03/03/2026 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB130 | |
| HB250 | |
| HB290|| HCR10 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 10 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 290 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 250 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 3, 2026
3:18 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Ashley Carrick, Chair
Representative Andi Story, Vice Chair
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Ky Holland
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Steve St. Clair
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 130
"An Act relating to flexible time credit for classified
employees in the executive branch who are not eligible for
overtime compensation."
- MOVED CSHB 130(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 250
"An Act establishing the crime of wearing a mask in public while
acting as a peace officer; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 290
"An Act relating to delivery of resolutions by the governor."
- MOVED HB 290 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10
Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State
Legislature relating to resolutions.
- MOVED HCR 10 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 130
SHORT TITLE: STATE EMPLOYEES: FLEXIBLE TIME CREDIT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOSEPHSON
03/10/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/10/25 (H) STA, FIN
02/10/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/10/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/10/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/17/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/17/26 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/24/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/24/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/24/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/03/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 250
SHORT TITLE: LAW ENFORCEMENT; CONCEALING ONE'S FACE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HANNAN
01/20/26 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/26
01/20/26 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/20/26 (H) STA, JUD
02/10/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/10/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/10/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/17/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/17/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/17/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/24/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/24/26 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/03/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 290
SHORT TITLE: DELIVERY OF RESOLUTIONS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND
02/04/26 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/26 (H) STA
02/21/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/21/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/21/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/24/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/24/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/24/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/03/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HCR 10
SHORT TITLE: UNIFORM RULES: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND
02/04/26 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/04/26 (H) STA
02/21/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/21/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/21/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/24/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/24/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/24/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/03/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, commented on the proposed
amendments to HB 130.
KEN ALPER, Staff
Representative Andy Josephson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding proposed
amendments to HB 130 on behalf of Representative Josephson,
prime sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE SARA HANNAN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, answered questions on HB
250, Version I.
SARAH HIEB, Administrative Investigator
Alaska Police Standards Council
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided testimony on HB250.
AYDEN NICHOL, Staff
Representative Ky Holland
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided answers to committee questions
from a previous hearing on HB 290 and HCR 10 on behalf of the
prime sponsor, Representative Holland.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:18:35 PM
CHAIR ASHLEY CARRICK called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:18 p.m. Representatives St.
Clair, McCabe, Vance, Holland, Himschoot, Story, and Carrick
were present at the call to order.
HB 130-STATE EMPLOYEES: FLEXIBLE TIME CREDIT
3:20:11 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 130, "An Act relating to flexible time credit for
classified employees in the executive branch who are not
eligible for overtime compensation."
3:20:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ANDY JOSEPHSON, Alaska State Legislature, as
prime sponsor of HB 130, said he reviewed the amendments in the
committee file and found the first two helpful in "framing the
bill itself." The third one was objectionable in that it would
position people in the cohort in a worse position and,
potentially, that without preapproval, flexible ("flex") time
would not come at all. He deferred to his staff for further
comment.
3:22:05 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced the committee would entertain
amendments.
3:22:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR move to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 130,
labeled 34-LS0582\N.1, A. Radford, 2/26/26, which read as
follows:
Page 2, line 9:
Delete ", including a method of resolving
disputes,"
Page 2, line 9, following "employee.":
Insert "The policy or collective bargaining
agreement may include a method of resolving disputes
related to the accrual and use of flexible time
credits and a process for a supervisor to approve or
deny a request to use flexible time credits."
CHAIR CARRICK objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR spoke to Amendment 1. The intent is to
let the supervisor approve or deny requests for flex time.
3:23:00 PM
KEN ALPER, Staff, Representative Andy Josephson, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Josephson, prime
sponsor of HB 130, echoed the previous comment of the sponsor
that Amendment 1 is clarifying. He advised that both the
general government union and the supervisors' union have
specific provisions stating that use of flexible time is subject
to supervisor approval. He said Representative Josephson is
"fine with the amendment."
3:24:00 PM
CHAIR CARRICK removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:24:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 130, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0582\N.2, A. Radford, 3/2/26, which read
as follows:
Page 5, line 11:
Delete "methods"
Insert "rules"
Page 5, line 12, following "compensation":
Insert ", including establishing a cap on the
amount of flexible time credit an employee may accrue
to ensure that the accrual of flexible time credit
does not impair the efficient provision of state
services or necessitate the hiring of additional
staff"
CHAIR CARRICK objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said Amendment 2 would provide for a cap
on the amount of flex time allowed. He said his research taught
him that bargaining units generally do have rules regarding
compensatory time.
