02/25/2020 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR14 | |
| HB56 | |
| SB101 | |
| HB109 | |
| SB169 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 14 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 101 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 109 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SJR 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 169 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 25, 2020
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Joshua Revak, Chair
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair
Senator David Wilson
Senator Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Mia Costello
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of
Alaska relating to actions upon veto.
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 56
"An Act establishing May 15 of each year as Hmong-American
Veterans Day."
- MOVED HB 56 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 101
"An Act establishing March 12 of each year as Ashley Johnson-
Barr Day."
- MOVED SB 101 OUT OF COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 109(EDC) AM
"An Act relating to residency requirements for public school
enrollment for certain children of active duty military and
National Guard members."
- MOVED CSHB 109(EDC) AM OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 169
"An Act relating to special request registration plates
celebrating the arts; and relating to the Alaska State Council
on the Arts."
- MOVED CSSB 169(EDC) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18
Commemorating the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage.
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SJR 14
SHORT TITLE: CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE
SPONSOR(s): JUDICIARY
01/24/20 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/20 (S) STA, JUD, FIN
02/25/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 56
SHORT TITLE: ESTABLISH HMONG-AMERICAN VETERANS DAY
SPONSOR(s): TARR
02/20/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/19 (H) MLV, CRA
03/05/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/05/19 (H) Heard & Held
03/05/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/07/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/07/19 (H) Moved HB 56 Out of Committee
03/07/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/08/19 (H) MLV RPT 7DP
03/08/19 (H) DP: THOMPSON, KOPP, RAUSCHER, TARR,
JACKSON, TUCK, LEDOUX
03/28/19 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
03/28/19 (H) Heard & Held
03/28/19 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/02/19 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
04/02/19 (H) Moved HB 56 Out of Committee
04/02/19 (H) MINUTE(CRA)
04/03/19 (H) CRA RPT 7DP
04/03/19 (H) DP: THOMPSON, REVAK, KREISS-TOMKINS,
JACKSON, CLAMAN, HANNAN, DRUMMOND
04/22/19 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/22/19 (H) VERSION: HB 56
04/22/19 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/22/19 (S) STA
02/25/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 101
SHORT TITLE: MARCH 12: ASHLEY JOHNSON-BARR DAY
SPONSOR(s): OLSON
03/29/19 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/29/19 (S) STA
02/25/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 109
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY CHILDREN SCHOOL RESIDENCY WAIVER
SPONSOR(s): LEDOUX
03/25/19 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/25/19 (H) MLV, EDC
04/09/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/09/19 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/11/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/11/19 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/16/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/16/19 (H) Heard & Held
04/16/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
04/18/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/18/19 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/23/19 (H) MLV AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/23/19 (H) Moved CSHB 109(MLV) Out of Committee
04/23/19 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
04/24/19 (H) MLV RPT CS(MLV) NT 6DP
04/24/19 (H) DP: KOPP, THOMPSON, JACKSON, TARR,
TUCK, LEDOUX
05/08/19 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
05/08/19 (H) Heard & Held
05/08/19 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
05/10/19 (H) EDC AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106
05/10/19 (H) Moved CSHB 109(EDC) Out of Committee
05/10/19 (H) MINUTE(EDC)
05/11/19 (H) EDC RPT CS(EDC) NT 3DP 1NR 1AM
05/11/19 (H) DP: TUCK, DRUMMOND, STORY
05/11/19 (H) NR: HOPKINS
05/11/19 (H) AM: REVAK
02/03/20 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
02/03/20 (H) VERSION: CSHB 109(EDC) AM
02/05/20 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/05/20 (S) STA, EDC
02/18/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/18/20 (S) Heard & Held
02/18/20 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/25/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 169
SHORT TITLE: LICENSE PLATES: COUNCIL ON ARTS
SPONSOR(s): STEVENS
01/29/20 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/29/20 (S) EDC, STA, FIN
02/06/20 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/06/20 (S) Heard & Held
02/06/20 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
02/13/20 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/13/20 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/18/20 (S) EDC AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205
02/18/20 (S) Moved CSSB 169(EDC) Out of Committee
02/18/20 (S) MINUTE(EDC)
02/18/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/18/20 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/19/20 (S) EDC RPT CS 5DP NEW TITLE
02/19/20 (S) DP: STEVENS, BEGICH, COSTELLO, COGHILL,
HUGHES
02/20/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/20/20 (S) Heard & Held
02/20/20 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/25/20 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
SHAWN AYERS, Staff
Senator John Coghill
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Delivered the sponsor statement for SJR 14.
