Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
03/21/2023 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB61 | |
| HB17 | |
| HB84 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 84 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 61 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 61-LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS
8:05:45 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 61, "An Act relating to restrictions on
firearms and other weapons."
8:06:20 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:06 a.m. to 8:07 a.m.
8:07:01 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK opened public testimony on HB 61.
8:07:38 AM
DICK TRAINI, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
8:08:57 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK stated he will refrain from questions from the
committee due to time restrictions.
8:09:25 AM
MIKE COONS, President, Concerned Conservatives of Alaska,
testified in support HB 61.
8:12:49 AM
LUANN MCVEY, representing self, stated she is a volunteer with
the Alaska Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense, and
testified in opposition to HB 61. She urged the committee to
put their time and energy into constructive legislation.
8:15:07 AM
CAROLINE PORTER, representing self, testified in support of HB
61. She stated that during the [COVID-19] pandemic, singling
out the closure of a specific type of business - gun stores -
was unconstitutional, unfair, and citizens' Second Amendment
rights must be ensured.
8:17:43 AM
ED MARTIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 61. He
stated the bill would "cure a problem that never should have
happened," and that it "should have been in the opposite during
the emergency."
8:20:32 AM
ANNA YANCY, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
She stated individuals need to be able to protect themselves
during an emergency.
8:23:05 AM
TABITHA NARDINI, representing self, testified in support of HB
61. She said if a state emergency should happen, she would like
to be able to protect her family and home.
8:23:52 AM
PAMELA SAMASH, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
She explained that she comes from generations with military
backgrounds, and also brought up an example of having to protect
her daughter during an attempted home invasion [in California],
and having a firearm stopped the intrusion. She stressed the
importance of home protection.
8:26:25 AM
KEN GRIFFIN, representing self, testified in support of HB 61,
and stated that "criminals do not buy guns from stores, they
steal or buy them on the street," therefore, the bill would not
aid criminals; it would aid law abiding citizens.
8:28:17 AM
ROCHELLE PARKER, representing self, stated she is a volunteer
with the Anchorage Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense
in America, and testified in strong opposition to HB 61.
8:29:58 AM
MICHAEL LAFAY, representing self, testified in support of HB 61.
8:31:07 AM
JAN CAULFIELD, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61 "in its current form."
8:33:51 AM
MARIAN CLAEGH, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61. She stated the Second Amendment is already protected, and
the bill invites needless expenses.
8:36:45 AM
ODETTE EDGAR, representing self, testified in opposition to HB
61. She expressed objection to [subsections (s) and (d), and
she stated the bill is a solution in search of a problem.
8:38:33 AM
FRANK RUP, representing self, testified in opposition to HB 61.
He stated if it is about commerce and equity, it is great, but
his concern is the bill's vagueness as it is currently written.
8:41:24 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK, after ascertaining there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 61.
8:42:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MCCORMICK entertained a motion to move HB 61 from
committee.
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE moved to report HB 61 out of committee
with individual recommendations and the attached fiscal note.
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS objected. She stated that rights are
currently protected, and the bill would be redundant.
8:43:27 AM
CHAIR MCCORMICK asked if any other committee members would like
to speak to the objection.
8:43:59 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:43 a.m. to 8:44 a.m.
8:44:36 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MEARS maintained her objection.
8:44:51 AM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives McKay, Ruffridge,
McCabe, and McCormick voted in favor of the motion to report HB
61 out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal notes. Representatives Mears and Himschoot
voted against it. Therefore, HB 61 was reported out of the
House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee by a
vote of 4-2.