3:26:06 PM
MR. ALPER expressed that Amendment 2 is a fundamentally
clarifying amendment. He confirmed that both union contracts
have the same 200-hour cap, with approval subject to the
supervisor. He noted that the bill sponsor has no issue with
Amendment 2.
CHAIR CARRICK removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
3:27:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 130, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0582\N.3, A. Radford, 3/2/26, which read
as follows:
Page 1, line 12, following "of":
Insert "45 hours in"
Page 2, line 6:
Delete "."
Insert ";
(5) accrual of flexible time credit must be
preapproved by the employee's direct supervisor, and
the approval must be documented;
(6) accrual of flexible time credit is
limited to 120 hours for each fiscal year; unused
flexible time credit may not be carried over to the
next fiscal year, except under exceptional
circumstances and by approval of the director of the
division employing the employee;
(7) use of flexible time credits requires
advanced approval from the director of the division
employing the employee, or by a person designated by
the director to approve the requests; use of flexible
time credits may be denied during a peak operation
period, as defined in the division's policy, or if the
employee's absence would impair division operations or
the efficient provision of services."
Page 2, line 9, following "employee.":
Insert "However, a collective bargaining
agreement may not reduce any management right provided
in this section.
(c) The Department of Administration shall track
flexible time credit usage and prepare an annual
report on any fiscal or operational effects of
flexible time credit usage. On or before the first day
of each regular session of the legislature, the
department shall deliver the report to the senate
secretary and chief clerk of the house of
representatives and notify the legislature that the
report is available."
Page 5, line 11:
Delete "methods"
Insert "rules"
Page 5, line 12, following "compensation":
Insert ", including a method for collecting
information on the use of flexible time credits by
employees and any fiscal or operational effects of
flexible time credit usage.
* Sec. 3. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska
is amended by adding a new section to read:
REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE. On or before the first
day of the Second Regular Session of the Thirty-Fifth
Alaska State Legislature, the Department of
Administration shall deliver the first annual report
required under AS 39.20.355(c), enacted by sec. 1 of
this Act, to the senate secretary and the chief clerk
of the house of representatives and notify the
legislature that the report is available."
Renumber the following bill section accordingly.
CHAIR CARRICK objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE spoke to Amendment 3. He said HB 130
creates a new type of time off in statute; it requires clear
structure and accountability. Flex time only occurs after 45
hours per week. The work needs to be more than expected a
salaried worker. The amendment requires pre-approval and
documentation before flex time can occur. The amendment puts a
cap of 120 hours per fiscal year. He gave examples of people
using multi-months of flex time. The collective bargaining
agreement (CBA) has caps, and this may not be in the CBA as it
is negotiated every three to five years. Division directors may
have the ability to deny flex time when absences could impair
services. Finally, the amendment requires reporting to the
legislature on the impact of flex time. If the legislature
creates a new benefit, then it should be able to measure its
costs and benefits. It puts in guardrails for flex time.
3:31:15 PM
MR. ALPER said Representative Josephson is opposed to Amendment
3. A lot of guardrails are already in a CBA. The intent of the
bill was to put a minimum standard for CBAs. Amendment 3 puts
in a ceiling and puts in more requirements than the current
contracts. This sets a 120-hour cap instead of 200 hours.
There are concerns about not carrying hours over the fiscal
year. The bill requires the division director to approve flex
time use instead of the supervisor. The next generation of CBAs
would be stricter on the use of comp time than in current CBAs.
3:34:44 PM
MR. ALPER, in response to a question from Chair Carrick,
confirmed that flex time has no cash value; therefore, it cannot
be "cashed out" at the end of service.
3:35:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said he did not see Amendment 3 as
being unreasonable, particularly regarding flex time "resets" at
the end of the year. He said flex time is a non-monetary
benefit. He said, "I see this as a management issue and not
necessarily a legislative issue."
3:36:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said that he had written an amendment
very similar to this one to provide structure. He said it was
difficult especially with the cross between the world of the
non-exempt and exempt employees. He dialed it back down and
leaves it up to the units to work out the details. This
amendment was getting into more detail and awareness of a
particular situation. He can't support this level of detail and
the reporting time that is involved; it would add an
administrative cost. He said he would not support Amendment 3,
but he supports the intent behind some of its ideas.
3:38:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated when a person goes to a supervisor
position, an employee is expected to work more. A supervisor
has a different level of use than management. If a director
doesn't know who his supervisors are then that's a different
issue. He said that by not carrying it into the next year,
state employees will use it or lose it. An employee could
accrue leave, and a manager is supposed to manage that. The CBA
can be rewritten. He is very concerned that this flex time
should be up to the supervisor and the legislature shouldn't be
dabbling in this area.
