Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/10/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB69 | |
| SB57 | |
| SB76 | |
| SB44 | |
| SB69 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 44 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 76 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 10, 2025
9:34 a.m.
9:34:14 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hoffman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:34 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Mike Cronk
Senator James Kaufman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Liz Harpold, Staff, Senator Donny Olson; David Scott,
Staff, Senator Bert Stedman; Emily Ricci, Deputy
Commissioner, Department of Health; Dr. Bob Lawrence, Chief
Medical Officer, Department of Health; Senator Matt Claman,
Sponsor; Susie Frenzel, Director of Victim Services and
Forensic Science, Department of Public Safety; David
Kanaris, Chief of Forensic Laboratory, Department of Public
Safety.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Michelle Baker, Executive Vice President, Southcentral
Foundation, Anchorage; David Wilson, Director of Public
Policy, Matsu Health Foundation, Wasilla; Jared Kosin,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Hospital and
Healthcare Association, Anchorage; Isaac Smoldon,
Communications Director, MY House, Wasilla; Ben Mallott,
President, Alaska Federation of Natives; Mateo Jaime, Youth
Board Member, Facing Foster Care; James Cockrell,
Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, Anchorage.
SUMMARY
SB 44 MINORS and PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS
SB 44 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 57 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL/FUNDS
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 69 SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS/TRACKING
SB 69 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
SB 76 COMPLEX CARE RESIDENTIAL HOMES
SB 76 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CSHB 69(RLS) am
EDUCATION: FUNDING, SCHOOLS, DEVICES
SCS CSHB 69(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee
with one "do pass" recommendations, four "no
recommendations", and two "amend"
recommendations; and with one zero fiscal note
from Department of Education and Early
Development, one new fiscal impact note from the
Department of Education and Early Development,
and one new fiscal impact note from the Senate
Finance Committee/Fund Capitalization.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(RLS) am
"An Act relating to education; relating to open
enrollment in public schools; relating to school and
student performance reports; relating to school and
district accountability; relating to charter schools;
relating to an annual report for correspondence study
programs; relating to the base student allocation;
relating to reading proficiency incentive grants;
relating to wireless telecommunications devices in
public schools; relating to the duty of the
legislature to pass a public education appropriation
bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare
a public education appropriation bill; establishing
the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a
report on regulation of school districts; and
providing for an effective date."
9:35:20 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman acknowledged the legislators in the
gallery.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute
for CSHB 69(RLS) am, Work Draft 34-LS0309\U (Marx, 4/7/25).
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Senator Kaufman OBJECTED for discussion.
9:36:16 AM
LIZ HARPOLD, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the
changes in the committee substitute (CS). She relayed that
the CS backed everything out of the Senate Education
Committee CS except for the $1000 increase to the Base
Student Allocation (BSA) and provided for a July 1
effective date.
Senator Kaufman remarked that funding needed to be in line
with policy changes. He thought a great deal of work had
been done in the Senate Education Committee. He thought the
CS took away from all the work done and created a simple
funding bill. He asked about the path for success.
Co-Chair Hoffman believed that the issue needed to be
addressed and referenced discussion about the level of
funding for the BSA. He continued that the CS was being put
forward to determine the level of support for funding at
the level proposed.
Senator Cronk asked about posing questions to the
commissioner of the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED).
Co-Chair Hoffman stated no.
Senator Cronk remarked that he had spent some time
considering the work of the Senate Education Committee. He
observed that the proposed budget for the Anchorage School
District (ASD) was substantially higher than other
districts when compared to its deficit. He mentioned
abnormally high attrition balances. He did not think ASD
was proposing to use the fund balances, which would not
carry over for the following year. He thought a half-truth
was being perpetuated regarding the funds that were needed.
Co-Chair Hoffman felt that the question could be applied to
each district and stressed that the committee was
considering the BSA and what level of support there was in
the legislature and as well on the third floor.
9:39:29 AM
Senator Kaufman WITHDREW his OBJECTION and remarked that
there needed to be a thoughtful and durable compromise that
the governor and the other body would support. He was
worried that the committee was going down the path of
failure.
