02/28/2023 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB2 | |
| HB23 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HJR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 28, 2023
3:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Laddie Shaw, Chair
Representative Stanley Wright, Vice Chair
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative Craig Johnson
Representative Jamie Allard
Representative Jennie Armstrong
Representative Andi Story
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 2
"An Act relating to contracts with public agencies; and relating
to the State of Israel."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 23
"An Act establishing the month of October as Filipino American
History Month."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3
Encouraging Congress to pass the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
or a similar bill.
- SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 2
SHORT TITLE: CONTRACTS: PROHIBIT ISRAEL DISCRIMINATION
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) VANCE
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) STA
02/28/23 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 23
SHORT TITLE: FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) MINA
01/19/23 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/23
01/19/23 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/19/23 (H) STA
02/28/23 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced HB 2, as the prime sponsor.
JAKE ALMEIDA, Staff
Staff to Representative Sarah Vance
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
2, on behalf of Representative Vance, prime sponsor.
BORIS ZILBERMAN
Christians United for Israel
San Antonio, Texas
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint presentation during
the hearing on HB 2.
DAVID GOTTSTEIN
Christians United for Israel
San Antonio, Texas
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered invited testimony during the
hearing on HB 2.
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 23 and offered a PowerPoint
presentation, as the prime sponsor.
ROSE HART, Staff
Representative Genevieve Mina
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
23, on behalf of Representative Mina, prime sponsor.
EDRIC CARRILLO, President
Filipino Community Inc.
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered invited testimony during the
hearing on HB 23.
GABRIEL GARCIA, PhD, Professor of Public Health
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered public testimony during the hearing
on HB 23.
E.J. DAVID
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Offered invited testimony during the
hearing on HB 23.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:03:51 PM
CHAIR LADDIE SHAW called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Representatives Wright,
Carpenter, Johnson, Allard, Armstrong, Story, and Shaw were
present at the call to order.
HB 2-CONTRACTS: PROHIBIT ISRAEL DISCRIMINATION
3:04:55 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 2, "An Act relating to contracts with public
agencies; and relating to the State of Israel."
3:05:20 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
3:05:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SARAH VANCE, Alaska State Legislature, prime
sponsor, introduced HB 2. She stated that HB 2 would provide an
opportunity to recognize and honor Alaskans that helped shape
the state. She provided a historical summary of prominent
Jewish settlers in Alaska.
3:09:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE paraphrased the sponsor statement [included
in the committee packet], which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
HB 2 prohibits a public agency from contracting with
anyone who boycotts or discriminates against Israel on
the basis of nationality, national origin, or
religion. This bill simply ensures Alaskan's taxpayer
dollars are not subsidizing any antisemitic efforts to
achieve with boycotts what terrorists have failed to
achieve with bombs: the destruction of the state of
Israel. The goal of this legislation is to ensure the
state does not become complicit in the effort to
destroy Israel.
To date, 33 states have passed legislation with
bipartisan support or advanced executive orders
banning the state from investing in and/or engaging in
contracts with entities that are boycotting Israel!
Alaska may seem far removed from what takes place in
the Middle East, but as a state we strive to do the
right thing and to protect our interests. Israel and
Alaska enjoy an important and mutually beneficial
relationship. This includes Israel related investments
by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation along with
Alaska's exports to Israel, which since 1996 total
nearly $62 million.
In addition, Alaska is a key site for US-Israel
missile defense cooperation. The U.S. and Israel
regularly test cooperative missile defense programs
such as the Arrow-3 at the Alaska Aerospace Pacific
Spaceport Complex on Kodiak.
Standing with Israel and defending the Jewish people's
right to self-determination in their ancestral
homeland is, therefore, not only righteous, but it is
also in our state's interests and our country's
national security interests to protect the principle
of nondiscrimination.
CHAIR SHAW invited questions from members of the committee.
3:10:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the State of Alaska had any
contracts over $100,000 relevant to HB 2 at present.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE understood that there were existing
contracts; however, she was unsure whether any were choosing to
boycott Israel.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY requested a follow-up response at a future
hearing.
CHAIR SHAW invited Mr. Almeida to present the sectional
analysis.
