Legislature(2019 - 2020)BUTROVICH 205
03/06/2020 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB120 | |
| SB179 | |
| SJR13 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 120 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 179 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SJR 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SJR 13-CONST. AM: PROHIBIT ABORTION/FUNDING
2:26:33 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 13, "Proposing an amendment to the Constitution
of the State of Alaska relating to abortion."
CHAIR WILSON noted that the committee heard an overview of the
resolution, took invited testimony, and began public testimony.
Today the committee will continue public testimony.
2:27:18 PM
KARINA KOWALSKI, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, said that
when she was 19, she had two children, was on state assistance,
and got pregnant after her birth control failed. She was
terrified about the future for her children. Almost all her
paycheck went to childcare and all three of them were sleeping
on her grandma's futon. She had an abortion at 10 weeks and had
an IUD inserted and has not had any unplanned pregnancies since
then. A few years later she was able to get off state
assistance. She said she does not regret her decision because
she does not know where she would be today if her third
pregnancy had continued. She said she is grateful for Planned
Parenthood and that the state does not force women to give
birth.
2:29:33 PM
JUSTINE COOKE, representing self, Bethel and St. Mary's, Alaska,
said she understands that it is unethical to order medical
professionals to perform abortions. She offered her belief that
this resolution does not favor the people in Alaska but would be
a show of power and control by extremists over individuals. She
expressed concern that it would remove pathways for families in
poverty. It would show the dominance of colonization by taking
away choice from the less-dominant group. Learned helplessness
is the term describing people who have little control over their
lives. She had the choice of abortion during her pregnancy, but
she did not choose it. However, she believes pregnancy should be
a choice. She asked the committee to make a choice in favor of
the less fortunate groups in Alaska.
2:32:03 PM
PHILLIP MORIN, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, said he would
read a letter written by Bob Bird, a retired schoolteacher and
former president of Alaska Right to Life. Mr. Bird is currently
a radio talk show host for KSRM. He read:
Abortion is a crime against humanity. The legalization
of abortion by Alaska in 1970 will stand as a blight
and a disgrace in the eyes of history. By enacting a
constitutional amendment that states abortion is not
recognized as a right, the state would be playing into
the hands of leftists to favor legal abortion. The
amendment would recognize things that are not
constitutional. The courts have no authority to grant
new rights. That is for the legislature and the
people. The legislature already has the constitutional
authority to halt the court's creation of abortion as
a fundamental, constitutional right. Through ignorance
and cowardice, the legislature has not called the
judiciary's bluff. It is arguably another impeachable
offense for the courts to mandate public funding of
abortion. This violates the power of the purse
reserved to the legislature.
2:34:37 PM
CATHLEEN ROLPH, representing self, Soldotna, Alaska, said
abortion is an emotional decision that should be left up to a
woman and her doctor, not the state. There are differing
philosophies about when a fetus is a person. There are many
moral traditions. The U.S. Constitution bestowed the freedom of
religion on citizens. The government has no right to force one
religious tradition on all women. Thanks to Roe v. Wade,
abortion is legal. Women are free to decide not to get an
abortion. The lack of access to abortion does not reduce
abortion and at least eight percent of maternal deaths worldwide
are from unsafe abortions.
2:37:16 PM
KATHLEEN TAYLOR YOKEL, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska,
said as a woman, it is unconscionable, arrogant, and
overreaching that anyone could believe he or she has the right
to interfere with any decision between herself and her
physician. She related her mother's experience with two
unplanned pregnancies while she was on birth control, after her
doctor had warned her not to have any more children for medical
reasons. It was more prudent for her mother to have two
abortions to live and care for her three children. Those who try
to control women's reproductive freedom by interfering with
their medical care must be stopped.
2:39:37 PM
JEAN JAMES, representing self, Fairbanks, Alaska, said she is a
mother and grandmother who is urging the committee not to move
SJR 13 out of committee. She asked members to focus on important
issues facing Alaska, including the fiscal crisis, mental health
issues, permanent fund dividend issues, and increasing Alaska's
revenue. Medical decisions should be left to doctors and their
patients. Women and doctors should not be criminalized or jailed
for seeking essential health care. Restricting abortions or
making them illegal does not prevent them. She said it is ironic
that people who do not want government in their lives support
this. The best way to reduce the number of abortions is to
increase access to birth control and sex education that goes
beyond abstinence. Countries that have legal abortion, easy
access to birth control, and excellent sex education have the
lowest abortion rates, she said.
2:41:37 PM
KAREN LEWIS, Alaska Right to Life, Mat-Su, Alaska, said SJR 13
is a good amendment. It is simple and to the point. It protects
human life. Previous testifiers discussed babies as if these
babies were nothing to be considered. People have become callous
because of Roe v. Wade. It was estimated that 5,000 women got
abortions before that decision, but since then at least a
million have been performed. SJR 13 enforces what the
Declaration of Independence states, that people are endowed with
certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and
the pursuit of happiness. She offered her belief that Planned
Parenthood kills babies for a hefty fee and sells baby body
parts.
2:44:04 PM
KAREN CRANDALL, Alaska Right to Life, Wasilla, Alaska, said SJR
13 is a great amendment, one that is simple and to the point, to
protect human life. The Bible says, "You knit me together in my
mother's womb. I thank you because I am awesomely made. Your
works are wonders." She said she made a decision to not abort
her baby when she was 20. A fetus is a person. People should
keep in mind the 14th amendment, which was made for the
protection of human life. She hopes that Americans can stop
aborting what is made in the image of God.
