Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532

03/27/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= SB 30 STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
+= SB 54 EXT ARCH, ENG, SURVEY BRD; REG INT DESIGN TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
+= SB 61 ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
SENATE BILL NO. 61                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act  relating to an electronic  product stewardship                                                                    
     program;   relating  to   collection,  recycling,   and                                                                    
     disposal  of  electronic  equipment;  establishing  the                                                                    
     electronics recycling  advisory council;  and providing                                                                    
     for an effective date."                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
9:43:25 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LOKI TOBIN, SPONSOR, conveyed  that SB 61 had a very                                                                    
interesting premise, and  she would speak to  the reason she                                                                    
wanted to introduce the  legislation. She discussed managing                                                                    
waste,  which   was  connected   to  life   expectancy.  She                                                                    
explained  that as  our society  had  advanced and  evolved,                                                                    
electronic waste had become an  issue, and now management of                                                                    
electronic  waste  was  a  necessity.  She  emphasized  that                                                                    
without  effective systems,  communities burned  flat screen                                                                    
televisions next  to schools  and left  fax machines  on the                                                                    
tundra.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Tobin explained  that SB  61 was  developed by  the                                                                    
Alaska Solid  Waste Task Force.  She listed  stakeholders as                                                                    
the  Alaska  Native  Tribal Health  Consortium,  the  Alaska                                                                    
Department    of    Environmental   Conservation,    Kawerak                                                                    
Incorporated,  and   Zender  Environmental.  The   bill  was                                                                    
supported by  the Alaska Federation  of Natives,  the Alaska                                                                    
Municipal  League,  the  Solid Waste  Association  of  North                                                                    
America   as   well    as   numerous   Alaska   communities,                                                                    
organizations,   and   businesses   including   the   Denali                                                                    
Commission.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator Tobin emphasized that every  time a person purchased                                                                    
an electronic device, they paid  for another state to have a                                                                    
product stewardship  plan for the  objects. Many  states had                                                                    
processes  that required  manufacturers to  pay for  recycle                                                                    
processes for  electronic materials. She noted  that Canada,                                                                    
European countries,  and Hawaii had such  stewardship plans.                                                                    
She  explained  that  SB 61  created  a  manufacturer-funded                                                                    
system for collecting and  recycling electronic devices such                                                                    
as   flat-screen  televisions,   computers,  monitors,   fax                                                                    
machines, and printers.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Tobin discussed  hazards to  communities and  noted                                                                    
the bill would require manufacturers  to pay for what tribes                                                                    
were currently  paying for. Manufacturers  allocated funding                                                                    
from product sale revenue to  cover collection and recycling                                                                    
activities. The funding would  support the efforts currently                                                                    
underway by  communities, non-profit  organizations, tribes,                                                                    
and businesses.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:47:10 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Tobin  specified  that   under  Senate  Bill  61  a                                                                    
manufacturer  whose electronic  devices are  sold in  Alaska                                                                    
would   register  with   the  Department   of  Environmental                                                                    
Conservation (DEC)  and pay an annual  administrative fee to                                                                    
the  department. Manufacturers  could register  individually                                                                    
or more commonly join  a product responsibility organization                                                                    
that specialized  in implementing the programs  and dividing                                                                    
the costs of the  program among manufacturers. Manufacturers                                                                    
or their  product responsibility organization  would produce                                                                    
a proposed  plan, which would  be reviewed and amended  by a                                                                    
13-member advisory council and approved by DEC.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Tobin relayed  that  there  were expert  testifiers                                                                    
online and  available to answer  questions on how  the plans                                                                    
were operated and how it  was currently happening in Alaska.                                                                    
She noted that in a  previous committee of referral, changes                                                                    
included   removing  (from   electronic   materials  to   be                                                                    
recycled) microwaves, batteries  containing electronics, and                                                                    
FTA   devices.  The   bill  was   also  amended   to  reduce                                                                    
collections  sites. Additionally,  the bill  was amended  to                                                                    
allow for the advisory council  to meet virtually to save on                                                                    
costs. The  legislation had the individual  penalty removed,                                                                    
which  would  allow  individual communities  to  handle  the                                                                    
issue.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Tobin thought  it was  important to  note that  the                                                                    
bill  helped  DEC oversee  the  program,  but there  was  no                                                                    
involvement from  the state other  than approving  the plans                                                                    
that electronic  manufactures produced. The  community would                                                                    
