Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
05/02/2025 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB156 | |
| HB178 | |
| HB193 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 192 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 156 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 193 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 178 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 193-UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS; PAID PARENT LEAVE
3:46:02 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 193, "An Act establishing a paid parental
leave program; relating to unemployment benefits; relating to
the collection of child support obligations; and relating to the
duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development."
CO-CHAIR FIELDS invited questions from committee members.
3:46:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked for confirmation that HB 193 would
not affect the State Training and Employment Program
(STEP)/Technical Vocational Education Program (TVEP).
CO-CHAIR HALL responded that the programs would be held harmless
under HB 193.
3:47:00 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL replied that the State Training and Employment
Program (STEP) and the Technical Vocational Education Program
(TVEP) would be held harmless under HB 193.
3:47:17 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 193, labeled
34-LS0612\G.15, A. Radford, 5/1/25, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 1, following "program;":
Insert "relating to special employer
contributions; relating to the employment assistance
and training program account;"
Page 1, line 12, following "AS 23.10.710":
Insert "and AS 23.20.290(g)"
Page 2, line 3:
Delete "unemployment"
Page 4, lines 7 - 9:
Delete "prorate the weekly benefit amount in
accordance with AS 23.10.730 for an employee using an
intermittent or a reduced leave schedule"
Insert "calculate the employee's weekly benefit
in accordance with AS 23.10.730 for employees using
the accelerated benefit option"
Page 4, lines 10 - 14:
Delete all material and insert:
"(d) The maximum number of weeks for which an
eligible employee may take paid parental leave, and
for which paid parental leave insurance benefits are
payable in a benefit year, is between eight and 26
weeks, cumulative, as determined by the department.
The department shall determine and make public the
maximum duration of the parental leave benefit each
year, based on fund solvency, forecasted use, and
actuarial studies completed under AS 23.10.790. For
employees using the accelerated benefit option, the
department shall calculate the number of weeks an
eligible employee may take paid parental leave in
accordance with AS 23.10.730."
Page 4, lines 24 - 30:
Delete all material and insert:
"Sec. 23.10.730. Accelerated benefit option. An
eligible employee may choose to receive the paid
parental leave benefit on an accelerated basis. For
each week the employee elects the accelerated benefit
option, the employee shall receive double the weekly
benefit amount to which the employee is entitled.
However, for each week the employee chooses the
accelerated benefit option, the duration of the
benefit is reduced by a corresponding week."
Page 11, following line 5:
Insert a new section to read:
"Sec. 23.10.790. Actuarial studies. Every two
years, the commissioner shall submit to the governor
an actuarial study of the benefit structures
established under AS 23.10.700 - 23.10.795."
Page 11, following line 10:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Sec. 2. AS 23.15.625 is amended to read:
Sec. 23.15.625. Employment assistance and
training program account. The employment assistance
and training program account is established in the
general fund. The commissioner of administration shall
separately account for money collected under
AS 23.15.630 and AS 23.20.290 that the department
deposits in the general fund. The annual estimated
balance in the account may be appropriated by the
legislature to the department to implement
AS 23.15.620 - 23.15.660. The legislature may
appropriate the lapsing balance of the account to the
unemployment compensation fund established in
AS 23.20.130.
* Sec. 3. AS 23.20.290(c) is amended to read:
(c) The rate of contributions for each employer
is a percentage of the average benefit cost rate
multiplied by the employer's experience factor set out
in column C of the table in this subsection opposite
the employer's applicable rate class set out in column
A plus the fund solvency adjustment surcharge required
under (f) of this section. That percentage is 76
percent beginning January 1, 2009, and 73 percent
beginning January 1, 2010. However, except as provided
in (h) and (i) of this section, the rate of
contributions for an employer may not be less than one
percent or more than six and one-half percent. The
rate of contributions for an employer in rate class 21
may not be less than 5.4 percent. The rate of
contributions for an employer must be rounded to the
nearest 1/100th of one percent.