Co-Chair Hoffman acknowledged other legislators in the
audience.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 69(FIN) from
committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SCS CSHB 69(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with one "do
pass" recommendations, four "no recommendations", and two
"amend" recommendations; and with one zero fiscal note from
Department of Education and Early Development, one new
fiscal impact note from the Department of Education and
Early Development, and one new fiscal impact note from the
Senate Finance Committee/Fund Capitalization.
9:41:37 AM
AT EASE
9:43:42 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman handed the gavel to Co-Chair Stedman.
SENATE BILL NO. 57
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
9:44:02 AM
Senator Kiehl MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for
SB 57, Work Draft 34-GS1460\T (Walsh, 4/9/25).
Co-Chair Stedman OBJECTED for discussion.
9:44:26 AM
AT EASE
9:46:36 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman asked staff to come forward to discuss the
changes.
9:46:49 AM
DAVID SCOTT, STAFF, SENATOR BERT STEDMAN, explained the
changes in the CS. He pointed to the Attachment A,
Attachment B, and Attachment C documents (copies on file).
He read from a prepared statement:
• Before I begin, I'd like to turn the committee's
attention to the attachments provided.
o These are all posted on BASIS and available
to the public.
• A little bit about the process? meetings with
governor's office, OMB, the departments, the agencies,
the university.
o With expertise of Legislative Finance
square4 data, information, and history
o In collaboration with House counterparts.
• Very generally Mr. Chairman, I plan to explain what
was added to CS1 - the bare-bones match-only budget we
introduced on March 31. Then I will explain the
maneuvers we are using to fund this budget.
• At a very basic high-level view: this budget adds
Two tranches of spending.
• This budget adds back 26 projects requested by the
governor with a total of $89m.
• This budget also adds a deferred maintenance package
currently totaling $36m.
o At your direction and recommendation Mr.
Chairman, we engaged with our counterparts in the
House and we came to an agreement that deferred
maintenance is a serious concern and liability
that needs to be addressed.
square4 Major Maintenance - $19m
square4 University - $5m
square4 MEHS - $1.4m not eligible: compete
against all other state assets.
square4 Courts - $750k
square4 Statewide - $10m
square4 Collaboration. We should all expect
that total to increase when the bill gets to
the House.
• Returning now back to the Projects added.
o As I stated previously there are 27 projects
added to the budget totaling $89m
square4 $46m in UGF -19 projects
square4 $34m in DGF 5 projects
square4 $9m in OTHER - 3 projects
o Point out that the approved projects are
funded at full request.
square4 Negotiate with the agencies --
squeeze as much UGF out as we could
9:50:51 AM
Mr. Scott continued address his written remarks:
o Notable projects are:
square4 Dixon Diversion
o AEA to get the FERC license for
the project.
o AEA and the Railbelt utilities are
in partnership.
square4 AHFC
o Rental Assistance for victims
displaced b/c of DV.
o Senior Housing
o Supplemental Housing
square4 Several IT (information technology)
projects out in the departments - allow
government to operate efficiently.
Hardware, software, networks.
o DOA
o LAW uses a reappropriation
o Labor and Workforce Dev.
o Dept. of Revenue
square4 Judiciary Courthouse Security
square4 Dept. of Public Safety
o Maintenance of Aircraft and Boats
o Equipment purchase
o Remodel of Fairbanks Post Evidence
Building
square4 AEA - Port Electrification for Cruise
Ship Terminals
square4 Dalton Highway Maintenance
square4 Renewable energy fund 6 projects
o Pelican
o Naknek
o Skagway
o Kwethluk
o Quinhagak
o Nenana
square4 AMHS vessel maintenance and overhaul
o $26m of DGF Marine Highway Fund
(Farebox revenue)
square4 Harbor Matching Grant
o Eliason Harbor in Sitka
o Aurora Harbor in Juneau
o Statter Harbor in Auke Bay
• Explain funding mechanisms we used for this budget.
o Reappropriations
square4 This budget reappropriates old UGF from
two sources
o Old and stalled projects at DOT
$47.1m
square4 Section 13 of the bill. Page
44.
o Old match highway and aviation.