help devise the process.  She emphasized that the activities                                                                    
were already  happening in communities,  and the  tribes and                                                                    
non-profits   were  braiding   together  funding   that  was                                                                    
volatile. She  proposed that  the bill  would help  create a                                                                    
more sustainable practice to  ensure the hazardous materials                                                                    
were removed from landfills.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Merrick  asked  how  many  manufacturers  would  be                                                                    
required to register with DEC under the bill.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:50:21 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
LOUIE FLORA,  STAFF, SENATOR LOKI TOBIN,  relayed that every                                                                    
producer of  electronics in the  state would be  required to                                                                    
register.  He  did  not  have   a  number,  which  would  be                                                                    
available upon registration.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kaufman  was curious about the  carve-outs, and what                                                                    
was  in and  not in  the bill.  He mentioned  microwaves and                                                                    
considered  items  that  could  end up  deteriorating  at  a                                                                    
remote location.  He mentioned  electric vehicles  and asked                                                                    
how  the   bill  would  affect   larger  items   that  could                                                                    
potentially contaminate land.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Flora   relayed  that  there  were   multiple  laws  in                                                                    
different states  that covered different products.  The bill                                                                    
was limited  to specific  waste streams  because it  was the                                                                    
first  time contemplating  a  product  stewardship law.  The                                                                    
sponsor had  wanted to  limit the bill  to a  specific waste                                                                    
stream,  because  broadening   the  bill  could  potentially                                                                    
involve  other unforeseen  constituencies that  might oppose                                                                    
the bill.  He mentioned that  the sponsor had looked  at the                                                                    
consideration of vapes  in the future, which  were a problem                                                                    
at  schools  and  municipalities.  Currently  the  bill  was                                                                    
focused on electronics.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator Tobin  added that a  more detailed list  of products                                                                    
could be found on page 19 of the bill.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Stedman asked  how the bill would  work on islands.                                                                    
He asked who would pay for the storage or sorting.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Tobin relayed that the  storage and sorting would be                                                                    
part  of a  proposed  plan that  a  manufacturer or  product                                                                    
stewardship  organization  would  detail. She  relayed  that                                                                    
there were  individuals available online that  were actively                                                                    
working on product stewardship in Savoonga.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Chair  Stedman   pointed  out  that  all   communities  were                                                                    
different. He was  concerned with who paid the  cost and how                                                                    
it interacted  with the manufacturer and  mentioned the cost                                                                    
to communities.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Tobin  relayed that  under the  bill, the  burden of                                                                    
cost would be  on the manufacturers, which would  be part of                                                                    
the  product  stewardship  plan. She  mentioned  that  other                                                                    
states had  been collecting resources  to help  with product                                                                    
stewardship, and there were practices in place.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:55:09 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kiehl asked if the  sponsor could provide insight on                                                                    
what percentage of landfills in the state had a liner.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Flora thought  that under 10 percent of  landfills had a                                                                    
liner. He  thought most class  3 facilities in  rural Alaska                                                                    
did not have a liner.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kiehl contemplated  electronics with substances that                                                                    
could  seep into  the water  table.  He asked  how the  bill                                                                    
would  work   with  communities  that   handled  electronics                                                                    
collection. He  mentioned that currently  in Juneau,  it was                                                                    
possible  to drop  electronic  waste four  days  a week.  He                                                                    
mentioned the practices in other areas.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Flora relayed  that the  advisory council  had specific                                                                    
positions  for  the  large  municipal  landfills  and  other                                                                    
stakeholders. The  process of  creating an  e-recycling plan                                                                    
would  consider ongoing  efforts and  were required  to fund                                                                    
ongoing efforts to the greatest degree possible.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Tobin  pointed out that member's  packets included a                                                                    
presentation from  the Solid Waste Alaska  Task Force, which                                                                    
provided some additional detail  on current efforts (copy on                                                                    
file). She  noted that about  70 percent of  communities had                                                                    
some level of e-waste recycling.  She hoped the entire state                                                                    
would have access to the program.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kaufman considered the list  and had more questions.                                                                    
He asked  if the list  of e-waste would include  all kitchen                                                                    
appliances.   He   asked    about   dishwashers   that   had                                                                    
electronics, and whether the items were included.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Tobin  thought  stakeholders could  answer  Senator                                                                    
