Legislature(2017 - 2018)GRUENBERG 120
02/27/2018 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): | |
| Lt. Governor Successor | |
| HCR22 | |
| HJR38 | |
| HB184 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HCR 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 38 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 184 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 27, 2018
3:17 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Chair
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Vice Chair
Representative Chris Tuck
Representative Adam Wool
Representative Chris Birch
Representative DeLena Johnson
Representative Gary Knopp
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Andy Josephson (alternate)
Representative Chuck Kopp (alternate)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Lt. Governor Successor
Valerie Davidson - Juneau
- CONFIRMATION(S) ADVANCED
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22
Proclaiming April 2018 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38
Relating to certain conveyances to the Alaska Railroad
Corporation under the Alaska Railroad Transfer Act of 1982.
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 184
"An Act adding to the powers and duties of the State Commission
for Human Rights; and relating to and prohibiting discrimination
based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of
Alaska relating to marriage.
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 22
SHORT TITLE: APRIL 2018:SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MILLETT
02/19/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/18 (H) STA, HSS
02/27/18 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HJR 38
SHORT TITLE: AK RAILROAD TRANSFER ACT; CONVEYANCES
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KOPP
02/21/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/21/18 (H) STA, JUD
02/27/18 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 184
SHORT TITLE: DISCRIMINATION: GENDER ID.;SEXUAL ORIENT.
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOSEPHSON
03/17/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/17/17 (H) STA, JUD
05/04/17 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
05/04/17 (H) Heard & Held
05/04/17 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/27/18 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
VALERIE DAVIDSON, Commissioner
Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as appointed Lt. Governor
Successor.
ANA HOFFMAN, Co-Chair
Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN)
Bethel, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
the appointment of Valerie Davidson as Lt. Governor Successor.
MYRA MUNSON
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
the appointment of Valerie Davidson as Lt. Governor Successor.
LIZ MEDICINE CROW, President
First Alaskans Institute (FAI)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
the appointment of Valerie Davidson as Lt. Governor Successor.
TILLIE DAVIDSON
Bethel, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of the confirmation of
the appointment of Valerie Davidson as Lt. Governor Successor.
HANS RODVIK, Staff
Representative Charisse Millett
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HCR 22 on behalf of
Representative Millett, prime sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE CHUCK KOPP
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HJR 38, as prime sponsor, with
the use of a PowerPoint presentation.
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HB 184, summarized the
intent of the proposed legislation.
ALYSON CURRY
Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii (PPVNH)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
MARSHA BUCK, Treasurer
Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Juneau
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
MARTIE BUSCAGLIA, Executive Director
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
LIN DAVIS
Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Juneau
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
KIM LEA
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
BARBARA LEARMONTH
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
KEVIN MCGEE, President
Anchorage National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
BESSI ODAM
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
GRACE MATTHEWS
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
KARA CARLSON
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
MARINA DAY
Ester, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
CHANNON PRICE
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
ROSE O'HARA-JOLLEY
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
LIZ FURMAN
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
LIZ LYKE
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
LIZ TAPP
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
ABBY NORTH
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
MORGAN WILHELM
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
PAMELA SAMESH
Nenana, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 184.
ZHENIA PETERSON
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the hearing on HB 184.
ALYSSA QUINTYNE
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
JEFF CHEN
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
MELISSA BURGER
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
MELISSA GOLDSTEIN
Legal Fellow
Alaska Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
JUDY ANDREE
League of Women Voters of Alaska (LWVAK)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
KASEY CASORT
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
ISADORE CHRISTIANSON
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 184.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:17:50 PM
CHAIR JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS called the House State Affairs
Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:17 p.m.
Representatives LeDoux, Tuck, Knopp, and Kreiss-Tomkins were
present at the call to order. Representatives Wool, Birch, and
Johnson arrived as the meeting was in progress.
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
Lt. Governor Successor
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
3:19:50 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the first order of business
would be a confirmation hearing to consider the appointment of
Valerie Davidson as Lt. Governor Successor.
^Lt. Governor Successor
3:20:09 PM
VALERIE DAVIDSON, Commissioner, Department of Health and Social
Services (DHSS), introduced herself by her Yup'ik name and
relayed that it is her honor to be asked by Governor Bill Walker
to serve as Lt. Governor Successor. She continued by saying
that there was concern in both the House and the Senate when she
was named as Lt. Governor Successor; people questioned whether
the lieutenant governor was leaving or in poor health and
whether she was leaving her position as commissioner. She
stated that the answer to those questions is "no." She
explained that the lieutenant governor successor position is as
follows: if something happens, it is good practice to ensure
that a third person is named who can step up to that role in
case the lieutenant governor is unable to serve.
3:21:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON expressed that she was pleased with the
choice and asked Commissioner Davidson what she has done to
prepare for the role.
COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON answered that she has spent a lifetime in
public service - 18 years in healthcare organizations. She
relayed that she began at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
(YKHC) and later served at the Alaska Native Tribal Health
Consortium (ANTHC) until her appointment as commissioner of
DHSS. She mentioned that she has spent time with staff from the
Office of the Lt. Governor (OLG) to get a sense of his
responsibilities and to ensure readiness for assuming the role.
She said, "We always hope for the best and plan for the worst,
recognizing that the state needs to be prepared to be able to
move forward." She offered that OLG has a solid team. The DHSS
also has a solid leadership team; both deputy commissioners have
been in their positions for a long time - one for 25 years and
one for 30 years.
3:23:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL relayed that the House State Affairs
Standing Committee discussed succession in the event of the
governor being incapacitated or unavailable [HB 152, 1/23/18,
1/25/18]. He asked whether Commissioner Davidson, if appointed
as Lt. Governor Successor, would be the next in line if the
lieutenant governor was unavailable.
COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON answered yes and added that it is
prescribed under the Alaska Constitution.
3:24:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP asked whether the appointment would prevent
her from traveling with the governor and the lieutenant governor
at same time.
COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON responded yes and added that they would
ensure that they were not traveling on the same flight. She
expressed that when asked to fill this role, she responded that
she and her family pray for the governor and lieutenant governor
every day, and they will step up their efforts.
3:25:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX inquired as to who was successor before
this appointment.
COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON answered that the successor was Craig
Fleener, who is now living in Washington, D.C.; he is still
staff to the governor for Arctic policy. She added that the
governor and lieutenant governor thought it more appropriate to
have a successor who was living in Alaska.
3:26:08 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS opened public testimony on the confirmation
of the appointment of Valerie Davidson as the Lt. Governor
Successor.
3:26:26 PM
ANA HOFFMAN, Co-Chair, Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN),
stated that on behalf of AFN, she endorses the confirmation of
Commissioner Davidson as Lt. Governor Successor. She relayed
that Commissioner Davidson's knowledge, training, character, and
integrity make her the smartest choice. She said that
Commissioner Davidson has done excellent work within DHSS
including the implementation of Medicaid expansion and the
Office of Children's Services (OCS) state and tribal compacting.
She continued by saying that Ms. Davidson is a critical member
of the administration; she is thoughtful, sensible, and sincere.
She offered that Commissioner Davidson's work before becoming
commissioner coupled with her legal background and her
connections to the land and Alaska's people makes her the most
qualified on the governor's cabinet to hold the position of Lt.
Governor Successor.
MS. HOFFMAN commented in Yup'ik and expressed her belief that
Commissioner Davidson will execute her responsibilities on
behalf of all Alaskans.
3:27:54 PM
MYRA MUNSON stated that she is an attorney and the former
commissioner of DHSS. She expressed that she endorses the
confirmation of the appointment of Commissioner Davidson as
successor to the lieutenant governor. She offered that
Commissioner Davidson is extremely capable and knowledgeable
about every aspect of the state; she is a terrific choice for
all Alaskans.
3:29:40 PM
LIZ MEDICINE CROW, President, First Alaskans Institute (FAI),
relayed that Commissioner Davidson is the best choice to fill in
for the governor and the lieutenant governor if they are
incapacitated. She mentioned that Alaska Natives are very
careful to avoid speaking about something bad happening to
someone. She repeated Ms. Davidson's words: "Hope for the
best; prepare for the worst." She expressed that personally,
there is no one else that she would go to for that type of
leadership or that kind of care. She said that she has informed
people that Commissioner Davidson is the person to seek out in
the case of an "apocalypse"; she is the most prepared person;
she is ready for any disaster that strikes.
