02/24/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB39 | |
| SB24 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 39 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE LABOR AND COMMERCE STANDING COMMITTEE
February 24, 2025
1:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Chair
Senator Kelly Merrick, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Senator Robert Yundt
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 39
"An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or less;
relating to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and
Registry; relating to deferred deposit advances; and providing
for an effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 39(L&C) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 24
"An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic
smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine;
raising the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess
tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking
product; relating to the tobacco use education and cessation
fund; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products
and vapor products; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 39
SHORT TITLE: LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) DUNBAR
01/10/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) L&C, FIN
02/19/25 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/19/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/19/25 (S) MINUTE(L&C)
02/24/25 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 24
SHORT TITLE: TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG AGE; E-CIG TAX
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) STEVENS
01/10/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) L&C, FIN
02/24/25 (S) L&C AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
RACHEL LEVY, Staff
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a sectional analysis for SB 39.
PATRICK BRENNER, President
Southwest Public Policy Institute
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 39.
EDWARD D'ALESSIO, Executive Director
INFiN
Financial Services Alliance
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 39.
CORT WALKER, Vice President
Product and Risk
Check City
Provo, Utah
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 39.
ERIN DAY, Economic Justice Organizer
Alaska Public Interest Research Group
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 39.
JOSEPH RUBIN, Vice President
Opportunity Financial
Chicago, Illinois
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 39.
DANIELLE ARLOWE, Senior Vice President
American Financial Services Association
Washington, D.C.
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 39.
ANDREW DUKE, CEO
Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)
Arlington, Virginia
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 39.
NOWEL LOWE, Owner
Alaska Fast Cash
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 39.
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, District C
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 24.
TIM LAMKIN, Staff
Senator Gary Stevens
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a sectional analysis for SB 24.
MIKE BRIDGES, Retired Brigadier General
Community Advocate
American Cancer Society
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SB 24.
KATIE STEFFENS, Deputy Program Manager
Tobacco Prevention & Control
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (AKHSS)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified by invitation on SB 24.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:31:12 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN called the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Merrick, Gray-Jackson, Dunbar, Yundt and
Chair Bjorkman.
SB 39-LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS
1:32:06 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SB 39 SENATE BILL
NO. 39 "An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or
less; relating to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and
Registry; relating to deferred deposit advances; and providing
for an effective date."
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced that the committee adopted Amendment 1
on February 19, 2025. SB 39, as amended, was before the
committee.
1:32:46 PM
RACHEL LEVY, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the sectional analysis for
SB 39 as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SECTIONAL ANALYSIS
SB 39: LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS
Version A
2.12.2025
"An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or
less; relating to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing
System and Registry; relating to deferred deposit
advances; and providing for an effective date."
Section 1 Amends AS 06.01.020(a) to remove payday
lenders from the list of financial institutions exempt
from federal financing limitations.
Section 2 Amends AS 06.01.050(3) to remove payday
lenders from the definition of "financial institution"
under state law.
Section 3 Adds new sections to AS 06.20.010:
(c) Expands the definition of a lender to close
loopholes and prevent businesses from evading
small loan regulations.
(d) Clarifies that a loan is considered to
originate in Alaska if the borrower resides in
the state and completes the transaction while
physically present.
1:33:35 PM
MS. LEVY continued the sectional analysis of SB 39.
Section 4 Amends AS 06.20 to allow the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development to
utilize the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and
Registry, manage the registration process, and adopt
regulations for implementation.
Section 5 Amends AS 06.20.030(a) to enable
applicants to pay investigation expenses through the
registry.
Section 6 Amends AS 06.20.030(b) to enable
applicants to pay licensing expenses through the
registry. Makes a licensing change that requires
applicants to pay $500 per branch, website, or mobile
app location, instead of a single office license, and
$2000 for a company license instead of a multiple
office license.
Section 7 Repeals and Reenacts AS 06.20.090 to (a)
require applicants to submit separate applications for
each business location and (b) allow the department to
set application requirements, procedures, and
licensing periods.
