Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120
03/25/2026 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s): State Commission for Human Rights | |
| HB308 | |
| HB324 | |
| HB136 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 308 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 324 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 136 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE JUDICIARY STANDING COMMITTEE
March 25, 2026
1:06 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Andrew Gray, Chair
Representative Chuck Kopp, Vice Chair
Representative Ted Eischeid
Representative Genevieve Mina
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Mia Costello
Representative Jubilee Underwood
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
WITNESS REGISTER
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:06:49 PM
CHAIR GRAY called the House Judiciary Standing Committee meeting
to order at 1:06 p.m. Representatives Costello, Mina, Vance,
and Gray were present at the call to order. Representatives
Underwood, Kopp, and Eishceid arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
^CONFIRMATION HEARING(S): State Commission for Human Rights
1:07:47 PM
CHAIR GRAY announced that the first order of business would be
confirmation hearings for the State Commission for Human Rights.
1:08:27 PM
}MARY GRACE SALAZAR* State Commission for Human Rights*
Anchorage, Alaska* Testified as appointee to the { offered her
background and shared what she would provide to the commission.
1:09:14 PM
CHAIR GRAY opened public testimony on Ms. Salazar's appointment.
After ascertaining that no one wished to testify, he closed
public testimony.
1:09:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked Ms. Salazar to speak to her background
and interest in serving on the commission.
MS. SALAZAER spoke to her 30 years of experience serving the
state, beginning with * and ending with AOGC (many in between),
and reiterated her passion for state service.
1:12:02 PM
CHAIR GRAY moved
1:12:24 PM
The committee took an at-ease from * to *.
1:14:22 PM
CHAIR GRAY announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 308, "An Act relating to release before trial;
relating to limitation of driver's licenses; relating to
operating a vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft while under the
influence of an alcoholic beverage; and providing for an
effective date."
[CHAIR GRAY passed the gavel to Vice Chair Kopp.]
1:15:36 PM
CHAIR GRAY, as prime sponsor, presented HB 308. He paraphrased
the sponsor statement [included in the committee file], which
read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Every year, impaired driving shatters families and
devastates communities across Alaska. These crashes
are not accidents, they are preventable.
HB 308 proposes lowering Alaska's legal blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) limit to 0.04. This change would
align the state with federal regulations, which
recognize the safety hazards of driving with a BAC
above 0.04. Under federal law, commercial drivers (CDL
holders) must maintain a BAC below 0.04, reflecting
the increased risk of impairment at this level.
Applying this same limit to all drivers would create
consistent and safer driving laws across the state.
Impairment from alcohol begins well before the legal
limit of 0.08 BAC. Even at a BAC of 0.02, drivers can
experience slower reaction times, reduced
coordination, and difficulty tracking moving objects,
meaning driving ability is already affected at low
levels of alcohol (National Transportation Safety
Board). As BAC rises to 0.05, the risk of being
involved in a fatal crash is 7 times more likely. In
2023, about 5% of fatal crashes involving impairment
in Alaska occurred when BAC levels were between 0.01
and 0.07.
Utah dropped its BAC limit to 0.05, becoming the first
state to implement a lower limit, which demonstrated
the effectiveness of this approach. The state
experienced a notable 19.8% reduction in the fatal
crash rate within the first year of implementation.
This decline in fatalities occurred without any
adverse effects on alcohol sales, overall consumption,
or tourism revenue, effectively addressing common
concerns that stricter BAC regulations might
negatively impact local businesses or the tourism
industry (NTSB).
This bill is not about restricting responsible adults
or discouraging social gatherings; it is about keeping
our roads safe and making it clear that drinking and
driving should be separated.
I urge your support for HB 308.
1:17:58 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked what happens when someone fails a
breathalyzer and how this would be walked out in practical terms
1:18:45 PM
CHAIR GRAY confirmed that when someone uses a breathalyzer it
shows a number, so they would be looking for a BAC below 0.04.
Anything above that would be
1:19:34 PM
}KARLEY THUNE, Staff* Representative Andrew Gray* Alaska State
Legislature* Juneau, Alaska* Presented the sectional analysis
for HB 308 on behalf of Representative Gray, prime sponsor.{ on
behalf of Representative Gray, prime sponsor, presented the
sectional analysis for HB 308 [included in the committee file],
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Section 1 Lowers the intoxication threshold for
release from a correctional facility from 0.08 to 0.04
BAC before an intoxicated person may be released.
