Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
02/10/2026 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB126 | |
| SB71 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 126 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 71 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 126-CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; PLACEMENT
3:34:41 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
176 "An Act approving and ratifying the sale of royalty oil by
the State of Alaska to Marathon Petroleum Supply and Trading
Company LLC; and providing for an effective date."
3:34:52 PM
SENATOR ROBERT YUNDT, District N, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 126 paraphrased the following
summary:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB 126 would add a section to the powers given to the
Commissioner, to give them the ability to look at out
of state options for housing inmates who have 7 or
more years remaining on their sentence, should the
cost of doing this be cheaper than keeping them in
state.
By sending some prisoners out of state, this would
help the State reduce the cost of housing some
prisoners. There would also be a requirement that
these inmates be kept separate from other prisoners,
to keep them from possibly mixing with more hardened
criminals being housed in the same location.
I urge your support for SB 126
SENATOR YUNDT stated that typically the legislators enjoy the
legislation they are presenting, in this case this legislation
is not exciting; it as a sensitive and delicate matter.
3:36:21 PM
RYAN MCKEE, Staff, Senator Rob Yundt, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, provided the sectional analysis for SB 126 and
read the following:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Section 1 AS.33.30.061 adds new subsections to section
1.
Section (e) would grant the Commissioner the ability
to investigate cost reductions by either consolidating
existing facilities or designating placement of a
prisoner at an out-of-state facility.
Section (f) clarifies that any prisoner that is sent
out of state shall be housed exclusively apart from
prisoners who are not residents of the state.
Section (g) requires the state to estimate the cost
savings annually, resulting from actions taken under
section (e) of this section. It also allows the
legislature to appropriate an amount equal to the
annual cost savings estimate for education purposes.
3:37:32 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN asked, in consideration of SB 126, which
correctional facilities the sponsor would close.
3:37:51 PM
SENATOR YUNDT replied that it's not his decision and he trusts
the Department of Corrections to make the right choice.
3:38:19 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI agreed with the answer and noted that, since
legislators represent different districts, decisions about
closing or consolidating facilities are complex and often
politically sensitive. He suggested an independent, less
political process, like past Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
commissions, to evaluate closures, while acknowledging cost
concerns and the need for careful justification. He asked how
many inmates are currently at the seven-year mark, and why seven
years was chosen as the threshold instead of another timeframe.
3:40:40 PM
SENATOR YUNDT replied that there were 792 inmates at the time of
data collection, though the current number may differ. He
suggested bringing inmates back when they have two years or less
remaining to support reentry and training, while balancing
fiscal responsibility and compassion. The two-year mark was seen
as a practical midpoint for budgeting and consolidation, though
capacity limits make consolidation difficult. He emphasized that
decisions about facility closures rest with designated officials
rather than legislators.
3:42:16 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced Senator Wielechowski joined the
meeting.
3:42:28 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 126.
3:42:52 PM
MICHAEL GARVEY, Policy Director, American Civil Liberties Union
of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 126.
He acknowledged that the bill does not mandate sending inmates
out of state but expressed concern that it introduces the idea
without exploring other cost-saving options. He argued that out-
of-state incarceration risks violating prisoners' constitutional
rights, harms families and communities, creates logistical and
oversight challenges, and may increase gang involvement. He
suggested reducing costs instead by better using medical and
geriatric parole, noting that high healthcare expenses drive
much of the corrections budget.
3:45:46 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI noted that in SB 126, Section 1 outlines only two
cost-reduction methods and invited suggestions for additional
options to include in statute.
3:46:36 PM
ADAM BARGER, representing self, Casa Grande, Arizona, testified
in opposition to SB 126. He told the committee his experience as
an incarcerated person. He argued that sending prisoners out of
state harms families, weakens rehabilitation, and worsens
outcomes. He claimed it leads to poorer conditions, increased
gang influence, higher long-term recidivism, and unresolved
behavioral issues that ultimately pose greater risks to Alaska
communities, while not significantly reducing medical costs.
3:51:03 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI commented that part of SB 126 addresses housing
of prisoners and that the prisoners will be separated from the
prisoners that aren't from Alaska.
MR. BARGAR noted that the understanding in SB 126 matched the
situation when he was sent to a prison in Arizona; the facility
had to fill its beds, so it didn't matter if prisoners from two
different states were housed next to each other.
3:51:47 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether Mr. Bargar went to Goose Creek
facility when he returned to Alaska.
BARGAR replied in the affirmative.
3:52:17 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony on SB 126.
CHAIR KAWASAKI explained that Goose Creek was built with the
goal of bringing prisoners back to Alaska to reduce costs,
support families, and lower recidivism. He said he is unsure
those outcomes were achieved and suggests reviewing past
promises and results.
3:53:55 PM
SENATOR YUNDT stated his support of HB 35, expanding electronic
devices in prisons to improve rehabilitation, enable approved
video contact with family, and increase access to telehealth,
which could help reduce healthcare costs. He noted that in-
person visitation rates are currently low, making these tools
especially important. He emphasized that any policy moving
forward should be handled with compassion and firmly opposed to
sending Alaska inmates out of state if they will be intermingled
with prisoners not from Alaska.
3:55:40 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 126 in committee.
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