Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/11/2025 01:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB111 | |
| SB102 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 102 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 26 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 11, 2025
1:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kelly Merrick, Chair
Senator Forrest Dunbar, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Donald Olson
Senator Robert Yundt
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 111
"An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of
products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an
unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer
Protection Act; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 102
"An Act exempting the state from daylight saving time; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 26
"An Act petitioning the United States Department of
Transportation to change the time zones of Alaska; exempting the
state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective
date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 111
SHORT TITLE: DIGITAL PRODUCT REPAIR
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNBAR
02/26/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/26/25 (S) CRA, L&C
03/11/25 (S) CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 102
SHORT TITLE: ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
SPONSOR(s): STATE AFFAIRS
02/19/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/25 (S) CRA, STA
03/11/25 (S) CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
ELIZABETH CHAMBERLAIN, Director of Sustainability
iFixit
San Luis Obispo, California
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation in support of
SB 111.
HAHLEN BEHNKEN, Intern
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 111.
JOE TORMA, General Manager
Green Star of Interior Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation in support of
SB 111.
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District P
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 102 on behalf of the Senate
State Affairs Committee, as chair.
JOE HAYES, Staff
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a presentation on SB 102 on behalf of
the Senate State Affairs Committee.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:32:49 PM
CHAIR MERRICK 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, Dunbar, and Chair
Merrick.
SB 111-DIGITAL PRODUCT REPAIR
1:33:25 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 111
"An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of
products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an
unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer
Protection Act; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR MERRICK invited the bill sponsor to put himself on the
record to introduce SB 111.
1:33:45 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR, speaking as sponsor, introduced SB 111. He said
the bill addresses challenges with digital products whose
manufacturers do not make repair tools available. Many products
cannot be repaired by the owner due to proprietary software,
glued components, or special tools withheld by the manufacturer,
forcing customers to use licensed dealers. Such dealers are
often unavailable in Alaska, particularly rural areas. He said
this can cause actual health and safety challenges.
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that although "right to repair"
legislation is still in the early stages, multiple states have
introduced it, including Oregon, Colorado, and New York. SB 111
incorporates provisions from the best parts of those bills and
invited testifiers will provide technical details.
1:35:41 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR said Alaskans are independent, self-sufficient
individuals, who like to repair their vehicles and devices.
Particularly those who live off the road system or in a rural
area where there are not many other options. He cited
Caterpillar and John Deere as examples where large equipment
failures can leave owners waiting weeks or months for repairs.
He noted that owners cannot let an independent mechanic service
that equipment. Such delays are impractical for farmers and
independent mining operations. He expressed hope Alaska will
join other states in adopting the "right to repair" trend.
1:36:49 PM
CHAIR MERRICK announced invited testimony on SB 111.
1:37:03 PM
ELIZABETH CHAMBERLAIN, Director of Sustainability, iFixit, San
Luis Obispo, California, testified by invitation in support of
SB 111. She described iFixit as a repair company that provides
over 115,000 step-by-step repair guides for products ranging
from toasters to tractors, and sells parts and tools so
individuals can fix products themselves. She said one in fifteen
Alaskans used iFixit last year, and the company also sells parts
and tools wholesale to independent repair shops. In recent
years, iFixit has partnered with manufacturers to provide
original parts to customers, in some cases to comply with right
to repair laws. She noted that iFixit is now the official parts
distributor for Google Pixel, Microsoft Xbox, Logitech, and
others.
MS. CHAMBERLAIN said both consumers and independent repair shops
report difficulty in obtaining spare parts. Some products, such
as vacuum cleaners and fitness trackers, have no replacement
parts available, while others have only a limited range of
parts. She gave an example involving a Dyson hairdryer with a
faulty power switch. She was unable to locate the needed part.
She reached out to an independent repair shop, and it was unable
to locate that particular part too. When she contacted Dyson for
an out-of-warranty repair, she was told to buy a new hairdryer.
She stated that manufacturers can push consumers to purchase new
products when the manufacturer is not required to share repair
parts.
1:39:39 PM
MS. CHAMBERLAIN said iFixit supports electronics right to repair
legislation nationwide and noted that five states have enacted
such laws. She said many manufacturers do not comply, even where
laws have passed, and especially in states where these laws have
not passed. Even though right to repair is gaining traction, the
pressure needs to continue to ensure Americans can get the
repair access they need. She stated that Alaskans deserve the
same access that is guaranteed by law to consumers in
California, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado. She said
extending the lifespan of electronics benefits: the consumers
pocketbook; the environment; the reduction of waste; the
conservation of raw materials; and the prevention of toxic
byproducts from manufacturing. She said it takes about 34 years
of use for a cell phone to consume as much energy as is required
to make it, and extending product lifespans helps avoid
contributing to the 53 million tons of new electronic waste
generated each year. She expressed support for SB 111 as a sound
compromise that works for all interests.