MS. MEDICINE CROW offered that Commissioner Davidson has
"children" at the center of her core; therefore, will always
take care of them. She has "elders" at the fiber of her being;
therefore, she will take care of them. She has the best
interests of every Alaskan at heart. In the event she would be
called upon to make difficult decisions and step up for the
state in a time of emergency, there is no one better to do that
and provide that leadership.
3:32:39 PM
TILLIE DAVIDSON testified that she is Commissioner Davidson's mother.
She offered her support for Commissioner Davidson's appointment and
the support of the commissioner's whole family.
3:33:39 PM
COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON apologized for her awkward introduction
and explained why she did not relay her qualifications for the
position. She explained that Yupiks have a wonderful tradition
and philosophy; that is, a person's experiences define his/her
view of the world; every experience one has shapes that person's
world view; it is the person's responsibility to use that
knowledge to improve the lives of people around him/her. She
relayed that Yupiks believe that a person should not exalt
themselves higher than another person; it is extremely bad luck.
She directed the committee's attention to her resume, included
in the committee packet, and said that her record speaks for
itself. She added that a person is defined by what he/she has
done and what other people recognize, and not by what the person
says that he/she has done.
COMMISSIONER DAVIDSON stated that this is not the first time the
state must make really difficult decisions; she doesn't envy the
role of the legislator at a time when the state is facing a
significant budget deficit. She emphasized that from her life
experience and building on thousands of years of history in her
family, when Alaskans come together and have honest
conversations, they always make the right decisions; everyone
may not be happy with the decisions, but at the end of the day,
Alaskans arrive at a good place. She added that she has also
witnessed, time and time again, that people will do the most
amazing things under the most impossible conditions, if it is
for the right reasons. She maintained that "children and
family" are always the right reasons. She thanked the
legislators for their hard work and reiterated that "we're all
really trying to make the best decisions that we possibly can
for Alaska."
3:36:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX moved to advance the confirmation of
Valerie Davidson as Lt. Governor Successor to the joint session
of the House and Senate. There being no objection, the
confirmation was advanced.
HCR 22-APRIL 2018:SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
3:37:08 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22, Proclaiming April
2018 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
3:37:43 PM
HANS RODVIK, Staff, Representative Charisse Millett, Alaska
State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Millett, prime
sponsor of HCR 22, relayed that the proposed resolution would
proclaim April 2018 Sexual Assault Awareness Month. He said it
is no surprise that the state has work to do in preventing
violence; Alaska's sexual assault rates are some of the worst in
the nation. He noted that the rates are cited in the
resolution. He stated that sexual violence affects Alaskans
with no regard to race, socioeconomics, region, or gender; it is
felt throughout the entire state.
MR. ROSVIK relayed that it is easy to feel demoralized by the
statistics and the presentations; however, the proposed
resolution is needed as a point for change. Alaska has
excellent resources throughout the state from the top down;
resources that are working on the issue and are dedicated to
preventing sexual assault and violence: Alaska Network on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (ANDVSA) - a letter of
support is included in the committee packet; Standing Together
Against Rape (STAR); Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies
(AWARE) in Juneau; Abused Women's Aid in Crises (AWAIC); Tundra
Women's Coalition (TWC) in Bethel; Green Dot Alaska; Girls on
the Run (GOTR); Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM); and other
violence prevent projects in Anchorage, Sitka, Ketchikan,
Juneau, and Homer.
MR. ROSVIK offered that there are "changemakers," both old and
young, taking Alaska's rate of serious sexual violence to task.
He stated that rates are on the decline; he noted the research
in the committee packet. He indicated that there is more work
to be done; sexual violence should never be tolerated. He
maintained that a resolution is needed every year because it
represents an important conversation and something upon which
Alaska needs to be focused. He maintained that with the
proposed resolution, Alaska can join the conversation, support
survivors, and prevent future violence.
HJR 38-AK RAILROAD TRANSFER ACT; CONVEYANCES
3:40:40 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38, Relating to certain
conveyances to the Alaska Railroad Corporation under the Alaska
Railroad Transfer Act of 1982.
3:41:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHUCK KOPP, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor of HJR 38, relayed that he has been working on the issue
addressed by HJR 38 with many Alaskan residents, from south of
the Denali Borough down through the Matanuska-Susitna ("Mat-Su")
Valley into Palmer, Anchorage, and Seward. The issue impacts
thousands of Alaskans. He referred to his PowerPoint
presentation, entitled "HJR - Restoring Property Rights," and
pointed out the quote by John Locke on slide 1, which read:
"Government has no other end, but the preservation of property."
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP turned to slide 2, entitled "What's the
Harm?" and relayed that the harm that is being addressed by HJR
38 is that there was a property interest that was taken from
landowners along the Alaska Railroad (ARR) right-of-way (ROW) in
a way that circumvented the [U.S. and Alaska] Constitutions and
due process in the rule of law. Hundreds of landowners along
the ARR ROW now have a cloud on their property titles due to an
unlawful "exclusive-use easement" claim to the entire ROW. The
exclusive-use easement claim does not exist for any other
railroad in America.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP continued by saying that in 1875, Congress
announced that the U.S. government would no longer grant general
land grant railroads [General Railroad Right-of-Way Act of 1875
("1875 Act")]. Land had been granted to the Union Pacific
Railroad (UPRR) to incentivize its east-west route; that lead to
huge tracks of divided land; industry and farming could not
cross the rail belt without tariffs and fees; and it resulted in
a great deal of corruption. He relayed that beginning in 1875,
all railroads had surface easements only.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP relayed that the Alaska Railroad Corporation
(ARRC) acted in violation of AS 42.40.285 in 2005 and 2006, when
it approached the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the U.S.
Department of the Interior (USDOI) without notifying the
legislature or governor of Alaska or any of the affected
landowners along the ROW and obtained an exclusive-use easement
patent on all the Homestead Act [1862] ("homestead") properties
along the ROW.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP referred to slide 5, entitled "A Brief
History," and to the continuation on slide 6. He reminded the
committee that the ARR was formed by an Act of Congress in 1914;
between 1914 and 1982, there were hundreds of homestead patents
issued by the federal government to private landowners along the
ARR ROW; during that time, the federal government completely
divested itself of all ownership in that land and the land went
into private hands. He said that the only land that the U.S.
government reserved for itself was a ROW - a surface easement
for rail, telegraph, and telephone - consistent with all other
railroad easements in the country post 1875.
3:45:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP referred to slide 7, entitled "What is a
standard railroad 'easement'?" and explained that the easement
is a 200-foot easement that extends 100 feet on either side of
the track; this is a limited surface easement; and according to
the 1875 Act, this was all railroads were to have from that time
forward. He directed the committee's attention to the document
included in the committee packet, entitled "HJR 38 Overview and
Backdrop," which gives a historical background. He stated that
today, the limited interest ROW - or surface easement - provides
the foundation for 80 percent of all the track mileage in the
nation.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP relayed that using principles established in
the 1875 Act, the Alaska Railroad Act of 1914 ("1914 Act")
authorized the creation of ARR. He said that 1982 was the first
time the easement became an issue, and the following questions
were raised: "What does this easement mean?" "How exclusive is
it?" "Does the railroad actually have a fee simple interest in
the land?" He explained that under the Alaska Statehood Act [of
1958], the state selected ROW lands; ARRC claimed it owned the
land; the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) ruled that the
railroad did not own the land, but a surface easement only. The
ruling was based on a U.S. Supreme Court case in 1942, Great
Northern Railway Co. v. U.S., in which the court declared that a
railroad only has a surface easement, not fee ownership of the
land; that is, it does not have any outright ownership of the
land. The ruling was confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in
2014 [Brandt Revocable Trust v. U.S.].
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP cited the 2014 U.S. Supreme Court Case
Brandt Revocable Trust v. U.S. ruling: "The right of way was an
easement that was terminated by the railroad's abandonment,
leaving the property owner's land unburdened." The ruling went
on to say that the 1875 Act, upon which IBLA based its decision,
clearly states that the railroad only has an easement and
nothing more. He stated that the court adopted the U.S.
government's previous argument in full, which was that a
railroad only has a surface easement. He quoted from the
ruling, which read, "It found the 1875 Act's text 'wholly
inconsistent' with the grant of a fee interest." He explained
that a fee interest refers to owning land outright. The court
declared that the railroad does not have a fee interest; it does
not own the land; it has a surface easement only.
