Legislature(2023 - 2024)GRUENBERG 120
04/04/2024 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HCR13 | |
| HB188 | |
| SB68 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HCR 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 188 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 287 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 68 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
April 4, 2024
3:05 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Laddie Shaw, Chair
Representative Stanley Wright, Vice Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Jamie Allard
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Craig Johnson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13
Recognizing and commending the National Conference of State
Legislatures on its 50th anniversary in 2025.
- MOVED HCR 13 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 188
"An Act relating to animal adoption and foster care records."
- HEARD & HELD
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 68(RES) AM
"An Act relating to public notice for certain state actions and
public hearings; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 287
"An Act relating to public notice for certain state actions and
public hearings; and providing for an effective date."
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HCR 13
SHORT TITLE: RECOGNIZING NCSL ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SADDLER
02/20/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/20/24 (H) STA
03/26/24 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/26/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/04/24 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 188
SHORT TITLE: ANIMAL ADOPTION RECORDS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) DIBERT
05/03/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/03/23 (H) STA
05/16/23 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
05/16/23 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/04/24 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: SB 68
SHORT TITLE: PUBLIC NOTICE FOR STATE ACTIONS/HEARINGS
SPONSOR(s): RESOURCES
02/10/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/10/23 (S) RES
03/15/23 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/15/23 (S) Heard & Held
03/15/23 (S) MINUTE(RES)
03/24/23 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
03/24/23 (S) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
04/19/23 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/19/23 (S) Heard & Held
04/19/23 (S) MINUTE(RES)
04/21/23 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/21/23 (S) Heard & Held
04/21/23 (S) MINUTE(RES)
04/26/23 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
04/26/23 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED --
05/01/23 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/01/23 (S) Scheduled but Not Heard
05/05/23 (S) RES AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
05/05/23 (S) Moved CSSB 68(RES) Out of Committee
05/05/23 (S) MINUTE(RES)
05/08/23 (S) RES RPT CS 3DP 3NR NEW TITLE
05/08/23 (S) DP: BISHOP, GIESSEL, KAUFMAN
05/08/23 (S) NR: KAWASAKI, CLAMAN, WIELECHOWSKI
03/07/24 (S) PRIME SPONSOR CHANGED - SENATE
RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPLACED GIESSEL
03/11/24 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
03/11/24 (S) VERSION: CSSB 68(RES) AM
03/13/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/13/24 (H) STA
04/04/24 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HCR 13.
REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE DIBERT
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 188.
KIMBERLEE IMBERT, Operations Supervisor
Animal Control
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony and spoke in
support of HB 188.
CHRISTOPHER LOSCAR, Animal Care Director
Animal Care and Regulation Shelter
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided invited testimony and spoke in
support of HB 188.
SARAH EVANS, Staff
Representative Maxine Dibert
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
188, on behalf of Representative Dibert, prime sponsor.
SENATOR KATHY GEISEL
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented SB 68.
CHRISTY COLLES, Director
Central Office
Division of Mining Land and Water
Department of Natural Resources
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
68.
GENE MCCABE, Acting Director
Division of Water
Department of Environmental Conservation
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB
68.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:05:12 PM
CHAIR LADDIE SHAW called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. Representatives
Carrick, Wright, Story, Allard, and Shaw were present at the
call to order. Representative Carpenter arrived as the meeting
was in progress.
HCR 13-RECOGNIZING NCSL ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY
3:06:24 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13, Recognizing and commending
the National Conference of State Legislatures on its 50th
anniversary in 2025.
3:06:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HCR 13. He provided a sponsor statement
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
was created in 1975 by seven state legislators and two
staffers, who had a vision for a single, national non-
partisan organization dedicated to supporting,
defending and strengthening state legislatures.
NCSL has since grown into the leading national
institution for state legislatures. It serves all 50
states and the District of Columbia, providing elected
officials and staff with policy research, training,
technical assistance and collaboration opportunities.
Every state legislator and staffer is automatically a
member of NCSL, and has access to the organization's
wide array of services and resources.
Working from its Colorado headquarters and its
satellite office in Washington D.C., NCSL works to
strengthen the independence, effectiveness and
integrity of legislatures, to foster interstate
cooperation among legislatures, and to facilitate the
exchange of information among legislatures, both
within the U.S. and with state-level legislatures in
other nations.
NCSL further represents the interest of state
legislatures in their relations with the federal
government, most notably in support of state
sovereignty, state flexibility and protection from
unfunded federal mandates and unwarranted federal
preemption.
