02/03/2022 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB156 | |
| SB142 | |
| HB148 | |
| SB167 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 156 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 142 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 148 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 167 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 3, 2022
3:32 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Mike Shower, Chair
Senator Lora Reinbold, Vice Chair
Senator Mia Costello
Senator Roger Holland
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Scott Kawasaki
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 156
"An Act relating to COVID-19 immunization rights; and relating
to objection to the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine."
- HEARD AND HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 142
"An Act relating to the sovereignty of state elections."
- HEARD AND HELD
HOUSE BILL NO. 148 AM
"An Act relating to the Alaska Coordinate System of 2022."
- HEARD AND HELD
SENATE BILL NO. 167
"An Act relating to elections, voter registration, ballots, and
a system of tracking and accounting for ballots; establishing an
election offense hotline; relating to election fraud, election
interference, and election official misconduct; requiring
signature verification, notice, and the opportunity to cure; and
providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 156
SHORT TITLE: PROHIBIT COVID-19 VACCINE DISCRIMINATION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) REINBOLD
01/18/22 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/7/22
01/18/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/22 (S) STA, HSS
02/03/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 142
SHORT TITLE: SOVEREIGNTY OF STATE ELECTIONS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) SHOWER
05/19/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/19/21 (S) STA
02/03/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: HB 148
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA COORDINATE SYSTEM OF 2022
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SHAW
03/24/21 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/24/21 (H) STA, RES
04/17/21 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/17/21 (H) Heard & Held
04/17/21 (H) MINUTE(STA)
04/22/21 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120
04/22/21 (H) Moved HB 148 Out of Committee
04/22/21 (H) MINUTE(STA)
04/26/21 (H) STA RPT 6DP
04/26/21 (H) DP: VANCE, CLAMAN, STORY, KAUFMAN,
TARR, KREISS-TOMKINS
05/05/21 (H) RES AT 1:00 PM BARNES 124
05/05/21 (H) Moved HB 148 Out of Committee
05/05/21 (H) MINUTE(RES)
05/06/21 (H) RES RPT 4DP 1DNP 1NR 2AM
05/06/21 (H) DP: SCHRAGE, GILLHAM, CRONK, MCKAY
05/06/21 (H) DNP: RAUSCHER
05/06/21 (H) NR: FIELDS
05/06/21 (H) AM: HANNAN, PATKOTAK
05/15/21 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/15/21 (H) VERSION: HB 148 AM
05/17/21 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/17/21 (S) STA, RES
02/03/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
BILL: SB 167
SHORT TITLE: ELECTIONS; FRAUD; BALLOTS
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
01/18/22 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/18/22 (S) STA, FIN
01/27/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
01/27/22 (S) Heard & Held
01/27/22 (S) MINUTE(STA)
02/03/22 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR LORA REINBOLD
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 156.
KELLI TOTH, Staff
Senator Lora Reinbold
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information during the hearing on
SB 156.
SCOTT OGAN, Staff
Senator Mike Shower
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented the sectional analysis for SB 142
on behalf of the sponsor.
REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 148.
REECE WILLIAMS, Staff
Representative Laddie Shaw
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced and presented the sectional
analysis for HB 148 on behalf of the sponsor.
JAKE MAXWELL, PLS, Executive Member
Alaska Society of Professional Land Surveyors
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 148 by invitation.
WILL WEBB, PE, President
Alaska Professional Design Council
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 148 by invitation.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:32:43 PM
CHAIR MIKE SHOWER called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Reinbold, Holland, Costello, and Chair
Shower.
SB 156-PROHIBIT COVID-19 VACCINE DISCRIMINATION
3:33:23 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 156
"An Act relating to COVID-19 immunization rights; and relating
to objection to the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine."
