03/04/2024 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB163 | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) Violent Crimes Compensation Board, Alaska Police Standards Council | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 163 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
March 4, 2024
1:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Matt Claman, Chair
Senator Jesse Kiehl, Vice Chair
Senator James Kaufman
Senator Löki Tobin
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Cathy Giessel
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S):
SENATE BILL NO. 163
"An Act relating to animal adoption and foster care records."
- MOVED CSSB 163(JUD) OUT OF COMMITTEE
VIOLENT CRIMES COMPENSATION BOARD
Anna Cometa - Anchorage
- CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
ALASKA POLICE STANDARDS COUNCIL
Ron Dupee - Fairbanks
Jeff Brown - Barrow
- CONFIRMATIONS ADVANCED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 163
SHORT TITLE: ANIMAL ADOPTION RECORDS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MYERS
01/16/24 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/24
01/16/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/16/24 (S) JUD
02/09/24 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/09/24 (S) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
02/12/24 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/12/24 (S) Heard & Held
02/12/24 (S) MINUTE(JUD)
03/04/24 (S) JUD AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
BREANNA KAKARUK, Staff
Senator Matt Claman
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the explanation of changes for
SB 163.
SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, District Q
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 163 provided closing remarks
on the bill.
ANNA COMETA, Appointee
Violent Crimes Compensation Board
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Violent Crimes Compensation Board.
RON DUPEE, Chief, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Police Standards Council.
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the discussion of
the governor's appointees to the Alaska Police Standards
Council.
JEFF BROWN, Chief, Appointee
Alaska Police Standards Council
Utqiagvik, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Police Standards Council.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:30:59 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 Tobin, Kiehl, and Chair Claman. Senator Kaufman arrived
immediately thereafter.
SB 163-ANIMAL ADOPTION RECORDS
1:31:25 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 163
"An Act relating to animal adoption and foster care records."
CHAIR CLAMAN said this is the second hearing of SB 163 in the
Senate Judiciary Committee. There is a proposed committee
substitute (CS) for SB 163. He invited Ms. Kakaruk to identify
herself for the record to present the explanation of changes.
1:31:43 PM
SENATOR KAUFMAN joined the meeting.
1:32:06 PM
BREANNA KAKARUK, Staff, Senator Matt Claman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the explanation of
changes, stating the CS deletes "records that include" so that
the passage on page 3, lines 30-31, reads:
"names, addresses, or other information identifying a person as
adopting or providing foster care for [an animal.]
MS. KAKARUK said that this change provides the public with as
much information as possible while still keeping an individual
personal information private. The CS includes conforming
renumbering on page 3.
1:32:41 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no questions and solicited a motion.
1:32:51 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS) for
SB 163, work order 33-LS0978\S, as the working document.
CHAIR CLAMAN found no objection and CSSB 163 was adopted as the
working document. He invited Senator Myers to make closing
remarks.
1:33:25 PM
SENATOR ROBERT MYERS, District Q, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, stated that he and the Fairbanks North Star
Borough are happy with the committee substitute (CS).
1:33:42 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no questions and solicited the will of the
committee.
1:33:50 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved to report CSSB 163, work order 33-LS0978\S,
from committee with individual recommendations [and attached
fiscal note(s)].
1:34:01 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no objection and CSSB 163(JUD) was reported
from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S) VIOLENT CRIMES COMPENSATION BOARD,
ALASKA POLICE STANDARDS COUNCIL
CONFIRMATION HEARING(S)
VIOLENT CRIMES COMPENSATION BOARD
ALASKA POLICE STANDARDS COUNCIL
1:34:23 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the consideration of governor's appointee
Anna Cometa to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board, and Ron
Dupee and Jeff Brown to the Alaska Police Standards Council.
1:34:38 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony on the confirmation
hearings. He invited Anna Cometa to put herself on the record,
provide her background, and give a statement.
1:35:18 PM
ANNA COMETA, Appointee, Violent Crimes Compensation Board,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified as the governor's appointee to the
Violent Crimes Compensation Board. She stated her experience
includes working as an attorney in the Attorney General's Office
for eight years, a magistrate judge in Palmer for two years, and
as an attorney in private practice. She said the Office of
Victim's Rights approached her and that this appointment is an
opportunity to serve and give back. She specialized in crimes
against children as a prosecutor and had experience representing
the Office of Children Services (OCS). She expressed her
interest and passion in serving on the Board having worked with
many victims of all ages. She mentioned one goal is to improve
the Board's outreach about its services. She said that the Board
has improved its website; the site now has an online application
and greater online accessibility.
