HB 35-PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/USE  1:03:48 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 35, "An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners." [Before the committee was CSHB 35(CRA).] 1:04:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT, as sponsor, presented CSHB 35(CRA), which would set guidelines and policy to allow department of corrections to obtain and regulate tablets computers for the incarcerated population. 1:04:55 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on CSHB 35(CRA) 1:05:11 PM BOBBY DORTON, Consultant, Healing Homes, testified in support of HB 35. Drawing on his lived experience as an incarcerated person, he stated that he didn't have the tools to be educated and get good employment or a career before he was released. To further illustrate his point, Mr. Dorton stated, "I did have McDonald's waiting for me and I did ... wash dishes, but I had to fund ... the credentials once I got out. I was really hoping for those credentials while I was in." While he was eventually able to start a new life for himself as a substance abuse counselor and found Healing Homes, a firm which brings peer support and case management to various organizations serving individuals within the criminal justice system throughout the U.S., Mr. Dorton further discussed the lack of opportunities for incarcerated persons, stating that he could have had a master's degree upon release rather than being a dishwasher. His main point for supporting the bill was stated when he said, "If we could just help the guys to have a purpose, they'll get out and be better people." He further stated that if inmates did not have access to obtain the skills, training, and credentials they would need to succeed when released, Alaska would risk losing such people "in the wind," causing inmates to do labor and "other things," whereas he believed their passion for helping others is inside them and they could follow such a passion if given the chance to do so. Instead, Mr. Dorton argued, many of these individuals are getting locked into a labor workforce. 1:08:36 PM CHAIR CARRICK, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on CSHB 35(CRA). 1:08:48 PM CHAIR CARRICK asked if there were further questions. 1:08:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE thanked both the chair and Representative Himschoot for carrying the proposed legislation, which has been through the legislature many times and deals with things that are not easy issues. She emphasized the need to look at many things regarding how incarcerated people will succeed upon release. She said that the changes in CSHB 35(CRA) appear reasonable and the committee in drafting this bill was giving the commissioner of the Department of Corrections a lot of authority in the distribution of tablet computers. Representative Vance stated that some of her colleagues expressed the reservation of wanting to ensure that tablets are used for rehabilitative education and not entertainment purposes. Representative Vance elaborated that this was because the conversation around CSHB 35(CRA) mimics discussions about good use cases with phones and tablets regarding children. She and stated, "We want what's best for everyone when it comes to ... utilizing the technology in a positive way, and not ... one that's going to pull someone into isolation...and unhealthy activities." Representative Vance stated that she appreciates the opportunity to learn more about how "we can help people re- enter ... our communities in a more positive and healthy way." She said that she hopes this year will be the year to get CSHB 35(CRA) "over the finish line" and thanked her colleagues for their work on the issue over the years. 1:10:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT expressed thanks to Representative Vance for her work on CSHB 35(CRA) and echoed many of Representative Vance's talking points by saying, "It's not a simple bill. We don't want to rush it, but it has been heard several times, and it would be nice if we could get it through this year." 1:11:19 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that CSHB 35(CRA) was held over.