Section 8 Amends AS 06.20.170 to have the department
conduct period examinations as needed instead of every
18 months. 1 Session: Alaska State Senate Interim:
Senator Forrest Dunbar Alaska State Capitol Juneau,
Alaska 99801 (907) 465-6944 Proudly Serving Senate
District J 1500 W. Benson Blvd. Anchorage, Alaska
99503 (907) 269-0246 Mountain View | Airport Heights |
Russian Jack | U-Med | Campbell Park
Section 9 Amends AS 06.20.230 to simplify the
previous tiered interest rate structure for (a) loans
under $25,000 and (b) open-ended loans, creating a
uniform rate of 3 percent per month. Adds language
that requires interest rate calculations on payday
loans to consider only the relevant charged fees,
costs, and premiums as detailed in AS 06.20.260(a)(1)-
(5).
1:35:24 PM
MS. LEVY continued the sectional analysis of SB 39.
Section 10 Amends AS 06.20.310 to render payday
loans with interest rates greater than 3 percent per
month invalid.
Section 11 Amends AS 06.20 to add section 06.20.325
to prohibit payday lenders from threatening to
prosecute borrowers in the event of defaults.
Section 12 - Amends AS 06.20.900 to define "registry"
as the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and
Registry.
Section 13 Amends AS 08.76.500 to subject payday
lenders to the same regulations as small loan
companies.
Section 14 Amends AS 45.45.020 to mandate interest
calculations include all service charges paid by the
borrower to ensure transparency in interest
calculations. "Service charge" is defined as fees
charged by the lender but doesn't include fees related
to delinquency.
Section 15 - Repeals AS 06.20.330 to eliminate the
exemption that allows pawnbrokers and loan shops where
separate and individual loans do not exceed $750 and
$500 respectively to charge interest rates exceeding
the maximum rate established by AS 06.20.230, and
repeals regulations applying to lenders which have
operated under that exemption.
Section 16 - provides for an effective date of July 1,
2025.
MS. LEVY stated that the sponsor proposed an amended version
[Amendment 1, adopted February 19, 2025] of SB 39 that passed
through the House Finance Committee last session and addresses
the concerns of financial institutions.
1:37:47 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 39.
1:38:41 PM
PATRICK BRENNER, President, Southwest Public Policy Institute,
Rio Rancho, New Mexico, testified in opposition to SB 39 and he
warned the committee that rate caps like New Mexico's 36 percent
limit have failed and SB 39 will do the same in Alaska. After
New Mexico's cap, banks and credit unions didn't fill the void,
causing more people to lose credit and turn to costly
alternatives. He said that he tested 15 credit unions and
several banks, finding 86 percent denied loans or added
burdensome conditions, with only one approval from a credit
union due to prior membership. This system doesn't help the
unbanked or underbanked most affected by such caps. Alaska needs
balanced regulations that protect consumers while preserving
credit access and responsible lending.
1:41:55 PM
EDWARD D'ALESSIO, Executive Director, INFiN, Financial Services
Alliance, Washington, D.C., testified in opposition to SB 39 and
stated that SB 39 would eliminate access to regulated short-term
small-dollar loans from licensed Alaska lenders. These loans are
transparent, legal, and offer essential liquidity with strong
consumer protections like $500 loan limits, renewal caps, and
extended payment plans. He said borrowers report high
satisfaction and few complaints under current laws. SB 39's
arbitrary rate cap would force lenders to exit, removing a vital
credit option. Similar laws in other states led to lender
shutdowns, with banks and credit unions failing to fill the gap,
leaving borrowers to risky, unregulated alternatives.
1:44:27 PM
SENATOR MERRICK asked how many of the INFiN members are
physically located in Alaska.
1:44:34 PM
MR. D'ALESSIO answered that the INFiN members operating in
Alaska are operating online.
1:44:58 PM
CORT WALKER, Vice President, Product and Risk, Check City,
Provo, Utah, testified in opposition to SB 39 and stated SB 39
claims to lower costs but would effectively ban short-term loans
in Alaska. History shows bans don't work because licensed
lenders leave, and unregulated offshore lenders take over,
creating more risk. He said Check City loans are already
regulated, capped at $500, short-term, and based on ability to
repay. If borrowers default, they take the loss, so they're
motivated to help borrowers succeed. He said in 2024, the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) received just one
complaint about an Alaska licensed lender. This shows the system
works. He said Alaska's laws have been effective for 20 plus
years. He stated that SB 39 wasn't data driven and didn't
include all stakeholders. He said reform should strengthen
protections without eliminating access.
