04/03/2023 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| SB37 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
April 3, 2023
1:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Matt Claman, Chair
Senator Jesse Kiehl, Vice Chair
Senator James Kaufman
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Löki Tobin
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS:
State Commission for Human Rights
Shiela Cernich - Anchorage
- CONFIMATION ADVANCED
Alaska Police Standards Council
Rebecca Hamon - King Salmon
Daniel Carothers - Douglas
Stephen Dutra - North Pole
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
SENATE BILL NO. 37
"An Act establishing the crime of airbag fraud."
- MOVED SB 37 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 37
SHORT TITLE: CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) CLAMAN
01/18/23 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/13/23
01/18/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/23 (S) JUD
01/27/23 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
01/27/23 (S) Heard & Held
01/27/23 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
03/22/23 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/22/23 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/29/23 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/29/23 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/03/23 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
SHIELA CERNICH, Appointee
State Commission of Human Rights
Office of the Governor
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Commission for Human Rights.
REBECCA HAMON, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council,
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
King Salmon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
DANIEL CAROTHERS, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Douglas, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
STEPHEN DUTRA, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as an appointee to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:30:55 PM
CHAIR MATT CLAMAN called the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Kaufman, Kiehl, Giessel, Tobin and Chair Claman.
1:31:42 PM
^CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS
ALASKA STATE COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
ALASKA POLICE STANDARDS COUNCIL
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of the confirmation
hearings for the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights and
the Alaska Police Standards Council. He stated that the Senate
President referred the following Governor's appointments to the
Judiciary Committee: the Alaska State Commission for Human
Rights and the Alaska Police Standards Council. He noted that
members received resumes or applications from each appointee. He
noted that the appointees were online and would testify.
He opened public testimony.
1:32:03 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked Shiela Cernich, appointee to the State
Commission for Human Rights, to provide her testimony.
1:32:17 PM
SHIELA CERNICH, Appointee, State Commission for Human Rights,
Anchorage, Alaska, reported living in Anchorage for
approximately 35 years. She stated that she retired in 2019
after working for 30 years as a union electrical contractor. She
mentioned her experience managing a diverse group of people. She
spoke about the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and recalled watching
the protests and learning about discrimination. She stated that
discrimination is still present today. She stated that the State
Commission for Human Rights provides a voice and platform for
those who feel they have been discriminated against. She
announced that she has a resolute and thorough work ethic. Her
life experiences will be an asset to the commission.
CHAIR CLAMAN asked if this was her first or a subsequent
appointment to the commission.
MS. CERNICH replied that this was her first appointment.
1:34:07 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked about a recent United States Supreme Court
ruling related to sexual orientation and gender-based
discrimination in the workplace. He asked Ms. Cernich if she was
familiar with the ruling.
MS. CERNICH replied in the affirmative.
SENATOR KIEHL understood that the Alaska Attorney General
provided guidance to the State Commission for Human Rights about
discrimination. He wondered if the guidance from the Attorney
General was absent, would Ms. Cernich share the opinions handed
down by the United States Supreme Court.
MS. CERNICH replied that people are people and everyone
deserves the right to be protected from discrimination as it is
currently stated by law. She explained that she intends to obey
the current law and would alter her beliefs as the law changes.
SENATOR KIEHL appreciated the fair answer to a delicate
question.
1:36:27 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked Rebecca Hamon, appointee to the Alaska Police
Standards Council, to provide her testimony.
1:36:53 PM
REBECCA HAMON, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council, King
Salmon, Alaska, stated she was first appointed in 2011. As a 25-
year Alaska resident, she stated that she fell in love with
Alaska and her community. She reported working in advocacy for
an organization known as Safe and Fear Free Environment. She
stated that she provides advocacy for victims of sexual assault
and domestic violence. She works as a legal advocate and
provides direct services covering multiple boroughs. She
initially served on the council to better understand law
enforcement challenges in small communities. She stressed the
need for high-quality peace officers serving Alaskan
communities. She reported that she was elected vice-chair of the
council and enjoys her time serving. She mentioned ongoing
projects such as regulation revisions and service enhancements
for optimal police services.