Kaufman's question.  She thought  some of the  items Senator                                                                    
Kaufman mentioned  such as  refrigerators needed  experts to                                                                    
remove  harmful aspects  before they  could be  successfully                                                                    
recycled.   Under  the   legislation,  it   might  be   more                                                                    
complicated  than simply  removing  the  items from  unlined                                                                    
landfills.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:59:17 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REILLY  KOSINSKI, ZENDER  ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH  AND RESEARCH                                                                    
GROUP (via teleconference), relayed that  he was a member of                                                                    
the  Solid  Waste Alaska  Taskforce  (SWAT).  He spoke  from                                                                    
written remarks:                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     •Personally,  I  live in  Haines  and  work for  Zender                                                                    
     Environmental  as  a   Statewide  Coordinator  for  the                                                                    
     Backhaul Alaska Program                                                                                                    
     Backhaul Alaska                                                                                                            
     •Backhaul  Alaska   is  a   SWAT  initiative   that  is                                                                    
     administered by Zender Environmental.                                                                                      
     •It's  a   Program  that  aims  to   help  all  Alaskan                                                                    
     communities effectively  and affordably  backhaul hard-                                                                    
     to-manage or  potentially hazardous  waste-streams that                                                                    
     should be  diverted from  landfills    especially rural                                                                    
     landfills                                                                                                                  
     •Ewaste   is  one   of   the   materials  our   Program                                                                    
     prioritizes, and  I hope to provide  a brief background                                                                    
     regarding  Alaska's  current ewaste  recycling  efforts                                                                    
     and existing infrastructure.                                                                                               
     •Currently  new electronics  have little  issue getting                                                                    
     into   communities   -   there   is   a   very   robust                                                                    
     infrastructure   in  place   for  delivering   products                                                                    
     throughout the state.                                                                                                      
     •So, in  short   the transportation  infrastructure for                                                                    
     recycling is already there    It's a matter of managing                                                                    
     the logistics in reverse.                                                                                                  
     •Our Backhaul  Alaska Program has been  doing just this                                                                    
        using existing  shipping routes  to facilitate  more                                                                    
     efficient backhaul  of wastes &  recyclables, including                                                                    
     ewaste.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Alaskan Communities Recycling Ewaste                                                                                       
     •Our  Program  has  either fully  or  partially  funded                                                                    
     backhaul  & recycling  shipments  covering roughly  100                                                                    
     different communities since 2018.                                                                                          
     •It should be noted that  we're doing this for not just                                                                    
     ewaste, but other hard-to-manage  waste streams such as                                                                    
     lead   acid   batteries,  tires,   mercury   containing                                                                    
     products, and appliances.                                                                                                  
     •Plus,  we  are performing  a  lot  of the  operational                                                                    
     aspects ask of the manufacturers in this bill.                                                                             
     •We're just 1 of  multiple organizations that have been                                                                    
     backhauling ewaste on a local and regional level.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     •Some  of the  other organizations  supporting regional                                                                    
     efforts include:                                                                                                           
          oKawerak   in  Nome   serves   16  Bering   Strait                                                                    
          communities                                                                                                           
          oManiilaq in Kotzebue                                                                                                 
          oBBAHC   serving   Dillingham    &   Bristol   Bay                                                                    
          Communities                                                                                                           
          oA  collaboration  AVCP,  Donlin Gold,  and  Delta                                                                    
          Backhaul in Bethel                                                                                                    
          oCook Inlet Keeper in the Kenai Borough                                                                               
          oKANA in Kodiak serving island-wide                                                                                   
          oPOW Island                                                                                                           
          oCRNA  in  Glennallen  serving  the  Copper  River                                                                    
          Valley                                                                                                                
          oGreen  Star of  Interior Alaska  serving Interior                                                                    
          communities                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     •These organizations actively  coordinate with outlying                                                                    
     communities within  their region  to bring  ewaste into                                                                    
     hubs  for   subsequent  repackaging  and   shipment  to                                                                    
     recyclers.                                                                                                                 
     •For our  part, we try  to partner with  these regional                                                                    
     organizations where  we can and leverage  funds to help                                                                    
     support their efforts.                                                                                                     