COLUMN B COLUMN C
COLUMN A Cumulative Experience
Rate Class Ratable Payroll Factor
at least but less than
(percent) (percent)
1 5 .40
2 5 10 .45
3 10 15 .50
4 15 20 .55
5 20 25 .60
6 25 30 .65
7 30 35 .70
8 35 40 .80
9 40 45 .90
10 45 50 1.00
11 50 55 1.00
12 55 60 1.10
13 60 65 1.20
14 65 70 1.30
15 70 75 1.35
16 75 80 1.40
17 80 85 1.45
18 85 90 1.50
19 90 95 1.55
20 95 99.99 1.60
21 99.99 1.65.
* Sec. 4. AS 23.20.290 is amended by adding new
subsections to read:
(g) The department may implement special
employer contributions if the department determines
that implementing special employer contributions is
consistent with maintaining fund solvency. If the
department implements special employer contributions
it shall, in the manner provided in this chapter,
collect from each employer
(1) an amount equal to .20 percent of the
wages, as set out in AS 23.20.175, on which the
employer is required to make contributions under (c)
of this section and remit the money collected under
this paragraph to the parental leave fund account
established under AS 23.10.705; and
(2) an amount equal to .10 percent of the
wages, as set out in AS 23.20.175, on which the
employer is required to make contributions under (c)
of this section and remit the money collected under
this paragraph to the employment assistance and
training program account established under
AS 23.15.625.
(h) Notwithstanding (c) of this section, the
department shall reduce the contributions owed by an
employer under this chapter by an amount equal to the
amount collected under (g) of this section.
(i) After implementing the special employer
contributions described in (g) of this section, the
department may reduce the employer contribution to a
rate of not less than .50 percent if the department
determines that reducing the rate is consistent with
maintaining fund solvency."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 22, following line 13:
Insert new bill sections to read:
"* Sec. 8. The uncodified law of the State of
Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:
COMMENCEMENT OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE. Eligible
employees may receive paid parental leave beginning
January 1, 2027, for qualifying purposes that occur on
or after January 1, 2027.
* Sec. 9. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska
is amended by adding a new section to read:
TRANSITION: ACTUARIAL STUDIES. The commissioner of
labor and workforce development shall submit to the
governor the first actuarial study required by
AS 23.10.790, enacted by sec. 1 of this Act, on
December 1, 2026."
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE objected.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS stated that Amendment 1 would give the
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD) the
authority to set the number of weeks of parental leave per
claimant annually based on the solvency of the trust fund. He
explained that range would be between 8 to 26 weeks, depending
on the solvency of the fund. He stated that it was unknown how
many claimants would take parental leave. He explained that the
amendment would additionally add language giving an "accelerated
benefit option" which would allow parents to take full wage
replacement over a shorter period of time. He stated that
Amendment 1 would direct DLWD to conduct actuarial studies on
the paid parental leave fund and additionally would give DOLWD
the authority to divert additional funds from the employer
contribution to the parental leave fund. He further stated that
the amendment would allow DLWD to divert 0.1 from employer
contribution into STEP and it would further allow the reduction
of the employer contribution to 0.5, essentially representing a
20 percent tax cut. He noted that all proposed diversions and
reductions were dependent on the solvency unemployment insurance
(UI) fund. He concluded by noting that the amendment would set
the effective date of disbursement on January 1, 2027, which
would allow the parental leave fund for one year of
accumulation.
3:50:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER spoke to the accelerated benefit option
and asked whether someone could take their benefit as a "lump
sum."
CO-CHAIR FIELDS replied that it was not intended to be a "lump
sum cashable benefit." He explained that it was designed for
the claimant to either take a full period of leave at 50 percent
wage replacement or half of the time at full wage replacement.
3:51:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked who decides the solvency of the
trust.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS replied it is designed to be the same process as
it currently is.