Section 2 Updates the definition of "previously
convicted" to include convictions based on a 0.04 BAC
standard instead of 0.08.
Section 3 Reduces the per se DUI limit from 0.08 BAC
to 0.04 BAC, including equivalent blood and breath
alcohol measurements.
Section 4 Updates DUI evidentiary presumptions to
reflect the 0.04 BAC standard and removes the former
0.040.08 intermediate presumption range.
Section 5 Clarifies the act applies to offenses
committed on or after the effective date, while prior
convictions still count for repeat offense purposes.
Section 6 Sets the effective date as January 1, 2027.
1:20:55 PM
MS. THUNE shared a PowerPoint presentation on HB 308, beginning
on slide 2, which described what the bill does. Slide 3
summarized what alcohol use looks like in Alaska. Slide 4
showed charts that illustrated the impairment that occurs at
0.04 BAC for both males and females. Slide 5 detailed the
impact of lowering the BAC - what it would and wouldn't do. She
noted that Utah is the first state that has introduced this
legislation, which has resulted in declining rates of.... Slide
6 spoke to the global trends in BAC.
1:26:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID asked whether an officer can compel an
individual to take a breathalyzer test if they pass the field
sobriety test.
1:28:50 PM
}CORPORAL NATE JOHNSON* Alaska State Troopers* Anchorage,
Alaska* Answered questions during the hearing on HB 308.{ said
separate from the breathalyzer, if probable cause is identified,
the person could be compelled.
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID restated the question
CORPORAL JOHNSON reiterated that if a field sobriety test is
passed, the investigation is usually ended. However, it's not
taught to be a "pass/fail" test. He restated that if other
factors were present such as slurring of words, an arrest could
be made.
1:34:41 PM
CHAIR GRAY returned to slide 4, indicating that the field
sobriety test would need to change (to be made more difficult)
if the bill were to pass.
1:36:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID asked if the goal is to reduce
impairment and alcohol related deaths, why 0.04 was chosen
instead of 0.01, for example.
MS. THUNE said the goal is to keep laws consistent with federal
standards, adding that commercial drivers are not allowed to
drive if they blow above a 0.02.
CHAIR GRAY said he is open to that amendment. He referenced
laws in Norway, which do not allow machinery to be operated
above a 0.02 and have very stringent laws. He referenced the
states on slide 6, showing that currently, 84 percent of the
world's population live in a country with BAC limits of 0.05 or
lower.
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID asked whether a multi variant study was
done with regard to the ...
MS. THUNE offered to follow up with the requested information.
1:41:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked why there is a difference between the
higher limit in the U.S.
CHAIR GRAY shared his understanding that the limit used to be
1.0. He suggested that the world has lowered the rate at a
faster pace than the U.S.
VICE CHAIR KOPP asked if Alaska is to align with the 0.04
standard of the federal commercial drivers, whether
incongruences would be created, as the penalties for commercial
drivers are much greater. He urged the committee to think about
how to make the penalties proportional.
CHAIR GRAY said his intent is not to make the penalties
consistent with commercial drivers. Rather, it's to create
consistency with the limit and to reduce drunk driving.
VICE CHAIR KOPP said the 0.08 standard is a per se standard,
which means they can arrest beneath the limit if other factors
are present. He asked
1:48:55 PM
CORPORAL JOHNSON agreed that per statute, provided impairment
can be proved, an arrest can be made at levels below the per se
standard.
1:49:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked for a comparison of limits for air
and water craft, as well as commercial drivers for state versus
federal law. She said the effects in Utah law suggest that this
policy is preventative rather than punitive.
VICE CHAIR KOPP asked how many states have a standard of 0.04.
CHAIR GRAY answered Utah with 0.05.
1:53:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID asked whether any studies in Utah have
shown disparate impact on disadvantaged or lower economic
communities.
MS. THUNE deferred the question to invited testifiers.
VICE CHAIR KOPP announced that the committee would hear invited
testimony on HB 308.
[VICE CHAIR KOPP returned the gavel to Chair Gray.]
