04/17/2018 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR19 | |
| HB97 | |
| HB7 | |
| HB235 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HCR 19 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 97 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 235 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
April 17, 2018
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Kevin Meyer, Chair
Senator David Wilson
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator John Coghill
Senator Dennis Egan
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19(CRA) AM
Urging Governor Bill Walker to issue an administrative order
recognizing a linguistic emergency.
- HEARD & HELD
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 97(STA)
"An Act repealing the insurance tax credit for gifts to the
Alaska fire standards council; and providing for an effective
date."
- MOVED CSHB 97(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 7(CRA)
"An Act relating to the exhibition of marked ballots and the
prohibition on political persuasion near election polls."
- HEARD & HELD
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 235(STA)
"An Act creating the North Star Medal."
- MOVED CSHB 235(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 19
SHORT TITLE: GOVERNOR: AK NATIVE LANGUAGES EMERGENCY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) ORTIZ
02/16/18 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/16/18 (H) CRA
03/06/18 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/06/18 (H) Heard & Held
03/06/18 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/08/18 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/08/18 (H) Moved CSHCR 19(CRA) Out of Committee
03/08/18 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
03/09/18 (H) CRA RPT CS(CRA) 5DP
03/09/18 (H) DP: SADDLER, DRUMMOND, LINCOLN,
RAUSCHER, PARISH
03/19/18 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/19/18 (H) VERSION: CSHCR 19(CRA) AM
03/21/18 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/18 (S) CRA, STA
04/03/18 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/18 (S) Heard & Held
04/03/18 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
04/10/18 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/10/18 (S) Moved CSHCR 19(CRA) AM Out of Committee
04/10/18 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
04/11/18 (S) CRA RPT 3DP
04/11/18 (S) DP: BISHOP, GARDNER, HOFFMAN
04/17/18 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 97
SHORT TITLE: REPEAL AK FIRE STANDS. COUNCIL TAX CREDIT
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) THOMPSON
02/01/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/01/17 (H) STA, FIN
02/28/17 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/28/17 (H) Heard & Held
02/28/17 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/02/17 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/02/17 (H) Moved CSHB 97(STA) Out of Committee
03/02/17 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/06/17 (H) STA RPT CS(STA) 5DP
03/06/17 (H) DP: JOHNSON, WOOL, BIRCH, TUCK, KREISS-
TOMKINS
03/12/18 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS ROOM 519
03/12/18 (H) Moved CSHB 97(STA) Out of Committee
03/12/18 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
03/14/18 (H) FIN RPT CS(STA) 10DP 1NR
03/14/18 (H) DP: GARA, WILSON, THOMPSON, PRUITT,
ORTIZ, GRENN, GUTTENBERG, TILTON,
SEATON,
03/14/18 (H) FOSTER
03/14/18 (H) NR: KAWASAKI
04/09/18 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/09/18 (H) VERSION: CSHB 97(STA)
04/10/18 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/10/18 (S) STA
04/17/18 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 7
SHORT TITLE: MARKED BALLOT PHOTOS; PERSUASION AT POLLS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KREISS-TOMKINS
01/18/17 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/17
01/18/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/17 (H) STA, CRA
01/31/17 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
01/31/17 (H) Heard & Held
01/31/17 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/02/17 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/02/17 (H) Moved CSHB 7(STA) Out of Committee
02/02/17 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/06/17 (H) STA RPT CS(STA) NT 7DP
02/06/17 (H) DP: JOHNSON, WOOL, LEDOUX, KNOPP,
BIRCH, TUCK, KREISS-TOMKINS
02/18/17 (H) CRA AT 10:00 AM BARNES 124
02/18/17 (H) Moved CSHB 7(CRA) Out of Committee
02/18/17 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
02/22/17 (H) CRA RPT CS(CRA) NT 3DP 2NR
02/22/17 (H) DP: WESTLAKE, DRUMMOND, PARISH
02/22/17 (H) NR: TALERICO, FANSLER
03/01/17 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
03/01/17 (H) VERSION: CSHB 7(CRA)
03/03/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/03/17 (S) CRA, STA
03/21/17 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/21/17 (S) Heard & Held
03/21/17 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
03/13/18 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/13/18 (S) Moved CSHB 7(CRA) Out of Committee
03/13/18 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
03/16/18 (S) CRA RPT 2DP 1DNP
03/16/18 (S) DP: BISHOP, GARDNER
03/16/18 (S) DNP: MACKINNON
04/10/18 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/10/18 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/17/18 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 235
SHORT TITLE: NORTH STAR MEDAL
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) KREISS-TOMKINS
04/16/17 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/16/17 (H) STA
04/18/17 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/18/17 (H) Heard & Held
04/18/17 (H) MINUTE(STA)
04/20/17 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/20/17 (H) Moved CSHB 235(STA) Out of Committee
04/20/17 (H) MINUTE(STA)
04/21/17 (H) STA RPT CS(STA) 4DP
04/21/17 (H) DP: JOSEPHSON, BIRCH, TUCK, KREISS-
TOMKINS
05/01/17 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/01/17 (H) VERSION: CSHB 235(STA)
05/08/17 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/08/17 (S) STA
04/10/18 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/10/18 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
04/17/18 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HCR 19.
JODIE GATTI, Staff
Representative Ortiz
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of HCR 19 and answered
questions.
REPRESENTATIVE STEVE THOMPSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 97.
GORDON DESUTNER, Fire Training Administrator
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding HB 97.
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 7, provided an overview.
NOAH STAR, Staff
Representative Kreiss-Tomkins
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of HB 7 and answered
questions.
ANDERS MARIUS, representing self
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 7.
BRIAN JACKSON, Program Manager
Alaska Division of Elections
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding HB 7.
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 235, provided an overview.
GRIFFIN PLUSH, Staff
Representative Kreiss-Tomkins
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of HB 235 and answered
questions.
WALT MONEGAN, Commissioner
Alaska Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 235.
JACOB WILSON, Business Agent
Alaska Correctional Officers Association
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 235.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:41 PM
CHAIR KEVIN MEYER called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Giessel, Wilson, Egan, Coghill, and Chair
Meyer.
