02/17/2025 03:30 PM Senate RESOURCES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB47 | |
| SB29 | |
| SB30 | |
| SB61 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 47 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 29 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE RESOURCES STANDING COMMITTEE
February 17, 2025
3:31 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Cathy Giessel, Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski, Vice Chair
Senator Matt Claman
Senator Forrest Dunbar
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Senator Shelley Hughes
Senator Robert Myers
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 47
"An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an
effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 29
"An Act relating to an executive administrator for the Big Game
Commercial Services Board."
- MOVED SB 29 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 30
"An Act making certain veterans eligible for a lifetime permit
to access state park campsites and the parking and restrooms of
developed facilities without charge; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSSB 30(RES) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 61
"An Act relating to an electronic product stewardship program;
relating to collection, recycling, and disposal of electronic
equipment; establishing the electronics recycling advisory
council; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 47
SHORT TITLE: CHUGACH STATE PARK EASEMENTS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GIESSEL
01/17/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/17/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) TRA, RES
02/04/25 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/04/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/04/25 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
02/11/25 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/11/25 (S) Moved SB 47 Out of Committee
02/11/25 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
02/14/25 (S) TRA RPT 2DP 1DNP 1NR
02/14/25 (S) DP: BJORKMAN, KIEHL
02/14/25 (S) DNP: SHOWER
02/14/25 (S) NR: TOBIN
02/17/25 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 29
SHORT TITLE: BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BJORKMAN
01/10/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) RES, FIN
02/03/25 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/03/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/03/25 (S) MINUTE(RES)
02/17/25 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 30
SHORT TITLE: STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BJORKMAN
01/10/25 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (S) RES, FIN
02/03/25 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/03/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/03/25 (S) MINUTE(RES)
02/17/25 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 61
SHORT TITLE: ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) TOBIN
01/24/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/25 (S) RES, FIN
02/05/25 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/05/25 (S) Heard & Held
02/05/25 (S) MINUTE(RES)
02/17/25 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
PAIGE BROWN, Staff
Senator Cathy Giessel
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave a presentation on SB 47.
RICKY GEASE, Director
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 47.
ROGER MARKS, Board of Supervisors
Glen Alps Road Service Area
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 47.
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, District D
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 29.
SAM ROHRER, President
Alaska Professional Hunters Association (APHA)
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony on SB 29.
JASON BUNCH, Professional Hunter
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony on SB 29.
AARON BLOOMQUIST, Chairman
Big Game Commercial Services Board
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony on SB 29.
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, District D
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 30.
RICKY GEASE, Director
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 30.
LOUIE FLORA, Staff
Senator Löki Tobin
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 61 on behalf of the sponsor.
LELANDE REHARD, Environmental Program Coordinator
City of Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 61.
SCOTT KLAG, Consultant
Product Stewardship Institute
Portland, Oregon
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on SB 61.
KATIE REILLY, Vice President
Environmental Affairs and Industry Sustainability
Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
Washington, DC
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 61.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:31:02 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL called the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. Present at the call to order were
Senators Dunbar, Myers, Claman, Wielechowski, Hughes, Kawasaki
and Chair Giessel.
SB 47-CHUGACH STATE PARK EASEMENTS
3:31:38 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 47
"An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an
effective date."
3:31:59 PM
PAIGE BROWN, Staff, Senator Cathy Giessel, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, gave an overview presentation on SB
47.
3:32:17 PM
MS. BROWN moved to and narrated slide 2:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Chugach State Park (SP) is the most visited Public
Land in Alaska
Chugach SP: 495,000 acres
1.5 million visitors annually
[Slide 2 includes a map of Chugach State park.]
3:32:28 PM
MS. BROWN briefly displayed slide 3, titled "Chugach State Park
Use Data", which contains multiple graphic representations of:
• Use
• Distribution of Use (Map)
• Sample Size
• Top 5 Locations of Interest
• Visitor Origins, Percent of Device Days by Season and Year
• Visitor Origins, Percent of Device Days by Borough (Top 5) and
Year
• Patterns of Use
3:32:38 PM
MS. BROWN moved to and narrated slide 4:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Chugach Design & Construction Projects
Completed:
• Completed the parking expansion and paving work at
Eklutna Lake
• Completed new vaulted toilets at McHugh Creek, Eagle
River Campground, and Bird Creek Campground
• Completed drainage improvements at Upper Huffman
Ongoing:
• Continued construction of a public use cabins at
Eagle River Campground and Bird Creek Campground
• 2 at Eagle River
• 1 at Bird Creek
• Began paving and improvements work at Prospect
Heights
• Began improvements at Bird Valley Trailhead
Next Year:
• Begin construction of new parking area at Rabbit
Valley Trailhead
• Additional new concrete vaulted toilets at Eagle
River Campground
• Replace water heater and heating stoves at Bird
Point cabin
• Alaska Trails and Chugach Park Fund projects
3:32:41 PM
MS. BROWN moved to slide 5:
[Original punctuation provided.]