3:41:46 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said she is fundamentally opposed to Amendment 3.
It sets a ceiling instead of a floor. This amendment has a
reporting requirement. She is going to maintain her objection.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE gave an example of United, whose pilots
flew enough open time each month that the pilots could have the
last three months of the year off. He said sometimes a cap is
good.
3:43:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said she would assume Representative
McCabe would support a cap for correctional officers, too.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE answered, "I always have."
3:43:38 PM
MR. ALPER clarified that 200 hours per year can't be exceeded.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR stated that the comparison of the
Department of Corrections (DOC) and other agencies is comparing
apples [to] oranges because DOC must be operational 24 hours a
day.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said contracts can be rewritten easily to
remove something established by the legislature; therefore, he
advised that "if the legislature is going to dabble, then the
legislature needs to do it right."
3:45:30 PM
CHAIR CARRICK maintained her objection to the motion to adopt
Amendment 3.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Vance, McCabe, and
St. Clair voted in favor of Amendment 3 to HB 130.
Representatives Himschoot, Holland, Story, and Carrick voted
against it. Therefore, Amendment 3 failed to be adopted by a
vote of 3-4.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked to see the documents offered
before the committee took further action.
CHAIR CARRICK asked Mr. Alper to send the documents he
referenced to the committee.
3:47:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to report HB 130, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes and authorizing Legislative Legal Services to make
any necessary technical and conforming changes.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE objected.
3:47:50 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Story, Himschoot,
Holland, and Carrick voted in favor of the motion to report HB
130, as amended, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
Representatives Vance, McCabe, and St. Clair voted against it.
Therefore, CSHB 130(STA) was reported out of the House State
Affairs Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.
3:48:35 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:48 p.m. to 3:51 p.m.
HB 250-LAW ENFORCEMENT; CONCEALING ONE'S FACE
3:51:07 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 250, "An Act establishing the crime of wearing a
mask in public while acting as a peace officer; and providing
for an effective date." [Before the committee, adopted as a
working document on 2/10/26, was the proposed CS for HB 250,
Version 34-LS1284\I, C. Radford, 1/21/26, ("Version I").]
CHAIR CARRICK welcomed Sarah Hieb with the Alaska Police
Standards Council. Chief Case was invited to join today, but he
was not available.
3:52:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR stated that the Anchorage police chief
opposed this legislation. California legislation has been used
as an example and only includes federal agencies. The Los
Angeles Police Department is not enforcing [this legislation].
He said anyone can ask an officer for their badge number and the
officer should comply. He is opposed to this legislation.
CHAIR CARRICK said she is hesitant to put it into statute. Five
years ago, body-worm cameras ("body cams") were not standard and
were opposed by law enforcement agencies and now law enforcement
are very supportive of this tool to help avoid
misinterpretation.
3:54:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE noted the committee had considered right
to privacy in another meeting but are not concerned about the
rights of privacy of law officers. At times, the public has
wanted body cams and not wanted them other times. He is
concerned about the safety of Alaska law enforcement officers
and their families. He expressed concerns about making a video
or doing anything with voices. Officers are trying to protect
themselves. Officers didn't sign up for people to go to their
homes and dox them. A person can lift an officer's likeness in
film doing something. For now, he is concerned about protecting
those officers.
3:57:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SARA HANNAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor of HB 250, Version I answered questions. There was
opposition from the police of chief in Anchorage and two other
police unions opposed. There were no references to doxing.
This is not a practice of Alaska law enforcement. Frequently,
Alaska sees federal standards coming to the states. If Alaska
has a standard that Alaska police departments use, then this
won't be an issue. She talked to the need for deescalation or a
community police officer having a mental health crisis. This
bill affirms the standards that peace officers train in Alaska
and currently uses.
4:00:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR stated that he obviously opposes this
legislation. He said he has asked, how often officers have been
seen masked in the manner described, and no one can tell him.
In some example protests, the protestors are masked. The law
enforcement said this legislation is not needed, and he supports
them.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that Representative Hannan wants to
establish a clear standard for peace officers. She said instead
of having it as a standard, HB 250 would make wearing a mask a
crime. She asked Representative Hannan to explain her approach.
4:02:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that the Alaska Police Council
does not set standards for all levels of law enforcement in
Alaska. She wants to make sure all levels from Village Public
Safety Officers (VPSOs) to federal officers follow this law.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said that the committee is talking about
Minneapolis and a couple deaths. If the Minneapolis police were
there to protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) officers, it likely wouldn't have happened. A federal ICE
officer would come to Alaska with the support of local officers.