HCR 19-GOVERNOR: AK NATIVE LANGUAGES EMERGENCY
3:33:37 PM
CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of House Concurrent
Resolution 19 (HCR 19).
3:34:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN ORTIZ, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HCR 19, provided an overview as follows:
Over ten thousand years ago anthropological evidence
suggests that the first human beings began migrating
into the area we now call the State of Alaska, and
when they migrated, they brought with them, of course,
their culture, their language, and it became the
initial, these different languages and these different
cultures became the foundation of what we now have as
Alaskan culture.
Over the years and in more recent history, we've seen
an increasing problem in that key elements of that
culture of language are beginning to disappear. This
resolution is attempting to at least bring light to
that particular problem.
The state has moved in the right direction by
acknowledging and recognizing the 20 Alaska native
languages as official languages of the state; however,
recognition is just the first step.
The intent of this resolution is the heed the
suggestions put forth by the Alaska Native Language
Preservation and Advisory Council (ANLPAC). The
council strongly urges the governor to issue and
administrative order recognizing the linguistic
emergency that exits and state that it's the policy of
the State of Alaska to actively promote the survival
and continued use of all 20 Alaska native languages.
In ANLPAC's biennial 2018 report to the governor and
Legislature, ANLPAC warned that all 20 Alaska native
languages are in crisis and most are predicted to
become extinct or dormant by the end of 21st century.
The State of Alaska can no longer sustain these rates
of language loss unless policy changes are enacted
that support people who are learning and speaking
Alaska native languages throughout the state. The loss
of language represents the loss of a critical piece of
our history, culture and traditional way of life.
I respectively request that the Legislature join me in
the support of ANLPAC and the languages that represent
intergenerational knowledge.
As an added note, in 2008, we the State of Alaska lost
last Eyak fluent speaker we now have Tanana language
have only one speaker left who is now 93 years old, so
that is two specific examples of where we truly are
looking at a crisis or looking at the prospect of
losing some of these key languages that are part of
our Alaskan culture.
SENATOR COGHILL asked what the process would be if an emergency
administrative order was put forward.
3:38:21 PM
JODIE GATTI, Staff, Representative Ortiz, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, addressed ANLPAC's 2018 biennial
report and noted five specific recommendations by the council as
follows:
1. Support for emersion programs.
2. Statewide assessment program.
3. Official apology from the State of Alaska.
4. Language normalization activities such as recognizing
indigenous place names.
5. Language restoration by making Alaska native languages
a requirement for high school graduation.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ added that the intent of the resolution was
not necessarily for the governor to specifically adopt any type
of recommendations, but to submit a plan to deal with the issue.
3:40:01 PM
SENATOR COGHILL disclosed that he was raised in a village and
noted his historical understanding and desire to keep languages
but remarked that he would not raise the issue to an emergency
level. He continued as follows:
I would say it is definitely a cultural priority,
there's no doubt about it; in fact, when we debated
whether they should be official languages, I debated
them on whether that was going to get them what they
really wanted to do, and I think I was somewhat
vindicated on that, but the question really is if we
do an emergency rather than, let's just say we stop
the resolution at the second resolve, to me that would
compel us to some action, but when I think you put an
emergency on it, you are asking for drama that may not
do well in this arena.
I'm just giving you my thinking on this, that's why I
wanted to know what the emergency recommendations
might looks like; for example, I was born and raised
here, many of us were born and raised here, but my
population up in the Fairbanks area turns over 20
percent every year, sometimes 30 percent. To ask them
to apologize for something that happened 100 years ago
may very well be a tall ask and may not raise to the
level of an emergency; however, if there are things as
a state can do to facilitate the growth of that
language, most of us would be willing to do that.
So, when you ask for an emergency, I begin to ask the
drama questions because that's exactly what you are
doing, you are raising it to a level of drama that I
don't know it's going to be beneficial. I'm just
bringing that point up because if the governor then
writes out an emergency order and we don't act like
it's an emergency, then I think those who would expect
something to happen might actually feel a backlash
that would be less than productive. I'm just giving
you my opinion after having been through several
discussions on native language issues. I agree, let's
keep the language rich and the culture rich, but I
think by demanding this dramatic language, I just
haven't bought into that part yet.
3:42:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied as follows:
I fully appreciate the point that you are making with
the point that you just made and understand it and get
it in terms of what it is you are saying. I think the
word "emergency" as a part of the title was more not
in the sense of trying to, it's just more of a
recognition that it's happening right now; in other
words, these languages are disappearing, it's just a
fact that they are disappearing. So, it was more in
recognition of that and knowing that if we don't do
everything that we can, I don't think that this
resolution is saying that it's the state's
responsibility to deal with the issue. I think it's
calling on the state to do everything that it can to
facilitate, like you say, to facilitate activities and
to promote actions that help to address the issue
because 2 years ago or back when we adopted the 20
Alaska native languages, that was done, that was
positive, I think that was under the Parnell
Administration, it was very positive but we still have
the problem.
The reason for the resolution was to address that fact
that we still have a problem in that the problem is
probably only increased since that time. The sense of,
for a lack of a better word, sense of "emergency" has
increased since that time because we are seeing
concrete examples now where the threat is very real,
perhaps more real than it was a couple of years ago.
3:44:58 PM
SENATOR COGHILL replied as follows:
Only two things, first of all you are asking the
administration to declare a linguistic emergency, I
struggle with that; and then I remember the debate on
the language issue and they were put in the official
language section and the argument I remember very
clearly because I had to deal with it is they said it
was going to be very symbolic so that we could
actually get some of these things done, now we are
coming back stepping on the fact that they are
official, not symbolic, but official and that we are
going to now require an emergency.
So, I just struggle with those kind of approaches and
I know, I've already stuck my finger into the
politically correct light socket, but at the same time
I tend to appreciate the language. I was raised around
the Athabascan language and I spoke Gwich'in language
as a kid, I loved it, and I loved the culture that
went along with it, and our school didn't promote it,
they didn't forbid it, there was a generation before
me that did forbid it, I get that, but it is also true
that since probably the Native Claims Settlement Act,
there are now more native speakers in my home town
than when I was a kid, and I spoke it. I think we are
doing what we can, but I just don't know that I want
to put an emergency moniker on it, that's all.