House Concurrent Resolution 13 commends the National
Conference of State Legislatures for its 50 years of
service to state legislators and staff.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that HCR 13 expresses the
Alaska State Legislature's acknowledgement and celebration of
the fiftieth anniversary of the National Conference of State
Legislatures (NCSL). He explained that NCSL provides training
for legislators and their staff members, fosters cooperation
among state legislatures, and conducts policy research. He
noted his participation in many conferences that have provided
valuable perspectives. He said in 2023, 37 legislators and 89
legislative staff participated in NCSL events and training.
3:10:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked if Representative Saddler is on the
board of NCSL.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said he was recently named the Alaska
Representative to the Executive Committee of NCSL.
REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD stated that she does not agree with NCSL
and claimed that the organization is partisan.
3:10:54 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:10 p.m. to 3:11 p.m.
3:11:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY commented about her positive experiences
utilizing NCSL's resources to conduct research about policies
passed in other states.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER mentioned that NCSL has performed
research requests in 175 instances for Alaska legislators or
staffers in the last three years.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK commented that she has benefitted from
NCSL's training content even when she has not agreed with it.
She highlighted that NCSL contributes to legislative staff
training. She recollected her previous role as a staffer and
explained that she found the training offered to be extremely
valuable.
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER emphasized the increased value of
legislative staff through the work of NCSL. He said that NCSL
is a good forum for Alaska legislators and staff to network with
lawmakers from the Lower 48 and get new perspectives on Alaska's
problems. He said that NCSL prides itself on being nonpartisan.
3:14:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT moved to report HCR 13 from committee,
with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HCR 13 was reported from the House
State Affairs Standing Committee.
3:15:48 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:15 p.m. to 3:17 p.m.
HB 188-ANIMAL ADOPTION RECORDS
3:17:43 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 188, "An Act relating to animal adoption and
foster care records."
3:18:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE DIBERT, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented HB 188. She provided a sponsor statement
[included in the committee packet], which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
When an animal is impounded in Alaska by animal
control or shelters, it may become available for
adoption or fostering following the appropriate
holding period. The records related to animal adoption
and foster care often include personal details such as
names, phone numbers, or physical addresses of
individuals involved in the process. While several
local governments have exemptions for animal adoption
records outlined in their municipal codes, not all
municipalities offer the same level of public record
exemptions for animal adoption or foster care. There
has been a recent push to establish statewide privacy
protections for individuals adopting or fostering
animals from shelters. HB 188 aims to achieve this by
exempting the personal identifying information of
adopters or foster caregivers from public record
requests under Alaska's Public Records Act.
REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT informed the committee that Senator Myers
is carrying the Senate's version of the bill. She described
issues that arise when the original pet owner comes to a shelter
after their found pet has been adopted to another home. Public
records requests to find new owners have been made by previous
owners for the purpose of harassment. Standard procedure
mandates that information be withheld from public records
requests only when a safety threat is evident, which requires a
thorough analysis of each request to ascertain safety concerns.
Municipalities are not permitted to inquire about the specific
purpose behind a public records request.
REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT explained that HB 188 seeks to exempt the
names and personal information of individuals adopting or
fostering animals from public records requests. Implementing
this measure at the state level provides blanket protection for
all municipalities striving to safeguard animal adopters.
3:22:16 PM
KIMBERLEE IMBERT, Operations Supervisor, Animal Control,
Fairbanks North Star Borough, described her background working
at Animal Control. She told stories of people who felt their
safety was at stake because of public records availability after
an animal adoption. She mentioned that people are frequently
hesitant to adopt out of a fear of harassment.
3:23:57 PM
CHRISTOPHER LOSCAR, Animal Care Director, Animal Care and
Regulation Shelter, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, explained that HB
188 would directly apply to his work. He said that HB 188 is
reasonable and necessary legislation that will safeguard members
of the community. He discussed safety concerns that are
experienced when personal identification information is released
related to cases where adopted animals had previously
experienced cruelty and are forfeited. Safeguarding personal
information will encourage people to adopt and foster animals.
He said that increased adoptions will ultimately reduce shelter
stay times.
3:25:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked about hold time requirements
throughout the state.
SARAH EVANS, Staff, Representative Maxine Dibert, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Dibert, prime sponsor,
answered that hold times vary throughout the state. She offered
to provide a list of hold times for different municipalities
throughout the state. She said that the shortest hold time is
72 hours and said that the hold times are usually between three
to five days. She noted the efforts put forth by shelter
workers who attempt to find original pet owners expediently.
CHAIR SHAW announced that HB 188 was held over.
SB 68-PUBLIC NOTICE FOR STATE ACTIONS/HEARINGS
3:27:47 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the final order of business would be
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 68(RES) am, "An Act relating to public
notice for certain state actions and public hearings; and
providing for an effective date."