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 56.
PASERT LEE, President and Founder
Hmong Alaska Community, Inc.
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 56.
MAI XIONG
Hmong Alaska Community, Inc.
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 56.
SENATOR DONNY OLSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 101.
SETH BEAVER, Staff
Senator Donny Olson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced SB 101 on behalf of the sponsor.
LEWIS JAMES PAGEL, representing self
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 101.
ANTHONY CRAVALHO, representing self
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 101.
WALTER SCOTTY DANIEL BARR
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified as the father of Ashley Johnson-
Barr to encourage passage of SB 101 establishing March 12 as
Ashley Johnson-Barr Day.
CHRIS DANKMEYER, representing self
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 101.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 109.
SENATOR GARY STEVENS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 169.
JOANNE OLSEN, Interim Director
Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Administration (DOA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
169.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:18 PM
CHAIR JOSHUA REVAK called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Coghill, Wilson, Kawasaki, and Chair Revak.
SJR 14-CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE
3:33:34 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 14, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of
the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto.
3:34:05 PM
SENATOR JOHN COGHILL, speaking as sponsor of SJR 14, said this
is a balance of power issue. The Constitution of the State of
Alaska is meant to protect the voice of both the majority and
the minority in the legislature, but it was always contemplated
that the voice of the people would have a chance to rule. Last
year for the first time he can recall, the governor and a
minority of the legislature was able to throttle the voice of a
significant majority of the people of Alaska. He brought SJR 14
forward on that account.
3:36:05 PM
SHAWN AYERS, Staff, Senator John Coghill, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read the following sponsor
statement for SJR 14:
SJR 14 lowers the threshold for overriding the
governor's veto of appropriations to two-thirds of the
membership of the legislature. This sets the standard
for veto overrides of appropriations in line with the
existing threshold for non-appropriation vetoes and
mirrors the majority of other states in the nation.
The Constitution of Alaska gives the governor more
power than any other state. He appoints his cabinet,
the Attorney General, Boards and Commissions, Judges
and the Board of Regents and appoints two members of
the redistricting board. Few state constitutions grant
as much authority to the governor as Alaska does. This
is because most of the other constitutions were
written with a history of tyrannical or corrupt
executives in mind.
Alaska is the only state or territory in the United
States that requires three-fourths of the
legislature's membership vote to override
appropriation bill vetoes.
It is essential that the constitutionally granted
separation of powers between legislative and executive
branches be beneficially rebalanced.
3:37:22 PM
SENATOR COGHILL said the sponsor statement points out that
Alaska is the only state in the union that has a three-quarter
vote threshold in the constitution to override a governor's veto
on appropriations. The Constitutional Convention minutes
indicate that the delegates wanted a very strong executive which
was appropriate at the time when Alaska needed a strong voice to
talk to the federal government. He emphasized that SJR 14 does
not diminish the power of the governor. It does reduce the very
high three-quarter's vote threshold to override appropriation
vetoes that demonstrably throttled a significant voice of the
people last year. He opined that a two-thirds threshold to
override a governor's appropriation veto is still very high.
3:41:41 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no questions and stated he would hold SJR 14
for future consideration.
HB 56-ESTABLISH HMONG-AMERICAN VETERANS DAY
3:42:23 PM
CHAIR REVAK announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 56,
"An Act establishing May 15 of each year as Hmong-American
Veterans Day."
3:42:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GERAN TARR, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 56, introduced HB 56 speaking to the
following sponsor statement:
House Bill 56 recognizes and honors the Hmong veterans
who fought alongside the United States during the
Vietnam War, by proclaiming that May 15th be
recognized throughout the State of Alaska as Hmong-
American Veterans Day, for this year and years to
come.
