Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/09/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB147 | |
| SB117 | |
| SB158 | |
| HB116 | |
| SB159 | |
| SB172 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 147 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 117 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 158 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 159 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 172 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 117-STATE COMMISSION FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
2:14:36 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 117 "An Act renaming the State
Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for
Civil Rights; relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska
State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to reports from the
Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to the
definition of 'employer' for the purposes of the Alaska State
Commission for Civil Rights; and relating to local civil rights
commissions."
2:15:11 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District P, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, as sponsor of SB 117 he stated that the bill
does more than rename the Human Rights Commission to the Alaska
State Commission for Civil Rights to align with other civil
rights organizations. It also includes several substantive
updates to the commission's operations and authority. First, it
clarifies that the commission may support workers, hold
hearings, and investigate complaints involving nonprofit
organizations. Second, it allows a religious organization to
permit a defense in discrimination cases when employment actions
are tied to religious beliefs or practices. Third, it updates
the commission's annual reporting requirement to allow
submission in electronic form and extends the deadline to
November 15, giving staff more time to compile accurate records
after the legislative session. Finally, the bill modifies the
rules for removing commissioners appointed by the governor,
permitting removal only for causesuch as incompetence, neglect
of duty, misconduct, or statements that undermine the
commission's workrather than at will. Overall, the changes are
technical in nature and were requested by the commission to
improve its clarity, consistency, and governance.
2:17:08 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 117.
2:17:37 PM
REBECCA CARRILLO, member, Alaska State Commission for Human
Rights (ASCHR), Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 117.
She explained that the bill updates the commission's reporting
deadline because the current schedule is impractical. ASCHR
cannot access its data until January 1, and preparing the report
takes several weeks, so moving the deadline to November 15
aligns with the fiscal year and allows sufficient time for
review. She also noted that changing the name from the Alaska
State Commission for Human Rights to the Alaska State Commission
for Civil Rights modernizes the language and clarifies its focus
on state-level civil rights issues, reducing confusion with
broader human rights matters.
2:22:14 PM
WILLIAM CRAIG, Commissioner, Alaska Human Rights Commission
(AHRC), Sitka, Alaska, testified in support of SB 117 and asked
the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee to pass the bill without
any amendments. He said the name change aligns with what the
state legislature has mandated for AHRC.
2:22:48 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 117.
2:23:09 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
2:23:12 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 117, work order 34-LS0698\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
2:23:30 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SB 117 was reported from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.