FY24 Chugach SP Fee Station Revenue
Total: $590,555.00
Slide 5 consists of a pie chart illustrating revenues
from the Chugach Park Pay Stations:
Bird Creek Campground, $65,395.00
Bird Creek Overflow, $9,195.00
Bird Fish Trailhead, $12,800.00
Bird Point Trailhead, $8,150.00
Bird Ridge Trailhead, $4,350.00
Briggs River Campground, $3,255.00
Canyon Road Trailhead, $12,255.00
Chugach Spare, $660.00
Eagle River Campground, $100,090.00
Eagle River Day-Use, $1,740.00
Eklutna ATV Lot, $11,425.00
Eklutna Lake, $54,995.00
Eklutna Lake CG, $58,670.00
Eklutna Overflow, $8,295.00
Glen Alps, $117,380.00
Glen Alps Satellite, $5,845.00
Indian Ball Field, $2,710.00
McHugh Creek, $2,810.00
McHugh Parking, $2,935.00
Mile 7.4 North Fork Access, $5,890.00
Potter Trailhead, $5,830.00
Prospect Heights, $10,090.00
South Fork, $12,055.00
3:33:06 PM
MS. BROWN moved to slide 6, a map of the interface between the
Municipality of Anchorage and Chugach State Park in the vicinity
of Canyon Road, Rabbit Creek and the Rabbit Lake Trailhead. She
said SB 47 would address access, not only for residents who are
increasingly recreating in Chugach State Park, but also for
tourists who visit during the summer.
MS. BROWN explained that Canyon Road, the access to Rabbit Lake
trailhead, is renowned for its poor condition. The easement
created by SB 47 would address this problem. In 2024, Anchorage
voters approved a four-million-dollar bond for improvements to
0.6 miles of Canyon Road. She said about half the road lies
within Chugach State Park which does not allow municipally
funded projects due to state land ownership.
3:34:23 PM
MS. BROWN pointed to the portions of canyon road that are on
state land and on city land. She described the poor condition of
the road, especially in the spring, and referred to a State
Parks Facebook notice posted on February 7, 2025, with photos of
a sloped ice slab.
MS. BROWN said SB 47 was drafted in collaboration with the
Municipality of Anchorage City Manager and the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Parks. She noted that
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) was
responsible for maintenance of Canyon Road but had not been
doing it. She said the Municipality of Anchorage was willing to
take over maintenance of the road, if they were granted an
easement, which would include road upgrades, improving access
and safety in the park and allowing the municipality to invest
in infrastructure for residents and tourists.
3:35:15 PM
MS. BROWN presented the sectional analysis for SB 47:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Bill 47 (Version A)
Sectional Analysis
"An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing
for an effective date."
Section 1. Amends AS 41.21.122: Management
Responsibility.
This section adds language to the management
responsibility of Chugach State Park clarifying that
the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOT&PF) is responsible for maintenance within the
park except for as provided by the new subsections
added in section 2.
Section 2. Adds new subsections to AS. 41.21.122:
Management Responsibility.
This section adds new subsections allowing the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to grant an
easement or a right-of-way within Chugach State Park
to a municipality if DNR provides public notice and
holds at least one hearing, and the commissioner of
DNR finds that this easement or right-of-way is
improving, facilitating, or maintaining public access
to the park, and is in the public interest.
Section 3. Provides for an effective date.
This section provides for an effective date of July 1,
2025.
3:36:17 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI referred to SB 47, section 1, lines 5, 6
and 7 which addressed control, development and maintenance of
state land and water and control of the highway access and
roadside structures. He asked whether these were conforming
changes.
3:36:43 PM
MS. BROWN said [SB 47] moves language that is already in statute
regarding Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, land
and Water to a different section of the statute, using the same
language.
3:37:17 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL invited Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
representative to answer questions about the changes to statute
proposed by SB 47.
3:37:32 PM
RICKY GEASE, Director, Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Anchorage, Alaska,
concurred that SB 47 moves language to a different section of
[statute]. He said Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOTPF) would retain responsibility for the
maintenance of the roads within Chugach State Park.
3:38:05 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked whether SB 47 would give control of
the development or maintenance of the state park to the
municipality or any other entity.
3:38:22 PM
MR. GEASE said the easement would give the municipality the
ability or right to improve the road providing access to the
park using the bond authorization monies approved in 2024. He
said this would bring the road up to modern road standards with
regard to slope and drainage.
3:39:23 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI read SB 47, Section 1, lines 4, 5, and 7
and asked whether "the department" referred to Department of
Natural Resources (DNR).
3:39:58 PM
MR. GEASE noted that said [Section 2, (C), lines 17 - 19 state
that "the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOTPF) shall repair and maintain public roads in the Chugach
State Park except for repairs and 19 maintenance performed by a
municipality under (b) of this section."
3:40:27 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR noted discussion with a representative of the
municipality of Anchorage regarding a committee substitute (CS)
to SB 47. He asked whether an amendment was planned.
3:41:03 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL said there was an amendment, but she did not
intend to offer the amendment at this time. She said SB 47 would
be held for further consideration. She noted the collaborative
effort by state agency and municipality representatives and said
the amendment would be addressed in the future.