There are an estimated 260,000 Hmong-Americans living
in the United States with an estimated 3,500 Hmong-
Americans living in Alaska. Many of these Alaskans are
veterans and all have been impacted by the legacy of
the Hmong fighting for the United States in the
Vietnam War. Beginning in the 1960's, the Central
Intelligence Agency began recruiting Hmong people to
help U.S. soldiers in the fight against communism.
Between 1962 and 1975, about 12,000 Hmong soldiers
died fighting against the Laotians. After the US
withdrawal from Vietnam in 1975, the Lao kingdom was
overthrown by the communist party and the Hmong became
targets. The Hmong people were displaced and forced to
relocate from Laos to Thailand, with some ending up in
UN refugee camps. It has been estimated that 30,000
Hmong were killed by the communists while trying to
reach refuge in Thailand. All in all, over 100,000
Hmong people died as a result of both the Vietnam and
"Secret" Wars.
The Hmong people put their faith in the United States
government, which promised them citizenship and
veteran status after the war. It's taken over fifty
years for them to receive the rights they were
promised at that time, but still- we must do better.
By recognizing May 15th as Hmong-American Veteran's
Day, we can celebrate and honor the Hmong who were
lost, the sacrifices made to this country, while
bringing pride to their families.
We ask for your support for HB56, recognizing May 15th
as Hmong-American Veterans' Day.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR read the following paragraph from a
Legislative Research report:
The U.S government kept the Secret War in Laos
confidential until 1997. On May 15, 1997, the U.S.
government publicly acknowledged that it had supported
a prolonged air and ground campaign against the North
Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong from Laos, and in honor
of the Hmong and other combat veterans from the Secret
War, dedicated the Laos Memorial on the grounds of
th
Arlington National Cemetery. As a result, May 15 has
become an historic date for Hmong veterans, since it
represents the fist time that the United States
government officially and publicly recognized the
contributions of these soldiers who fought alongside
the Americans during the Vietnam War.
She highlighted the letters that are online from people
supporting this effort.
3:46:26 PM
CHAIR REVAK invited Mr. Lee to provide testimony.
3:46:59 PM
PASERT LEE, President and Founder, Hmong Alaska Community, Inc.,
Anchorage, Alaska, stated that he is testifying in support of HB
56 to establish May 15 as Hmong-American Veterans Day. He has
celebrated this day for seven years now. He reported that the
Hmong volunteered to support the CIA during the Vietnam War in
Indochina and 35,000 lost their lives. In conclusion he
expressed hope that May 15 would become officially recognized as
Hmong-Veterans Day.
3:49:30 PM
MAI XIONG, Hmong Alaska Community, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska,
stated support for HB 56 establishing May 15 as Hmong-American
Veterans Day. The Hmong community has been celebrating May 15
for seven years and would like it to be permanently designated.
When the war ended on May 15, 1975, the military left Laos. Many
Hmong veterans died during that war. She expressed hope that the
bill would be signed into law on May 15.
CHAIR REVAK offered his understanding that more Hmong lost their
lives in the war than American soldiers. He mentioned that Mr.
Lee was wounded several times fighting in support of and saving
the lives of American soldiers, and he expressed appreciation
for his service and what he does in the community.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR thanked him for his service.
3:53:12 PM
CHAIR REVAK opened public testimony and after ascertaining no
one from the public wished to testify, closed public testimony
on HB 56. He noted that the bill has one zero fiscal note from
the Department of Administration. He solicited the will of the
committee.
SENATOR COGHILL commented on the number of days that are
celebrated in commemoration of the military which shows that
Alaskans honor people who have served their country.
3:54:44 PM
SENATOR COGHILL moved to report HB 56, work order 31-LS0338\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note.
3:55:02 PM
CHAIR REVAK found no objection and HB 56 was reported from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
3:55:15 PM
At ease
SB 101-MARCH 12: ASHLEY JOHNSON-BARR DAY
3:56:41 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 101, "An Act establishing March
12 of each year as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day."
3:57:17 PM
SENATOR DONNY OLSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 101, stated that his district includes the
community of Kotzebue where Ashley Johnson-Barr was living at
the time of her tragic death.
