02/04/2025 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation(s): Village Public Safety Officers and Department Engagement with Communities | |
| SB50 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | SB 50 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 4, 2025
1:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kelly Merrick, Chair
Senator Forrest Dunbar, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Robert Yundt
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Donald Olson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION(S): VILLAGE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENT
ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES
- HEARD
SENATE BILL NO. 50
"An Act relating to the comprehensive plans of first and second
class boroughs."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 50
SHORT TITLE: MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS: HOUSING
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNBAR
01/17/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/17/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) CRA, L&C
02/04/25 (S) CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered a presentation on Village Public
Safety Officers (VPSOs) and Department Engagement with
Communities.
HAHLEN BEHNKEN, Intern
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for SB 50.
ANNA BRAWLEY, Assembly Member
Representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation in support of SB 50.
CLAIRE LUBKE, Economic Justice Lead
Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation in support of SB 50.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:30:07 PM
CHAIR MERRICK called the Senate Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Present at the
call to order were Senators Yundt, Dunbar, Gray-Jackson, and
Chair Merrick.
^PRESENTATION(S): VILLAGE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENT
ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES
PRESENTATION(S): VILLAGE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS
AND
DEPARTMENT ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMUNITIES
1:30:23 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced an overview from the Department of
Public Safety (DPS) titled Village Public Safety Officers and
Department Engagement with Communities.
CHAIR MERRICK gave opening remarks, stating that public safety
is a priority in the legislature. Alaskans deserve to live in
communities and know that they are safe and that they can seek
assistance from the government when they need help. Alaskans
should know the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will answer
their call when it is received. Public safety is a fundamental
function of government, including local and borough governments,
when the population base can support it. This allows statewide
troopers to do their jobs in remote areas of the state with
smaller population centers and no road connection. This means
fewer mayors have suspects tied to chairs, and victims can
shower off after the worst days of their lives. Public safety is
not just about some of us; it is about using the resources
available to protect all of Alaska.
1:31:23 PM
CHAIR MERRICK invited Commissioner Cockrell to put himself on
the record and begin his presentation.
1:31:39 PM
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety,
Anchorage, Alaska, gave a brief overview of the Department of
Public Safety (DPS) and delivered a presentation on Village
Public Safety Officers (VPSOs) and Department Engagement with
Communities.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said that it has been a pleasure and an
honor to serve as commissioner for the past four years. He said
he has worked with the department for 33 years and remains
dedicated to its mission. He credited both the governor and the
legislature for supporting a team-based approach to public
safety, emphasizing that the department cannot do it alone.
1:32:57 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL stated that DPS focuses its efforts in
areas where law enforcement presence is normally limited. He
reported that for the first time, DPS has deployed criminal
investigators to rural Alaska to address the perception of
unequal investigative services. He explained that sexual assault
cases in urban areas are investigated by professional
investigators, while in rural Alaska, uniformed patrol officers
conducted these investigations. The investigations were not
conducted differently; however, it created a perception of
unequal treatment. To address this, DPS assigned investigators
from the Bristol Bay region to the Northwest Arctic Borough. He
said this shift had the added benefit of freeing up uniformed
troopers to spend more time in villages, which reduces the crime
rate due to trooper presence.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said DPS introduced a pilot program,
Crimes Against Children, focused on crimes in the Yukon-
Kuskokwim Delta. It is an investigative unit with three long-
term, non-permanent investigators composed of individuals with
prior law enforcement experience. The unit also handles adult
crimes and were instrumental responding to the double homicide
in Hooper Bay. He said the VPSO program continues to grow and is
vital in areas with little or no law enforcement. He said that
DPS eliminated the backlog of sexual assault examination kits,
all 14,000 kits are now stored at the State Crime Lab, and the
issue is resolved.
1:35:16 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL emphasized that DPS targets its resources
where they can make a meaningful difference. He noted record-
setting drug seizures year after year, accomplished through
collaboration with Alaska State Troopers, municipal departments
such as the Anchorage Police Department, and federal agencies.
The North Slope Borough also contributes officers to the drug
task force. He said he would call these results a success,
unfortunately, many drugs still enter the state. He attributed
public safety improvements to strategic resource allocation and
funding support. He noted that crime rates in his jurisdiction,
including sexual assaults in Western Alaska, are beginning to
decline, though violent crimes remain a challenge. He said the
department is seeing positive trends in both urban and rural
areas.
