03/11/2025 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB91 | |
| HB30 | |
| HB119 | |
| HB43 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 91 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 43 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 104 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 30 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 11, 2025
3:49 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Ashley Carrick, Chair
Representative Andi Story, Vice Chair
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Ky Holland
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Kevin McCabe
Representative Elexie Moore
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 91
"An Act relating to the lawful operation of retail marijuana
stores; relating to marijuana cultivation; relating to the
registration of marijuana establishments; relating to marijuana
taxes; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 91(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 30
"An Act establishing the office of entrepreneurship; relating to
new businesses in the state; relating to reports concerning
procurements by agencies; and relating to initial business
license fees for new businesses in the state."
- MOVED CSHB 30(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 119
"An Act relating to an in-state natural gas pipeline developed
by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation; and providing for
an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 43
"An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to
the crime of unlawful interference with voting; and providing
for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 104
"An Act creating and relating to the address confidentiality
program; and providing for an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 91
SHORT TITLE: MARIJUANA: TAX/RETAIL STORES/REGISTRATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) CARRICK
02/10/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/10/25 (H) STA, FIN
02/18/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/18/25 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/22/25 (H) STA AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/22/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/22/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/25/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/25/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/25/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/06/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/06/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/06/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/11/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 30
SHORT TITLE: OFFICE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND
01/22/25 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) STA, L&C
02/22/25 (H) STA AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/22/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/22/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/27/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/27/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/27/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/06/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/06/25 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
03/11/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 119
SHORT TITLE: GAS PIPELINE FAIRBANKS SPUR
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STAPP
02/26/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/26/25 (H) STA, RES
03/06/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/06/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/06/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/11/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 43
SHORT TITLE: ELECTIONS, VOTING, BALLOTS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SCHRAGE
01/22/25 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/17/25
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) STA, FIN
02/11/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/11/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/11/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/13/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/13/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/13/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/11/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
BRANDON SPANOS, Deputy Director
Tax Division
Department of Revenue
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered information during the hearing on
HB 91.
STUART RELAY, Staff
Representative Ashley Carrick
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the summary of changes in the
proposed committee substitute for HB 30, Version I.
CAMERON EBERSOLE, Staff
Representative Ky Holland
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: On behalf of Representative Holland, prime
sponsor, spoke to the fiscal impacts of HB 30.
DANIEL HECKMAN, Regulatory Manager
Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA)
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
DAVID GUTTENBERG, Assembly Member
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
JOMO STEWART, President
Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
GRIER HOPKINS, Mayor
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
ELENA SUDDUTH, General Manager
Interior Gas Utility
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 119.
STUART RELAY, Staff
Representative Ashley Carrick
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the summary of changes for the
proposed committee substitute for HB 43, Version I.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:49:15 PM
CHAIR ASHLEY CARRICK called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:49 p.m. Representatives Moore,
Vance, Holland, Himschoot, Story, and Carrick were present at
the call to order. Representative McCabe arrived as the meeting
was in progress.
HB 91-MARIJUANA: TAX/RETAIL STORES/REGISTRATION
3:50:44 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 91, "An Act relating to the lawful operation
of retail marijuana stores; relating to marijuana cultivation;
relating to the registration of marijuana establishments;
relating to marijuana taxes; relating to the duties of the
Department of Revenue; and providing for an effective date."
3:51:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 91,
labeled 34-LS0528\A.2, C. Radford, 3/5/25,. Which read as
follows:
Page 5, line 17:
Delete "a new subsection"
Insert "new subsections"
Page 5, following line 17:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(g) The K-12 public education fund is
established in the general fund. In addition to the
accounting under (c) and (f) of this section, the
Department of Administration shall separately account
for 25 percent of the tax collected under this section
and deposit it into the K-12 public education fund.
The legislature may use the annual estimated balance
in the fund to make appropriations to the Department
of Education and Early Development for grants to
school districts for classroom resources, teacher
salaries, student support services, and educational
infrastructure improvements."
Reletter the following subsection accordingly.
CHAIR CARRICK objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE explained that Amendment 1 would place 25
percent of the tax collected under "this section" into the K-12
public education fund. She shared that although typically she
does not like to designate funds, she would like "to align this
with the public expectation."