3:52:30 PM
LENNON WELLER, Economist 3, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Labor & Workforce Development (DLWD), stated that
he functions as that actuary for UI. He explained that standard
UI tax rates are constrained by statute. He further explained
that costs are looked at as a percentage of wages covered which
constitutes the base tax rate. He further stated that he also
looks at reserve ratio, with the target reserve ratio explicitly
laid out in Alaska Statute (AS) as between 3 and 3.3 percent of
covered wages. He stated that, based on where the trust fund
stands in relation to the reserve ratio, [DOLWD] can implement a
solvency surcharge when underfunded.
3:54:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked if the commissioner or the
department head could override the actuarial assessment under
Amendment 1 to HB 193.
MR. WELLER responded that the actuarial assessment could not be
overridden with respect to the UI system. He offered his belief
that the amendment would give the actuary more leeway.
3:55:31 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS spoke to the drafting process and the intent of
the amendment. He echoed Mr. Weller in a previous hearing,
noting that the employer contribution could be "flex[ed]...
substantially." He stated that the amendment would not change
how [DLWD] makes its determination.
3:56:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER referred to page 2 of the proposed
amendment, citing "the commissioner shall submit an actuarial
study" and requested more details on the process.
MR. WELLER responded that he is not a certified actuary, but
functions as an actuary for [DLWD].
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the department was equipped
to conduct an actuarial study.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS responded that the intent was that the
department would conduct an actuarial study in the same manner
that the UI trust fund is managed. He noted that the amendment
was developed through conversations with [DLWD].
3:58:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE removed her objection to Amendment 1 to
HB 193. There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was
adopted.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS indicated that he would not be offering
Amendment 2 to HB 193.
3:58:35 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Amendment 3 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.14, A. Radford, 5/1/25, which read
as follows:
Page 20, following line 12:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 3. AS 23.20.350 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(h) On January 1 of each year, the department
shall increase the maximum base period wages in (d) of
this section and the allowance for eligible dependents
under (f) of this section by a percentage equal to the
average percentage of increase over the first three of
the preceding four calendar years in all items of the
Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for urban
Alaska prepared by the United States Department of
Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and calculate new
weekly benefit amounts accordingly. The new base
period wage amount shall be rounded to the nearest
$250. The department may not decrease the base period
wage amount or the allowance for eligible dependents."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
3:58:39 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:58 p.m. to 4:01 p.m.
4:01:52 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS repeated his motion to adopt Amendment 3 to HB
193, as amended.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK objected for the purpose of discussion.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that the amendment requires [DLWD] to
adjust the following for inflation: maximum base period of
wages, dependent allowance, weekly benefit amounts, and the
parental leave benefits.
4:02:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that he was resistant to inflation
adjustments for formula funding and was opposed to the
amendment.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS offered his agreement with regard to
unrestricted general funds (UGF). He noted that wages are
growing with inflation.
4:03:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK removed her objection to Amendment 3 to
HB 193, as amended.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Coulombe, Burke,
Carrick, Hall, and Fields voted in favor of the motion to adopt
Amendment 3 to HB 193, as amended. Representatives Saddler
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 3 was adopted by a vote
of 5-1.
4:03:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment 4 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.5, A. Radford, 4/28/25, which read
as follows:
Page 20, line 12:
Delete "[370]."
Page 20, following line 12:
Insert new material to read:
"70,250 675 [370]."
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that the amendment would
correct a drafting error by putting an income cap at $70,000.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS removed his objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 4 was adopted.
4:04:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment 5 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.6, A. Radford, 4/29/25, which read
as follows:
Page 9, line 1:
Delete ", and annually thereafter,"
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 5 would remove
the requirement that employers remind employees annually of the
parental leave program.
4:05:15 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL stated that since adopting Amendment 1 and
allowing a greater degree of flexibility in what [DLWD] pays out
annually, she thought it best to remind employees annually of
benefits, as they could fluctuate with the adoption of Amendment
1.
4:05:52 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opined that the first year of implementation
would likely see modest benefits and that the benefits are
likely to build up over time.
4:06:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK offered her appreciation for the intent
of Amendment 5 but stated that she was opposed to it. She
suggested that annual notification could encourage individuals
to stay in Alaska and start families.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER found the argument for notice of
changeable benefits compelling; thus, he moved to withdraw his
motion to adopt Amendment 5 to HB 193, as amended. [The motion
was treated as withdrawn.]