3:46:36 PM
CHAIR MEYER noted that the previous year the governor declared
an opioid emergency, an act that allowed access to federal
dollars to help with the crisis. He asked Representative Ortiz
if he anticipated and federal dollars coming from the Bureau of
Indian Affairs (BIA) or somebody if an emergency is declared.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ answered that he has not considered Chair
Meyer's question and does not know how to answer.
CHAIR MEYER opined that using the word "emergency" that the
intent is to get somebody's attention, like what the governor
had done with opioids where the federal government agreed and
provided monies to help with the crisis. He said he was
wondering if BIA maybe had a similar program.
3:48:08 PM
MS. GATTI specified that what the governor did for the opioid
crisis was issue a disaster declaration which is different from
HCR 19 where the resolution is an administrative order.
CHAIR MEYER asked Ms. Gatti to repeat what the governor issued.
MS. GATTI specified that the governor announced a disaster
declaration, which is probably the reason he was able to
leverage federal funding.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ stated that he failed to note that Ms.
Gatti is a First Alaskan intern and that she has been the main
driver for HCR 19 and has done an amazing job pushing the
legislation.
3:49:19 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL commented as follows:
Following up with Senator Coghill's comments, the word
"emergency" appears in here twice at least as far as I
can see, the last word and of course the last word in
the title. Emergencies typically mean eminent danger
of life and limb, so after a flood or an earthquake we
declare a state of emergency, people are dying, we
need federal money, we need troops to come in, the
National Guard; but, what you are describing is
actually a need for urgent action, right, because that
is a word you keep using is "urgent" and I get that,
that's actually what you are portraying here. So,
would it be more helpful to with the last words of
this recognizing a "linguistic preservation urgency"
versus an "emergency" which portrays that life is in
danger, because I think the word "urgency" actually
gets to what you want, and it portrays the need for
focus on the subject, quickly, a suggestion.
3:50:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that he would not be opposed to the
proposed change. He agreed with Senator Giessel that what he and
the committee members are talking about is an urgent problem.
SENATOR GIESSEL remined Representative Ortiz that he is a
legislator and sometimes legislators defer too much.
SENATOR WILSON shared his background when moving to Alaska when
he was 18. He noted that all Alaskan educators must take an
Alaska Studies course, a course that he had taken because his
intent was to become a teacher. He revealed that his wife is
from the Lower Yukon area and her sister-in-law is fluent in
Yup'ik and works with schools. He disclosed that he had met Ms.
Jones, the last Yup'ik speaker before she died in the early
2000s. He referenced the Alaska Native Language Center in
Fairbanks as an institution that has started documenting the
languages. He said he was not sure that the state has had a lot
of cultural emergency programs. He explained that he was trying
to figure out what more the State of Alaska can do with the
emergency identified in HCR 19 and queried what the
administration is being asked to do by issuing the emergency
order.
3:53:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ replied that he did not have a specific
goal in his vision for the resolution in terms of having the
governor dedicate funds. He specified that his intent was to
bring light to the issue and to encourage the governor to issue
an urgent order, if the resolution becomes an urgent order
rather than an emergency order, and to bring together a group of
interested people that would look at the issue again to submit a
report on recommendations. He said he did not know if the report
would recommend money to be included. He conceded that there
would be great hesitancy in dedicating monetary resources due to
the state's fiscal situation.
SENATOR WILSON asked if he was looking for more than a
proclamation but less than an emergency declaration.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ commented as follows:
The issue of the word "emergency" was brought before
me for the first time today. In the previous bill
hearings that we had nobody that I can recall brought
up the issue of the word "emergency" versus "urgent,"
so that just came to me today. I do think that Senator
Giessel makes a good point in the sense that really we
are talking about an urgent problem, so I am open to
that idea, but in terms of what my goal in bringing
this forward is something, I think it's making a
little bit too much of an interpretation, I didn't
even come up with the concern about "emergency" until
just ten minutes ago.
SENATOR WILSON asked if his intent was to receive more than a
proclamation from the governor.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ answered correct.
3:56:58 PM
SENATOR COGHILL asked Ms. Gatti to confirm that the Alaska
Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council was still an
authorized body.
MS. GATTI answered correct.
SENATOR COGHILL inquired if the Alaska Native Language
Preservation and Advisory Council was about to bring forward
some recommendations.
MS. GATTI answered yes.
SENATOR COGHILL asked if recommendations from the Alaska Native
Language Preservation and Advisory Council will be ongoing. He
inquired if the council is a 501(c)(3) organization. He
requested that Ms. Gatti help him understand the council's
structure a bit more.
MS. GATTI explained that the Alaska Native Language Preservation
and Advisory Council was a state council created in 2012 from SB
130.
SENATOR COGHILL replied that he recalled the bill. He asked if
the council was given a sunset date or a charge in perpetuity.
3:58:21 PM
MS. GATTI replied that there is no sunset date.
SENATOR COGHILL explained that the reason why he asked will be
part of the ongoing conversation. He inquired if Senator Olson
was on the council.
CHAIR MEYER asked if Representative Kreiss-Tompkins was also on
the council.
SENATOR COGHILL continued as follows:
I'm then trying to then correlate why we would have
the governor sign something unless they are not
empowered to do something similar and so can you help
me understand what the governor could do to either
empower them or add extra drive to what they are
doing.
MS. GATTI replied that the council has six members with one
member that is employed through the state. She specified that
council members are essentially volunteers, native language
experts from different regions throughout the state.
SENATOR COGHILL commented as follows:
The reason I'm asking is they are actually doing the
work. I was just wondering if we do ask the governor
to sign a proclamation of some kind, just name it:
emergency, urgency, whatever it is. What do you expect
that that might do there? Do you think that that would
empower them differently or if it did, what would be
maybe a responsibility the state might take on more?
Just from your perspective of somebody who has worked,
looks like you have worked this issue between them and
us, so I'm just trying to get a feel for what you
might expect that would happen within that council.
4:00:32 PM
MS. GATTI replied as follows:
The council was created to advise the governor and the
Legislature on programs, policies and projects to
provide for programs and recommendations that would
enhance and revitalize Alaska native languages. The
structure that they are currently housed under, to my
understanding, can be prohibitive to their efforts in
some ways. So, they are only allowed one-fulltime
staff and they are only allowed one-paid trip each
year. Certainly, part of it could be them being
empowered, but again, I would have to go back to what
the representative said about the governor consulting
a group of people.