3:52:42 PM
CHAIR CARRICK asked for confirmation that the funding pinpointed
under Amendment 1 is money that would otherwise be allocated to
the undesignated general fund (UGF), not money allotted to
address recidivism reduction or marijuana treatment.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE confirmed that is correct.
3:53:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked if there is an added expense
associated with establishing a fund.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered, "I'm under no impression that
this is a new fund."
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT observed that the amendment specifies
"is established in the general fund".
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said it was her intent to use a pre-
existing account and "divert it that direction."
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT pointed to lines 12-14, as numbered in
Amendment 1, and she said it sounds like a different grant
system.
CHAIR CARRICK suggested a representative from the Department of
Revenue may be able to shed some light on the topic.
3:55:52 PM
BRANDON SPANOS, Deputy Director, Tax Division, Department of
Revenue, stated that he is not the best person to ask about
funds. He said he is familiar with funds that the department
currently deposits "the marijuana money" into. He indicated
that that is set up in statute but said he is "not familiar
enough to know if that's necessary every time." He said he does
not see a specific K-12 fund discussed in the fiscal notes. He
recommended asking the question of the Office of Management &
Budget (OMB). That said, he said there would be no additional
cost for the Tax Division to administer a new fund after the
initial cost of setting it up.
3:57:17 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said that as prime sponsor of the bill, she liked
the Amendment 1.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE, in response to Chair Carrick, said she
thinks the key is that "the legislature may" [emphasis on "may"]
us [the 25 percent specified under Amendment 1 and it would "go
to education."
3:59:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked what might be taken away from the
Department of Health (DOH) if Amendment 1 were adopted.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE answered that there would be no "taking
away" because the 25 percent Amendment 1 proposes to use for
education is currently going into the general fund.
4:00:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY commented that she really liked Amendment 1
but cautioned that it could make another grant program to
administer.
4:01:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked if the funding from DEED is
always called a grant.
4:02:05 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:02 p.m. to 4:09 p.m.
4:09:28 PM
CHAIR CARRICK moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment
1, with the following pages and lines as numbered in Amendment
1:
Page 1, line 7
Delete "The K-12 public education fund is established
in the general fund."
Page 1, line 10
Delete "K-12"
Page 1, line 10, following "fund."
Delete "The legislature may use the annual estimated
balance in the fund to make appropriations to the
Department of Education and Early Development for
grants to school districts for classroom resources,
teacher salaries, student support services, and
educational infrastructure improvements."
4:10:40 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced, there being no objection, Conceptual
Amendment 1 to Amendment 1 was adopted.
4:10:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND expressed that although he was not
opposed to Amendment 1, as amended, he has always been hesitant
to tie education funding to [sin] taxes. He said putting
education on the back of these kinds of taxes puts him in an
uneasy state. Further, he expressed concern that revenue from
the marijuana industry is decreasing. He followed that by
emphasizing his support for a focus on the issues of recidivism
and "the marijuana misuse prevention component."
4:13:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY said she understood that the bill in its
current form would drop tax [revenue] significantly and
questioned whether the general fund would be needed to make up
the lost revenue for the behavioral health treatment and
recidivism grants. She asked what the existing grants would be
losing.
4:14:16 PM
CHAIR CARRICK remarked that it is hard to anticipate potential
increase or decreases. She stated that the 6 percent has been
modeled to "neutralize" the current revenue for those programs.
She noted that other legislation could affect outcomes but
speculated there would not be a loss.
4:15:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE inquired whether the [marijuana] industry
had paid back the start-up money the legislature had
[designated]. If not, he stated, he does not think the
legislature should give the industry more money.
4:16:13 PM
MR. SPANOS, at the invitation of Chair Carrick, said that "this
was a voter initiative" and DOR did not have a fiscal note;
therefore, he does not know what the costs were. That said, he
reported that DOR collected the following from the Alaska
marijuana industry, 25 percent of which goes to the GF: $27.2
million in fiscal year 2024 (FY 24); $29.5 million in FY 23;
$28.6 in FY 22; and $30 million in FY 21.