3:33:57 PM
SENATOR LORA REINBOLD, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska,
sponsor of SB 156 introduced the legislation speaking to the
sponsor statement that read as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB 156 ensures that a state agency or political
subdivision of the state may not adopt or issue
regulation, ordinance, or similar policy that requires
an individual to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to
receive public benefit that is available to the
public. Essentially, SB 156 ensures the public is not
discriminated against based on COVID-19 vaccine
status. In addition, the bill seeks to ensure a state
agency, an employee of the state may not require an
individual to produce documentation of their COVID-19
vaccination status or immunity passport to travel to
or within the state. An individual may object to the
administration of a COVID-19 vaccine based on
religious, medical, or other grounds. Parents or
guardians may object to the administration of a COVID-
19 vaccine to the minor child based on religious,
medical, or other grounds.
3:36:42 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO referenced the section at the top of page 2 and
asked if a school district would be prevented from requiring a
child to be vaccinated to attend public school.
SENATOR REINBOLD said that is correct; vaccines could not be
mandated.
CHAIR SHOWER asked her to repeat the answer.
SENATOR REINBOLD restated that students could not be prevented
from attending school based on their COVID-19 vaccination
status.
CHAIR SHOWER asked if the bill specifically refers to a state
agency, not a private business.
SENATOR REINBOLD answered, "You're allowed to make a
recommendation but you can't mandate it."
CHAIR SHOWER said he would ask the question again after the full
introduction.
3:39:51 PM
KELLI TOTH, Staff, Senator Lora Reinbold, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that resources are available
that speak to the need for this legislation. She specifically
mentioned Children's Health Defense and Senator Ron Johnson's
recent five hour listening session.
3:40:36 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD presented the sectional analysis for SB 156
that read as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Section 1: AS 18.09 is amended adding a new section
Article 2A. COVID 19 Immunization Rights;
Discrimination.
Sec 18.09.250 Exercise of rights and access to
benefits. A state agency or political subdivision
may not adopt or issue a regulation, ordinance,
order, or similar policy that requires an
individual to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in
order to exercise their right to receive a
benefit that is available to the public.
Sec 18.09.260 Personal vaccine history. A state
agency, an employee of the state, or agent of the
state may not require an individual to produce
documentation of the individual's COVID-19
vaccination status or a COVID-19 immunity
passport in order to travel to, or within, the
state.
Sec. 18.09.270 Discrimination based on
vaccination status. It is unlawful discrimination
for: a person or a governmental entity to refuse,
withhold from or deny an individual any local or
state services, goods, facilities, advantages,
privileges, licensing, educational opportunities,
health care access, or employment opportunities
based on the individual's COVID-19 vaccination
status or whether the individual has a COVID-19
immunity passport; bar an individual from
employment, or discriminate against individual
compensation or term, condition or privilege of
employment; a public accommodation to exclude,
limit, segregate, refuse to serve or otherwise
discriminate based on COVID-19 vaccination status
or immunity passport; a recommendation by a
person, governmental agency, or employer to
receive a COVID-19 vaccine is not unlawful
discrimination under this section.
3:42:57 PM
Sec. 18.09.280 Objection to the administration of
a COVID-19 vaccine. An individual may object to
the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine to that
individual based on religious, medical, or other
grounds. A parent or guardian of a minor child
may object to the administration of a COVID-19
vaccine to the minor child based on religious,
medical, or other grounds. A person may not
require an individual to provide justification or
documentation to support the individual's
decision to decline a COVID-19 vaccine or decline
a COVID-19 vaccine for a minor child.
SEC. 18.09.290. Definition. In AS 18.09.250-
18.09.90, "COVID-19" means the novel coronavirus
disease caused by the severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
3:43:52 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND commented on the variation in requirements from
the federal government, state government, and private industry.
He observed that the bill limits the requirement for a vaccine
passport, but it does not talk about requiring a negative
antigen test. He asked, "This is just about the vaccine
passports, correct?"
SENATOR REINBOLD answered that is correct.
CHAIR SHOWER commented on the fine line between asking a private
business to do something and trampling the rights of a business
owner. At the state level, he questioned asking for a COVID-19
vaccination but not a vaccine for flu, tuberculosis, or
hepatitis. "How far down the rabbit hole do we go? ... When does
peoples' personal, private health information become
everybody's' business?" He asked the sponsor if a private
business could challenge the constitutionality of a prohibition
against asking about vaccine status.