1:40:07 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked if Governor Parnell appointed Ms. Hamon in
2011 for a three year term.
MS. HAMON replied that she was appointed for a four year term.
CHAIR CLAMAN asked if she was re-appointed by Governor Walker in
2015 and then re-appointed by Governor Dunleavy in 2019.
MS. HAMON responded in the affirmative.
1:41:01 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked Daniel Carothers, Appointee to the Alaska
Police Standards Council, to provide his testimony.
1:41:05 PM
DANIEL CAROTHERS, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council
Douglas, Alaska, stated that this was his first appointment to
the Alaska Police Standards Council. He announced that he lived
in Alaska for 47 years and served with the Department of
Corrections for 28 years in multiple positions overseen by the
council. He remarked on his experience working as a correctional
officer, institutional probation officer, field probation
officer, and superintendent, all of which are overseen by the
Alaska Police Standards Council. He stated that he served as
deputy commissioner for a short period. He reported retiring in
2005 when he transitioned to providing polygraphs for field
probation, sex offender counseling, and public defender offices.
He remarked that his background is diverse and well-suited for
the Alaska Police Standards Council. He noted that he lived in
Bethel for six years and was familiar with the Village Public
Safety Officer (VPSO) program. He stated that he also worked
with the Parole Board as an institutional parole officer.
1:44:30 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked what changes he would like to see in the
council's scope. He wondered specifically about additional or
ongoing training.
MR. CAROTHERS replied that the Alaska Police Standards Council
has specific guidelines related to training requirements. He
emphasized that parole and correction officers have challenging
jobs. He opined that extending the training at the academy might
offer greater advantages for correction officers encountering
current threats. He spoke about recruitment challenges. He
opposed efforts to lower academy standards. He opined that
standards should be increased rather than decreased. He
discerned that alternative solutions to recruitment problems
exist.
1:47:24 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked if he was based in Southeast Alaska.
MR. CAROTHERS answered that he lives in Douglas, Alaska.
CHAIR CLAMAN asked Stephen Dutra, Appointee to the Alaska Police
Standards Council, to provide his testimony.
1:47:59 PM
STEPHEN DUTRA, Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council, North
Pole, Alaska stated that he was initially appointed to the
council by Governor Walker in 2018 and reappointed by Governor
Dunleavy in 2019. He stated that he is a twenty-plus year
resident of Alaska. He reported working as a police chief for
more than a decade and a police officer for over 27 years. He
revealed that he served in North Pole for 24 years and worked
for three years in Yakutat. He stated that he is the president
of the Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police and a board member
of the Alaska Police Officers Association.
CHAIR CLAMAN thanked Mr. Dutra for his continued service on the
Alaska Police Standards Council.
1:49:35 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked about further public testimony for any of the
four appointees. After ascertaining that no one in the room or
online wished to testify, he closed public testimony on the
governor appointees.
1:50:23 PM
SENATOR KIEHL stated that in accordance with AS 39.05.080, the
Senate Judiciary Standing Committee reviewed the following and
recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for
consideration:
Alaska State Commission for Human Rights
Shiela Cernich - Anchorage
Alaska Police Standards Council
Rebecca Hamon - King Salmon
Daniel Carothers - Douglas
Stephen Dutra - North Pole
Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions in no way reflects individual members' approval or
disapproval of the appointees; the nominations are merely
forwarded to the full legislature for confirmation or rejection.
CHAIR CLAMAN announced that without objection, the names would
be forwarded.
SB 37-CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG
1:51:07 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 37
"An Act establishing the crime of airbag fraud."
He stated that this was the second hearing of SB 37 in the
Senate Judiciary Standing Committee. He reported that his office
did not receive amendments for SB 37. He asked committee members
for questions or comments. Seeing none, he asked Senator Kiehl
for a motion.
1:51:29 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved to report SB 37, work order 33-LS0277\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
CHAIR CLAMAN found no objection and SB 37 was reported from the
Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
1:51:59 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Claman adjourned the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting at 1:51 p.m.