03/05/2026 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB250 | |
| HB152 | |
| HB278 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 250 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 152 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 295 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 278 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 5, 2026
3:16 p.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Ashley Carrick, Chair
Representative Andi Story, Vice Chair
Representative Rebecca Himschoot
Representative Ky Holland
Representative Sarah Vance
Representative Steve St. Clair
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kevin McCabe
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 250
"An Act establishing the crime of wearing a mask in public while
acting as a peace officer; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 250(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 152
"An Act establishing an education tax on the income of
individuals, partners, shareholders in S corporations, trusts,
and estates; repealing tax credits applied against the tax on
individuals under the Alaska Net Income Tax Act; and providing
for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 278
"An Act establishing the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD & HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 295
"An Act relating to allowable absences for eligibility for a
permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date."
- BILL HEARING CANCELED
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 250
SHORT TITLE: LAW ENFORCEMENT; CONCEALING ONE'S FACE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HANNAN
01/20/26 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/9/26
01/20/26 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/20/26 (H) STA, JUD
02/10/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/10/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/10/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/17/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/17/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/17/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/24/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/24/26 (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled>
03/03/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
03/03/26 (H) Heard & Held
03/03/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/05/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 152
SHORT TITLE: EDUCATION TAX
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) GALVIN
03/24/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/24/25 (H) STA, FIN
04/24/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/24/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/24/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
05/01/25 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
05/01/25 (H) Heard & Held
05/01/25 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/17/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/17/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/17/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
02/26/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/26/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/26/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/05/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
BILL: HB 278
SHORT TITLE: ECONOMIC DEV:AK-IRELAND TRADE COMM.
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) COSTELLO
01/23/26 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/23/26 (H) STA
02/17/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/17/26 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard
02/24/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
02/24/26 (H) Heard & Held
02/24/26 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/05/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE SARA HANNAN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HB 250, present for
discussions and questions.
REPRESENTATIVE ALYSE GALVIN
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 152.
DAVID JIANG, Staff
Representative Alyse Galvin
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on HB
152, on behalf of Representative Galvin, prime sponsor.
STUART RELAY, Staff
Representative Ashley Carrick
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Gave the summary of changes to a proposed
committee substitute for HB 278 on behalf of the bill sponsor,
the House State Affairs Standing Committee, on which
Representative Carrick serves as chair.
HANNAH LAGER, Director
Division of Administrative Service
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on HB 278.
REPRESENTATIVE MIA COSTELLO
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, presented HB 278.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:16:06 PM
CHAIR ASHLEY CARRICK called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:16 p.m. Representatives St.
Clair, Holland, Story, and Carrick were present at the call to
order. Representatives Himschoot and Vance arrived as the
meeting was in progress.
HB 250-LAW ENFORCEMENT; CONCEALING ONE'S FACE
3:16:54 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 250, "An Act establishing the crime of wearing a
mask in public while acting as a peace officer; and providing
for an effective date." [Before the committee, adopted as a
working draft on 2/10/26, was the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for HB 250, Version 34-LS1284\I, C. Radford, 1/21/26].
3:18:48 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said the committee would consider amendments.
CHAIR CARRICK moved to adopt Amendment 1 to HB 250, Version I,
labeled 34-LS1284\I.5, C. Radford, 3/2/26, which read as
follows:
Page 1, line 11, following "assignment":
Insert "that is authorized by the officer's
supervisor or by a court order"
Page 2, lines 1 - 4:
Delete all material and insert:
"(B) a medical mask or surgical mask
designed to protect against transmission of disease or
infection or any other mask or device, including an
air-purifying respirator, a full or half mask, or a
self-contained breathing apparatus, necessary to
protect against exposure to a toxin, gas, smoke,
inclement weather, or another hazardous or harmful
environmental condition;"
Page 2, line 7, following "Fahrenheit":
Insert ";
(E) a helmet if the officer is using a
motorcycle or other vehicle that requires a helmet for
safe operation while in the performance of the
officer's duties;
(3) is participating in a tactical
operation for which protective gear is required for
immediate physical safety; in this paragraph,
"tactical operation" means a planned or emergent law
enforcement activity
(A) involving the elevated risk of death or
serious physical injury, specialized operational
methods, or hazardous environmental conditions; and
(B) for which a peace officer's use of
protective equipment that partially or fully covers
the face is reasonably necessary for officer safety or
mission execution and is not intended to conceal the
officer's identity;
(4) is assigned to a special weapons and
tactics team and is actively performing
responsibilities of that team."