1:36:47 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 2, Organization. He said
the department has multiple divisions, with the uniformed Alaska
State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers being the most
visible. The Division of Fire and Life Safety conducts fire
inspections and arson investigations for the Alaska State
Troopers. A newly created integrated Division of Victim
Assistance and Forensic Science now consolidates all victim-
centric areas of the department, allowing for coordinated
conversations and meaningful engagement with victims of violent
crime.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said the Division of Village Public Safety
Officers (VPSOs) was established a couple of years ago to
strengthen the program. Previously, the VPSO program was managed
within the department by a command staff member, but frequent
turnover created instability. By making it a standalone division
with its own director, on par with the colonels of the Alaska
State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers, DPS established a
collaborative and equal partnership. He stated that the program
has prospered over the last three to four years, growing from a
low of 42 officers and showing consistent improvement.
1:38:30 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 3, Regional Public Safety
Officer (RPSO) AS 18.65.680. He said the VPSO Task Force formed
around 2020. The department reviewed AS 18.65.680, the Regional
Public Safety Officer (RPSO) Program. He said the RPSO Program
had originally been designed for the Alaska State Troopers as a
lower-level entry point leading to trooper positions, an
approach had not been particularly successful. The department
adapted the program for the VPSO structure by creating a higher-
level position. Unlike VPSOs, RPSOs are not assigned to a single
village. For example, an RPSO in the YukonKuskokwim Delta can
travel among all 56 villages in that region and may deploy to
other areas, such as the Northwest Arctic Borough, when needed
for major events. This mobility provides additional coverage to
protect villages.
1:39:52 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said due to their advanced training RPSOs:
serve as mentors; review and sign off on police reports; perform
responsibilities that would otherwise fall to Alaska State
Troopers; and conduct higher-level investigations. He said the
program has been highly successful. Two years ago, the Senate
included intent language directing the department to pursue this
approach, and DPS implemented it fully. There are now six RPSOs
assigned to six different regions, providing oversight,
mentorship, and investigative support for VPSOs, while easing
the workload on Alaska State Troopers.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Regional Public Safety Officer (RPSO)
AS 18.65.680
The commissioner of public safety may appoint regional
public safety officers to
(1) provide an expanded public safety and law
enforcement presence in rural areas of the state;
(2) provide oversight and training for the village
public safety officer program;
(3) administer functions relating to
(A) protecting life and property in the rural
areas of the state;
(B) conducting investigations;
(C) conducting search and rescue missions;
(D) conducting local training programs in drug
and alcohol awareness and prevention, water
safety, and gun safety;
(E) perform other duties relating to public
safety as directed by the commissioner.
1:40:41 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON referred to his comment that the VPSO count
had dropped to a low of 42 several years ago and asked how many
VPSOs Alaska currently has.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that all 85 VPSO positions are
currently filled. He said the budget includes five additional
positions pending funding approval. His short-term goal is 100
positions, with a secondary goal of 121, and ultimately, a VPSO
in every village that wants one. He noted that 154 villages have
expressed interest in having a VPSO, and 50 villages are
currently served by one. He explained that some larger villages
have two VPSOs to help prevent burnout. He said the VPSO Program
has flourished, even as DPS faces staffing challenges with state
troopers as does the Anchorage Police Department.
1:41:56 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked whether Akutan has a VPSO.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL surmised that Akutan has a VPSO and said
he would confirm whether it does.
1:42:17 PM
CHAIR MERRICK commended DPS on the VPSO Program, stating that
when she first started in the legislature, the numbers were
dismal. She said the department has done a great job and that it
is appreciated.
1:42:34 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 4, Regional Public Safety
Officer (RPSO) Legislative Intent Language SB 281 (Chapter 11,
SLA 22). He said the intent language was a collaboration between
DPS and the Senate, crediting Senator Olson's Office with the
final language. It allowed DPS to expand the VPSO Program in
ways it had not before, adding importance to the program and
providing some protection if the change did not work as
intended, since the statute was originally designed for the
Alaska State Troopers rather than VPSOs. He stated that all RPSO
positions are currently filled, as are all VPSO positions,
totaling 85 filled positions.
[Original punctuation provided.]
Regional Public Safety Officer (RPSO)
Legislative Intent Language
SB 281 (Chapter 11 SLA 22)
It is the intent of the legislature that the
Department of Public Safety work in conjunction with
each Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program
grantee's leadership to improve program recruitment
and retention, to provide greater spending
flexibility, and to identify regional training
opportunities.