3:41:33 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR said the concern expressed to him represented a
small change to SB 47.
3:41:50 PM
SENATOR HUGHES referred to SB 47, Section 2, lines 18 - 19. She
asked whether the municipality would be required to repair and
maintain the road. She suggested hypothetically that the
municipality of Anchorage may experience a lack of financial
means to repair and maintain the road in the future and asked
who would be responsible for the road in that case.
3:42:48 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL clarified the section of road at issue which
crossed between the municipality of Anchorage and Chugach State
Park lands. She said Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOTPF) was by statute responsible for repair and
maintenance of the state park sections of the road, but that
they were not doing it. She said that section was effectively
abandoned road, as evidenced by the photos from the Facebook
post. The municipality was willing to assume responsibility for
maintaining the road and improve it.
CHAIR GIESSEL noted future plans by the state park to build a
parking lot at Rabbit Lake Trailhead. She said there were
federal funds in place for the parking lot and improving the
Canyon Road access was important for that development as well.
3:45:01 PM
SENATOR HUGHES asked whether the Municipality of Anchorage would
have the responsibility of paying for road maintenance and
repairs for the next twenty years.
3:45:14 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL affirmed Anchorage's responsibility and said the
amendment Senator Dunbar anticipated would specify that the
municipality formally accepts the responsibility.
3:45:27 PM
SENATOR HUGHES said she did not see language in SB 47 requiring
the municipality to continue maintaining and repairing the road
in the future.
CHAIR GIESSEL concurred that there was not that language
currently, but there would be, assuming the municipality does
accept the responsibility.
3:45:57 PM
SENATOR HUGHES said, as she read SB 47, the responsibility would
fall back on DOTPF.
3:46:11 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL asked whether the suggestion was for the
municipality to rescind their offer to assume responsibility for
the road.
SENATOR HUGHES sought clarification to avoid confusion in the
future should there be less willingness or financial constraints
in the future for the municipality.
CHAIR GIESSEL suggested a sunset date amendment.
3:46:40 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR suggested that an easement provides a right but
not a duty, which would allow the municipality to proceed with
their present intentions for the road, but not obligate them to
maintain it. He acknowledged he was not familiar with the
legalities of determining responsibility conditions.
3:47:27 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL said there were no Department of Law (DOL) or
legal drafting personnel available to answer questions. She
noted the words of SB 47 with the addition of the amendment to
include the municipality's acceptance of responsibility.
3:47:53 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR acknowledged common interests and the complicated
nature of determining responsibility for road repair and
maintenance when roads pass through different areas.
3:48:30 PM
SENATOR MYERS noted SB 47, Section 2(b)(2), lines 13 - 16 and
asked whether a future commissioner would have the ability to
rescind the easement or right of way should the municipality
lack the will or the funds to repair and maintain the road.
3:49:04 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL invited an amendment to SB 47 to address the
concern.
3:49:13 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN said the discussion centered on the way easements
work. He said it was his understanding that the easement would
provide the right of way to the municipality for perpetuity. He
said the second question was about the duty to maintain and
whether that also was in place for perpetuity. He posed a
hypothetical in which a neighbor obtains an easement for a
driveway, but never uses it. He said the easement could
eventually pass to future owners, unimproved and unmaintained.
However, if a driveway was built across the neighbor's property,
there would be a duty to maintain it. He suggested explicit
language for development and to define the duty for continued
maintenance. He suggested that the bond process may affect the
municipality's future capacity to maintain the road. He also
suggested explicit language that the road would revert to the
state when and if the municipality was no longer maintaining it.
He said determining who was responsible for maintenance once the
road was built was a real issue that should be addressed by SB
47.
3:52:00 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL invited further comment from Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
3:52:06 PM
MR. GEASE noted plans for [the Rabbit Lake Trailhead] parking
lot. He said geotechnical work had been completed and he
anticipated design work in the summer of 2025 followed by bids
in the next year or two.
3:52:49 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked what a municipality could do with an
easement, for example, could they practice forestry; he asked
what rights were granted with an easement.
3:53:10 PM
MR. GEASE deferred to the legislative legal team and Department
of Law (DOL). He said, typically the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land and Water handled
DNR's easements.
3:53:44 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SB 47.
3:53:59 PM
ROGER MARKS, Board of Supervisors, Glen Alps Road Service Area,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 47. He explained
the necessity of SB 47 to improve road infrastructure in
Anchorage's hillside. These road service areas, funded by local
property taxes, manage road maintenance, including repair,
grading, drainage, and snow removal. The area, which includes
two of the busiest trailheads in Chugach State Park, faces
significant wear due to high visitor traffic. Despite a 1982
master plan recognizing the need for funding, the state has only
provided minimal resources. In 2023, Anchorage voters created
the Chugach State Park Access Service Area (CASA) to finance
park access, and in 2024, they approved a $4 million bond for
road improvements. SB 47 would allow the state to grant an
easement to allow bonding for the road, which he said would
benefit both locals and tourists. He said the [Glen Alps] road
service area was currently providing road maintenance and would
be happy to continue.
