed her belief that HB 105 is not about
parental rights but violations of youths' rights. She added
that the passage of the bill would have real-life, harmful
impacts on queer and trans youth in Alaska, but the presence of
and support for these youths in schools does not harm anyone.
She related that the state needed to be better than this, and
she asked the committee to not pass the bill.
7:35:41 PM
DAN POULSON, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105 and commended prior testifiers. He opined that the bill is
a waste of time and will enable frivolous lawsuits against
Alaska's schools. He said the proposed legislation had a
malicious intent, and students have a right to be called by a
name that makes them feel comfortable. At a time when the
education system needs more resources, the bill is a wasteful
misuse of taxpayer money, he said.
7:37:29 PM
MICHAEL GARVEY, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, stated
that he felt the bill violates the constitutional privacy rights
of transgender and nonbinary students and denies them equal
access to education. He added that the parental rights
provisions would create an untenable situation for educators.
He opined it is impossible to separate the practical and legal
effects of the bill from the "moment we're in." He said school
should be a place where kids do not have to worry about using
the restroom, being outed, or being seated in a classroom where
their identity is treated as a taboo subject. Schools have a
duty to ensure all students can learn in a welcoming and safe
environment, he said, and he asked the committee to reject HB
105.
7:39:38 PM
MONICA WHITMAN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She said parental involvement is critical to the success
of students and protecting kids' safety, but she opined that is
not what the bill is. She offered her belief that the bill does
nothing to protect students' safety but would further stigmatize
a vulnerable group of children. She said parents already have
the choice to opt out of sex education, and schools need to be a
safe space where students are taught to work together despite
their differences. She urged the committee to vote no on HB
105.
7:41:56 PM
MARY ELIZABETH KEHRHAHN-STARK, representing self, said she
strongly urged the committee not to support HB 105. She
observed that the title of the bill in itself refers to parental
rights in education, but parents already have their rights in
place and have access to the curriculum. She said the bill, as
written, violated Alaska's Constitution Article 7, regarding
health education and welfare, and Article 1, regarding the right
to privacy. She pointed out HB 105 also releases school
counseling records to parents without the use of consent, and
she urged the committee not to support HB 105.
7:44:47 PM
QUINN LINDEMANN, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. He questioned what the parents' rights are in relation
to the bill title. He said it is not the first time a phrase
similar to this was used to justify what a bill is attempting to
represent. If passed, policies in the bill could lead to
increased harm and death amongst queer youth through suicide and
violence, and the banning of basic education about identity,
sex, gender, and basic human rights causes this, he said. He
asked the committee to oppose HB 105.
7:47:02 PM
MICHELLE SINNOTT, representing self, [due to technical
difficulties was not able to testify].
7:47:41 PM
PATTY BROWN, representing self, said that she was a middle
school science teacher and offered her belief that the science
of the human body systems should begin to be taught before early
adolescence. She said sexual assault is far too prevalent in
the state and in the nation, and notifying parents about the
topic is good, and opting out could happen, but she said that in
her experience it rarely did. She opined it is not respectful
to children to override their wishes in the regard of gender
pronoun use, because identity in early adolescence is a big
deal. State law requiring a penalty to punish teachers in
schools is far too heavy handed.
7:50:20 PM
ALYSSA QUINTYNE, representing self, said that one of the duties
of a legislative body is protection, and she questioned how the
bill would protect students and teachers. She asked what rights
are given to parents that they didn't already have under state
law and regulations of their respective school district. She
stated that the legislative body collectively had failed to
protect its marginalized constituents.
7:52:34 PM
KIM HAYS, representing self, opined that the bill was
masqueraded as parental rights but is an attempt to sway
attention and distract from the real issues facing Alaska
students and teachers. She said schools serve to educate
children no matter who they are, and students must feel safe and
trust their educators. She added that there are those students
who live in homes where parents do not accept them for who they
are, and LGTBQ+ students deserve the same accepting school
environment that others benefit from. She offered her belief
that legislation like HB 105, among other things, puts educators
in a position of endangering their students. Teachers and
education support staff are already mandatory reporters for
things such as abuse and neglect, she said. She asked the
committee to reject HB 105 and refocus energy on adequate
funding for education.