3:57:50 PM
SETH BEAVER, Staff, Senator Donny Olson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska introduced SB 101 on behalf of the
sponsor paraphrasing the following sponsor statement:
SB 101 establishes March 12th as Ashley Johnson-Barr
Day to commemorate the life of young Ashley Johnson-
Barr, who was taken from this world too soon at ten
years old.
In an unimaginable time of grief and loss, communities
across the state and nation joined the family and
friends of Ashley in support. While loss is
overwhelming, there is comfort in knowing progress can
be made in ensuring that other children will not
encounter the same tragedy.
SB 101 aims to bring light surrounding tragedy.
Establishing Ashley Johnson-Barr Day brings awareness
surrounding violent crimes committed against children
and highlights that individuals hold a moral
responsibility to make sure Alaska's children are
protected. It is complementary to the annual Sexual
Assault Awareness Resolution that passes the
legislature every year. Additionally, it brings
awareness to the missing and murdered indigenous women
across North America. 84.3% of Alaska Native/Native
American women experience violence in their lifetime,
a percentage we desperately need to reduce.
Honoring Ashley's life by wearing her favorite color
purple, volunteering for child abuse prevention
organizations, and celebrating the liveliness and
youthfulness of Alaska's children are all appropriate
ways to spend Ashley Johnson-Barr Day.
3:59:41 PM
SENATOR COGHILL asked the sponsor if he was working with
organizations statewide to spread this message.
SENATOR OLSON replied he plans to do that, but the focus now is
to get the resolution signed on or before Ashley Johnson-Barr's
birthday on March 12. This will provide comfort to her family
and others who have lost children through [sexual] violence.
SENATOR COGHILL offered to help spread the message beyond the
Kotzebue region.
SENATOR OLSON commented that tragedies like this happen far too
often throughout the state. He agreed with the governor's
statement that perpetrators should be on notice.
4:03:33 PM
At ease
4:04:05 PM
CHAIR REVAK reconvened the meeting and passed the gavel to Vice
Chair Coghill.
4:04:27 PM
VICE CHAIR COGHILL opened public testimony on SB 101.
4:04:53 PM
LEWIS JAMES PAGEL, City of Kotzebue, Kotzebue, Alaska, stated
that this tragedy shows how people from all walks of life can
come together and work for the greater good. The support for
this resolution has not dwindled but rather has spread across
the state, nation, and other countries. He expressed hope that
establishing March 12 as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day not only brings
awareness of violence against children but also serves as a
reminder that humanity can show compassion and that the world
has more good in it than bad.
4:06:49 PM
ANTHONY CRAVALHO, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, expressed
appreciation that SB 101 has bipartisan support because this
issue is not political. He related that for more than 15 years
he has advocated for measures relating to sexual assault and
supporting victim services in Kotzebue. He said this is often
very sad and difficult work because the Kotzebue region has the
highest rate of felony sexual assault offenses in the state, but
Ashley's story is the saddest he is experienced. Establishing
Ashley Johnson-Barr Day is about remembering one young girl
raising awareness and starting meaningful discussions about the
welfare of Alaskan children and the sexual assault challenges
some of them face. He pointed out that children who survive
sexual assault often are traumatized into adulthood and this
trauma can affect future generations. He cited the latest Alaska
Felony Sexual Offense Report that shows that 42 percent of
Alaska Native females (like Ashley) are sexual assault victims.
This is the highest rate of any gender or racial group in the
state.
MR. CRAVALHO said he is calling as a father, an advocate, and
the chair of the Kotzebue Advisory School Council to ask for
support for SB 101. This will help recognize all sexual assault
victims and bring other stories of sexual assault into the light
Addressing Senator Coghill's earlier question, he said the
Maniilaq Association in partnership with the Alaska Children's
Trust and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
(CDVSA) has done some outreach in coordination with the family.
VICE CHAIR COGHILL thanked him for his work.