The Department should refine the standards of VPSOs to
expand upon eligibility and better define essential
functions and other responsibilities that distinguish
varying support of village public safety needs.
The Department shall work with grantees to utilize
grant funds and/or contributions from tribal
governments, local governments, and regional Native
Corporations to support hiring and retention
incentives.
1:43:32 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked how many RPSOs there are and whether they
are recruited from within the VPSO Program as a form of career
progression.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that all RPSOs were recruited from
within the VPSO ranks, making it a progression opportunity. He
said DPS has six RPSOs in six different regions of the state,
with the most recent addition being the Copper River Native
Association in the Copper River Basin.
1:44:33 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 5, Alaska Law Enforcement
Training (ALET) Academy. He noted that all VPSOs attend the
Alaska Department of Public Safety Training Academy in Sitka and
their program is tailored to the VPSO curriculum. He said there
are currently seven VPSOs in training. While many assume VPSOs
only perform law enforcement work, they also handle search and
rescue, emergency medical services, fire training and
firefighting, and even tasks such as responding to dog
complaints. He described VPSOs as the "Swiss Army Knife" of law
enforcement due to the wide range of services they provide.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL emphasized their critical role in
responding to cases involving missing or murdered Indigenous
persons, often serving as the first responders on scene,
coordinating searches, and initiating contact with the Alaska
State Troopers. VPSOs train alongside troopers and municipal
officers for part of the academy. He said the program has been
very successful and continues to produce highly professional
VPSOs.
1:46:03 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 6, VPSO Grantee Regions.
The VPSO Program is funded in part through grants DPS provides
to the following 10 grantee regions:
[Original punctuation provided.]
VPSO Grantee Regions
• Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association APIA
• Association of Village Council Presidents AVCP
• Bristol Bay Native Association BBNA
• Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of
Alaska CCTHITA
• Chugachmiut
• Copper River Native Association CRNA
• Kawerak, Inc. KAWE
• Kodiak Area Native Association KANA
• Northwest Arctic Borough
• Tanana Chiefs Conference TCC
1:46:35 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL explained that VPSOs are not State
employees. They work for the grant recipient organizations,
which are typically nonprofit corporations except for the
Northwest Arctic Borough, which has its own village public
safety officer program. The grantee organization provides
benefits such as health care and retirement, while the DPS
grants fund salaries, uniforms, and equipment. He said this
structure is unusual, and he is unaware of any other state with
a similar approach. Representatives from other countries have
studied Alaska's model due to its uniqueness and applicability
to rural areas.
1:47:36 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL stated that the VPSO Program began in 1978
and has evolved alongside changes in society, the department,
and the troopers. He likened the trooperVPSO relationship to a
marriage, where there may be disagreements but both work toward
the same goals. He emphasized that when a VPSO is present in a
village, sexual assault cases are more likely to proceed to
trial as the VPSO can secure the scene, preserve evidence, and
detain the suspect. He said communities with responsive law
enforcement tend to thrive, whereas those without it often
appear neglected, noting that visible disorder such as abandoned
vehicles or trash can signal the absence of a consistent law
enforcement presence.
1:49:04 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 7, Village Public Safety
Officer (VPSO) Division:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) Division
Accomplishments
• 50% growth FY2021 to FY2025
• Implementation of Regional Public Safety Officer
(RSPO) program
• 80% VPSO graduation rate and retention rate
Program Status Challenges
$22,337.5 awarded in FY25 Funding Limitations
($ in thousands)
10 grantees, Strain on Division Staffing
agreements with 156 villages
85 VPSOs in 65 communities Recruitment and Retention
1:49:28 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said he believes the relatively low VPSO
turnover rate, about 30 percent, is due to the strong support of
the program. He noted that VPSO turnover is not high compared to
other law enforcement agencies. A decent hourly wage and housing
are critical to VPSO retention; VPSOs start between $38 and $40
per hour and decent housing remains a challenge. He emphasized
that when VPSOs are given the necessary tools and are accepted
by the village as one of their own, there is a noticeable
improvement in how the community is policed. He said most of
these communities lack a 911 system. Calls are routed to a trunk
line in Fairbanks that have no data information; therefore, the
presence of a VPSO makes a significant difference in rural
communities. Without a VPSO or state trooper, residents are
often left on their own in emergencies.
