03/12/2025 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s):|| Chief Administration Law Judge|| State Board of Parole | |
| HB62 | |
| Presentation(s): Impacts of Federal Workforce Layoffs | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 62 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
March 12, 2025
2:25 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Andrew Gray, Chair
Representative Chuck Kopp, Vice Chair
Representative Ted Eischeid
Representative Genevieve Mina
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Jubilee Underwood
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Mia Costello
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
Chief Administration Law Judge
Joan Wilson -Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
State Board of Parole
Leitoni Tupou
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE BILL NO. 62
"An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits;
establishing the sexual assault examination kit tracking system;
and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PRESENTATION(S): IMPACTS OF FEDERAL WORKFORCE LAYOFFS
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 62
SHORT TITLE: SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS/TRACKING
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) JUD, FIN
02/05/25 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/05/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/05/25 (H) MINUTE(JUD)
03/12/25 (H) JUD AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
JOAN WILSON, Appointee
Chief Administrative Law Judge
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the Chief Administrative Law
Judge appointee.
LEITONI TUPOU, Appointee
State Board of Parole
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to
the State Board of Parole.
DAVID KANARIS, Chief
Forensic Laboratories
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 62.
ISAAC SMOLDON, Communications Director
My House
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 62.
PALOMA HARBOUR, Division Director
Division of Employment and Training Services
Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented on unemployment insurance
eligibility during the Impacts of Federal Workforce Layoffs
presentation.
TAYLOR WEST, Employment Security Analyst III
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the Impacts of
Federal Workforce Layoffs presentation.
BROCK WILSON, Professor
Institute of Social and Economic Research
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented on the economic contributions of
the federal workforce during the Impacts of Federal Workforce
Layoffs presentation.
CHARLES WARREN HILL, representing self
Lake Clark, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the Impacts
of Federal Workforce Layoffs presentation.
ANDREW DIMOND, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the Impacts
of Federal Workforce Layoffs presentation.
AARON LAMBERT, representing self
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony during the Impacts
of Federal Workforce Layoffs presentation.
ACTION NARRATIVE
2:25:42 PM
CHAIR ANDREW GRAY called the House Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting to order at 2:25 p.m. Representatives Mina, Eischeid,
Vance, and Gray were present at the call to order.
Representatives Kopp and Underwood arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
^Chief Administration Law Judge
^State Board of Parole
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Chief Administration Law Judge
State Board of Parole
2:26:38 PM
CHAIR GRAY announced that the first order of business would be
confirmation hearings.
2:26:57 PM
JOAN WILSON, Appointee, Chief Administrative Law Judge, gave a
summary of her professional background [resume included in the
committee packet]. She said she was pleased to be appointed to
this position because she believes in providing due process to
Alaskans and giving them the opportunity to share their stories.
She explained that [the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)]
is the court that most Alaskans see if they have a problem with
the state. She noted that the Chief Administrative Law Judge is
a 5-year appointment, and her intention is to work with the
Department of Law (DOL) to update OAH statutes.
2:29:28 PM
CHAIR GRAY opened public testimony on Ms. Wilson's appointment.
After ascertaining that no one wished to testify, he closed
public testimony.
2:30:21 PM
LEITONI TUPOU, Appointee, State Board of Parole, informed the
committee that this would be his second term serving on the
State Board of Parole. He summarized his professional
background [resume included in the committee packet], including
years of experience working for the Department of Corrections
(DOC).
2:31:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA inquired as to the biggest challenge facing
the State Board of Parole.
MR. TUPOU said the biggest challenge is trying to figure out how
to [rehabilitate] offenders who struggle with substance abuse.
Another challenge is finding and funding providers.
2:32:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP asked whether a lack of community-based
services would impact the parole board's decision to release an
offender.
MR. TUPOU said it can to a certain degree. At times, if
services are not available, the offender will serve their
sentence and must find programming on their own upon release.