He said that Alaska needs to protect Alaska officers. He is
opposed to this bill.
4:04:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY said she wished that Alaska didn't need
this piece of legislation. She is trying to prevent something
that may happen in Alaska. Peace officers should be working
together at all different levels.
CHAIR CARRICK said she appreciates the discussion and she noted
that Representative St. Clair is a former police officer. This
legislation is very preventive and becoming a widespread issue
in other states. She said kudos to Alaska's law enforcement and
the committee for addressing an area where the state can prevent
an issue.
4:07:30 PM
SARAH HIEB, Administrative Investigator, Alaska Police Standards
Council, provided testimony on HB 250. She said the standards
council doesn't have a position on this legislation at this
time.
4:07:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE offered her understanding that the bill
sponsor wanted "to take action in response to what happened" and
thought it "would prevent what is happening across the nation."
She stated that it was an accidental death. She asked how
preventing peace officers from wearing masks would prevent
accidental deaths.
CHAIR CARRICK said that not masking is a way to prevent
escalation. A lot is lost with mask, and she wishes that
protestors would not mask as well. Law enforcement officers are
acting as public figures and agents of the law.
4:10:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked if there is data showing a direct
correlation of escalation resulting from masking. She pointed
out that during the COVID years, masking was required by the
government. She has a concern about the impact on recruitment
and retention of public safety, which is a nationwide problem.
Retirements from 2019-2022 are up 30 percent and resignations
are up 47 percent too! Public perception is a factor in
recruiting and retention. There are law enforcements agencies
saying that HB 250 is not needed. It won't prevent an
unfortunate death but make it a crime for a police officer to
wear a mask when the officer feels it was necessary to wear one.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN said the bill was drafted before the death
occurred. She reemphasized how quickly things escalate when
people are not identifiable. She wants to preserve the
standards of officers in Alaska. She said body cams are not
required in Alaska but are good for law enforcement to have
verification of their interactions with the public. She noted
she has an additional amendment pertaining to Special Weapons
and Tactics (SWAT).
4:18:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated that yesterday's hearing was
about federal overreach. She shared about a family in
Minneapolis trying to get food for a family who got pepper
sprayed. She asked, what is the standard for an identification
of an officer?
MS. HIEB replied that the Alaska Police Standards Council do not
have any standards in this area.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked why peace officers wear nametags.
MS. HIEB said generally so officers can be identified.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked how the council sets its
standards.
MS. HIEB replied that the council sets minimum hiring and
training standards. There are regulations on how a person could
fall below those standards and lose their certificate.
4:21:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether an officer holds a
license.
MS. HIEB replied that officers have a certificate after working
for a full year and meeting all the requirements.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether there is a code of
ethics.
MS. HIEB replied yes, there is a code of ethics.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked who writes the code of ethics.
MS. HIEB answered that it is in the regulations and adopted by
council members.
4:22:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated regardless of when the bill was
written; the Minnesota event happened because politics got
involved. He asked, "Are we doing the same thing?" Badging and
name tags fall to the departments not the statewide council.
MS. HIEB replied that it is a departmental thing how officers
respond.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated legislators make a mistake when
they get into police department business.
CHAIR CARRICK said she heard a lot of different perspectives and
appreciated the discussion.
4:25:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that one thing that happened during
the COVID pandemic was a lot of retirements not limited to
police officers. Public servants interact with others. She
doesn't think that politicians involved in the Minnesota
influenced what happened. She said it is a shame that the
federal government felt officers had to mask.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said while she disagrees with it being a
crime for a police officer to mask; she appreciates the bill
sponsor trying to find a workable solution.
4:28:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked if the changes by the bill sponsor
would be made through amendments. If committee members could
see the amendments then they wouldn't be duplicated.
4:29:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN said an amendment has been distributed to
some offices.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said tomorrow as a deadline is short
notice considering the sponsor's amendment.
CHAIR CARRICK said if committee members don't have them back by
the deadline let office know.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked if someone from the Department of
Law would be available for the amendment process.
4:31:35 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that HB 250 was held over.
HB 290-DELIVERY OF RESOLUTIONS
HCR 10-UNIFORM RULES: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION
4:32:03 PM
CO-CHAIR CARRICK announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 290, "An Act relating to delivery of
resolutions by the governor" and HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.
10, Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska
State Legislature relating to resolutions.
CHAIR CARRICK noted that no amendments were received.