4:17:58 PM
CHAIR CARRICK removed her objection to Amendment 1, as amended.
There being no further objection, Amendment 1, as amended, was
adopted.
4:18:19 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she shares concerns of others
regarding "making the right move." She said it would be better
to collect tax "on the retail end," which is what is supported
under HB 91. She indicated that she would recommend a sunset
date to the next committee of referral to allow reconsideration
of the tax in 10 years. She said she would not object to the
bill moving forward but expressed that it needs further review.
4:20:48 PM
CHAIR CARRICK entertained a motion.
4:20:59 PM
The committee took a brief at ease at 4:21 p.m.
4:21:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to report HB 191, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes and to allow Legislative Legal Services to make any
necessary conforming changes. There being no objection, CSHB
91(STA) was reported out of the House State Affairs Standing
Committee.
4:21:43 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 4:21 p.m. to 4:24 p.m.
HB 30-OFFICE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
4:24:05 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 30, "An Act establishing the office of
entrepreneurship; relating to new businesses in the state;
relating to reports concerning procurements by agencies; and
relating to initial business license fees for new businesses in
the state."
4:24:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 30, Version 34-LS0320\I, Gunther, 3/5/25,
as a working document.
4:25:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE objected.
4:25:28 PM
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, presented the summary of changes in the proposed
committee substitute, Version I, for HB 30 [included in the
committee file], which read as follows [original punctuation
provided, and the original bill version referred to as "Version
N"]:
Section 1: Version N would have changed Department of
Administration's procurement report from biennial to
annual. This change has been eliminated.
Section 2: no changes
Section 3: Deleted entirely: removing the business
license exemption for new businesses. Section 4 from
version N is now section 3.
Section 3: Rewrites Sec. 44.33.853. Duties to clarify
the goals of the Office of Entrepreneurship with more
specific language. These specific duties are:
• Provide a central point of contact for new
businesses seeking information, resources and state
services.
• Coordinate with community entrepreneurship
programs, economic development organizations, local
governments, military installations, regional
development organizations, small business development
centers and the university to improve delivery of
services to new businesses to identify and address the
needs of new businesses.
• Assist local jurisdictions with development of
their own small business liaison.
Note these changes do not change the scope of the
legislation but do address committee feedback for
enhanced program focus.
Section 3: 44.33.859. Definitions now includes
preexisting statutory definition that applies to
Alaska Bidder Preference to tighten definition of "New
Business in the State."
4:27:21 PM
CHAIR CARRICK offered her understanding that the changes
proposed under Version I would significantly reduce the fiscal
impact of the legislation. She invited the bill sponsor's staff
to speak to that.
4:27:38 PM
CAMERON EBERSOLE, Staff, Representative Ky Holland, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Holland, prime sponsor
of HB 30, stated that one of more considerable fiscal costs
under the original bill version was the cost of business license
exemptions for new businesses. Since the value of the that
provision weighed against the cost was dubious, that section was
removed in Version I.
4:28:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked if updated fiscal notes were
available.
MR. RELAY answered that he spoke with the department, whose
representative said that "the new fiscal notes will be for the
new version of the bill in its next committee of referral."
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE maintained his objection to the motion to
adopt Version I to HB 30.
4:29:17 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Holland, Himschoot,
Story, and Carrick voted in favor of the motion to adopt the
proposed CS for HB 30, Version 34-LS0320\I, Gunther, 3/5/25, as
a working document. Representatives McCabe, Moore, and Vance
voted against it. Therefore, Version I was before the committee
by a vote of 4-3.
4:30:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said that she loved idea of helping new
businesses, but questioned why the sponsor feels it the
government's role to establish an office of entrepreneurship to
address this issue when typically this is addressed by non-
profit organizations and the private sector.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND, as prime sponsor of HB 30, responded
that the new language offers requested specificity and may
result in a "smaller fiscal note." He said the government plays
an essential role in developing "the entrepreneurial and
innovation ecosystem." He opined that HB 30, Version I, would
be a step in accelerating desired diversification of the economy
and supporting needed emerging sectors. He mentioned multiple
reports supporting the idea of increased state involvement in
developing industries, and he said the proposed legislation
would create some of the resources by which to make this happen.
