Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
05/06/2024 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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 | |
| SB89 | |
| SB115 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 182 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 234 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 115 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HJR 27 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 89 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 89-AGE FOR TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG; TAX E-CIG
7:11:30 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the first order of business would be
CS for SENATE BILL NO. 89(FIN), "An Act relating to tobacco,
tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and
products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to
purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing
nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the
tobacco use education and cessation fund; relating to the
taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and
providing for an effective date."
7:11:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to adopt the proposed House
committee substitute (HCS) to CSSB 89)FIN), Version 33-LS0247\Y,
Nauman, 5/6/24, as the working document.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK objected.
7:12:19 PM
TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State
Legislature, provided the summary of changes for Version Y, the
proposed House committee substitute for CSSB 89(FIN). He
reiterated that Version Y would strike from the title and the
remainder of the bill any reference to the new state tax
program. He noted that that was the substance of the bill and
offered to elaborate at the will of the committee. In response
to Representative Ruffridge, he confirmed that that was the
singular most substantive change proposed under Version Y.
7:13:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK explained her objection to Version Y was
the tax provision.
7:14:26 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease 7:14 p.m.
7:15:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS said that he supported Version Y but
preferred to keep the tax (indisc.).
7:15:12 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Ruffridge, Saddler,
Wright, Fields, Prax, and Sumner voted in favor of adopting the
proposed House committee substitute for CSSB 89(FIN), Version
33-LS0247\Y, Nauman, 5/6/24, as the working document.
Representative Carrick voted against it. Therefore, Version Y
was before the committee by a vote of 6-1.
7:15:42 PM
CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on SB 89.
7:16:08 PM
BEVERLY WOOLEY, representing self, testified in support of SB
89. She spoke about her work in public health and asked the
committee to support keeping young people healthy by increasing
the age to buy tobacco products and she also supported levying
larger taxes. She gave examples of how effective the anti-
nicotine program at the state helped youths. She pointed out
that young people are price sensitive, and she offered her
belief that the bill is an important step.
7:18:44 PM
JESSICA IVANOFF, representing self, testified in support of SB
89. As a mother of teenagers, she spoke to her concern of
vaping and the health risks that result from the use of these
types of products, and offered further examples of the steps
youths will take to obtain vaping products. She urged committee
members to approve SB 89.
7:20:16 PM
DOROTHY ARMSTRONG, representing self, stated that she was a high
school senior and related how tobacco use affects people and the
physical toll it took on them. She shared how the smells of the
vapes are prevalent and that she could not avoid it in or
outside the classroom. She stressed that people who are 19
attempt to sell vapes to youths but only some youths refuse.
She stated she felt responsible to provide information to fellow
students, and she thanked the committee for their time.
7:22:25 PM
CHAIR SUMNER, after ascertaining that no one else wished to
testify, closed public testimony on SB 89.
7:22:30 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 7:22 p.m. to 7:23 p.m.
7:23:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT moved to report HCS CSSB 89, Version 33-
LS0247\Y, Nauman, 5/6/24, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
7:24:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE objected. He said he is in support of
the bill but in looking at language in Version Y around
shipping. He offered a suggestion to hear from the U.S. Postal
Service (USPS).
CHAIR SUMNER listed other options in buying and receiving
tobacco.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE restated that his concern was the
language surrounding the delivery of products and he pointed out
that the deliverer would have to verify the person's age. He
reiterated his uncertainty of how this would work.
7:27:25 PM
MR. LAMKIN stated that the amendments [within Version Y] are
conforming in nature and he related an example regarding buying
an age-restricted product such as alcohol and there being a
requirement to check the identification (ID) of the person
receiving the product. It is common carrier language, he said.
7:28:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX commented that he knew nothing about how the
products get shipped and said he would not expect that they are
shipped through Lynden, but maybe FedEx or USPS.
MR. LAMKIN reiterated that there is an allowance for "this type
of thing" at USPS and it is common practice. When one is at the
post office counter with an agent and the package has a label
requiring age verification, the person picking up the package
must be asked for proof of age.
7:29:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS noted that the processes are already in
place for alcohol so it should not be a big deal.
7:29:35 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT inquired whether someone who ordered
tobacco online and were not home for the delivery would be
required to go to the post office and show identification.
MR. LAMKIN said he was not certain whether tobacco products are
delivered through USPS, but if it were UPS or FedEx, the agent
would have to check the recipient's ID upon delivering the
product.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT offered his belief that it could cause a
problem with people receiving their goods in a timely manner.
MR. LAMKIN responded that there are a lot of components to the
bill and indicated that continuing to ask more hypothetical
questions would result in "losing sight of the ball." He
suggested that committee members not lose track of the point of
the bill.
7:31:23 PM
CHAIR SUMNER pointed out that some packages need signatures
whether they contain age restricted products or not. He gave
personal examples of having to pick up packages at the post
office after receiving a notice.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT reiterated his concern about those who
cannot get to the post office after hours resulting in delays
for people getting their goods.
7:32:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE questioned what the process would look
like, and whether or not it would cause some other step to be
taken by those who have already had their identification
checked. He said he would feel more at-ease about the shipping
language in the proposed legislation if there were an
understanding of the affidavit from the shipper.
MR. LAMKIN replied that he did not know how to further
articulate. If ID checks were eliminated, then youths would
have easier access, he proffered.
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE stressed that the committee's intention
was not to make tobacco easier to obtain.
7:36:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK shared her confusion in reference to
deliveries and what is in statute regarding [ID] verification.
She further inquired about the conforming changes in the
proposed legislation.
MR. LAMKIN clarified that it was intended to target online sales
and to put a stopgap on these products getting into the hands of
youth.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether the conforming language is
new language being put in place.
MR. LAMKIN confirmed that it is new language for electronic
smoking products.
7:38:25 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS referred to Title 11 and that there are
prohibitions on selling to those underage. He shared anecdotes
about receiving mail and signing for it. He noted special
software that vendors can use for age verification online.
7:40:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE shared his concerns about the
transition happening with alcohol products, and he sought
further discussion on the shipping language and what it looks
like "in real life." He removed his objection.
7:41:36 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced there being no further objection, HCS
CSSB 89(L&C) was reported out of House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee.