02/04/2025 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR4 | |
| SB64 | |
| SB70 | |
| SB52 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HJR 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 64 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 70 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 52 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 4, 2025
3:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Scott Kawasaki, Chair
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Robert Yundt
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Bill Wielechowski
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4(RLS)
Urging the President of the United States, the United States
Secretary of the Interior, the United States Board on Geographic
Names, and the members of the state's delegation in Congress to
maintain Denali as the official name for the tallest mountain in
North America.
- MOVED CSHJR 4(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 64
"An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to
voting; relating to voter preregistration for minors at least 16
years of age; relating to voter registration; relating to the
Alaska Public Offices Commission; relating to synthetic media in
electioneering communications; relating to campaign signs;
relating to public official financial disclosures; relating to
the crime of unlawful interference with voting in the first
degree; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 70
"An Act relating to regional educational attendance area
elections; relating to terms for members of regional school
boards; relating to voter residence; relating to voter
registration; relating to the inclusion of voter registration
forms in permanent fund dividend applications; relating to
election administration; relating to ballot counting; relating
to absentee voting; relating to early voting; relating to voting
by mail; relating to publication of election pamphlets; and
relating to confidential information in voter registration
records."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 52
"An Act relating to the day on which ballots are counted in an
election; relating to absentee voting; and relating to early
voting."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HJR 4
SHORT TITLE: RES. TO MAINTAIN DENALI AS OFFICIAL NAME
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) DIBERT
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) RLS
01/27/25 (H) RLS RPT CS(RLS) NEW TITLE 4DP 3AM
01/27/25 (H) DP: EDGMON, KOPP, SCHRAGE, STUTES
01/27/25 (H) AM: VANCE, COSTELLO, TILTON
01/27/25 (H) RLS AT 8:30 AM GRUENBERG 120
01/27/25 (H) Moved CSHJR 4(RLS) Out of Committee
01/27/25 (H) MINUTE(RLS)
01/29/25 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
01/29/25 (H) VERSION: CSHJR 4(RLS)
01/29/25 (S) STA WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE,RULE
23
01/30/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/30/25 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
01/31/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/31/25 (S) STA
02/04/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 64
SHORT TITLE: ELECTIONS
SPONSOR(s): RULES
01/24/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/25 (S) STA, FIN
01/30/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/30/25 (S) Heard & Held
01/30/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/04/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 70
SHORT TITLE: SCHOOL&ELECTION BDS; VOTING; ELECTIONS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/24/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/25 (S) STA, FIN
01/30/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/30/25 (S) Heard & Held
01/30/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/04/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SB 52
SHORT TITLE: ABSENTEE BALLOTS
SPONSOR(s): HUGHES
01/24/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/24/25 (S) STA, FIN
01/29/25 (S) STA WAIVED PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE,RULE
23
01/30/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/30/25 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/04/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
SUE SHERRIF, President
League of Women Voters of Alaska (LWVAK)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 64.
ED MARTIN, representing self
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 64.
BARBARA HANEY, representing self
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 64.
RANDY RUEDRICH, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 64.
RITA TROMETTER, representing self
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 64.
RANDY RUEDRICH, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 70.
RITA TROMETTER, representing self
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 70.
ELEILIA PRESTON, Staff
Senator Shelley Hughes
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview of SB 52.
SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES, District M
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 52.
CAROL BEECHER, Director
Division of Elections
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 52.
ANTHONY REYNOLDS, representing self
Dillingham, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 52.
ERICA AUS, representing self
Unalaska Dutch Harbor, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to SB 52.
RANDY RUEDRICH, representing self
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 52.
RITA TROMETTER, representing self
North Pole, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified with concerns on SB 52.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:31:18 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Bjorkman, Gray-Jackson, Yundt and Chair
Kawasaki
HJR 4-RES. TO MAINTAIN DENALI AS OFFICIAL NAME
3:32:54 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 4(RLS) Urging the President of the United States,
the United States Secretary of the Interior, the United States
Board on Geographic Names, and the members of the state's
delegation in Congress to maintain Denali as the official name
for the tallest mountain in North America.
3:33:34 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on HJR 4; finding none,
he closed public testimony on HJR 4.
3:34:17 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
3:34:18 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to report CSHJR 4(RLS), work order 34-
LS0339\G, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note(s).
3:34:36 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and CSHJR 4(RLS) was reported
from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
3:34:50 PM
At ease.