CHAIR CARRICK then objected for discussion purposes. She
explained Amendment 1 was drafted in consultation with the
sponsor. It provides additional exceptions for masking for
prevention of transmission of disease, helmet usage, and masks
in tactical operations.
3:21:04 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SARA HANNAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor of HB 250, urged adoption of Amendment 1.
3:21:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said he likes Amendment 1; however, he
noted that it narrows the scope but doesn't do what its author
intends.
CHAIR CARRICK said she wanted to put this language forward where
it is applicable and not applicable.
3:22:42 PM
CHAIR CARRICK removed her objection to Amendment 1. There being
no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:23:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR moved to adopt Amendment 2 to HB 250,
Version I, as amended, labeled 34-LS1284\I.9, C. Radford,
3/4/26, which read as follows:
Page 1, line 1, following "as":
Insert "or interacting with"
Page 1, line 5, following "as":
Insert "or interacting with"
Page 1, line 6:
Delete "peace officer"
Insert "person"
Following "as":
Insert "or interacting with"
Page 1, line 7, following "if":
Insert "(1) the person is a peace officer and"
Page 1, line 9, following "disguise":
Insert "; or
(2) the person knowingly conceals the
person's face with a mask or disguise while
interacting with a peace officer"
Page 2, line 8, following "as":
Insert "or interacting with"
CHAIR CARRICK objected.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR stated the intent is to give parity to
anyone interacting with police officers.
3:23:37 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN said she opposes Amendment 2. There is a
difference between citizens and peace officers acting as
government agents.
3:24:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated support for Amendment 2. Masking
creates a barrier to communication, and it makes it harder to
deescalate the situation.
3:25:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said he doesn't support Amendment 2. He
is concerned about the masking of officers and anonymity. Peace
officers are carrying tools making a non-level playing field.
It makes me uncomfortable to take away rights of citizens.
3:28:10 PM
CHAIR CARRICK maintained her objection. She said she
appreciates the intent of the amendment, and it is possible for
protestors to not wear masks. She stated wearing masks prevents
a more difficult situation.
3:29:26 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR moved to withdraw Amendment 2 and
ascertaining no objection, Amendment 2 was withdrawn.
3:30:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said he would not be offering Amendment
3.
3:30:54 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR moved to adopt Amendment 4, to HB 250,
Version I, as amended, labeled 34-LS1284\I.11, C. Radford,
3/4/26, which read as follows:
Page 2, line 7, following "Fahrenheit":
Insert ";
(3) is assigned to a multi-jurisdictional
task force or quick reaction force"
CHAIR CARRICK objected for discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR explained Amendment 4 which covers a
multi-jurisdictional task force or quick reaction force. He
explained that this was covered in Amendment 1, then withdrew
Amendment 4.
3:31:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said he would not be offering Amendment
5. He noted that it was because the issue was covered by
Amendment 1.
3:32:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE moved to adopt Amendment 6 to HB 250,
Version I, as amended, labeled 34-LS1284\I.8, C. Radford,
3/5/26, which read as follows:
Page 1, lines 1 - 2:
Delete "establishing the crime of wearing a mask
in public while acting as a peace officer; and
providing for an effective date"
Insert "requiring the Alaska Police Standards
Council to establish standards for the acceptable use
of masks by a person employed as a municipal
correctional, correctional, probation, or parole
officer"
Page 1, line 4, through page 2, line 14:
Delete all material and insert:
"* Section 1. AS 18.65.240 is amended by adding a
new subsection to read:
(e) The council shall establish standards for the
acceptable use of masks by a person employed as a
police officer. In this subsection, "mask" means a
cloth face covering, surgical mask, respirator, or any
other covering worn over the nose and mouth.
* Sec. 2. AS 18.65.242 is amended by adding a new
subsection to read:
(d) The council shall establish standards for
the acceptable use of masks by a person employed as a
municipal correctional, correctional, probation, or
parole officer. In this subsection, "mask" means a
cloth face covering, surgical mask, respirator, or any
other covering worn over the nose and mouth."