3:11:43 PM
JAKE ALMEIDA, Staff, Representative Sarah Vance, Alaska State
Legislature, directed attention to a PowerPoint presentation by
Mr. Zilberman.
3:12:24 PM
BORIS ZILBERMAN, Christians United for Israel, offered a
PowerPoint presentation, titled "HB 2 Israel Anti-Discrimination
Act" [included in the committee packet]. He began on slide 2,
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Thirty-four states across the country have advanced
policies that curb investment in and/or contracting
with entities that engage in a boycott of Israel.
With the widespread bipartisan support of leaders from
the Christian and Jewish communities of Alaska, we
would become the 35th state.
MR. ZILBERMAN continued to slide 3, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Israel is our ally.
From a legal perspective, this is no different from
prioritizing veterans in the hiring process or
minority-owned businesses in state contracting.
While this legislation therefore empowers Alaskans and
allows them to best decide how their state dollars are
spent, detractors of this legislation are not so
inclined. In fact, their leaders have acknowledged
openly and repeatedly that their sole aim is to
destroy Israel.
MR. ZILBERMAN advanced to slide 4, reiterating that the
legislation in question was limited to prohibiting the state
from engaging in contracts worth more than $100,000 with
potential contractors - with at least 10 employees - who were
boycotting Israel or refused to commit to not doing so for the
duration of the contract. He proceeded to slide 5, which read
as follows [original punctuation provided]:
This legislation does not prohibit boycotts of Israel.
In fact, Palestine Legal, a leading voice in
opposition to such anti-BDS laws, acknowledges that
none of the antiboycott bills and laws take away your
right to boycott for Palestinian rights or to advocate
for such boycotts."
This legislation is narrowly targeted at entities who
have contracts with the state over a $100,000
threshold.
MR. ZILBERMAN concluded on slide 6, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Israel and Alaska enjoy an important and mutually
beneficial relationship. This includes Israel related
investments by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation
along with Alaska's exports to Israel, which since
1996 total nearly $62 million.
In addition, Alaska is a key site for US-Israel
missile defense cooperation. The U.S. and Israel
regularly test cooperative missile defense programs
such as the Arrow-3 program at the Alaska Aerospace
Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak.
Those who bless Israel will be blessed!
3:15:45 PM
MR. ZILBERMAN provided two real world examples. He explained
that as a result of the proposed legislation, future boycotts by
multi-nationals with a presence in Alaska, or other companies
that would seek to do business with the state, may be forced to
reconsider. In response to the argument that anti-Boycott,
Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) laws were unconstitutional, he
explained that the bill had been crafted to avoid restraints on
an individual's First Amendment rights. He acknowledged that
there had been a handful of nuisance lawsuits aimed at such
legislation; however, none were successful. He reported that
the only appellate-level decision regarding the
constitutionality of anti-BDS laws upheld them. He urged the
legislature to put Alaskans "on record" in opposition to the BDS
movement and ensure that taxpayer dollars were not subsidizing
those who seek to demonize and delegitimize Israel.
3:17:55 PM
DAVID GOTTSTEIN, Christians United for Israel, read the
following prepared remarks [original punctuation provided]:
Dear Governor Dunleavy, Senate President Stevens,
Madam Speaker Tilton, and Members of the Legislature
We, the undersigned, can't know the experiences and
prejudices that African Americans encounter in the
U.S. Even though our empathies and hearts go out to
them, we also can't fully understand what Alaskan
Natives, Asian Americans, and Hispanic Americans
suffer in the way of discrimination. But as Jews we
know intimately what it is like to be the continuing
victims of prejudice, discrimination, forced labor,
and murder for thousands of years, just because we are
Jewish. We know where it comes from, and what it looks
like. It is our history.
And just like Germany in the 1930's, anti-Semitism is
rising again at an alarming rate, globally, and
becoming more accepted, even in in the U.S. With the
voices of "Jews will not replace us." in
Charlottesville, mass shootings in Synagogues in
Pittsburg, attacks in California and Texas, and even a
Swastika painted at our own Alaska Jewish Campus this
past year. To say the least, we feel threatened in our
own communities. As the more people suffer, the more
they blame us Jews.
