HB 124-AIDEA  3:51:23 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 124 "An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; and providing for an effective date." CHAIR CARRICK, prime sponsor of HB 124, announced the committee would continue hearing public testimony, which she had left open from the hearing on 1/27/26. 3:53:02 PM JIM CLARK, Attorney, testified on HB 124. He has had clients in the natural resource field for 30 years; he was chief of staff for then Governor Frank Murkowski for four years; and has worked with mining clients for a few years. In all that time, he has dealt with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), Alaska's industrial development bank. He stated that any attempt to make changes may have unintended consequences. He asked for this bill to be held until due diligence has been done with AIDEA. Mr. Ruaro will deal with concerns if the committee works with him. The legislation is premature as there are unintended consequences, particularly in Sections 7 and 8. He described projects in Southeast Alaska. Again, he requested the bill be set aside until oversight hearings have occurred and more due diligence has been met because the risk of unintended consequences is high. 3:56:30 PM CAROLYN KELLER, representing self, testified in support of HB 124. She thinks that it is valuable to have public participation to ensure the work is in the public's interest. She likes that board members will be confirmed by the legislature including an environmental member. 3:57:22 PM JAZMINE VENT, representing self, thanked Chair Carrick for introducing this important legislation. She said AIDEA has operated far too long without oversight. She stated AIDEA has advanced projects without public input, especially tribal voices. She said HB 124 would improve accountability with large projects receiving legislative review. She said transparency and oversight are essential. She urges the committee to support HB 124, especially for the Native communities. 3:59:25 PM RIKA MOUW, representing self, was thrilled HB 124 is before the committee and being considered. She is in full support of the language in the bill. There is a true need for more accountability to the legislature and public. She said AIDEA is a public corporation, and it must answer to accountability and transparency. She urges the bill to pass through the committee. 4:01:02 PM MEGAN LINGLE, representing self, said she was born and raised in Alaska. She said for Native people, the land is their food source, not just an economic resource. She stated that when the land is harmed, the people are harmed. She expressed that AIDEA has played a major role in the Ambler Road with little legislative oversight and accountability to the people it effects. She said HB 124 doesn't stop development, the bill ensures AIDEA has increased oversight. Alaska constitution says that Alaska lands must be managed for the maximum benefit of the people. She urged the committee to support HB 124 so that AIDEA cannot move forward to industrial projects without accountability to the people, land, and future generations. 4:03:48 PM GRACE KIRKEY, representing self, testified in support of HB 124. She stated Alaskans deserve transparency and stronger oversight. She said HB 124 is a commonsense step to strengthen accountability and meets the need of Alaskans. She stated that development should not come before the expense of public trust. 4:04:26 PM DAVID DELONG, representing self, testified in support of HB 124. To the public, AIDEA is like a black hole where a great amount of money is poured into. He said there is no idea of what is going on, except for projects which directly affect people who are very much against them. He urged the committee to pass the bill. 4:06:22 PM DON DUNCAN, representing self, said he has made his living as a wilderness, hunting, and fishing guide. He has worked all over the state since 1979. He said, "HB 124 is a wolf in sheep's clothing. If passed, it will be a death by 1,000 cuts. It is never going to please everyone." People that benefit the most from resource development are the people that get that money. People profit and Alaskans don't get a permanent fund dividend (PFD) full allotment. For those that want to see AIDEA pay out a dividend, he strongly suggests looking to the University of Alaska to run as a for-profit returning a dividend. The haul road is 50 years old; he is still waiting for a boat launch. The small business loan might have been something that he could have used; he stated that they are paying off without any default. He stated AIDEA needs to provide a salmon hatchery on the Yukon River. He stated AIDEA is doing the best thing that it can to bring money into the state. 4:09:45 PM BERNIE HOFFMAN, representing self, thanked the committee for bringing forth HB 124. She stated there does need to be accountability. She said the resources need to be developed with the public's knowledge. 4:11:06 PM JAMIE BITMAR, representing self, said she is a business owner in support of HB 124 because she wants to see transparency, responsible decision-making, and accountability. She stated AIDEA has been spending money on the Ambler Road project, a controversial project. She urges support of HB 124. 4:13:00 PM THERESA OBERMEYER, representing self, said she wanted to commend Chair Carrick for bringing this AIDEA issue forward. She asked the committee to pass HB 124 out of committee. 4:14:04 PM CHAIR CARRICK, after ascertaining there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 124. CHAIR CARRICK announced HB 124 was held over.