Legislature(2023 - 2024)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/04/2023 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB22 | |
| SB74 || SB75 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 22 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 74 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 75 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 22
"An Act establishing Juneteenth Day as a legal
holiday."
9:18:41 AM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, SPONSOR, introduced the bill.
She presented, "Senate Bill 22, 'An act establishing
Juneteenth Day as legal holiday'" (copy on file).
9:22:26 AM
BESSE ODOM, STAFF, SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, discussed the
Sectional Analysis (copy on file):
Section 1. This section amends AS 44.12.010(a), the
Statute regarding legal holidays. Specifically, it
requires that June 19th, known as Juneteenth Day, be
considered a legal holiday.
Section 2. This section amends AS 44.12.020, the
statute regarding holidays that fall on a Sunday, with
conforming language that reflects section 1 of this
bill.
Section 3. This section repeals AS 44.12.090.
9:23:32 AM
MICHAEL PATTERSON, PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation. He stated that Juneteenth was his favorite day
of the year, and remarked that it was one of the few days
that he gets to celebrate his community.
9:28:22 AM
IAN HARTMAN, ALLIES FOR CHANGE, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of the legislation.
9:32:03 AM
ANNA BOSIN, ALASKA BLACK CAUCUS, ALLIES FOR CHANGE,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
bill.
9:35:16 AM
JASMIN SMITH, BUSINESS OWNER, JUNETEENTH COORDINATOR,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
bill.
9:37:41 AM
Co-Chair Olson stated that the committee would "continue
with public testimony."
9:37:47 AM
ERIN JACKSON-HILL, STAND UP ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of the bill.
9:41:09 AM
ROZLYN GRADY-WYCHE, ALASKA COALITION OF BIPOC EDUCATORS,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation.
9:44:17 AM
TY TIGNER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITALITY
HOUSE, FAIRBANKS (via teleconference), testified in support
of the bill.
SOPHIA METTERS, VICE-PRESIDENT, JUNETEENTH ANCHORAGE,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in support of the
legislation.
Co-Chair Olson CLOSED public testimony.
Co-Chair Olson noted that there were two fiscal notes.
9:48:08 AM
KATE SHEEHAN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PERSONNEL AND LABOR
RELATIONS, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION, stated that the
fiscal note was indeterminate.
Senator Wilson wondered whether the possible $4.3 million
was for an average workday.
9:50:22 AM
Ms. Sheehan replied that it was what was paid for a current
state holiday.
Senator Wilson surmised that it was the total cost of a
current state holiday.
Ms. Sheehan agreed.
Senator Kiehl surmised that the money was the amount of
coded holiday pay, and wondered whether there was an offset
in reduction of general pay.
Ms. Sheehan replied that there could be a change, because
not every holiday may take the holiday. She stated that the
additional holiday needed to be within the collective
bargaining agreement.
Senator Kiehl wanted to determine the net cost.
Ms. Sheehan stated that there would be a make up that would
be paid for later.
Co-Chair Olson determined that there was no additional cost
in the fiscal note.
Ms. Sheehan replied that there would be an additional cost
of minimum $4.3 million.
Co-Chair Olson wondered how many employees would be
affected, specifically the 24-hour employees.
Ms. Sheehan replied that there were contractual provisions
that needed to be bargained with personnel regulations.
Senator Merrick wondered whether there were any state
holidays that employees did not get the day off from work.
Ms. Sheehan replied that there were some agreements with
unions that got extra pay.
9:55:33 AM
Senator Wilson wondered whether there were state holidays
that were unpaid holidays.
Ms. Sheehan replied that the only state holidays that were
paid were in the personnel rule.
Co-Chair Olson queried the cost of adding a holiday without
the offset of cost.
Ms. Sheehan replied that she did not know.
Senator Wilson commented that the bill could possibly
switch to Sewards Day. He felt that Seward was a staunch
advocate and was a strong historical figure in the state.
He was deeply opposed to changing the holiday. He expressed
concern about the possibility of tearing down the statue of
Seward. He shared that he did not have "allies", and did
not know what that term was in the Black community. He also
was offended by the term "BIPOC" (Black, Indigenous, People
of Color). He felt that the best bill to save minority
lives was SB 58, because it pertained to Medicaid. He
stated that he had spoken with the sponsor about his
concerns, and remarked that it was difficult to have an
honest conversation about the bill. He wanted to take time
to evaluate the cost of the holiday.
Co-Chair Olson agreed about the deep assertions of Seward.
9:59:55 AM
Senator Kiehl remarked that the holidays were about
symbolic significance, and the state could do more to honor
the purpose of Juneteenth.
10:01:26 AM
Senator Gray-Jackson remarked that she was offended at the
assertion that the statue of Seward would be torn down. She
stressed that she had high respect for Seward and Seward's
Day.
Ms. Odom discussed the presentation, "Senate Bill 22" (copy
on file). She displayed slide 2, "What is Juneteenth?"
.notdef Also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation
Day or Liberation Day, the word 'Juneteenth' resulted
from the words 'June Nineteenth' being combined
together in speech.
.notdef In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation that freed enslaved people in Texas and
all rebellious parts of Southern secessionist states
of the Confederacy. However, it was only through the
13th Amendment that emancipation ended slavery
throughout America. Two years later, Union troops
arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that enslaved
people were free by executive decree. This marked the
end of 200 plus years of the enslavement of Black
Americans! Enslaved people in Texas found out they
were free nearly 3 years after the fact.
.notdef In Galveston, Texas, the newly freed individuals
held large public celebrations and so laid the base
for future Juneteenth activities across America.
Senator Gray-Jackson addressed slide 3, "Recognition Of The
Day":
.notdef Texas was the first state to pass legislation that
would require that Juneteenth be observed as a state
holiday in 1980. Followed by:
.notdef Florida (1991)
.notdef Oklahoma (1994)
.notdef Minnesota (1996)
.notdef Delaware (2000)
.notdef Idaho (2001)
.notdef Various companies observe the holiday:
.notdef Tesla
.notdef Nike
.notdef Target
.notdef NFL
.notdef Lyft
.notdef Juneteenth celebrations are also held in other
countries around the world, including South Korea,
Israel, France, Guam, Honduras, Japan, Taiwan, and
Trinidad and Tobago.
Senator Gray-Jackson looked at slide 4, "Paid Holiday
Recognition":
.notdef On June 11, 2021 President Biden signed a bill
making Juneteenth a federal holiday. It is now one of
11 official federal holidays or 12 for federal
workers in the District of Columbia and surrounding
areas during presidential inauguration years meaning
that federal workers get a paid day off.
.notdef Most recently, the Anchorage Assembly voted
unanimously to make Juneteenth a Municipal holiday.
Senator Gray-Jackson pointed to slide 5, "What Does it Mean
for Juneteenth to Become a State Holiday":
.notdef In some states, people employed by the state may
have a day off work. Stores and other organizations
and businesses are likely to be open as usual, but
some may be closed or have restricted opening hours in
some areas. Many public transit services operate on
their usual schedule, but there may be some changes.
SB 22 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 22 ver A Presentation 1.19.2023 - Elvi (002).pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| Sponsor Statement for SB 22 version A.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| Section Analysis for SB 22.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| SB 22 - Supporting Document - What is Juneteenth.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| SB 22 Public Testimony Packet 1.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |
| SB 22 supporting Document - Letters of Support.pdf |
SFIN 4/4/2023 9:00:00 AM |
SB 22 |