Let me remind you of the famous quote by a prominent
German Lutheran Pastor, Martin Niemoller, who was
first a supporter of Hitler, and then suffered in
prison for being an outspoken critic:
"First they came for the socialists, and I did not
speak out
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not
speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for meand there was no one left to
speak for me."
There are many sources of threats against the Jewish
community, with Israel as the epicenter. Just one is
the constant attempts by Iran, Hamas, Hizbollah, and
other Radical Islamists doing everything in their
power to destroy Israel. Both the Palestinian and
Israeli peoples deserve a homeland of their own living
within safe and secure borders within a two-state
solution. Fortunately, through the Abraham Accords, in
the last two years, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates,
Morocco, and Sudan have all established full and warm
diplomatic relations with Israel. In part because, as
Sunni nations, they all fear a nuclear Shiite Iran.
Those countries are very critical of the Palestinian
leadership for not coming to the peace table.
Unfortunately, the Palestinian leadership has refused
to come to the negotiating table for more than twenty
years. Instead, Israel is attacked with rockets,
suicide bombers, and even incendiary balloons from
Gaza. More recently, Hamas has launched terror attacks
from the West Bank instead of the Gaza Strip, in order
to not suffer direct retaliation on itself. It was
instrumental, as an unintended consequence, in helping
to elect a more right wing and hawkish government
again led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
One of the main arsenals of attack against Israel is a
global campaign to weaken Israel by turning the world
against it. Largely by blaming Israel for the
suffering of the Palestinian population instead of the
Palestinian leadership who has a history of
sacrificing generations of Palestinians in a hopeless
quest to destroy Israel.
The primary weapon in that global arsenal is the
propaganda campaign to have countries, organizations,
and companies boycott, divest from, and sanction
Israel. Otherwise known as the BDS Movement. Which is
aggressively fostered on American college campuses.
The BDS movement helps to amplify resentment towards
Jews, and is a direct contributor to the rise of anti-
Semitism in the U.S., and certainly around the world.
It does so by design. It gives closet anti-Semites
permission to openly express their hatred for Jews.
This past Saturday was labeled as "A Day of Hate" by
many who are openly anti-Semitic. If one tells a lie
often enough, people believe it. Like the Jews killed
Christ. Instead of the fact that it was the Romans
that did.
We the undersigned leaders among the Alaskan Jewish
community are asking for your help in having the State
of Alaska condemn the BDS movement, and act to not be
complicit, knowingly, or unknowingly, in this
insidious and anti-Semitic tool of war being waged
against the survival of Israel and the Jewish people.
We would respectfully ask that this be done either
administratively, or through legislation in the form
of HB 2. And time is of the essence, as there is a
surge in anti-Semitism that needs to be put in check
sooner rather than later.
CHAIR SHAW announced that HB 2 would be held over.
3:24:16 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
HB 23-FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH
3:26:12 PM
CHAIR SHAW announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 23, "An Act establishing the month of October as
Filipino American History Month."
3:26:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GENEVIEVE MINA, Alaska State Legislature, prime
sponsor, introduced HB 23. She presented a PowerPoint
presentation, titled "HB 23 Filipino American History Month"
[included in the committee packet]. She began on slide 2,
highlighting Jose Rozal as a national hero of the Philippines
for his aide in liberating the country from Spanish colonials.
She discussed the substantial impact that Filipinos have had on
Alaska, as the largest Asian American Pacific Islander group and
the biggest immigrant group in the state. She conveyed that HB
23 would commemorate Filipino American History Month, which had
been celebrated since 1992.
3:29:02 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA advanced to slide 3, which illustrated the
following Filipino contributions to the U.S.: Firstly, in WWI,
over 250,000 Filipinos served in the U.S. Army in the far East
under general Douglas MacArthur; Secondly, Larry Itliong
organized a cannery workers' union in Alaska and persuaded
Ceasar Chavez to start the Delano Grape Strike of 1965; Thirdly,
more than 150,000 Filipino nurses emigrated to America,
strengthening labor shortages in the health care sector.
3:31:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA detailed the history of Filipinos in Alaska
on slide 4, which read as follows [original punctuation
provided]:
Filipinos are the immigrant group in Alaska, with over
27,000 Filipinos residing in the state.
