Legislature(2015 - 2016)BUTROVICH 205
04/09/2015 09:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB83 | |
| SB1 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 83 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 1 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 1-REGULATION OF SMOKING
9:38:41 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE called the committee back to order and announced
that SB 1 is before the committee.
9:39:27 AM
DR. GEORGE STEWART, MD (retired), representing himself,
Anchorage, Alaska, said he supports SB 1. He specified that SB 1
is about protecting the health of Alaskans. He asserted that
secondhand smoke is toxic and causes cancerous diseases, Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome, harms children, harms women who are
pregnant, and harms babies in the uterus of the women who are
pregnant. He said Alaskans are entitled to have clean air. He
noted that he supports the indoor banning of e-cigarettes as
well.
9:43:33 AM
JENNIFER WOOLEY, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, said
she supports SB 1. She said health prioritization is at the
heart of SB 1 and the bill's intent is to protect working
Alaskans from secondhand smoke and aerosol.
9:45:02 AM
GAIL SCHIEMANN, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, said
she supports SB 1. She said she is a non-smoker who has worked
in the hospitality industry for 20 years where smoking was
allowed and now has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD). She asserted that secondhand smoke makes employees sick,
is real, and it kills.
9:45:47 AM
DARA GLASS, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She revealed personal experiences that shows non-
smokers can acquire lung cancer. She added that her mother was a
non-smoker who contracted asthma due to secondhand smoke. She
asserted that secondhand smoke leads to COPD, heart issues, and
a variety of other things. She said SB 1 will help mitigate the
health issues created by secondhand smoke, improve the state's
economy, and lower the cost of medical care.
9:47:21 AM
LUAN JENSEN, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She stated that SB 1 will protect all Alaskans in
their workplaces. She asked that SB 1 include the indoor ban of
e-cigarettes. She cited a study demonstrating e-cigarettes'
possible consequences that are significant to respiratory
health.
9:48:19 AM
SHEB GARFIELD, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, said he
opposes SB 1. He noted that he is an ex-smoker, now an avid
vapor and a manager at a vaping café. He shared studies that
showed secondhand vapor as being risk-free. He noted that
nicotine is one of the safest drugs and the problem with
secondhand smoke is due to combusting tobacco.
CHAIR STOLTZE noted that there has been a lot volume from the
public on the vaping issue.
9:52:16 AM
BEN NGUYEN, representing himself, Eagle River, Alaska, said he
opposes SB 1. He noted that he co-owns Cloud 49 in Eagle River,
a vape shop. He said he discontinued smoking two years ago and
currently uses e-cigarettes. He asserted that e-cigarettes are
an alternative to cigarette smokers with less harmful effects
and a lower cost. He asked that more time be given to study e-
cigarettes and noted their possible benefit in helping cigarette
smokers avoid lung cancer. He summarized that SB 1 simply
requests people to take smoking outside, but incorporating
electronic vaporizing into the bill will cause a domino-effect
that would demean the effort in helping people quit traditional
smoking.
9:57:16 AM
JANET KINCAID, representing herself, Palmer, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She noted that she spearheaded a campaign to make
Palmer smoke-free and the ordinance passed via referendum. She
detailed that most of Palmer's bar owners are grateful for the
ordinance with some noting that business has increased with a
decreased maintenance costs. She summarized that SB 1 is good
for business and good for health.
9:58:10 AM
BRENDA SHELDEN, representing herself, Wasilla, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She pointed out that regulations already in place
have dispelled the assertion that smoke-free laws will cause a
financial barrier for businesses. She added that studies have
shown the detriment of secondhand smoke. She summarized that
making an investment in employees' health by eliminating
secondhand smoke in workplaces will result in a safe and
productive worker with reduced healthcare costs.
9:59:12 AM
ROBIN MINARD, Director of Public Affairs, Mat-Su Health
Foundation, Wasilla, Alaska, read a submitted letter on record
from board member Benjamin Olmedo in support of SB 1. She read
that secondhand smoke has been proven to be directly responsible
for a number of poor health outcomes and banning indoor smoking
in the workplace is not about individual rights, but about
protecting public health.
10:01:31 AM
MISTY JENSEN, representing herself, Wasilla, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She set forth that everyone has the right to be
free from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, but not
everyone has the opportunity to choose where they work. She
pointed out that SB 1 is about taking smoking outdoors and is
about the smoke, not about the smoker. She summarized that SB 1
protects all Alaskans because everyone has the right to breathe
smoke-free air.