4:07:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment 6 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.7, A. Radford, 4/29/25, which read
as follows:
Page 7, lines 1 - 18:
Delete all material.
Page 7, line 19:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.765."
Insert "Sec. 23.10.760."
Page 7, line 22:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.770."
Insert "Sec. 23.10.765."
Page 8, line 31:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.775."
Insert "Sec. 23.10.770."
Page 9, line 15:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.780."
Insert "Sec. 23.10.775."
Page 10, line 17:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.785."
Insert "Sec. 23.10.780."
Page 21, line 5:
Delete "AS 23.10.780"
Insert "AS 23.10.775"
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that Amendment 6 would remove
the requirement that DOLWD submit an annual report to the
legislature. He stated that he was trying to keep the workload
light for DOLWD.
4:07:56 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL offered her support for the amendment.
4:08:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked if there was any default reporting
requirement without the annual reporting requirement described
in Amendment 6.
4:08:33 PM
PALOMA HARBOUR, Director, Division of Employment & Training
Services, Department of Labor & Workforce Development, replied
that Amendment 1 specifically added a requirement for an
actuarial study. She noted that this study would provide a lot
of data.
4:08:59 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS removed his objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 6 to HB 193, as amended, was adopted.
4:09:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER moved to adopt Amendment 7 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.13, A. Radford, 5/1/25, which read
as follows:
Page 1, line 1:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 1, line 6:
Delete "Parental"
Insert "Family"
Page 1, line 7:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 1, line 8:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 1, line 10:
Delete "Parental"
Insert "Family"
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 1, line 12, following "AS 23.10.710":
Insert "and AS 23.20.290(g)"
Page 2, line 3:
Delete "unemployment"
Page 2, line 4:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 2, line 5:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 2, line 17:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 2, line 20:
Delete "or"
Page 2, line 22, following "employee":
Insert "; or
(3) care for an immediate family member
with a serious health condition"
Page 2, line 23:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 2, line 24:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 2, line 27:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 3, line 4:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 3, line 14:
Delete "or"
Page 3, line 16, following "AS 18.50.165":
Insert "; or
(6) a document from a health care provider
verifying the serious health condition and need for
care of the employee's immediate family member"
Page 3, following line 16:
Insert a new subsection to read:
"(d) In this section, "health care provider" has
the meaning given in AS 39.20.550."
Page 3, line 19:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 3, line 24:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 4, line 2:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 4, line 9, following "schedule.":
Insert "The department shall calculate the weekly
benefit amount in accordance with AS 23.10.730 for an
employee electing an accelerated benefit option."
Page 4, line 11:
Delete "parental" in both places
Insert "family" in both places
Page 4, line 12:
Delete "26"
Insert "12"
Page 4, line 13, following "schedule,":
Insert "or who have elected an accelerated leave
option,"
Page 4, line 17:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 4, line 21:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 4, line 23:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 4, line 24, following "schedule":
Insert "; accelerated benefit option"
Page 4, line 25:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 4, line 27:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 4, lines 29 - 30:
Delete all material and insert:
"(b) An eligible employee may elect to receive
an accelerated benefit option to receive a higher paid
family leave compensation rate for a reduced duration
as follows:
(1) the employee may receive double the
daily or weekly benefit amount to which the employee
is entitled for a total of six weeks in a benefit
year; or
(2) the employee may receive one and one-
half times the daily or weekly benefit amount to which
the employee is entitled for a total of nine weeks in
a benefit year."
