Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120
02/10/2026 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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 | |
| HB250 | |
| HB180 | |
| HB130 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 250 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 130 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 180-ELECTRONIC DRIVER'S LICENSES
4:06:44 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 180 "An Act relating to the powers of the
commissioner of administration with respect to motor vehicles;
relating to electronic identification cards; relating to
electronic driver's licenses and permits; and providing for an
effective date."
KATHY WALLACE, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department
of Administration, presented an overview and a sectional
analysis of HB 180 on behalf of the bill sponsor, House Rules by
request of the governor. This legislation modernizes Alaska's
motor vehicle identification framework by authorizing the
Department of Administration to issue electronic driver's
licenses, permits, and identification (ID) cards while
maintaining physical credentials. This bill establishes
regulatory authority for the issuance and use of digital
credentials. The bill clarifies requirements for possession and
presentation on a mobile device and provides privacy protection.
The bill expands the commissioner's authority to enter into data
sharing agreements that support identity verification and
drivers' record systems.
MS. WALLACE reviewed the sectional analysis of HB 180 [included
in the committee file], which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Section 1: This section adds the word "physical" into
Alaska Statute 18.65.310(a) to distinguish that a
"physical" Identification Card will now be $15.
Section 2: This section amends Alaska Statute
18.65.310 by adding a new subsection which establishes
that upon application, the department may issue an
electronic identification card to a person who
currently possesses a physical identification card,
and that the electronic identification cards can be a
digital companion to physical identification cards,
yet it is still mandated that a person retain their
physical identification card. This section also
requires the department to adopt regulations governing
the issuance and use of electronic identification
cards. Additionally, the section includes privacy
protections by explicitly stating that presenting an
electronic ID to law enforcement does not grant
permission for officers to search or access any other
data on the mobile device while also granting them
immunity from liability for any damage to the device
unless intentional misconduct is involved.
Section 3: This section adds the word "physical" into
Alaska Statute 18.65.320(b) to specify that if an
identification card is cancelled, they would need to
return the physical card to the department.
Section 4: This section adds a new subsection into
Alaska Statute 28.05.021 which will allow the
Commissioner of Administration to enter into
agreements with a law enforcement agency, a
governmental agency or program or a data exchange
service.
Section 5: This section adds the word "physical" into
Alaska Statute 28.05.051 to state that if a license is
suspended, revoked, or cancelled, they would need to
return the physical card to the department. This
section also allows for designated officials to take
possession of a physical license in the event of
invalidity.
Section 6: This section amends Alaska Statute
28.15.011(b) to require all drivers to have a physical
or electronic driver's license when operating a motor
vehicle.
Section 7: This section amends Alaska Statute 28.15 by
adding authority in a new section for the Department
of Administration to begin issuing electronic driver's
licenses or permits to customers who possess a
physical driver's license or permit, which they will
be required to retain. This section also requires the
Commissioner to adopt regulations for issuance and use
of electronic licenses and permits along with an
option for the commissioner to require the physical
driver's license be carried on their person in certain
circumstances. Lastly, this section requires the
department to display notice of revocation,
cancellation, limitation, restriction, or suspension
across the front of the electronic license.
Section 8: This section adds "physical or electronic"
into Alaska Statute 28.15.131(a) which requires a
driver to always have a driver's license in their
possession when driving a motor vehicle.
Section 9: This section adds a new subsection to
Alaska Statute 28.15.131 to protect the drivers'
privacy by prohibiting officers from accessing other
data on mobile devices when checking an electronic
license. It also grants immunity to law enforcement
from liability for damage to a mobile device when
verifying an electronic driver's license, except in
cases of intentional misconduct.
Section 10: This section amends Alaska Statute
28.15.151(a) to add retention requirements of every
application for an electronic driver's license or
permit as well as copies of the electronic licenses
and permits.
Section 11: This section adds the word "physical" into
Alaska Statute 28.15.165(b) to signify a law
enforcement officer to seize the physical driver's
license after failure of a sobriety test or refusal to
submit to a chemical test.
Section 12: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.166(a) by adding clarifying language mandating a
driver to surrender their physical license when
requesting an administrative review.
Section 13: This section adds the word "physical" into
Alaska Statute 28.15.182(d) to signify the Alaska
Court System shall require the surrender the physical
driver's license when issuing a Limited License in the
circumstance of an accident which caused the death of
another.
Section 14: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.183(b) by adding clarifying language ensuring
law enforcement to seize a driver's physical license
or physical permit.
Section 15: This section adds the word "physical" into
Alaska Statute 28.15.184(a) to signify a customer who
is a minor must surrender the physical driver's
license upon request of an administrative hearing if
it wasn't seized previously by law enforcement.
Section 16: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.187(b) by adding clarifying language ensuring
law enforcement to seize a driver's physical license
or physical permit when violating any driving laws.
Section 17: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.189(a) by adding clarifying language mandating a
driver to surrender their physical license when
requesting a revocation review.
Section 18: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.191(c) by adding clarifying language mandating
courts must forward surrendered physical licenses to
the DMV when issuing a suspension or revocation.
Section 19: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.191(g) by adding clarifying language mandating
courts must forward surrendered physical licenses to
the DMV when a driver is ordered to refrain from
consuming alcoholic beverages as part of their
sentencing.
Section 20: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.191(h) by adding clarifying language mandating
parole boards to require a person to surrender their
physical license and identification card when subject
to cancellation.