3:58:36 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked whether the road service area represented
by Mr. Marks would maintain the section of road in perpetuity
after construction is complete and the easement granted and the
improvements are made.
3:59:14 PM
MR. MARKS affirmed that the road service area was the entity
which bore the responsibility to maintain the road. He said the
road service area received taxpayer money to keep the road
maintained up to the park boundary and noted that there were
homes there that required access.
3:59:50 PM
SENATOR CLAMAN asked for geographic assistance to identify from
his recollection the section of road at issue.
4:00:13 PM
MR. MARKS said the entire 0.6 miles from Canyon Park Road to the
park gate was included. He described the section of road as a
mishmash of road surfaces. He was at a loss to pinpoint the
specific portion of the road segment.
4:01:06 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL kept public testimony open.
4:01:15 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 47 in committee.
4:01:39 PM
th
CHAIR GIESSEL set an amendment deadline for Monday, February 24
at 4:00 pm.
SB 29-BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD
4:01:59 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 29"
An Act relating to an executive administrator for the Big Game
Commercial Services Board."
CHAIR GIESSEL noted that this was the second hearing of SB 29 by
the Senate Resources Standing Committee.
4:02:26 PM
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, District D, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 29, introduced himself and gave an
overview of SB 29. He said SB 29 would put an Executive
Administrator position for the Big Game Commercial Services
board into statute. It would not require additional general fund
monies. He emphasized that a dedicated staff member who knows
the business of guiding in Alaska would improve the efficiency
of the Big Game Commercial Services Board in carrying out their
duties. The board handles hunting guide licensing functions,
administering board meetings, assisting the board with
maintaining and writing exams, generating reports and assisting
the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
investigative services. Also, they assist the Department of
Public Safety with their game violation investigations. He said
the executive administrator position was currently and would
continue to be paid for using designated general funds from
guide licensing fees. Senate Bill 29 simply codifies the
Executive Administrator position and its range in statute.
4:03:43 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL announced public testimony on SB 29.
4:04:05 PM
SAM ROHRER, President, Alaska Professional Hunters Association
(APHA), Kodiak, Alaska, provided invited testimony on SB 29,
which proposed the creation of an Executive Administrator
position for the Big Game Commercial Services Board. He said SB
29 would ensure the program's effective regulation by providing
long-term, industry-specific staff. He highlighted current
challenges, including the transient nature of license examiners
and the resulting lack of expertise, which created burdens for
volunteer board members. He urged the legislature to pass the
bill to address these issues and maintain the program's
integrity.
4:06:00 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL said the testimony by Mr. Rohrer and Mr. Bunch was
invited testimony rather than public testimony.
4:06:09 PM
JASON BUNCH, Professional Hunter, Kodiak, Alaska, provided
invited testimony on SB 29. He referred to his testimony in
favor of SB 29 on February 3, 2025 and said he had nothing
further to add. He said he was available to answer questions.
4:06:44 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL asked how long Mr. Bunch had served on the [Big
Game Commercial Services] Board.
MR. BUNCH said he served on the board from 2018 to 2024,
approximately six years.
4:07:02 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted that the [Big Game Commercial Services
Board] had a history of being behind in their funding. She
recalled a $1 million deficit. She noted that the board was
currently solvent and asked how they arrived at solvency.
4:07:29 PM
MR. BUNCH noted that the board worked with the division to
discern that the administrative burden was in entering and
processing hunt records, transporter activity reports, renewing
guide licenses, guide use, and area registrations required by
statute. He said a $300 annual administrative fee was applied to
all contracting guides and it did not take very long to get out
of debt and achieve a good financial position. He said in 2024
the board eliminated the $300 annual filing fee for contracting
guides, and also lowered the assistant guide license [fee]. He
said the board was in good fiscal position to take care of any
burdensome investigative processes, and account for the cost of
the Executive Administrator without increasing licensing fees.
4:09:34 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL summarized that the board and the profession
assumed the financial responsibility for the cost of regulating
themselves and succeeded in paying those costs as well as the
arrears.
4:09:55 PM
MR. BUNCH affirmed the summary.
4:10:14 PM
AARON BLOOMQUIST, Chairman, Big Game Commercial Services Board,
Palmer, Alaska, provided invited testimony on SB 29. He
described the negative impact of Department of Commerce
regulations on the board operations, and said it slowed them
down and delayed projects for years. He urged the committee to
pass SB 29 and offered to answer questions.
4:12:53 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL closed invited testimony on SB 29.
4:13:01 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL solicited the will of the committee.
4:13:05 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report SB 29, work order 34-
LS0287\A, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:13:22 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL found no objection and SB 29 was reported from the
Senate Resources Standing Committee.
4:13:29 PM
At ease
SB 30-STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS
4:15:41 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 30 "An Act making certain
veterans eligible for a lifetime permit to access state park
campsites and the parking and restrooms of developed facilities
without charge; and providing for an effective date." She noted
this was the second hearing of SB 30 by the Senate Resources
Standing Committee.