CHAIR CARRICK objected for discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE spoke to Amendment 6, which requires the
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) to establish standards
for the acceptable use of masks by a person employed as a
municipal correctional, probation, or parole officer. The
amendment deletes establishing the crime of wearing a mask in
public while acting as a peace officer, and it provides for an
effective date.
3:33:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE shared a legal memorandum ("memo") [in
committee file] regarding the applicability of the term "peace
officer" in HB 250 and whether using that term broadly raises
any constitutional issues. It stated this bill may therefore
raise supremacy clause and separation of powers issues. The
memo goes into detail on the supremacy clause and separation of
powers. The memo referenced ongoing legislation in California.
3:37:14 PM
CHAIR CARRICK requested the legal memo to be sent to her office.
3:37:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN opposed Amendment 6. The California case
ruled that the law would stand if applied to all levels of
officers like the way that HB 250 is crafted. The Alaska Police
Standards Council wouldn't apply to federal officers.
3:39:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said he likes Amendment 6, and he likes
the use of the Alaska Police Standards Council. He stressed the
importance of the supremacy clause.
3:41:34 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said that she ultimately could not support
Amendment 6, but this is a potential valid compromise in the
future.
3:43:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated authority for tribal law
enforcement is in partnership with, not under, federal
authority.
3:44:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND said he is not going to support Amendment
6. He said in terms of having the Alaska Police Standards
Council look at this issue is a good idea.
3:44:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said that tribal sovereignty is developing
in Alaska. Under a federal pilot program, in Chickaloon there
is a tribal police force in their jurisdiction. There are both
the supremacy clause and separation of powers for tribal
sovereignty. She referred to legal memo [in committee file] on
the tribal sovereignty issue.
3:49:24 PM
CHAIR CARRICK asked for the legal memo and maintained her
objection.
3:49:39 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Vance and St. Clair
voted in favor of Amendment 6. Representatives Himschoot,
Holland, Story, and Carrick voted against it. Therefore,
Amendment 6 failed to be adopted by a vote of 2-4.
3:50:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said she would like to know from the
sponsor where tribal enforcement fits in this bill.
3:50:56 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN replied that she does not know but will
investigate it before the House Judiciary Standing Committee
hears the bill.
3:51:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said she wanted to confirm whether the
bill sponsor had considered this issue.
3:51:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she was sorry not to get the legal
memo distributed to the committee. The response was that it
would take more time since this is an evolving issue.
3:54:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR stated that he doesn't like the bill.
He hopes that the House Judiciary Standing Committee [the next
committee of referral] does its due diligence.
3:55:08 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said she appreciated the questions to take into
consideration and noted that the House Judiciary Standing
Committee would look further into these areas.
3:56:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to report CSHB 250, Version 34-
LS1284\I, C. Radford, 1/21/26, as amended, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE objected.
3:57:33 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Story, Himschoot,
Holland, and Carrick voted in favor of reporting CSHB 250,
Version 34-LS1284\I, C. Radford, 1/21/26, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes. Representatives Vance and St. Clair voted against
it. Therefore, CSHB 250(STA) was reported out of the House
State Affairs Standing Committee by a vote of 4-2.
3:58:26 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:58 p.m. to 4:03 p.m.
HB 152-EDUCATION TAX
4:03:40 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 152, "An Act establishing an education tax on the
income of individuals, partners, shareholders in S-corporations
(S-corps), trusts, and estates; repealing tax credits applied
against the tax on individuals under the Alaska Net Income Tax
Act; and providing for an effective date."
4:04:46 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ALYSE GALVIN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, gave a broad base income tax and head tax example on
$151,000 income. Alaska needs to have a broad base tax to fill
in the fiscal gap. This bill captures high-wage earners that
don't live in Alaska. Also, the bill closes the S corporation
("S corp") loop.
4:09:50 PM
CHAIR CARRICK noted that responses to questions from the
previous hearing on HB 152 were included in the committee file.
4:10:39 PM
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked how much revenue the proposed
legislation would generate in a year.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN deferred to staff.