1:48:24 PM
ERIN DAY, Economic Justice Organizer, Alaska Public Interest
Research Group, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 39
and stated that she helped lead House Bill 145 to cap payday
loan rates in Alaska at 36 percent, calling it a fair limit
backed by credit union alternatives. She said with average APRs
of 435 percent; payday loans are predatory and unsustainable.
She stated that Alaska's Division of Banking reports payday
lending drains $20 million annually from vulnerable residents.
Pay day lending use has declined in the last 5 years but remains
a problem with 70 percent of loans online, affecting both rural
and urban areas. She stated that statewide the relief project
showed borrowers are trapped by high-interest online loans. She
said lenders claiming to help often just roll over debt with
more fees. This widespread issue needs real reform, not defense
of harmful lending.
1:51:43 PM
JOSEPH RUBIN, Vice President, Opportunity Financial, Chicago,
Illinois, testified with concerns on SB 39 and stated that
consumers need access to short-term loans, and SB 39 would cut
off this vital support. He said about 60 million Americans lack
credit and savings. According to the federal reserve nearly half
of the loans were denied in 2024, especially those with low
scores. He stated that in Alaska, Opportunity Financial
facilitated 2,000 loans annually in 2023 and 2024, mostly for
credit union members, but fewer than 1 percent were approved
when routed to banks at 36 percent. Alternatives like working
extra hours or borrowing from family aren't practical during
emergencies, and SB 39 even raises pawn shop rates, making
options more costly. He said while protecting consumers is
important, a 36 percent cap would leave many without credit when
they need it most.
1:55:13 PM
DANIELLE ARLOWE, Senior Vice President, American Financial
Services Association, Washington, D.C., testified with concerns
on SB 39 and stated that SB 39 creates confusion, disrupts
commercial lending, and risks cutting off access to credit for
those who need it most.
1:58:41 PM
ANDREW DUKE, CEO, Online Lenders Alliance (OLA), Arlington,
Virginia, testified in opposition to SB 39 and stated that OLA
supports expanding credit access and choice, especially in
Alaska where one-third of residents are credit constrained and
carry the nation's highest credit card debt. He said SB 39
assumes lenders can offer small loans at very low rates, but
that's not feasible; lenders won't cover costs, so credit
options will vanish. In Illinois, similar laws led to reduced
credit access and more financial hardship. He said banks and
credit unions aren't meeting demand, so many rely on the loans
SB 39 would eliminate. SB 39 would only limit credit for those
who need it most.
2:02:32 PM
NOWEL LOWE, Owner, Alaska Fast Cash, Wasilla, Alaska, testified
in opposition to SB 39 and stated that his company is no longer
involved with payday loans and wanted to correct some inaccurate
claims made earlier. He said these loans don't charge $80 per
month for a year, and borrowers can only extend a loan twice
before they must pay it off in full. If eligible, they can apply
for a new loan after repayment. He stated that Alaska law
requires lenders to offer a six-month, interest-free repayment
plan if the borrower can't pay, and interest stops accumulating
at default. This protection isn't offered by banks or most
online lenders. He said the high fees reflect the high default
risk, making this an unprofitable business for small lenders
like him. He stated that he left the market because state audits
cost more than the earnings and auditors review every
transaction, and if an error was made, the lender must refund
the borrower. He said rural Alaskans now turn to online lenders,
often draining borrowers' accounts completely.
2:05:55 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 39.
2:06:03 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that the amendment first came from the
House Finance Committee at Global Credit Union's request. He
said both Global Credit Unit and Wells Fargo already offer
short-term loans at 36 percent APR, suggesting Alaska's market
may differ from states like New Mexico. He said a South Dakota
study shows credit unions do meet consumer needs, and the bill
includes a non-evasion clause to help regulators address online
predatory lenders. Similar policies exist in 19 other states
without major issues. He said that concerns about definitions
are new to his office, but he is open to working on language
changes in future committees if needed.
2:09:05 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
2:09:08 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 39, work order 34-LS0357\A as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
2:09:23 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and CSSB 39(L&C) was reported
from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
2:09:37 PM
At ease.