1:37:56 PM
SENATOR TOBIN mentioned that the legislature authorized
restorative justice funding up to the statutory cap in the FY24
budget to provide additional support services, including a
paralegal and an administrative officer. She asked whether those
positions had been filled and if the positions provide adequate
support to the program.
1:38:43 PM
MS. COMETA expressed her belief that those positions were
filled. She said the positions are instrumental in supporting
the Board and in processing applications. She reiterated that a
major goal is to process more claims and increase outreach and
that these two positions are helping to achieve this goal. She
thanked the legislature for its current funding and for
consideration of future funding.
1:40:09 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked whether she commuted from Anchorage to Palmer
during her time with the Court System in Palmer.
MS. COMETA replied that she commuted from Eagle River when
representing OCS through the Attorney General's Office though
she spent a significant amount of time in Palmer too. She said
that as an assistant attorney general, she worked intensive
hours, day and night, even more than private practice. She said
Palmer is very dear to her and she is partial to the Mat-Su
Valley, which she described as an area in dire need of more
judges. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in
Palmer as a magistrate judge.
1:41:56 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN commented that it is impressive how she immediately
found another board to serve on after completing service on the
previous one. He asked whether she is a partner at the Holmes
Weddle & Barcott firm.
MS. COMETA replied that she is an associate. She said she enjoys
working for the firm, which does a great deal of work in the
community. Although she does not handle criminal, Child in Need
of Aid (CINA), or victims' rights cases at the firm, she is now
in a better position to engage in community service and serve on
the Board.
1:42:56 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no further questions and announced
consideration of Ron Dupee, governor's appointee to the Alaska
Police Standards Council.
1:43:18 PM
RON DUPEE, Chief; Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council,
Fairbanks, Alaska, testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Police Standards Council. He is the chief of police with
the City of Fairbanks. The governor appointed him to the Alaska
Police Standards Council mid-year 2023. He said this is a
renewal of that appointment, and he expressed enthusiasm to
continue this journey. He said that he has been a law
enforcement officer in Alaska since 2003.
1:44:04 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN clarified that this is a reappointment as opposed
to a new appointment.
1:44:15 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked what major work items are on the Council's
agenda.
CHIEF DUPEE expressed his belief that the biggest issue is
recruiting and retaining qualified officers. He said that he has
ideas for retaining officers and for bringing officers back to
the state. He recommended the legislature make certain fixes to
the police officer certification, explaining that there is
currently no avenue for license suspension. An individual either
holds a police standards license or does not. When the Council
takes action on a license, the officer may continue to serve
throughout the entire process while the matter is resolved in
civil court. He said the process needs to be strengthened to
allow the Council to suspend a license while it is under review
and until a determination is made. He acknowledged the
legislatures efforts to improve recruitment and retention
through retirement and pension legislation.
1:46:20 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked whether the legislature currently has any
pending legislation related to license suspension.
CHIEF DUPEE expressed his belief that legislation needs to be
introduced. The legislature introduced a big package several
years ago. There was an issue with size; it did not pass. The
Council is working on some language to put forward.
1:47:07 PM
SENATOR TOBIN brought up the Alaska Police Standards Council's
oversight of certain regulations within the Village Public
Safety Officer (VPSO) Program, specifically recruitment and
certification. She asked for his opinion on whether the Council
should oversee the program and noted that VPSO certification
differs from standard law enforcement officer training and
certification.
CHIEF DUPEE expressed his belief that the Council does not
certify VPSOs as they operate under a unique program. He
clarified that he is not an expert on their recruitment or
retention and noted that oversight falls to the State and, he
believes, some tribal entities. He said that he is not certain
about the training requirements for VPSO certification.
1:48:58 PM
SENATOR TOBIN said that she would verify whether the Council
establishes the basic standards for the VPSO Program and
expressed her understanding that the Council provides the basic
framework.
1:49:21 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN directed the question to Commissioner Cockrell of
the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for clarification.
1:49:37 PM
JAMES COCKRELL, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety,
Anchorage, Alaska, replied that the Alaska Police Standards
Council does not oversee the VPSO program; DPS oversees it. The
Council certifies village police officers (VPOs), who are
distinct from VPSOs, as well as regular law enforcement
officers.
1:50:33 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN brought up SB 88, legislation that proposes to
return the State of Alaska to a defined benefits retirement
plan. He asked whether the Fairbanks Police Department has taken
a position on the bill and whether Chief Dupee holds a personal
position on it.