CHAIR SHAW mentioned that the committee heard HB 287, the
companion bill to SB 68, on March 14, 2024.
3:28:34 PM
SENATOR KATHY GEISEL, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, presented CSSB 68(RES) am. She provided a summary of
changes and presented the sponsor statement [included in the
committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Senate Bill 68 proposes changes to certain public
notice requirements relating to certain land and water
usages. The bill changes the requirement for public
notice by allowing an option to use the Alaska Online
Public Notice System. This would provide a new means
to the current requirement that notices be posted in a
newspaper of general circulation in an affected area.
The bill would update, but not substantively change,
other requirements for notice by the appropriate
commissioner to determine the rights of persons
regarding related issues.
By allowing for online public notice, it is possible
to save applicants money as opposed to newspaper
notice. The changes would utilize the state's online
public notice system, which is available to most
Alaskans to view at no cost. Public notices posted on
this system are permanently retained for future
reference, whereas newspaper notices are difficult to
retrieve. Utilizing the online public notice system
ensures that Alaskans have equal access to public
notices rather than just newspaper subscribers or
residents of certain areas. Finally, online public
notice would eliminate coordinating issues with
newspaper publications and reduces permit processing
timeframes.
The public is encouraged to utilize the
"Subscriptions" feature on the Alaska Online Public
Notice System
(https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/) to
tailor what notifications from which departments they
wish to receive. The State of Alaska is eager to
educate the public on the benefits of using the online
notice system. SB 68 enables public notice to be
delivered to Alaskans through the Internet.
SENATOR GEISEL indicated that the statute changes were requested
by both the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
3:29:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked about other forms of notification to
be utilized in addition to electronic notification and how the
departments assess when to utilize a newspaper or other source
for public notification.
3:30:50 PM
CHRISTY COLLES, Director, Central Office, Division of Mining
Land and Water, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), responded
that there are a variety of factors that are considered when
deciding how to publicly notify a community. She said that the
department does its best to take into account public input.
3:31:40 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked if the Alaska Online Public Notice
System is seen as a substitute or duplicative method to inform
the public. She mentioned that some of her constituents have
expressed concern that the online notices would not reach a wide
enough audience.
MS. COLLES said that the department views the bill as creating
more opportunities for flexibility to reach as many people as
possible. The Alaska Online Public Notice System creates
consistency and continuity. Alaskans can sign up for
notifications. Postings can also occur at centralized locations
within small communities as well.
3:33:39 PM
GENE MCCABE, Acting Director, Division of Water, Department of
Environmental Conservation, explained that not only does the
department utilize the Alaska Online Notice System, it also
utilizes social media feeds associated with the department to
provide information to a broader audience. He said the
department annually publishes a list of permits it intends to
issue. He further mentioned a tribal coordinator sends out
early tribal notification for pending permits prior to going out
for public notice. He said DEC finds CSSB 68(RES) am would
create more flexibility.
3:35:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT expressed his support for CSSB 68(RES) am.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY commented on the importance of public
education to inform Alaskans about how the posting will be
accomplished. She emphasized the importance of transparency
with the public.
3:36:18 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that amendments would be due by April 9,
2024, and that CSSB 68(RES) am was held over.
3:36:41 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at [3:37]
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HCR 13 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 13 |
| HCR 13 Version A.pdf |
HSTA 3/26/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HCR 13 |
| HB 188 FNSB Support Letter 1.22.24.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 188 |
| HB 188 Supporting Doc. FNSB Animal Adoption Answers 1.24.24.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 188 |
| HB 188 Sectional.1.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 188 |
| HB 188 Sponsor Statement.1.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 188 |
| HB 287 Sectional Analysis .pdf |
HSTA 3/14/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 287 |
| HB 287 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HSTA 3/14/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 287 |
| HB0287A.pdf |
HSTA 3/14/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 287 |
| SB 68 Amendment 1 HSTA.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
|
| SB 68 Fiscal Note DEC 3.7.24.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM |
SB 68 |
| SB 68 Fiscal Note DNR 3.7.24.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM |
SB 68 |
| SB 68 Hearing Request 3.27.24.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
|
| SB 68 Sectional Analysis, version D.A.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM |
SB 68 |
| SB 68 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM |
SB 68 |
| SB 68 Support Document Pew Research Center.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
SB 68 |
| SB 68 Support Documents DNR Reports January 2023.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM |
SB 68 |
| Difference between SB 68 and HB 287.pdf |
HSTA 4/4/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/11/2024 3:00:00 PM HSTA 4/16/2024 3:00:00 PM |
HB 287 SB 68 |