4:34:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said he struggles with idea of directing
how state agencies should spend money. He said he cannot think
of a worse body to direct state agencies than the legislature
even though he allowed that that is the job of the legislature.
He further expressed his unease about "streamlining government
by adding more government." He added that he started new
businesses without the help of government. He concluded that he
would be a "no" vote on HB 30, Version I.
4:35:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY talked about "the excitement of public
testifiers in room" when sharing their experience starting
businesses. She said she thinks it's time for state to grow its
innovative spirit, and she stated her support for HB 30, Version
I.
4:36:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to report CSHB 30, Version 34-
LS0320\I, Gunther, 3/5/25, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
4:37:00 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE objected.
4:37:04 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Holland, Himschoot,
Story, and Carrick voted in favor of the motion to report CSHB
30, Version 34-LS0320\I, Gunther, 3/5/25 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
Representatives Moore, McCabe, and Vance voted against it.
Therefore, CSHB 30(STA) was reported out of the House State
Affairs Standing Committee by a vote of 4-3.
4:37:45 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 4:37 p.m.
HB 119-GAS PIPELINE FAIRBANKS SPUR
4:37:52 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 119, "An Act relating to an in-state natural gas
pipeline developed by the Alaska Gasline Development
Corporation; and providing for an effective date."
4:41:02 PM
CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HB 119.
4:41:23 PM
DANIEL HECKMAN, Regulatory Manager, Golden Valley Electric
Association (GVEA), testified in support of HB 119, which aligns
with GVEA's goals and supports measures to ensure short-term
certainty for inputting liquified natural gas (LNG) to Cook
Inlet and state efforts to assess the feasibility of connecting
a gas line connecting the North Slope to the Railbelt, including
a spur to the Fairbanks North Slope Borough.
4:44:25 PM
MR. HECKMAN, in response to Representative McCabe, noted that
GVEA's plant in North Pole, Alaska, is slated for a dual fuel
fired set-up that would allow for both oil and natural gas. To
a follow-up question, he noted that the cost of this
conversation would be significant.
4:46:36 PM
CHAIR CARRICK noted that powerplant on University of Alaska
Fairbanks (UAF) campus can burn coal or natural gas.
4:47:03 PM
DAVID GUTTENBERG, Assembly Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough,
noted that the assembly has passed numerous resolutions in
support of a spur line into Fairbanks, and he expressed
frustration that it was not a part of the project from the
beginning. He talked about the state's constitution requiring
the state's resources to be of maximum benefit to all Alaskans.
He said the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) "has
always given the concept of a spur line built into the project
kind of a sideways glance."
4:50:32 PM
JOMO STEWART, President, Fairbanks Economic Development
Corporation (FEDC), testified in support of HB 119 as a much
needed "conversation starter." He spoke about AGDC's indication
that Fairbanks lateral is not integral to the overall gasline
project and the concern that causes for the Fairbanks North Star
Borough. He said that while FEDC understands that highest
priority of the State of Alaska is to monetize North Slope gas
"to the good of all residents" and its secondary concern is to
get gas down to Southcentral Alaska, it would be "a tragedy" if
Fairbanks were bypassed or the gas was too expensive to use or
the borough were not in the position to support the gas line
with its demands. He stated that while HB 119 is not a
solution, it is a start of a valuable conversation.
4:53:44 PM
GRIER HOPKINS, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough, testified in
support of HB 119. He emphasized the importance of not
bypassing Fairbanks and noted that the borough has been
developing a natural gas market. He emphasized the high cost of
heating in Interior Alaska. He said HB 119 would ensure that
those in the greater borough area are "not left behind" and do
not see increased costs for natural gas "at their doorstep."
4:57:17 PM
MR. HOPKINS, in response to Representative Vance, described the
role of the Fairbanks North Star Borough as making certain that
the project is economical at the local level and to begin
working on all projects necessary to ensure access for the spur
line. He indicated that HB 119 would give ensure the spur is
going to happen. In response to a follow-up question, he added
that the borough would also need to see headway with the project
as a whole. Knowing that they would be part of project would
allow the borough to plan. In response to encouragement from
Representative Vance to begin community engagement, he shared
that community financial assistance plans and educational
programs have been created.