Page 5, line 4:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 5, line 17:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 5, line 20:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 5, line 23:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 5, line 27:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 5, line 29:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 1:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 5:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 8:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 10:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 13:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 15:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 19:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 21:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 24:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 26:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 6, line 28:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 7, line 21:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 7, line 23:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 7, line 27:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 7, line 29:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 8, line 3:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 8, line 6:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 8, line 10:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 8, line 23:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 3:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 5:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 6:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 8:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 17:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 19:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 21:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 9, line 23:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 10, line 7:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 10, line 18:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 10, line 20:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 10, line 21:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 10, line 26:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 10, line 31:
Delete "parental" in both places
Insert "family" in both places
Page 11, line 10, following "23.20.526":
Insert ";
(4) "immediate family member" means the
employee's spouse; the employee's biological, adopted,
step, or foster child; a legal ward of the employee,
or person to whom the employee stands in loco
parentis; the employee's biological, adoptive, or step
parent, or someone who stood in loco parentis to the
employee when the employee was a minor;
(5) "serious health condition" has the
meaning given in AS 39.20.550.
* Sec. 3. AS 23.20.290 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(g) In the manner provided in this chapter and
for the benefit of the paid family leave program, the
department shall collect from each employer an amount
equal to .15 percent of the wages, as set out in
AS 23.20.175, on which the employer is required to
make contributions under (c) of this section and
remit the money collected under this subsection to the
family leave fund account established under
AS 23.10.705. Notwithstanding (c) of this section, the
department shall reduce the contributions owed by an
employer under this chapter by an amount equal to the
amount collected under this subsection."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
Page 21, line 4:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
Page 22, line 13:
Delete "parental"
Insert "family"
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that the amendment would expand
eligible leave to include family medical leave and explained the
funding mechanism and benefits schedule outlined by Amendment 7.
He noted that not everyone could give up income to care for a
sick family member or a new child.
4:11:19 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL offered her appreciation for the amendment but
stated that she was currently opposed to the amendment. She
opined that it was important to be conservative with the
proposed legislation being new. She offered her hope that,
later, the program could incorporate what is described in the
amendment.
4:12:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked why Representative Saddler elected
not to include personal medical issues in his amendment. She
further asked whether current sick or personal leave
requirements covered family medical issues.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that he desired to match the
federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). He noted that he
did not include personal medical leave due to cost and
flexibility.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether workman's compensation
could cover what's addressed in the amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER deferred to Mr. Collins.
4:14:00 PM
CHUCK COLLINS, Director, Division of Worker's Compensation,
Department of Labor & Workforce Development, introduced himself
for the public record.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked what was included in Amendment 7
that would not be covered by workers compensation or FMLA.
MR. COLLINS stated that workers compensation in Alaska has no
coverage for family leave. He provided an anecdote to
illustrate his answer, stating that were he to sustain an injury
at work, if his spouse took time off to care for him, her time
off would not be covered by workers compensation. He noted that
FMLA could provide job protection for his spouse, but it was
unpaid.
4:15:38 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS maintained his objection. He offered his
agreement with Co-Chair Hall.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Saddler and Carrick
voted in favor of the motion to adopt Amendment 7 to HB 193, as
amended. Representatives Coulombe, Burke, Hall, and Fields
voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 7 failed to be adopted
by a vote of 2-4.
4:16:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE moved to adopt Amendment 8 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.11, A. Radford, 4/29/25, which read
as follows:
Page 20, line 12:
Delete "[370]."