$20.9m
o $68m UGF displaced.
o Increased the AIDEA dividend to the
statutory cap.
o AS 44.88.088 states that the AIDEA
dividend must be between 25 percent and
50 percent of the net income.
o The AIDEA board authorized a $20m
dividend this year. That is 30 percent
of their net income.
o 50 percent of the net income:
$12.5m
o These actions displaced $80m of UGF
• Mr. Chairman, I'll close by stating that this budget
has:
o $162m UGF $119m less than the Governor's
submitted budget.
square4 Denied $49m in Administration
requests.
square4 Of the approved projects we reduced by
$10m.
square4 Displaced $80m in UGF with the
reapprops and AIDEA
o Total capital spend is $2,903.0
• Standing by for questions.
9:58:28 AM
Co-Chair Stedman noted that there were no additions for
individual districts. The concentration had been on K-12
education major maintenance, the University of Alaska, and
the courts. The budget removed quite a few of the
governor's submitted projects and went back and
reappropriated funds from old projects. He explained that
the proposed budget changes were "a one-time maneuver," and
the budget for the following year would be more
challenging. He asked members to review the budget and
bring any amendments to his office by four o'clock in the
afternoon.
10:00:14 AM
AT EASE
10:00:22 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman REMOVED the OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered. The CS for SB 57 was ADOPTED.
SB 57 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
10:00:52 AM
AT EASE
10:02:25 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Stedman handed the gavel to Co-Chair Hoffman.
SENATE BILL NO. 76
"An Act relating to complex care residential homes;
and providing for an effective date."
10:03:03 AM
EMILY RICCI, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
(DOH) introduced herself. She explained that the department
was working on the bill in close coordination with the
Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS).
DR. BOB LAWRENCE, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH, discussed a presentation entitled State of Alaska,
Department of Health, Department of Family and Community
Services, SB 76: COMPLEX CARE RESIDENTIAL HOMES(copy on
file). He looked at slide 2, "SB 76 Supports Alaska's
System of Care
SB 76 strengthens Alaska's health care system,
enabling Alaskans to access services in settings
tailored to their specific care needs.
Dr. Lawrence addressed slide 3, "What Is Complex Care?
Definition: Co-occurring behavioral, medical, or
disability-related needs requiring a multi-
disciplinary team and multiple programs.
Vision: A coordinated system that delivers
compassionate, timely, and person-centered care for
the most vulnerable and complex Alaskans.
Dr. Lawrence pointed to slide 4, "What Is Complex Care?
Behavioral health conditions
Disruptive behaviors
Carceral system involvement
Out of state treatment
Psychiatric hospitalization
Public safety encounters
Co-occurring medical conditions
Frequent emergency department visits
Harm to self or others
Ms. Ricci discussed slide 5, "What Does SB 76 Do?
SB 76 creates the necessary statutory framework to
allow the Department of Health to license and regulate
a new setting:
Complex Care Residential Homes (CCRHs)
Ms. Ricci relayed that the department envisioned the new
setting to be homelike, based in the community, and with
multi-disciplinary support and consistent monitoring for
individuals.
10:07:51 AM
Ms. Ricci pointed to slide 6, "CCRHs Fill a Gap in the Care
Continuum
There is a gap in Alaska's current continuum of care
for ongoing, specialized residential settings.
Ms. Ricci drew attention to more acute settings listed on
the right-hand side of the slide, including psychiatric
hospitals or residential psychiatric treatment centers for
youth. The left-hand side of the slide showed less acute
settings for care, which relied on funding and support from
the department's Home and Community Based Waiver services.
She continued that there was a small group of individuals
with severe behavioral and medical needs. There may be some
cognitive impairment, but the level did not qualify them
for the waiver. For the individuals, she identified that
the system was struggling to find appropriate discharge
care, and a greater amount of care was needed than was
currently available in the system.
Senator Kiehl recalled that the previous year the
legislature passed a bill in which the department had
worked on creating a different category of home. He asked
how the new category fit into what she was describing.
Ms. Ricci replied that the new "Adult Host Homes" license
was created with statutory support the previous year and
would fit under the waiver between the assisted living
homes and complex care homes. Currently the individuals
supported in the bill did not meet the requirements for the
Home and Community Based Waiver system.
10:11:20 AM
Ms. Ricci looked at slide 7, "Establishing a New
Residential Setting
Identify Needs and Define Scope
Create New License Type
Determine Services to be Provided
Establish Reimbursement Mechanisms
Ms. Ricci identified that next steps would include working
with the people currently providing care for the
individuals in question.