CHAIR GRAY opened public testimony on Mr. Tupou's appointment.
After ascertaining that no one wished to testify, he closed
public testimony.
2:35:23 PM
CHAIR GRAY moved to advance the confirmations of Joan Wilson,
appointed as the Chief Administrative Law Judge, and Leitoni
Tupou, appointee to the State Board of Parole, to the joint
session of the House and Senate for consideration. He reminded
members that signing the reports regarding appointment to boards
and commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval
or disapproval of the appointees, and that the nominations are
merely forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or
rejection. There being no objection, the confirmation was
advanced.h
2:35:52 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 2:35 p.m. to 2:37 p.m.
HB 62-SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS/TRACKING
2:37:34 PM
CHAIR GRAY announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 62, "An Act relating to sexual assault
examination kits; establishing the sexual assault examination
kit tracking system; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR GRAY resumed public testimony on HB 62, which had been
left open from the hearing on 2/5/25.
2:38:08 PM
DAVID KANARIS, Chief, Forensic Laboratories, Department of
Public Safety, testified in support of HB 62. He said the bill
would establish new timelines and amend existing ones, codify
the sexual assault kit tracking system into law, and provide
additional proviso rights and transparency. He urged passage of
HB 62 from committee.
2:39:11 PM
ISAAC SMOLDON, Communications Director, My House, testified in
support of HB 62. He urged the committee to move the bill
forward in support of its advocacy for sexual assault.
2:40:16 PM
CHAIR GRAY closed public testimony on HB 62.
[HB 62 was held over.]
^PRESENTATION(S): Impacts of Federal Workforce Layoffs
PRESENTATION(S): Impacts of Federal Workforce Layoffs
2:40:24 PM
CHAIR GRAY announced that the final order of business would be
the Impacts of Federal Workforce Layoffs presentation.
CHAIR GRAY made the following opening remarks:
We are here to examine the impacts of federal
workforce reductions under the Trump administration.
These cuts have disrupted public services and affected
thousands of workers.
On March 5, 2025, VA Secretary Doug Collins announced
72,000 job cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs,
significantly reducing veteran employment in the
federal workforce and threatening critical services
for those who served.
In Alaska, agencies like the National Park Service
face deep staffing cuts, jeopardizing the maintenance
and accessibility of Denali, Katmai, Mendenhall
Glacier, and Glacier Bay.
Tourism is a major driver of Alaska's economy,
generating billions and supporting thousands of jobs.
Layoffs at the National Park Service, Forest Service,
and FAA could disrupt guided tours, air traffic
safety, and businesses dependent on visitors,
including lodges, fishing charters, and local
retailers.
This hearing will examine these impacts.
2:43:03 PM
PALOMA HARBOUR, Division Director, Division of Employment and
Training Services, Department of Labor & Workforce Development
(DLWD), provided brief opening remarks.
CHAIR GRAY noted that the purpose of the presentation was to
give people an idea of what benefits they might be eligible for
after layoff.
2:44:03 PM
MS. HARBOUR directed attention to a PowerPoint presentation,
titled "Unemployment Insurance Eligibility" [hard copy included
in the committee packet]. She began on slide 2, "Monetary
Eligibility," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Base wage period is the first four quarters of the
five quarters preceding the claim
• Minimum base wage $2,500 = Benefit of $56 per
week
• Every additional $250 in wages = $2 in benefits
• Maximum base wage $42,000 = Benefit of $370 per
week
• Dependent allowance $24 per, max of three
Number of weeks that can be claimed depends on how the
wages are distributed across the base period quarters
• If all of the wages are earned in one quarter,
then not eligible for benefits
• Minimum of 16 weeks and maximum of 26 weeks
2:47:04 PM
MS. HARBOUR continued to slide 3, "Non-Monetary Eligibility
Requirements," which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Able and Available for Full-Time Work
• Available means five days per week and customary
hours for the occupation
• Able means physically and mentally able to perform
the essential duties of the work
• Transportation (vehicle, bus, walking distance, and
other methods)
• Actively seeking work based on experience and/or
training
• Register for work and post an active resume in
AlaskaJobs
• Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment
(RESEA) participation, if selected
2:49:22 PM
MS. HARBOUR, in response to a question about how travel impacts
eligibility, stated that the individual must be able and
available to work, and if they're traveling out of Alaska, they
wouldn't be available. She added that remote work would be
taken into consideration when reviewing a claim. She directed a
follow-up question to Mr. West.
