Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
05/14/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB16 | |
| SB132 | |
| HB31 | |
| SB156 | |
| HB16 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 132 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 31 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 156 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
May 14, 2025
9:08 a.m.
9:08:37 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hoffman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman, Co-Chair
Senator Bert Stedman, Co-Chair
Senator Donny Olson, Co-Chair
Senator Mike Cronk
Senator James Kaufman
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Kelly Merrick
MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Representative Calvin Schrage, Sponsor; Liz Harpold, Staff,
Senator Donny Olson; Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Sponsor;
Representative Louise Stutes, Sponsor; Matt Gruening,
Staff, Senator Louise Stutes; Tracy Welch, Executive
Director, United Fishermen of Alaska; Ella Atkison, Staff,
Senator Jesse Kiehl; Senator Cathy Giessel.
SUMMARY
SB 132 OMNIBUS INSURANCE BILL
CSSB 132(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with
seven "do pass" recommendations and with one
previously published fiscal note: FN 1(CED).
SB 156 AK COMMERCIAL FISHING and AG BANK; LOANS
SB 156 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
CSHB 16(STA)
CAMPAIGN FINANCE; CONTRIBUTION LIMITS;APOC
CSHB 16(STA) was REPORTED out of committee with
three "do pass" recommendations, four "amend"
recommendations, and one previously published
fiscal note: FN 1(ADM).
HB 31 VESSELS: REGISTRATION/DERELICT FUND
HB 31 was REPORTED out of committee with seven
"do pass" recommendations and with four
previously published fiscal notes: FN 1(DFG), FN
2(ADM), FN 3(DNR), and FN 4(CED).
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(STA)
"An Act requiring a group supporting or opposing a
candidate or ballot proposition in a state or local
election to maintain an address in the state; amending
campaign contribution limits for state and local
office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission
to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and
local office once each decade beginning in 2031;
relating to campaign contribution reporting
requirements; relating to administrative complaints
filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission;
relating to state election expenditures and
contributions made by a foreign-influenced corporation
or foreign national; and providing for an effective
date."
9:10:04 AM
AT EASE
9:11:32 AM
RECONVENED
9:11:40 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE, SPONSOR, reintroduced the
legislation.
Senator Kaufman MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 34-LS0217\N.20,
Bullard, 5/6/25 (copy on file):
Page 2, line 23:
Delete "$2 000" 3
Insert "$3.500" 4
Page 2, line 27:
Delete all material and insert:
"(2) $10 000 each [$5,000 PER] year to a political
party 8 (3) $5.000 each year to a group that is not
a political party."
Page 2, line 31:
Delete "$4 000" 12 Insert "$5,000"
Page 3, line 7:
Delete "$4 000" 16 Insert "$5.000"
Page 3, line 15:
Delete "$4 000" 20 Insert "$7 000"
Page 3, line 17:
Delete "$8 000"
Insert '1 $10 000"
Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for discussion.
Senator Kaufman explained the Amendment. He stated that the
amendment would line the campaign contribution limits with
the federal limit.
Representative Schrage expressed concern, given that
Alaskan voters had supported lower limits. He, however,
appreciated the member's concerns.
9:14:45 AM
Senator Cronk expressed support of the amendment. He
remarked that campaigning could be expensive in rural
districts, and often required travel costs.
Co-Chair Hoffman stated that the bill and amendment would
be taken up at the end of the meeting.
SENATE BILL NO. 132
"An Act relating to insurance; and providing for an
effective date."
9:16:20 AM
Senator Kaufman MOVED to ADOPT the proposed committee
substitute for SB 132, Work Draft 34-LS0415\T (Wallace,
5/9/25).
Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for discussion.
9:16:47 AM
LIZ HARPOLD, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, discussed the
Explanation of Changes (copy on file):
Section 41: Repeals AS 21.36.475(b) subsection (4) to
clean up language around exceptions to owner
controlled and contractor controlled insurance
programs.