1:41:26 PM
CHAIR MERRICK said the testifier raised a good point about
enforcement and asked what type of enforcement or recourse is
available to uphold a consumer's legal right to repair.
1:41:41 PM
HAHLEN BEHNKEN, Intern, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, replied that it would be enforced
as violations of other unfair trade practices are enforced under
that Act. He referenced Section 3 of the sectional analysis,
which states:
Section 3. Amends AS 45.50.471(b) by adding violations of SB
111 Digital Product Repair statutes AS 45.45.800-45.45.890 to
the list of unfair methods of competition and unfair or
deceptive acts or practices declared to be unlawful."
MR. BEHNKEN said he would provide additional details in writing.
1:42:20 PM
CHAIR MERRICK said that would be helpful information.
1:42:24 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR expressed his belief enforcement would fall to
the Civil Division of the Department of Law and said he will get
back to the chair with that information.
1:42:45 PM
JOE TORMA, General Manager, Green Star of Interior Alaska,
Fairbanks, Alaska, testified by invitation in support of SB 111.
He stated that Green Star is a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to encourage waste reduction and increase recycling
in Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) communities. In 2017,
Green Star obtained an electronics recycling contract for FNSB
and, in 2020, began operating the central recycling facility in
Fairbanks. He said Green Star also serves as the regional
coordinator for Zender Environmental Backhaul Alaska, which
removes end-of-life electronics from rural communities. He
commented that he sees end of life electronics all day every
day.
MR. TORMA said one of Green Star's main initiatives is "Reuse
It," a retail store selling refurbished laptops, desktops,
network components, TVs, and small appliances, either repaired
or dropped off in working order. The organization also offers
a Rebuild IT" computer class to teach young people how to
assemble computers from reclaimed parts, keeping products out of
the landfill and providing an alternative to buying new.
1:44:55 PM
MR. TORMA said this is the Alaskan way, especially in the
Interior where parts, tools, and documentation are sometimes
unavailable, and the ability to keep items working is part of
daily living. Without access to parts, many items received are
ground up and reclaimed rather than repaired and reused. He
reiterated Green Star's support for SB 111. He suggested
amending the bill language to clarify that tools and
documentation should remain freely available to independent
repair shops, even if a manufacturer can no longer obtain
original replacement parts. He said that, if possible, there
should be no restriction on obtaining parts from secondary
sources and that Green Star relies heavily on reclaimed and
third-party parts.
1:46:39 PM
CHAIR MERRICK said the committee will take his testimony into
consideration. She said she has dealt with this issue as have
others and it is very frustrating.
1:47:17 PM
CHAIR MERRICK held SB 111 in committee.
1:47:23 PM
At ease.
SB 102-ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
1:48:26 PM
CHAIR MERRICK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 102 "An Act exempting the state
from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR MERRICK invited the chair of the Senate State Affairs
Standing Committee and his staff to introduce the committes
bill.
1:48:48 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District P, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, introduced SB 102 on behalf of the Senate State
Affairs Committee, as chair. He stated that SB 102 would exempt
Alaska from observing daylight saving time. Daylight saving time
is traditionally observed between the second Sunday in March and
the first Sunday in November. While Alaska has observed daylight
saving time since 1966, SB 102 proposes switching the state to
permanent standard time. He said this change would provide
mental and physical health benefits, strengthen Alaska's
economy, and eliminate the need for residents to change their
clocks twice each year. He noted that Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto
Rico, Guam, and other U.S. territories have already exempted
themselves, and many states, including Washington and Oregon,
have introduced similar legislation this year.
SENATOR KAWASAKI expressed appreciation to the sponsor of the
other bill, related to standard time, for recognizing the health
benefits associated with ending daylight saving time. He said
the American Academy of Sleep Medicine agrees that switching
between standard time and daylight saving time increases risks
to physical health, mental health, and public safety. He stated
that both permanent standard time and permanent daylight saving
time have advantages for Alaska, given its northern location.
1:50:57 PM
JOE HAYES, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, delivered a presentation on SB 102,
on behalf of the Senate State Affairs Committee, Senator
Kawasaki, Chair.
1:51:07 PM
MR. HAYES moved to slide 2, History of Daylight-Saving
Time (DST):
[Original punctuation provided.]