5:00:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE talked local improvement districts, talked
about resistance to put gas lines into some of his districts.
Said low income people have not been able to pay, asked if this
would be an issue.
MR. HOPKINS, in response to Representative McCabe regarding the
lack of financial means in some communities, said the borough
received federal funding for line expansion and price to hook up
is paid by those who want to hook up. He talked about density
mapping and a process for figuring out interest. He said the
borough is allowing residential and business choice, needs to be
economical. He offered further details about service areas.
5:05:09 PM
ELENA SUDDUTH, General Manager, Interior Gas Utility, testified
in support of HB 119. She Interior climate is harsh and the
price of available fuel sources is high. She stated that
currently IGU supplies approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet
(bcf) of natural gas annually, and she explained the involved
process that must happen to supply that gas because there is no
natural gas pipeline that comes to the region. This process
more than doubles the price of natural gas to the Interior
compared to the Southcentral region. She said a Wood Mackenzie
study projected that Fairbanks could transition to natural gas
and achieve a 90 percent penetration rate from 2031 to 2033, for
a total demand of 11 bcf. She compared that to the current
demand of 1.5 bcf. She stated, "Reaching this level of adoption
requires an affordable rate." She said without the
infrastructure, the Interior might not reach the projected
level, which could result in increased costs for the rest of the
state during phase I of the project. She said the mandate under
HB 119 for the spur to Fairbanks as essential, and given the
already high cost of energy in this region, she said it is
crucial that financial responsibility for this lateral not fall
on its residents. She concluded that HB 119 would establish the
spur as a statewide priority.
5:08:50 PM
CHAIR CARRICK, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 119.
5:09:02 PM
CHAIR CARRICK set an amendment deadline and announced that HB
119 was held over.
HB 43-ELECTIONS, VOTING, BALLOTS
5:10:04 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 43, "An Act relating to elections; relating to
voters; relating to the crime of unlawful interference with
voting; and providing for an effective date."
5:10:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to adopt the proposed committee (CS)
for HB 43, Version 34-LS0231\I, Dunmire, 3/10/25, as a working
document.
5:11:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE objected.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said that HB 43 is essentially the Senate
Rules Standing Committee's election bill and she worked
extensively with that committee to produce an election bill with
which everyone can agree. She said the topic of election reform
has been worked on for six years with no agreement reached. She
indicated that the proposed committee substitute was supposed to
reflect the agreements that were made but does not. She stated
that Alaska needs common sense election reform. She talked
about cleaning up the voter rolls and noted that issue is not
addressed under the proposed CS. She allowed that there are "a
lot of good ideas" but expressed grave concern that "the good
ideas don't have security measures in place," which can result
in error. She said she would have numerous amendments to reach
compromise.
5:13:32 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Holland, Himschoot,
Story, and Carrick voted in favor of the motion to adopt the
proposed CS for HB 43, Version 34-LS0231\I, Dunmire, 3/10/25, as
a working document. Representatives Vance and McCabe voted
against it. Therefore, Version I was before the committee by a
vote of 4-[2].
5:14:25 PM
CHAIR CARRICK expressed appreciation of Representative Vance's
remarks. She explained that HB 43, Version I, is a product of
combining aspects of the governor's bill on elections, the
Senate version, and the original version of HB 43. She said she
looks forward to a robust amendment process.
5:16:14 PM
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, presented the summary of changes for the proposed
committee substitute for HB 43, Version I [included in the
committee file], which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Page 1 line 1, Updates title to reflect additions to
the bill
Section 1, unchanged.
Section 2, new section. Clarifies the residency
requirements to define a residence as a place where a
voter has a reasonable and articulable plan to return
to whenever they are absent and provides that the
presumption that a voter's registered address is
correct may be rebutted by evidence that the voter has
established residency at a different location.
Section 3, replaces language in former section 2 with
the following language. Adds two subsections related
to voter registration.
• Subsection (g) allows voters to designate a language
to receive election materials in from the languages
that the Division of Elections (Division) is required
to provide language assistance in.