3:47:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP relayed that the opinion was dated March 10,
2014. Less than one month later, ARRC authored a ten-page legal
response to a constituent in Anchorage about concerns of the
railroad's fee interest claim in the ROW, as well as exclusive-
use easement allowing it to fence off all adjoining property
owners on homestead patent lands. He related that the ARRC told
the constituent that it had previously addressed the
constituent's concerns in a comprehensive memorandum explaining
that ARRC holds fee simple interest in most ARR ROWs and at
least an exclusive-use easement in all ROWs. Representative
Kopp exclaimed, "That is outrageous!" He stated that it was in
direct violation of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP continued by saying that in 2017, the Alaska
Supreme Court ruled in Reeves v. Godspeed L.L.C that a surface
easement must allow the holder of that easement all necessary
control to safely conduct its operations but may not deny the
landowner proper use of the easement, if it doesn't interfere
with the holder's operations. He added that the case did not
involve a railroad, but it did address easements; the principle
is the same and continues as a legal basis. He maintained that
no credible argument can be made that an exclusive-use easement
belongs to ARRC without establishing what the private parties
owned when the federal government made the transfer to the State
of Alaska [under the Alaska Railroad Transfer Act (ARTA) of
1982].
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP referred to slide 8, entitled "What is an
'exclusive use easement'?" and said, "You may ask yourself, 'Why
is this such a big deal with the exclusive-use easement?'" He
relayed that the exclusive-use easement allows ARRC to fence off
and exclude any adjoining landowner for any purpose whatsoever.
He explained that doing so allows ARRC to build a fence through
the back yard of any properties built next to the ROW - many of
them built 40-50 years ago under original homestead patents.
Many of these properties have immaculately maintained yards
along the ARR ROWs or a boat or trailer in the yard that
homeowners would not be able to access. He stated that ARRC
claims that it needs to have the exclusive-use easements for
safety, but Representative Kopp maintained that the safety
problems have almost always occurred on public crossings and in
areas of public land use. The private property owners are some
of the best caretakers of the ROWs and the first to report a
problem to ARRC, because it is their land and they want it
protected.
3:51:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP relayed that ARRC has not always maintained
that it had the exclusive-use easement right. He stated that
ARRC's lead counsel, Ms. Phyllis Johnson, argued on June 25,
1996, before the Alaska Legislative Budget & Audit (LBA)
Committee that the federal government owns less than originally
thought. She reported that the issue should be researched on a
parcel-by-parcel basis to determine whether ARRC has all those
rights from the transfer [to the state]; property owners were
there first, and the ROWs went across private property not
federal land. He offered that ARRC does have an exclusive-use
easement on federal lands as authorized by ARCA - the Denali
National Park and Preserve (DNPP) and federal lands under
competing Native land claims in Northern Alaska. Wherever the
federal government owned land, the exclusive-use easement could
be transferred to the state; however, the federal government may
not transfer anything to the state that it does not own. He
emphasized that the issue was, What did the federal government
actually own at the time of the transfer and what could it
actually send to the state?
3:52:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP referred to slides 9-19 to examine the
details of HJR 38. He cited page 1, lines 4-7, of HJR 38 [shown
on slide 9], which states that ARR was created under the 1914
Act, which directly granted interests in federal land for
railroad ROWs for the construction of the standard easement,
that is, for railroads and telegraph and telephone lines. He
added that this standard easement was in place beginning in
1875, and it is the only easement that Congress authorized.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP cited page 1, lines 10-15 [shown on slide
10], which states that before and after completion of ARR, the
federal government conveyed into private ownership land affected
and burdened by the ROWs. He explained that these lands refer
to the homestead patents. He offered that about 60 percent of
the 500 miles of tract are homestead patents - in the
municipalities, Palmer, Anchorage, the Denali area, Cantwell,
and Seward - and are in private hands. He said that homestead
patent owners had railroad tracts reserved across their
properties before ownership was transferred to the state in
1983.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP cited page 2, lines 3-6 [shown on slide 11],
which states that the state acquired ARR from the federal
Government in 1983 and created ARRC to oversee operations as an
instrumentality of the state.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP cited page 2, lines 7-13 [shown on slide
12], which states that ARCA provided for the transfer of all
rail properties of ARR from the federal government to the State
of Alaska; that is, all right, title, and interest of the U.S.
in those properties. He emphasized that only the interest owned
by the federal government was transferred; it could not transfer
an interest it did not own. He continued by saying that on
January 14, 1983, ARRC reserved and owned ROW interests on
private properties - homestead properties - provided for in
patents and other conveyance documents; those interests
represented the rail, telegraph, and telephone ROW.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP cited page 2, lines 14-17 [shown on slide
13], which stated that if all right, title, and interest of the
U.S. in the ROWs did not include at a minimum an exclusive-use
easement as defined in ARTA, the easement could not have been
included in the transfer under the plain language of ARTA. He
explained that there are two places in ARTA where the exclusive-
use easement is mentioned: competing land claims among Alaska
Native corporations and village corporations; and in Denali
Borough. He offered that those two places are where the federal
government did have an exclusive-use easement that it could pass
on to the state; however, it never claimed to have that easement
across all the homestead patent properties. He added that in
December 2015, Alaska U.S. Congressman Don Young proclaimed that
ARTA would have never passed Congress had vested property rights
been contemplated to be changed by the transfer; in other words,
there was never an intent to change vested property rights.
3:56:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP cited page 2, lines 18-25 [shown on slide
14], which stated that during the transfer of rail properties
under ARTA, USDOI erroneously issued and ARRC accepted an
interim conveyance of interests in real property not owned by
the federal government, including exclusive-use easements. He
stated that this interim transfer speaks to how the whole
process happened: first there was a license issued by the
federal government for ARR; then there was an interim
conveyance. He explained that "interim" conveyance means it is
temporary and conditional. It was realized that there were many
properties that needed to be researched to discover the interest
that the federal government was passing on to the state. The
federal government was not familiar with all the properties it
had; over 500 miles of track needed to be researched. The
interim conveyance was not made final until 2005 and 2006.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP relayed that before 2005 and 2006, the
Alaska State Legislature started to get nervous: residents from
Whittier, Palmer, Anchorage, and all over the state were
complaining that ARRC was incrementally ratcheting down on the
ROWs and fencing off adjoining landowners when for decades, it
had never been an issue. He cited page 3, lines 1-4 [shown on
slide 16], which stated that the legislature specified that
under AS 42.40.285, ARRC must receive legislative approval
before accepting any conveyances of land - land grants, titles,
interests. He added that complaints from the City of Whittier
was the "final straw"; residents maintained they were being run
out of town by the ARRC's assumption of exclusive-use.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP cited page 3, lines 5-8 [shown on slide 16],
which stated that the legislature listed, as an exception,
properties that are consistent with any right, title, or
interest that the federal government had a right to bestow; for
those, ARRC would not need to receive legislative approval. He
reiterated that an exclusive-use easement was not something the
federal government had in their possession to give if it was
across private homestead patent properties; AS 42.40.285
specifically states that to be true in a municipality. He
mentioned that most of the homesteads are in municipalities;
therefore, Anchorage, Palmer, and the Mat-Su Valley are all
affected.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP continued that in 2005 and 2006, ARRC
approached BLM and received patents of exclusive-use easement;
it claimed it was only getting what it was promised in 1985.
Representative Kopp emphasized that ARRC was never promised
those patents to the entire ROWs; it would be an outrageous
unconstitutional theft of property rights without due process of
law. Residents were unaware of the transfer until ARRC began to
institute the Residential Right-Of-Way Use Permit Program to
monetize the railroad. He offered that to ARRC's credit, it
discontinued the practice. He mentioned that he does not
completely blame ARRC for what happened, as USDOI improperly
allowed it to happen when it gave ARRC the 2005 and 2006 patents
of exclusive-use easement across hundreds of miles of private
property. He stated that the property interests that were given
to ARRC are the same as fee interests; it is outright ownership;
and the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that no longer may
railroads have them. He said that in the Brandt Revocable Trust
v. U.S. ruling, the Supreme Court mentioned other cases that it
had ruled on, [Stalker] v. Oregon Short Line R. Co. [1912] and
Great Northern Ry. Co. v. Steinke [1923] - disputes dealing with
competing land claims to acquire and develop tracks of land.
The Supreme Court made it clear that any implication that the
interest is something more than a surface easement would not
have survived the court's unequivocal statement to the contrary.
4:01:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP referred to slide 19, which cites page 3,
lines 28-31, of HJR 38. He stated that the intent of HJR 38 is
to give the Alaska State Legislature the opportunity to comment
on what it believes is clearly the law. If there was a
misapplication of ARTA regarding exclusive-use easements
affecting many hundreds or thousands of property owners, then
under HJR 38, Alaska would disclaim any property interests that
were taken contrary to law and ask its Congressional delegation
to work with the legislature to right this egregious wrong.