CHIEF DUPEE replied that he has not reviewed SB 88 in its
entirety. He expressed his belief that a defined benefits
retirement program would go a long way to resolve law
enforcement's recruitment and retention problem in Alaska.
Nationwide, there is a shortage of applicants for police officer
positions; moreover, the absence of a defined benefit retirement
system makes it more difficult to attract officers, as such
benefits are available elsewhere. He said Alaska is missing out
on these recruits, so the Fairbanks Police Department is in
support of SB 88 for law enforcement and emergency medical
services personnel.
1:52:22 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN found no further questions for Chief Dupee. He
announced consideration of Chief Jeff Brown, governors
appointee to the Alaska Police Standards Council.
1:52:35 PM
JEFF BROWN, Chief; Appointee, Alaska Police Standards Council,
Utqiagvik, Alaska, testified as the governor's appointee to the
Alaska Police Standards Council. He said that he is the North
Slope Borough Chief of Police and a current member of the Alaska
Police Standard Council. He said that he is deeply honored to be
before the committee as a nominee for confirmation and continued
service with the Council. He is a dedicated advocate for the
justice, safety, and well-being of the community. He is
committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism
and integrity within law enforcement. He said that he has
demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public service and a
passion for fostering positive relationships between law
enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
CHIEF BROWN expressed his belief that effective policing
requires collaboration, transparency, and accountability at
every level. He pledged to approach his responsibilities with
diligence, fairness, and a steadfast commitment to the
principles and equity of justice. He expressed eagerness to
contribute his skills, experience, and perspective to the
important work of the Council. He thanked the committee for its
consideration.
1:53:46 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked how long he served on the Council.
CHIEF BROWN said that this is his second term; recalling that
the governor initially appointed him two or three years ago.
1:54:01 PM
SENATOR KIEHL asked what major issues are on the Council's
agenda for the upcoming term that were not addressed by the
previous appointee.
CHIEF BROWN replied that one item is creating an administrative
certification for law enforcement professionals. Currently,
there are intermediate and advanced certifications. The Council
has discussed administrative officer pathways and training for
first-line supervision, middle management, and upper management
certifications.
CHIEF BROWN said another item on the list is establishing
intermediate and advanced certifications for corrections staff.
The certifications would mirror that of law enforcement,
providing additional training opportunities and other related
advantages.
CHIEF BROWN said that an issue he anticipates emerging is the
Council prohibition on marijuana use by sworn and certified
law enforcement and correctional officers. He stated that the
Council should reexamine its policy and consider adjustments,
given that Alaskans voted to legalize marijuana. He expects that
the Council will review other issues raised by the previous
appointee.
1:56:33 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN asked whether he had a position on legislation that
would return the State of Alaska to a defined benefits
retirement plan, and how such legislation might affect employees
of the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
CHIEF BROWN replied that he supports that legislation. He said
that he was fortunate the State hired him almost 18 years ago
when there was a defined benefit retirement program. That
legislation has its advantage for law enforcement recruitment
and retention and is necessary to stay competitive. It is
another tool in the toolbox to attract law enforcement and other
public service providers to the state.
1:57:48 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN said that there is a third governor's appointee for
consideration to the Alaska Police Standards Council scheduled
for a hearing later.
CHAIR CLAMAN opened public testimony on the governor's
appointees to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board and the
Alaska Police Standards Council. Finding none, he closed public
testimony.
CHAIR CLAMAN found no further questions or comments from
committee members and solicited a motion.
1:58:50 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:
Violent Crimes Compensation Board
Anna Cometa - Anchorage
Alaska Police Standards Council
Ron Dupee - Fairbanks
Jeff Brown - Utqiagvik
Signing the reports regarding appointments to boards and
commissions does not reflect an intention by any member to vote
for or against these individuals for any further sessions for
purposes of confirmation.
1:59:13 PM
CHAIR CLAMAN announced the committee would advance the names to
a Joint Session.
1:59:29 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Claman adjourned the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee
meeting at 1:59 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Violent Crimes Compensation Board - Anna Cometa Resume 3.4.2024.pdf |
SJUD 3/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Alaska Police Standards Council Appointment- Ron Dupee Resume 3.4.2024.pdf |
SJUD 3/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |
|
| Alaska Police Standards Council Appointment- Jeff Brown Resume 3.4.2024.pdf |
SJUD 3/4/2024 1:30:00 PM |