     •Also,   there   are   plenty   of   communities   that                                                                    
     individually manage ewaste for recycling                                                                                   
     •Further, there are  established recycling companies in                                                                    
     Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Kodiak that accept ewaste.                                                                       
    •By our count, at least 70% of communities already,                                                                         
          ohave  been recycling  ewaste  within  the last  5                                                                    
          years                                                                                                                 
          oHave  access  to   established  ewaste  recycling                                                                    
          services, or                                                                                                          
         oHave access to ewaste collection events                                                                               
     •I'd say this is a  conservative estimate. I don't have                                                                    
     full knowledge  of every community &  region's efforts,                                                                    
     but these are the ones that we're aware of.                                                                                
     •But  all these  current programs  and efforts  goes to                                                                    
     show how  important diverting ewaste from  landfills is                                                                    
     to communities throughout the state.                                                                                       
     Not starting from scratch                                                                                                  
     •This bill would not require  anything to be built from                                                                    
     scratch, no studies  are needed   it  would be building                                                                    
     off of 20+ years of development and refinement                                                                             
     •There are  many Alaskan entities with  experience that                                                                    
     would gladly  partner, leverage, and contribute  to the                                                                    
     development an efficient statewide program.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     •Importantly, SB61 will allow  for a formalized process                                                                    
     and provide a solid foundation to build around.                                                                            
     •Instead  of multiple  fractured efforts,  we can  have                                                                    
     single  program to  coordinate  ewaste  recycling on  a                                                                    
     statewide level.                                                                                                           
     Need for stable, long-term funding                                                                                         
     •Proud of our work, but our funding is limited.                                                                            
     •Backhaul  Alaska  is   predominately  federally  grant                                                                    
     funded                                                                                                                     
     •Our  main  source funding  will  run  out the  end-of-                                                                    
     summer this year,                                                                                                          
     •We  have  additional  funding sources  that  can  help                                                                    
     cover maybe  the next year  or 2, but our  Program will                                                                    
     likely  have  to  scale-back significantly  if  renewed                                                                    
     funding is not available.                                                                                                  
     •There  is a  lot of  uncertainty around  the continued                                                                    
     availability  of federal  grants  used  to operate  our                                                                    
     Program and others.                                                                                                        
     •This uncertainty  is a  barrier to  long-term planning                                                                    
     and capacity building.                                                                                                     
     •We cannot effectively plan  or invest resources beyond                                                                    
     a year or 2 because it's  uncertain if we'll be able to                                                                    
     providing  the same  level of  service we're  currently                                                                    
     offering.                                                                                                                  
     •SB61  would establish  that stable,  long-term funding                                                                    
     needed for managing ewaste on a statewide level.                                                                           
       hank you, I'm available for any questions                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Kosinski explained that the  funding for his program was                                                                    
limited.  He discussed  funding sources  from federal  funds                                                                    
and  grants   and  felt  there  was   much  uncertainty.  He                                                                    
discussed  the  challenge  of  working  on  long-term  plans                                                                    
without long term funding.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:04:32 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SCOTT    KLAG,    PRODUCT   STEWARDSHIP    INSTITUTE    (via                                                                    
teleconference),  explained  that  the  Product  Stewardship                                                                    
Institute was  a national policy organization  that had been                                                                    
working on  product stewardship programs across  the states.                                                                    
The  institute  had been  working  with  the development  of                                                                    
electronic  stewardship programs  since  the  year 2000.  He                                                                    
discussed  his background  working  in  waste and  recycling                                                                    
laws.  He  explained  that   stewardship  programs  were  an                                                                    
approach that required producers  and manufacturers to share                                                                    
in the  management of the end-of-life  of products. Programs                                                                    
included coverage of  leftover paint, batteries, mattresses,                                                                    
and  pharmaceuticals.  Recently  several states  had  passed                                                                    
laws covering packaging.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Mr. Klag relayed  that the bill would set  out what products                                                                    
were covered,  and what obligations the  manufacturers would                                                                    