Dr. Lawrence pointed to slide 8, "Who Would Benefit from
CCRHs?
Youth
Multiple behavioral health diagnoses
Treatment in an out-of-state facility
Adult
Severe and persistent mental illness
Frequent hospital visits and self harm history
Senior
Dementia with behavioral health diagnoses
Does not qualify for Medicaid waiver services
Fetal alcohol and autism spectrum disorders
Cognitive impairment
Highly disruptive behaviors
Dr. Lawrence looked at slide 9, "Key Features of a CCRH
CCRHs will offer a new residential care setting in
Alaska.
Fewer than 15 residents
24/7 care from a multi-disciplinary team
More supportive than assisted living homes and less
restrictive than a psychiatric hospital
Specialized monitoring, intervention, and/or treatment
to meet the needs of residents
Dr. Lawrence emphasized that the new care setting proposed
in the bill would be adaptable.
Dr. Lawrence spoke to slide 10, "Benefits of a CCRH
• Improves care for Alaskans with complex needs
• Adds a license type for home-like settings that
offer care in the most clinically appropriate
environment
• Allows for service specialization and for
specific requirements to be set forth in
regulations
• Promotes community safety by offering a new
service setting for individuals with complex
behavioral health needs
Dr. Lawrence qualified that the new care setting being
proposed would offer care beyond an assisted living home
but not so restricted in a hospital or psychiatric care
facility.
10:15:00 AM
Ms. Ricci discussed slide 11, "Sectional Analysis
Section 1. Amends AS 47.32.010(b) to add "complex care
residential homes" to the list of entities regulated
by the Department of Health.
Section 2. Amends AS 47.32.900(2) to update the
definition of "assisted living home" to exclude
complex care residential homes.
Section 3. Adds AS 47.32.900(11) to modify the
definition of "hospital" to clarify that it does not
include complex care residential homes.
Ms. Ricci pointed to slide 12, "Sectional Analysis
Section 4. Adds AS 47.32.900(22) to introduce a new
definition for "complex care residential home." It is
defined as a residential setting that provides 24-hour
multi-disciplinary care on a continuing basis for up
to 15 individuals with mental, behavioral, medical, or
disability-related needs requiring specialized care,
services and monitoring.
Section 5. Amends the uncodified law by adding a new
section that requires the Department of Health to
submit for approval by the United States Department of
Health and Human Services amendments to the state
Medicaid plan or apply for waivers necessary to
implement the provisions of Sections 1-4.
Ms. Ricci looked at slide 13, "Sectional Analysis
Section 6. Amends the uncodified law by adding a new
section specifying that sections 1-4 of the bill will
only take effect if the United States Department of
Health and Human Services approves the required
Medicaid waivers or amendments by July 1, 2031. The
commissioner of health is required to notify the
reviser of statutes within 30 days once the necessary
approvals are received.
Section 7. Provides that sections 1-4 take effect the
day after the United States Department of Health and
Human Services approves amendments to the state plan
or waivers submitted under Section 5.
Senator Kaufman looked at the fiscal notes and asked about
federal funds. He asked if there were any potential issues
with funding.
Ms. Ricci replied that the department did not anticipate
any issues but was still building out funding sources from
a Medicaid perspective. One of the aspects of the
populations that was particularly challenging was that
there were individuals with very specific needs and
specific demographics. She discussed a category of youth
with disruptive behaviors but did not qualify or
developmental or intellectual disability waivers. She
discussed a category of adults with severe eating
disorders, that were more extreme than was typically
imagined and needed specialized care in a structured
setting. She discussed adults with dementia that had
inappropriate behaviors that the Alask Pioneer Home and
others could not care for. For the groups, there could be
certain Medicaid waivers to cover the care that was needed.
She relayed that the department would be working with
consultants to identify the different Medicaid waivers and
funding streams that aligned with each of the needs.
10:19:08 AM
Senator Kaufman asked if there was anticipation of getting
more clarity on funding streams that might be reflected in
revised fiscal notes.
Ms. Ricci relayed that the current available information
the department had was reflected in the fiscal notes. She
noted that the department intended to build out the
certification, funding, and services with providers,
stakeholders, and contractual experts.
Senator Kiehl asked about the zero Medicaid services fiscal
note. He asked if the department anticipated that the note
would really be indeterminate.