10:03:07 AM
ELIZABETH RIPLEY, Executive Director, Mat-Su Health Foundation,
Wasilla, Alaska, said she supports SB 1. She noted that Mat-Su
has some of the highest tobacco use rates in the nation, which
increases chronic respiratory disease rates. She asserted that
tobacco use costs Alaska $579 million annually in direct medical
costs and lost productivity due to tobacco related death. She
set forth that strengthening Alaska's smoke-free public and
workplace statutes will help reduce healthcare and Medicaid
costs attributed to tobacco use. She added that studies have
shown that smoke-free laws have led to increased smoke-free
policies in homes that have directly and positively impacted
children's health. She pointed out that every community that has
enacted smoking bans has seen a decrease in cardiovascular
events. She disclosed that increasing tobacco-free Alaskans is a
goal of Healthy Alaskans 2020 and clean indoor air is the number
one strategy of the Alaska Prevention and Control Program. She
revealed that only half of Alaskans are protected by smoke-free
workplace laws. She disclosed that many jurisdictions such as
the Mat-Su Borough do not have the health powers necessary to
pass an area wide smoke-free law. She said Alaska needs a more
robust clean indoor air statute, which includes e-cigarettes.
She asserted that SB 1 is the next step in further reducing the
smoking rates and secondhand smoke exposure in Alaska.
10:06:20 AM
GEORGE GATTER, representing himself, Kodiak, Alaska, said he
opposes SB 1. He noted that he owns both a smoking bar and non-
smoking bar in Kodiak. He disclosed that he and another bar
owner have switched between allowing and not allowing smoking.
He revealed that switching his establishment to non-smoking for
60 days saw a huge revenue decline. He pointed out that his
business is on private property and he reserves the right to
conduct business as he sees fit. He noted that everyone in his
establishment is over 21 and the bill does not protect anyone
that doesn't want to be at in his establishment. He asserted
that laws should be made to protect the youth and adults who
cannot protect themselves. He stated that pushing smokers from a
controlled space out into the streets in front of Alaska's
youthful eyes will create the next generation of smokers. He
remarked that Grandfather Rights have never been brought up for
smoking establishments and noted that his establishment has
allowed smoking for 45-plus years. He summarized that SB 1 will
dramatically affect his business.
10:08:41 AM
BETTY MACTAVISH, representing herself, Kodiak, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She revealed that Kodiak is not covered by any
smoke-free workplace law. She said SB 1 will protect the 50
percent of Alaskan workers who are not covered by smoke-free
workplace laws. She pointed out that Kodiak's local newspaper
conducted a survey and 71 percent responded in favor of passing
SB 1. She added that the Kodiak Island Borough passed a
resolution in support of SB 1. She summarized that lives are at
stake.
10:09:49 AM
TERRENCE ROBBINS, representing himself, Ketchikan, Alaska, said
he supports SB 1. He said smoking is addictive and deadly. He
said protecting Alaskans from secondhand smoke will surely
prevent illness, save lives, help tobacco users quit smoking,
and reduce youth smoking rates.
10:10:50 AM
JENNY OLENDORFF, representing herself, Soldotna, Alaska, said
she supports SB 1. She disclosed that she was exposed to
secondhand smoke in an office for five years due to a
neighboring business. She revealed that the building's landlord
refused to honor their request to simply require the neighboring
business to have their employees and patrons take their smoking
outside. She summarized that SB 1 will protect all Alaskan
workers in their workplace from secondhand smoke and e-cigarette
aerosol.
10:12:07 AM
GARY SUPERMAN, representing himself, Nikiski, Alaska, said he
opposes SB 1. He disclosed that he owns the Hunger Hut Bar in
Nikiski; board member for the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant,
and Retailers Association (CHARR); and president for the Kenai
Peninsula CHARR. He revealed that he presented a petition to the
Legislature with over 700 signatures and remarked that the
bill's sponsor indicated that the petition was inconsequential.
He stated that 99 percent of the locations noted in SB 1 will
ban smoking. He conceded that compelling reasons exist to ban
smoking where people enter locations that deal with travel,
healthcare, government services, shopping, or eating locations.
He asserted that no compelling reason exists to go into a bar
and the act is simply a choice that deserves the rights of
patrons to be preserved as the last public sanctuary that allows
smoking. He set forth that SB 1 is disingenuous and targets the
few bars that still allow smoking. He asked what harm is being
done to society by allowing the remaining bars to allow smoking.
He divulged that 30 states have complete bans, but asked that
Alaska stay in the category where 20 states allow smoking. He
asserted that countless testimony exists from businesses that
have closed or lost revenue due to smoking bans. He said SB 1 is
tailor-made to destroy his business and other businesses
throughout the state. He commented that people may not like the
way smokers carry on with their lives or some of their behavior;
however, smokers as a group should still be allowed to be
captains of their fate and masters of their destiny. He
summarized that smoking is a matter of choice and he asked that
the Legislature work towards a reasonable exemption clause in SB
1.
10:14:34 AM
SUSAN SMALLEY, representing herself, Kenai, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She disclosed that she is a cancer survivor and
concurred with Dr. Stewart's testimony on why SB 1 is so
critical. She asserted that all Alaskans have a right to breathe
clean air in the workplace.