4:02:35 PM
EPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX stated that Representative Kopp has given
very impassioned legal arguments and asked why this issue would
not be dealt with in court.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP answered that ARTA was written so that the
U.S. Solicitor General is bound to defend any claim on the ROW
forever; therefore, someone would have to be very wealthy to sue
the federal government and take them to court; it would be a
difficult task. He maintained that a resolution is a way for
the State of Alaska to speak strongly about an egregious wrong
that has been committed to Alaska land owners. He mentioned
that the new Assistant Secretary for USDOI is aware of this
issue and is assisting to resolve it. He asserted that it is
the state's duty to disclaim and "walk away" from stolen
property. The state should not stand quietly by abating and
abetting the taking of property it doesn't own; by law, that is
theft by receiving. He concluded that for the individual
landowner, the cost of litigation is prohibitive. He expressed
that he would welcome a large public interest law firm taking on
this issue; however, there is much the legislature can do.
4:04:46 PM
EPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked whether such a lawsuit would be
considered a public interest lawsuit; if so, those type of
lawsuits are attractive to attorneys and bring generous attorney
fees when won.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP maintained that many people have tried to
get the attention of public interest law firms; pursuing that is
an ongoing effort; however, he advocates acting when possible
rather than waiting for a law firm to take the case. He
reiterated that court action would involve suing the federal
government. The proposed resolution would make it very clear
that Alaska does not support any interest that was not
originally owned by the federal government. He emphasized that
HJR 38 does not state that ARR does not have a ROW or the right
to safety conduct a ROW. He offered that ARRC has police
officers that can issue citations for trespassing; they have
full legal authority for protecting the ROW. He maintained that
ARRC does not need an exclusive-use [easement] to make a safe
ROW; it is an unsupportable claim legally and is contrary to the
interest of every land owner on the ROW.
4:06:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP asked for a history lesson on why
Representative Kopp is pursuing this issue so aggressively.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP explained that in South Anchorage and other
districts, homes built near the ROW have been there since the
'50s and '60s. When ARRC started advancing its residential use
permit, many property owners received notices that they would be
charged per square foot for their lawns or gardens. These
residents had thought that they were the landowners and ARR had
a ROW. He relayed that no one had an issue with ARRC preventing
anything hazardous to the movements of the trains; however, at
that point they realized their ROWs were being monetized. He
referred to the Flying Crown airpark in South Anchorage; about
40 pilots have used a portion of it as a taxiway for an airfield
since the '50s, that is, almost 70 years of continuous use as an
airpark. He stated that some of the homes in the area have
hangars big enough for an airplane; now residents are faced with
a fence that could prevent them from driving airplanes out of
their hangars. He maintained that the airpark, which has been
in continuous operation for 65-plus years and in which there is
shared use of a small portion of the ROW, now has fences on a
small sliver at the very end of the 1,500-foot strip.
Significant fees are being charged to the entire group of homes
in that area. He added that to its credit, ARRC has
discontinued doing this. He asserted that this issue needs to
be pursued until there is a final solution recognizing simply
that the federal government could not have passed to the state
an interest that it never owned.
4:09:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP offered his understanding that landowners
were being denied access to their property.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP replied that there were landowners who were
denied access to the back yards of their properties; concrete
barriers were erected by the railroad in Oceanview that blocked
residents from access to their boats. He relayed that he worked
with ARRC to remove those barriers; ARRC always offered reasons
why it could not do so; and in the end, the situation became
untenable. He referred the committee to letters included in the
committee packet from residents and businesses who are
negatively impacted. He stated that the owner of Red Robin in
Anchorage had his land trespassed on, his trees cut down, and a
fence erected on his property; ARRC was mistaken as to the
location of the ROW. This person conflicted with ARRC when he
plowed snow onto a small section of the ROW and ARRC objected.
Representative Kopp asserted that the disagreement was fair, but
ARRC putting a fence in the individual's yard was unfair and was
done without notification. He further referred to Hugh Ashlock,
the owner of Dimond Center, who has had a very difficult
circumstance with ARRC; he would like 20 more parking spaces but
to obtain them, he would have to part with a "fortune of spaces"
that impede slightly into an ARR ROW that he has improved
immensely. He reiterated that all these lands are homestead
patent lands, and this is an issue that runs through Anchorage
and up and down the Railbelt. He declared that the issue is
ARRC claiming a fee interest in the land and an exclusive-use
easement to the entire ROW; he maintained that ARRC has neither,
except in areas that the federal government originally owned.
4:11:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH expressed his appreciation for the proposed
resolution and confirmed that it has been a long-standing
concern. He offered that when he served in municipal
government, it was a concern but could not be resolved at the
municipal level. He supported the legislature addressing it
through the proposed resolution.
4:12:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK also thanked Representative Kopp for
introducing the proposed resolution. He maintained that ARRC is
creating miles of borders blocking access to the railroad. He
stated that in Anchorage, the beach is cut off from the coastal
trail.
4:13:27 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked for confirmation that the easement was
100 feet on each side of track; ARRC is preventing people from
the area 100 feet from the center line; and fences are being
erected and blocking people from accessing property on the other
side of the track.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP answered yes and added that there are many
property owners for which this is the case; if the railroad
assumed the exclusive-use easement on the homeowners'
properties, they would be cut off from both sides of their own
land. He added that also people who abut the track may be cut
off from access to public land areas because of the fencing. He
said that ARRC's argument is always safety, but in the name of
safety, people's rights are being "run over."
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether the fencing is recent.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP responded that the erection of fencing
became very aggressive in 2012. He referred to page 4,
paragraph 3, of the document, entitled "HJR 38 Overview and
Backdrop," included in the committee packet, and stated that it
highlights six critical situations in the Municipality of
Anchorage. He apologized that he did not include the list of
grievances from Palmer. He relayed that ARRC fenced off access
to the Fish Creek estuary in the Turnagain area forcing a
utility to erect a $114,000 fence near Westchester Lagoon as a
precondition to entering and repairing sewer mains. The ARRC
installed concrete barricades and steel posts blocking access to
the ROW in a residential area in Oceanview. He mentioned again
the ROW Use Permit Program as further evidence of ARRC's
infringement.
4:16:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether many of the original
homesteads still exist or have been subdivided.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP replied that all the homesteads still exist
as federal patents; he conceded that the homesteads have been
divided into multiple successors but maintained that homestead
patents don't "go away." He relayed that all the way up the
track are large homesteads still recognized in titles searches;
the original landowners have subdivided the land; and the
current landowners are considered successors in interest to the
homestead and carry with the land the property interest that
came with that homestead patent property.
4:17:33 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced HJR 38 would be held over.
4:18:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL mentioned that ARRC owns other lands that
are not easements or ROWs; he asked for clarification that the
resolution addresses only ROWs and easements.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP replied that the proposed legislation does
not refer to other lands that ARRC lawfully owns; it is focused
on the ROW and what is viewed as unconstitutional claims to
property interests in the ROW.
4:19:35 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the next order of business
would be consideration of forthcoming legislation relating to
the collection of fees by the Department of Public Safety for
fire and explosion prevention and safety services.
4:20:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX moved that the committee authorize the
chair to draft an act relating to the collection of fees by the
Department of Public Safety for fire and explosion prevention
and safety services, on behalf of the House State Affairs
Standing Committee. There being no objection, it was so
ordered.
HB 184-DISCRIMINATION: GENDER ID.;SEXUAL ORIENT.
4:20:50 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the last order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 184, "An Act adding to the powers and
duties of the State Commission for Human Rights; and relating to
and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or
gender identity or expression."
4:21:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor of HB 184, stated that the proposed legislation
was heard in the House State Affairs Standing Committee meeting
on 5/4/17; it was recommended by the Alaska State Commission for
Human Rights (ASCHR); and it would prohibit discrimination in
the public sphere in the area of employment, housing, lending,
and by the government.
4:21:47 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS opened public testimony on HB 184.
4:22:12 PM
ALYSON CURRY, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
(PPVNH), testified that HB 184 is common sense legislation that
has the full support of PPVNH. She relayed that every day
Alaskans across the state live in fear of being fired, or being
denied housing, public services, or other opportunities, because
they are gay or transgender. She opined that everyone should be
free from discrimination to build loving relationships and
create families based on their personal, private lives.