2:46:26 PM
MARY ANNE BISHOP, representing self, Cordova, Alaska, said she
is a single mother with a special-needs child. She is surprised
that there is a move to amend the Constitution of the State of
Alaska in a way that would take away a woman's right to privacy
and reproductive control. Women have a moral right to decide
what to do with their bodies. The right to abortion is vital for
gender equality. Women have a right to legal and safe abortions.
Banning abortions puts women at risk by forcing them to use
illegal abortionists.
2:47:40 PM
CARL HEDMAN, representing self, Valdez, Alaska, said SJR 13 is
an important issue that should be put on the ballot for citizens
of the state to decide, just as for the protection of natural
resources and marijuana. The citizens of the state should be
heard on the important issue of protecting life itself.
2:49:04 PM
GREGG MARXMILLER, representing self, Dillingham, Alaska, said
SJR 13 is political issue that seeks to divide rather than bring
people together. It is not the role of the state to make moral
laws, but to make laws that are best for it citizens. Let people
make their own decisions about how to live their lives. He said
there are many social and economic ramifications to passing
something irresponsible like this considering the amount of rape
and sexual assault in the state.
2:51:02 PM
NOAH WILLIAMS, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, said others
have made the moral arguments why the resolution is
preposterous. He expressed surprise that people who favor small
government seek more power over women's bodies and he does not
agree with such laws. He suggested that something should be done
to reduce the highest rates of sexual assault in the nation.
Even though the legislature and the governor take a tough-on-
crime stance, sexual assault crimes have only worsened in the
past year. He raised other issues, such that shelves are empty
and communities are s5tarving because the Alaska Marine Highway
is in dire need of repair, and preparation for Covid-19 has been
dangerously sparse. If the legislature wants to save lives, it
should increase funding for teen dating violence prevention and
sex education, stand up for the ferries and figure out how
Alaska will deal with the new [COVID-19] disease.
2:52:42 PM
CHERYL LOVEGREEN, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, said SJR
13 is a terrible bill that would permanently amend the
Constitution of the State of Alaska to restrict the right to
privacy, ban safe and legal abortion, even for pregnancies
resulting from rape and incest. She expressed concern that
Alaska has high domestic violence and sexual assault rates. She
expressed further concern that banning abortions would lead to
illegal abortions that can injure and kill both mother. Alaska
needs better health care for teen girls and women, she said.
Almost 80 percent of Alaskan voters have doubts about a law that
bans abortions. This is a bad bill trying to fill a nonexistent
mandate, she said.
2:53:46 PM
DIANE PENDERGRAST, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, said no
restrictions should be placed on funding for abortions. No woman
should be restricted from abortion services, especially in
Alaska with its high rate of sexual abuse and sexual
exploitation of women. No one wants abortion, but people should
not blame or restrict women during one of the hardest times of
their lives. She suggested that the legislature should increase
funding for abortions to assist women to gain access to
providers and support Planned Parenthood, an organization that
has helped her. "Could we please just support women," she said.
2:56:10 PM
PATRICK MARTIN, Alaska Right to Life, Wasilla, Alaska, said
Alaska Right to Life has mild concerns with SJR 13. It follows
the examples of Tennessee, West Virginia, and Alabama and
renders the constitution neutral on abortion, but abortion
proponents are anything but neutral. Babies waiting to be born
deserve the same legal protections that others enjoy, legal
protections that begin at conception and remain through natural
end of life. He expressed concern that SJR 13 is silent on the
right to life and neutral about killing babies before birth. He
offered his belief that God's design for government requires the
protection of innocent human life and the punishment of those
who take it. He expressed concern that SJR 13 is silent on the
fact that abortion is murder. He asked members to proactively
protect babies from the moment of conception. He urged them to
look into the merits of passing the Life at Conception Act in
addition to SJR 13.
2:58:34 PM
CHAIR WILSON closed public testimony. He noted that SJR 13 has
about 200 pages of written testimony that is part of the public
record. It has two other committees of referral, so there should
be opportunity for further testimony.
2:59:07 PM
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion.
2:59:12 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report SJR 13, version 31-LS1398\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero
fiscal note(s). There being no objection, SJR 13 was reported
from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 120 Public Input 3.5.20.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SB 120 |
| SJR 13 Public Input No. 1 3.5.20.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |
| SJR 13 Public Input No. 2 3.5.20.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |
| SB 179 SHSS DCEED Follow-Up Information 3.4.20.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SB 179 |
| SB 179 Public Input 3.5.20.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SB 179 |
| SB 179 Public Input 3.6.20.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SB 179 |
| SJR 13 Public Input 3.6.20.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |
| Lee_SB120_SHSS_03062020.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SB 120 |
| Bird_SJR13_SHSS_03062020.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |
| Lee_SJR13_SHSS_03062020.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |
| Brower_SJR13_SHSS_03062020.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |
| Rolph_SJR13_SHSS_03062020.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |
| Timlin_SJR13_SHSS_03062020.pdf |
SHSS 3/6/2020 1:30:00 PM |
SJR 13 |