10:16:21 AM
CHRYSTAL SCHOENROCK, representing herself, Nikiski, Alaska, said
she opposes SB 1. She disclosed that she owns Forelands Bar in
Nikiski. She explained that all of her business's patrons and
employees smoke and those that walk into her establishment that
do not smoke and or do not drink do so as a choice. She
suggested that a posting of sign be allowed where people are
warned that smoking is allowed and entering is at one's own
risk. She set forth that SB 1 takes away rights and asserted
that smokers have to have a place to smoke too. She said
supporters of SB 1 do not come into her bar and she asked why
her patrons and employees that smoke have to be punished.
10:17:41 AM
DANIEL LYNCH, representing himself, Soldotna, Alaska, said he
opposes SB 1. He set forth that tobacco is legal for adults and
many believe in a free market economy where businesses have the
freedom to choose how they operate. He pointed out that Kenai
and Soldotna offer a choice for owners, employees, and consumers
to choose between separate smoking non-smoking bars. He remarked
that restaurant employees that work in a drive-thru window are
exposed to 100 times more deadly carcinogens from automotive
exhaust than from cigarettes or e-cigarettes. He asserted that
Alaska does not have the funds to enforce the restrictions
imposed from SB 1 and added that the state, boroughs, and cities
will lose tobacco tax revenue. He said SB 1 will cause
unintended consequences. He said there is no reason for SB 1 and
pointed out that education and habits are annually decreasing
the number of smokers. He summarized that SB 1 is not a
workplace safety issue, but a freedom issue and an unfunded
mandate.
10:21:02 AM
MICHAEL PATTERSON, representing himself, Juneau, Alaska, said he
supports SB 1. He said many people have died from secondhand
smoke and pointed out that no one decides to become a secondhand
smoker. He set forth that tobacco products being sold to
children is a clear and present danger. He asserted that SB 1
will positively affect all Alaskans. He asked that legislators
not be swayed by businesses that are in the tobacco business. He
summarized that he supports SB 1 with the inclusion of e-
cigarettes.
10:25:09 AM
ANDREW MACEBO, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska, said he
opposes SB 1. He asserted that e-cigarettes should not be
included in the legislation because vaping is not the same thing
as combustion and smoke. He agreed that areas should be kept
clear of smoking from cigarettes, but e-cigarettes should not be
included.
10:26:22 AM
LARRY HACKENMILLER, representing himself, Fairbanks, Alaska,
said he opposes SB 1. He asserted that the bill's intent to
protect the public is a hazard-con. He remarked that he does not
understand why big government wants to protect public rights
because the people choose not to or don't have the government
power to do it themselves in their respective communities. He
stated that the con is representing secondhand smoke as a hazard
when every chemical associated with secondhand smoke falls under
the permissible exposure limits established by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) using the chemical list
provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He
recommended that signs be posted to identify smoking facilities
to allow the public to exercise their right to smoke-free air
and protect themselves from the perceived risks of inhaling
secondhand smoke. He added that proper signage would the less
restrictive means of advancing the state's public health
interest.
10:30:02 AM
FLORA RODDY, representing herself, Fairbanks, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1 with the inclusion of e-cigarettes.
10:30:24 AM
ERIN SHEFFLETTE, representing herself, Fairbanks, Alaska, said
she supports SB 1 with the inclusion of e-cigarettes.
10:31:30 AM
ARIEL HASSE, representing herself, Wasilla, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She asserted that SB 1 will protect future
generations from secondhand smoke.
10:34:59 AM
LUCAS ARTHUR, representing himself, Wasilla, Alaska, said he
supports SB 1 with the inclusion of e-cigarettes.
10:36:43 AM
KEA BEKKEDAHL, representing herself, Wasilla, Alaska, said she
supports SB 1. She asserted that allowing employees to smoke at
work encourages an unhealthy lifestyle.
10:38:14 AM
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that SB 1 will be held in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB1 DOT-IASO 3-27-15.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 1 |
| SB1 Letters of Support for SSTA (3-31-15 to 4-8-15).pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 1 |
| SB1 Letters of Opposition for SSTA (3-31-15 to 4-8-15).pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 1 |
| SB83 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 83 |
| SB83 Presentation to SSTA - Variable Retirement Plan 4-9-15.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 83 |
| 28th Legislature - HB247 Fiscal Note-DOA-DRB-02-28-2014.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 83 |
| 28th Legislature - HB247 Actuarial Fiscal Note-DOA-DRB-02-28-2014.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 83 |
| SB83 Support Document - Email Angie & Matt Fraize 4-10-15.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
SB 83 |
| SB83 Support Document - Letter (HB90) Patrick O'Connor 4-9-15.pdf |
SSTA 4/9/2015 9:00:00 AM |
HB 90 SB 83 |