SB 64-ELECTIONS
3:35:11 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 64 "An Act relating to
elections; relating to voters; relating to voting; relating to
voter preregistration for minors at least 16 years of age;
relating to voter registration; relating to the Alaska Public
Offices Commission; relating to synthetic media in
electioneering communications; relating to campaign signs;
relating to public official financial disclosures; relating to
the crime of unlawful interference with voting in the first
degree; and providing for an effective date."
3:35:43 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 64.
3:36:03 PM
SUE SHERRIF, President, League of Women Voters of Alaska
(LWVAK), Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in support of SB 64. She
read the following written testimony:
[Original punctuation provided.]
We highlight three provisions of the bill that will
offer the State Division of Elections means of
improving the likelihood that a citizen's vote will be
counted at relatively low or no cost to the State:
1.Prepaid postage for absentee and mail-in ballots.
The fact that some ballots require more postage than
the standard stamp, that fewer people today
communicate by traditional mail and may not have
stamps on hand, and that postal service in many areas
of the state is contracted and may have limited hours
of service, while in other communities there may not
be local sales of postage stamps at all, means that
this proposal is a low-cost way to easily erase one
obstacle in the voting process.
2.Elimination of the signature requirement for
absentee and mail-in ballots. The Division of
Elections should use its resources to verify voters'
identities and should not rely on an often-illegible
signature of a witness who is not identified in any
other meaningful way on the cover envelope for mailed
ballots. The requirement puts up an unnecessary
barrier to some people who live by themselves or who
may be out of state or country, and this requirement
has in fact caused the rejection of the votes of
otherwise eligible and qualified voters.
3.A ballot cure process. Such a process would ensure
that the Division of Elections looks for problems with
return envelope identification information before the
election and, like 24 other states and the
Municipality of Anchorage, allows voters the chance to
provide missing information before their votes are
discarded. Currently the work of the Division of
Elections to identify problems is already established
but takes place after the election with no recourse
for the voters when they have been notified that their
vote did not count.
These three provisions along with others in the bill
will work to make voting more accessible to Alaskans
who wish to vote in the elections that the Alaska
Division of Elections works so diligently to ensure
are safe and secure.
3:40:00 PM
ED MARTIN, representing self, Kenai, Alaska testified with
concerns on SB 64. He stated that first, there's concern about
election division security and transparency, particularly
regarding mail-in ballots. He urged the legislature to pass a
resolution urging the President to issue an executive order
assigning postmasters as chain-of-custody officers for all
ballots. Second, he submitted a Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) request on November 2 emailed followed up questions about
WPX Security and wants an answer from the Division. Third, he
stated that the election pamphlet needs correcting. He said he
had concerns about precinct labeling discrepancies for election
reporting.
3:44:36 PM
BARBARA HANEY, representing self, North Pole, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 64. She stated that first, the synthetic
media section (page 22, line 8) is too broad. This section
should be reconsidered or removedit's not the Division of
Elections' role and better suited for Alaska Public Offices
Commission (APOC). Second, the signage limit (page 25, line 22)
is unfair. Political signs are capped at 32 sq. ft., while
others (like business signs) can be 66 sq. ft. She stated that
for fair political visibility, the size limit should match
federal standards.
3:50:25 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI mentioned that the committee had some discussion
on the synthetic media section of the bill. He stated that there
are other similar bills moving through the committee, and the
committee would cover artificial intelligence in more depth
during another meeting. He stated that the 32 sq. ft. sign
limit, ties to an Alaska Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) case and
current billboard law.
3:51:50 PM
RANDY RUEDRICH, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 64. He stated that the witness signature on
absentee and mail-in ballots plays a key role in verifying the
voter's identity and without it, there's no other signature
verification in our process. He stated that in the last election
there were only 512 witness signature issues so given this low
rejection rate, there's no need for a complicated cure process
that adds confusion and cost.
3:56:38 PM
RITA TROMETTER, representing self, North Pole, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 64. She stated that Section 38 seems to
reject progress. AI, or "synthetic media," is a modern tool
widely used in the 2024 general election. She said we should
evolve with technology, as we do with computers. She stated that
Section 39 restricts free speech by limiting campaign sign size
on private property. A 32 sq. ft. sign isn't visible from a
highway if it's set back for beautification laws. She said
limiting signs during campaign season downplays the election's
importance and may conflict with past court rulings supporting
larger signs on private land.
3:59:11 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 64 in committee.
SB 70-SCHOOL&ELECTION BDS; VOTING; ELECTIONS
4:00:06 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 70
"An Act relating to regional educational attendance area
elections; relating to terms for members of regional school
boards; relating to voter residence; relating to voter
registration; relating to the inclusion of voter registration
forms in permanent fund dividend applications; relating to
election administration; relating to ballot counting; relating
to absentee voting; relating to early voting; relating to voting
by mail; relating to publication of election pamphlets; and
relating to confidential information in voter registration
records."
