Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/23/2024 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB28 | |
| HB155 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 28 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 155 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 23, 2024
1:33 p.m.
1:33:34 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Olson called the Senate Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Click Bishop
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
Senator David Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Stanley Wright, Sponsor; Forrest Wolfe,
Staff, Representative Wright; Lisa Purinton, Legislative
Liaison, Department of Public Safety; Nancy Meade, General
Counsel, Alaska Court System; Representative Will Stapp,
Sponsor; Honour Miller-Austin, Staff, Representative Will
Stapp.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
David L. Morgan Jr., Governmental Affairs Associate, Reason
Foundation; Ryan Tunseth, President, Alaska Marijuana
Industry Association; Lacy Wilcox, Owner, THC Alaska,
Juneau; Kelly Howell, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Governor;
Bryce Ward, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough.
SUMMARY
CSHB 28(FIN)
ACCESS TO MARIJUANA CONVICTION RECORDS
CSHB 28(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 155(FIN)am
ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION
CSHB 155(FIN)am was HEARD and HELD in committee
for further consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 28(FIN)
"An Act restricting the release of certain records of
convictions; and providing for an effective date."
1:34:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STANLEY WRIGHT, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation. He referred to the Sponsor Statement (copy on
file):
Alaskans voted to legalize the cultivation, sale,
possession and recreational use of marijuana for
persons 21 years of age or older in 2014. Despite this
change in state law, some Alaskans remain blocked from
employment and housing and other opportunities due to
previous marijuana possession convictions that today
are recognized as non-criminal activities.
House Bill 28 would make the records of individuals
who were convicted of minor marijuana crimes
confidential, so long as they were 21 years of age or
older at the time of the offense and were not charged
with any other crimes in the same incident. These
records would automatically be removed from Court
View. The records would also be removed from some
background checks administered by the Department of
Public Safety, if requested by the convicted
individual.
According to figures provided by the Alaska Department
of Public Safety, not less than 700 Alaskans are
hindered in day to day life by marijuana convictions
that are eligible for the confidentiality protections
in this bill.
With Alaskans having spoken by means of legalization
of marijuana this bill would allow those that by
today's standards would not be considered as a
criminal offender to move forward with their life
without the obstruction that can be incurred by such a
conviction on ones record while still allowing
provisions for adequate access to background or
statistical information for those appropriate
agencies.
1:36:12 PM
FORREST WOLFE, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT, provided a
brief history of the legislation.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the legislation would allow
for "bad boys to move in silence and violence."
Representative Wright replied in the negative, and stated
that it was an opportunity for folks to reach their full
potential and move on with their lives.
Mr. Wolfe furthered that the crimes outlined within the
bill were non-violent crimes.
1:40:06 PM
Senator Wilson asked whether there would be a bigger way to
solve the issue, because there might be a jealousy issue.
Representative Wright replied that he felt that it was an
opportunity for folks to move on with their lives and be
given some redemption. He remarked that as a Christian, he
believed in that.
Mr. Wolfe furthered that there were some issues addressed
in the bill that were no longer considered crimes. He
remarked that the crimes referred to by Senator Wilson were
still considered crimes under Alaska law.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether it was still against the
law to be in possession of marijuana.
Representative Wright replied that possession of marijuana
was still illegal on the federal level, but remarked that
the bill only addressed state law as it pertained to
occurrences within the state of Alaska.
Senator Wilson wondered whether there was a manual or
instructions about how the convictions might be overturned
and the effect on the perpetrator's lives.
Representative Wright replied in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Stedman wondered how many Alaska citizens would be
affected by the legislation.
Representative Wright replied that it was 8500 Alaskans.
Senator Bishop surmised that it was up to the individual to
remove themselves from the record.
Representative Wright replied in the affirmative.
1:45:31 PM
DAVID L. MORGAN JR., GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE, REASON
FOUNDATION (via teleconference), testified in support of
the bill.
Co-Chair Olson asked about the mission of the REASON
Foundation.
Mr. Morgan replied that it was a non-partisan thinktank to
bring solutions to the table, such as criminal justice
reform, consumer freedom, technology, and transportation.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether Mr. Morgan lived in Alaska.
Mr. Morgan responded in the negative, and stated that he
lived in Georgia.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the REASON Foundation was a
national organization.
Mr. Morgan replied in the affirmative.
1:48:51 PM
RYAN TUNSETH, PRESIDENT, ALASKA MARIJUANA INDUSTRY
ASSOCIATION (via teleconference), testified in support of
the bill.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the "AMA" was in favor of
the bill.
Mr. Tunseth replied in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether Mr. Tunseth was a medical
doctor who supported the bill.
Mr. Tunseth replied that he was a member of the "AMIA"
which was the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association.