SENATOR REINBOLD said the most important point is individual
liberties and individual sovereignty. She noted that the Supreme
Court ruled on that in the Occupational Safety and Health
Association (OSHA) case. [No citation provided.] She offered her
belief that the matter regarding health care workers would be
appealed or a new case filed.
CHAIR SHOWER said he was curious about the possibility of a
constitutional challenges if a private company is told what it
can and cannot do.
3:48:52 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD said she would follow up with more research on
that point. She continued to say that the constitution seeks to
"keep government in its lane" and everything else is reserved to
the people and state sovereignty. She said that is why it is so
important to pass this legislation.
CHAIR SHOWER said he would like the Department of Law to opine
on the constitutional question of what a private business can
and cannot do. He said he did not disagree with the precepts of
the legislation but he wanted to hear additional expert
testimony to flesh out the constitutional issues.
3:52:03 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND directed attention to the sentence on page 2,
lines 24-25 that begins, "A person may not require an individual
..." and the sentence on page 1, lines 11-12 that begins, "A
state agency, an employee of the state, or an agent of the state
may not require an individual ...". He asked if the text on page
2 should mirror the language on page 1.
SENATOR REINBOLD replied the language on page 2, lines 24-25 is
intentionally generic. Alaskans want to be free to choose
whether or not to get the vaccine. Returning to the Chair's
question about private businesses, she said an employer should
not be able to mandate the vaccine unless they are licensed to
practice medicine.
SENATOR HOLLAND said his concern centers on restricting non-
state entities.
SENATOR REINBOLD responded that a child having to prove their
vaccination status to sign up for school is an example of why
this legislation is so important.
CHAIR SHOWER said he wants more discussion about the line
between telling a private business what it can and cannot do and
a business asking an individual about their private health data.
This also speaks to intent and what the legislation wants to
guarantee in terms of protecting rights on all sides.
3:58:24 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD mentioned new data coming out and said she will
always opt for individual liberties and sovereignty over one's
own body.
CHAIR SHOWER stated his desire to learn about the line he
previously described. He offered his belief that better data on
the long term effect of the vaccine is needed and his contention
that businesses that require the vaccine ultimately would be
held liable for the damages to peoples' lives.
SENATOR HOLLAND noted that the language on page 2, Sec.
18.09.270 talks about it being unlawful discrimination for a
person to deny an individual a service such as enrollment in a
private school. He expressed interest in hearing the legal
thoughts on this because his belief is that it is much easier to
argue what can be enforced from the state level as opposed to
private business.
4:04:45 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD restated her support for and belief in
individual liberties.
CHAIR SHOWER restated his desire to hear from experts and the
Department of Law and relayed his concern about how Alaska
courts might fall.
SENATOR REINBOLD said a few dozen cases have come down strongly
on the side of individual liberties. She also commented on the
possibility of long term side effects from the COVID-19
vaccines.
CHAIR SHOWER asked for a brief description of the fiscal note.
4:10:11 PM
MS. TOTH stated that the fiscal note for SB 156 is zero.
4:10:27 PM
CHAIR SHOWER held SB 156 in committee.
SB 142-SOVEREIGNTY OF STATE ELECTIONS
4:10:46 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 142
"An Act relating to the sovereignty of state elections."
Speaking as sponsor, Senator Shower introduced SB 142
paraphrasing the following sponsor statement:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Congress passed HR 1 in the House but the Senate did
not have the votes to break a filibuster. It remains
stalled, for now. HR 1 federalizes state elections and
foists constitutionally questionable federal mandates
upon the states, overriding long honored state
election procedures.
Congress has the constitutional authority to manage
certain aspects of federal elections. Article 1 Sec 4:
"The times, places and manner of holding elections for
senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in
each state by the legislature thereof; but the
Congress may at any time by law make or alter such
regulations, except as to the places of choosing
senators."
The relationship between states and the federal
government has been long and cooperative. States need
their federal representatives elected and have the
staff, voting system and voter rolls of who is a
resident and further prescribes what qualifies a
voter. In return, the feds enjoy utilizing the low
maintenance state election system to elect our federal
congressional members.