MS. CURRY stated that as a healthcare provider and employer,
Planned Parenthood [Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA) "Planned
Parenthood"] knows that the proposed legislation is good for
public health and good for business. Because of discrimination
and fear of discrimination, many lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ) employees hide their
identities, are paid less, and have fewer employment
opportunities than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. This
prejudicial treatment puts LGBTQ individuals at increased risk
for poor health, both physical and mental.
MS. CURRY relayed that businesses like Planned Parenthood that
support anti-discrimination measures for LGBTQ people recognize
that having a corporate culture of inclusivity improves worker
productivity and helps recruit the best talent. Sexual
orientation, gender identity, and gender expression have no
relation to workplace performance, and hardworking Alaskans
should not be fired because of whom they love or who they are.
She added that additionally no one should be turned away from a
business, denied housing, or denied a public service because of
who they are.
MS. CURRY stated that she is incredibly proud to live in a
community that has already embraced equal protection under the
law for all people - for her friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
She emphasized that it is time for the state to catch up.
4:24:22 PM
MARSHA BUCK, Treasurer, Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays (PFLAG) Juneau, paraphrased from her written testimony,
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
My name is Marsha Buck and I am the treasurer of PFLAG
Juneau. I would like to testify in strong support of
House Bill 184. PFLAG, as you may know, stands for
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays as
well as people who are transgender, bisexual,
intersex, queer, and questioning.
PFLAG Juneau strongly supports House Bill 184 as well
as Senate Bill 72 because they are needed here in
Alaska. Discrimination based on sexual orientation and
gender identity and gender expression are sadly still
alive and active in our great state where we think of
ourselves as independent and strong and delightfully
different than people in the Lower 48. But I've
noticed in my 49 years here in Alaska that we still
manage to harbor discrimination.
Two examples come to mind. I will never forget the
night my phone rang in the middle of the night and I
answered to find a friend sobbing. My friend was a
lesbian who lived here in Juneau at the time and her
landlord had just evicted her from her house because
she was a lesbian living peacefully with her partner.
When she asked me through her tears if the landlord
could do that, all I could give her was a place to
stay but not any legal recourse.
Another conversation I will never forget was with a
transgender woman in Anchorage who was told by a bus
driver that she could not board a city bus because of
the way she looked. Apparently she looked "too trans."
Again, I could not assure this woman that she had any
place to turn legally.
Please pass HB 184 out of committee with your full
committee support, because you are Alaskans who care
about other Alaskans and you care about ending
discrimination against your constituents.
4:27:37 PM
MARTIE BUSCAGLIA, Executive Director, Alaska State Commission
for Human Rights (ASCHR), testified that the mission of ASCHR is
to eliminate and prevent discrimination for all Alaskans; its
vision is an Alaska free of discrimination. She asked how
Alaska can achieve that if there is a segment of the population
against whom discrimination is legal.
MS. BUSCAGLIA relayed that in November 2016, ASCHR passed a
resolution calling upon the legislature to revise Alaska's Human
Rights Law, AS 18.80, to expressly prohibit discrimination based
on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. The
same resolution requested that staff draft proposed regulation
language adopting the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission's (EEOC's) definition of "sex" to include sexual
orientation and gender identity. She stated that the
commissioners could not agree on language for that part of the
resolution; some of the commissioners felt strongly that the
first part of the resolution - calling on the legislature to act
- was the most important part; and the law should by changed in
the legislature. Currently the second part of the resolution is
"dead," making it even more critical for the legislature to
revise the law.
MS. BUSCAGLIA asked, "How can we achieve a discrimination free
Alaska, if the state allows same sex couples to be married, but
then when they return to work or they are looking for a home,
they can be discriminated against?" She expressed that she
commends the growing number of representatives who stand behind
HB 184, and she urged the committee to move it out of committee
so that the vision of a truly discrimination free Alaska can
become reality.
MS. BUSCAGLIA closed by saying there is no fiscal impact to the
proposed legislation; ASCHR expects a minimal increase in
complaints; ASCHR has checked with EEOC and the Anchorage Equal
Rights Commission (AERC), both of which accept such complaints,
and found that the percentages of complaints of this nature are
low.
4:30:26 PM
LIN DAVIS, Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
(PFLAG) Juneau, paraphrased from her written testimony, which
read in part as follows [original punctuation provided]:
There is an ongoing urgent need to protect us LGBTQ
Alaskans through HB 184. Especially transgender
Alaskans they are very vulnerable to violence and
vilification. Last year, 33 of us LGBTQ from all over
the state testified for SB 74, Senator Gardner's
protection bill. 33 of us shared stories of
discrimination. In summer of 2016, 29 LGBTQ Juneau
people told the CBJ Assembly about losing jobs and
apartments, being kicked out of public accommodations,
being turned down for financial services. Many people
talked through tears sharing their stories. And now,
all of us testifiers have experienced a dangerous
increase in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.
This is a perfect time to move this bill forward.
Please vote today to showcase equality in Alaska.
My wife, a family physician, Dr. Mo Longworth, reminds
me that the Alaskan Academy of Family Physicians has
always strongly spoken out for statewide LGBTQ
protections. Research from the National Academy of
Family Physicians shows improved health outcomes for
individuals and communities when LGBTQ protections are
in place. And studies show there is less violence
toward women when LGBTQ people are respected.
Fairness in housing, employment, public accommodations
and financial services is basic to surviving in
Alaska.
My most recent and troubling knowledge of
discrimination comes from meeting with transgender
high school students. They are under siege for being
who they are. Their families and friends worry
constantly about their safety. Alaska can send a
national message of inclusion and respect by passing
HB 184.
Thank you for hearing our concerns.
4:33:33 PM
KIM LEA testified that her preferred name is Emogene Kimberly
Lea and her preferred pronouns are she, her, hers. She offered
that the U.S. has had for the past century a positive trend
regarding civil rights: no longer does one see NINA, "No Irish
Need Apply," in hiring notices, "whites only" signs on water
fountains, or Alaskan Natives being required to sit in the
balcony away from white folk. She mentioned that these things
happened mostly in her lifetime. She added that lately the U.S.
has avoided the practice of shipping segments of its population
to concentration camps in desolate parts of the U.S. She stated
that it is her desire to encourage this trend.
MS. LEA relayed that six and a half decades ago, as a child in
the Alaska education system, she was taught that one of the
basic tenants of American law is that all people are afforded
the same protection before the law - that all people are equal.
She was taught that there was a separation of state and church,
so that religious teachings of one faith are not imposed upon a
person of another faith or a person of no faith.
MS. LEA stated that there is much "to do" in the press in the
past few years; conservative members of a given religious
leaning are strongly opposed to equal rights for persons who do
not conform to the rigid binary division of people as solely
male or female. She offered that she finds this strange, as the
Jewish religion from which their faith springs recognizes six
genders.
MS. LEA clarified the word "gender" as follows: "Your gender is
who you go to bed as, and your sexual orientation is who you go
to bed with." She shared that she is transgender; she was born
with a male body; and she identifies as female.
MS. LEA maintained that religion has no place in American law;
if there is a real problem, like assault weapons being used to
slaughter our children, then take appropriate and decisive
action. She emphasized that action should not be taken based on
the agitation of a relatively small part of one American
religious population, who selectively pick and choose the parts
of the Christian Old Testament that they choose to enforce.
MS. LEA relayed that she recognizes from a political standpoint
the desirability of targeting small demographic groups that are
not likely to have the political or economic power to defend
themselves as are larger segments of the population, who might
fight back. There is less chance of sustaining push-back to
one's peer group, if no one knows a person who is part of the
target group.
MS. LEA stated, "I am a 'trans' person - probably the first one
you've met." She said that there are only about six per
thousand, and she offered that if they can "pass," they will.
MS. LEA relayed that she recognizes the right of religion to
disprove anything it desires and to enforce those beliefs within
its willing congregation. She admonished, "To such groups,
judge not lest you be judged. Love God, love your neighbor."
MS. LEA offered that as a transgender woman, she seeks two
things: to be perceived as a valid being within the community
and to be treated with respect. She asked to be treated as a
human and treated with respect using her preferred pronouns; she
asked that she be allowed to void her bowel and bladder where
she chooses, comfortably and privately. She added that there
are stalls, and she would not see anything inappropriate.
4:37:33 PM
BARBARA LEARMONTH testified that as a Christian, she wishes to
correct the common, and very hurtful, misperception that all
Christian churches discriminate against people based on sexual
orientation. She stated that her Episcopal Church does not.
