03/04/2021 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB7 | |
| SB12 | |
| SB40 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 12 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 40 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 4, 2021
3:31 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Shower, Chair
Senator Mia Costello
Senator Roger Holland
Senator Scott Kawasaki
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lora Reinbold, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 7
"An Act requiring the Department of Public Safety to publish
certain policies and procedures on the department's Internet
website."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 12
"An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for military
spouses; and relating to the Department of Commerce, Community,
and Economic Development."
- HEARD & HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 40
"An Act relating to veterans' benefits services and veterans'
benefits appeal services."
- HEARD & HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 7
SHORT TITLE: STATE TROOPER POLICIES: PUBLIC ACCESS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) GRAY-JACKSON
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) STA, JUD
03/04/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 12
SHORT TITLE: MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KAWASAKI
01/22/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/21
01/22/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/21 (S) STA, L&C
03/04/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 40
SHORT TITLE: VETERANS' BENEFITS SERVICES; DISCLOSURE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) REVAK
01/25/21 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/15/21
01/25/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/25/21 (S) STA, L&C
03/04/21 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 7
DELANEY THIELE, Staff
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sponsor statement for SB 7 on
behalf of the sponsor.
RANDI BREAGER, Special Assistant to the Commissioner
Department of Public Safety
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information related to SB 7.
SETH DUGAN, Staff
Senator Josh Revak
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented SB 12 on behalf of the sponsor.
VERDIE BOWEN, Director
Office of Veteran Affairs
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA)
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided supporting testimony on SB 40.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:31:54 PM
CHAIR MIKE SHOWER called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:31 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Kawasaki, Holland, Costello, and Chair
Shower.
He reviewed the agenda.
SB 7-STATE TROOPER POLICIES: PUBLIC ACCESS
3:32:50 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 7
"An Act requiring the Department of Public Safety to publish
certain policies and procedures on the department's Internet
website."
He noted who was available to answer questions.
3:33:28 PM
SENATOR ELVI GRAY-JACKSON, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of SB 7 introduced the legislation reading the
following into the record:
First, I would like to thank the hard-working men and
women peace officers and office staff who provide the
services that protect lives and welfare of the people
within Alaska's communities. Thank you all for your
service.
The recent casualties surrounding civilians has drawn
even greater attention to issues around policing and
police to community relationships. This moment seems
to have created real momentum to address one of the
longest standing injustices in society.
During last summer and into the Fall, my office -
along with Senator Begich's office - worked together
to develop a series of bills. These bills were drafted
by Legislative Legal as a bill packet that our offices
refer to as TPIP- Turning Pain into Progress. TPIP
was crafted after the national 8 Can't Wait campaign
which is eight specific policies that have been
proven, with data, to reduce police violence by as
much as 72 percent, when implemented. I recognize that
the national campaign can't and shouldn't be applied
to a place as unique as Alaska. Therefore, I spent a
great deal of time talking to stakeholders and gaining
input throughout the process of drafting these bills
to ensure that the proposal would be fitting for
Alaska. I am pleased to say that I have engaged public
safety agencies to include the Anchorage Police
Department, Anchorage Police Employees Association,
Public Safety Employees Association, and the National
Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
during the process. Because of my proactive approach,
I am confident in moving forward with the
implementation of public safety policy changes that
will benefit both the citizens of Alaska and our law
enforcement officers.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON deferred to her staff to present the
sponsor statement and sectional analysis.
3:35:42 PM
DELANEY THIELE, Staff, Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sponsor statement for
SB 7.
SB7 "An Act requiring the Department of Public Safety
to publish certain policies and procedures on the
department's Internet website."
This bill would require that the Department of Public
Safety publish on their website the department's
current policies and procedures related to the conduct
of peace officers employed or regulated by the
department. The duty of the Department of Public
Safety is to ensure public safety within our
communities and, as such, the public must be able to
easily access the current policies and procedures that
requires peace officers regulated by the department to
adhere to.
3:36:21 PM
MS. THIELE presented the sectional analysis for SB 7.
Section 1: Amends AS 44.441.020 to add the Department
of Public Safety shall publish on their website the
current policies and procedures related to the conduct
of peace officers employed or regulated by the
department.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if the members had questions or comments.
3:37:05 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO asked if there was any objection to the bill.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON answered that she worked diligently with
all the agencies and revised the bill to include the feedback.
She said she did not believe there was any objection to the bill
at this time.