SENATOR COGHILL explained that he was trying to get a context
for the council. He asserted that the council was trying hard
under austere circumstances, but so was everybody in Alaska.
SENATOR GIESSEL shared that she just looked up the council and
shared that one Senate member and one House member are part of
the council. She conceded that she did not know who the people
are that serve on the Alaska Native Language Preservation and
Advisory Council.
SENATOR EGAN noted that Senator Olson is a member.
SENATOR GIESSEL reiterated that she was not sure and noted that
she would like to hear from the senator and representative as
far as what the council was doing. She continued as follows:
I'm not sure where the group is going in terms of
recommendations. The staff read some recommendations,
one of which was suggesting that native language
proficiency be part of graduation requirements, that's
a bit far in my opinion, and it's not possible to
execute that. I'm just trying to get more information
about something that we're wishing to be more
empowered and I want to know more about who's there,
what they are doing, and I'd like to hear from the
senator that is on this council.
4:03:21 PM
CHAIR MEYER asked who the representative is that serves on the
Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. He
assumed that Senator Olson serves on the council.
MS. GATTI replied correct, Senator Olson serves on the council.
She said to her knowledge there is not a representative that
serves on the council.
REPRESENTATIVE ORTIZ responded that he did not know.
CHAIR MEYER remarked that Senator Giessel brought up a good
point. He asked if anyone had contacted Senator Olson to see
what the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory
Council is doing and if they agreed with the resolution.
MS. GATTI noted that the committee members received a copy of
the biennial report that was recently released by the Alaska
Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council.
4:04:30 PM
At ease.
4:05:40 PM
CHAIR MEYER called the committee back to order.
SENATOR GIESSEL detailed that the Alaska Native Language
Preservation and Advisory Council is under the Division of
Community and Reginal Affairs, which is part of the Alaska
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. She
said the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory
Council is an advisor council that currently has six members,
one of which is Senator Olson. She pointed out that council
members are appointed by the governor and serve three-year
terms. She noted that she did not recall having a confirmation
hearing for anyone appointed to the Alaska Native Language
Preservation and Advisory Council.
4:06:24 PM
CHAIR MEYER opened and closed public testimony.
4:07:26 PM
CHAIR MEYER held HCR 19 in committee.
4:07:34 PM
At ease.
HB 97-REPEAL ALASKA FIRE STANDARDS COUNCIL TAX CREDIT
4:08:44 PM
CHAIR MEYER called the committee back to order and announced the
consideration of House Bill 97 (HB 97).
4:09:19 PM
FORREST WOLFE, Staff, Representative Thompson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, announced his availability to
answer questions regarding HB 97.
4:09:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STEVE THOMPSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 97, provided an overview as follows:
House Bill 97 would repeal the Alaska Fire Standards
Council tax credit program that was established back
in 2000, it came about because we've been reviewing
the indirect expenditure reports. The tax credit was
intended to provide a funding mechanism for the Alaska
Fire Standards Council via donations from the
insurance companies and these insurance companies
would then be able to take a tax credit against their
Alaska tax; but in the mean time before this bill
passed, the Alaska Fire Standards Council found their
own funding mechanism through a certification fee
schedule from all of their members.
The 2015 Legislative Finance Indirect Expenditure
Report recommended that the tax credit be reviewed to
determine if it was still applicable and potentially
terminated if the credit is deemed ineffective. While
the original legislation was no doubt well intended,
it's proven to not only be ineffective but unnecessary
as well and therefore it should be repealed and
removed from statutes. In the 18 years that it has
been in statutes there have been no donations made, no
tax credits issued under this program. So, House Bill
97 would take the tax credit established under AS
21.96.075 out of the statute books and not have it be
printed every year.
CHAIR MEYER asked if he said the Alaska Fire Standards Council's
tax credit has never been used.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON answered that since 2000, no one has
ever donated or applied for a tax credit under the statute. He
reiterated that the Alaska Fire Standards Council found their
own funding mechanism through member fees.
4:11:40 PM
CHAIR MEYER asked when the tax credit expires.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON answered that with HB 97 the tax credit
would expire January 1, 2019.
CHAIR MEYER asked when the tax credit would expire without HB
97.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON answered that there is no expiration
date or sunset.
SENATOR WILSON asked why the sunset date is effective January 1,
2019 rather than upon passage.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON explained that the effective date was in
the bill as a pre-file in 2017 with the thinking that the bill
would pass in 2017. He specified that the intent was to ensure
there were no problems with the bill until the expiration on
January 1, 2019.
SENATOR WILSON admitted that his fear is someone will rush to
file and take advantage of the tax credit prior to its
expiration date.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON replied that he assumed because the
Alaska Fire Standards Council has its own funding and the tax
credit has never been used that it was time to get rid of the
credit.
SENATOR WILSON thanked Representative Thompson and opined that
the Legislature should go through the statutes more often to
find out what is being used and what is not being used.
CHAIR MEYER asked if Representative Thompson could find more
statutes that addressed expenditures.
REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON replied that House Bill 97 also
addresses indirect expenditures.
CHAIR MEYER asked if there was any interest in the tax credit
program prior to expiration.
4:13:47 PM
GORDON DESUTNER, Fire Training Administrator, Department of
Public Safety, Anchorage, Alaska, replied that he has not
received any letters of interest. He noted that the Alaska Fire
Standards Council did opt to send letters out to all the
insurance companies that were operating in the state in 2016 and
no meaningful responses were received.
SENATOR GIESSEL commended Representative Thompson for going
through the indirect expenditure documents that all legislators
receive. She said she appreciated the representative finding
obsolete tax credits and for bringing the bill forward.
4:14:50 PM
CHAIR MEYER opened and closed public testimony.
4:15:24 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report the committee substitute for
House Bill 97, [CSHB 97(STA)], version 30-LS0180\D from
committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note.
4:15:42 PM
CHAIR MEYER announced there being no objection, the motion
carried.