4:12:58 PM
Today many states, including Alaska, are working to
restore confidence in the election system. The last 5
years have shaken the confidence of many Americans in
our election process across the political spectrum. In
a gross overreach, the federal government is
attempting to foist a "one size fits all" approach
with HR1 by mandating federal policy nationwide versus
the long-standing practice of letting states set
policy and manage their own elections. We've heard
fake cries of "putting people in chains" and "Jim
Crow" type election laws from the highest levels of
government, including the president and members of
congress. Divisive and virtue signaling language from
elected officials does not help solve Americans shaken
confidence in our election system. We are asked for ID
to "prove" who we are in nearly every aspect of our
lives. Asking a voter to prove they are a United
States Citizen, resident of a state, or to positively
identify themselves is prudent and reasonable.
Verifying a person's identity and eligibility to vote
is sound policy, it's why we're asked for ID for
nearly anything we do today of any significance.
Voting is one of the most sacred and important actions
we take as citizens. Who we elect and what those
officials do affects us at every level of our lives. A
Congressional policy of not showing identification to
vote is a clear and present danger for our Republic.
4:14:13 PM
We believe because the state legislatures formerly
gave up the power to choose our own senators, the
states are justified with the fight to retain strong
control of how they are elected by the people. The
17th Amendment repealed this provision of the
constitution and afterward the states prescribed the
procedures of the people, not the legislatures,
electing their Senators to represent them.
If the Federal Government nationalizes the election
system, undermining the long tradition of mutual
cooperation, or worse, the sovereign rights of a state
to manage its internal election affairs, then Alaska
should simply tell the federal government to run their
own election, bifurcating the election process.
Doing so will require the federal government to create
its own exhaustive system of voter rolls, voter
qualifications, tabulators, reporting, counting,
recruiting and training volunteers, and a myriad of
other details which are expensive and difficult to
manage without the state's cooperation. In short,
Congress should think long and hard about the
unintended consequences of mandating federalization of
elections upon sovereign states and should be reminded
it was the states who originally delegated their
powers to the United States. (Tenth Amendment). This
bill rescinds a portion of that delegated authority.
4:15:16 PM
CHAIR SHOWER stated that those who tout HR 1 may not feel the
same way when the other party has the presidency, and both
bodies of Congress. He stated his preference to maintain the
federated system because one size fits all is not the best way
to govern. The Founding Fathers recognized this. SB 142 is about
protecting states' rights, up to and including bifurcating the
election system if necessary.
4:17:07 PM
SCOTT OGAN, Staff, Senator Mike Shower, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sectional analysis
for SB 142 that read as follow:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Sec 1. AS 15.80.001 adds a new section that authorizes
the Division of Election Director to determine when a
federal election law is inconsistent with a provision
of our elections and regulations, it requires the
division to stop administering federal elections, but
allows them to carry on with state office elections.
Furthermore, Sec 1 bans an agency, employee or agent
of the state or a municipality from expending funds
for aforementioned activity.
Additionally, Sec 1 lets the federal government
administer its own elections.
4:17:59 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO noted the zero fiscal note and asked if
Alaskans would be able to vote for the president and federal
offices if this bill were to pass.
MR. OGAN said the federal government is not prepared to conduct
an election but would have to figure out a way to accomplish
that formidable task.
CHAIR SHOWER offered his understanding that it is a requirement
and the federal government would have to organize, pay for, and
conduct federal elections. He opined that it would be
interesting should this go to court.
4:21:44 PM
SENATOR HOLLAND commented that subcontracting elections to the
federal government may be a new revenue source. He asked if any
other states had successfully pursued similar legislation.
CHAIR SHOWER said he would follow up with more information about
successes, but he did know that several other states were
looking at the issue.
SENATOR HOLLAND asked if the Department of Law or Legislative
Legal Services had issued an opinion.
CHAIR SHOWER replied they will be invited to a subsequent
hearing.
4:22:43 PM
CHAIR SHOWER stated that the fiscal note for SB 142 currently is
zero. He read the analysis for OMB Component Number: 21.
