Legislature(2021 - 2022)ADAMS 519
03/28/2022 01:30 PM House FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB322 | |
| HB246 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 322 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 246 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
March 28, 2022
1:39 p.m.
1:39:17 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Merrick called the House Finance Committee meeting
to order at 1:39 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Neal Foster, Co-Chair (via teleconference)
Representative Kelly Merrick, Co-Chair
Representative Dan Ortiz, Vice-Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Bart LeBon
Representative Steve Thompson
Representative Adam Wool
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Ben Carpenter
Representative DeLena Johnson
Representative Sara Rasmussen
ALSO PRESENT
Kelly Howell, Special Assistant to the Commissioner,
Department of Public Safety
SUMMARY
HB 322 AK MARINE HWY SYSTEM VESSEL REPL. FUND
CSHB 322(TRA) was REPORTED out of committee with
four "do pass" recommendations and three "no
recommendation" recommendations and with one
previously published zero fiscal note: FN1
(Gov/Fund Transfer).
HB 246 ACCESS TO MARIJUANA CONVICTION RECORDS
CSHB 246(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with
three "do pass" recommendations and four "no
recommendation" recommendations and with one
previously published zero fiscal note: FN1 (AJS)
and one previously published fiscal impact note:
FN2 (DPS).
HOUSE BILL NO. 322
"An Act relating to the Alaska marine highway system
vessel replacement fund; and providing for an
effective date."
1:39:52 PM
Co-Chair Merrick reported that HB 322 was previously heard
on March 15, 2022.
Representative LeBon MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1, 32-
LS1501\B.1 (Marx, 3/23/22) (copy on file).
Co-Chair Merrick OBJECTED for discussion.
Representative LeBon explained the amendment. He
communicated that the amendment proposed to move the Alaska
Higher Education Investment Fund from its current location
in the General Fund (GF) to a separate fund in the state
treasury. The provision was an attempt to protect the fund
from a constitutional sweep under Article 9, Section 17 d
of the Alaska Constitution. He furthered that students
benefitting from the Alaska Performance Scholarship, state
education grants, and the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska,
Montana, and Idaho (WWAMI) program should not be subjected
to a political vote on an accounting procedure. He noted
that the language aligned with a companion bill in the
Senate. He hoped the other body would [Senate] protect the
fund. He withdrew his amendment.
Representative LeBon WITHDREW Amendment 1
Vice-Chair Ortiz MOVED to REPORT out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note(s). There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 322(TRA) was REPORTED out of committee with four "do
pass" recommendations and three "no recommendation"
recommendations and with one previously published zero
fiscal note: FN1 (Gov/Fund Transfer).
1:42:06 PM
AT EASE
1:47:13 PM
RECONVENED
HOUSE BILL NO. 246
"An Act restricting the release of certain records of
convictions; and providing for an effective date."
1:47:17 PM
Co-Chair Merrick indicated that the bill was previously
heard in committee on March 11, 2022, and amendments were
considered. She relayed that the committee would discuss
one additional amendment that replace the prior Amendment
1.
Representative Wool MOVED to ADOPT Amendment 1 Replacement,
32-LS1300\B.1 (Radford, 3/10/22) (copy on file).
Co-Chair Merrick OBJECTED for discussion.
Co-Chair Merrick recognized that Representative Jonathan
Kreiss-Tompkins joined the meeting.
Representative Wool explained the amendment. He reported
that during the discussion on the bill the parallel between
an alcohol violation of a minor and a marijuana violation
of a minor was pointed out. He recalled that after the
marijuana legalization initiative passed, the idea was to
treat marijuana violations like alcohol violations. He
indicated that in 2015, a bill by Senator Micciche [SB 165-
Alcohol: Board;Minors;Marijuana Checks, Chapter 32 SLA 16,
07/06/2016] was adopted that decreased minor consuming of
alcohol to a violation from a misdemeanor. He delineated
that minor marijuana offenses were currently a misdemeanor.
The amendment reduced minor possession of marijuana to a
violation, for those aged 18 through 20. He elaborated that
the offender would receive a ticketed fine, court
appearances were not required, and the amendment included a
bail schedule of $100 for the first offense and $250 for
subsequent offenses. He furthered that for minors under the
age of 18 the penalties remained the same as in current
law.
Co-Chair Merrick withdrew her objection.
There being NO OBJECTION, Amendment 1 Replacement was
ADOPTED.
1:50:58 PM
Representative LeBon asked to hear from the Department of
Public Safety (DPS).
Representative LeBon recounted from prior testimony
regarding access to prior records related to marijuana
convictions. He wondered if an employer would have access
to previous records for marijuana convictions and how would
the information be obtained.
KELLY HOWELL, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE COMMISSIONER,
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, replied that the types of
background checks that would be excluded from releasing
marijuana conviction records as provided for in the bill
were the any person background check that included
landlords or certain employers such as a retail business.
She elucidated that other background checks like
interested person reports were authorized under law for
teachers, bus drivers, etc. Depending on the type of
employer, they may still have access to the information.
Representative LeBon asked whether a potential retail
employer could access the records. Ms. Howell replied in
the negative and added that an any person background check
would exclude any convictions as outlined in the bill.
Representative LeBon asked whether an employer operating a
trucking business would have access to the historical
information. Ms. Howell answered in the affirmative.
1:54:28 PM
Representative Josephson referenced Ms. Howell's mention of
bus drivers. He stated that the bill changed nothing about
the testing of any type of bus driver. Ms. Howell agreed
with the statement.
Vice-Chair Ortiz MOVED to REPORT out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
note(s).
There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSHB 246(FIN) was REPORTED out of committee with three "do
pass" recommendations and four "no recommendation"
recommendations and with one previously published zero
fiscal note: FN1 (AJS) and one previously published fiscal
impact note: FN2 (DPS).
1:55:58 PM
AT EASE
1:59:12 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair Merrick reviewed the schedule for the following
morning.
ADJOURNMENT
1:59:33 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 1:59 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 322 Amendment 1 LeBon 032422.pdf |
HFIN 3/28/2022 1:30:00 PM |
HB 322 |