4:15:49 PM
At ease.
HB 7-MARKED BALLOT PHOTOS; PERSUASION AT POLLS
4:16:41 PM
CHAIR MEYER called the committee back to order and announced the
consideration of House Bill 7 (HB 7).
4:17:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 7, provided an
overview as follows:
This bill would officially allow Alaska voters to take
and share "ballot selfies" the photos that people
take of themselves or their ballots in the voting
booth. Technically, it's illegal to share one in
Alaska right now, though in practice, the law goes
unenforced.
Sharing ballot photos was traditionally prohibited to
prevent voter intimidation and vote buying (e.g.,
someone tells or pays you to vote a certain way, and
makes you show a picture of your ballot to prove you
did). But technology and the internet have changed the
reasons we take and share pictures: ballot selfies
have become a common way to express support for a
candidate, a cause, or the act of voting itself.
Alaska would be stepping into well-charted territory
by allowing ballot selfies. Many other states
recognize ballot selfies as a form of political
speech, protected under the First Amendment. Bans on
selfies have been struck down as unconstitutional in
New Hampshire, Indiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island,
Michigan, California, and Utah, joining states like
Washington, Oregon, California, and Montana which
never outlawed selfies to begin with.
There's no evidence to suggest ballot buying is a
widespread problem in Alaska: the state does not
enforce the current law that bans ballot photos. If
ballot selfies are legalized, standing laws which
criminalize voting interference would remain (AS
15.56).
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS summarized that "ballot selfies"
is technically illegal but is not enforced and arguably
unconstitutional. He noted that the law has never been
challenged in court. He set forth that HB 7 effectively brings
the law into alignment with what is currently happening while
acknowledging and recognizing the "ballot selfies" practice is
legal and an expression of free speech. He added that the law
results in ambiguity where the Division of Election receives
calls who might have posted a photo of their ballot to enquire
if their act was illegal.
SENATOR WILSON noted that Section 1(a)(2) pertains to the
prohibition of political persuasion near election polls as
follows:
Physically display a photo, video, or other image of
the person's or another person's market ballot in an
attempt to persuade a person to vote for or against a
candidate, proposition, or question.
He asked if the intent of the section is to address a person
that displays their selfie photo.
4:19:29 PM
NOAH STAR, Staff, Representative Kreiss-Tomkins, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, answered as follows:
What that section allows is for someone to share a
photo of their ballot with another person or with the
public on line 11. So, if I were to take a picture of
my ballot, I could post it on Instagram or Facebook,
or share it with my friend, "Hey, this is my ballot
selfie, this is who I vote for, I'm very excited about
it," after I left the polling place.
CHAIR MEYER noted that Anchorage has gone to a ballot by mail
and asked what would happen if a person takes a selfie with
their ballot.
MR. STAR replied that the prohibition only deals with voting in
the polling place. He added that there is a separate section of
election statutes that talks about absentee law, but the
proposed prohibition does not apply to the absentee section of
law.
CHAIR MEYER asked if the proposed bill would not be necessary if
the state goes to a mail-in ballot.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS answered correct. He disclosed
that he is on the elections working group with Senator Stevens
and noted that the group has been contemplating how things have
worked for the Municipality of Anchorage. He opined that if
Alaska ever considered vote by mail, the system would likely be
a hybrid that continues to incorporate polling places.
CHAIR MEYER asked if allowing selfies in polling places would be
disruptive.
4:22:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS noted that selfies were currently
happening. He remarked that it is hard to say within a ballot
booth if a person is taking a long time to contemplate their
ballot or taking a photo.
CHAIR MEYER pointed out that currently a poll worker could tell
a person they could not take a selfie whereas there is nothing a
poll worker could do should the proposed bill pass.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS answered as follows:
Right now I'm not sure there is any scenario in which
a poll worker can, I mean if someone is taking a lot
of time in the ballot box I'm not sure anyone is able
to because you're not allowed to look in, whether they
are just reading every last word at excruciatingly
slow pace of a ballot initiative or a constitutional
amendment or whether it's because they are taking a
photo, I'm not sure what recourse exists if somebody
is taking a long time in a ballot box, I've actually
never contemplated the question. I can say it hasn't
come up thus far as an issue or concern, at least from
the Division of Elections, not to say that it isn't
happening out there somewhere.
SENATOR GIESSEL asked for a sectional analysis because she was
not clear what the bill is doing
4:24:58 PM
MR. STAR provided the sectional analysis for HB 7 as follows:
Section 1
Amends AS 15.15.170 to prohibit any attempt to
persuade other voters through the physical display of
a photo, video, or other image of a person's ballot in
a polling place or within 200 feet of any entrance to
a polling place.
Section 2
Conforming change to existing AS 15.15.280 due to the
new subsection created in section 3.
Section 3
This section is the central policy change. Amends AS
15.15.280 to exempt "ballot selfies" from the
statutory prohibition on exhibiting marked ballots. A
new subsection (b)(2) allows a voter to share a photo,
video, or other image of her or his own marked ballot
with the public, if they so choose, subject to the
restriction established in section 1.
He summarized that the bill creates a narrow exception to the
existing prohibition on exhibiting a marked ballot. He specified
that the exception is authorized in section 3.
4:26:17 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL addressed section 2 as follows:
So, it says here that the voter cannot display a
photograph of the ballot that would enable another
person to ascertain how the voter market the ballot.
Is that a correct interpretation of the words written
on that section?
MR. STAR answered yes. He added that the "B" point in section 3
establishes the exception.
SENATOR GIESSEL continued as follows:
Right, I'm sticking to section 2 right now. So, they
can take a picture of themselves with a ballot but not
the actual marked areas of the ballot?
MR. STAR answered yes. He said section 2 says that a person
cannot take a picture of their ballot so that one could figure
out how a person marked their ballot.
SENATOR GIESSEL continued as follows:
Okay, that's correct, that's what I just said and I'm
asking you if that's a correct interpretation?
Now I'm going to ask you about section 3. So, what
section 3 seems to be saying is once you leave the
polling place, you can send that picture that you've
taken that does not show how you marked your ballot,
but you can send it after you leave the 200 feet from
the entrance of the polling place.
