Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/30/2026 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB78 | |
| SB121 | |
| SB163 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 163 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 163-REPEAL CERTAIN INACTIVE FUNDS/ACCOUNTS
2:51:46 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 163 "An Act relating to
inactive state accounts and funds; repealing the home ownership
assistance fund; repealing the operating loss reserve account;
repealing the public access fund; repealing the Southeast energy
fund; repealing the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act reimbursement
fund; repealing the child care facility revolving loan fund
foreclosure expense account; repealing the tourism revolving
fund foreclosure expense account; repealing the residential
energy conservation fund foreclosure expense account; repealing
the historical district revolving loan fund foreclosure expense
account; repealing the Alaska temporary assistance program
emergency account; repealing the 2001 Special Olympics World
Winter Games reserve fund; and providing for an effective date."
2:52:25 PM
SENATOR JAMES KAUFMAN, District F, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 163 explained that the bill builds
on a process created in a previous legislature to review state
accounts every two years and eliminate unused or outdated funds.
He said the goal is to reduce clutter, improve transparency and
efficiency, and ensure only necessary accounts remain, with
candidates identified, evaluated, and removed if no longer
serving a purpose.
2:55:43 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON noted that according to the fiscal note, it
appears that all the funds are empty.
SENATOR KAUFMAN said while some unused funds have been cleared,
outdated accounts often remain on the books, creating
unnecessary clutter.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked whether there is money in any of the
funds.
SENATOR KAUFMAN replied that the identified funds have no
remaining money. He said going forward, any unused funded
accounts would also be cleared and closed.
2:56:42 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON exclaimed that if there is money in the
funds that are being closed that is bonus money.
SENATOR KAUFMAN replied yes. He said the two-year review process
was created to reassess outdated requirements and accounts,
eliminate what is no longer needed, and improve efficiency. The
process also ensures that any unnecessary funds are cleared,
enhancing transparency and public trust in government finances.
2:58:42 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked if there were more funds identified that
the sponsor wants to add to the current list.
SENATOR KAUFMAN replied yes. He said a list of unused funds is
created, and legislation is then needed to eliminate them. Since
these accounts accumulate over time across statutes, the goal is
to work with legal and finance teams to identify more
unnecessary funds and remove them more comprehensively.
2:59:49 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 163 in committee.