7:55:21 PM
LIZ DEAN, representing self, offered her belief that human
rights should be focused on first before emphasizing parental
rights, as parents already have rights they can practice as a
child's guardian. She offered her belief that the bill would
cause harm, and it would compromise and violate the Alaska State
Constitution. Additionally, she said she wondered about the
establishment of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States - "separation of church and state" - that
fundamental ideas are not legitimate ideas to impose on anyone
else. She urged the committee to oppose HB 105.
7:57:45 PM
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self, testified in support of HB
105. She said she supported the bill because schools have no
right to hide anything from parents. She added that Christian
students were persecuted by the LGBTQ+ [community] in their
school. She offered a personal story of her daughter refusing
to call a fellow female student by a boy's name, and she was
then threatened to be kicked out of her classroom by a public
school teacher. She stated she had to fight to keep her
daughter in class and won. She said afterwards, her daughter
was threatened and harassed by the LGBTQ+ [community] and their
friends in the school. She finally homeschooled her daughter,
she said. She stated she wished the public school staff had the
transparency to know if something like this was happening to
their kids, and she said she believed the bill would give
parents notification that is important to support their beliefs.
She observed what was going on in public schools is against her
Christian beliefs.
8:00:19 PM
BROOKS BANKER, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. He provided his background working with the LGTBQ+
community and spoke of his positive experiences. He expressed
his concerns that a bill like HB 105 would continue to harm,
from teachers who do not support these youths, as well as from
information getting to unsupportive parents. [Due to technical
difficulties, telephonic connection with Mr. Banker was lost.].
8:02:42 PM
COLBY PEREZ, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105, stating that it potentially could be harmful to children.
8:03:49 PM
LILLITH CORT, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. In the guise of advocating for parental rights, the bill
would directly impact the safety of students in Alaska, she
said.
8:04:43 PM
KC CASORT, representing self, provided a brief educational
background and testified in opposition to HB 105, because all
students deserve to feel welcome and safe in school. She added
that no student should be forced to come out before they are
ready. All young Alaska students deserve access to tools to
make the best choices for them, especially what to do if they
are assaulted, she said. She opined that bullying had turned
into legislation. She reiterated her disappointment with the
bill and urged the committee to not pass it.
8:06:42 PM
JAMIE GIBSON, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She stated that she had read HB 105 multiple times and
struggled to come up with how to respond to another "blatantly
homophobic and transphobic" bill in Alaska. She opined that the
bill is detrimental and evil and puts the life of trans and
queer children into politicians' hands. She recited contents of
the bill and offered her belief that the bill is not Alaskan, or
American.
8:09:25 PM
DIDI PETERS, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105 and stated that she was moved by and thanked prior
testifiers. She stated that she felt angry about the proposed
legislation and urged the committee to vote against it. She
added that, for the sake of tolerance, she wished for the
committee to pass HB 99, which would protect LGTBQ+ and two-
spirit students.
8:10:33 PM
AMBER O'BRIEN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She noted she has three school-aged children, she said.
She offered her belief that age-appropriate sex education had
been proven to reduce instances of sexual abuse in children and
gives them the tools to recognize body parts that help them to
relay if they are being harmed. She stated that knowledge is
power, and that she wanted her kids to go out into the world
armed with as much knowledge as possible. She urged the
committee to vote no on HB 105.
8:13:09 PM
JAMES SELVOG, representing self, provided a brief background and
said that after reviewing the bill, he thought it was not
actually about parents' rights. He opined that the bill would
not give parents anything they don't already have. The bill
would put a lot of kids at risk, he said, and they could be
further harmed by unaccepting families. The bill could strip
children of their humanity and their right to privacy, and the
language isn't about putting rights into parents' hands as much
as it is about reducing children, he said. He opined the bill
is unethical and restated his opposition to it.
8:15:44 PM
BENJAMIN PRESTON, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. He said LGTBQ+ students are an important part of the
community, and the bill is unsupportive. When reading through
the bill, he opined that it would open a myriad of possibilities
for discrimination, harassment, and harm; however, he expressed
his surprise that he saw little about parental rights, which
already exist. He asked the committee to support students,
parents, and teachers by rejecting the bill.
8:17:06 PM
CHANDLER O'CONNELL, representing self, said the role of public
education is to provide a safe learning environment, and that
her right as a parent is tied to that function of the school.
