Legislature(2025 - 2026)ADAMS 519
05/05/2025 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB57 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 57(FIN)
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize
funds; and providing for an effective date."
1:43:18 PM
Co-Chair Schrage OPENED public testimony.
1:43:48 PM
AT EASE
1:43:59 PM
RECONVENED
BOB SCANLON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), recognized the committee
for years of support for the Blood Bank. He thanked the
committee for including $500,000 in the supplemental budget
for the Blood Bank of Alaska (BBA). He requested the
committee's support for full funding to complete the BBA
donor testing project. He relayed that funding would be
leveraged by BBA to end a serious vulnerability to the
Alaska blood supply by making BBA wholly self-sufficient in
the area of donor testing services via the establishment of
a donor testing lab. The full appropriation of $500,000
served as the capstone and completion of the project. He
relayed that donor testing was currently being done out of
state in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was currently a
substantial bottleneck and ongoing vulnerability to blood
supply operations and availability in the event of a
medical trauma and/or declared state or national emergency.
He elaborated that BBA had worked toward the establishment
of donor testing in Alaska for a number of years. Testing
in Alaska would ensure self-sufficiency alleviating the
threat of disruptions due to things like air space closure
due to natural disasters, airline disruptions, and/or state
or national emergency. He stated that becoming self-
sufficient would ensure predictability, versatility,
consistency, and shorter response times in the event of
disaster for rural and urban areas. He thanked the
committee for continued support for the project.
1:46:45 PM
SEAN CASE, CHIEF, ANCHORAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), shared that he is a BBA board member.
He recognized the years of support from the legislature for
BBA. He advocated for the allocation of $500,000 in the
supplemental budget to complete the BBA donor testing lab.
He highlighted that law enforcement and BBA shared a common
mission to save lives. He stated that BBA was a critical
part of the state's healthcare infrastructure. He cited
dependability, consistency, and predictability as the
cornerstones in any successful operation and BBA was no
exception. The proposed budget would ensure the values were
upheld. The funding would enable BBA to maintain a safe,
tested blood supply for use at any time. The funding would
also support versatility. He detailed that not having to
rely on out of state testing meant BBA would be able to
meet the diverse needs of the state's population in rural
and urban communities. The lab would help ensure safety and
health of residents. He noted that the use of out of state
labs could be costly and time consuming. He noted that the
state's weather conditions, and vast geography could make
transportation and logistics challenging. The funds would
ensure every Alaskan had access to a life-saving resource.
He thanked the committee for its consideration.
1:49:19 PM
CHARLES COULSON, BLOOD BANK OF ALASKA, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding for the
BBA. He had served on the board for over a decade, and the
project had been on the agenda for at least that long. He
stated that fortunately BBA had received the support of the
legislature for helping with construction of the new
building, which included lab space for testing. He relayed
that the $500,000 increment would enable the project to
reach completion. The facility in the building would be to
the benefit of all Alaskans. He thanked the committee for
its time.
Co-Chair Josephson thanked Mr. Coulson for his
contribution.
Representative Hannan stated that the legislature had been
supportive of the project and had included the $500,000
increment in the budget the previous year. The item had
been vetoed. She asked if the BBA board had talked with the
administration about the importance of the funding to
ensure it did not get vetoed in the current year. Mr.
Coulson replied affirmatively. He believed the
administration understood the importance of the funding. He
could not comment on the political and financial decisions
being made currently. The BBA was very disappointed the
funding had been struck from the budget the previous year
and was hopeful it would be included and maintained in the
current budget.
Co-Chair Josephson noted there were currently no other
testifiers online. He would take an "at ease" until 3:00
p.m. He noted that individuals could provide testimony via
email until 5:00 p.m.
1:52:23 PM
AT EASE
3:02:04 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Schrage noted the committee was hearing public
testimony on the capital budget.
LILY STEVENS BECKER, PRESIDENT, TED STEVENS FOUNDATION,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), asked for support of $1.25
million for the Alaska Leaders Archives project, which was
a joint effort between the Ted Stevens Foundation and the
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She explained that
the Archives amassed the official papers and memorabilia of
over 130 prominent Alaskans from all aspects of society.
The foundation had transferred the archives of Senator Ted
Stevens to UAA and would become the cornerstone of the
Alaska Leaders' Archives. She elaborated that the
university needed to do renovation and modernization within
the library to create a modern facility for the archives.
She related that Senator Steven's 5,000 boxes required
substantial space. The foundation had acquired $60 million
in federal funds, which required a $5 million state match.
Without the match the project would not move forward. The
state had not provided any funding yet. She indicated that
the renovation eliminated $18 million in deferred
maintenance on the library. She understood it was a
difficult year for the state financially. She highlighted
that the archive was dedicated to educating the next
generation of Alaska's leaders. She thanked the committee
for its support.
Co-Chair Foster thanked Ms. Stevens Becker for calling in.
He recognized and appreciated all of the work done by the
late Senator Ted Stevens. Co-Chair Foster thought that
$1.25 million was appropriated to the project by the
legislature. He asked for comment. Ms. Stevens Becker
clarified that prior to the current budget there had been
no state funding appropriated to the project. The request
from the University's Board of Regents was for $2.5 million
and would complete the federal match. She pointed out that
currently the appropriation was for $1.25 million in the
budget. Co-Chair Foster asked if the $1.25 million but not
the full $2.5 million was appropriated, what would happen
if the full amount was not allocated to provide the match.
He asked if the future opportunity for federal funding
would be eliminated. Ms. Stevens Becker answered that the
funding was a reimbursement grant, and the project had to
show a proportionate non-federal match. The project had
raised $2 million from private donations. The $1.25 million
increment would help the project get further along
proportionately with the incomplete match amount. She
believed the project could spend proportionate to the funds
received but would stop if the remainder of the match was
not received.
Co-Chair Schrage understood that the Ted Stevens Foundation
should be able to get further funding down the line.
Co-Chair Schrage CLOSED public testimony.
CSSB 57(FIN) was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Schrage reviewed the schedule for the following
day.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 57 HCS Public Testimony Rec'd by 050525.pdf |
HFIN 5/5/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 57 |