MR. STAR replied as follows:
If I'm understanding correctly, I think I'd only amend
what you said to say that you can take a picture of
the ballot and once you leave the polling place this
section 3 allows you to post that picture and share
your marked ballot on the internet or with someone
else.
SENATOR GIESSEL responded as follows:
Which is what I think I just said but perhaps I wasn't
clear, but the fact of the matter is when you say,
"marked ballot," the person who receives this picture
regardless of where you are standing or what time of
day it is, cannot ascertain how you voted on that
ballot.
4:28:18 PM
MR. STAR explained as follows:
You can post a picture of your ballot in such a way
that shows who you voted for as established by section
3, that's what the exception allows and apologizes if
I'm not understanding properly what you are
suggesting, but what section 3 allows is that you can
post a picture of your ballot in such a way that it
does show who you voted for.
SENATOR GIESSEL replied as follows:
This seems to want it both ways then. So, it says in
section 1 that the person who receives this photograph
can't tell how you marked the ballot, that's what it
says, excuse me, section 2 says, you are not able to
ascertain how the voter marked the ballot. So, I'm
confused, it says the voter can exhibit the voter's
ballot, so you can't tell how it is marked, now you
are saying in section 3, "Oh, well yes you can." Can
you explain that?
MR. STAR explained as follows:
AS 15.15.280 in section 2 establishes a general
prohibition saying that in most cases one cannot
display their marked ballot by photo or whatever
reason. Section 3 establishes a narrow exception to
that general prohibition saying that if you are
requesting assistance under AS 15.15.240 in order to
vote, or if you are not posting a photo, video or
other image of your marked ballot in the polling place
within 200 feet then you are okay, it is legal for you
to post that photo, video or other image.
SENATOR GIESSEL replied that Mr. Star's explanation made no
logical sense to her.
CHAIR MEYER commented as follows:
If I'm understanding this correctly, and I may not be
either, is that once I get outside of the 200 feet of
the polling place then I can post that picture in how
I voted, how I marked the ballot, is that correct?
MR. STAR answered correct. He specified that section 1 was meant
to prohibit someone with malicious intent, taking a picture of
their ballot in the privacy of the voting booth, coming outside
waiving their photo around to show what he or she voted for. He
emphasized that the intent of the bill was to prohibit the
behavior he previously described. He specified that the intent
of HB 7 was to allow an individual to post a picture of their
ballot on social media once they leave the polling place.
4:31:02 PM
CHAIR MEYER asked if it is currently illegal for him to post a
photo of how he voted within 200 feet of the high school where
he voted.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS explained as follows:
I believe the origin of the 200-feet language relates
to election law that presently exists and you can't
have signs, etc. The thought is that if you have this
image on your phone and you are showing it to other
people, that kind of falls in the same class of
behavior, but to answer your question, if you are
posting that photo on your phone or showing to other
people, that is prohibited until you are 200 feet from
the doors of your high school.
CHAIR MEYER inquired when a person would know when they are able
to post a picture.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS replied as follows:
I think the same way that people need to if they are
wearing the button of a candidate they are supporting,
I think what happens in a lot of Alaskan communities
in my experience is they've got poll workers that
remind people when they see them, they are not
necessarily on specific perimeter patrol exactly 200
feet from the door of the polling place, but if they
get close and a polling person is around they would
say as a general reminder that an individual has to
take their political display down because it is the
law. I would be surprised if it is enforced in
overwhelming precision but probably the spirit of the
law was what really matters.
SENATOR EGAN disclosed that he has received photos from "friends
and enemies" showing how they voted. He pointed out that the
bill just tries, "To make it a little more legal if they follow
the law."
4:33:29 PM
CHAIR MEYER argued that poll workers currently can say, "Don't
do that because it is illegal."
SENATOR EGAN noted that poll workers have yet to tell someone
not to take a photo. He pointed out that no one knows what a
person is doing in a voting booth once the curtain is drawn.
CHAIR MEYER noted that the bill says, "within 200 feet."
SENATOR EGAN explained that a person can send their photo when
they are 200 feet away from the polling station.
CHAIR MEYER pointed out that a person taking a selfie when they
enter a polling station is illegal.
SENATOR EGAN agreed and asked Representative Kreiss-Tomkins to
confirm that
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS answered correct.
CHAIR MEYER noted that there was a question brought up about
whether to allow selfie photos would be based on freedom of
speech.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS commented as follows:
My recollection is that a similar law was challenged
in New Hampshire and was struck down as
unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds.
SENATOR COGHILL remarked as follows:
I think with our right to privacy in Alaska and your
ability to be private within the voting booth it would
be quite a stretch to be able to prohibit it in the
polling booth, but what you could do is keep people
from playing a video or something as soon as they got
out of it. I think it's the impact of influencing
other people over against your private life. I think
they probably would never stop it if it was happing in
the polling booth, but if you came out and started
running a video of you doing it, you would probably be
asked to leave and shut it off. Even bumper stickers,
people drive up to a polling booth with bumper
stickers and they will genteelly ask you to cover it
up or take it off. I think that is the issue here and
it looks like an artful way of doing it and yes, I
think it's one of those things where you are trying to
guard people's privileges of expressing themselves
while protecting those from being unduly overly
influenced. It's just an artful way of dealing with
the technology that we have to deal with in our world.
The 200-foot limit probably is going to be a problem
because it used to be just sign-waving, that was the
big deal, but they could get themselves a little blue
tooth speak and put it out there, so I think 200 feet
is probable okay.
4:36:46 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL commented as follows:
I just have a comment in response to what Senator
Coghill has just said about freedom of expression, and
the sponsor and his staff saying you can't come out of
the voter's booth and try to influence other people.
Now, as I look at this section you've given us of HB 7
testimonies, of course most of the testimony comes
from Juneau, which is interesting, there's one here
from Anchorage and this looks like a young woman who
is 18. I appreciate the power of social media over
young people, that to me speaks to influence and undue
influence, in my opinion. We know that social media
has caused a lot of behavior that we in this body,
certainly, and society would not condone. I do believe
that it is a very powerful media that drives people to
do things that they don't think about. I don't share
Senator Coghill's feeling that this is harmlessly
constitutional.
SENATOR WILSON asked why consideration was not given to include
absentee or mail-in ballots.
