Legislature(2025 - 2026)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/10/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB69 | |
| SB57 | |
| SB76 | |
| SB44 | |
| SB69 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 44 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 76 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 57 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 69
"An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits;
establishing the sexual assault examination kit
tracking system; and providing for an effective date."
10:49:16 AM
SUSIE FRENZEL, DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SERVICES AND FORENSIC
SCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) introduced
herself.
DAVID KANARIS, CHIEF OF FORENSIC LABORATORY, DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY, introduced himself.
Mr. Kanaris discussed the presentation, "Senate Bill (SB)
69 Sexual Assault Examination Kit Tracking System(copy on
file). He addressed slide 2, "Key Provisions
Timelines for transmittal and testing of Sexual
Assault Kits
Codifying the Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System
Survivor Rights and Transparency
Mr. Kanaris highlighted slide 3, "Time Processing of Kits
Medical providers must notify law enforcement within
14 days after evidence collection
New Requirement
Law enforcement must transfer kits to an accredited
laboratory within 20 days
Currently 30 days
Laboratory must complete testing within 120 days
Currently 180 days
Mr. Kanaris pointed to slide 4, "Survivor Rights and
Transparency
Survivors must be notified when their kits are
tested
The tracking system enables survivors to stay
informed and connected to their case without
compromising their privacy or needing to re-engage
with law enforcement
The system ensures survivors can securely monitor
the status of their kits and opt-in for automated
updates
Mr. Kanaris looked at slide 5, "Codification of the Sexual
Assault Kit Tracking System
Sexual assault examination kit tracking system will
be operated by the Department of Public Safety
Data remains confidential to protect survivor
privacy
Mr. Kanaris relayed that the current administration and
legislative body had all been supportive of building the
kit tracking system.
Mr. Kanaris showed slide 6, which showed a photograph of
the kit storage room that illustrated the problem. He
thought that there were about 40,000 kits in the system
over time, and there was an average of 500 to 600 sexual
assault case kits per year. The crime lab was working as
fast as it possibly could. Data from 2024 showed that the
lab was able to work the kits within 133 days, and it was
working to reduce the amount of time needed.
10:53:07 AM
Co-Chair Stedman wondered about how minors were treated,
and if the kits were tracked. He asked about information
for parents or guardians.
Mr. Kanaris relayed that about 16 percent of cases were
from minor cases, which were entered into the database and
given priority for faster processing. The survivor or
parent/guardian would be supplied with a tracking number
through which hit could access the database.
Senator Kiehl understood that the fiscal note requested
taking on state funding for a position that was currently
grant funded. He was supportive of the bill. He asked what
would happen with the position if the bill was not passed.
Mr. Kanaris replied that there was a question of whether a
state position could handle the capacity, which he doubted.
He did not think current staffing levels were a sufficient
way to work.
10:55:05 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman OPENED public testimony.
Co-Chair Hoffman CLOSED public testimony.
Senator Kiehl reviewed FN 1 from the Department of Public
Safety, OMB Component 527. The note asked for $197,500 in
FY 26, $148,000 of which was for the position. The position
was reflective of additives. The out years showed the cost
of the software rising slowly but steadily.
10:56:27 AM
JAMES COCKRELL, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), gave a prepared statement.
He thanked the committee. He requested that members look at
what the department had done in closing gaps in the system
over the past few years. He thought the state had come a
long way in how it had treated victims. He thought the kit
system was one way to offer victims control over the
process. He relayed that the bill was a priority for the
department.
SB 69 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
Co-Chair Hoffman stated that the next meeting would be the
following day at 9am.