2:51:34 PM
TAYLOR WEST, Employment Security Analyst III, Department of
Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD), explained that when an
individual files for unemployment insurance, they must be able
and available to seek and accept immediate fulltime work within
5 days of their customary work week. If an individual has
traveled away from their area of residence, there is a
presumption that the person would not be able to accept
immediate work. If a claimant is living in a specific area, the
expectation is that they are looking for work within that area.
2:53:22 PM
MS. HARBOUR turned to slide 4, "Separating from Employment,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Voluntary Discharge
• Burden is on the employee to establish good cause
for leaving
• Also demonstrate attempts made to preserve
employment
Benefit Impacts if No Good Cause
• 6 weeks disqualification
• 3 weeks reduction in benefits
• No extended benefits if available
Layoff = No Benefit Impact
Discharged due to Misconduct
• Burden on employer to establish misconduct
• Also demonstrate employee knew expectations and
reasonable attempts to correct behavior
• Exception: gross misconduct e.g., theft
Benefit Impacts
• Six-weeks disqualification
• Three-weeks reduction in benefits
• No extended benefits if available
• Felony or theft connected to work = 52-week
disqualification
2:56:14 PM
MS. HARBOUR, in response to a series of committee questions,
confirmed that there had been an uptick in federal employment
claims from 10 on average per month to 138; the Unemployment
Trust Fund is overly solvent at this time, so the benefit costs
could triple, and revenues would still cover the increase. She
noted, however, that unemployment insurance claims hit a record
low and staffing is at a very low level, so the biggest impact
would be a delay in determinations.
3:00:56 PM
BROCK WILSON, Professor, Institute of Social and Economic
Research (ISER), University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), directed
attention to a PowerPoint presentation, titled "Economic
Contributions of Federal Civilian Workers in Alaska" [hard copy
included in the committee packet]. He began with a bar chart on
slide 9 that showed federal civilian workers as a proportion of
the labor force by state in 2024. He turned to slide 11 that
featured a bar chart showing employment of federal civilian
workers in Alaska.
3:04:55 PM
MR. WILSON, in response to a question from Chair Gray, said the
military is not included in the data. He continued to slide 12,
which showed a bar chart of average monthly salary of federal
civilian workers in Alaska in quarter 3 of 2024. Slide 15
showed a map of per capita federal civilian workers by census
district in quarter 3 of 2024.
3:07:48 PM
MR. WILSON, in response to a question from Chair Gray, said the
data on slide 15 is based on employment address. He continued
the presentation with a bar chart on slide 17 that showed the
count of federal civilian workers by agency in Alaska in 2024.
Slide 19 featured a bar chart showing top 10 largest federal
sub-agencies in Alaska, excluding military in 2024. Slide 20
featured a bar chart showing the count of federal civilian
workers by experience in Alaska in 2024.