Page 20, following line 12:
Insert new material to read:
"70,250 70,500 678
70,500 70,750 680
70,750 71,000 683
71,000 71,250 685
71,250 71,500 688
71,500 71,750 690
71,750 72,000 692
72,000 72,250 695
72,250 72,500 697
72,500 72,750 700
72,750 73,000 702
73,000 73,250 704
73,250 73,500 707
73,500 73,750 709
73,750 74,000 712
74,000 74,250 714
74,250 74,500 716
74,500 74,750 719
74,750 75,000 721
75,000 75,250 724
75,250 75,500 726
75,500 75,750 728
75,750 76,000 731
76,000 76,250 733
76,250 76,500 736
76,500 76,750 738
76,750 77,000 740
77,000 77,250 743
77,250 77,500 745
77,500 77,750 748
77,750 78,000 750
78,000 78,250 752
78,250 78,500 755
78,500 78,750 757
78,750 79,000 760
79,000 79,250 762
79,250 79,500 764
79,500 79,750 767
79,750 80,000 769
80,000 80,250 772
80,250 80,500 774
80,500 80,750 776
80,750 81,000 779
81,000 81,250 781
81,250 81,500 784
81,500 81,750 786
81,750 82,000 788
82,000 82,250 791
82,250 82,500 793
82,500 82,750 796
82,750 83,000 798
83,000 83,250 800
83,250 83,500 803
83,500 83,750 805
83,750 84,000 808
84,000 84,250 810
84,250 84,500 813
84,500 84,750 815
84,750 85,000 817
85,000 85,250 820
85,250 85,500 822
85,500 85,750 825
85,750 86,000 827
86,000 86,250 829
86,250 86,500 832
86,500 86,750 834
86,750 87,000 837
87,000 87,250 839
87,250 87,500 841
87,500 87,750 844
87,750 88,000 846
88,000 88,250 849
88,250 88,500 851
88,500 88,750 853
88,750 89,000 856
89,000 89,250 858
89,250 89,500 861
89,500 89,750 863
89,750 90,000 865
90,000 90,250 868
90,250 90,500 870
90,500 90,750 873
90,750 91,000 875
91,000 91,250 877
91,250 91,500 880
91,500 91,750 882
91,750 92,000 885
92,000 92,250 887
92,250 92,500 889
92,500 92,750 892
92,750 93,000 894
93,000 93,250 897
93,250 93,500 899
93,500 93,750 901
93,750 94,000 904
94,000 94,250 906
94,250 94,500 909
94,500 94,750 911
94,750 95,000 913
95,000 95,250 916
95,250 95,500 918
95,500 95,750 921
95,750 96,000 923
96,000 96,250 925
96,250 96,500 928
96,500 96,750 930
96,750 97,000 933
97,000 97,250 935
97,250 97,500 938
97,500 97,750 940
97,750 98,000 942
98,000 98,250 945
98,250 98,500 947
98,500 98,750 950
98,750 99,000 952
99,000 99,250 954
99,250 99,500 957
99,500 99,750 959
99,750 100,000 962
100,000 962 [370]."
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE explained that Amendment 8 would
increase the weekly UI benefit from $370 to $678. She further
explained that the amendment would increase the salary
eligibility for UI benefits to $100,000.
4:17:38 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked Mr. Weller to speak to the amendment.
MR. WELLER replied that it would be the most generous increase
in the benefits schedule in Alaska's history and would
constitute double the average wage of an Alaska resident. He
recommended caution, noting that the average annual taxable wage
base in 2025 was $51,700. He stated that it would be ideal to
keep the revenues and expenditure equal. He further stated that
its possible the revenue would grow at a slower rate than the
benefits schedule, noting that it could be an issue in the long
term.
4:20:32 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 8, to delete all material beginning from page 3, line
11 [as numbered on Amendment 8, beginning with "85,000"] to the
end.
4:21:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected to Conceptual Amendment 1 to
Amendment 8.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS explained that the conceptual amendment would
retain the weekly benefits increase proposed by Representative
Coulombe, and capping the eligible salary at $85.000.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that it would be a significant
expansion of benefits. He stated that he would like to preserve
the revenue for those with a greater need for the UI benefits.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER maintained his objection to Conceptual
Amendment 1.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Burke, Carrick,
Coulombe, Hall, and Fields voted in favor of the motion to adopt
Conceptual Amendment 1 to Amendment 8 to HB 193, as amended.
Representatives Saddler voted against it. Therefore, Conceptual
Amendment 1 was adopted by a vote of 5-1.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS removed his objection to Amendment 8, as
amended, to HB 193, as amended.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER objected.
4:22:51 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Burke, Carrick,
Coulombe, Hall, and Fields voted in favor of the motion to adopt
Amendment 8, as amended, to HB 193, as amended. Representatives
Saddler voted against it. Therefore, Amendment 8, as amended,
was adopted by a vote of 5-1.