Ms. Ricci relayed that the fiscal note was zero because
many of the individuals in question were receiving very
high-cost care that was paid for through the Medicaid
program. She added that also any waivers the state would be
considering there was a federal budget neutrality
requirement. For those reasons the department thought the
fiscal note would be zero.
10:21:19 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
10:21:38 AM
MICHELLE BAKER, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHCENTRAL
FOUNDATION, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in
support of the legislation. She worked in the behavioral
services division. She mentioned adults and children
awaiting to be discharged from the hospital without
residential services with complex care services. She gave
examples of individuals that needed complex care that was
not currently available. She recommended an amendment to
the bill and referenced Section 4, line 10, and removing
"not more than 15." She reasoned that removing the language
would give providers more flexibility to think about
clinical service delivery models.
10:25:52 AM
DAVID WILSON, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY, MATSU HEALTH
FOUNDATION, WASILLA (via teleconference), spoke in support
of the legislation. He thought the bill was a vital step in
providing required care. He thought the bill would set a
standard for excellence in care. He echoed the comments of
the previous testifier regarding amended language in the
bill.
10:27:52 AM
JARED KOSIN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ALASKA
HOSPITAL AND HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of the bill. He cited
that one out of every seven hospital beds in the state was
occupied by individuals that needed to go but had no option
for appropriate care to transition to. He urged the passage
of the bill.
10:29:00 AM
ISAAC SMOLDON, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, MY HOUSE, WASILLA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the legislation.
He believed the legislation would allow My House to better
serve its clients. He urged the committee to pass the bill
as soon as possible.
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl reviewed the fiscal notes. He addressed FN 1
from DOH, OMB Component 2665. He detailed that an FY 26
cost of $153,200 and one full-time position with an even
funding split between federal receipts and General Fund
(GF) match. The amount leveled off at $150,200 with the
same funding composition.
Senator Kiehl addressed FN 2 from DOH, OMB Component 2944.
The note reflected a first cost in FY 27 of $197,100 split
almost 50/50 between federal receipts and GF match for one
full-time nurse consultant position. The amount leveled off
the following year slightly higher with $204,100 going
forward.
Senator Kiehl addressed FN 3 from DOH Medicaid Services,
OMB Component 3234, which had zero fiscal impact.
Dr. Lawrence thanked the committee.
Ms. Ricci thanked the committee.
SB 76 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
10:32:17 AM
AT EASE
10:35:27 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 44
"An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing
evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric
hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or
restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating
to a report published by the Department of Health;
relating to inspections by the Department of Health of
certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an
effective date."
10:36:23 AM
SENATOR MATT CLAMAN, SPONSOR, introduced the bill. He
explained that in 2022 the United States Department of
Justice (DOJ) investigated Alaska's behavioral health care
system for youth. It found the state had an overreliance on
institutionalization to treat minors with behavior health
disabilities in Alaska. In response to the finding, DOJ
embarked upon a behavioral health roadmap for Alaska's
youth in fall 2023. His office appreciated the steps that
providers stakeholders in the state put into regional
meetings and a drafted report. He stressed the urgent need
for transparency and parent/guardian involvement in the
psychiatric hospitals that served the state's youth.
Senator Claman explained that the bill enhanced and
protected the rights of the young patients then had care or
evaluation at the psychiatric hospitals. The bill had four
main objectives. The first was to ensure youth patients had
access to at least one hour of interaction with parents or
legal guardians per week. Secondly, to ensure there were
twice-per-year unannounced inspections of facilities
providing residential treatment to youth psychiatric
patients in which 50 parent of all youth patients were
interviewed about their experiences. Thirdly, to report
within 24 hours in any case restraint was used, available
to DOH and the patient's parent or guardian. Fourth, to
enhance transparency there was a required report by DOH to
prepare an annual report about minors in psychiatric
hospitals. He read from written testimony of a parent from
Fairbanks with a long history of psychiatric care.
10:39:39 AM
BEN MALLOTT, PRESIDENT, ALASKA FEDERATION OF NATIVES (via
teleconference), (AFN) spoke to the benefits of the
legislation. He believed the bill ensured children in
vulnerable states had the ability to communicate with
parents or guardians. He supported the transparency and
other provisions of the bill. He mentioned a lack of
available care in the state, which could be traumatizing
for young people. He mentioned trauma to residents of
villages that had experienced institutions.
