Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

04/23/2024 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ SENATE BILL: LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS TELECONFERENCED
<Pending Introduction & Referral>
*+ HCR 13 RECOGNIZING NCSL ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
*+ HB 337 ESTABLISHING 4-H DAY TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
    SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                  
                         April 23, 2024                                                                                         
                           1:32 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Forrest Dunbar, Chair                                                                                                   
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson                                                                                                       
Senator Jesse Bjorkman                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Donald Olson, Vice Chair                                                                                                
Senator Cathy Giessel                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13                                                                                              
Recognizing and commending the National Conference of State                                                                     
Legislatures on its 50th anniversary in 2025.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 337                                                                                                              
"An Act establishing 4-H Day."                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HCR 13                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: RECOGNIZING NCSL ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY                                                                               
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SADDLER                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
02/20/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/20/24       (H)       STA                                                                                                    
03/26/24       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
03/26/24       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
04/04/24       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
04/04/24       (H)       Moved HCR 13 Out of Committee                                                                          
04/04/24       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
04/05/24       (H)       STA RPT 5DP 1DNP                                                                                       
04/05/24       (H)       DP: WRIGHT, CARRICK, STORY, CARPENTER,                                                                 
                         SHAW                                                                                                   
04/05/24       (H)       DNP: ALLARD                                                                                            
04/09/24       (H)       STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
04/09/24       (H)       -- Rescheduled to 04/11/24 --                                                                          
04/12/24       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
04/12/24       (H)       VERSION: HCR 13                                                                                        
04/15/24       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/15/24       (S)       CRA                                                                                                    
04/23/24       (S)       CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 337                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: ESTABLISHING 4-H DAY                                                                                               
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MEARS                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
02/20/24       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/20/24       (H)       CRA                                                                                                    
03/28/24       (H)       CRA RPT 5DP 1NR                                                                                        
03/28/24       (H)       DP: HIMSCHOOT, MCKAY, BAKER, MEARS,                                                                    
                         MCCORMICK                                                                                              
03/28/24       (H)       NR: MCCABE                                                                                             
03/28/24       (H)       CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124                                                                              
03/28/24       (H)       Moved HB 337 Out of Committee                                                                          
03/28/24       (H)       MINUTE(CRA)                                                                                            
04/17/24       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
04/17/24       (H)       VERSION: HB 337                                                                                        
04/19/24       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/19/24       (S)       CRA                                                                                                    
04/23/24       (S)       CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, District 24                                                                                         
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HCR 13.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MELODIE WILTERDINK, Staff                                                                                                       
Representative Dan Saddler                                                                                                      
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered testimony in support of HCR 13                                                                    
during the discussion of the resolution.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE DONNA MEARS, District 21                                                                                         
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 337.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MICHAELLA ANDERSON, 4-H Alumni                                                                                                  
Club Leader                                                                                                                     
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HB 337.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SELAH DENSMORE, representing self                                                                                               
Palmer, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 337.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:32:30 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  FORREST DUNBAR  called the  Senate  Community and  Regional                                                            
Affairs Standing  Committee meeting to order at  1:32 p.m. Present                                                              
at the  call to  order were Senators  Gray-Jackson, Bjorkman,  and                                                              
Chair Dunbar.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
          HCR 13-RECOGNIZING NCSL ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:33:44 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  DUNBAR  announced  the consideration  of  HOUSE  CONCURRENT                                                              
RESOLUTION  NO.   13  Recognizing  and  commending   the  National                                                              
Conference  of  State  Legislatures  on its  50th  anniversary  in                                                              
2025.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
This is the introductory  hearing of HCR 13.  The Senate companion                                                              
resolution,  SCR 8,  was  heard previously.  The  intention is  to                                                              
hear a brief introduction of the resolution.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:34:06 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR invited the sponsor to introduce HCR 13.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:34:16 PM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE   DAN   SADDLER,    District   24,   Alaska   State                                                              
Legislature,  Juneau,  Alaska,  Sponsor  of  HCR 13.  He  gave  an                                                              
overview of  the resolution and  the National Conference  of State                                                              
Legislatures   (NCSL).   He  stated   HCR   13  acknowledges   and                                                              
celebrates the  50th anniversary  of NCSL. The  NCSL is  a primary                                                              
voice   for  state   legislatures  and   serves  many   functions,                                                              
including:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
- National voice for state legislatures                                                                                         
- Legislator and staff development training                                                                                     
-  Advocating  with the  federal  government  on behalf  of  state                                                              
  issues                                                                                                                        
- Fostering cooperation among state legislatures                                                                                
-  Conducting  public  policy  research   and  answering  research                                                              
   requests                                                                                                                     
-  Repository  for  update  information   on  public  policy  that                                                              
   affects states and state legislatures.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER  stated he  has participated  proudly  and                                                              
willingly in  NCSL's programs that  develop policy  statements. He                                                              