3:12:25 PM
MR. WILSON concluded the presentation on slide 21, "Conclusion,"
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
• Federal employment plays a significant role in
the Alaskan economy
• Reduction in federal employment in Alaska would
likely have a disproportionate impact compared to
other states, given higher reliance on federal
workers
• Industries in Alaska, particularly government-
dependent sectors, would be significantly
impacted by shifts in federal workforce levels
• Further analysis is needed to assess the long-
term effects on wages, industry growth, and
regional disparities across Alaska
3:13:42 PM
CHARLES WARREN HILL, representing self, former maintenance
worker/supervisor for Lake Clark National Park & Preserve,
detailed his role at the park and the events that took place
surrounding his termination, as well as the impact it's had both
personally and professionally. He shared that the Department of
Government Efficiency (DOGE) terminated 20 percent of the Lake
Clark employees and that any requests for information or
employment documents have been stonewalled. He noted that no
other employment opportunity in Port Alsworth would make up for
the loss of income he's experienced and in order to do so, he
would be forced to sell the land he's purchased and relocate.
3:18:34 PM
MR. HILL, in response to a question about the impact of layoffs
on tourism, stated that no one is left with supervisory
experience or with the experience to enforce Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) codes and fire codes. All
that's left are janitors and laborers, and no one to answer
phones. Visitor services would be very limited, he said.
3:21:09 PM
ANDREW DIMOND, representing self, former National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employee, detailed his role at
NOAA and the events that took place surrounding his termination,
as well as the impact it's had both personally and
professionally. He said the termination letter from DOGE stated
that the agency no longer needed his skills or knowledge,
despite his fisheries surveys providing critical information for
Alaska. In response to committee questions, confirmed that he
was providing important work with a specific skillset and that
his colleagues would not have expected his termination. He
shared his understanding that the terminations were carried out
from the topmost level of NOAA. At this time, he was uncertain
whether his immediate supervisor was trying to reverse the
terminations. He added that he would resume his job given the
chance.
3:28:39 PM
AARON LAMBERT, representing self, former fisheries management
specialist at NOAA, detailed his role at NOAA and the events
that took place surrounding his termination, as well as the
impact it's had both personally and professionally. He said the
firing of probationary employees would affect NOAA's ability to
conduct the Cook Inlet stock assessment, respond to fisheries
disaster declarations, and many other functions. He explained
why the position was his "dream job" and read a statement from
the termination letter, which he characterized as blatantly
false, as he was selected precisely for his unique skills. He
implored the legislature to reach out to industry and federal
representatives to spread the message that NOAA needs their
help. He said Alaskans depend on commercial, subsistence, and
recreational fishing for their livelihoods and way of life.
3:35:26 PM
MR. LAMBERT, in response to committee questions, confirmed that
similar positions are available at the state; however the pay is
40 percent less and it would take 10 years to reach the same
level of compensation. He said legally, the state cannot fill
this void because NOAA manages federal fisheries within the
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that are beyond the state's
jurisdiction. He said he plans to stay in Alaska as long as his
wife maintains her employment at the Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) under delegated authority for the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
3:40:20 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 3:40 p.m.
3:40:28 PM
CHAIR GRAY thanked the federal employees for their service and
apologized for their termination. He noted that additional
testimony is available on the legislature's website [Bill Action
and Status Inquiry System (BASIS)].
3:42:15 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Judiciary Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:42 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| fed-workers-ak-wilson-20250311.pdf |
HJUD 3/12/2025 1:00:00 PM |
ISER Report |
| 2025_03_12_HJUD_UI_Eligibility_Presentation.pdf |
HJUD 3/12/2025 1:00:00 PM |
DOL |
| Leitoni Tupou Parole Board Resume 2024_Redacted.pdf |
HJUD 3/12/2025 1:00:00 PM |
Admin Law Judge |
| William Satterberg Judicial Conduct Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HJUD 3/12/2025 1:00:00 PM |
Judicial Conduct |
| Robert Urata VCCB Resume_Redacted.pdf |
HJUD 3/12/2025 1:00:00 PM |
Violent Crimes |
| Joan M. Wilson Chief ALJ CV_Redacted.pdf |
HJUD 3/12/2025 1:00:00 PM |
Admin Law Judge |
| HJUD Federal Layoff Impact Letters.pdf |
HJUD 3/12/2025 1:00:00 PM |
Federal Layoffs |