SB 24-TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG AGE; E-CIG TAX
2:12:14 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 24 "An Act relating to tobacco,
tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and
products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to
purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing
nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the
tobacco use education and cessation fund; relating to the
taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and
providing for an effective date."
2:12:44 PM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, District C, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 24 provided a summary as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
This bill is about protecting our children from
becoming addicted to nicotine. It is about clearly
restricting sales to and possession of nicotine
products by youngsters.
The tobacco and nicotine industry acknowledged the
decline in cigarette smoking and have responded with a
barrage of new fashionable smoking options, in the
form of E-Cigarettes and related devices designed to
appeal to a wide range of consumers, particularly our
young people. And it's working. I may concede that
these products have helped some *adults* quit smoking
-cigarettes-
2:13:51 PM
SENATOR STEVENS continued with the summary of SB 24:
They do not however, end addiction to nicotine. They
instead provide an attractive new delivery method. Of
maintaining the same habit,
This bill is an effort to pushback on a multi billion
dollar industry trying to addict young people from
getting started on these substances.
This bill raises the legal age to sell, buy, use, and
possess cigarettes, nicotine products and E-Cigarette
products to age 21,
This bill also puts a modest tax on E-Cigarette
products. Taxing these products is what has clearly
demonstrated reduced consumption, particularly for
making the products more difficult for youngsters to
buy.
Data has shown if we can interrupt the initiation of
these products at younger years, the risk of addiction
is substantially reduced later in life.
This bill is Consistent with Military policy and
standing orders for our troops. Consistent with
Federal law. Consistent with local laws. Consistent
with policies on our school campuses; and (presumably)
Consistent with parents. To not act is to turn our
backs on all of these other governing bodies
We have deferred this issue for too long. The time is
now, to face this industry and help protect young
Alaskans, who are being targeted. For potentially a
lifetime of addiction
2:15:43 PM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a summary of the sectional
analysis for SB 24. He stated that Sections 18 of SB 24 mainly
make conforming changes, raising the legal age for sales,
possession, and distribution of tobacco and e-cigarette products
from 19 to 21. He said Section 3 lowers the possession fine from
$500 to $300 to align with sales violations. Section 4 allows
those aged 1820 to pay the fine without a court appearance,
while those under 18 must still appear in court. He said SB 24
clarifies that 1920-year-olds working in businesses that sell
these products won't be penalized for possession through
employment.
2:18:10 PM
MR. LAMKIN stated that Section 10 adds synthetic nicotine to the
definition of nicotine to prevent tax evasion. Section 18
extends online sales restrictions to all other tobacco products
like cigars, chew, and nicotine gum. Section 19 in AS
43.50.850(a) introduces a 25 percent retail sales tax (not
wholesale tax) and in Section 19 AS 43.50.855 specifies
restrictions by setting a max nicotine concentration of 50mg/mL
for vaping products. He said Section 19 also adds protection
requirements and clarifies definitions. Sections 2023 conform
the legal age change from 19 to 21. He stated that Section 24
bans marketing vaping products to anyone under 21. Sections 25
28 are also conforming. He stated that age restrictions take
effect January 1, 2026, and tax and licensing rules start
January 1, 2027.
2:21:07 PM
SENATOR YUNDT asked what the cigarette tax rate is and how much
it differs from other nicotine products.
2:21:31 PM
MR. LAMKIN answered that Alaska doesn't tax vaping products, but
several municipalities have local policies that impose varying
levels of taxes. He stated his belief that the cigarette tax is
two dollars a pack.
SENATOR YUNDT asked whether the state tax is two dollars.
MR. LAMKIN answered yes.
2:22:09 PM
SENATOR STEVENS stated that every time taxes on cigarettes are
raised, consumption decreases; there's a clear link between
price and cigarette use.
2:22:25 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR stated that he had three points to bring up.
First, only taxing some tobacco products creates an unfair
market, which affects consumer behavior. Next, he was initially
skeptical but now supports SB 24, especially the amendment
protecting young workers' jobs at places like gas stations.
Lastly, many young people have told him vaping is widespread in
their communities, and they want action. He said compared to
when he was in high school, vaping is much more common now and
clearly targets youth, making it a public health concern. He
asked whether all changes from last year were included in SB 24.
2:24:38 PM
MR. LAMKIN answered that the current version is what was passed
last year.