History of Daylight-Saving Time (DST)
• Germany was first country to implement DST in 1916
• US followed suit but repealed DST a year later
• During WWI and WWII many countries temporarily
implemented DST
• By 1965, time zones were erratic across the US
• Extra hour of daylight reduced energy usage of
electric lighting and heating
• Almost all non-Western countries have since moved to
standard time
1:51:56 PM
MR. HAYES moved to slide 3, Negative Effects of Changing Clocks:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Negative Effects of Changing Clocks
• Shifting sleeping hours twice a year disrupts
circadian rhythm
• Reduces cerebrovascular and cardiovascular health
• Increases traffic accidents and workplace injuries
• Increases substance abuse and mental health disorders
• Circadian Misalignment
• American Economic Association estimates social cost of
$275 million annually
1:52:30 PM
MR. HAYES moved to slide 4, Daylight Saving Time vs Standard
Time, the comparison section of the presentation.
MR. HAYES moved to slide 5, Daylight Saving Time:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Daylight Saving Time
• 1974 Energy Crisis
• 79 percent approval -> 42 percent approval
• Energy is no longer saved
• Incandescent Lights
• Federal Law
• Arizona, Hawaii, 5 US Territories
MR. HAYES reviewed the slide, noting that the 1974 energy crisis
drove strong public support for daylight saving time. He said
public support has since fallen to about 42 percent, in part
because of the energy saving impact of modern lighting. He said
under federal law, Arizona, Hawaii and 5 U.S. territories
switched to standard time.
1:52:58 PM
MR. HAYES moved to slide 6, Standard Time:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Standard Time
• More light in the morning improves physical and mental
health
• Metabolic disorders, depression, cardiovascular disease
risk decrease
• Permanent Standard Time is supported by many groups
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine
• European Sleep Research Society
• Centre for Economic Policy Research
• Doesn't require congressional amendments
1:53:29 PM
MR. HAYES moved to the map graphics on slide 7, depicting how
standard time preserves morning light, whereas permanent
daylight time makes sunrise too late.
1:53:40 PM
MR. HAYES moved to photos on slide 8, comparing morning road
visibility in Fairbanks on January 27 under daylight saving time
and under standard time. He noted that a graphic on the slide
illustrates how standard time aligns more closely with the sun,
while daylight saving time forces earlier waking.
1:54:09 PM
MR. HAYES read from a March 6 news article, reporting that
President Trump would not push for permanent daylight saving
time because public opinion is evenly split. He quoted the
President, "It's a 50-50 issue and if something is a 50-50 issue
it is hard to get excited about it ... I assume people would
like to have more light later, but some people want to have more
light earlier because they don't want to take their kids to
school in the dark. It's something I can do, but a lot of people
like it one way. A lot of people like it the other way ... It's
very even. And usually I find when that's the case, what else do
we have to do?"
MR. HAYES expressed his belief that a national bill would not be
enacted because the President, who initially supported the idea,
had changed his position.
1:55:35 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR observed that northern Alaska and even the
Interior differ so greatly from the rest of the country that
this debate does not even really apply. He said there are parts
of the state where the sun goes down in December and does not
rise again until January or February. Even the Interior has very
long daylight hours in the summer and very long periods of
darkness in the winter. He stated that, for him personally,
whether there is more daylight in the morning or evening is less
significant than the seasonal time change itself. He said,
unless he is mistaken, the health effects of the changeover are
well categorized and are extremely negatively impactful on
Alaska's population. He asked if that was a fair
characterization.
1:56:41 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI confirmed that was the case. He stated that
multiple studies show the time change itself, whether requiring
people to wake earlier and lose sleep or adjusting to the extra
evening light, is the most disruptive factor. Because of
Alaska's northern latitude, even in Juneau the state is
currently gaining five minutes of daylight per day, amounting to
a half-hour difference each week. He noted that on Sunday
morning it was still fairly dark, yet within a week the change
will be barely noticeable. The effect is even more pronounced
further north, with Anchorage gaining more daylight than Juneau
and Fairbanks gaining about seven minutes per day. He agreed
that, due to its geographic position, daylight saving time has
minimal impact on Alaska either way.
1:57:59 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR observed that, if his math was correct, Fairbanks
would gain as much daylight in nine days as it does from the
"spring forward" shift of daylight saving time.
1:58:08 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI agreed, noting that nine days at seven
additional minutes of daylight per day equals 63 minutes, just
over an hour.
1:58:17 PM
CHAIR MERRICK thanked the presenters. She said her constituents
feel passionately about this issue.
1:58:30 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR said it is an exhausting issue.
[SB 111 was held in committee.]
1:58:47 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Merrick adjourned the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting at 1:58 p.m.