CHAIR COSTELLO asked what feedback she received and how she
changed the bill to respond to the feedback.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON replied there wasn't much feedback because
both the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Anchorage
Police Department (APD) already have their policies and
procedures online.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if the Alaska State Troopers had any feedback
or concerns with the bill.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON replied her office worked with the Public
Safety Employees Association (PSEA), which the Troopers fall
under, and their questions were answered. She did not hear from
them again and she assumes that they have no additional
concerns.
CHAIR SHOWER asked Ms. Breager if she had any comments on SB 7.
3:39:42 PM
RANDI BREAGER, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department
of Public Safety, Anchorage, Alaska, expressed appreciation that
the sponsor proactively worked with the department to answer
their questions on the bill package. She confirmed that DPS
policies already are public. She noted that the department did
advise the sponsor that the Alaska Police Standards Council
(APSC) falls under DPS, but they have no authority to require
local police agencies to publish their policies. However, she
believes that most agencies would comply since the law defines
these records as public and available to request.
3:40:41 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked for confirmation that this policy is for more
than just troopers, but it will not apply to jurisdictions that
are not under DPS direct supervision or authority.
MS. BREAGER answered yes; their assessment is that DPS would not
have the authority to require other departments to comply. The
Alaska Police Standards Council (APSC) regulates the
certification of police officers but not police departments so
DPS would have to work with individual police departments to
encourage them to publish their policies.
3:41:29 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked if it was her intent that by regulation or
policy decision of the administration APSC could publish the
information.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON replied that was the intent.
3:42:21 PM
CHAIR SHOWER held SB 7 for future consideration.
SB 12-MILITARY SPOUSE COURTESY LICENSE
3:42:33 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 12
"An Act relating to temporary courtesy licenses for military
spouses; and relating to the Department of Commerce, Community,
and Economic Development."
3:42:54 PM
SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, as sponsor, introduced SB 12
paraphrasing the following sponsor statement:
In 2011, House Bill 28 was passed into law to provide
expedited temporary courtesy licenses to eligible
individuals transferred to Alaska with their active
duty service member spouse, so they can practice their
trade without experiencing extensive wait times for
licensure approval while they complete state
requirements. For a military spouse, expedited
temporary courtesy licenses are the fastest method of
obtaining licensure so they can get to work quickly
after relocating to Alaska.
Many states have passed similar legislation into law.
However, states such as Washington and Connecticut
also included a reporting mechanism so the Legislature
and Joint Armed Services Committee equivalent in that
state could track the executive branch's progress of
implementation. HB 28 did not include a reporting
requirement when it was passed.
Senate Bill 12 would require the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development to
prepare an annual report of courtesy licenses issued
the previous fiscal year. This simple reporting
mechanism will help facilitate communication between
occupational boards, the state agency, the U.S.
Department of Defense who assists in relocating
service members and families, as well as Alaska
legislators with service members in their districts.
The bill will also aid in making occupational board
staff and legislators more aware of what opportunities
are available for helping military spouses enter the
Alaska the workforce.
Other states have implemented a similar expedited
licensing program to allow military spouses to
transfer their professional credentials quickly and
contribute to the local economies. While Alaska's
program is a model for other states, its
implementation has stalled with few eligible
professionals taking advantage of the program and
spouses reporting delays despite the program being in
effect for eight years. Senate Bill 12 would help
identify inefficiencies in the program before they
cause delays in productivity and ensure the program is
working as intended.
Introduced in 2018 as House Bill 262, the bill passed
the House unanimously and gained bipartisan support in
the Senate before it failed to reach the floor for a
vote. The concept of this bill is listed as a priority
for the U.S. Department of Defense by the state
liaison serving Alaska.
The passage of SB 12 would improve communication
between state and federal government agencies and
active duty families. By improving efficiency and
awareness about what opportunities are available, the
bill will help welcome military families to Alaska. I
respectfully urge your support of SB 12, a corrective
bill that will help ease the transition of military
families and get more licensed professionals to work
in our communities near military installations.
[At ease 3:43:42 pm to 3:43:58]
3:45:50 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI summarized that SB 12 is pro-military, pro-
economy, pro-jobs, and it ensures that service members and their
spouses are treated well when they serve their duty in Alaska.
3:46:15 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND asked for confirmation that the bill is solely
about occupational licenses.
SENATOR KAWASAKI answered yes; the bill is about professional
licenses issued through the Department of Commerce, Community
and Economic Development (DCCED).
3:46:44 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO expressed appreciation for the legislation and
related that the Labor and Commerce had heard a lot about how
long it takes military spouses to receive their licenses even
though they are expedited. She related that Sara Chambers has
explained that an expedited license means the application is
moved to top of the list. She offered her office and the Labor
and Commerce Committee's help on this bill and noted that her
office was also working with Senator Revak's office on a
licensure bill.