4:32:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND, as prime sponsor of HB 290 and HCR 10,
presented and answered questions. He said HCR 10 makes a change
to the Uniform Rules on how resolutions are distributed, and HB
290 sets a deadline. There is a fair amount of variable time
that it takes the legislation to get distributed. He shared an
example of a wildfire resolution that didn't get to the
designated recipients until October. This is an important tool,
and these changes are to look critically at the process.
AYDEN NICHOL, Staff, Representative Ky Holland, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Holland, prime sponsor
of HB 290 and HCR 10, gave answers to questions asked by the
committee during a previous hearing on both pieces of
legislation. He shared a research memo in conversations with
Representative Vance and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
The record shows the most recent overhaul of Uniform Rules in
1963 was a frenzied process without any justification for this
rule. In 15 other states, the resolutions are not signed by the
governor. In another eight states, there is a timeline for the
governor to sign resolution, and it is the extension of the
bill.
4:38:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated on line 6 of the legislation, all
resolutions will be permanently filed with the Office of the
Lieutenant Governor. The Clerk or Secretary shall send the
resolutions to the distribution list. She asked then, "How do
resolutions get to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor?"
MR. NICHOL replied through the Governor's office, the
resolutions get sent to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
4:41:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to report HB 290 out of committee,
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR objected. He observed all the
references say "joint resolution" but nowhere in the bill does
it say joint resolution.
MR. NICHOL replied that only joint resolutions are subject to
the governor's signature.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR read proposed language in Section 1 of
HB 290, beginning on page 1, line 8, which read as follows:
If a resolution is transmitted to the governor while
the legislature is in session, the governor shall
return the resolution within 15 days, Sundays
excepted. If a resolution is transmitted to the
governor while the legislature is not in session, the
governor shall return the resolution within 20 days,
Sundays excepted.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR then reiterated his concern.
CHAIR CARRICK replied only joint resolutions are under this
transmittal process.
MR. NICHOL answered agreed.
CHAIR CARRICK said that it should be reviewed to see if
clarification is needed.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said that he will amend it on the floor.
CHAIR CARRICK said she was personally not opposed to the
amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated if there are still questions about
the bills, then it is the responsibility of the committee to
clarify. Both bodies are hesitant to open Uniform Rules.
CHAIR CARRICK noted that there was ample time to put in
amendments to address concerns. If there are concerns about the
timeline for amendments, please let her office know.
4:47:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said this will help us prepare for the
next step in the journey of this legislation. This has been
reviewed and discussed by Legislative Legal Services, The Office
of the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Clerk's Office and the
Senate Secretary's Office.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said he apologized that it just came to
him at the last minute. He didn't get his amendment back. He
said he still maintains his objection for clarity.
4:49:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said he is excited to open the Uniform
Rules and is comfortable doing that on the House floor.
4:49:48 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said that last minute concerns can come up and the
committee reacts to them. The House State Affairs Standing
Committee is often the first committee of referral, so it
doesn't need to put out a polished bill. The committee makes a
lot of amendments, and it has done due diligence.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR maintained his objection.
4:51:20 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Story, Himschoot,
Holland, and Carrick voted in favor of the motion to report HB
290 out of committee, with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. Representatives St. Clair, Vance,
and McCabe voted against it. Therefore, HB 290 was reported out
of the House State Affairs Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.
4:52:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY move to report HCR 10 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE objected. He remarked that he saw no
legal memorandums drafted. He said he would like to see any
legal memos that any committee member has had drafted put into
the committee file.
4:53:13 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:53 p.m. to 4:55 p.m.
4:55:13 PM
CHAIR CARRICK noted that there were no legal memos to HCR 10
sent to her office. She requested members send all future memos
to her office and the memos will be uploaded.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE maintained his objection.
4:55:54 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Story, Himschoot,
Holland, and Carrick voted in favor of the motion to report HCR
10 out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. Representatives McCabe, St. Clair,
and Vance voted against it. Therefore, HCR 10 was reported out
of the House State Affairs Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.
4:57:14 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:57
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 130 Amendment N.1.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 130 |
| HB 130 Amendment N.2.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 130 |
| HB 290 HCR 10 Backup Memo about Transmittal of Resoluitions.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 290 HCR 10 |
| HB 290 HCR 10 Backup LRS Role of Lt. Gov In Resolution Distribution.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 290 HCR 10 |
| HB 130 Amendment N.3.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 130 |
| HB 130 Backup GGU and SU Contracts Flex Time Credits.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 130 |
| HB 250 Letter from APDEA 2-20-26.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 250 |
| HB 290 HCR 10 Backup Time Limits on Gov Signature for Resolutions.pdf |
HSTA 3/3/2026 3:15:00 PM |
HB 290 HCR 10 |