Legislature(2025 - 2026)DAVIS 106
02/06/2025 03:15 PM House HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB73 | |
| HB68 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 68 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 73 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 68-ALCOHOL: SALE, WARNING SIGNS
3:40:57 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 68, "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; and
relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic
beverages."
3:41:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS, as prime sponsor, presented HB 68.
Briefly touching on points from the sponsor statement [included
in the committee file], he noted that HB 68 mirrors legislation
that was vetoed last year by the governor for having passed "two
minutes after the midnight hour" [of the last day of session].
He said this legislation is broadly supported. It would allow
individuals under the age of 21 to serve alcohol, which has been
requested by restaurants and many in the hospitality industry.
The bill would maintain the warning signs that alcohol can cause
cancer. Further, it would address a license type for the
Alyeska Resort and cut red tape for the Performing Arts Center
in Anchorage, which would loosen restrictions on serving
alcohol. He noted that currently the companion bill, sponsored
by Senator Merrick, is in its third reading on the Senate floor.
3:43:44 PM
EVAN ANDERSON, Staff, Representative Zack Fields, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Fields, prime sponsor,
gave the sectional analysis for HB 68 [included in the committee
file], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Section 1. Amends AS 04.09.210(c) - Restaurant or
eating place license
Allows the board to issue or renew a license if there
is supervision on the premises to ensure that
those under 21 will not obtain alcoholic beverages
except if they are employed per new AS
04.09.049(d).
Section 2. Amends AS 04.09.210(d) - Restaurant or
eating place license
Authorizes the license holder to employ those aged 16
to 21 years but requires adequate
supervision to employees who are 16 or 17 years of
age, so they do not obtain alcoholic
beverages.
Section 3. Amends AS 04.09.250(c) Theater license
Expands the time period in which a theater license
holder may sell or serve alcoholic beverages
in designated areas. Removes intermission language.
Section 4. Amends AS 04.09.360(c) Seasonal
restaurant or eating place tourism license
Allows the board to issue or renew a license if there
is supervision on the premises to ensure that
those under 21 will not obtain alcoholic beverages
except if they are employed per new AS
04.09.049(d).
Section 5. Amends AS 04.09.360(f) Seasonal
restaurant or eating place tourism license
Authorizes the license holder to employ those aged 16
to 21 years but requires adequate
supervision to employees who are 16 or 17 years of
age, so they do not obtain alcoholic
beverages.
Section 6. Amends AS 04.09.450(d) Restaurant
endorsement
Allows the board to issue an endorsement if there is
supervision on the premises to ensure that
those under 21 will not obtain alcoholic beverages
except if they are employed per new AS
04.09.049(d).
Prepared by the Office of Representative Fields 2
Section 7. Amends AS 04.09.450(e) Restaurant
endorsement
Authorizes the license holder to employ those aged 16
to 21 years but requires adequate
supervision to employees who are 16 or 17 years of
age, so they do not obtain alcoholic
beverages.
Section 8. Amends AS 04.16.049(d) Access of persons
under the age of 21 to licensed
premises: Allows those who are aged 18, 19, or 20
employed by a licensee to serve, sell, deliver,
and dispense alcoholic beverages. Adds "and, other
than for the business that offers adult
entertainment" to ensure that adult entertainment
establishments are excluded.
Section 9. Amends AS 04.16.049(h) Access of persons
under the age of 21 to licensed
premises: Allows those under the age of 21 to be
present on the licensed premises of a theater
license holder if the person is at least 16 years of
age; if they are under 16, they must be
accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years of
age, and a parent or legal guardian of the
underaged person consents.
Section 10. Amends AS 04.16.052(a) Furnishing of
alcoholic beverages to persons under
the age of 21 by licensees: Allows licensees or an
agent or employee of the license to allow
another person to sell, barter, or give an alcoholic
beverage to a person under the age of 21 years
only under the provisions in AS 04.16.049(d).
Section 11. Amends 04.21.065(b) Posting of warning
signs
Requires that vendors of alcohol replace their sign
that reads: "WARNING: Drinking alcoholic
beverages such as beer, wine, wine coolers, and
distilled spirits or smoking cigarettes during
pregnancy can cause birth defects." with a new sign
that reads: "WARNING: Alcohol use during
pregnancy can cause birth defects. Alcohol use can
cause cancer, including breast and colon
cancers."
Section 12. Amends 04.21.080 Definitions
Adds paragraph (31) to read "business that offers
adult entertainment" has the meaning given in
AS 23.10.350(f).
Section 13. Repeals AS 04.09.250(d) - Theater license
Repeals the provision that prohibits the sale,
service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in
the audience viewing area of a theater.
3:47:21 PM
SARAH OATES-HARLOW, President/CEO, Alaska Cabaret, Hotel,
Restaurant, and Retailers Association (CHARR), testifying in
support of HB 68, gave a brief background regarding Alaska CHARR
and the hospitality industry in Alaska, including ongoing
challenges, such as increasing workforce shortages. She noted
that Alaska is one of only three states, along with Utah and
Nevada, that require a person to be 21 years of age or older to
serve alcohol. The industry is experiencing an outmigration of
young workers. She related her choice to remain in the Pacific
Northwest in the hospitality industry rather than returning home
to Alaska because she could make significantly more as a server
out of state, earning six figures Outside. She said HB 68 would
help hundreds of Alaska-owned establishments statewide, and she
requested that the committee support the bill with an immediate
effective date.
3:50:28 PM
DAVID MCCARTHY, Founder/CEO, Northern Hospitality Group, noted
the establishments under the umbrella of the group and suggested
that HB 68 could be a solution to Alaska's labor shortages.
More importantly, he suggested, concerns about [allowing younger
staff to serve alcohol] are already addressed through existing
systems and policies. He assured the committee that no one
under 21 is allowed to consume alcohol on premise. If the bill
were to pass, those 18 to 21 would be educated on the issue. He
posited that hospitality is "a noble career path" and the
service of others is important "to build a healthy and
sustainable community." He offered further details to that
effect. He noted that there are few industries outside of
hospitality that allow for such flexibility and wage potential,
and he reported that one in three start jobs are in the
industry. He concluded by stating his strong support for HB 68.
3:55:00 PM
CODIE COSTELLO, President/COO, Performing Arts Center (PAC);,
General Manager, Broadway Alaska, testified in support of HB 68.
She gave an overview of the offerings of the organizations with
which she is affiliated and the important economic impact of
them. She noted that under the current alcohol license, patrons
may drink alcohol only within the upper lobbies and within a
limited timeframe. The proposed bill would provide an updated
framework for the rules of the license, which would increase
service flexibility. She offered further details. She said
that beyond economic impact, HB 68 would increase operating
revenue that can be funneled back into the theatre, keep the
theatre license in line with national standards, and increases
the quality of patrons' experiences. Further, she said, "it is
a win for local businesses by expanding workforce and for the
art industry and the lively downtown experience we all help to
curate ...."
3:58:16 PM
MR. ANDERSON, in response to a question from Representative Prax
regarding Section 9 of the bill and an individual under 16,
offered his understanding that there are two different things at
play: the responsibility of staff over the age of 21 for
supervising the individual under 16 years of age; and a
requirement that the underage individual already have the
permission of a parent or guardian on file. He added that he
thinks that could be, but wouldn't have to be, the same person.
4:00:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRAY expressed gratitude to the sponsor for
including "my portion of the bill" [from the previous
legislature] in HB 68. He then opined that any information that
can be given regarding the harms of alcohol is a good thing.
4:02:31 PM
CHAIR MINA announced that HB 68 was held over.