MS. LEARMONTH relayed that she has had many years of experience
at work places that do not discriminate based on sexual
orientation. She stated that personally she has not been
discriminated against but feels compelled to speak for her gay
co-workers. She said that it is not just that their inclusion
in the workplace is not a problem, it's that the workplace would
have suffered if they had been excluded. She referred to a
senior manager, who was one of the wisest and most effective
senior managers that she has ever known; the agency, the
clientele, and she herself would have suffered, if he has been
excluded because of his sexual orientation. She offered that he
is just one of many such people.
MS. LEARMONTH relayed that there is no factual reason to exclude
people from a workplace based on sexual orientation; current
times are very challenging, and workplaces need all the skilled
people they can get.
4:39:48 PM
KEVIN MCGEE, President, Anchorage National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), testified that the
mission of the NAACP is to promote equality and equal treatment
under the law. He said that it is in that tradition that he is
testifying in support of HB 184. The proposed legislation would
ensure that sexual orientation and gender identity cannot be
used as a legal basis for discriminating against Alaskans.
MR. MCGEE relayed that HB 184 would help ensure that Alaskans
have a "level playing field" when they look for jobs, housing,
and credit, and use public accommodations. He offered that the
average Alaskan probably considers these civil rights safeguards
already to be law; most people see the protection of civil
rights as a "no-brainer"; those rights are widely recognized
both in society and in federal law. He stated that HB 184
represents an opportunity to protect civil rights through state
law, which is important both as a matter of principle and as a
practical matter for Alaskans who should not be subjected to
discrimination in their daily lives. He thanked the legislators
who co-sponsored the proposed legislation.
4:41:55 PM
BESSI ODAM testified that many people come to Alaska just to
visit; some decide to call Alaska home. She relayed that her
parents are among them; they came from Mississippi in 1972 not
knowing they would become permanent residents of Alaska. She
offered that her parents were attracted to the freedom that
Mississippi did not allow; they were content in knowing that the
discrimination that dominated their lives in the South was not
as apparent in the Last Frontier.
MS. ODAM stated that it was here in Alaska that her parents were
able to truly live unafraid. She said that she has heard the
stories of discrimination of her parents and emphasized that no
one deserves to be treated as anything less than human. She
maintained that a person should not be discriminated against
because of race, gender, or sexual orientation. She offered
that Alaska has always provided its residents a haven from
discrimination; it must strive to ensure that Alaska remains as
such.
MS. ODAN relayed that it is time not only to support people of
various genders and sexual orientation, but also to protect them
with the inclusive language of HB 184. She requested a "yes"
vote.
4:43:48 PM
GRACE MATTHEWS testified that growing up "queer" in Alaska has
not been easy. She stated that when she moved out of her
parents' house at age 18 and rented a dry cabin in the woods,
she wondered if her landlord would want to evict her if she was
aware of Ms. Matthews's girlfriend. She related that after she
received her automotive mechanics certificate, she got her first
job in an automobile ("auto") shop. Her co-workers were not shy
when talking about their intolerance. She said that she never
told her boss or her co-workers about her girlfriend, because
she was well aware she could lose her job.
MS. MATTHEWS reported that she is testifying in support of HB
184 so that Alaskans younger that she need not grow up wondering
if they belong in Alaska. She expressed that she loves Alaska
and Alaskans; Alaskans are independent, hard-working, and kind.
She maintained that discrimination is not an Alaskan value. She
urged the committee to pass HB 184 out of committee.
4:45:21 PM
KARA CARLSON testified that a few years ago she was invited to
walk in the Golden Days Parade with PFLAG - an organization that
focuses on advancing equality for people who identify as LGBTQ.
She mentioned that it was her first time walking with PFLAG or
any LGBTQ organization. She said that when she showed up, she
was met by 15 energetic, passionate strangers, who were standing
between two groups of people who were not excited about the
presence of the PFLAG group. She relayed that she was
terrified, walked back to her car, and called her dad in tears,
because she did not feel strong enough to be an ally on that
day. She stated that her dad reminded her that she had the
choice to go home - a privilege not everyone has.
MS. CARLSON continued by saying that during that same year, she
experienced discrimination for the first time. She emphasized
that this experience in no way compares with the experiences of
her friends, colleagues, and neighbors who have lifetimes of
experiences with discrimination. She stated that it is just an
example of what not having these protections does to everyone.
She said that as a young single mother, she has been fortunate
to find safe, affordable housing. Since she was a model tenant,
she was surprised and saddened at the many threats of eviction
and reprimands that followed when her landlord saw her at the
parade. She said that she wished she could articulate how scary
it was for her, as a single mother, to feel at risk of losing
her housing. She stated that more importantly, her friends,
families, and neighbors actually do lose housing, jobs,
livelihoods, and basic human rights because society has decided
there are groups of people who do not deserve the same rights
the rest of society enjoys and takes for granted every day.
MS. CARLSON asked for support of HB 184 and updating the law to
ensure that Alaska residents are judged on job performance and
qualifications. She said that no one should have to live in
fear of being legally fired for reasons that have nothing to do
with job performance or fear of being denied housing or other
services.
4:48:21 PM
MARINA DAY testified that the other day in church, the
congregation was asked to write their worst fears on a piece of
paper and pass it to another person. She said that the one she
received stated, "My son came out last Christmas. We're all 100
percent for him, but I will always worry about him as his mom,
especially as people cannot be so accepting." She stated that
no mother in Alaska should have to have those worries. She
urged the committee to pass HB 184 out of committee. She asked
the committee to do so in honor of the "love in your heart" and
in honor of [former Senator] Georgianna Lincoln whose Senate
Bill [163, Twenty-Second Alaska State Legislature, 2001-2002]
would have brought protection for my (indisc.) in the state 15
years prior.
MS. DAY relayed that issues of crimes against humanity will not
go away without the shield of law. She suggested that SB [163]
might have prevented years of despondency in Alaska communities.
She urged passage of HB 184 in honor of all who have testified
against hate crimes and discrimination every time legislation is
introduced. She maintained that human rights law in the state
is meant to secure the peace, order, health, safety, and general
welfare of the state and its people. She asked that the
committee members end the (indisc.) of the non-binary and allow
the vast expression of gender that exists in the human realm.
She urged passage of HB 184 in honor of "love in your heart and
because love trumps hate."
4:50:51 PM
CHANNON PRICE paraphrased from his written testimony, which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Thank you, Mr./Madam Chair. For the record my name is
Channon Price, and I live in House District 04/Senate
District B. I have been a voting citizen in that
district for over thirty years, during which time I
have also raised a family.
I have come today to offer my views on House Bill 184
(SB 72), which would update Alaska's non-
discrimination statutes.
The right to self-expression should only be limited
when it poses a clear danger to the safety of others.
Within that limitation, any person should enjoy the
same rights as others.
Historically, Alaska lead the nation in establishing
protections against discrimination in housing and
employment based on race, creed, color and national
origin. Our great state has added protections covering
individuals against discrimination based on
disability, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy and
parenthood. This is because there was and continues to
be a sense that our state is great because it is
plural: that this is not just a great state for, as an
example, white males.
Regrettably, in 2015 the Alaska Supreme Court found a
very narrow definition of the protections based on
sex, choosing to exclude sexual orientation, gender
identity, and gender expression from those
protections. I personally know of Alaskans who have
been impacted, both in their attempts to find
employment and in their attempts to obtain housing, by
discrimination against orientation or against
identity/expression. This is wrong: orientation and
identity have no relation to how well one does their
job, and what goes on behind closed doors -- our
private lives -- is no one's business as long as it
stays with the limitation noted above.
Discrimination is based on beliefs. You are entitled
to your belief, as long as it does not cause harm to
others. It was a founding principle of this nation
that one group of citizens never have the right to
impose their religious beliefs on another group, as
this infringes on the right of the second group to
practice their beliefs as they saw fit, to choose
their beliefs. Orientation and identity are even more
fundamental than beliefs, as one does not have the
choice of one's orientation and identity: in that,
they are like one's color or national origin. Thus, it
is just as wrong to discriminate against an individual
based on their orientation and identity.
For these reasons, I wholeheartedly support this bill,
and I encourage the committee to move the bill to the
full House for its consideration and approval.
I would like to thank the committee for their time in
considering my point of view.