Section 44: Updates the definition of elected official
to include members of regional school board for a
regional educational attendance area.
Section 58: Requires one-quarter of the governing
board of an HMO to be consumers instead of one member.
9:17:54 AM
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, SPONSOR, supported the committee
substitute.
Co-Chair Hoffman REMOVED his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Senator Bjorkman thanked the committee.
Senator Kaufman MOVED to REPORT HB 31 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSSB 132(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with seven "do
pass" recommendations and with one previously published
fiscal note: FN 1(CED).
9:19:08 AM
AT EASE
9:21:04 AM
RECONVENED
HOUSE BILL NO. 31
"An Act relating to the registration of commercial
vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel
prevention program fund."
9:21:56 AM
REPRESENTATIVE LOUISE STUTES, SPONSOR, introduced the bill.
She stated that the bill contained the exact same language
as a bill from the previous legislature. She stated that
the bill removed duplicative registration requirements
created by the passage of SB 92 (from 2018).
Senator Kiehl wondered whether the bill allowed for the
possibility of owners of boats abandoning their boats.
9:25:50 AM
MATT GRUENING, STAFF, SENATOR LOUISE STUTES, replied in the
negative.
Co-Chair Stedman remarked that the issue was about the
derelict vessels.
TRACY WELCH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITED FISHERMEN OF
ALASKA, testified in support of the bill.
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl reviewed the fiscal notes.
9:30:56 AM
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to REPORT HB 31 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Senator Stutes noted that there was a very collaborate
working relationship with
HB 31 was REPORTED out of committee with seven "do pass"
recommendations and with four previously published fiscal
notes: FN 1(DFG), FN 2(ADM), FN 3(DNR), and FN 4(CED).
9:31:32 AM
AT EASE
9:33:41 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 156
"An Act relating to the Department of Commerce,
Community, and Economic Development; relating to the
Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank;
relating to certain loans made by the Alaska
Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank; and providing
for an effective date."
9:33:41 AM
Senator Kiehl reintroduced the legislation.
Senator Merrick MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for
SB 156, Work Draft 34-LS0857\H (Bullard, 5/12/25).
Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for discussion.
9:35:54 AM
ELLA ATKISON, STAFF, SENATOR JESSE KIEHL, discussed the
Explanation of Changes (copy on file):
• Requires any loans originated or refinanced by CFAB
using state funds be secured by a limited entry
permit.
• Repeals the lower interest rate for the Commercial
Fishing Revolving Loan Fund on July 1, 2026, instead
of July 1, 2027.
9:36:32 AM
AT EASE
9:36:43 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SB 156 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(STA)
"An Act requiring a group supporting or opposing a
candidate or ballot proposition in a state or local
election to maintain an address in the state; amending
campaign contribution limits for state and local
office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission
to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and
local office once each decade beginning in 2031;
relating to campaign contribution reporting
requirements; relating to administrative complaints
filed with the Alaska Public Offices Commission;
relating to state election expenditures and
contributions made by a foreign-influenced corporation
or foreign national; and providing for an effective
date."
9:37:11 AM
AT EASE
9:40:36 AM
RECONVENED
Senator Kaufman MOVED Amendment 1 (again), and reexamined
the amendment.
Senator Kiehl OPPOSED the AMENDMENT.
Co-Chair Stedman liked the amendment, but felt opposed to
the amendment due to the public opinion.
A roll call vote was taken on the motion.
IN FAVOR: Merrick, Cronk, Kaufman
OPPOSED: Hoffman, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman
The motion FAILED 3/4.
Representative Schrage thanked the committee.
Senator Kiehl MOVED to REPORT CSHB 16(STA) from committee
with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
9:44:57 AM
AT EASE
9:46:55 AM
RECONVENED
CSHB 16(STA) was REPORTED out of committee with three "do
pass" recommendations, four "amend" recommendations, and
one previously published fiscal note: FN 1(ADM).
ADJOURNMENT
9:47:31 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 a.m.