4:11:13 PM
DAVID JIANG, Staff, Representative Alyse Galvin, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Galvin, prime sponsor
of HB 152, stated that the revenue would be $300 to $350
million.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked why the sponsor is calling this
an education tax.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN answered that the intent is for these
funds to go toward the public education system.
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR stated that it can't be a dedicated
fund.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN responded that she appreciates his
concern. She said $500 million dip into Alaska's capital budget
reserve (CBR) earning roughly 3 percent. She is proposing this
bill because there is not another solution.
4:14:42 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said last year the legislature heard a bill that
would have established a royalty dividend program to change the
formula. If the legislature had passed that bill and this
current bill, there would be no deficit this upcoming year.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN said the committee has control and
explained "the knobs" that could be changed. She said changing
from $150,000 to $100,000 would bring in additional revenue.
MR. JIANG replied to Chair Carrick's question about lowering the
standard deduction to $75,000, it would be raised to $600
million.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN said that the numbers were old but
$100,000 would still be a substantial revenue difference.
4:18:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked on the issue that it has a relation
to education and the intent language. To the degree that
Alaskan's get a better education, better jobs and income then
Alaska is erasing some of the disconnects. He said he asked
Legislative Legal Services if there is a way to eliminate some
of the federal taxes. There seems to be some room for this idea
and looking at language to take advantage of federal tax
reduction. He is looking at phasing this tax in and the first
year turn on the head tax and the second year implementing the
tax rate. He is interested in collaborating with the bill
sponsor or committee members.
4:23:02 PM
MR. JIANG referenced a memorandum from Legislative Legal
Services regarding the wallet idea when it is under the
taxpayer's control. The amount going toward state taxes
wouldn't be taxed but any balance would be taxable. There are
no state taxes levied on the permanent fund division (PFD) only
federal taxes.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN responded to Representative Holland's
suggestion of stair-stepping the implementation. The head tax
would have a more negative impact on the lower wage earner. The
amount of head tax won't make much more than implementation
costs. Those communities who pay a tax are more likely to be
engaged, such as higher voter turnout. She said she appreciates
a sense of ownership.
4:28:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she was looking at a fiscal note from
the Department of Revenue which would need 70 full-time
positions to implement the tax. She asked whether she has done
projections for the North Slope and Alaska liquefied natural gas
(LNG) projects that will have a large workforce. She noted that
the fisheries industry has been declining.
4:30:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN replied that she hoped that her office
would hear from the Department of Revenue. The oil and gas
industry is averaging $175,000 but the other seasonal work will
not have a high average income.
4:32:36 PM
MR. JIANG shared the "Non-Resident Working in Alaska" handout in
committee file from the Department of Labor & Workforce
Development (DLWD). It provides the quarterly wages. He
pointed to examples of the oil and gas industry and the seafood
industry.
4:34:42 PM
CHAIR CARRICK stated the state by not having a way to capture
statewide revenue is shifting costs to the municipalities.
Alaska doesn't have a statewide sales tax, so it is hard to
calculate a tax burden around the state.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN responded that the Alaska Municipal League
weighed in that it would prefer an income tax. In an earlier
model, she shared income versus sales tax.
4:39:12 PM
CHAIR CARRICK clarified what the research might look like. She
is looking for the overall tax burden for a family in Bethel,
Kenai, Wasilla, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage and how this
bill would affect their overall income. She asked, "Do you know
any examples of where a state has an offset tax rate where it
takes into account local high taxes?"
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN replied that local taxes can't offset a
state broad-based tax. Since Alaska does not have a broad-based
tax, it will be helpful for Alaska's ratings such as Moody to
improve.
4:45:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY stated that $150 goes farther in Juneau
than other communities like Skagway. She talked about a state
fiscal plan and appreciates it coming forward. She asked why
taxes could not be limited to just non-resident workers.
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN replied that the federal government will
not allow non-residents to pay Alaska's taxes. Should Alaska be
more fiscal prepared? If Alaska were a stable economy with a
well-funded education system, Alaska would be able to keep jobs
locally. She said bond ratings are important as Alaska is
paying interest based on that rating.