4:23:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE moved to adopt Amendment 9 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.16, A. Radford, 5/1/25, which read:
Page 4, line 12:
Delete "26"
Insert "12"
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE explained that she offered the amendment
to make the point that 26 weeks of paid parental leave would
cost $175 million. She noted that this concern was addressed in
Amendment 1.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE [moved to] withdraw her motion to adopt
Amendment 9. [There being no objection, Amendment 9 was treated
as withdrawn.]
4:24:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE moved to adopt Amendment 10 to HB 193,
as amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.18, A. Radford, 5/1/25, which
read as follows:
Page 4, line 31, through page 5, line 15:
Delete all material.
Page 5, line 16:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.740"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.735"
Page 6, line 4:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.745"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.740"
Page 6, line 9:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.750"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.745"
Page 6, line 12:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.755"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.750"
Page 7, line 1:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.760"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.755"
Page 7, line 19:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.765"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.760"
Page 7, line 22:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.770"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.765"
Page 8, line 31:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.775"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.770"
Page 9, line 15:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.780"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.775"
Page 10, line 17:
Delete "Sec. 23.10.785"
Insert "Sec. 23.10.780"
Page 21, line 5:
Delete "AS 23.10.780"
Insert "AS 23.10.775"
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purposes of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE noted that there was a section of the
proposed legislation that allowed self-employed individuals to
receive benefits. She noted that it made up approximately
$8,000 of the fiscal note. She suggested that, with the program
being new, it would be better to remove that section and address
it at a later time.
4:25:19 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL offered her support for Amendment 10.
4:25:31 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked for confirmation that Amendment 10 would
reduce the fiscal note.
MS. HARBOUR confirmed that it was correct and noted that [DLWD]
could save approximately $700,000 with the amendment.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS withdrew his objection to Amendment 10.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked for confirmation that [DLWD] could divert
funds into the proposed leave program as needed with the
adoption of all prior amendments.
MS. HARBOUR responded that it was correct, providing the passage
of the fiscal notes.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS stated that it was the intent for the
administrative costs of the parental leave program to be paid by
the funding mechanism established under HB 193 to avoid a UGF
obligation.
4:26:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE requested an estimate of operational
costs to [DLWD].
MS. HARBOUR replied that there are two fiscal notes under HB
193. She estimated that the cost of tax collection would be
approximately $675,000 annually and additionally stated that the
costs of administrating the program would be approximately
$875,000. She noted that in its first year of implementation,
the program would be a little more expensive.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that there being no further objection,
Amendment 10 was adopted.
4:28:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE moved to adopt Amendment 11 to HB 193,
as amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.20, A. Radford, 4/29/25, which
read as follows:
Page 20, following line 12:
Insert a new bill section to read:
"* Sec. 3. AS 23.20.350(f) is amended to read:
(f) An individual who establishes a benefit year
is eligible for an allowance for dependents in
addition to the individual's weekly benefit amount.
The department may require an individual claiming or
receiving an allowance for dependents to produce
income tax returns, birth certificates, notices of
adoption or custody, social security account number of
spouse, verification of support documents, or other
information necessary to verify that the allowance is
payable to the individual. The allowance for
dependents
(1) is $72 [$24] per week for each
dependent, except that the total allowance for
dependents paid to an individual may not exceed $216
[$72] for each week of unemployment;
(2) is payable beginning with the week
during the benefit year in which the individual claims
an allowance for the dependent and is payable for the
remainder of the individual's eligibility for regular,
extended, or supplemental payments during the benefit
year;
(3) may not be claimed for a new dependent
after the end of the benefit year or after the
exhaustion of regular benefits in the benefit year [;
(4) REPEALED
(5) REPEALED]."
Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purpose of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE explained that the amendment would raise
the per dependent benefit from $23 to $72. She noted that the
adjustment reflects inflation. She further stated that the
maximum total week l7 allowance for dependents could not exceed
$216 under Amendment 11.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS removed his objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 11 was adopted.