1:52:43 PM
LISA PURINTON, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SAFETY, (DPS) addressed the fiscal note.
Senator Wilson surmised that the bill work for folks who
needed to request their criminal records. He wondered
whether there would be an interest in the subject in the
bill.
Ms. Purinton responded that he could not speculate.
Senator Wilson wondered whether there was a need to examine
the criminal records to determine what records should see
elimination.
Ms. Purinton replied in the affirmative.
1:57:45 PM
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether DPS was in favor of the
bill.
Ms. Purinton replied that the department was neutral on the
bill.
Senator Merrick felt that researching 8500 cases seemed
like "a lot of work."
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the fiscal note returned to
zero after FY 28.
Ms. Purinton replied that the costs were related to
proactive reviews of the records.
Senator Kiehl wondered why there was a need to wait for
folks to request removal, when the department would be
researching all cases.
Ms. Purinton responded that the bill was written that way.
Representative Wright stated that he was willing to discuss
a change in the language of the bill.
2:00:31 PM
NANCY MEADE, GENERAL COUNSEL, ALASKA COURT SYSTEM, stated
that there was a zero fiscal note.
Co-Chair Olson wondered how to morally justify a change,
when the crime was committed at a time of illegality.
Ms. Meade replied that the conviction was still on the
record, but would merely be hidden from the public.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the court needed additional
staffing for the legislation.
Ms. Meade replied that the court would not need additional
staff as related to the language of the bill.
Co-Chair Olson wondered whether the Court System was in
favor of the legislation.
Ms. Meade replied that the Court System was neutral on the
bill.
2:05:11 PM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
2:05:27 PM
LACY WILCOX, OWNER, THC ALASKA, JUNEAU (via
teleconference), spoked in favor of the bill.
Representative Wright thanked the committee.
Mr. Wolfe thanked the committee.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
CSHB 28(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN) am
"An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs
Commission; and relating to the duties and powers of
the Alaska Military Affairs Commission."
2:08:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WILL STAPP, SPONSOR, introduced himself.
2:09:00 PM
HONOUR MILLER-AUSTIN, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE WILL STAPP,
introduced herself.
Representative Stapp provided and overview of the bill.
2:10:48 PM
Ms. Miller-Austin provided a Sectional Analysis (copy on
file):
Section 1
• Establishes the Alaska Military Affairs Commission
in the Office of the Governor
• Defines the Commission membership to include nine
voting members
• Sets (staggered) three-year member terms
• Details Commission meetings, quorum rules, and
authorizes per diem and travel expenses
• Enumerates the duties of the Commission
Section 2
• Ensures that the administrative support for the
Commission is held within the Office of the Governor
• Sunsets the Alaska Military Commission on June 30,
2030
Section 3
• Adds uncodified law regarding the initial terms of
Alaska Military Affairs Commission members
Senator Kiehl queried the definitions of "armed forces" and
"military installations."
Representative Stapp responded that he did not know that
the Coast Guard did not fall under the Department of
Defense, so that was amended on the House side. He wanted
to be sure that all branches were included in the
commission.
Senator Bishop surmised that it related to the economic
indicators in Kodiak at only nineteen personnel.
Representative Stapp replied in the affirmative.
2:14:40 PM
KELLY HOWELL, CHIEF OF STAFF, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (via
teleconference), spoke to the fiscal note.
2:15:57 PM
Co-Chair Olson OPENED public testimony.
2:16:10 PM
BRYCE WARD, MAYOR, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill.
Senator Merrick wondered whether there was a concern that
the lieutenant governor may not have time to participate.
Representative Stapp responded that the intent was to have
a centralized weight, and the other states used executive
members a role on the commission.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
CSHB 155(FIN)am was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
2:20:28 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 028 v.U Supporting Document - Leg Research Report 3.4.2020.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM SJUD 1/19/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 28 |
| HB 028 v.U Support Letter AMIA 05.09.2023.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM SJUD 1/19/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 28 |
| HB 28 - Support Letter.pdf |
HJUD 3/1/2023 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/8/2023 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/14/2023 1:00:00 PM SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 28 |
| HB 28 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HJUD 3/8/2023 1:00:00 PM HJUD 4/14/2023 1:00:00 PM SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 28 |
| HB 28 Explanation of Changes Version U to R 3.27.2024.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 28 |
| HB 155 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HMLV 4/20/2023 1:00:00 PM SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 155 Supporting Documents.2.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 155 Supporting Documents.1.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 155 Summary of Changes.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 155 Sectional Summary.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 155 Letter of Support.2.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 155 Letter of Support.1.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 28 Sectional Analysis Version R 04.22.2024.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 28 |
| HB 155 Opposition.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 155 |
| HB 28 Opposition.pdf |
SFIN 4/23/2024 1:30:00 PM |
HB 28 |