This legislation requires the Division of Elections to
cease administering federal elections if the director
determines that the federal government has enacted a
measure relating to voter registration or conduct of
elections that is inconsistent with Alaska State
election laws.
Passage of this legislation will have no financial
impact on the division.
CHAIR SHOWER held SB 142 in committee.
HB 148-ALASKA COORDINATE SYSTEM OF 2022
4:23:48 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 148
am "An Act relating to the Alaska Coordinate System of 2022."
4:24:23 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LADDIE SHAW, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, sponsor of HB 148, introduced the legislation providing
highlights from the following sponsor statement that read as
follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
HB 148 House Bill 148 revises Alaska Statute
chapter 38.20, known as the Alaska Coordinate System,
to reflect changes in the federal datum used as a base
for the coordinate system and to allow for future
updates.
The system is comprised of rectangular plane
coordinates used to define accurate positions or
locations of points on the surface of the earth.
Currently, forty-eight states have adopted state
plane coordinate systems into their statutes. This
bill revises the Alaska Coordination System as an
ongoing modernization of the U.S National Spatial
Reference System to reduce the distortions present in
the current system. In addition to improved zone
locations, that will cover population and resources
areas, a new statewide zone will be created for
Alaska. This will reduce the distortion of the
projection currently in use and improve the display of
statewide geographic data.
This is an important and practical step for
Alaska to adapt to this coordination system. Alaska
will have the advantage of improvements in the
geodetic positioning, and with the new gravity-based
elevation. This will dramatically improve the ability
to measure elevations in Alaska. This modernization
effort will benefit scientists, surveyors, design
professionals, GIS specialists, and the geospatial
community. The improved coordinate system minimizes
linear distortions and is designed to include
population centers and resource development.
I encourage your support in the passage of HB 148
as it is critical to Alaska maintaining accuracy to
surveying and mapping.
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW deferred further introduction to Reece
Williams.
4:25:58 PM
CHAIR SHOWER related the ongoing joke between the sponsor and
himself that they both completely understand the technical
aspects of the bill.
He noted the individuals available to provide testimony.
4:26:55 PM
REECE WILLIAMS, Staff, Representative Laddie Shaw, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, stated that HB 148 seeks to revise
AS 38.20, The Alaska Coordinate System, to reflect changes in
the geodetic datum in the 2022 State Plane Coordinate System,
and allow future updates. He explained that geodetic datum is a
tool that is used to define the shape and size of the earth and
the reference point for various coordinate systems used in
mapping. Datum is also used in navigation and satellite systems.
Most recent federal datums were the North American Datum of 1983
(NAD 83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAD 88).
He cited the definition of datums from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website, which is "... datums
act similar to starting points when you give someone directions.
For instance, when you want to tell someone how to get to your
house, you give them a starting point that they know, like a
crossroads or a building address."
4:28:29 PM
MR. WILLIAMS played a short teaching video from the NOAA
website.
4:33:11 PM
MR. WILLIAMS stated that incorporating new federal datum ensures
the state is prepared to make use of the latest and most
accurate technology for surveying and mapping. He highlighted
that the deadline for the 2020 datum is March 2022. He said the
ability to use these new datums is particularly important in
light of the billions of dollars in construction money that is
forthcoming.
MR. WILLIAMS listed the experts who were available to answer
questions.
CHAIR SHOWER requested an overview of the sectional analysis and
fiscal note.
4:34:50 PM
MR. WILLIAMS summarized that HB 148 adds language to Title 38 to
allow the addition of new datum and the fiscal note is zero. The
full sectional analysis for HB 148 reads as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Section 1 Amends AS 38.20.010 to add a reference to
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and the Alaska Coordinate System of 2022.
Section 2 Repeals and reenacts AS 38.20.020 to
remove references to the ten different zones currently
listed in the statute, and states that the zone
parameters of the Alaska Coordinate Systems are now
the zone parameters defined by the NGS. Removing
specific parameters ensures legislation will be
accurate according to past, current, and future
datums.
Section 3 Amends AS 38.20.030 to add a reference to
the "Alaska Coordinate System of 2022, Zone ?" for
purposes of drafting land descriptions that use
coordinate systems.