1:50:36 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL referenced slide 7 which indicates that
the VPSO budget is about $22.3 million, has agreements with 156
villages, and 85 VPSOs. He stressed the importance of sustained
support for the program. He said the program has grown so
quickly that the Anchorage-based staff managing it are
overwhelmed, an issue DPS will need to address. Infrastructure,
especially adequate housing in rural Alaska, remains a
persistent challenge. Recruitment for the VPSO Program is
strong, and retention is better than in many other departments.
He concluded by expressing pride in the direction set by the
VPSO Division director and in the support shown by the
administration and legislature. He said Alaska still has gaps in
law enforcement coverage, but the VPSO Program is helping to
close them.
1:52:13 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 8 and showed a brief video,
which said:
The Village Public Safety Officer Program was
developed in 1979 to address safety in rural Alaska
with predominantly Alaska Native communities. Tribes
and local government work in partnership with the
Department of Public Safety to hire, train, and manage
VPSOs in their communities. Training alongside the
Alaska State Troopers, VPSOs learn skills critical to
protecting and serving rural Alaskans, such as
lifesaving emergency medical care, search and rescue,
community policing, and fire prevention and
suppression. Hazardous weather and long distances mean
they are often the first and sometimes only responders
on the scene, coordinating with the community and
partner agencies to ensure safety and security. VPSOs
are vital to the well-being of rural Alaska.
1:53:53 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL moved to slide 9, Collaboration, Village
Public Safety Officers and Tribal Liaisons. He said he would not
know what DPS would do without the VPSO Program in rural Alaska
and emphasized his desire to grow it. He noted that many
communities could benefit from a VPSO. He reported that Selawik
experienced a homicide of an adult female the previous weekend,
which is not an unusual type of call for DPS. Response was
delayed because the department did not have an airplane
available, but ultimately a trooper and VPSO arrived on scene to
handle the situation. He also referenced a double homicide in
Hooper Bay. While in many cases it is no secret who committed a
crime, the Hooper Bay case was a "whodunnit" with no immediate
suspect. The Department of Law devoted significant effort to
holding the offender accountable, describing the incident as
heinous. He stated that DPS must police for Alaska; state
troopers and VPSOs must respond to calls regardless of how they
get there or the resources available, because bad crimes happen.
1:55:25 PM
CHAIR MERRICK asked the commissioner to talk about how troopers
and local law enforcement collaborate and resolve conflicts, and
what actions the legislature can take to ensure law enforcement
fulfills its mission.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that is a big question. He said
the department frequently uses task forces, particularly for
drug investigations, which often involve multiple law
enforcement agencies, such as the Southeast Alaska Cities
Against Drugs Task Force (SEACAD). He described this as a force
multiplier, noting that the department could not seize the
volume of drugs it does without task force officers from
federal, state, and municipal agencies. The Anchorage Police
Department is heavily involved, as is the North Slope Borough,
which is heavily impacted by drug-related issues.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said each detachment commander maintains
regular communication with local police chiefs. For example, the
Palmer detachment commander coordinates with the Palmer and
Wasilla police chiefs. At a higher level, DPS participates in
biweekly meetings and in Anchorage that includes federal and
Anchorage police leadership. He stated that, due to the frequent
overlap in operations, the department spends considerable time
collaborating with other agencies whether they operate in DPS's
jurisdiction or not.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL described these relationships as generally
healthy, acknowledging that there may be ups and downs depending
on leadership style. He emphasized that DPS could not operate
effectively without partner agencies, and those agencies could
not operate as effectively without DPS. He said the Alaska State
Troopers never turn down requests for specialized assistance,
whether investigating officer involved shootings, such as recent
cases in Juneau and Sitka, or "whodunnit" homicides for agencies
without prior homicide investigation experience. He said DPS
will send resources anywhere in the state when needed.
1:58:36 PM
CHAIR MERRICK observed that some areas of the state have a tax
base that could possibly support their own law enforcement but
rely on state troopers instead. She suggested that local
participation could free up officers to serve in rural areas and
asked the commissioner whether he would like to comment on this.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that there have been discussions
about whether boroughs should police their own areas. He said
most do not have a charter granting police powers. He expressed
his belief that the North Slope, Bristol Bay, and Haines
Boroughs do. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough once explored
establishing a police department or sheriff's office. He said
contracting law enforcement is another option, noting he
explored this as a colonel when troopers were removed from
Girdwood due to budget cuts. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
contract most of their services in more rural areas, and the
Yukon's tenth-year evaluation of this model was positive.
