Legislature(2017 - 2018)BUTROVICH 205
04/13/2017 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB106 | |
| HB148 | |
| HB78 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | HB 148 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 87 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 106 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 78-INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
4:01:30 PM
CHAIR MEYER called the committee back to order and announced the
consideration of HB 78.
4:02:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DEAN WESTLAKE, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 78, announced that his staff member,
Elizabeth Rexford, will provide the committee with a bill
overview.
4:03:22 PM
ELIZABETH REXFORD, Staff, Representative Westlake, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, explained that quite a few
municipalities and school districts have established their own
Indigenous Peoples Day and the thought was for the state to
adopt the designation as well to instill a positive move
forward.
MS. REXFORD detailed that HB 78 would establish a recognition
day on the second Monday of October, which is also Columbus Day.
She disclosed that the only negative feedback received was the
recognition of was indigenous people on a holiday that was
perceived as negative. She opined that recognizing Indigenous
Peoples Day on Columbus Day would invoke a positive response of
inclusivity, educate Alaskans, and provide a reason for everyone
to celebrate indigenous peoples' positive history.
4:06:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WESTLAKE emphasized that native communities have
always been inclusive. He asserted that there is nothing
exclusive about celebrating both Columbus Day and Indigenous
Peoples Day on the second Monday in October. He said the intent
is to move forward as the governor has been doing every year and
to make permanent the recognition of how rich and vibrant
Alaskans are together as the great melting pot in America.
SENATOR COGHILL stated that he appreciated Representative
Westlake's approach. He remarked that some of the bill's support
letters have caused him some concern regarding the replacement
of Columbus Day due to its negative perception by some, but
positive by others, including himself. He asserted that the
Legislature is the place where different focuses in life get to
work together, but the letters of support quite often were
divisive. He said the bill addresses culturally sensitive issues
where sometimes the cultures clash. He reiterated that he
appreciated the sponsor's approach with the idea to celebrate.
MS. REXFORD noted that letters of support from previous years
did have somewhat of a negative undertone, but asserted that
after reaching out to different organizations that they all had
a positive view of the day. She asserted that her explanation of
inclusivity changed the tone a little bit and letters have been
positive.
4:08:43 PM
SENATOR COGHILL asserted that what Ms. Rexford has done is allow
the conversation to take on a new look in a celebration of both
rather than become a culture clash.
MS. REXFORD shared with the committee her native studies
background in addressing rhetoric and negative events; HB 78 is
a very positive movement forward in that area.
CHAIR MEYER asked if other states have passed similar
legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE WESTLAKE answered that several states have passed
legislation that recognizes and includes indigenous peoples. He
noted that half of the nation's tribes are in Alaska.
4:10:34 PM
CHAIR MEYER opened public testimony.
4:11:10 PM
ALBERT NINGEULOOK, representing self, Shishmaref, Alaska,
testified in support of HB 78. He explained that the bill
positively recognizes the original inhabitants as well as people
who have settled in the state from other cultures. He asserted
that the bill is a very positive step in recognizing all the
people and cultures that have settled in the United States.
4:13:52 PM
MARILYN RUSSELL, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of HB 78. She said so many wrongs have occurred in
the state that need to be righted and to let the legislation be
one of them. She referenced Elizabeth Peratrovich and demanded
that changes be made to recognize indigenous peoples. She
remarked that indigenous people and their culture make Alaska
culturally rich and diversified. She asked that the second
Monday in October be renamed "Indigenous Peoples Day."
4:15:03 PM
CHAIR MEYER closed public testimony.
SENATOR COGHILL remarked that the previous testimony was an
explanation of why the approach must clearly explain the
difference between joining and replacing. He said "joining" is
great, but "replacing" not so great. He opined that his remark
is the kind of question that will have to be continually dealt
with. He said, "I'm not going to object because what it does is
it begs the question and then we just got to give an answer to
it."
CHAIR MEYER detailed that HB 78 has a zero-fiscal note and was
assigned next to the Senate Rules Committee. He entertained a
motion for HB 78.
4:16:41 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report HB 78, version: 30-LS0368\A from
committee with attached zero-fiscal note and individual
recommendations.
4:16:50 PM
CHAIR MEYER announced that being no objection, the motion
carried.