2:24:55 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced invited testimony on SB 24.
2:25:24 PM
MIKE BRIDGES, Retired Brigadier General, Community Advocate,
American Cancer Society, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified by
invitation on SB 24 and stated that the vaping industry uses
sweet, fun flavors to lure young people into addiction, pushing
new products in a fast, insidious way. He said he fully supports
the sponsor's language in SB 24. He stated that he also
appreciates the committee members' openness to learning and now
supporting the cause. As a retired military commander, he has
seen firsthand how tobacco harmed service members' health and
careers, often leading to long-term care through the VA. He said
he backs the bill completely and trusts the committee to handle
the tax details, as this is clearly a growing public health
concern.
2:27:51 PM
KATIE STEFFENS, Deputy Program Manager, Tobacco Prevention &
Control, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
(AKHSS), Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 24 as
follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today
on how tobacco and nicotine products are affecting
Alaskan youth. Tobacco continues to be a leading cause
of preventable death in Alaska, with smoking linked to
about 600 deaths in our state each year. Alaska loses
an estimated $400 million per year because of smoking-
related illness, effects on workers, and people being
unable to do their usual activities; and an estimate
in 2018 showed that Alaska Medicaid faced $192 million
in tobacco-related health care costs. While Alaska has
made incredible strides in the past 30 years in
preventing and reducing tobacco use among our youth
and adults, there is still more work to be done as new
products enter the market.
2:28:51 PM
MS. STEFFENS continued with her testimony of SB 24:
As of 2023, 24 percent of Alaskan adults currently use
some form of tobacco product, including cigarettes,
cigars, smokeless, Iqmik, and electronic cigarettes,
with over a quarter of tobacco users being between the
ages of 18-34. Among Alaskan adults, 8 percent use e-
cigarettes with the most prevalent age group of users
being young adults between the ages of 18-34.
Comparatively, as of 2023, 23 percent of youth use
some form of tobacco product, with e-cigarettes being
the most used product among youth by far with 17
percent of Alaskan high school students currently
using e-cigarettes. While this is a significant short-
term decrease from 26 percent in 2019, this is not a
significant long-term change in our data from when we
first started collecting in 2015.
Youth tobacco use, especially e-cigarette use, has
been burdensome on schools throughout Alaska. During
the 2023/2024 school year, the Department of Education
and Early Development suspension data demonstrated
that there were 987 tobacco-related suspensions
spanning across all grades 1st through 12th. This
accounted for approximately 2,800 missed school days
for students.
What we also know is that among Alaska high school
students who had used in the past 12 months, 61
percent tried to quit the tobacco products they were
using. Most youth who use tobacco products ultimately
want to stop using, but this can be incredibly hard
due to the gripping impact nicotine has on the
developing youth brain.
2:30:26 PM
MS. STEFFENS continued with her testimony of SB 24:
The State of Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control
Program implements a comprehensive program to reduce
and prevent tobacco use. We work closely with
community partners, tribal health organizations,
school districts, and hospital systems to provide
resources and catered assistance to meet their needs.
Unfortunately, many of the communities we work with do
not have the local health powers to implement
ordinances related to broader community policy efforts
and takes statewide policy to serve all our
communities equally. We have utilized proven statewide
strategies to reduce youth and adult cigarette use to
historically low numbers and have time-tested, Alaskan
approaches to address the ongoing youth prevalence of
tobacco, especially e-cigarettes.
We know that increasing the price of tobacco products
is the single most effective way to prevent initiation
and to reduce consumption. Youth and young adults are
two to three times more likely to respond to price
increases of tobacco products. Price increases are
even more effective when implemented in combination
with other proven strategies, such as increasing the
minimum legal age. It is estimated that raising the
minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21
will over time reduce the smoking rate by about 12
percent and smoking-related deaths by 10 percent.
Senate Bill 24 includes both of these proven
approaches: increasing the minimum age and increasing
the price. It creates additional protections for youth
through restricting online sales, implementing age
verification processes when shipping or transporting
tobacco products in Alaska, and limiting the nicotine
content in devices.
2:32:40 PM
At ease.
2:34:12 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and held SB 24 in
committee.
2:35:52 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Bjorkman adjourned the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing
Committee meeting at 2:35 p.m.