Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120
02/10/2026 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| 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 250-LAW ENFORCEMENT; CONCEALING ONE'S FACE
3:18:30 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 250, "An Act establishing the crime of wearing
a mask in public while acting as a peace officer; and providing
for an effective date."
REPRESENTATIVE SARA HANNAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented an overview of HB 250. This bill would make
it a crime for peace officers in Alaska to wear face coverings
in the performance of their duties. She said that HB 250 is a
pro law enforcement piece of legislation. She stated that it
promotes and secures public trust and the dignity and integrity
of peace officers working in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN said masked law enforcement is wrong on
many levels. When officers conceal their faces, they compromise
transparency and communication. Masks get in the way of
deescalation efforts. In fact, they do the opposite, they
increase fear and intimidation in already tense circumstances.
She said being unable to see an officer can lead to
misunderstandings and needless tragic outcomes. When officers
can't be identified, the risk that someone might impersonate law
enforcement to commit crimes is increased. There are exemptions
in the bill for officers working undercover, face shields for
safety that don't obscure the face, medical masks or
respirators, and masks for protection against smoke. In the
end, the legislature wants Alaskans to trust peace officers and
does not want regulation from the federal government to affect
how officers conduct themselves in Alaska.
TIM CLARK, Staff, Representative Sara Hannan, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Hannan, prime sponsor,
presented a sectional analysis of HB 250 [hard copy included in
the committee file] which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Sec. 1: Amends AS 11.56 by adding a new section
11.56.880stating that a peace officer is in violation
of the law if they conceal their face with a mask or
disguise while interacting with the public in an
official capacity.
This section also lists circumstances under which the
law would not apply. They include:
• If the officer is on an undercover assignment
• If the officer is wearing a shield designed to
protect their face from harm without obscuring their
face
• If the officer is wearing a medical mask or
respirator for health reasons and has a statement from
a licensed physician stating as much
• Or if the officer is wearing a mask to protect from
exposure to smoke.
Section 1 also states that wearing a mask in public
while acting as a peace officer is a class B
misdemeanor (punishable by up to 90 days in jail
and/or a fine of up to $2000).
Sec. 2: Amends uncodified law to state that the act
applies only to offenses committed on or after the
effective date of the act.
Sec. 3: Provides an immediate effective date for the
act.
3:23:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked how many times this has occurred
in Alaska with the masks.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that Alaska doesn't keep
centralized statistics.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR remarked that it is unknown how big of
a problem this is. He asked if this would affect federal agents
working in Alaska.
MR. CLARK replied that the bill was drafted to include
prohibiting federal agents from masking in Alaska.
3:24:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked why masks are being worn to the
degree that is seen right now and whether this law would
interact or oppose specific directive given by federal law.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that she doesn't know why federal
officers in one branch are doing this. She wants to preempt
this action and reflect the standard of policing wanted in
Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked why peace officers are trying to
mask their identity.
MR. CLARK replied that mostly reported in the press, federal
agents feel they may be targeted for harassment or other
criminal retribution on the part of the public. All public
officials face some risk in the jobs they do.
3:28:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated there is a study that says there is
a one thousand percent increase in assaults on federal officers
and their families due to being able to be identified. He asked
how HB 250 would address doxing an officer and whether the
sponsor would be open to establishing a felony charge.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that [doxing] is criminal behavior
that is already in statute and should be prosecuted.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE noted that there is a supremacy clause
lawsuit in California. He asked how HB 250 would address
federal officers.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN answered that the court had a ruling
yesterday, and if regulating to the same standard, there is no
issue.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said by criminalizing masking then a
federal peace officer who puts on a mask must get a ticket from
the Alaska law enforcement officer.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that the first question is
identification, and it is critical to be able to enforce the
law.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated that every law officer in Alaska
has a badge and a name tag. Law officers must identify
themselves by name and badge number in Anchorage. He suggested
this was just a solution in search of a problem that doesn't
exist.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN stated that her constituents would like to
have an open relationship with law enforcement. She said masked
law enforcement seems to be counter to deescalation as verbal
cues aren't always the clearest indicator.
CHAIR CARRICK noted that Representative McCabe had said that a
peace officer has a badge and must identify themself. She
observed that this legislation is in partial response to what is
being seen in the country. She asked if ICE agents have the
same guidelines with a name badge and having to identify
themselves.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied she doesn't know as this is
targeted at Alaska peace officers. Most Alaskans are satisfied
with the transparency of officers. Alaskans and peace officers
following police standards continue to be known and respected by
Alaskans.
CHAIR CARRICK asked if the bill is limited to peace officers in
Alaska.
MR. CLARK replied that the bill would include law officers sent
to perform duties in Alaska.
3:36:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY thanked the bill sponsor for bringing this
bill forward. She commented that Alaska wants to maintain trust
with police officers. She asked whether HB 202 should also
include village public safety officers (VPSOs).
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that the definition includes
VPSOs.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked about Representative McCabe's concern
about a peace officer being targeted. She asked whether there
is an exception that would allow a police officer to wear a mask
if they were under a possible threat.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that threatening, harassing, and
vandalism are already criminal acts that should be prosecuted.