4:38:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS explained as follows:
My understanding is that presently it is not illegal
or criminal if you have an absentee ballot for that
ballot to be displayed to another person. Presently,
ballot parties or just for non-Anchorage elections, if
a husband and wife both get their absentee ballots
before going off on a trip that is going to prompt to
be gone on election day, it's not illegal for them to
fill it out at the same time and if they want to show
the other who they are voting for, they are able to do
so and it's not technically against the law. We're
just not going there and changing that law one way or
the other given that all of that is presently legal. I
haven't been made aware of any problems with the
status quo.
SENATOR WILSON asked if photos during early voting was included
in the legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS replied as follows:
My understanding is the real demarcation line is
whether or not you are at a polling place and since
early voting happens at a polling location, a ballot
selfie or taking an image and sharing it with other
people is technically illegal or criminal. So, even
though it is not election day because you are at a
polling place, that's the criteria that is really at
play.
4:40:57 PM
CHAIR MEYER opened public testimony.
4:41:08 PM
ANDERS MARIUS, representing self, Sitka, Alaska, testified in
support of HB 7. He said being allowed to take a picture of your
ballot and posting it is a personal choice and a personal
freedom that would be granted by HB 7.
4:42:29 PM
CHAIR MEYER closed public testimony.
He asked the Alaska Division of Elections if taking photos in
voting booths was an issue.
4:43:01 PM
BRIAN JACKSON, Program Manager, Alaska Division of Elections,
Juneau, Alaska, answered as follows:
I don't know that I would necessarily call it an
issue, but the Division of Elections does receive
phone calls in the election cycle asking about the
legality of this. Obviously as Senator Egan spoke
people are doing this, taking selfies of themselves
and sharing it with others.
CHAIR MEYER asked if poll workers currently can tell someone not
to take a photo.
MR. JACKSON replied that poll workers could address the issue if
someone was identified.
CHAIR MEYER asked if the bill would make it legal for voters to
take a photo of their ballot in the ballot booth.
MR. JACKSON answered that taking a photo would be legal under
the proposed legislation, but if someone were to come out of the
ballot booth and display their ballots to anybody within the 200
foot range then the poll worker would identify that and they
would have to "spoil the ballot," then the voter could have a
second attempt at voting without displaying their ballot.
CHAIR MEYER replied as follows:
When you say, "spoil the ballot," what if they are
just taking a picture of it, doing a selfie?
MR. JACKSON answered that if the person voting does not display
their ballot within the 200-foot range, then taking a ballot
selfie would be allowed under the proposed legislation.
CHAIR MEYER commented as follows:
How would you know that? Sometimes when you are
waiting in line you've got your iPhone out and you are
looking at it, that person could be displaying their
ballot to somebody in the line, how would you know?
MR. JACKSON answered as follows:
The poll worker would be able to identify that at the
time, more than likely. If they recognized it as
displaying their ballot to others in the polling
location, then they work with them to "spoil" their
ballot.
4:46:05 PM
CHAIR MEYER asked if the Division of Elections has a position on
the bill.
MR. JACKSON answered that the Division of Elections does not
oppose HB 7.
4:46:58 PM
CHAIR MEYER held HB 7 in committee.
He remarked that the bill is confusing as written as to what a
person can or cannot do and the legislation would be addressed
at the next committee meeting.
SENATOR WILSON asked if the Division of Elections has considered
allowing voters to use "sample ballots" in the interim to take
photos with should the legislation not pass.
MR. JACKSON answered that the Division of Elections could
discuss Senator Wilson's proposal. He noted that the "sample
ballot" idea might create more work for poll workers and pointed
out that some polling stations are busy.
SENATOR WILSON opined that taking pictures of your sample ballot
would be perfectly legal.
MR. JACKSON replied that a person could take a photo of a sample
ballot unless the polling station ran out of ballots. He noted
that there is a provision for polling stations to utilize sample
ballots as official election ballots should the polling station
run out of ballots.
HB 235-NORTH STAR MEDAL
4:49:31 PM
CHAIR MEYER announced the consideration of HB 235.
4:49:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHAN KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 235, referenced the
sponsor statement for HB 235 as follows:
HB 235 creates a rare and high honor to be awarded by
the State of Alaska to first responders who are
injured or killed while exhibiting great courage in
the service of their fellow Alaskans. The North Star
Medal is reserved for firefighters, peace officers,
first responders, and search and rescue volunteers.
The idea for the bill came from Representative Bob
Lynn, the former chair of the House State Affairs
Committee, who envisioned the award as a small
thanksgiving" for the valor and sacrifice shown by
these men and women.
One comparable award currently exists. The State Medal
for Heroism was created by the Legislature in 1965 to
recognize the heroic and valorous deed of saving a
life. In contrast to the North Star Medal, the Medal
for Heroism can be awarded to any Alaskan and has been
awarded to individuals of all ages for what are often
spontaneous acts of bravery. For example, the Medal
for Heroism was awarded to a 10-year-old boy in Nome
who lost his life rescuing a woman from a burning
house in 1984, and to others who have saved people
from drowning, or from death and injury in the
aftermath of airplane and car crashes.
The North Star Medal does not duplicate this award;
while the recipients of the State Medal for Heroism
have responded to extraordinary events with courage,
the North Star Medal honors those individuals who show
up each day knowing that they could be asked to give
their lives to protect and serve their fellow
Alaskans. Other states such as Idaho, Illinois,
Oregon, and Texas have similar awards that honor first
responders for meritorious conduct and/or death or
injury in the line of duty.
Nominations for the North Star Medal can originate
within communities and organizations and will be
passed on to the highest-ranking supervisor in the
department or organization, who will then make
recommendations to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
After consideration, the Commissioner of Public Safety
will submit the names of the nominees for the award to
the governor.
At a ceremony held no more than once a year, the
governor will present the recipient of the North Star
Medal with a ribbon, a medal, and a citation. If the
honoree is no longer living or cannot accept the
award, the next of kin may accept it on their behalf.
The North Star Medal is a sign of gratitude from the
people of Alaska to first responders whose dedication
is a constant in a changing world.