[Before the committee is CSSB 30, work order 34-LS0293\I,
adopted February 3, 2025.]
4:16:01 PM
SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, District D, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 30, gave an overview of SB 30. He
paraphrased the following sponsor statement.
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB 30 State Park Permits for Disabled Veterans
Version I Sponsor Statement
Senate Bill 30 would allow disabled veterans who have
honorably served our country to have a free lifetime
permit to Alaska State Parks. The permit will provide
access to developed campsites, parking areas, and
restrooms.
Currently under statute, disabled veterans qualify for
a free annual permit that must be reapplied for each
year. By changing the term of the permit to a lifetime
pass, it will be easier for disabled veterans to take
advantage of this opportunity. In addition, the annual
permit does not currently allow for free parking at
Alaska State Parks. By including parking, disabled
veterans will have greater access to the benefits
provided by our parks.
I believe that those who have served their nation in
the military deserve the utmost respect and have
earned the right to enjoy the beauty of our great
state that they have defended and sacrificed for. I
respectfully ask for your support of this legislation
for the benefit of our disabled veterans.
SENATOR BJORKMAN noted that disabled veterans qualified for
passes to Alaska State Parks, however the current pass system
applied only to camping. He said SB 30 would simplify the
process for a qualified veteran.
4:17:27 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted that Director Gease was available to answer
questions.
4:17:33 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SB 30; finding none,
she closed public testimony.
4:17:56 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked what definition or degree of disability
would qualify for the pass, how many people were expected to
obtain the pass and what effect the pass was expected to have on
state park revenues.
4:18:52 PM
RICKY GEASE, Director, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation,
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Anchorage, Alaska, said
the definition of disability was not in statute or regulation.
DNR employed the US Department of Veterans Affairs definition of
service-connected disability. He said there were about 2400
people on the current five-year [camping] pass. He thought there
were around 18,000 service members in Alaska. He emphasized that
the [camping pass] was a benefit that accrued to any veteran in
the country, although of the current Disabled Veteran (DAV)
passes, he estimated only three to four percent were from out of
state. He said that if SB 30 passes there will be two different
passes, one for the veterans camping pass, and one will be a
parking pass. He said DNR anticipated that the parking pass
would be more popular than the camping pass, and at this point,
estimated [5,000] people would use it.
4:20:49 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR assumed it was mostly Alaska residents taking
advantage of the current benefit. He asked whether the parking
pass was expected to be more popular than the current park
[camping] pass.
4:21:28 PM
MR. GEASE affirmed that DNR anticipated about 5,000 applicants
for the parking pass.
4:22:06 PM
SENATOR HUGHES referred to the fiscal note from the Department
of Natural Resources (DNR), OMB Component Number 3001, dated
January 31, 2025. She noted that the narrative said the passes
were for Alaskan veterans and suggested correcting it to include
all US veterans.
4:22:56 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL solicited the will of the committee.
4:23:22 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report CSSB 30, work order 34-
LS0293\I, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
4:23:40 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL found no objection and CSSB 30(RES) was reported
from Senate Resources Standing Committee.
4:23:46 PM
At ease.
SB 61-ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING
4:25:41 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 61 "An Act relating to an
electronic product stewardship program; relating to collection,
recycling, and disposal of electronic equipment; establishing
the electronics recycling advisory council; and providing for an
effective date."
4:26:10 PM
LOUIE FLORA, Staff, Senator Löki Tobin, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented SB 61 on behalf of the
sponsor. He paraphrased the sponsor statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB 61
Sponsor Statement
Senate Bill 61 creates a manufacturer-funded system
for collecting and recycling electronic devices. Flat-
screen televisions, computer monitors, and other
electronic devices have grown integral to modern life,
business, and education. With ever more devices, there
is a growing problem of electronic waste in Alaska.
4:27:01 PM
MR. FLORA continued to paraphrase the sponsor statement for SB
61:
SB 61 introduces the practice of product stewardship
for electronic devices sold in Alaska. Product
stewardship is where the manufacturer of an electronic
device assumes financial responsibility on a life-
cycle basis for that device. Manufacturers allocate
funding to cover collection and recycling activities.
These costs are currently borne by communities, non-
profit organizations, Tribes, and businesses.
Electronic waste associated with human health risks
includes lead used in the cathode ray tubes found in
computer and TV screens, cadmium used in rechargeable
computer batteries, contacts and switches, and mercury
used in the liquid crystal displays of mobile phones
and flat screen computer monitors as well as in
switches, batteries, and fluorescent lamps. These
components are especially problematic in rural Alaska
where community landfills are often unlined, allowing
harmful chemicals to be released into local waters.
Landfill fires that include electronic devices can
cause smoke inhalation hazards in communities.