4:29:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE moved to adopt Amendment 12 to HB 193, as
amended, labeled 34-LS0612\G.4, A. Radford, 4/28/25, which read
as follows:
Page 2, line 19, following "by,":
Insert "appointment as the legal guardian of that
child by,"
Page 2, line 21, following "adoption":
Insert ", legal guardianship,"
Page 3, line 14:
Delete "or"
Page 3, line 16, following "AS 18.50.165":
Insert "; or
(6) a document from a state or tribal court
confirming a petition for or decree of legal
guardianship of the child"
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purposes of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE explained that the amendment would include
adoption by way of tribal courts or personal relations under the
"qualifying purpose language" under HB 193. She shared a
personal anecdote, noting that her children were adopted through
tribal courts. She noted that adoption would be allowed through
documentation from a state or tribal court under Amendment 12.
4:30:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated his interpretation of petition
under Amendment 12 would allow for leave once a petition, which
may not be approved, is filed. He suggested removing petitions
from the amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE suspected that the timeline between filing
for guardianship to court hearing was much shorter in tribal
courts than state courts. She noted that, in her experience,
the child was in her custody for the duration of the process.
She preferred to leave petition in the amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated that his intent was to prohibit an
individual from taking leave upon petition and another period of
leave upon approval and decree of guardianship. He expressed
his concern over a parent or guardian taking "two tranches of
leave."
4:32:21 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS noted that a guardian or parent might need to
travel to a neighboring community to complete the adoption
process with the child. He stated that the leave was necessary
to complete the process.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS, in response to an additional question from
Representative Saddler, stated that the "total period of leave
would be the same," but it could be possible that the period of
leave would need to start before finalizing the adoption
paperwork.
4:33:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE confirmed that is the intent of the
proposed amendment.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS, in response to concerns from Representative
Saddler regarding language, noted that the committee would
request Legislative Legal to look over the amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if changes in legal guardianship
are frequent in the case of adoption. He shared concerns
regarding subsequent leaves of absence with frequent changes in
legal guardianship.
4:34:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE stated that the scenario that
Representative Saddler described happens frequently in foster
care. She opined that a parent or guardian taking advantage of
the leave of absence was inconsequential compared to the needs
of the child.
4:35:21 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BURKE provided a personal anecdote, stating that
she returned to her work within a week of her daughter's birth.
She stated that she wanted to ensure that a child placed with an
adult with the intent of adoption could receive the benefit
throughout the process, which could be lengthy.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER offered his appreciation for the
explanations.
4:36:37 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL offered her appreciation for the amendment.
CO-CHAIR FIELDS withdrew his objection. There being no further
objection, Amendment 12 was adopted.
4:37:29 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL moved to report HB 193, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 193(L&C) was
reported out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
4:38:01 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL thanked committee members for their collaboration
on HB 193.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 1 Fields G.15.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 2 Fields G.10.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 3 Fields G.14.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 4 Saddler G.5.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 5 Saddler G.6.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 6 Saddler G.7.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 7 Saddler G.13.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 8 Coulombe G.11.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 9 Coulombe G.16.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 10 Coulombe G.18.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB 193 HL&C Amendment 11 Coulombe G.20.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB0156A.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 156 |
| HB 156 Sponsor Statement Version A.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 156 |
| HB 156 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 156 |
| HB 156 Fiscal Note.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 156 |
| HB 156 LOS as of 04.28.25.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 156 |
| HB 178 Supporting Document-Medical Debt PPT 4.25.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 HL&C Bill Packet 4.25.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| AKPIRG Medical Debt in Alaska Report 2.2024.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Sponsor Statement Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Testimony - Received as of 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB 178 Sectional Analysis Version A 4.16.2025.pdf |
HL&C 4/25/2025 9:00:00 AM HL&C 4/30/2025 3:15:00 PM HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |
| HB193 HL&C Amendment 12 Burke G.4.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB 193 Supporting Document-HL&C Amendment Table 5.2.2025.pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 193 |
| HB 178 Amendment 1 (N.3).pdf |
HL&C 5/2/2025 3:15:00 PM |
HB 178 |