4:53:17 PM
ROSE O'HARA-JOLLEY testified that Alaska is her home and she is
dedicated to making it a better place. She said that she worked
as an educator of young children of special needs for over 13
years and currently teaches teachers at the University of Alaska
Fairbanks (UAF). She stated that although she does not worry
about her job at UAF, she has had to hide who she is from
employers in the past out of fear: fear of being fired; fear of
being targeted in her small community; and fear of losing her
housing. She relayed that she is not alone; 44 percent of LGBTQ
people report discrimination at work. It is unacceptable to be
denied employment, housing, or other services in a place she
calls home, because of her gender identity and because of whom
she loves.
MS. O'HARA-JOLLEY offered that the cities of Anchorage, Juneau,
and Sitka have all passed legislation protecting the LGBTQ
community from discrimination, which means that over 330,000
Alaskans - over half the state's population - are protected.
She said that she finds it upsetting that she must "come out" to
the House State Affairs Standing Committee in hopes of receiving
the same protections for other Alaskans. She relayed that the
city in which she lives does not offer protections based on
sexual orientation and gender identity; therefore, a result of
her testifying could directly affect her ability to gain
employment or housing. She emphasized that it is time Alaska
stops its "patchwork" approach to protections and let all
Alaskans know they are valued. She urged support of HB 184.
4:55:39 PM
LIZ FURMAN testified that she is an ally of LGBTQ people. She
stated that she is a substitute teacher; she works in homeless
shelters, as a wilderness therapy guide, and with youth having
mental health disorders. She maintained that Alaska needs to
update its nondiscrimination clause to include LGBTQ folks and
promote dignity and human rights in the community.
MS. FURMAN relayed that as a teacher and someone who has worked
with youth and homeless people, she worries about the LGBTQ
teens, especially the transgender teens, who experience violence
and hate speech almost daily. She stated that working with at-
risk and homeless people, she has noticed that LGBTQ people are
over-represented in those two groups. She added that it is not
because they are doing something wrong but because they are
experiencing discrimination in housing and employment.
MS. FURMAN offered that sexual orientation has no relationship
to job performance and no relationship to one's ability to pay
rent or be a respectful homeowner. She emphasized that it is
shameful and wrong that in Alaska, discrimination in housing and
employment is allowed based on sexual orientation and identity.
She maintained that this kind of systemic discrimination haunts
society and strips LGBTQ individuals of dignity and basic
rights.
MS. FURMAN relayed that in her experience, LGBTQ people bring
positive strength, skill, and perspective, and should have the
right to practice their beliefs as they see fit. She mentioned
that Alaska communities need these diverse leaders and role
models, and Alaska should protect their rights. She urged
support of HB 184.
4:57:50 PM
LIZ LYKE testified that she is a transgender woman and has lived
in Alaska eight years. She said that Alaska really became her
home three years ago when she came out; Alaska is a place where
everyone is accepted and included. She stated that she has done
her part to make Alaska better. She expressed that to have the
best Alaska possible, Alaska needs to allow everyone, including
LGBTQ people, to have the best life possible - the best job, the
best housing, the best loans - everything everyone else
experiences. She maintained that Alaska has given her so much,
and she does her part to give back.
MS. LYKE relayed that currently 24 states have LGBTQ
protections; Alaska can stand on the "right side of history" and
be number 25. She urged passage of HB 184 out of committee.
4:59:24 PM
LIZ TAPP testified that when she first moved to Alaska from Los
Angeles, she was impressed most by the kindness and helpfulness
of everyone. She said that everyone was helpful when she knew
nothing about snow, cold, or how to get appropriate necessities.
She stated that she now wonders whether the store clerk would
have been as helpful, or the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
[staff] would have been as helpful, or she would have been able
to find housing as easily, if people had known she was gay. She
declared that she is not sure of that now. She maintained that
she has the luxury of looking like "your average, middle-class,
white woman"; it is a luxury not everyone has. She opined that
she should not have to rely on that luxury; she should not have
to hide the fact that she has a beautiful transgender wife; she
should not have to worry about where her wife goes and how she
will be treated; she should not have to worry if doctors will
turn her away; she should not have to worry if police will treat
her differently; she should not have to worry about any of these
issues, because her wife's rights should be protected like those
of anyone else. She asserted that she wishes everyone in Alaska
could have the same experience she had when she first moved to
Alaska - the experience of kind, helpful Alaskans reaching out
with offers of help - but she knows that they do not. She
maintained that HB 184 would help to further what she
experienced.
5:01:34 PM
ABBY NORTH testified that she is Ms. Tapp's wife - a transgender
woman - and a teacher. She said that since she came out, she
has been discriminated against twice; she was refused service at
a pharmacy and she was refused service at a gun shop. She
stated that she is lucky enough to have a job that includes
protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, and she
and her wife own their home. She stated that she is not
testifying for herself, but for all LGBTQ Alaskans and
especially for her LGBTQ students. She relayed that these
students get tortured daily. She offered that she tries to
fight it and to encourage her colleagues to fight it; however,
she worries about those students when they leave school, go out
into the real world, and can't find a job or home for no other
reason than because of who they are or whom they love. She
urged passage of HB 184 to protect all Alaskans equally.
5:03:56 PM
MORGAN WILHELM testified that she is a fourth generation
Alaskan, who plans to stay in Alaska and who has traveled around
the world. She maintained that wherever she goes, she finds
herself bragging about the vibrant cultures and landscapes in
which she grew up. She stated that she does not mention her
fear of losing her job because she is gay or her wife losing her
job by announcing her marriage at work. She stated that being
gay is part of her identity, which she cannot change. She
maintained that Alaska is where she wants to thrive and spend
her life as an openly gay resident. She asked for support of HB
184 to protect her ability to obtain and maintain employment and
live with dignity and honesty.
5:05:28 PM
PAMELA SAMESH expressed her concern with HB 184. She stated
that she has not seen discrimination due to sexual orientation
in her community and is surprised at the testimony. She
referred to testimony stating that children in the schools are
being discriminated against. She stated that she is heavily
involved in the schools and maintained that a misunderstanding
exists; what some people are interpreting as discrimination may
be concern that schools are pressuring children to become LGBTQ;
and there seems to be a strong liberal movement. She relayed
that as a Christian, she believes that everyone is made by God
in the womb of his/her mother. She maintained that children are
being coerced into being LGBTQ; they see other people being
LGBTQ; they are taught it is good and natural; and they
experiment with it and become confused, depressed, and suicidal
because of the confusion. She said that the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) agrees that society needs to be careful about
pressuring children into the LGBTQ movement.
5:08:44 PM
ZHENIA PETERSON began her testimony but due to audio
difficulties, agreed to send in written testimony instead.
5:10:05 PM
ALYSSA QUINTYNE testified that she and her fellow testifiers
from Fairbanks work hard to make the city safe for LGBTQ people.
It is frustrating when legislation that could protect people
that they care about and work with does not pass. Such
legislation would give her and other allies the leverage to help
those who are being discriminated against. She said that having
the proposed legislation pass would not only make
nondiscrimination law but allow people to avoid living in fear
of losing their jobs and give parents of LGBTQ children a legal
avenue. She maintained that LGBTQ children are discriminated
against, and it should not happen; no kid should have to face
not being accepted by his/her community. She urged passage of
HB 184; for legislators to encourage support among their
constituents; and by passage of the proposed legislation to let
the LGBTQ community know they are supported and welcome.
5:12:12 PM
JEFF CHEN paraphrased from his written testimony, which read as
follows [original punctuation provided]:
Thank you Chairman. For the record, my name is Jeff
Chen. I live in House District 18, and I am speaking
on behalf of myself.
I'm testifying in support of House Bill 184 because I
believe the State of Alaska should have non-
discrimination laws for everyone, including our
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer
community members.
I am a Taiwanese American. I work in the youth
conservation community. And I am on the Board of
Directors of the Alaska Chinese Association, though I
am only representing myself in my testimony.
Our history is full of acts of legal discrimination
based on local, state, and federal policies. Immigrant
families know discrimination -- legal discrimination.
For example, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred
Chinese immigrants from entering the country and
gaining access to housing, work, and places of public
accommodation. The ramifications were felt throughout
society, and led to physical violence and literally
the massacre of Chinese communities.
There is no justice in excluding based on race,
religion, color, national origin, age, sex,
disability, and marital status -- just as there is no
justice in discriminating based on sexual orientation
and gender identity.
44% of LGBTQ respondents reported facing
discrimination at work. In Alaska, that discrimination
is legal, and that discrimination is leading to an
increase in anti-LGBTQ violence across the country.