said  by  doing  this  he  advanced   Alaska's  interest  in  land                                                              
management,  resources development  and other  issues in  sympathy                                                              
with western states.  He stated he is proud to  have advanced some                                                              
of Alaska's  interests  at the national  level.  In the last  four                                                              
years  between 16  and 27  legislators have  participated in  NCSL                                                              
events either  in person or online.  In the last 3 years  NCSL has                                                              
fielded 175 research  requests from Alaska legislators  and staff.                                                              
NCSL  has  played  an  important  role  in  advocating  for  state                                                              
legislatures. HCR 13 commends NCSL.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:36:30 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON  thanked the  sponsor  for  bringing HCR  13                                                              
forward.  She said  NCSL is an  amazing organization,  and  she is                                                              
glad to participate in its Budget and Revenue Committee.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:36:49 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR   DUNBAR  invited   Ms.  Wilterdink   to   testify  on   the                                                              
resolution.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:37:10 PM                                                                                                                    
MELODIE  WILTERDINK,  Staff, Representative  Dan  Saddler,  Alaska                                                              
State Legislature,  Juneau, Alaska,  offered testimony  in support                                                              
of  HCR 13.  She  stated  that she  has  availed herself  of  NCSL                                                              
programs  and  has  received  helpful  answers  to  many  research                                                              
requests.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:37:53 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR held HCR 13 in committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:38:15 PM                                                                                                                    
At ease                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                  HB 337-ESTABLISHING 4-H DAY                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:39:51 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR   DUNBAR   reconvened   the  meeting   and   announced   the                                                              
consideration  of HOUSE  BILL  NO. 337  "An  Act establishing  4-H                                                              
Day."                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
This is the first  hearing of HB 337 in the  Senate. The intention                                                              
is to  hear an introduction  of the  bill, invited testimony,  and                                                              
public testimony.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:40:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR invited the sponsor to introduce the bill.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:40:19 PM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE   DONNA   MEARS,    District   21,   Alaska   State                                                              
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, sponsor of  HB 337, stated  that she                                                              
is honored to  present this bill to establish  the first Wednesday                                                              
in October as 4-H  Day in Alaska. She said 4-H has  been a part of                                                              
her life from  a young age and  helped prepare her for  service in                                                              
the legislature.  Many who  work in  the Capitol have  connections                                                              
to  4-H. In  addition to  its youth  and  governance programs  and                                                              
projects, produce,  and livestock shown at the  Alaska State Fair,                                                              
students can  join local 4-H  clubs. 4-H  plays a pivotal  role in                                                              
cultivating a deep  appreciation for Alaska's  unique agricultural                                                              
heritage  and  natural  resources.  By  engaging  in  various  4-H                                                              
programs,   participants  develop   critical  thinking,   problem-                                                              
solving,  and communication  skills essential  for success  in any                                                              
endeavor  they   pursue.  In  recognizing  4-H   Day,  volunteers,                                                              
educators,  and  supporters  are   honored  for  making  the  club                                                              
possible. Recognizing  the impact  of 4-H  sends a strong  message                                                              
of support  and encouragement to  the young individuals  of Alaska                                                              
and  underscores the  state's commitment  to  youth and  community                                                              
investment.  She urged the  committee to  join her in  championing                                                              
the passage of HCR 13.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:43:31 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR announced invited testimony on HB 337.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:43:46 PM                                                                                                                    
MICHAELLA ANDERSON,  4-H Alumni,  Club Leader, Fairbanks,  Alaska,                                                              
gave invited  testimony in  support of HB  337. She  described her                                                              
involvement   in   4-H  from   kindergarten   through   leadership                                                              
positions.  She further explained  how it  helps youth  thrive and                                                              
the  reasonable  cost of  membership.  National  4-H Week  is  the                                                              
first  week of October  and showcases  the benefits  of the  club.                                                              
She  highlighted that  4-H Day,  would  occur within  the week  of                                                              
national recognition if HB 337 passes.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:46:08 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR asked  about the size and scale of  4-H membership in                                                              
Fairbanks.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:46:20 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. ANDERSON  replied that 4-H has  upwards of 1,000 youth  in the                                                              
Fairbanks and Tanana area.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:46:58 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR opened public testimony on HB 337.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:47:58 PM                                                                                                                    
SELAH DENSMORE,  representing self,  Palmer, Alaska,  testified in                                                              
support of  HB 337. She  stated that as a  member of 4-H  for four                                                              
years, it has helped  her grow as a teenager. She  shared that 4-H                                                              
stands for  Head, Heart, Hands, and  Health. It is a  program that                                                              
helps children grow  into maturity. Youth learn  responsibility by                                                              
caring  for animals  and  public speaking  through  presentations.                                                              
She mentioned that  a group of youth recently  visited the Capitol                                                              
to learn about government.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:49:36 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR closed public testimony on HB 337.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:49:47 PM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS expressed gratitude for the 4-H program.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:50:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR DUNBAR held HB 337 in committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:50:37 PM                                                                                                                    
There  being no  further business  to come  before the  committee,                                                              
Chair Dunbar adjourned  the Senate Community and  Regional Affairs                                                              
Standing Committee meeting at 1:50 p.m.                                                                                         

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB 337 4-H Tufts Study Summary.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 337
HB 337 Sponsor Statement version A.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 337
HB0337A.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 337
HB 337 Sectional Analysis version A.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 337
HB 337 Invited Testimony version A.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 337
HB 337 Fiscal Note OMB version A.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HB 337
HCR 13 version A.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HCR 13
HCR 13 Sponsor Statement 3.13.24.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HCR 13
HCR 13 Zero Fiscal Note.pdf SCRA 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM
HCR 13