4:00:25 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 70.
4:00:56 PM
RANDY RUEDRICH, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 70. He stated that he's in support of:
• REAA election change of moving the election year to the odd
years.
• change in the registration process
• requiring absentee ballots by election day.
He stated that he is concerned with cutting 5 days of early
voting. He suggested verifying no duplicate voting and
processing those votes by Friday after the election. He stated
that he opposes:
• permanent absentee ballot system
• same-day voter registration
4:09:10 PM
RITA TROMETTER, representing self, North Pole, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 70. She opined that a 4-year school board
term is too long and 3 years is a perfect timeframe. She stated
that PFD applicants should only be added to voter rolls if they
check the box to register. She said that a real recount involves
a hand count and mass mail in ballots are wasteful and prone to
abuse.
4:13:51 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 70 in committee.
4:14:42 PM
At ease.
SB 52-ABSENTEE BALLOTS
4:15:30 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 52 "An Act relating to the day
on which ballots are counted in an election; relating to
absentee voting; and relating to early voting."
4:15:48 PM
ELEILIA PRESTON, Staff, Senator Shelley Hughes, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented an overview for SB 52.
She read slides 2-6.
4:16:17 PM
MS. PRESTON moved to slide 2:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Overview
Purpose of the legislation: To require all ballots be
received and counted on election day which will
bolster voter confidence, election integrity, and the
perceived credibility of Alaska nationally.
4:16:30 PM
MS PRESTON moved to slide 3:
[Original punctuation provided.]
What Does it Do?
A Shift Toward Efficiency
Ballot Tabulation Deadline
All ballots must be counted and tabulated by 11:59
p.m. on election night.
Ballot Security
Ballots that are delayed for delivery because of
weather or mechanical issues must be monitored by a
video recording device.
Early Voting Adjustments
Early voting timeline will be revised for early voting
to accommodate the new counting deadline.
4:17:02 PM
MS PRESTON moved to slide 4:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Handling Ballots Under Adverse Conditions
Ensuring Election Integrity in Challenging Scenarios
Transparent Storage
Ballots delayed by weather or mechanical issues must
be stored in transparent containers.
Continuous Video Monitoring
Stored ballots are monitored using video recording for
added security.
First-Day Delivery Post-Resolution
Delayed ballots must be delivered at the earliest
opportunity.
4:17:57 PM
MS. PRESTON moved to slide 5:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Current Challenges in Ballot Handling
Delayed Vote Counts: Existing laws allow delays in
ballot counting, reducing public trust in results.
Adverse Weather Impact: Alaska's remote areas and
extreme weather often hinder timely ballot transport.
Transparency Concerns: Inconsistent storage and
transport methods lead to doubts about ballot
security.
4:18:33 PM
MS. PRESTON moved to slide 6:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The Journey of the Ballot
Absentee Ballots
Civilian Ballots -- Day 10 Counted on Day 7,10,&15
Overseas Ballots -- Day 15 Counted on Day 7,10,&15
Early Vote Ballots
Early Ballots -- Same Day (except final days)
Question Ballots
Ongoing
Certification Ballots
Election results are certified on Day 16 -- Day 22
Side Note: Early voters that cast a ballot after the
register is printed function as absentee ballots.
4:19:02 PM
SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES, District M, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, as sponsor she continued the introduction of SB
52. She stated that in current statutes there is nothing about a
deadline for counting or reporting ballots. After a discussion
with Ms. Beecher, it was determined that the 11:59 [pm] deadline
was unrealistic due to the review board needing time to address
the arrival of absentee and questionable ballots. She said the
goal of SB 52 is to report results sooner. She stated it is
possible and with enough staff most results could be in by
election night or early morning, excluding final-day absentee
and questioned ballots. The goal is to boost voter confidence,
national credibility, and avoid delays that affect federal
delegate seniority.
4:23:02 PM
SENATOR HUGHES recommended the review board needs to get started
earlier to work on the absentee ballots.
4:23:38 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked when the board begins the ballot review
process and whether it is governed by statute or regulation.
4:23:59 PM
SENATOR HUGHES answered currently the board start 7 days in
advance, the governors bill suggest 10 days, and Ms Beecher
recommends 12 days in advance.
4:24:15 PM
SENATOR YUNDT asked what a reasonable deadline is for completing
ballot counting.
4:24:36 PM
SENATOR HUGHES answered Ms. Beecher was hesitant to have a short
deadline of 48 hours. She said Ms. Beecher wouldn't be as
concerned about a short deadline if they could hire more staff.