have. He discussed the importance  of designing a program to                                                                    
build  on existing  private  and  public infrastructure.  He                                                                    
cited  that  24  states   had  passed  legislation  covering                                                                    
electronics  and millions  of  pounds of  the materials  had                                                                    
been diverted.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Klag  continued  and noted  that  Oregon  had  recently                                                                    
updated  its   law  and  expanded  the   scope  of  products                                                                    
included,  similar to  what  was proposed  in  the bill.  He                                                                    
thought  the  bill  addressed   important  elements  for  an                                                                    
effective  law  that  was  designed  in  collaboration  with                                                                    
stakeholders. He thought the  bill would provide sustainable                                                                    
financing, which was a crucial element.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
10:08:00 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
DR. LYNN  ZENDER, ZENDER  ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH  AND RESEARCH                                                                    
GROUP  (via   teleconference),  relayed   that  she   had  a                                                                    
doctorate  in civil  engineering. She  thought the  bill had                                                                    
been  carefully vetted.  She  discussed tightening  budgets.                                                                    
She  referenced   state  programs  in  Hawaii,   Maine,  and                                                                    
Washington.  She mentioned  speaking to  stakeholder groups.                                                                    
and  discussed  forming  an advisory  group.  She  mentioned                                                                    
feedback sessions to tribal and urban groups.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dr. Zender  mentioned the health  benefits of the  bill, and                                                                    
noted  that  electronics   contained  lead,  cadmium,  flame                                                                    
retardants,  and  PFAS,  which  caused a  myriad  of  health                                                                    
problems.  She described  rural  landfills  with no  liners,                                                                    
which allowed leaching into nearby  water sources. She cited                                                                    
that in  one rural Alaska  study, there were  health effects                                                                    
linked to proximity to the  dump. There were correlations of                                                                    
hazardous  waste  and  birth   defects.  She  discussed  the                                                                    
proximity  of  landfills  to villages  and  discussed  water                                                                    
sources  and contamination.  Electronics and  batteries made                                                                    
up  the  bulk  of  hazardous  waste  in  rural  Alaska.  She                                                                    
discussed the  limitation of landfill liners.  She discussed                                                                    
potential cuts to federal funds.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:12:30 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dr.  Zender   referenced  an  opposition  letter   from  the                                                                    
Consumer  Technology Association  (CTA) (copy  on file),  to                                                                    
which  her   organization  had   responded  with   a  letter                                                                    
addressing  counterpoints to  the arguments  presented (copy                                                                    
on file).  She thought  the letter  from CTA  was inaccurate                                                                    
and  presented   wrong  information.  She   thought  product                                                                    
stewardship programs were a market-based approach.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:14:00 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:14:26 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
KATIE  CAPOZZI,  PRESIDENT   AND  CHIEF  EXECUTIVE  OFFICER,                                                                    
ALASKA CHAMBER OF  COMMERCE, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference),                                                                    
spoke in opposition to the  bill. She relayed that while the                                                                    
chamber   supported   responsible  recycling   efforts   and                                                                    
environmental stewardship,  it thought that the  bill placed                                                                    
an unachievable  and costly  burden on  manufacturers, which                                                                    
would  ultimately negatively  impact  Alaskan consumers  and                                                                    
businesses. She thought the bill  would establish one of the                                                                    
most  costly and  burdensome programs  in the  nation, while                                                                    
not taking  into account the  state's unique  logistical and                                                                    
infrastructure challenges. She thought  the state lacked the                                                                    
infrastructure to  support the bill. She  contended that the                                                                    
bill's inclusion  of all batteries contained  in electronics                                                                    
proposed to expand the existing  system beyond what it could                                                                    
handle. She  thought the bill asked  manufacturers to create                                                                    
a  program  from   scratch  and  would  pass   costs  on  to                                                                    
consumers.  She encouraged  future dialog  and collaboration                                                                    
with stakeholders.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Merrick asked  if the  changes to  the bill  in the                                                                    
Senate Resources  Committee made the bill  more palatable to                                                                    
the Alaska Chamber.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Ms.  Capozzi thought  there were  improvements  made in  the                                                                    
committee,  but  the chamber  still  could  not support  the                                                                    
bill.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:17:40 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
LORENE  ANELON, ILIAMNA  DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,  ANCHORAGE                                                                    
(via  teleconference), spoke  in  support of  the bill.  She                                                                    
relayed that she  spoke on behalf of the  village of Iliamna                                                                    
and   the  corporation.   She  discussed   the  expense   of                                                                    
recycling.  She  discussed  challenges  with  maintaining  a                                                                    