SENATOR KAWASAKI thanked her for the help and highlighted that
the process for all licenses could be streamlined.
CHAIR SHOWER offered that as a military spouse his wife, who is
a nurse, has been faced with licensure challenges.
He offered his understanding that the committee would not take
up the sectional analysis.
[JOE HAYES] explained that the bill was short and simple and a
sectional analysis was not necessarily warranted.
3:50:20 PM
CHAIR SHOWER accepted the answer and stated that he would hold
the bill for future consideration.
SB 40-VETERANS' BENEFITS SERVICES; DISCLOSURE
3:50:40 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 44
"An Act requiring the Board of Fisheries to prioritize personal
use fisheries when implementing fishing restrictions to achieve
a management goal."
He noted who was available to answer questions.
3:51:54 PM
SETH DUGAN, Staff, Senator Josh Revak, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, presented SB 12 on behalf of the sponsor reading
the following into the record:
SB 40 is an act relating to veteran benefits and
veteran benefit services. SB 40 seeks to protect
Veterans and their families from a person who provides
veteran benefits services or veteran benefits appeal
services for compensation.
This will require these providers to notify veterans
and their families about the free services provided by
veteran service organizations before they take them on
as a client. The veteran must sign and date a
disclosure form affirming that they know free services
are available. This will create increased awareness
among Veterans, their dependents, and their survivors
of the available services.
There is a statewide network of advocates available to
assist them in obtaining the benefits they have
earned. Providers who fail to comply are subject to a
civil penalty of up to $1,000 dollars for each
violation.
3:53:23 PM
CHAIR SHOWER asked if there was a sectional analysis.
MR. CRAFT answered that the bill is just one section and an
analysis was not prepared.
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked if there were businesses that do this
work.
MR. CRAFT said yes.
3:54:20 PM
SENATOR KAWASAKI asked how a veteran would know these services
were available free of charge.
3:54:42 PM
CHAIR SHOWER reminded the members about a meeting last year of
40-50 people who discussed how to get information to veterans
who have fallen through the cracks. He confirmed that there are
organizations that help veterans but they charge for the
service. He related that most veterans receive "out briefing"
when they leave the military but for a number of reasons many do
not take advantage of the free services. When they realize they
need help, they may find someone who takes advantage of them.
3:56:58 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND added that many agencies like the American
Legion, the VFW, and Disabled American Veterans help veterans
without cost but many also do it at cost and that may be what a
veteran finds first.
MR. CRAFT suggested that Mr. Bowen could add to the discussion.
3:58:23 PM
VERDIE BOWEN, Director, Office of Veteran Affairs, Department of
Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Anchorage, Alaska, described
the different ways that for-profit organizations and attorneys
seek and reach out to veterans. He said veterans who sign with
these individuals or organizations lose a percentage of their
disability payment. The highest loss his office has seen was
$20,000 and the veteran did not remember talking to the
attorney. He described it as positive that his office has only
heard about attorneys from out-of-state who have taken advantage
of veterans who are living in Alaska.
He explained that the Appeals Modernization Act allowed
attorneys to register within the VA system and receive payment
for their services before the veteran. SB 40 ensures that
veterans receive information up front about free services. He
acknowledged that some people will still sign with for profit
attorneys and organizations but he believes the numbers would be
more limited once veterans know they can receive the same
benefits without charge.
CHAIR SHOWER commented on the difficulty getting a claim through
the VA.
4:01:16 PM
MR. CRAFT added that this is a growing movement nationwide.
Iowa, Minnesota, California, and Washington have adopted similar
legislation and other states are considering it.
CHAIR SHOWER noted that legislation passed several years ago to
protect unwary members of the military from loan sharks.
4:02:46 PM
CHAIR SHOWER held SB 40 in committee for future consideration.
4:03:10 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Shower adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 4:03 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 12 Bill.PDF |
SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 12 |
| SB 12 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HL&C 5/12/2021 3:15:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 12 |
| SB 12 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 12 |
| SB7 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SJUD 2/16/2022 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 7 |
| SB7 Supporting Documents.pdf |
SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 7 |
| SB7 Written Testimonies.pdf |
SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 7 |
| SB7 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SJUD 2/16/2022 1:30:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 7 |
| SB 7 Bill Text.PDF |
SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 7 |
| SB 40 Bill.pdf |
SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| SB 40 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |
| SB 40 VSO duties.pdf |
HL&C 5/3/2021 3:15:00 PM SSTA 3/4/2021 3:30:00 PM |
SB 40 |