4:48:55 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated that it is an act of courage to
bring forth this bill. In her district, 13 out of 21
communities tax themselves. This will be a hard idea to sell.
Let's try a 25 percent sales tax in the summer and a rebate in
the winter. Alaska needs to give families a reason to stay.
4:50:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said that Homer and Seldovia have some of
the highest tax burdens in the state. She has been doing some
analysis, comparing Alaska to national average with various
taxes. Alaska feels 15-20 percent more overall tax burden than
the national average. [Information she read from online not
from committee file handout.] She said she was elected on the
premises of no statewide income taxes.
4:55:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated that in Sitka that the quality
of life is intangibility.
4:56:43 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said that combined different bills would close the
deficit. She stated that she appreciates the thought of the
impact on various communities.
4:57:31 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GALVIN said she appreciates the comments. She
encouraged the committee to look at "tab 7" in committee
packets, regarding Fiscal Policy Working Group. She said many
people are unaware of some of the state services that residents
do receive, she gave examples.
5:00:08 PM
CHAIR CARRICK said the committee would entertain amendments next
Thursday.
[HB 152 was held over.]
HB 278-ECONOMIC DEV:AK-IRELAND TRADE COMM.
5:00:44 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 278, "An Act establishing the Alaska-Ireland
Trade Commission; and providing for an effective date."
5:01:57 PM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY moved to adopt the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 278, Version 34-LS1299\T, Gunther,
3/5/26, as a working document.
CHAIR CARRICK objected for presentational purposes.
5:02:17 PM
STUART RELAY, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of the bill sponsor, the House State
Affairs Standing Committee, on which Representative Carrick
serves as chair, gave a summary of changes to the proposed CS,
Version 34-LS1299, to HB 278 [included in the committee file],
which read as follows [original punctuation provided]:
Section 1: Various changes to the commission (AS
44.33.440) and its operations, including:
Subsection (a) has conforming changes that delete the
"Department of Commerce Community and Economic
Development" and replace it with "department."
Department is later defined on page 3, lines 9-10 of
the CS under a new subsection (j).
Subsection (b) is changed to increase the term lengths
of commission members from two to three years.
Subsection (f) relating to the authority of the
department to accept donations is changed to provide
additional clarity and adds a new requirement that
donations be disclosed (discussed further under new
subsection (h)).
Specifically, this section specifies that the
department may accept a grant, donation, or gift from
a public or private source for (1) per diem and travel
expenses, and (2) other assistance that the department
or commission may require to carry out its mission.
New Subsection (g) specifies that members of the
commission are voluntary, serve without compensation,
and are not entitled to per diem or travel expenses
authorized under the Executive Budget Act.
New Subsection (h) changes the reporting requirements.
In the previous version of this bill, the report to
the legislature required under former section 2 of the
bill was only a one-time report. Subsection (h)
changes the reporting requirement to an annual report
to the Legislature.
In addition to reporting on the commission's
"findings, results, and recommendations," this new
annual report requires that the commission disclose
all of its donors and include the same information
that candidates are required to disclose for APOC
reports.
New Subsection (i) specifies that the commission may
not contract for services or support to prepare its
annual report unless someone makes a donation for that
purpose.
New Subsection (j) defines the department as the
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development.
Section 2: Former section 2 relating to a one-time
report to the legislature is deleted and replaced with
new language relating to the initial appointments and
staggered terms for commission members. Required for
longer-term lengths.
Section 3: Unchanged, immediate effective date.
5:04:58 PM
CHAIR CARRICK asked if the Department of Commerce, Community &
Economic Development anticipates a change in the fiscal note.
5:05:20 PM
HANNAH LAGER, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development, said
she would need to examine the CS more to be able to update the
fiscal note.
5:06:00 PM
CHAIR CARRICK stated the intent of [the proposed CS, Version T]
was to reduce the cost significantly or completely.
5:06:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MIA COSTELLO, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, as prime sponsor of HB 278, appreciate the collaborative
effort toward having no impact on the state and the cost paid
for by donations.
5:06:42 PM
CHAIR CARRICK removed her objection. There being no further
objection, Version T was before the committee.
5:07:29 PM
CHAIR CARRICK announced HB 278, Version T, was held over.
5:08:29 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:08
p.m.