clean environment in the village.  She discussed handling of                                                                    
e-waste  and  tires.  She thought  the  bill  would  improve                                                                    
community clean-up and would  prevent harmful chemicals from                                                                    
impacting the  subsistence lifestyle.  She thought  the bill                                                                    
would help rural communities.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
10:19:40 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
KATIE  REILLY,  VICE  PRESIDENT  OF  ENVIRONMENTAL  AFFAIRS,                                                                    
CONSUMER  TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION,  ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA  (via                                                                    
teleconference),  spoke  in  opposition  to  the  bill.  She                                                                    
relayed that her association's  members would be responsible                                                                    
for  paying  for and  delivering  on  an electronic  product                                                                    
stewardship  program in  the state.  She suggested  that the                                                                    
proposal in  the bill  would place  a significant  burden on                                                                    
electronics  manufacturers. She  cited  that  there had  not                                                                    
been  a new  e-waste program  passed since  2014, and  cited                                                                    
that electronics  were the  fastest declining  product waste                                                                    
stream in the country.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Reilly  expressed concern about the  provisions proposed                                                                    
in  the  bill.  She  thought  there was  no  clear  data  on                                                                    
electronic  data  generation  across   the  state.  She  was                                                                    
concerned  about significant  costs  for manufacturers.  She                                                                    
discussed a requirement for a  collection event required for                                                                    
communities with less than 5,500  people, which would result                                                                    
in over  200 expensive collection events.  She discussed the                                                                    
potential  for skyrocketing  costs. She  pondered where  and                                                                    
how much  e-waste was being generated.  She referenced CTA's                                                                    
written testimony  (copy on file). She  highlighted a fiscal                                                                    
note from the Department  of Environmental Conservation. She                                                                    
mentioned that CTA's  overall concern with the  bill was the                                                                    
addition  of considerable  costs for  doing business  in the                                                                    
state,  while being  structured  beyond what  was needed  to                                                                    
meet the need.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
10:23:13 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
FALLON  GLEASON,   SELF,  ANCHORAGE   (via  teleconference),                                                                    
testified   in  support   of  the   bill.   She  worked   in                                                                    
environmental  health  in  Bristol   Bay  and  had  assisted                                                                    
numerous  villages with  e-waste. She  thought recycling  e-                                                                    
waste was imperative. She discussed  federal funding used by                                                                    
tribes to recycle  e-waste, and the potential  for using the                                                                    
funds  for other  matters related  to  health. She  stressed                                                                    
that e-waste created a burden for small rural communities.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:24:42 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
VANESSA TAHBONE,  SELF, NOME (via teleconference),  spoke in                                                                    
support of  SB 61. She  worked for Kawerak, a  regional non-                                                                    
profit, as  an environmental project coordinator.  She was a                                                                    
regional coordinator  for the Back-haul Alaska  Program. She                                                                    
had  worked to  get electronics  out of  landfills in  rural                                                                    
communities. She  noted that there were  already storage and                                                                    
shipping  routes  in  place. She  conveyed  that  electronic                                                                    
recycling had already been happening  in her region for over                                                                    
a decade.  She was an  avid subsistence hunter  and gatherer                                                                    
and   discussed  chemical   pollution  on   the  land.   She                                                                    
emphasized that there was existing infrastructure.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:27:25 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
ENISHA   ELBIH,   SELF,  ANCHORAGE   (via   teleconference),                                                                    
testified  in support  of the  bill. She  was a  resident of                                                                    
South Naknek  and was speaking  on behalf of the  tribe. She                                                                    
noted that  her community  had a  class 3  unlined landfill,                                                                    
which meant  pollutants could leach  into the land  and air.                                                                    
It was her community's first  year shipping out e-waste. She                                                                    
mentioned the uncertainty of future  funding and thought the                                                                    
cost of shipping should be on the manufacturer.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:29:12 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
BENNY  PISCOYA,  KAWERAK  INC., NOME  (via  teleconference),                                                                    
spoke  in support  of the  bill. He  relayed that  he was  a                                                                    
Native man, and he had  participated in hunting and fishing.                                                                    
He had learned from his grandfather  to "pack it in, pack it                                                                    
out," which he thought should apply to e-waste.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:29:52 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:29:59 AM                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Kiehl   addressed  a  new  fiscal   note  from  the                                                                    
Department  of   Environmental  Conservation,   Division  of                                                                    
Environmental  Health, OMB  Component 3202.  For FY  26, the                                                                    
department estimated  there would be  a cost of  $499,600 of                                                                    
UGF, and  two full-time positions. The  number stabilized in                                                                    