4:50:20 PM
GRIFFIN PLUSH, Staff, Representative Kreiss-Tomkins, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, summarized that the North
Star Medal would be a regular award given by the governor to
first responders from nominations submitted by departments and
organizations throughout the state to recognize the sacrifices
made by first responders.
CHAIR MEYER asked if the governor has currently a way of
recognizing people who have done a great job whether they are
police officers, fire fighters or school teachers.
MR. PLUSH explained as follows:
There are several different awards, for heroism
specifically there is only one comparable award and
that is the Alaska Medal for Heroism; however, that
award is an award that is awarded to any Alaskan based
on an individual heroic deed or valor [inaudible] and
it is something that is not awarded very frequently.
The North Star Medal on the other hand is something
that would be more regular and specifically for our
first responders, for our police officers,
firefighters, corrections officers, and search and
rescue volunteers that are making that daily
sacrifice. So, it's a medal that is more specific to
those first responders and more awarded more
regularly.
4:53:16 PM
CHAIR MEYER noted that there is some overlap between the two
medals and asked Mr. Plush to confirm that there is a
difference.
MR. PLUSH answered as follows:
Yes, specifically awarded for displays of extreme
bravery and heroism, and awarded by the governor;
those are kind of the two main categories where there
is overlap, but the medals are substantially
different.
CHAIR MEYER noted Mr. Lynn's comments that he calls the North
Star Medal the "Purple Heart."
MR. PLUSH explained as follows:
Yes, that's language the we've been using as well, and
I think that is sort of a fitting description of it as
well, sort of a "Purple Heart" for our first
responders. There are military honors, of course, like
the "Purple Heart" that are awarded as well, but this
is specifically for our civilian first responders,
public servants who are putting their lives at risk.
CHAIR MEYER asked why Representative Lynn was not able to get
the legislation passed.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS said he did not believe
Representative Lynn ever introduced legislation to establish the
North Star Medal.
CHAIR MEYER asked if Representative Lynn would have won his
reelection that he would have probably introduced that
legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS answered that was his
understanding from his conversation with Representative Lynn.
4:56:01 PM
WALT MONEGAN, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Public Safety,
Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of HB 235 as follows:
When this idea, this medal was first introduced or
brought to my attention, it made a lot of sense in
regard to that we have many people out there, not only
in the police and fire realm, but also in the
volunteers that we have with search and rescue, pretty
much all over the state. Barring anybody getting hurt
or worse, I think this award is something that they
can put on the wall or their family can have on the
wall as a very poignant reminder of their efforts.
On a personal note, my father was killed in combat in
Korea and his Medal of Honor is hanging on our wall as
a daily reminder of what sometimes we are called to
do.
I support this concept and I want to speak for all of
the people out there who work for the safety of
everybody out there.
CHAIR MEYER asked if an individual can currently receive a medal
for heroism. He added that if so, how often do individuals
currently received medals for heroism.
COMMISSIONER MONEGAN answered as follows:
The last time we presented a medal of sorts was in
action in a state trooper medal and it was to our BPO
that was shot and wounded in the Bethel area about a
year or so ago. So, this particular medal would be
something that would be bestowed upon him or her by
the governor as opposed to something from the Alaska
State Troopers or myself. I think it is significant
and hopefully we don't have to present too many of
them because usually it involves somebody being hurt.
He continued as follows:
I like it because it goes beyond the uniform services,
it goes to the search and rescue folks that do this as
volunteers. I think it is very significant and it is
honoring those who spend their time helping others.
4:59:36 PM
JACOB WILSON, Business Agent, Alaska Correctional Officers
Association, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of HB 235
as follows:
I wanted to echo the commissioner's comments on behalf
of correctional officers. We have about 860 members
now and on behalf of those members we absolutely
support HB 235 and the intent of the legislation to
recognize peace officers in Alaska who die or are
seriously injured in the line of duty.
As peace officers, Alaska's correctional officers
place their lives on the line "24/7," and
unfortunately at times, correctional officers and
other law enforcement officers around the state are
seriously injured on a line of duty and in rare
occasions lose their lives while performing their
jobs. While nothing can replace their loss or can
replace the fact that some people will never be the
same after an on-the-job injury, the public
recognition of the sacrifice that they made will
provide some consolation to the surviving relatives or
the injured worker who is the recipient of the North
Star Medal.
We appreciate the steps that this legislation takes to
recognize our brave and selfless women and men who go
to work everyday not knowing if they are going to
return home safely.
5:01:25 PM
CHAIR MEYER closed public testimony.
5:01:51 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report CSHB 235(STA), version 30-
LS0816\J from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note.
5:02:07 PM
CHAIR MEYER announced that there being no objection, the motion
carried.
5:02:26 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Meyer adjourned the Senate State Affairs Committee at 5:02
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HCR 19 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HCR 19 |
| HCR 19 Version R A.PDF |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HCR 19 |
| HCR 19 Previous Letters of Support.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HCR 19 |
| ANLPAC2018 Report to the Governor and Legislature.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HCR 19 |
| HCR 19 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HCR 19 |
| HB 97 Sponsor Statement ver D 3.12.18.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 97 |
| HB 97 Version D.PDF |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 97 |
| HB 97 Sectional Analysis ver D 4.10.18.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 97 |
| HB 97 Support Indirect Expenditure Report 2.22.17.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 97 |
| HB 97 Fiscal Notes.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 97 |
| HB 7 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Version J.PDF |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Summary of Changes.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Sectional Analysis ver J.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Supporting Document-Article Columbia University.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Supporting Document-Article Denver Post.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Support Material Testimonies.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Supporting Document-Article Washington Post.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 7 Letter of Support Cora Dow.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 7 |
| HB 235 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |
| HB 235 Summary of Changes.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |
| HB 235 Supporting Document - NCSL Awards for Law Enforcement or First Responders.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |
| HB 235 Officer Down Memorial Pages.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |
| HB 235 Letters of Support.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |
| HB 235 Venn Diagram AK Medal for Heroism North Star Medal.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |
| HB 235 Fiscal Note.pdf |
SSTA 4/10/2018 3:30:00 PM SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |
| HB 235 Letter of Support Bob Lynn.pdf |
SSTA 4/17/2018 3:30:00 PM |
HB 235 |