Section 21: This section amends Alaska Statue
28.15.201(b) by adding clarifying language to require
the surrender of a physical driver's license when
courts issue limited driving privileges.
Section 22: This section adds the word "physical" into
Alaska Statute 28.20.560(a) to signify when a customer
whose license or registration is suspended, or whose
policy of insurance or bond is canceled or terminated
shall surrender the physical license to the
department. This section also adds clarifying language
which states if a license isn't surrendered then DMV
should contact the Department of Public Safety to
immediately direct an officer to obtain possession of
the license or registration.
Section 23: This section amends AS 28.22.041(d) to
require the surrender of the physical license when the
DMV issues a limited license following a suspension
for failing to comply with the mandatory insurance
laws.
Section 24: This section amends Alaska Statute
28.33.100 by adding subsection (j) which provides
authority to issue an electronic commercial driver's
license.
Section 25: This section amends Alaska Statute
28.33.140(i) which clarifies that a person
disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle
must surrender their physical license to the
department.
Section 26: This section amends Alaska Statute
28.35.034 to state that a person who has their license
or permit revoked under Alaska Statute 28.15.165 or
Alaska Statute 28.15.181 must surrender their physical
license.
Section 27: This section amends Alaska Statute
33.16.150(i)to require that parolees who are ordered
to refrain alcohol must surrender their physical
license and that physical license must be forwarded to
the department.
Section 28: This section provides an immediate
effective date per AS 01.10.070(c).
4:15:12 PM
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, reviewed the fiscal notes for HB 180. The two
fiscal notes are both zero. He noted this wasn't the first time
for this legislation; in 2022, Senate Bill 194 was very similar.
The last time, the fiscal note was quite hefty and thorough.
The fiscal note for Senate Bill 194 listed $3.7 million for year
one, $2.6 million for year two, $2.1 million for year three, $1
million for year four, and $500,000 per year thereafter.
CHAIR CARRICK asked about the cost of implementation and the
differences in fiscal notes.
LAUREN WHITESIDE, Operations Manager, Division of Motor
Vehicles, Department of Administration, state that when the bill
was first introduced, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) was
in the planning phases of the mobile credential and absorbed all
the costs for development.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether the language of Senate
Bill 194 was identical or similar.
MS. WHITESIDE replied there have been several iterations and
variations over the last few legislative sessions.
4:19:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked whether, if the license were
revoked, the stamp would appear without accessing the Internet.
She wanted to confirm there was no glitch in getting the stamp.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that the digital driver's license would be
removed from the phone. Law enforcement officers would be able
to see in the law enforcement operating system it is revoked.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked if the DMV has already rolled out the
information technology for this digital driver's license and
spent millions. She stated that this feels backwards, as the
DMV didn't have statutory authority.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that because there was no statutory
prohibition on a mobile credential, the DMV moved forward with
the development. She stated that it is optional.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that now the DMV is asking for
statutory authority. She directed attention to Section 4 and
asked what government agency may need this program.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that Section 4 is because of the driver's
license verification system. It is the connection to the Social
Security system that Alaska has pulled out of. It prevents
Alaskans from applying for social security (SS) cards online.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE replied that within the DMV, someone made
the decision that prohibited Alaskans from getting their SS
cards online. She asked what data system is going to be
utilized by the administration in this agreement.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that she didn't understand the question.
She said Section 4 is related to the [Driver License Data
Verification Service] system and DMV has been trying to get this
amendment so Alaska can participate again.
4:24:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that the administration is spending
money before having the statutory authority for something
already done. She is concerned about Alaskan's data. She asked
why addressing the social security issue wasn't done as a
standalone bill.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that HB 213 was a standard-alone bill last
year.
CHAIR CARRICK stated that she is supportive of this legislation.
She echoed Representative Vance's concern that the
administration is going forward without statutory authority.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated she has been on the finance
subcommittee for several years. It has been hard for Alaska
elders to be compliant with the REAL ID Act. There has been a
lack of communication on how the legislature could have helped
Alaskans. She has lots of concerns about this bill.
4:27:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked if the state requires a secondary
form of ID.
MS. WHITESIDE replied the mobile is a companion credential and
must have the original physical credential.
4:29:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked if the mobile system is redundant
or duplicative.
MS. WHITESIDE replied this is the national standard. A few
states have gone standalone as phones die.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said it is his understanding that the DMV
is prohibited from sharing data beyond what is required in the
REAL ID Act. He asked how Section 4 would interact or conflict
with the Act.
MS. WHITESIDE replied it is consistent with the REAL ID Act.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked what happens under the legislation
if his license were revoked. He pointed to language in Section
7, on page 3, which suggests there would be a mark or indication
on the driver's license.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that when the license is revoked, it would
be deleted from the phone. Should this bill be passed, further
development will need to happen.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked whether the digital ID will be
acceptable for voting and purchasing alcohol.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that that is the goal. Right now, it is
not. The division just recently got federal Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) acceptance.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said a question he is frequently asked is
when Alaska is going to get digital identification. He noted
that currently the phone holds credit card information and car
insurance information. He stated this is the wave of the
future.
MS. WHITESIDE replied that Alaska is at the forefront of this
movement. It is the sixth state to be added into the digital
trust.
CHAIR CARRICK stated that she likes the digital driver's
license, which is the subject of HB 180, and it will be taken up
in the future.
4:36:00 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that HB 180 was held over.