1:55:21 PM
}TIFFANY HALL, President and CEO* Recover Alaska* Juneau,
Alaska* Gave invited testimony in support of HB 308.{ gave
invited testimony in support of HB 308. She spoke to the gap in
current law, as 1 in 5 fatalities have a BAC between 0.04 to
0.07. She reiterated that fatalities declined when Utah lowered
the BAC. Research show that impairment starts at 0.05, even as
low as 0.01. In other words, current limit is higher than where
impairment truly begins. She spoke to the broader impact, and
the social norms around alcohol use. She added that the bill
would not change how law enforcement operate. She said this
would be behavioral shift not an enforcement expansion. HB 308
would save lives and help shift norms in a state that urgently
needs it, she said. In response to Rep Mina, she attributed
political compromise and industry lobbying for the national
level of 0.08. She referenced the 19.8 change in Utah which is
directly associated with the implementation of the 0.05 BAC law.
2:05:17 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked about the correlat
MS. HALL
MS. HALL added that the U.S. is a very car centric nation, which
2:07:13 PM
}TOM CHAPMAN, Board Member* National Transportation Safety
Board* Washington, D.C.* Gave invited testimony in support of HB
308.{ said passage of HB 308 would make Alaska the second state
to embrace a change that would save lives and reduce the number
of ... He reiterated his support for implementing a per se at
0.05 or lower.
2:09:49 PM
REPRESENTATIVE EISCHEID 25 percent of all deaths alcohol
related? is this typical?
MR. CHAPMAN did not know the answer beyond 2023; however, he
suspected that it's typical.
2:11:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP asked how long the NTSB has been advocating
for states to lower the BAC to 0.05 or lower.
MR. CHAPMAN answered 2013. In response to a follow up, he cited
political inertia as the reason states have not changed their
laws.
2:12:39 PM
The committee took an at-ease from * to *.
2:12:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA asked what public health campaigns have
helped mobilize more public support for lowering the BAC
MR. CHAPMAN said Utah generated a cultural shift to the way
folks approach drinking and driving, so a broad national public
awareness campaign would help.
2:15:32 PM
CHAIR GRAY opened public testimony on HB 308.
2:15:52 PM
}MIKE COONS, representing self* Wasilla, Alaska* Testified in
opposition of HB 308.{ testified in opposition to HB 308. He
said the bill would do nothing on the enforcement side and
shared his experience as a paramedic. He recommended that if
the bill sponsor wants to see a change, mandatory minimums
should be raised. He opined that the bill would clog up the
court system and urged the law to be enforced.
2:19:08 PM
}BERNIE HOFFMAN, representing self* Fairbanks, Alaska* Testified
in support of HB 308.{ testified in support of HB 308. She
shared her personal experience with a drunk driver, and urged
the committee to continue working on the legislation because
something needs to be done to address this issue, which affects
all Alaskans.
2:21:38 PM
}STELLA AQUINO, representing self* Juneau, Alaska* Testified in
support of HB 308.{ testified in support of HB 308. She cited
research showing that impairment can occur at 0.04. She spoke
to the impact of drunk driving and the history of the national
BAC limit. She argued that reducing the BAC to 0.04 is
realistic and achievable, and would save youth's lives in
Alaska.
CHAIR GRAY closed public testimony on HB 308.
2:26:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA 2022 NHTSA study in Utah, which occurred 22
months after the law passed. She asked whether new data has
come out of Utah or whether there are studies from other
countries that have similar policies.
CHAIR GRAY shared the history of HB 308, which was initially
drafted in 2022. He said he ahs been even more convinced by the
data, and announced that the bill would be held over.
2:28:37 PM
CHAIR GRAY announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 324, "An Act relating to virtual currency kiosks;
relating to transactions involving virtual currency; and
relating to unfair trade or deceptive acts or practices."
2:28:59 PM
}REPRESENTATIVE ELEXIE MOORE* District 28, Alaska State
Legislature* City & State* Gave an overview of HB 324.{ as prime
sponsor, gave an overview of HB 324.
2:30:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 324,
labeled 34-LS1515\A.2, Gunther, 3/23/26, which read:
*
CHAIR GRAY
2:30:33 PM
}ZACK YOUNG* Staff to Rep. Costello* City & State* { explained
that Amendment 1 would implement a hold of 48 hours and add
disclosure requirements
CHAIR GRAY asked for the bill sponsor's opinion of Amendment 1.
2:31:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MOORE opined that Amendment 1 is a great stepping
stone. She characterized it as a friendly amendment and
expressed her support.
CHAIR GRAY asked whether open to putting 48 hour hold on all
transactions.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO stated...
CHAIR GRAY removed his objection.
2:33:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO moved Am 2 A.1
CHAIR GRAY objected
2:33:51 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO explained
2:34:15 PM
MR. YOUNG said Amendment 2 would remove current refund section
of the bill.