She stated she already had many rights as a parent, such as
opting out, and she opined HB 105 would take away the rights of
children. She added that the state's job is to protect all
students, and every student is potentially harmed by the bill,
she said.
8:19:32 PM
NOLA LAMKEN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She said not all families are safe for children, who need
to know how to speak and protect themselves. She added that
teacher's lives should be made easier, because more teachers and
smaller classrooms are needed, she said. She opined that the
bill would set students up to be bullied, and people's health,
education, and welfare should be supported.
8:21:42 PM
LILLIAN PARTEE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She said statistically speaking, a large percentage of
trans youth are suicidal, and bills like this make trans people
suicidal, she opined. If the bill were to pass, she said, she
would email or call every legislator who let it pass. She
encouraged the committee to vote against HB 105.
8:23:44 PM
MELODY MCCULLOUGH, representing self, testified in support of HB
105. She said it was a sad occasion to have the governor make a
bill to keep parents' rights intact because their rights have
been removed by the school districts in the state. Not all
parents are bad and abusive, she said. She said kids are
confused going from elementary into middle school with
socialization, emotional behavior, and puberty, and she
questioned how they could understand "where they are at" with
everything going on. She reiterated her full support for HB
105, and she noted that the Alaska education system has
undermined their trust with parents, and accountability must be
brought back to education. She related she did not have any
issues with transgender people but did not want her child
indoctrinated and confused by "all this stuff that is being put
into the schools."
8:26:32 PM
ROSE TITUS, representing self, stated that HB 105 directly
affects her as guardian of her sister who is a gender non-
conforming youth who would be impacted if she wished to use a
bathroom assigned to her gender, she said. She said the bill is
"ridiculous" and it puts more on teachers than they already
need. She added that teachers are overburdened, underpaid, and
do not need more on their shoulders. She said she read the
bill, and opined it pushed trans-genocide.
8:28:54 PM
MIKE COONS, President, Concerned Conservatives of Alaska,
testified in support of HB 105. He reminded the committee that
he sent in a more detailed testimony. He stressed that Alaska
had the strongest privacy constitution in the nation, and he
mentioned Article 1, Section 22, which he said was clear and
concise. He said withholding information from parents out of
privacy concerns does not apply. Regarding Section 4 of the
bill, which addresses reporting, he offered examples of teachers
with a bias. He added that he was not sure how that could be
addressed in law, through legislation or in regulations.
8:32:09 PM
ZACHARY MACINTYRE, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. He opined HB 105 is a dangerous bill which echoes a
personal mistake he made in high school, and he briefly shared
his story. He pleaded with the committee to vote no on HB 105,
as parents already have rights, but they also have
responsibilities that include creating a safe environment for
their children.
8:34:31 PM
NATASHA FALKE, representing self, opined that HB 105 is an
attack on the LGBTQ+ youth and would increase bullying. She
said the bill was detrimental to the safety of students, and it
would allow parents to access health information that could be
detrimental to the child's safety. She added that the bill
could forcibly out LGTBQ+ students to their parents and targets
transgender students by forcing them to use the bathroom or
locker room that doesn't match their identity.
8:36:58 PM
KEARSTYN COTTON, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105, as she opined it would put transgender students in
danger. She stated that some parents do not understand what
transgender is, and the affect it could have on a student who is
not being accepted in school. Putting students in bathrooms and
locker rooms of their assigned sex would put them at risk, and
she expressed her concern over a possible rise in suicide rates
of transgender youths. She pleaded with the committee to oppose
HB 105.
8:39:25 PM
JAY MCDONALD, representing self, testified in support of HB 105.
He stated that the rights of parents to raise their children
according to their own beliefs and values must be defended. Any
attempt to strip this away is an affront to American principles
of freedom and self-determination, he said, and HB 105 is needed
because some administrators and staff operated under an
ideological basis. He stated he would reject any attempt to
create a society where the state has ultimate authority over
parents and children. He said schools should remain places of
learning and discovery, not indoctrination of secrets. He urged
the committee to vote yes on HB 105.