I support HB 184 because our LGBTQ family and friends
should not have to face discrimination in the
workplace, in public, or at home. Remember, through
the perseverance of Elizabeth Peratrovich and other
Alaska Native and Alaskan advocates, our state passed
some of the nation's first anti-discrimination laws. I
urge you to support HB 184. Thank you.
5:14:33 PM
MELISSA BURGER testified that as a proud LGBTQ advocate in high
school, it breaks her heart to see such amazing and wonderful
students suffer discrimination based on who they are. She
mentioned that the high school she attends is the most diverse
school in the nation; it includes students not only of all
races, religions, and color, but also LGBTQ students. She said
that when people ask her what it is she needs, now that gay
marriage is possible, she responds by saying she needs
antidiscrimination laws. She mentioned that due to Proposition
1 in Anchorage [Access to Public Bathrooms and Locker Rooms
Based on Sex at Birth], the LGBTQ community needs HB 184 to be
passed now more than ever.
5:16:48 PM
MELISSA GOLDSTEIN, Legal Fellow, Alaska Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU) of Alaska, testified that in 2015, the National Center
for Transgender Equality (NCTE) conducted a survey of over
27,000 transgender Americans, including 84 Alaskans. She
provided the following statistics regarding the discrimination
that transgender Alaskans face on a daily basis: in Alaska, 85
percent of transgender children have faced discrimination and
harassment; over half of transgender children were verbally
harassed; nearly one-third were physically harassed for being
transgender; 14 percent were sexually assaulted - that is,
specifically attacked because they were transgender; nearly one-
quarter of transgender children in Alaska faced such severe
mistreatment that they left a K through 12 school.
MS. GOLDSTEIN relayed that transgender adults are similarly
impacted: in 2015 alone, one-third of transgender Alaskans
experienced some form of housing discrimination; 43 percent
experienced homelessness; and 17 percent were denied employment
opportunities or were fired because of their gender identity or
expression.
MS. GOLDSTEIN stated that Anchorage has protected its residents
from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender
identity or expression since 2015 without issue; however, even
Anchorage's protections are under attack. These attacks make
antidiscrimination legislation like HB 184 even more necessary.
She referred to the research attached to her written testimony,
included in the committee packet, entitled "2015 U.S.
Transgender Survey Alaska State Report."
5:19:23 PM
JUDY ANDREE, League of Women Voters of Alaska (LWVAK), testified
that both the League of Women Voters of the U.S. (LWVUS) and
LWBAK believe that one of government's most important
responsibilities is to protect the rights and safety of all
citizens. She maintained that HB 184 would help provide such
protection. She stated that a society is weakened when it
excludes some of its citizens from full participation and the
rights and opportunities available to most of its citizens;
therefore, LWVAK strongly supports HB 184 - a bill to protect
the rights of persons regardless of sexual orientation and
gender identity or expression.
MS. ANDREE urged the committee members to consider the rights of
all their constituents and pass HB 184 out of committee.
5:20:38 PM
KASEY CASORT paraphrased from his written testimony, which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Hello, my name is Kasey Casort, and I'm from
Fairbanks. I am testifying in support of HB 184. In
high school, I was the Vice President of my school's
Gender Sexuality Alliance, and I wrote a letter of
support for a different version of this bill when I
was fourteen. It was the first bill I ever printed out
and went through with a highlighter, because it
mattered so much to me. Now I'm nineteen, and I know
that it just makes sense to have fundamental
protections under the law.
Young people like me have grown up watching America
learn to accept us for who we love and the way we
live, but in Alaska we can still be fired, kicked out
of our homes, denied loans, and prevented from
achieving our full potential based on our identities.
I am an ally, and I know that it's time to move this
bill out of committee and onto the floor, where our
representatives can show us that they're ready to
stand up for all of their constituents. I appreciate
the opportunity to testify today, and I urge you to
support HB 184. Thank you.
5:22:02 PM
ISADORE CHRISTIANSON testified that he is a student and member
of the Campus Inclusivity Alliance (CIA) at the University of
Alaska Southeast (UAS). He relayed that he supports HB 184
because of his belief that at this point in history it should be
a given that everyone on the LGBTQ spectrum should be allowed to
live freely without threat of discrimination; it should be a
given that parents take needed time off from work to raise their
children; it should be a given that people with mental or
physical disabilities receive accommodations; it should be a
given that people be allowed time off from work to practice
their religions.
MR. CHRISTIANSON asserted that while Alaska has made a great
deal of progress in terms of inclusion, the fact that this bill
needs to be passed in 2018 and Anchorage residents are
struggling with an "anti-trans" ballot measure, demonstrates
that Alaska still has a way to go. He maintained there are still
young adults in Alaska struggling with getting support in
certain places from certain people. He said that if his gay
friends cannot get the support they need from their parents,
they should at least have more amiable work environments.
MR. CHRISTIANSON relayed that the passage of the proposed
legislation would be important not only for Alaska's political
climate but for American's political climate. He emphasized
that legislators' priorities should be to create opportunities
and not restrict them; to nurture dreams, not deny them.
(indisc.) He maintained that legislators cannot say they
support family values and cast their votes against supporting
families; they cannot say that "all men are created equal"
without supporting legislation that reaffirms unity.
MR. CHRISTIANSON concluded by saying he endorses the passage of
HB 184 as reflective of the rights granted every citizen under
the U.S. Constitution and the Alaska Constitution, and he hopes
the legislators will support it as well.
5:24:09 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS closed public testimony on HB 184 and
announced it would be held over.
5:25:06 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:25
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Davidson Resume 2_18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
|
| HCR22 Sponsor Statement 2.19.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HCR 22 |
| HCR22 Version A.PDF |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HCR 22 |
| HCR22 Fiscal Note LEG 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HCR 22 |
| HCR22 Supporting Document ANDVSA Letter of Support 2.27.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HCR 22 |
| HCR22 Additional Documents - ANDVSA Key Results from the 2015 Alaska Victimization Survey 2.19.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HCR 22 |
| HCR22 Additional Documents - CDC National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey 2.19.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HCR 22 |
| HJR38 Sponsor Statement 2.26.2018.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR038 ver A 2.22.18.PDF |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Fiscal Note LEG 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Supporting Document- Powerpoint Presentation 2.27.2018.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Index of Support Documents 2.26.2018.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Supporting Document- Letters of Support 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Support Letter from Dick Welsh 2.27.2018.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Support Letter from Ocean View Community Council 2.27.2018.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Support Letter from Beth Fread 2.27.2018.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Index of Reference Documents 2.26.2018b.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Additional Documents- Reference 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HJR38 Opposing Document- Alaska Railroad Letter of Opposition 2.27.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/1/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/8/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 38 |
| HB 184 Sponsor Statement 1.19.18.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Sectional Analysis 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 ver J 4.4.17.PDF |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Fiscal Note HRC 2.23.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter Planned Parenthood 4.27.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter LWVA 4.27.17.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter HRC 4.28.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter ATFE 5.1.2017.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter Fbx PFLAG 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter HRC 4.28.17.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter LWVA 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter SAGE 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter AAARP 5.4.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Letter EGJ 5.4.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - 2017 Survey(2) 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - 2017 Survery(1) 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Supporting Document - 2010 Census 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Anch LGBT Discrimination Preliminary Report 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - ASHRC Resolution 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Court Decisions 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - HRC State Laws 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Legal Memo 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Williams Institute 5.3.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Public Letters 5.8.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Memorandum, Religious Exemptions 5.9.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - 18.80.300 5.9.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Supporting Document - Ministerial Exemption 5.9.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Supporting Document Letters of Support 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Letter of Support 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Supporting Document ACLU Testimony FINAL 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Supporting Document 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey—Alaska State Report 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Letter of Support 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Supporting Document- Public Letters of Support 2.27.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB 184 Opposing Document - Letter AFC 5.5.17.pdf |
HSTA 5/4/2017 3:00:00 PM HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Opposing Document- Letter 2.27.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HB184 Opposing Document- Letter 2 2.27.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM HSTA 3/6/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HB 184 |
| HJR001 Sponsor Statement 2.19.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 1 |
| HJR001 ver A 2.19.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 1 |
| HJR1 Fiscal Note LEG 2.26.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 1 |
| HJR001 Supporting Document-ADN Poll 2.19.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 1 |
| HJR1 Opposing Document- Alaska Family Action Letter of Opposition 2.27.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 1 |
| HJR1 Opposing Document- Letter 2.27.18.pdf |
HSTA 2/27/2018 3:15:00 PM |
HJR 1 |