Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/03/2026 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB34 | |
| SB20 | |
| SB104 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 34 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 20 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 104 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 3, 2026
9:01 a.m.
9:01:00 AM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Hoffman called the Senate Finance Committee
meeting to order at 9:01 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
Senator Cathy Giessel, Sponsor; Paige Brown, Staff, Senator
Cathy Giessel; Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Sponsor; Liz
Harpold, Staff, Senator Donny Olson; Senator Scott
Kawasaki, Sponsor; Jenna Colquhoun, Staff, Senator Scott
Kawasaki.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Abigail O'Connor, Chief Fiduciary Officer, Peak Trust
Company, Homer; Linda Hulbert, Self, Fairbanks.
SUMMARY
SB 20 CPR CURRICULUM
SB 20 was REPORTED out of committee with six "do
pass" recommendations, one "no recommendation,
and with one new zero fiscal note from the
Department of Education and Early Development
SB 34 REPEAL 90 DAY SESSION LIMIT
SB 34 was REPORTED out of committee with four "do
pass" recommendation, three "no recommendations",
and with one new fiscal note from the Legislature
SB 104 VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE
SB 104 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration
SENATE BILL NO. 34
"An Act relating to the duration of a regular session
of the legislature."
9:02:31 AM
SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, SPONSOR, introduced the legislation.
PAIGE BROWN, STAFF, SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, furthered with
some information about how the legislatures frequently
extended sessions beyond the 120 day limit.
Co-Chair Stedman asked about the constitutional limit
versus the statutory limit.
Ms. Brown stated that the constitution had a mandatory 120-
day limit, so that was the prevailing law.
Co-Chair Hoffman shared that the legislature could adjourn
at any time after they pass an operating budget.
Senator Kiehl reviewed the zero fiscal note.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to REPORT SB 34 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
SB 34 was REPORTED out of committee with four "do pass"
recommendation, three "no recommendations", and with one
new fiscal note from the Legislature
9:05:30 AM
AT EASE
9:07:37 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 20
"An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation
education in public schools; relating to the duties of
the Department of Education and Early Development; and
providing for an effective date."
9:08:20 AM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, introduced the
legislation.
9:10:56 AM
Senator Kiehl MOVED to ADOPT the committee substitute for
SB 20, Work Draft 34-LS0253\I (Bergerud, 1/28/26).
Co-Chair Hoffman OBJECTED for discussion.
LIZ HARPOLD, STAFF, SENATOR DONNY OLSON, explained the
committee substitute. She stated that the effective date
was removed from the bill.
Co-Chair Hoffman WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO
further OBJECTION, the proposed committee substitute was
adopted.
Senator Kiehl explained the fiscal note.
9:12:05 AM
AT EASE
9:15:44 AM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Hoffman shared that Co-Chair Olson wanted to point
out that there were numerous occasions when he assisted
them in measures with problems with their own CPR.
Senator Kiehl restated the fiscal note.
Senator Gray-Jackson thanked the committee.
Co-Chair Stedman MOVED to REPORT SB 20 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.
SB 20 was REPORTED out of committee with six "do pass"
recommendations, one "no recommendation, and with one new
zero fiscal note from the Department of Education and Early
Development.
9:17:42 AM
AT EASE
9:19:48 AM
RECONVENED
SENATE BILL NO. 104
"An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the
death of the owner; and providing for an effective
date."
9:20:39 AM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, SPONSOR, read the Sponsor Statement
(copy on file):
The death of a family member is a difficult experience
for any person. It is an emotional process we all have
or will face that drains an individual's stamina and
motivation. Add to that the legal complications and
costs this familial absence inflicts on a household,
it is no wonder that a death in the family is one of
the most stressful events in a person life. Going
through the probate process can cost a family
thousands, potentially tens of thousands of dollars in
legal and filing fees at a time when an individual is
less able to cope with such financial pressure. SB 104
would provide an option for Alaskans to alleviate such
pressures when a loved one passes.
SB 104 aims to continue the work of the Uniform Real
Property Transfer on Death Act (URPTDA). This piece of
legislation passed in 2014 with unanimous support from
both the House and the Senate and created the Transfer
on Death (TOD) deed, which allows for non-probate
transfers of real property. TOD deeds allow Alaskans
to select a beneficiary who will receive the property
at their passing and removes that property from the
process of probate which can take anywhere from 6
months to several years to complete. At this time, a
TOD deed cannot be issued for boats and other vehicles
for which the DMV issues titles. SB 104 would
ameliorate this situation.
This piece of legislation would continue the ongoing
effort to reduce costs and stress of probate for
Alaskans by creating a streamlined service through the
DMV through which any Alaskan can designate
beneficiaries for both vehicles and boats by filling
out a simple form. With this TOD deed, an Alaskan
would be able to gain access to a vehicle or boat much
faster than if they had to go through the probate
process. This may seem like a moot point but consider
a situation where a family runs a fishing business
from their family boat. That boat is a crucial part of
the business and not being able to use it for even a
month could lead to bankruptcy. SB 104 would ensure
such a situation would not happen.