4:27:13 PM
MR. FLORA continued to paraphrase the sponsor statement for SB
61:
If SB 61 passes, Alaska will join half the states in
the nation, Canada, and many other countries in having
a product stewardship law. Under SB 61 a manufacturer
offering electronic devices covered under this bill
for sale in Alaska would register with the Department
of Environmental Conservation and allocate funding for
the collection and recycling of devices proportional
to the volume of their sales. Manufacturers would
register individually or join a clearinghouse that
specializes in implementing these programs and
dividing the costs of the program among manufacturers.
This will create a funding stream to cover the costs
of collection, transportation and recycling which is
currently funded by a mix of grants and local tax
revenue.
SB 61 was developed by the Alaska Solid Waste Task
Force. Stakeholders in the task force include the
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation, Kawerak
Incorporated, and Zender Environmental. A product
stewardship policy for electronic devices is supported
by the Alaska Federation of Natives, the Alaska
Municipal League, the Solid Waste Association of North
America as well as numerous Alaska communities,
organizations, and businesses.
4:28:10 PM
SENATOR HUGHES quoted from a letter by the Consumer Technology
Association saying SB 61 "would establish the broadest, most
cumbersome and likely most costly electronics recycling program
in the US". She asked whether SB 61 included requirements that
were not present in other states and Canada with similar
legislation.
4:28:43 PM
MR. FLORA said the concept and language of SB 61 was drafted
looking at the requirements in the other states that have it in
place, and picking the model that looked like it would be the
best application for our unique circumstances in Alaska. He
acknowledged receipt of the recent letter and a similar letter
last year from the Consumer Technology Association and said
there were points raised that would be addressed in a future
committee substitute for SB 61, for example the recommendation
that microwave ovens were not appropriate for this program. He
highlighted that Senate Bill 61 would establish an advisory
group to consider plans submitted by manufacturers and make
recommendations. He said the advisory committee included two
seats for manufacturers and retailers, allowing them the
opportunity to have a voice in the process of creating the
program.
4:29:56 PM
SENATOR HUGHES said that while she desired proper recycling, she
was concerned about the impact [of SB 61] on Alaskans. She said
a small state like Alaska with its population of less than three
quarters of a million risked losing manufacturing businesses by
telling them what to do. She said if our little state tells
developers and innovators what they must do, big companies like
Microsoft will pull out negatively impacting Alaska.
4:31:08 PM
SENATOR MYERS concurred and added that a lot of people in Alaska
buy things online. He said a lot of stuff comes from not only
outside the state, but outside the country. He asked how the
state would hold manufacturers feet to the fire when items are
not being sold at a brick-and-mortar store in-state.
4:31:47 PM
MR. FLORA answered that SB 61 would require any manufacturer
selling product in Alaska to register with the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC). They would register their
product by weight so DEC can determine the proportional amount
that they would pay as a registration fee. He said [DEC] would
establish protocols for the products coming into Alaska,
regardless of where it's coming from. The advisory group would
also be reviewing DECs plan as well. He said the 13-member
advisory group with industry experts from across the state would
bring their experience from the rural communities of what
products had been put into landfills or collection sites. He
acknowledged that it might take a couple years to really get a
handle on the amount, but that would be handled through the
advisory committee process.
MR. FLORA said there were three subject matter experts with
experience across the country available online to fill in
blanks.
4:33:14 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR described a scenario in which a manufacturer
abroad does not intend to sell in the Alaska market, but their
product reaches the state through Amazon or another online
platform or a secondary market like Ebay. He asked what the
manufacturers' proactive duty would be and what power the state
would have to track down [manufacturers] across state lines or
across international lines.
4:34:08 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL asked Mr. Flora to identify the invited experts.
MR. FLORA said Lelande Rehard was a former consultant to the
Product Stewardship Institute. He deferred Senator Dunbar's
question to Mr. Rehard.
4:34:39 PM
LELANDE REHARD, Environmental Program Coordinator, City of
Columbia, Columbia, Missouri, said the product stewardship
approach has been used in many states and [those states]
certainly address the issue of products being sold across state
lines and online. He said manufacturers register within the
state, typically through an organization that helps them meet
their obligations and operate the program. That organization
assists with the division of the cost of the program, either
based on the amount of projected sales going into a given
marketplace or on the actual weight of the material being
collected, or some formula that combines both. He said
ultimately, [the manufacturers] develop a fee schedule allowing
them to sell products within the state.
MR. REHARD suggested Mr. Klag might speak to enforcement issues
for retail sales and online sales.
4:35:57 PM
SCOTT KLAG, Consultant, Product Stewardship Institute, Portland,
Oregon said there was a tested definition for manufacturer in SB
61 using the same language used in many other states'
[legislation], not just for electronics, but for other products.
He said this allowed manufacturers to determine who was the
responsible party to fulfill the obligations set in legislation.
He said it was in the manufacturers' interest to have all the
manufacturers that are selling in the state be part of the
program and sharing the cost. He noted there were national
entities, service providers, that help manufacturers meet their
obligations in response to the variety of stewardship laws
across the country.
4:37:54 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR suggested that large companies or more
sophisticated manufacturers would join this coalition and work
with this council, but he questioned whether every manufacturer
across the whole world would join, or even know they're required
to join. He suggested that smaller manufacturers may not realize
they have this new duty and or realize their products are being
sold in Alaska.