2:36:35 PM
}TRACY RENO, Director* Division of Banking and Securities*
DCCED* Anchorage, Alaska* Answered questions during HB 324.{
said the division is neutral on Amendment 2.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO asked Ms. Reno to talk the committee
through the processes involving money transfer licensees and
fraud.
MS. RENO shared her understanding that whern someone files a
complaint related to fardulent transaction, they conduct
investigation and use software to help track where the crypto
went, to which wallet. SOmetimes they can reach tou to that
jurisdiction or company and request funds clawed back, but not
often case with crypto.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO asked whether Division can still work
with the defrauded individual if the bill were to pass in its
current form
MS. RENO said per regulation, there are 6 companies with 76
crypto kiosks in ALaska and they have the authority to
investigate these.
2:41:36 PM
}INTIMAYO HARBISON, Staff* Representative Elexie Moore* Alaska
State Legislature* Juneau, Alaska* { said similar amendments in
other states shave created larger loopholes for cryptocurrency
to occur. He cautioned the committee from taking a braoder
appraoch to the bill, as a narrower approach is preferred.
REPRESENTATIVE COSTELLO withdrew Amendment 2.
2:43:14 PM
MS. RENO expressed a minor concern about Amendment 1, as a 48
hour hold may not be long enough for an initial transaction made
on a friday or holiday for example.
2:43:58 PM
The committee took an at-ease from * to *.
2:44:05 PM
CHAIR GRAY noted that this change could be made in the next
committee of referral.
2:44:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP moved to report HB 324, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 324(JUD) was
reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.
CHAIR GRAY authorized Legislative Legal Services to make any
necessary and conforming changes.
2:45:16 PM
The committee took an at-ease from * to *.
2:48:46 PM
CHAIR GRAY announced that the final order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 136, "An Act relating to use of railroad
easements." [Before the committee was CSHB 136(TRA).]
2:49:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP, as prime sponsor, gave a brief review of
CSHB 136(TRA). concisely stated
2:50:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said, "Let's get this done," as the bill
sponsor has championed the legislation for some time. She
opined that it's a good bill that would allow ARRC to exercise
authority when needed while respecting property owners.
2:51:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA referred to testimony from Mr. Ed Martin,
which referenced potential invitation for federal litigation.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP said there would be nothing to litigate by
the state setting a management policy. He opined that it would
not invite federal litigation.
2:52:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MINA moved to report CSHB 136(TRA) out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 136(TRA) was
reported out of the House Judiciary Standing Committee.
2:54:08 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Judiciary Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at *.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 308 Letter of Support - AAA 03.20.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308 Sponsor Statement Version A 03.20.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308 Presentation 03.23.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308 Version A 03.20.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308 Version A Sectional Analysis 03.20.2026.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 308 Supporting Documents 03.20.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 308 |
| HB 324 Written Testimony - CoinFlip 3.13.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Letter in Support - Rachel Greenberg 3.13.26_Redacted.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| Mary Grace Salazar - State Commission for Human Rights Resume _Redacted.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
Consideration of Governor's Appointees |
| HB 136 Letter in Opposition - ANC Park Foundation 2.24.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 136 |
| HB 136 Written Public Testimony - E. Martin 2.20.26_Redacted.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 136 |
| HB 324 Proposed Amendment No. 1 (H)JUD.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Proposed Amendment No. 2 (H)JUD.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Fiscal Note - DCCED-DBS-02-27-26.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Presentation - AARP - Legislative Principles Slide 3.6.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Presentation - AARP 3.6.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Sectional Analysis 3.6.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Sponsor Statement 3.6.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Supporting Documents - NCSL Article 9.11.25.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Supporting Documents - Stateline Article 7.28.25.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Supporting Documents - White Paper Michigan Attorney General.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 ver. A.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Public Comment - CoinFlip - AK House Letter.pdf |
HJUD 3/6/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 324 Correspondence from DBS to (H)JUD 3.11.26.pdf |
HJUD 3/13/2026 1:00:00 PM HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 324 |
| HB 136 CS(TRA) (ver. T).pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 136 |
| HB 136 Fiscal Note - DCCED-ARRC-02-06-26.pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 136 |
| HB 136 Sectional Analysis (ver. T).pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 136 |
| HB 136 Sponsor Statement (ver. T).pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 136 |
| HB 136 Summary of Changes (ver. G to ver. T).pdf |
HJUD 3/25/2026 1:00:00 PM |
HB 136 |