4:11:02 PM
WALTER SCOTTY DANIEL BARR, Maniilaq Association, Kotzebue,
Alaska, testified as the father of Ashley Johnson-Barr to
encourage the committee to pass SB 101 to establish March 12 as
Ashley Johnson-Barr Day. It will bring awareness and help
prevent further sexual violence against children. He thanked the
sponsor for his advocacy and the many people around the state
and nation who have reached out in support. This is one thing
that may help stop the epidemic [of sexual violence] that has
gone on for decades, he said.
VICE CHAIR COGHILL extended his condolences and expressed hope
that this effort will help rid the state of this scourge.
SENATOR OLSON expressed hope that commemorating Ashley Johnson-
Barr on March 12 would help end this epidemic of evil.
4:17:35 PM
CHRIS DANKMEYER, representing self, Kotzebue, Alaska, stated
that all Alaskans suffered through the tragic loss of 10-year-
old Ashley Johnson-Barr. He said the local, state, and federal
response as well as the candlelight vigils were witness to the
outpouring of love and support to the Johnson-Barr family. The
color purple, Ashley's favorite color, gained meaning and became
a symbol of strength. He emphasized that Alaska must not
tolerate the high rates of missing and murdered indigenous women
and girls, the high rates of domestic violence and sexual
assault, or any violent crimes against children. This measure
highlights the moral responsibility to protect Alaska's children
by demonstrating that "Enough is enough."
VICE CHAIR COGHILL closed public testimony on SB 101 and
solicited the will of the committee.
4:20:05 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI moved to report SB 101, work order 31-LS0752\M,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note(s).
VICE CHAIR COGHILL stated that without objection, SB 101 was
reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee
4:20:31 PM
HB 109-MILITARY CHILDREN SCHOOL RESIDENCY WAIVER
4:22:32 PM
VICE CHAIR COGHILL reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 109(EDC) am, "An Act
relating to residency requirements for public school enrollment
for certain children of active duty military and National Guard
members." [This was the second hearing.]
4:23:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of HB 109, summarized that HB 109 allows military
families that have received orders to register their children in
Alaska schools before they arrive in the state. This is
important so these students are able to enroll in classes or
attend a charter school before classes are filled.
She noted the follow-up responses to questions raised during the
previous hearing that was distributed to the committee.
VICE CHAIR COGHILL responded that the members received a memo
from Legislative Legal Services confirming that the residency
waiver established in the bill only applies to school admission.
It does not make the student a state resident for purposes of
receiving a permanent fund dividend. He also noted the
information from the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED) about the timeline for charter school
lotteries. Finding no questions, he solicited the will of the
committee.
4:25:22 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI moved to report HB 109, work order 31-
LS0728\K.A, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
VICE CHAIR COGHILL stated that without objection, CSHB 109(EDC)
am was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee.
4:25:50 PM
At ease
SB 169-LICENSE PLATES: COUNCIL ON ARTS
4:27:06 PM
VICE CHAIR COGHILL reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 169, "An Act relating to
special request registration plates celebrating the arts; and
relating to the Alaska State Council on the Arts." [This was the
second hearing.]
4:27:32 PM
SENATOR GARY STEVENS, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 169, summarized that this bill came at the request
of the Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA). It would amend
the existing license plate statute to allow ASCA supporters to
provide the council with a little more revenue, provide a means
for the ASCA to have legal representation consistent with other
state agencies, and holds harmless the private funds the ASCA
receives from the Executive Budget Act.
VICE CHAIR COGHILL listed who was available to answer questions.
4:29:20 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked the Division of Motor Vehicles
representative whether older, in stock, ASCA license plates will
continue to be sold for the council so there is not a warehouse
of unsold plates in inventory.
4:29:52 PM
JOANNE OLSEN, Interim Director, Division of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Administration (DOA), Anchorage, Alaska, confirmed
that DMV will try and sell all the license plates it has in
inventory.
VICE CHAIR COGHILL solicited the will of the committee.
4:30:49 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI moved to report SB 169, work order 31-LS1433\U,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
4:31:09 PM
VICE CHAIR COGHILL found no objection and CSSB 169(EDC) was
reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
4:31:16 PM
At ease
4:32:10 PM
VICE CHAIR COGHILL reconvened the meeting and reviewed the
schedule for the next week.
4:32:33 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Vice Chair Coghill adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 4:32 p.m.