4:38:49 PM
MR. KLAG said it was quite common knowledge at this point,
particularly in the western part of the states [that these laws
exist]. He said there may be very low volume manufacturers that
slip through, but that most manufacturers know about these
programs and join up. He said [the manufacturers] have very
active trade organizations that help distribute this
information.
4:38:53 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted there may be an amendment from Senator
Dunbar and she asked Mr. Flora whether he intended to propose a
committee substitute.
4:40:06 PM
MR. FLORA said the sponsor could assist with amendments as
needed.
4:40:16 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL asked whether the amendment Senator Dunbar offered
could be merged with other amendments or a committee substitute.
4:40:24 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR said it was his understanding that his amendment
may not be compatible with the committee substitute, but he said
he could wait to offer his amendment after the committee
substitute was offered.
4:40:42 PM
MR. FLORA suggested that he could work with Senator Dunbar on
the amendment.
4:40:57 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR concurred.
4:41:12 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL opened public testimony on SB 61.
4:42:35 PM
KATIE REILLY, Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Industry
Sustainability, Consumer Technology Association (CTA),
Washington, DC, said CTAs members were the manufacturers that
would be responsible for delivering an electronic product
stewardship program in Alaska under SB 61. She said the industry
was committed to ensuring their products were recycled safely
and responsibly, but that SB 61 would place a significant burden
on electronics manufacturers. She expressed concern about the
requirements outlined in SB 61, and about the capacity for the
current electronics collection infrastructure within Alaska to
safely collect and manage electronics in an environmentally
responsible manner. She asserted that manufacturers would bear
the responsibility and high cost of establishing infrastructure
from scratch.
4:43:52 PM
MS. REILLY observed programs developed in other states for which
manufacturers leveraged existing collection infrastructure with
entities like local governments and nonprofits that already knew
how to safely sort, stack, palletize and shrink-wrap electronics
for transport. She said annual collection events as described in
SB 61 for every community with less than 5500 people,
potentially 200 or more collection events throughout the state,
may lead to skyrocketing costs for manufacturers, and may be
beyond the needs to effectively and efficiently serve the
communities of Alaska.
4:44:33 PM
MS. REILLY noted that, contrary to prior comments, typically in
the US, individual manufacturers kept costs manageable by
dictating their own programs, independently or as small groups,
versus establishing a producer responsibility organization. She
said the language of SB 61 would require producers to
participate in a producer responsibility organization,
increasing overhead or increasing costs for manufacturers.
4:45:12 PM
MS. REILLY further noted requirements in SB 61 for retailers to
provide public education information, and she objected to the
inclusion of microwave ovens as covered electronic devices as
well as undefined battery-containing electronics, possibly toys
or small appliances which she said were incompatible with
electronics recycling systems.
MS. REILLY said CTA would be willing to participate in
discussions about the inclusion of e-waste in the overall
recycling and solid waste management in Alaska. She emphasized
that CTA members were not consulted prior to the introduction of
SB 61 but would be responsible for the requirements outlined in
the bill, even if they held a seat on the advisory committee.
4:45:58 PM
MS. REILLY said CTA recommended a study by DEC to determine:
• the amount of household generated e-waste in Alaska
• where E-waste was being generated in the state
• the existing collection infrastructure and capabilities
throughout Alaska to responsibly manage e-waste
MS. REILLY said CTAs overall concern was that SB 61 would add
considerable costs to doing business in Alaska. She asserted
that manufacturers should not bear the entire cost of
establishing a very broad and potentially cumbersome
infrastructure to manage e-waste from scratch. She offered to
answer questions from the committee.
4:46:39 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR referred to product stewardship programs in other
parts of the US and asked whether CTA had supported any of those
programs in the past or if they opposed them. He asked if there
was a program CTA would point to as a model for effective
disposal and recycling of e-waste. He highlighted the challenges
faced by rural communities regarding the removal of e-waste.
4:47:34 PM
MS. REILLY observed that CTA's member companies were legally
obligated to support collection and recycling in states that
have producer responsibility programs for electronics. In
addition, she said many member manufacturers also support
voluntary programs for their consumers in the other states
around the country that may not have mandated producer
responsibility programs for electronics. She said CTA had been
active in the development of e-waste producer responsibility
programs for decades. She said they were currently more focused
on tailoring performance programs to the communities they're
trying to serve.
4:48:43 PM
MS. REILLY said she did not have a great program or state to
point to [as a model] for the fact that Alaska is unique. She
reiterated that CTA members would be required under SB 61 to
provide once a year collection events for every community with
less than 5500 people, more than 200 collection events
throughout the state of Alaska in a year. Those would be in
addition to required collections for communities larger than
5500. She said collection events were extremely costly to
operate and did not necessarily drive the desired volumes of
material.
4:49:39 PM
MS. REILLY repeated the recommendation that DEC conduct a study
to determine the current e-waste conditions in Alaska which
would allow CTA to assist in building a better plan specific to
the needs of Alaska.
