HB 118-EXPANDING PRISONER ACCESS TO COMPUTERS  3:07:48 PM CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 118, "An Act relating to state identifications and driver's licenses for persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections; relating to the duties of the commissioner of corrections; relating to living conditions for prisoners; and providing for an effective date." 3:08:37 PM CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS moved to adopt Amendment 1, [labeled 32- LS0024\B.2, Radford, 4/1/21], which read: Page 7, lines 1 - 2: Delete "[(A) OBTAINING STATE IDENTIFICATION; (B)]" Insert "(A) obtaining state identification if one  or more prisoners will not otherwise possess a valid  state identification card upon release;  (B)" REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN objected for the purpose of discussion. 3:09:40 PM LINDSAY BIRK, Staff, Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Kreiss Tomkins, prime sponsor of HB 118, said the in its current form, the bill would remove a mandatory tutorial on how to receive a state identification (ID) card. Amendment 1 would reinsert that language into the bill, such that a prisoner without a valid ID would participate in a mandatory tutorial before leaving prison, which would teach him/her how to receive an ID. 3:10:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether the bill would assist prisoners with the renewal of their licenses online or by mail while incarcerated. MS. BIRK was unsure of the answer. 3:11:25 PM KELLY GOODE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Corrections, explained that state IDs are kept in the prisoners' property to be distributed upon release. She said institutional probation officers would work with the releasing inmates on how best to get a new ID. She added that prisoners would be given a voucher that allows the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to bill the Department of Corrections (DOC) for tasks, such as getting a new ID picture taken. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE clarified her question, asking whether license renewals could be accomplished while incarcerated or if the prisoners would have to wait "until they are under the care of the probation officer." MS. GOODE explained that the institutional probation officers (IPOs) work with prisoners inside the facilities. She shared her understanding that there would be no action taken on a request for a license renewal; however, the IPO would work with prisoners prior to release on the best way to get a valid ID. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE observed that being unable to renew one's license while incarcerated could be an unrecognized hurdle, which creates further obstacles once released. She surmised that assisting with renewals could ease some of the burden that this legislation is attempting to address. MS. GOODE clarified that DOC is capable of assisting with a prisoner's ID renewal when necessary. 3:15:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN sought to clarify the purpose of the following language in Amendment 1: "if one or more prisoners will not otherwise possess a valid state identification card upon release". MS. BIRK said the language indicates that if a prisoner [possesses a valid ID], he/she would not have to participate in the tutorial. She began to address the phrase "one or more" and asked whether that is Representative Claman's specific concern. REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN confirmed. He shared his belief that "one or more" wouldn't add anything to the bill because it's likely that, systemwide, there's at least one prisoner that may not have a valid ID card upon release. MS. BIRK was unsure whether "one or more" adds to or detracts from the bill. 3:16:58 PM The committee took an at-ease from 3:16 p.m. to 3:18 p.m. 3:18:25 PM CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS stated his understanding that the language in question suggests that if 100 percent of the releasing prisoners had ID cards, the training requirement would not apply; however, if one or more of the prisoners did not possess a valid ID, the tutorial would be required. He noted that in conversations with reentry groups, this was the preferred language. 3:20:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE KAUFMAN proposed replacing "one or more" with "any." He asked whether that would satisfy the sponsor's intent. CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS agreed that "any" would imply the same substantive meaning; however, he expressed no interest in changing the language. REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN voiced his support for the existing language in Amendment 1, as reentry groups had emphasized it's importance. CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS agreed. 3:21:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN withdrew his objection to the adoption of Amendment 1. Without further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 3:21:23 PM CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS moved to adopt Amendment 2, [labeled 32- LS0024\B.3, Radford, 4/1/21], which read: Page 4, lines 16 - 22: Delete all material and insert: "(11) make a good faith effort, in  consultation with the commissioner of administration,  to ensure [ASSIST] a prisoner has [IN OBTAINING] a valid state identification card upon the prisoner's  release; if the prisoner does not have a valid state identification card before the prisoner's release, [;] the department shall pay the application fee for the identification card; and" REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN objected for the purpose of discussion. 3:21:43 PM MS. BIRK informed the committee that Amendment 2 would clarify the bill's purpose by streamlining the language. 3:22:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN asked whether removing the language that requires DOC to assist prisoners serving terms of imprisonment "exceeding 120 days" would create problems for department. MS. GOODE said if the last 4 lines of Amendment 2 would allow the department to continue providing vouchers to prisoners who release in under 120 days, the department is supportive of the amendment. She asked if she interpreted the language correctly. REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN deferred to the department's expertise. 3:24:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE questioned whether removing the 120-day timeframe could increase the fiscal note due to an increased use of vouchers. MS. GOODE shared her belief that there would not be a significant difference in cost, adding that vouchers are already provided to any [inmate] who may need one. 3:25:25 PM REPRESENTATIVE CLAMAN removed his objection to the adoption of Amendment 2. Without further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. 3:25:43 PM CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that HB 118, as amended, was held over.