2:00:58 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL said there are law enforcement agencies
that struggle to hire police officers. He explained that if
Alaska moved in the direction of providing law enforcement
through the Alaska State Troopers, the service would be
consistent, and communities would not have to establish their
own police department or hire a chief of police. This could
offset some costs if additional troopers were desired in a
region. He stated this is a difficult issue, because people want
more law enforcement, but the question is how to do it
affordably. A few small departments are struggling to maintain a
police force, and contracting with the Alaska State Troopers is
always a possibility if that is the direction the administration
or legislature wishes to pursue.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL emphasized that he does not have the
authority to make such changes, and that he would not remove
troopers from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Fairbanks North
Star Borough, or the Kenai Peninsula, because doing so would put
troopers at greater risk by leaving them without adequate
backup. He noted the minimum staffing in the Mat-Su Valley is
five troopers, which is already insufficient for policing an
area the size of West Virginia with 112,000 residents living
outside cities but within the borough.
2:02:39 PM
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL stated that there is no easy answer and
that a concerted effort would be needed to make such a change
happen. He said, as a side note, that when he joined the
department in 1988, there were 324 authorized state troopers,
compared to 320 today, meaning no net increase in 40 years.
Wildlife troopers numbered 121 then and only 90 now. He said the
State has not kept pace with staffing needs in the Mat-Su
Borough, Fairbanks, and to a lesser extent, the Kenai Peninsula.
He pointed out that it is expensive to fund positions and
difficult to recruit. He reported that DPS currently has 50
vacancies, which is an improvement from last year's 70
vacancies. The training academy recently graduated a class of
24, and there are 22 in the current class, which will reduce
vacancies into the 30s. The vacancy rate must be between 34 and
38 before another class can be scheduled, and DPS must maintain
a certain number of vacancies to keep its budget in the green.
2:04:24 PM
CHAIR MERRICK requested a list of the number of state troopers
and where they are stationed.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL answered DPS would provide that.
2:04:34 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR requested information on where troopers patrol or
conduct investigations, not only where they are stationed. He
noted that, during his time on the Anchorage Assembly, the
closure of the Girdwood Station caused concern because no law
enforcement patrolled the area. Anchorage funded patrols along
the State highway from Potter Marsh to Girdwood and beyond, an
area now covered by the Anchorage Police Department (APD). He
said the situation continues to rankle Anchorage residents, who
feel they lack trooper support while Anchorage subsidizes
neighboring communities that drive in and out of its
municipality. He asked if this perception is unfair on the part
of leadership in Anchorage.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL disagreed with that perception. He stated
that the Municipality of Anchorage sets its own boundaries and
determines whether to include a State highway. He said the
situation is similar to the Glenn Highway, which APD patrols
within the city. He questioned why Anchorage would not be
responsible for Girdwood and that region up to milepost 75 of
the Seward Highway.
2:06:06 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked whether the Mat-Su Borough patrols State
roads through its borough.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that it is likely only within
Palmer city limits, noting the Mat-Su Borough lacks a law
enforcement charter.
SENATOR DUNBAR said he was not singling out the Mat-Su Borough,
but believed Anchorage is the only borough that patrols outside
its city proper.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL maintained that Anchorage is responsible
for the region because it is the largest city in the state, has
more than 400 police officers, and set its own boundaries. He
said Anchorage should own up on it and police it.
2:06:52 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked whether other regions should conduct
policing and investigations within their boundaries, noting that
APD investigates in those areas too. He asked whether the
department relies on state troopers for investigations in
Anchorage.
COMMISSIONER COCKRELL replied that troopers occasionally assist,
citing the serial killer case, gang-related auto thefts, and the
arrest of a suspect who shot two correctional officers. He said
DPS provides resources to APD and will always respond to
requests for assistance, regardless of jurisdiction or agency
size.
2:07:57 PM
SENATOR YUNDT said the Wasilla Police Department and Palmer
Police both patrol State highways. He expressed gratitude to the
commissioner for the department's help at the Anchorage airport
and for the work DPS does.
2:08:26 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON expressed appreciation to all of Alaska's
public safety officers, state troopers, and VPSOs for protecting
the state's communities.
2:09:04 PM
At ease.