4:50:03 PM
MS. REILLY said Hawaii was probably the most comparable in terms
of the transportation component of the program and not having
certified electronics recycling facilities in the state. She
said e-waste in Hawaii was collected and transported via water
to the US mainland for recycling at certified electronics
recycling facilities. She emphasized that the program had the
highest per pound cost to manufacturers [of existing programs],
but that the high cost did not include stringent convenience
requirements like those outlined in Alaska's proposal, nor the
multitude of collection events [specified by SB 61]. She noted
that when Hawaii's law was passed, there was an existing e-waste
collection infrastructure that manufacturers were able to
leverage. She said CTA was unclear about existing collection
infrastructure in [Alaska], and whether communities were trained
on how to sort and stack and palletize and shrink wrap
electronics for safe transport to ultimate recycling.
4:51:19 PM
SENATOR DUNBAR asked whether CTA supported Hawaii's adoption and
continuation of e-waste management law. He asked which state's
mandatory program worked best, regardless of comparability to
Alaska.
4:51:46 PM
MS. REILLY said she was not employed by CTA when Hawaii passed
their law and was not aware of CTA's support or opposition to
Hawaii's e-waste law. She said CTA was currently working with
Hawaii's Department of Health to reform Hawaii's program to
better meet the needs of Hawaii consumers and to meet
manufacturers' legal obligations. She said there was not an
example of an ideal state program. She said each state was
unique with unique needs and suggested developing a program for
Alaska's needs as a better approach than trying to adapt another
program to fit Alaska's needs.
4:53:08 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked whether CTA worked in other countries,
for example, Canada. He noted that there were similar programs
in the [European Union] EU.
4:53:26 PM
MS. REILLY said CTA was a US trade association. She said CTA did
some work in Canada, but not in the environmental space. She
said there was a trade association in Canada that handled
environmental issues for the industry. She said CTA did not do
advocacy or work in Canada or the European Union on issues like
extended producer responsibility for electronics.
4:54:06 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL noted the high costs of selling and recycling
[electronic] products. She asked Mr. Rehard whether
manufacturers would decide not to sell products in Alaska.
4:54:34 PM
MR. REHARD said he had not seen that occur. He said that it was
possible that per capita or per pound [e-waste] disposal may be
more expensive due to Alaska's unique considerations. He
observed that the state population was about 738,000 and said he
expected waste generation would be fairly low after the first
few years of implementation. He hesitated to speculate about the
overall costs of the program and whether it would be a detriment
to manufacturers, noting that the costs would be distributed
amongst other programs nationally. He argued that manufacturers
would not attach their costs directly to selling in Alaska. He
suggested that Mr. Klag may have experience with manufacturers
pulling out of marketplaces because of these programs.
4:55:42 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL invited Mr. Klag to comment.
4:56:03 PM
MR. KLAG said he had not experienced that. He noted that there
is good infrastructure in Alaska: the back-haul program and
communities that were already collecting e-waste. He
acknowledged the low population and the absence of a formal
process [for e-waste disposal] but suggested that a program such
as the one proposed by SB 61 might inspire a producer
responsibility organization to form.
4:56:52 PM
SENATOR MYERS noted that there was at least one business in
Tacoma willing to forward products that other producers will not
ship directly to Alaska.
4:57:31 PM
CHAIR GIESSEL held SB 61 in committee.
4:57:52 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Giessel adjourned the Senate Resources Standing Committee
meeting at 4:57 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 2.17.25 SB 47 (S)RES Presentation.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| 2.17.25 SB 47 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| 2.17.25 SB 47 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| 2.17.25 SB 47 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| 2.17.25 SB 47 Supporting Map.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| 2.17.25 SB 47, Version A.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| 2.17.25 State Parks Facebook Post Canyon Road.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| SB 47 Amendment A.1.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| SB 47 Public Testimony.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 47 |
| SB 29 BGCSB Audit 06.22.23.pdf |
SFIN 4/1/2025 9:00:00 AM SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf |
SFIN 4/1/2025 9:00:00 AM SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf |
SFIN 4/1/2025 9:00:00 AM SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Version A.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| (S)RES SB29 Follow-Up from DCCED-CBPL (2.10.25).pdf |
SFIN 4/1/2025 9:00:00 AM SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Public Testimony.pdf |
SFIN 4/1/2025 9:00:00 AM SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 29 Public Testimony.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 29 |
| SB 30 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 30 |
| SB 30 Summary of Changes Ver A to I.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 30 |
| DNR Responses to SRES re SB30 meeting on 2.3.2025.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 30 |
| SB 30 Ver I Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 30 |
| SB 30 Ver I Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 30 |
| SB30 ver I.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 30 |
| SB 30 Public Testimony.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 30 |
| SB 61 Bill Hearing Request.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 Support Resolutions.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 Supporting Document Alaska Business Magazine October 2024.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 v.A Fiscal Note.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 Version A Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 Version A.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 Background Alaska Electronics Product Stewardship Summary.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| SB 61 Public Testimony.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |
| A.1.pdf |
SRES 2/17/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 61 |