Section 4 Amends AS 38.20.040 to add two references
to "U.S. Survey" and one reference to the Alaska
Coordinate System of 2022. Also added is an
explanation that one U.S. Survey foot means the
quotient of 1,200 and 3,937 meters. There are two
standards used in the U.S. to convert between feet and
meters. States such as Alaska support both feet and
meters and legislate which feet-to-meters conversion
they use. The U.S. survey foot is 1200/3937 meters, or
.3048006096. The international foot is 0.3048 meters.
The difference between the two conversions can become
noticeable.
Section 5 Repeals and reenacts AS 38.20.060 to
remove the references to, and descriptions of, the ten
different zones currently listed in the statute, and
instead states that the characteristics of the zones
of the Alaska Coordinate Systems are defined by the
NGS. Removing specific zone descriptions ensures
legislation will be accurate and relevant under past,
current, and future datums.
Section 6 Amends AS 38.20.090 to add a new
subsection (c) stating that the use of the term
"Alaska Coordinate System of 2022" on a map, report of
the survey, or other document is limited to
coordinates based on the Alaska Coordinate System of
2022.
Section 7 Amends AS 38.20.100 to add a reference to
the "Alaska Coordinate System of 2022."
Section 8 Amends AS 38.20.110 to add a reference to
the "Alaska Coordinate System of 2022."
4:36:13 PM
JAKE MAXWELL, PLS, Executive Member, Alaska Society of
Professional Land Surveyors, Anchorage, Alaska, stated that the
statute needs this amendment because neither public nor private
entities can work and support the forthcoming system unless it
is codified in state law. The expectation is that every state
will adopt similar updates. Washington and Kentucky have done so
and several other states have bills pending. This goal is to
develop a more functional statewide coordinate system for
mapping and designing land, infrastructure, and resources by
using space-based and value measurements. Many of the original
oil leases are based on the 1927 system and other work is based
on the 1983 system; adding the 2022 system will allow the option
to use any system that is necessary.
4:37:33 PM
WILL WEBB, PE, President, Alaska Professional Design Council
(APDC), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that APDC is a nonprofit
corporation that represents the common interests of Alaskan
design professionals. The membership includes engineers, land
surveyors, landscape architects, and interior designers who live
and work throughout the state. On behalf of APDC, he stated
support for HB 148 that adds the 2022 coordinate system to Title
38. The industry benefits when it is able to work across
projects, disciplines, and different clients. Incorporating this
updated coordinating system will help these professionals take
advantage of the latest technology and available resources to
better incorporate data from all sources, whether it is
municipal, state, or federal.
CHAIR SHOWER asked the sponsor if he had any closing comments.
4:39:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SHAW stated that an understanding of the
geopotential datum relative to the ellipsoid model helps in
moving this forward.
4:39:22 PM
CHAIR SHOWER held HB 148 in committee.
SB 167-ELECTIONS; FRAUD; BALLOTS
4:39:48 PM
CHAIR SHOWER announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 167
"An Act relating to elections, voter registration, ballots, and
a system of tracking and accounting for ballots; establishing an
election offense hotline; relating to election fraud, election
interference, and election official misconduct; requiring
signature verification, notice, and the opportunity to cure; and
providing for an effective date."
4:40:01 PM
CHAIR SHOWER opened public testimony on SB 167; finding none, he
closed public testimony.
CHAIR SHOWER held SB 167 in committee.
4:40:55 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Shower adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting at 4:40 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB0156 BILL Immun Rights and Objections to C-19 Vax.PDF |
SSTA 2/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 156 |
| SB 156 Immunization Rights and objections to C-19 vax Sponsor Statement 1.30.22.pdf |
SSTA 2/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 156 |
| SB 156 Immunization Rights and Objection to COVID-19 Sectional 1.29.22.pdf |
SSTA 2/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 156 |
| SB142 sponsor statement.pdf |
SSTA 2/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 142 |
| SB142 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SSTA 2/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 142 |
| testimony support Kendall.pdf |
SSTA 2/3/2022 3:30:00 PM |
SB 156 |