Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/03/2026 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB237 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 237 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
MARCH 3, 2026
3:32 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Scott Kawasaki, Chair
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Vice Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Cathy Tilton
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 237
"An Act relating to data sharing by the Department of
Administration for driver's license data verification purposes;
and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED SB 237 OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 237
SHORT TITLE: DATA SHARING; SOCIAL SECURITY
SPONSOR(s): STATE AFFAIRS BY REQUEST
02/09/26 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/09/26 (S) STA, JUD
02/24/26 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/24/26 (S) Heard & Held
02/24/26 (S) MINUTE(STA)
03/03/26 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
JENNA COLQUHOUN, Staff
Senator Scott Kawasaki
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a brief recap for SB 237.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:26 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Bjorkman, Tilton, Wielechowski, Yundt and
Chair Kawasaki.
SB 237-DATA SHARING; SOCIAL SECURITY
3:32:58 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
237 "An Act relating to data sharing by the Department of
Administration for driver's license data verification purposes;
and providing for an effective date."
3:33:21 PM
JENNA COLQUHOUN, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a brief recap for SB 237.
She stated that the legislation would allow the sharing of
driver's license information with the Social Security
Administration, enabling Alaskans to apply for a Social Security
card online and have their documents verified without appearing
in person.
3:34:14 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked Senator Bjorkman if he wanted to introduce
the amendment.
3:34:18 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN replied he would like to speak to the
amendment.
3:34:40 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited a motion.
3:34:44 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 34-
LS1428\A.1:
34-LS1428\A.1
C. Radford
3/2/26
A M E N D M E N T 1
OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR BJORKMAN
TO: SB 237
Page 2, line 2, following "only":
Insert "(1) to confirm the information or verify the
identity of an individual who has voluntarily provided the
individual's driver's license or identification card to the
private entity; or
(2)"
3:34:48 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI objected for purposes of discussion.
3:35:05 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN stated that Amendment 1 would allow a person to
voluntarily opt into a service called CLEAR. He said CLEAR is an
additional fast screening service someone would find at an
airport. He read the amendment then commented that many states
successfully use CLEAR, and the data is only shared voluntarily,
as verified by a legal team.
3:36:28 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked for clarification, noting that the
amendment would allow a person to apply for CLEAR voluntarily,
which is already possible.
3:36:48 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN replied that he did not have an answer.
3:36:56 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI noted that CLEAR is a for-profit company
providing expedited lines for frequent travelers. People who pay
the $209 annual subscription and complete verification can use a
faster line alongside TSA Pre-Check. He explained that SB 237
only allows a single transaction between the Social Security
Administration and the state to issue a Social Security card. He
stated that he would not support Senator Bjorkman's amendment.
3:38:38 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked if Senator Bjorkman would like to withdraw
his amendment.
3:38:40 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN withdrew Amendment A.1.
3:38:46 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI stated Amendment A.1 was withdrawn.
3:38:58 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
3:39:00 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to report SB 237, work order 34-LS1428\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
3:39:19 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and SB 237 was reported from
the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
3:40:14 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Kawasaki adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 3:40 p.m.
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