The TOD titles will be available for all boats and
vehicles for which the DMV provides titles, which also
includes some mobile manufactured homes under
AS.45.29.102(66). The program would be self-sustaining
though the fees collected from the individuals who
file for the TOD deeds.
At no cost to the state, SB 104 will allow countless
Alaskans to pass down boats, vehicles, and some
manufactured homes to beneficiaries with more ease and
will help simplify the potentially complicated,
costly, lengthy, and painful process of probate
following the death of a loved one.
9:24:12 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman stated that SB 104 was related to
insurance and prior authorizations.
9:24:33 AM
JENNA COLQUHOUN, STAFF, SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, discussed
the presentation, "SB 104, 'An Act relating to the transfer
of a title on the death of the owner; and providing for an
effective date'" (copy on file). She looked at slide 2,
Transfer on Death Deeds
• Was created in Alaskan Statute when the "Uniform
Real Property Transfer on
Death Act" was passed in 2014 by the 28th Legislature
• AS 13.48.010 "An individual may transfer
property to one or more beneficiaries effective
at the transferor's death by a transfer on death
deed."
• AS 13.48.020 "A transfer on death deed is
nontestamentary."
• Not involving or creating a will
• Assets subject to a TOD deed skip the probate
process
• TOD deeds currently can only be used for Real
Property
• Land and anything permanently attached to it
Ms. Colquhoun pointed to slide 3, "What SB 104 Does
• Extends Transfer on Death (TOD) deed to boats,
vehicles, and certain manufactured homes titled
through the DMV
• Owner can revoke TOD deed or change the
beneficiary at anytime without notice to the
beneficiary
• No more than two beneficiaries
• Designated beneficiary can disclaim their
interest
• Beneficiary of a TOD deed would be subject to
conveyances, encumbrances, assignments,
contracts, liens, and other interests to which
the boat or vehicle
• Establishes the procedure to obtain a TOD deed
• Owner will fill out an application and submit a
fee to the Department of Administration
• These fees will serve to fund the program
9:27:40 AM
Ms. Colquhoun highlighted slide 4, "Benefits of SB 104
• Lowers the cost of probate for Alaskans
• On average, it costs $14,225 to settle an
estate
• 2021 Estate Planning Report from SeniorLiving.org
and Atticus
• Reduces probate case load
• Enabling timely maintenance and preservation of
boats and vehicles
• In the instance of a family fishing business, allows
the business to continue uninterrupted
• Allows Alaskans without ready access to law services
estate planning tools
• Rural Alaska
• Expedites beneficiary access to boats and vehicles
9:29:57 AM
ABIGAIL O'CONNOR, CHIEF FIDUCIARY OFFICER, PEAK TRUST
COMPANY, HOMER (via teleconference), spoke in support of
the legislation. She shared that she was an estate planning
attorney in Alaska. She remarked that the ability to meet
the beneficiary for a vehicle or boat could allow for
another tool to meet a person's estate planning goal.
9:31:49 AM
LINDA HULBERT, SELF, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), was in
support of the bill. She shared that she had experiences
where the bill would have been helpful to individuals. She
remarked that the bill dealt with valuable items that
allowed for inclusion in the estate.
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED and CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl discussed the fiscal note.
Senator Kawasaki thanked the committee.
9:35:39 AM
Senator Kaufman felt that the fiscal note required a high
number of hours to incorporate the changes.
SB 104 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
9:36:54 AM
The meeting was adjourned at 9:36 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 34 Support Document- WTI Oil Prices 2000-2025.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 34 |
| SB 34 Opposition Koan.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 34 |
| SB 34 Supporting Document Version A.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 34 |
| SB 34 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 34 |
| SB 34 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 34 |
| SB 20 Coons Testimony.msg |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 CPR Curriculum Sponsor Statement Version N._.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 CPR Curriculum Sectional Analysis Version N._.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Hands-Only CPR Research Links.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 NEA-Alaska letter from Tom Klaameyer in support of SB 20 2.19.2025 (1).pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Supporting Documents.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Written Letter of Support From Brian Webb.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 104 - Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 2/17/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 104 |
| SB 104 Letters of Support version A.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 2/17/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 104 |
| SB 104 Presentation.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 2/17/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 104 |
| SB 104 - Sectional.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 2/17/2026 9:00:00 AM SFIN 3/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 104 |
| SB 20 workdraft ver I.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |
| SB 20 Explanation of Changes ver. N to ver. I Feb 2 2026.pdf |
SFIN 2/3/2026 9:00:00 AM |
SB 20 |