10:42:01 AM
MATEO JAIME, YOUTH BOARD MEMBER, FACING FOSTER CARE (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the bill. He recounted
being placed in a psychiatric institution for two months
due to no foster homes being available. He recalled
physical violence from staff. He recounted poor conditions.
10:45:05 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl reviewed three fiscal notes. He addressed FN
1 from DOH, OMB Component 2944, with an FY 26 cost of
$212,100 UGF and one full time position.
Senator Kiehl addressed FN 2 from DFCS, OMB Component 3314.
The department reported a zero fiscal note.
Senator Kiehl addressed FN 3 from DFCS, OMB Component 3321,
which was a zero fiscal note.
Senator Claman thanked the committee.
SB 44 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
10:46:43 AM
AT EASE
10:48:43 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 69
"An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits;
establishing the sexual assault examination kit
tracking system; and providing for an effective date."
10:49:16 AM
SUSIE FRENZEL, DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SERVICES AND FORENSIC
SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) introduced
herself.
DAVID KANARIS, CHIEF OF FORENSIC LABORATORY, DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY, introduced himself.
Mr. Kanaris discussed the presentation, "Senate Bill (SB)
69 Sexual Assault Examination Kit Tracking System(copy on
file). He addressed slide 2, "Key Provisions
Timelines for transmittal and testing of Sexual
Assault Kits
Codifying the Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System
Survivor Rights and Transparency
Mr. Kanaris highlighted slide 3, "Time Processing of Kits
Medical providers must notify law enforcement within
14 days after evidence collection
New Requirement
Law enforcement must transfer kits to an accredited
laboratory within 20 days
Currently 30 days
Laboratory must complete testing within 120 days
Currently 180 days
Mr. Kanaris pointed to slide 4, "Survivor Rights and
Transparency
Survivors must be notified when their kits are
tested
The tracking system enables survivors to stay
informed and connected to their case without
compromising their privacy or needing to re-engage
with law enforcement
The system ensures survivors can securely monitor
the status of their kits and opt-in for automated
updates
Mr. Kanaris looked at slide 5, "Codification of the Sexual
Assault Kit Tracking System
Sexual assault examination kit tracking system will
be operated by the Department of Public Safety
Data remains confidential to protect survivor
privacy
Mr. Kanaris relayed that the current administration and
legislative body had all been supportive of building the
kit tracking system.
Mr. Kanaris showed slide 6, which showed a photograph of
the kit storage room that illustrated the problem. He
thought that there were about 40,000 kits in the system
over time, and there was an average of 500 to 600 sexual
assault case kits per year. The crime lab was working as
fast as it possibly could. Data from 2024 showed that the
lab was able to work the kits within 133 days, and it was
working to reduce the amount of time needed.
10:53:07 AM
Co-Chair Stedman wondered about how minors were treated,
and if the kits were tracked. He asked about information
for parents or guardians.
Mr. Kanaris relayed that about 16 percent of cases were
from minor cases, which were entered into the database and
given priority for faster processing. The survivor or
parent/guardian would be supplied with a tracking number
through which hit could access the database.
Senator Kiehl understood that the fiscal note requested
taking on state funding for a position that was currently
grant funded. He was supportive of the bill. He asked what
would happen with the position if the bill was not passed.
Mr. Kanaris replied that there was a question of whether a
state position could handle the capacity, which he doubted.
He did not think current staffing levels were a sufficient
way to work.
10:55:05 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl reviewed FN 1 from the Department of Public
Safety, OMB Component 527. The note asked for $197,500 in
FY 26, $148,000 of which was for the position. The position
was reflective of additives. The out years showed the cost
of the software rising slowly but steadily.
10:56:27 AM
JAMES COCKRELL, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), gave a prepared statement.
He thanked the committee. He requested that members look at
what the department had done in closing gaps in the system
over the past few years. He thought the state had come a
long way in how it had treated victims. He thought the kit
system was one way to offer victims control over the
process. He relayed that the bill was a priority for the
department.
SB 69 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Hoffman stated that the next meeting would be the
following day at 9am.
ADJOURNMENT
10:58:16 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 10:58 a.m.