Legislature(2013 - 2014)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/18/2014 08:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB216 | |
| HB356 | |
| HB216 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 216 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 356 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 216-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE STATE
CHAIR DYSON announced the consideration of HB 216. [CSHB
216(STA) was before the committee.]
8:03:37 AM
SENATOR COGHILL moved Amendment 1.
CHAIR DYSON objected for discussion purposes.
SENATOR COGHILL explained that the amendment places the bill
under a different statute and terms the languages listed in the
bill as "ceremonial" as opposed to "official."
8:06:08 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHON KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State
Legislature, sponsor of HB 216, reviewed Senator Coghill's
amendment and asked if the intent is to move the language from
Chapter 44.12 to Chapter 44.09.
SENATOR COGHILL answered yes; the amendment would create a new
Sec. 44.09.150.
CHAIR DYSON offered to set the bill aside to give the sponsor an
opportunity to review the amendment.
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS explained that the bill amends
Chapter 44.12 because that chapter addresses official language.
He said he appreciates the intent of creating a new section in
Chapter 44.09, but has a slight hesitation. He advised that the
balance he hopes to strike is to impose no obligation or burden
on government, but not make it appear that these languages are
in a display case and ceremonial.
SENATOR COGHILL said his intention is to honor the languages
while recognizing that Alaska trades in English.
8:11:07 AM
At ease.
8:12:24 AM
CHAIR DYSON reconvened the meeting and recessed to a call of the
chair.
HB 216-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE STATE
CHAIR DYSON returned attention to HB 216. [Amendment 1 was under
consideration.]
11:26:10 AM
SENATOR COGHILL restated that the intent of Amendment 1 is to
place the bill in Chapter 44.09 that houses the state seal,
flag, and emblems. He noted that he and the sponsor were working
on a compromise.
11:28:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE JONATHON KREISS-TOMKINS, sponsor of HB 216, said
he wants to ensure that the language is still true to the spirit
of the bill while acknowledging Senator Coghill's concern. It is
very clear in statute that English is the official language of
government and commerce in Alaska. The bill was never intended
to touch that; its purpose is to bring these Native languages in
on an equal plane, because they are just as Alaskan as English.
He said he didn't object to moving the bill to Chapter 44.09 as
long as the wording in the bill still gives these Native
languages official status. He expressed hesitation about using
the term "ceremonial."
CHAIR DYSON disagreed with using the term "ceremonial" and
suggested using the term "recognized;" it is neither official
nor ceremonial.
11:31:37 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he appreciates the effort to find a
compromise, but his perspective is that the bill does not impact
the voter passed initiative that enacted AS 44.12.320. It reads
as follows:
SCOPE
The English language is the language to be used by all
public agencies in all government functions and
actions. The English language shall be used in the
preparation of all official public documents and
records, including all documents officially compiled,
published or recorded by the government.
He noted that Senator Coghill provided a Legislative Legal
memorandum that in part says:
In my opinion, HB 216 would not create an additional
duty of government to provide documents in another
language.
I do not believe that HB 216 would require printing
ballots and voting materials in the official
languages. It is my opinion that HB 216 would not
place any additional burdens on schools. It is my
opinion that HB 216 would not require schools to teach
a second language in the public school system.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he understands Senator Coghill's
concern, but he believes the problems have been addressed and
the bill doesn't need change.
SENATOR GIESSEL noted that Sec. 44.12.310 says that the English
language is the official language of the State of Alaska.
SENATOR COGHILL agreed, adding that the bill would change that
so that English and the listed Native languages would be the
official languages of the state. He thought that would be
confusing, based on the findings and scope. He worried that this
could cause problems.
11:36:00 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS questioned whether moving the text
of the bill to Chapter 44.09 would be a fair compromise.
SENATOR COGHILL agreed with the suggestion.
CHAIR DYSON suggested the committee move the bill and amend it
on the floor.
SENATOR COGHILL offered to withdraw the amendment and work with
the sponsor on a floor amendment.
11:38:30 AM
SENATOR COGHILL withdrew Amendment 1.
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report CS for HB 216(STA), labeled 28-
LS0905\Y, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note(s).
CHAIR DYSON found no objection and announced that CSHB 216(STA)
is reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
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