8:41:30 PM
JOSHUA SMITH, representing self, said that schools should create
a safe learning environment for all students, and he opined that
the bill would create barriers to the school environment by
stifling opportunities for LGBTQ+ youths. Parents should be
engaged in their child's education, but parental rights should
not come at the expense of the safety of children, he said. He
noted that the bill could violate the constitutional protection
of privacy afforded to every Alaskan, and he said that written
permission can also forcibly out students before they are ready,
which can be devastating for a young queer person. He implored
the committee to vote no on HB 105.
8:43:50 PM
JESSICA VAUDREUIL, representing self, testified in support of HB
105. She stated that parental autonomy is amazing in education,
and more parents need to know about their choices. She opined
that the bill is a step in the right direction. She expressed
her concern that in Section 4, "unless" could undermine the
bill, but she is otherwise happy about the bill and restated she
supported it 100 percent. She added that there are clubs in
school that should be transparent so that parents would know if
the child was attending one of them or participating in a
certain activity.
8:46:23 PM
KENDRA ARCINIEGA, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. She explained that in high school, she was outed by a
teacher before she was ready and suffered bullying,
discrimination, and fear. She added that when her parents found
out, it was traumatizing, and it impacted her entire experience
as a student. She said outing the most at-risk kids for any
reason puts them in harm's way, and youths have rights, too.
She expressed her belief that the government should not be able
to destroy someone's freedom and privacy because you want to
"mandate away their identity." She said HB 105 is un-Alaskan,
and kids deserve better.
8:48:39 PM
LIV SWONGER, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She said the bill was packaged in the name of parental
rights but comes at the expense of students, and it can be
catastrophic for those who do not identify [as a] gender and are
not in supportive households. She expressed her belief that the
proposed legislation would compromise schools being a safe place
for students and would put unnecessary stress on teachers in
being supportive of students. She urged the committee to keep
Alaska's schools safe and free of discrimination.
8:50:24 PM
RAVEN AMOS, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 105
and said she hoped the committee would take all the testimony
into consideration. She said rights are already in place, and
the bill does not do anything to help those rights. She opined
what is not being addressed is the fact that the bill would be
damaging to the LGBTQ+ community. By supporting the bill, she
said, the legislature would do a lot of damage.
8:52:43 PM
BONNY MCWETHY, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She said the bill targets transgender and non-binary
people and distracts from real issues. The lives and safety of
Alaska's children are at stake, she said, and she asked the
committee to quash the bill.
8:55:51 PM
COLLEEN DAHLQUIST, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. She said that Alaska's motto is "north to the future,"
but overreaching legislation is not forward thinking. Targeting
youth members who are different is dangerous and detrimental to
their well-being and their families, she said, and she strongly
requested that the committee vote against HB 105. She opined
that the bill was part of a Christian nationalist agenda and
nothing to do with parental rights but everything to do with
marginalizing human beings. She said studies have shown that
denying sex education results in higher teen pregnancy rates,
and she commended prior testifiers.
8:58:33 PM
HOLLY WILLIAMS, representing self, said she opposed HB 105 for
many reasons. She said she supported parental involvement and
transparency in education but having to sign permission slips
for reproductive health education created unnecessary barriers
for students to receive a needed part of their education.
Requiring students to opt in rather than giving them the option
to opt out, which they already have, makes it more difficult for
at-risk students to receive this protection, she said. She
added that the at-risk students are still required to attend
school and should feel safe and comfortable there.
9:00:28 PM
DAVID MORENO, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. He brought up Section 1 of the bill, and stated he
believed children should have autonomy of what their education
holds. In reference to gender neutral bathrooms, he said
anything else is a ridiculous idea, and all public spaces should
have them. As for sexual education, it is up to the student,
not the parent, he said.
9:02:08 PM
BROOK BEVERIDGE, representing self, said she strongly opposed HB
105 because it targets one of the most vulnerable populations in
the community, LTGBQ+. She opined that the bill would allow for
too much potential for traumatizing and confusing invasion of
children's privacy in body autonomy. Parents and guardians
would be allowed to access counseling records without their
consent, and she expressed concern if that child was abused at
home. Sex education is vital for children to understand what
may be happening to them, she said. She asked the committee to
protect LGTBQ+ youths and oppose HB 105.
9:04:29 PM
KY MARTIN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 105.
He opined that everyone had wonderful points and he did not want
to go over them again, but offered a personal story of his
struggles in school due to lack of opportunities that were not
available then, like they are now. He said he hoped the
committee would be influenced by all the testimony given on HB
105.