SB 50-MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS: HOUSING
2:10:25 PM
CHAIR MERRICK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 50 "An Act relating to the
comprehensive plans of first and second class boroughs."
2:10:43 PM
SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, District J, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, speaking as sponsor of SB 50, introduced
himself.
2:10:46 PM
HAHLEN BEHNKEN, Intern, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced himself.
2:10:53 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR spoke to the motivation behind SB 50, noting the
ongoing housing crisis in Alaska and the shortage of housing
construction. He said housing has become prohibitively expensive
in Anchorage and across the state. While there is no single
solution, SB 50 is intended as a positive step toward increasing
housing supply.
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that SB 50 amends AS 29.40.030(a), which
outlines elements for comprehensive plans in first and second
class boroughs and home rule municipalities. Current law lists
four elements: a statement of policies, goals, and standards; a
land use plan; a community facilities plan; and a transportation
plan. SB 50 adds a housing plan to the list. He said SB 50 would
not place current plans out of compliance or require communities
to affirmatively change their plans. The idea is that the next
time a community submits a comprehensive plan, it will include
the housing element. He noted that the Alaska Municipal League
(AML) does not oppose the bill.
2:12:57 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR referred to Section 1, page 1, lines 67, noting
that Legislative Legal Services deleted the phrase ", BUT IS NOT
LIMITED TO," because it was superfluous; in other words, "may
include" has the same effect as the deleted phrase. He said two
organizations, including AML, expressed concern that the deleted
phrase could be misinterpreted as a limitation. He stated that
he will seek to restore the language in a committee substitute
to ensure clarity.
2:14:11 PM
CHAIR MERRICK asked how often comprehensive plans are updated.
SENATOR DUNBAR responded that he did know and deferred to an
invited testifier, Ms. Brawley, who is a planner by trade.
2:14:35 PM
MR. BEHNKEN presented the following sectional analysis for
SB 50:
SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
SB 50: MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS: HOUSING
Section 1. AS 29.40.030(a): Adds a new subsection 5 to
AS 29.40.030(a) stating that a housing plan will now
be one of the components that may be included in a
comprehensive plan. It redesignates the former
subsection 5 as subsection 6. Removes redundant
language on line 6.
2:15:00 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced invited testimony on SB 50.
2:15:19 PM
ANNA BRAWLEY, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by
invitation in support of SB 50. She said she is a member of the
Anchorage Assembly, but for purposes of this testimony is
speaking in a role related to housing policy and as a planning
professional. She gave the following testimony, as paraphrased:
I support Senate Bill 50 because it connects two
important roles for local government: taking action on
community needs, like housing, and engaging with the
community to create a vision and set clear goals to
achieve that vision. That is the essence of planning.
There is already a process in place in our statutes
for this function, it is known as a comprehensive
plan. Comprehensive plans are intended to be big-
picture, wide-ranging plans that cover a number of
topics. They give a 20-year roadmap for communities to
implement. They are both a process and a product, and
when done well, they build community consensus for who
they want to be, with practical strategies to get
there.
2:16:23 PM
MS. BRAWLEY continued her testimony on SB 50:
I will briefly answer a previously posed question
about updating a community plan. In statute, the cycle
of updating a community plan is about 20 years. Of
course, that is sometimes aspirational. For example,
my friends in Girdwood have been working to update
their plan, which was adopted in 1995. Now, in 2025,
the update is still in progress, not for lack of
trying. Sometimes it takes a while to get committee
consensus.
Planners can easily list off the big topics that are
in a typical comprehensive plan: land use,
transportation, infrastructure, economic development,
public lands and facilities, and other issues.
However, it is sometimes hard to see where housing, as
an issue, fits in. Is it a land use issue? An
infrastructure issue? A workforce issue? Often, it's
all of the above. It intersects with many topics, but
it is also a distinct and different topic on its own.
Given the challenges we face today across the state,
it deserves local attention and local solutions.
2:17:21 PM
MS. BRAWLEY continued her testimony on SB 50:
In my experience as a planning consultant, communities
updating their comprehensive plans should engage
residents to set direction, and manage pressing issues
and competing priorities. It is hard to give every
topic the attention it deserves. Elevating housing is
an important topic, distinct from these other topics.