MR. CLARK said included in the ruling from yesterday [in
California], the judge wrote a rule that prohibits from wearing
masks does not enable criminals to harm them. These are already
criminal acts and a rule prohibiting law enforcement by wearing
masks or requiring them to have identification does not
facilitate them harming officers.
3:39:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that Representative Hannan wanted to
stop federal overreach that could institute this practice in
Alaska. She inquired whether there is a specific movement such
as a bill in Congress or an Executive Order.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied not currently. As has been seen,
a lot of police departments have changed standards. She opined
that Alaska should not comply with what is being done at the
federal level.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that the sponsor's constituents want
open communication with officers without a mask. She stated
that peace officers have been doxed and there has been harm to
them and their families. She said it seems like you are
prioritizing comfort of constituents to the safety of officers.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN responded that if the police department
were going to be masked and identities not known to the
community, then Alaska is going to have secret police. Most
people know who police are in the community. In Alaska, the
legislature wants to build community trust.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said that because of the tension and lack
of respect for law enforcement, crime in Alaska, especially in
Anchorage, has been high. She asked if the bill sponsor had
conversations regarding how this would affect recruitment and
retention.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied no.
3:44:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE noted there is a medical exception in the
bill for someone who obtains a doctor's note. He asked the bill
sponsor if she would be open to an amendment to prevent any
public official from requiring masking in a public building.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN answered no.
3:46:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY said that peace officers are part of the
community. She said harm can happen when losing that
connection. She hears the seriousness of what Representative
Hannan is bringing before the committee.
3:48:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked if any part of the bill was
mitigated by a name tag or body camera ("cam").
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN said that the primary interaction of law
enforcement is deescalation, and any time a face is covered,
that limits the ability to communicate through loss of facial
expressions. The proposed legislation aims to eliminate
barriers and enhance communication. Body cams are a backup
device.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated that during the COVID-19
pandemic, teachers had increased difficulty of communicating
[while wearing a mask].
3:50:21 PM
CHAIR CARRICK stated that the legislature wanted to prevent this
from being standard practice in Alaska. She asked if there was
anything else on the horizon.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN stated she didn't review all police
standards to look at what may be evolving.
CHAIR CARRICK stated that she appreciated Representative Story's
comments. The noted that the committee substitute for HB 202,
although narrowly tailored, offers "lots of exceptions" applied
to the realities of living in Alaska. She said the fullness of
communication happens with facial recognition and is targeted
with this legislation.
3:52:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 250, Version 34-LS1284\I, C. Radford,
1/21/26, as a working document.
CHAIR CARRICK objected and asked for the sectional analysis to
be presented.
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, stated that the proposed CS for HB 250 adds an
exemption for cold weather masks, specifically, a mask while
outdoors when the temperature is at or below 32 degrees
Fahrenheit.
3:53:28 PM
CHAIR CARRICK removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Version I was before the committee.
3:53:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said he was concerned about this bill as
someone who has been publicly doxed. There are some situations
for anonymity, and this bill takes away a tool. There may be
times when things get a little heated and violent and maybe the
legislature doesn't want officers' families exposed.
CHAIR CARRICK asked the bill sponsor whether a masked individual
has more negative encounters and escalations because the
inability to communicate nonverbally.
3:57:20 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that the worst antidotal example
with masked officers is in Minnesota where two citizens were
shot with fatal results. She acknowledged that it is unknown
whether this incident would have been avoided if the officers
had been unmasked.
CHAIR CARRICK said that when considering officer safety,
Representative McCabe's concern about doxing is understandable.
On the other hand, there could be issues with masking limiting
communication and leading to escalation.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE suggested, in the interest of fairness, an
amendment that would prohibit protestors from wearing a mask, so
that the officers "can easily identify those that are creating
the ruckus."
3:58:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE noted that HB 202, Version I, added an
exception when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
She asked whether that would include wind chill.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN indicated that the choice of 32 degrees
Fahrenheit is not that cold but allows for [wind chill
situations].
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked the bill sponsor if she was opposed
to peace officers "wearing a beards," which could have an effect
similar [to wearing a mask].
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN pointed out that she could recognize
Representative St. Clair with or without a beard.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked that the committee have the police
standards board come to the committee.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR shared his experience working
undercover in narcotics. He stated that doxing does happen. He
asked if the bill sponsor had looked at doing anything through
the Alaska Police Standards Council.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN answered no, she wanted to address it
directly.
MR. CLARK added that the law is meant to apply to the federal
agents and the Alaska Police Standards Council wouldn't be
involved in this case.
4:04:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked if the supremacy clause applied in
this case.
MR. CLARK replied that he didn't know.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked if protestors get paid with
public funds.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN answered no.
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT explained her point was that the people
in the proposed legislation are paid with public dollars, while
protestors are not.
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN said thanked committee members for their
time and attention.
4:06:14 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced HB 250, Version I, was held over.