9:06:12 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:06 p.m. to 9:11 p.m.
9:11:08 PM
VERONICA BUNESS, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. She opined that the bill would kill transgender youth,
because forcing kids to be outed or to be misgendered would
guarantee a rise in suicide. She added that the bill would harm
those whose privacy is invaded in determining using the correct
bathroom. She stated her opposition against legislation that
would be against comprehensive age-appropriate sex education or
a child's right to freely express themself. School is where
kids learn who they want to be, and she said it must happen at
their own pace. She offered her belief that the bill would not
help children, but fully funding schools would.
9:13:16 PM
JACQUELINE DEBEVEC, representing self, testified in opposition
to HB 105. She offered a personal example of an experience that
focused on acceptance, that she said changed her life. She said
all people deserve to be treated with love, respect, and
dignity, as they are all sacred beings, and everyone should feel
safe at school. She added that teachers, counselors, and
administrators should not be sued for keeping children safe or
choosing not to disclose what is said in confidence. She
encouraged the committee to respect all students and vote
against HB 105 but asked them to support HB 99.
9:15:32 PM
MICHAEL PATTERSON, Party for Socialism and Liberation, testified
on behalf of himself and the Party for Socialism and Liberation
in adamant opposition of HB 105. The bill lacks merits, and not
teaching children comprehensive sex education puts children in
danger, he opined. He said the section that is a "bathroom
bill" would marginalize people, and he asked the committee to
"really think about this." On gender pronouns, he offered his
belief it was not the government's business and is
authoritarian. The idea that parents could sue the school is an
underhanded way to de-fund schools and undermines the integrity
of the Alaska Court System, he said.
9:18:17 PM
JANET JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HB
105. She said she had one concern in the bill about parents
being notified about sex education classes, and that the bill
should go further in notifying parents of all topics that are
going to be discussed, among other additions. She restated her
support for the bill but expressed her belief that the bill
needs to go further.
9:19:26 PM
HERMAN MORGAN, representing self, testified in support of HB
105. He expressed his disappointment to hear "what they're
doing" and concern regarding the laws of God, the destruction of
morality, and the violation of parental rights. He said kids
are being given hormone replacement drugs and abortion pills.
He opined there is "genocide out there." He said kids are being
sexually abused at school and parents have the right to protect
their children. He said he applauded the committee for
listening to the governor.
9:22:26 PM
MARGARET SHALIT, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. She stated what causes trauma is when a person is not a
willing participant in something; therefore, forcing children in
situations they are not consented to because they were seeking
support is traumatic for them. She pointed out that the bill
mentions separation by biological sex, but there are students
who do not have a "box to put them in."
9:24:42 PM
FELIX MYERS, representing self, offered his belief that although
HB 105 states it is a parental rights bill, the changes made in
the bill are targeted as suppressing education support and safe
environments at schools by specifically targeting queer
students. He said the state must not throw fellow Alaskans back
into the dark place of ignorance, and he stated that he hoped
empathy would guide the committee's vote.
9:27:22 PM
WILLOW ALISIAE, representing self, informed the committee he is
not from Alaska but is moving to the state soon and called to
testify in opposition to HB 105. The youth of the state of
Alaska are in absolute danger, he opined, and he questioned
parental rights in the bill. He added if parents want to know
what their children are up to, they should be a safe space for
them. He encouraged the House to go by the testimony and vote
against HB 105.
9:30:38 PM
RON JOHNSON, representing self, testified in support of HB 105.
He stated he fully understood the language of the bill and that
it strengthens parental rights. He expressed how important
education is to him, and he referred to Section 5, subsection
(e), and said he wished to see it strengthened and for written
notification to be more specific. He observed that many
testifiers spoke of rights, but not responsibilities. He
restated his full support for HB 105 and said he would submit
written testimony with his suggestions as well.
9:32:53 PM
BERT HOUGHTALING, representing self, said he was appalled at how
many people think parental rights end as soon as children go
into the public education system, and that more needed to be
done to strengthen the bill, he opined. He added that parents
have the right to know what children are learning in school and
parents are responsible for them until they turn 18. He said if
there was the kind of abuse going on that was claimed in prior
testimony, there are laws in place that should be enforced, and
those parents should be punished. He stated his support for HB
105 and that the bill should be strengthened.
