Legislature(2019 - 2020)CAPITOL 106
04/16/2019 08:00 AM House TRIBAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HR6 | |
| HB126 | |
| HR7 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HR 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HR 7-SUPPORT AK TRIBAL CHILD WELFARE COMPACT
8:11:02 AM
CHAIR ZULKOWSKY announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 7, Urging the governor to continue to
fully implement the Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact and
build ongoing partnerships between the state and tribal
governments.
CHAIR ZULKOSKY noted that the committee already heard a
presentation on HR 7, as well as invited and public testimony.
After ascertaining that no committee members had questions about
HR 7, she re-opened public testimony
8:11:51 AM
JOHN BIOFF, General Counsel, Kawerak, Inc., relayed his
professional background and involvement with Kawerak, Inc.,
which he explained is the regional nonprofit tribal consortium
located in Nome. He explained that he is testifying on behalf
of Melanie Bahnke, President and CEO of Kawerak, Inc. He said
Kawerak, Inc. provides social services to the 20 tribes in the
Bering Strait region of Alaska. He added that it operates a
child advocacy center that serves the region, and that it works
in partnership with the State of Alaska (SOA) to facilitate
child abuse investigations. He said Kawerak, Inc. represents
the 20 tribes in Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) proceedings.
He discussed his experience representing tribes in ICWA
proceedings and opined on the importance of Kawerak, Inc.'s
partnership with SOA and the Office of Children's Services
(OCS). He said Kawerak, Inc. has been involved in the
development of the [Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact] from
the beginning and is a signatory. He spoke to the time and
resources invested by Kawerak, Inc. in building relationships
and supporting the compact. He discussed the important of the
compact and HR 7. He stressed that tribal and SOA resources are
limited, so it is imperative that partnerships form to maximize
resources to benefit Alaska families. He said the compact and
partnerships between SOA and tribal governments make sense for
Alaska, given the vastness of the state and the complexity of
challenges facing rural areas. He affirmed Kawerak, Inc.'s
support of HR 7 and the intent and spirit in which it was
drafted. He added that Kawerak, Inc. urges Governor Michael J.
Dunleavy to fully implement the compact and continue the
partnership laid out between SOA and the tribes, as well as to
pursue additional partnership opportunities. He thanked the
committee for the opportunity to testify.
8:14:07 AM
CHAIR ZULKOWSKY thanked Mr. Bioff for his comments. After
ascertaining that no one else wished to testify, she closed
public testimony. She expressed that she would entertain a
motion to move HR 7 out of committee.
8:14:33 AM
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON moved to report HR 7 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note.
There being no objection, HR 7 was reported out of the House
Special Committee on Tribal Affairs.
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