It encourages communities to make housing a local
planning priority. Some communities have updated their
plans recently and taken on housing. One example is my
former client, the City of Valdez. Valdez engaged in a
comprehensive plan update that identified housing as a
top priority. The city used current data to inform
their next steps and their plans, and built community
support for those plans. I was not involved in
creating their plan. However, I was proud to help
support an implementation project and public process
for that key priority to update the city's zoning code
to help meet future housing demand. We should commend
communities like Valdez for their planning and
commitment to action, and encourage all communities to
take up the topic of housing and build support for
local solutions to their housing issues.
2:18:30 PM
MS. BRAWLEY continued her testimony on SB 50:
It is also important to emphasize that SB 50
encourages, not mandates, how communities engage in
housing work or planning. Comprehensive plans are
required, but what they look like and what directions
the communities choose to pursue are left to the local
level. It can look like:
- creating a whole new plan, which is what Girdwood
did;
- updating data and demographic trends to match
current conditions;
- an additional plan that is adopted as part of the
comprehensive plan,
- re-prioritizing the strategy of an existing plan to
indicate where the local government wants to focus
efforts.
SB 50 is not a mandate but a positive call for local
planning, and local action on housing. I encourage the
committee to support this bill.
2:19:35 PM
CLAIRE LUBKE, Economic Justice Lead, Alaska Public Interest
Research Group (AKPIRG), Anchorage, Alaska, testified by
invitation in support of SB 50 and offered the following
statement, as paraphrased:
AKPIRG is the only nonprofit consumer advocacy and
research organization in Alaska. We work across five
issue areas: language access, energy democracy,
broadband equity, good government, and economic
justice. At AKPIRG, we strive to point out where
powerful or monied interests are overrepresented in
decisions that impact everybody. Very few things
impact as many people as housing. I'm sure each of you
on this committee recognizes that the rising cost of
housing and housing development are burdening
communities across Alaska.
In the case of housing, it's not a private entity that
has failed the public interest. Rather, we're
experiencing a lack of leadership and a lack of
process.
2:20:39 PM
MS. LUBKE continued her testimony on SB 50:
Over the last year and a half, AKPIRG has worked
closely with abundant housing advocates in Anchorage.
To us, "abundant housing" means safe and financially
attainable housing options for people across the
socioeconomic spectrum. It means reasonable housing
options for people of different lifestyles and life
phases, including single adults, intergenerational
households, families, empty-nesters, elders who want
to age in place, and so on - all of the members of our
communities.
In Anchorage, abundant housing advocates have rallied
around removing barriers to multifamily housing
development, including the simplification of
residential zoning. In our experience working
alongside these advocates, it became apparent that
housing needs and priorities can get lost in other
aspects of the comprehensive plan.
2:21:32 PM
MS. LUBKE continued her testimony on SB 50:
AKPIRG supports SB 50 because it invites communities
to create a strategy that specifically addresses
housing. This, in turn, makes it easier for the public
to engage with their vision for the community and
helps prevent public dialogue from becoming mired in
piecemeal land use decisions.
Barriers and solutions to abundant housing will vary
from community to community, which is why local
engagement is so important. SB 50 is a step in the
right direction for developing leadership and public
engagement around one of the most pressing issues
across Alaska. Thank you again for considering my
testimony today, and I ask for your support on Senate
Bill 50.
2:22:25 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR offered a closing statement, stating he spoke
with the Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) about
SB 50 and Title 29. The division is in the initial discussion
stages of a wide-ranging Title 29 rewrite. DCRA has relatively
limited staff, so it will take a number of years for the rewrite
to actually happen. He informed that DCRA has not expressed
opposition to the bill. He said SB 50 is one small specific
piece that has urgency, that is to say, housing is an urgent
issue for constituents statewide. He expressed appreciation to
the committee for hearing the bill.
[SB 50 was held in committee.]
2:23:45 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Merrick adjourned the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting at 2:23 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 50 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 50 |
| SB 50 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 50 |
| SB50 Fiscal Note-DCCED-DCRA-01-31-25.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 50 |
| 2025.02.03 DPS VPSOs and Department Engagement with Communities Presentation.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
DPS Presentation |
| 2025.02.03 DPS Handout VPSOs.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
DPS Handout |
| SB 50 Supporting Document - Letter of Support from HAPPP.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 50 |
| SB 50 Supporting Document - Letter of Support from Richelle Johnson UA CED.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 50 |
| SCRA DPS Follow-Up 2-4-25.pdf |
SCRA 2/4/2025 1:30:00 PM |
DPS Presentation |