9:35:29 PM
MADISON HECKART, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. She said the bill would directly threaten herself and
her peers' ability to learn safely and comfortably, and she
asked the committee to consider students' rights before parents'
rights. She stated she was a person who deserved autonomy and a
comprehensive and appropriate education about sex and gender
along with all her peers. Alaska's youth should not be put in
harm's way in the name of parental rights, and she opined the
bill would actively harm kids and trans youths in the community.
9:37:54 PM
JERA STEPHENS, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She said it targeted the LGTBQ+ community in the name of
parental rights, and she hoped the committee would oppose the
bill.
9:39:15 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 9:39 p.m. to 9:40 p.m.
9:40:56 PM
TEAL HEIDENREITER, Fairbanks Wellness Coalition, called on
behalf of herself and the Fairbanks Wellness Coalition in
opposition to HB 105. She opined that preventing the bill from
passing is suicide prevention, and if the bill passed, suicide
numbers would increase in LGTBQ+ youths. She implored the
committee to let the bill die in committee.
9:42:51 PM
HANNAH HILL, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105, and she observed that the testimony given speaks to the
importance of the matter and the seriousness with which Alaskans
are taking this [proposed legislation]. She said Alaska's
children need protection such as treating them as whole people
and not forcing manufactured fears on them or their bodies. She
said some of her queer peers received abusive behavior from non-
supportive family members.
9:45:28 PM
CASEY MCMILLAN, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She opined the bill would harm some of the most vulnerable
kids under the guise of parental rights, which are already
protected. The bill would harm queer kids by outing them to
their parents before they are ready, and the bill would harm
students and teachers by creating problems where there were
none, she said. She urged the committee to protect the rights
of all Alaska students and vote against HB 105.
9:46:37 PM
AMY AINSLIE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105 for several reasons, she said. She opined it is an
inappropriate use of state coercion, could force the outing of
students, and could create an unsafe environment for students.
Possible lawsuits against Alaska's own schools is poor
stewardship of the education system. She said comprehensive sex
education is critical and too important to risk with forgotten
permission slips. The bill would violate the rights of parents
to send their children to a safe school environment and it would
open the door to further restrictions, she said. She opined
there is no justification as to why all these things should be
mandated by the state, and she asked the committee to join the
vast majority of constituents who have testified in opposition
to HB 105.
9:49:01 PM
CLARICE JOHNSON, representing self, testified in opposition to
HB 105. She opined the bill is unnecessary and cruel. She said
trans and non-binary youth are at a higher risk of suicide
especially when they lack support, and school is the only place
that some may find acceptance. She noted people are leaving
Alaska in record numbers and if the bill passed, it could
increase the exodus. As shown by the testimony, the bill does
not represent most of Alaska and should not pass, she said.
9:50:43 PM
BUTCH MOORE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. He focused on Section 7 of the bill which would, he said,
effectively repeal Bree's Law and Erin's Law. He explained the
history of the Bree's Law bill and its success story. He asked
that the committee remove Section 7 from HB 105, as Bree's Law
and Erin's Law have been critical education not just in Alaska,
but nationally.
9:52:54 PM
CINDY MOORE, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. She said she opposed Section 7 of the bill, which she
opined would repeal Bree's Law and Erin's Law by making it "opt
in" versus "opt out" and she expressed her concern about that
language. She said she contacted a representative of the
governor's administration, and the person, after researching
with legal staff, confirmed that Bree's Law and Erin's Law would
not be affected in any way. She expressed her concern that is
not what the language in HB 105 says. She said changing from an
opt out to an opt in would "gut" [Bree's Law and Erin's Law].
She questioned why anyone would not want their child to learn
about healthy relationships or learn how to protect themselves
against sexual assault and abuse. She reiterated her confusion
and asked the committee to put forth an amendment to remove
Section 7. She added that her concern goes beyond Bree's Law
and Erin's law, and she stated that she believed in parental
rights, but also youth rights.
9:56:08 PM
SAMI GRAHAM, representing self, testified in support of HB 105.