Since 1788, Filipinos have been in Alaska through all
walks of life: whaling crewmembers, cannery workers,
community and religious leaders, small business
owners, teacher, and more.
3:33:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA concluded by discussing Filipino American
History Month on slide 5, which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
Recognized in 1992 by the Filipino
American Historical Society to celebrate Filipino
history in the United States
Recognized in Congress in 2009 FAHM has been
recognized by the California State Legislature and
Hawaii State Legislature
3:35:49 PM
CHAIR SHAW invited questions from members of the committee.
3:35:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked how Filipino American History Month
had been historically celebrated in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA recounted examples of various celebrations,
including the annual Filipino festival in Ketchikan and
gatherings at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She
emphasized the importance of cultural gatherings to talk
specifically about Filipino history and to build connections
between different communities.
3:37:21 PM
ROSE HART, Staff, Representative Genevieve Mina, Alaska State
Legislature, provided additional context on the ways in which
Filipino Americans were honored, recognized, and celebrated.
Specific to the Alaska State Legislature, she cited House Joint
Resolution 15, which recognized the contributions of Filipino
vets during World War II, and again via Senate Concurrent
Resolution 14, which recognized Filipino American History Month
in 2010.
3:38:15 PM
CHAIR SHAW, referencing his past military service, mentioned
three six-month tours he spent in the Philippines, during which
time he worked on behalf of the Philippine Embassy.
3:38:36 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the bill sponsor had a plan
to educate students on Filipino American History Month.
REPRESENTATIVE MINA said no concrete outreach plan had been
developed at present; nonetheless, she acknowledged that it
would be a great opportunity to raise awareness. She welcomed
the idea of creating relationships with different community
members who could teach, educate, and share knowledge with
children.
3:40:19 PM
CHAIR SHAW proceeded with invited testimony.
3:40:37 PM
EDRIC CARRILLO, President, Filipino Community Inc., paraphrased
the following written remarks [original punctuation provided]:
I strongly urge your support for HB 23, which seeks to
establish October as Filipino-American History Month
in Alaska state statute. As a Filipino-American and
President of the Filipino Community Inc., I have seen
the positive impact of recognizing and celebrating
culture and community in promoting understanding and
success.
The Filipino community in Alaska has made significant
contributions to our economy, culture, and society.
Filipinos have significantly influenced the Alaskan
workforce in education, health care, and information
technology to name a few. Filipinos have also
contributed greatly to the cultural fabric of Alaska
through our culinary traditions, music, dance,
language, and literature.
Celebrating Filipino history and culture has many
benefits. Learning about other cultures and traditions
can help break down barriers and improve communication
and understanding between communities. It can also
provide an important context for issues and improve
government services.
Furthermore, recognizing the history and achievements
of Filipino Americans in Alaska can serve as an
inspiration for future generations to participate in
community services and work towards a better future
for all of us. I hope to see this bill passed into law
so that Alaskans from all backgrounds can celebrate
our common heritage and work together to build a
stronger and more vibrant state.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward
to working with you and other members of the
legislature to pass this important legislation.
3:43:27 PM
GABRIEL GARCIA, PhD, Professor, Public Health, UAA, shared his
personal history and contextualized the impact of learning about
his history as a Filipino American. He stated that knowing
Filipino American history made him want to do better as a person
and to pay forward the sacrifices of those how came before him.
He encouraged the committee to pass the bill, adding that the
cost to the state was zero, but the impact would be priceless.
3:46:36 PM
E.J. DAVID recounted the history of the first Filipinos' arrival
in Alaska. He emphasized the significance of Filipino culture
and their long rich history in Alaska, highlighting the large
Filipino communities within the state. He noted that Filipinos
made deep connection with indigenous peoples of Alaska, adding
that Filipinos and Alaska Natives worked together to fight
discrimination and other issues. He provided examples of
notable Alaska Native Filipino leaders. He concluded by
conveying both the hardships and resilience of Filipinos in
Alaska and urged passage of the HB 23 to recognize Filipino
Alaskans by officially establishing October as Filipino American
History Month.
3:51:13 PM
CHAIR SHAW opened public testimony on HB 23; after ascertaining
that no one wished to testify online or in person, he closed
public testimony and announced that HB 23 would be held over.
3:52:47 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 3:52
p.m.