FY 28,  with a cost of  $420,700. In FY 29,  the fund source                                                                    
switched  from  UGF to  General  Fund  program receipts  and                                                                    
remained level going forward.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman  asked the sponsor  if she wanted  to offer                                                                    
closing comments.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Tobin  emphasized  that  currently  70  percent  of                                                                    
Alaskan communities  had an  e-waste recycling  program paid                                                                    
for  by Alaskans  through  grants, community  contributions,                                                                    
and  tribal dollars.  The bill  did not  create a  statewide                                                                    
recycling  program  but   instead  established  a  statewide                                                                    
electronic  stewardship plan.  She  clarified that  although                                                                    
the  initial costs  would be  paid by  UGF, the  annual fees                                                                    
would  eventually  be  paid  for  by  the  manufacturer  fee                                                                    
associated  with  registration  with a  digital  stewardship                                                                    
program.  The  costs  would  be  backfilled.  She  mentioned                                                                    
potentially making  a longer  time horizon  for implementing                                                                    
the  program, to  ensure the  state was  able to  recoup the                                                                    
costs.  The  actual costs  incurred  by  establishment of  a                                                                    
stewardship plan  would be  paid for  by manufacturers  on a                                                                    
service  charge that  people  already  paid. She  emphasized                                                                    
that people  were already paying  for e-recycling  for other                                                                    
states,  in  Canadian provinces,  and  in  Europe. The  bill                                                                    
proposed to continue  the existing program, but  paid for by                                                                    
manufacturers.   She   looked    forward   to   stakeholders                                                                    
contacting her office for dialogue.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman thanked the sponsor.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SB  61  was   HEARD  and  HELD  in   committee  for  further                                                                    
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Hoffman  noted that the deadline  for amendments to                                                                    
SB 30, SB  54, and SB 61  was set for Tuesday, April  8 at 5                                                                    
o'clock p.m.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB 54 Legislative Legal Memo 1.5.2025 - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Sponsor Statement Version G 3.18.2025 - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Sectional Analysis Version G 3.18.2025 - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Supporting Document- Letter-ENSTAR 02.26.25 - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Supporting Document- Letters (Combined) - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Supporting Document-ASID Report 03.09.2023 - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Supporting Document-Sunset Review of AELS Board 04.07.2024 - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Supporting Document-USACE Contract Opportunity 01.31.2024 - Copy.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 AIA AK Position on 2.3.25.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Please Pass - Extend AELS Board; Register Interior Designers.msg SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 IIDA NPC Testimony.msg SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Testimony Killian.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Benoit Testimony.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 CIDQ Letter of Support- SB 54 (SF).pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 NCARB addressing AK SB 54.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Letter in Support_KConway_Olson.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 DCCED-CBPL-032125.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 61 (RES) Background Alaska Electronics Product Stewardship Summary.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 (RES) Background information - Denali Commission Letter for Support for Backhaul Alaska Program.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 (RES) Background Presentation Solid Waste Alaska Task Force.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 (RES) Supporting Document Alaska Business Magazine October 2024.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 (RES) Version I Explanation of Changes.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 (RES) Version I Sectional Analysis.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 (RES) Version I Sponsor Statement.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 (RES) Version I Support.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Electronics Recycling Opposition Letter SFIN 3.25.25.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 NEW DEC - EH - 02282025.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 30 Summary of Changes Ver A to Ver I.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 30
SB 30 Support Document DNR Response.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 30
SB 30 Supporting Document Hokenson Statement in Support.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 30
SB 30 Support Document Pawlowski Testimony in Support.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 30
SB 30 Ver I Sectional Analysis.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 30
SB 30 Ver I Sponsor Statement.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 30
SB 61 CTA_Opposition_SB61_3_26_25.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 54 Testimony Schmidt.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Testimony Goneau.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Testimony Fritz.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 SLC Amendments 3.26.2025.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Testimony Wiltfong.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 Testimony Cash.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 54 APDC 2025 SB 54 Letter of Support.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SFIN 4/11/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 54
SB 61 DeWilde.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Agnus.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Breuker.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Jeffers.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Edmund.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Silas.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 City of Emmonak suppor.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Comments Addressing CTA Opposition Letter- Zender Environmental.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 SWRAC Support Letter.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 SEASWA Support Letter.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Andrew.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Nowatak.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Angoon Community Association support.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Tesimony Horner.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Kassaiuli.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony IGAP Manokotak Village Council.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Testimony Snowball.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Support Adams.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Support Bower.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 support Tuntutuliak.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61
SB 61 Support Wrangell Cooperative Association.pdf SFIN 3/27/2025 9:00:00 AM
SB 61