She said the bill, a parental rights bill, had been extremely
mislabeled by speakers that came before her. She related that
she personally counseled hundreds of families and taught
parenting classes, and involving parents in the child's
education was always the goal because the number one predictor
of a child's success in education is parental involvement, she
said. If a teacher suspects that a child is not safe, she
pointed out, educators are already mandated to report. She said
HB 105 honors parental involvement through requiring basic
notification and providing written permission, and she expressed
her belief that the bill does not target any child and supports
teachers. Additionally, she said HB 105 is a step in the right
direction for school performance. She asked the committee to
listen to all voices, not just special interest groups who may
have mislabeled the bill.
9:59:13 PM
KAREN JENSEN, representing self, opposed HB 105, and noted the
amount of testifiers prior to her who testified against the
bill. Parents already have most of the rights as outlined in
the bill, and she opined the bill takes away the rights from
other parents and children. She noted there are already
difficulties getting teachers in the state, and the bill would
make it much worse. She questioned what teacher would want to
get threatened with a fine for calling a child by their
preferred name. Additionally, the bill could make kids distrust
their teachers, making their job even harder. Early grade sex
education helps kids know when something isn't right and how to
get the help they need, she said. She reiterated that she hoped
the committee would oppose the bill.
10:01:48 PM
AUDREY JIRAK, representing self, strongly urged the committee to
pass HB 105, as she stated kids are sent to school for the
teaching of academics, not sexual identity, sexual education, or
the use of what pronouns they feel they most identify with. The
bill does not discriminate against LBGTQ+ people, it puts the
parents in control of what they want to expose their children
to, she said. The choice is in the parents' hands where it
should be, not in the hands of the teachers or school;
additionally, teachers should not hide anything from parents
unless they have their own personal agenda to push from the
kids, she opined. She related that trust in the public school
system is at an all-time low, as is proven by parents pulling
their kids out of public school and finding alternatives. She
added that she is not far from considering one of these options.
She thanked the governor and the committee for their time.
10:03:59 PM
LEON JAIMES, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
105. He said the bill is violence against the LGBTQ+ community
and against children, and he noted the overwhelming opposition
to the bill. He asked the committee to oppose HB 105.
10:05:11 PM
ELEILIA PRESTON, representing self, testified in support of HB
105. She said that as a teacher, conversations need to begin
with the parents, not the teacher, and children do not belong to
the government, but to God. She pointed out the struggles of
Alaska's ranking in education and opined that these types of
topics take away from getting an education. She restated her
support for HB 105.
10:06:31 PM
SHERRY COBURN, representing self, stated that she read through
the bill and did not understand how prior testifiers "read into
it" that it harmed children. She said parents have a
responsibility to teach their children in a loving environment
and she offered her belief that the reason kids are confused and
committing suicide is due to them being bombarded with "all this
stuff." She questioned why they can't just be called the name
given by their parents, and she stated that "we are making this
way too complicated." Parents' rights, she said, have been
trampled, and kids should be talking about reading, writing, and
arithmetic. She related that in elementary school, her kids
were not even thinking about sexual education or sexuality so
why, she asked, is this being forced onto kids. She opined that
schools must go back to the basics, teach kids what they are
sent to school for, and let the parents teach the kids other
matters. She concluded with her belief that parents should know
what the kids are being taught.
10:08:56 PM
KC ELLIOT, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 105.
She observed that many callers have stated the many problems
with the bill, that it harms LGBTQ+ students without giving
parents rights that they don't already have. She opined the
bill would lead to increased bullying, violence, suicide, and
trauma for students. She spoke to the financial issues and
economic costs for the state of "this poorly crafted
legislation." She added that she believed the bill would cause
lawsuits and would put undue burden on teachers and school
districts when they are already overworked and underpaid. The
bill would add another layer of administration and cost, and HB
105 is just another poor legal choice and a distraction, she
said. She urged the committee to drop the bill and move onto
something else.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that HB 105 was held over.
10:12:01 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Education Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:12 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB105 Public testimony as of March 30 packet 1.pdf |
HEDC 3/30/2023 5:15:00 PM |
HB 105 |
| HB105 Public testimony as of March 30 Packet 2.pdf |
HEDC 3/30/2023 5:15:00 PM |
HB 105 |
| HB105 Public testimony as of March 30 packet 3.pdf |
HEDC 3/30/2023 5:15:00 PM |
HB 105 |
| HB105 Public testimony as of March 30 packet 4.pdf |
HEDC 3/30/2023 5:15:00 PM |
HB 105 |