• Subsection (h) requires voters registering within 30
days of the election to confirm that they have resided
in their house district since at least 30 days before
the election.
Section 4, new section. Clarifies that electronic
signatures are valid of the voter or a person acting
with power of attorney on behalf of the voter.
Section 5, formerly Section 3.
Section 6, formerly Section 4.
Section 7, formerly Section 5.
Section 8, formerly Section 6.
Section 9, formerly Section 7.
Section 10, formerly Section 8.
Section 11, new section. Requires the Division to send
a single forwardable notice as part of voter list
maintenance and adds additional categories of voters
to receive notices.
Section 12, formerly Section 9.
Section 13, new section. Requires the director to
develop a process for voters to cancel their
registrations and require that instructions for how to
cancel one's registration be prominently posted at
polling places. (Sect 15 SB 64 Ver I)
Section 14, new section. Requires the division to
employ 5 rural community liaisons and have one
assigned to each of the elections regions. The
liaisons shall collaborate with tribes,
municipalities, community organizations and other key
stakeholders to facilitate access to early and
absentee voting in rural areas and ensure that rural
precincts are fully staffed.
Section 15, new section. Repeals requirement that the
Alaska Public Offices Commission have offices in each
senate district.
Section 16 and 17, new sections. Removes size and
number requirements for voting booths.
Section 18, new section. Requires that notices be
posted informing voters of language assistance
available at precincts where it is required by federal
law.
Section 19, new section. Codifies the procedure for
when a person who requested an absentee ballot
attempts to vote in person.
Section 20, makes changes to section 10. Clarifies
that the division must include results for all rank
levels on the precinct results, including unofficial
results.
Section 21, new section. Enacts a new subsection
related to unofficial results and ballot review data.
• Subsection (b) requires the Division to release data
for which ballots have been counted along with
unofficial results.
Section 22, new section. Relates to pay for election
board members. The director may increase pay for
election workers but pay decreases must be done by
regulation.
Section 23, new section. Allows candidates and ballot
proposition campaigns to observe the State Review
Board process.
Section 24, new section. Allows the Division to adopt
additional risk limiting audit procedures as part of
the State Review Board process.
Section 25, formerly section 11.
Section 26, formerly section 12.
Section 27, formerly section 13.
Section 28, formerly section 14. Changes the period
that a qualified voter may apply in person for an
absentee ballot from 30 days in Ver N to 20 days.
Section 29, formerly section 15. Changes the early
voting period from 30 days in Ver N to 20 days.
Section 30, formerly section 16.
Section 31, formerly section 17.
Section 32, new section. Provides that special needs
ballots may not be rejected because of errors made by
poll workers or representatives.
Section 33, formerly section 18.
Section 34, new section. States that a ballot received
after the day of the election that is not postmarked
or postmarked after the election may be counted if it
is marked with a United States Postal Service tracking
barcode that indicates it was mailed on or before the
day of the election.
Section 35, new section. Adds subsection (m) to allow
voters to request by-mail ballots in any language for
which the division is required to provide language
assistance by federal law.
Section 36, formerly section 19.
Section 37, new section. Requires the division to
begin counting absentee ballots at least seven days
before the election and to release the first tabulated
results when polls close at 8pm on Election Day.
Section 38, formerly section 20.
Section 39, formerly section 21.
Section 40, formerly section 22.
Section 41, new section. Requires that the director
provide secure ballot drop boxes at every DOE office
and every community with 20,000 residents.
Section 42. formerly section 23.
Section 43, formerly section 24.
Section 44, new section. Requires the director to
develop a cybersecurity program to defend the voter
registration records kept by the division.
Section 45, new section. Codifies the settlement in
ACLU of Alaska v. State of Alaska related to campaign
signs along state highways.
Section 46, new section. Conforming language for
section 15 relating to the repeal of the requirement
for APOC of have offices in each Senate District.
Section 47, formerly section 25.
Section 48, formerly section 26.
Section 49, new section. Removes a requirement that
certain municipal candidates file their public
official financial disclosure twice.
Section 50, formerly section 27.
Section 51, formerly section 28.
Section 52, formerly section 29.
5:22:11 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that HB 43, Version I, was held over.
5:23:39 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:23
p.m.