She suggested leaving off a deadline.
4:25:29 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI commented on how election day works in Fairbanks.
He stated 50 people, including volunteers, are staffed during
the election period. Staffing returns to 2 people after election
day. He asked whether the timeline is legitimate or is there an
existing structure that can absorb them.
4:26:11 PM
CAROL BEECHER, Director, Division of Elections, Anchorage,
Alaska, provided information related to SB 52. She stated she is
hesitant to set a firm deadline because many variables affect
when ballots are received. She said the absentee ballot process
has three steps: verification, sorting, and board review. The
division checks the certification on the envelope and sorts
ballots by precinct and date. Challenges are addressed at the
time the absentee ballot review takes place with the division
director required to be onsite. Next, ballots are opened and
prepared for scanning. She stated that if the Division of
Elections started reviewing 10 days before the election and
required ballots by election day, the division could do most of
the work ahead of timeleaving only election day ballots and
question ballots to be handled afterward, unlike now where
processing continues up to 15 days post-election.
4:29:04 PM
SENATOR HUGHES stated her belief that SB 52 is a good concept
for Alaska. She stated that after speaking with Ms. Beecher, she
recommends striking from Section Eight, page 4, the proposed
increase in overseas outgoing mailing days from 45 to 60 days
and domestic outgoing mailing from 30 to 45. She also suggested
keeping ballot return transportation methods flexible by
allowing alternatives to air transport.
4:30:40 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 52.
4:30:57 PM
ANTHONY REYNOLDS, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska,
testified with concerns on SB 52. He expressed concern that SB
52 sets an Election Day deadline for absentee ballots, which
could harm rural Alaska. As a logistics worker, he noted
frequent delays from weather, mail, staffing, and plane issues
and could prevent ballots from arriving on time. In Dillingham,
for example, some ballots weren't counted due to missing
postmarks, a result of post office errors. He urged improving
rural mail logistics before changing the law and called for some
deadline flexibility to ensure fair counting.
4:34:40 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked if Dillingham has early voting stations.
4:35:00 PM
MR. REYNOLDS answered Dillingham does but villages outside of
Dillingham do not. He opined that SB 52 would be detrimental to
people living in villages since they often do not have early
election voting sites and sometimes only have an election
official available a few hours a day for in person voting.
4:36:48 PM
ERICA AUS, representing self, Unalaska Dutch Harbor, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 52. She stated that the bill would
impact rural Alaska due to frequent mail delays and plane issues
that can backlog of mail for weeks. She stated that rural areas
also face staffing shortages, making a strict 11:59 p.m.
deadline unrealistic. SB 52 shortens early voting, which hurts
residents who travel or work long shifts.
4:39:19 PM
RANDY RUEDRICH, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 52. He stated SB 52 could be incorporated
into SB 70.
4:40:14 PM
RITA TROMETTER, representing self, North Pole, Alaska, testified
with concerns on SB 52. She said she supports efforts to improve
elections but believes results should not take 1015 days after
Election Day and supports requiring photo ID to vote. She stated
it would be best if absentee ballots are received, not just
postmarked, by Election Day. Rural voters must be better
informed to vote early. She criticized re-scanning ballots as
inaccurate and called for partial hand counts to verify machine
results.
4:44:17 PM
SENATOR HUGHES noted her experience living in rural Alaska and
acknowledged mail delays but stated mail service is faster now.
She agreed with the previous testifier that Alaskans would need
to plan ahead.
4:45:16 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 52 in committee.
4:45:24 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI kept public testimony open on SB 52.
4:47:14 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kawasaki adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 4:47 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HJR004B.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| CSHJR4 (RLS) Version G Explanation of Changes 1.26.25.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR 4 Sponsor Statement 1.26.25.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR004B.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| HJR4 Fiscal Note-LEG-SESS-01-24-2025.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| EF Resolution Opposing the Renaming of Denali.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
|
| HJR 4 Support.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
HJR 4 |
| Support letter. Public Citizen SB 64.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| public testimony SB 70.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 70 |
| Support letters SB 52.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 52 |
| SB 52 Support letters3.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 52 |
| SB 64 Public Testimony.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| Support.letters SB 64.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| SB 64 opposition letters.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| SB 64 Letter of Support_Native Movement (002).pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| Letters of support SB 64.3.13.25pdf.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| SB 64. Ltr addressing pros.and cons.3.13.25.pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| SB64 Letter of Support 2-3-25(2).pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 64 |
| SB 52 Sponsor Statement (updated).pdf |
SSTA 2/4/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 52 |