HB 141-PUBLIC BUILDINGS: CHANGING FACILITIES  4:37:36 PM CHAIR MINA announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 141, "An Act relating to universal changing facilities in public buildings." REPRESENTATIVE MEARS moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 141, labeled 34-LS0610\N, A. Radford, 5/4/25, as the working document. CHAIR MINA objected for the purpose of discussion. 4:38:36 PM GRIFFIN SUKKAEW, Staff, Representative Ashley Carrick, on behalf of Representative Carrick, prime sponsor, gave a summary of changes from Version A to Version N of HB 141. He stated that version N would change the word bathroom to restroom, which conforms to statute. He stated that Section 1 of Version N expands on the reasons that public restrooms may be exempt from having a universal changing facility, further defining "practicable". 4:40:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY noted concern about universities being required to have many universal changing facilities. REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY CARRICK, Alaska State Legislature, suggested that the language of Version N is suitably narrow. She said that she would be open to clarifying that "not practicable" would include having too many buildings in a given area. She emphasized that the intention of HB 141 would be to increase access to universal changing rooms. 4:41:45 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK, in response to Representative Prax, stated that she hopes the changes in Version N of HB 141 would generate a lower and more determinate fiscal note. 4:42:11 PM CHAIR MINA [treated her previous objection for the purpose of discussion as removed]. There being no further objection, Version N was before the committee. 4:42:30 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY referenced the prior fiscal note of $75,000. He noted that the portable changing table costs about $1,500. He considered whether the fiscal note could be changed to only include portable changing facilities. 4:43:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX made suggestions based on a survey of the public restroom facilities in the Capitol building and the Terry Miller Legislative Building. He said that 3 portable changing facilities could cover those two buildings for a cost that would be suitable for him. He said 40 changing facilities could be enough, rather than installing 200 across the state, and that could achieve the objective of HB 141 more quickly. 4:45:55 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK said that she believes the language of HB 141 is sufficiently broad. She said that HB 141 would support the installation of portable universal changing facilities; they do not have to be permanently installed to a building. 4:47:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY said that the difference between this and installing ramps, for example, is that a freestanding table could be moved in and out of the bathroom. He said that HB 141 would have to be treated like an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issue. He asked how willing the sponsor would be to change the fiscal note of HB 141 from $38 million to $200,000. 4:48:38 PM ANDY MILLS, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, responded that portable changing tables would be an excellent solution to consider. He added that portable tables still need storage solutions. He noted that the funding in fiscal note is based on the universal changing facility installation at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. He said he believes the language of HB 141 is broad enough to include portable changing facilities. 4:50:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY referred to page 2, lines 4-5, in Section 1 of Version N of HB 141. He asked if a loophole could be to change the designation of a public restroom to a non-public restroom prior to renovations. MR. MILLS responded that this language could be updated. REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK said that she would like to further work with DOT&PF and committee members to look at other solutions to achieve the intent of HB 141. She said that she sees value in considering portable changing tables but appreciates Mr. Mills logistical concerns. 4:52:57 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY noted that were the money available, they would make all universal changing facilities permanent. He emphasized that, due to budget concerns, the committee needs to find the cheapest solution, even if it is not the most ideal solution. 4:53:40 PM CHAIR MINA opened public testimony on HB 141. After ascertaining that there was no one who wished to testify, she closed public testimony. 4:54:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX referenced the issue of a roundabout in Fairbanks. He said that he believes a blinking yellow light might have solved most of the issue, as opposed to the very expensive installation of a roundabout. He expressed apprehension regarding DOT&PF's involvement in another issue. He asked for a survey to help reduce the potential cost of HB 141. 4:55:49 PM MR. MILLS responded that DOH has obtained a comprehensive dataset regarding how roundabouts improve safety. He said that DOT&PF is open to surveying more locations to better understand the logistics of different public buildings. MR. MILLS, in response to Representative Prax, stated that DOT&PF always appreciates flexibility. He said he would like to do research on portable tables and to find out if there is liability associated with portable changing tables in highly trafficked areas. REPRESENTATIVE PRAX responded that he understands that universal changing facilities are not a federally driven requirement. He said that there is some need to be addressed. 4:59:28 PM CHAIR MINA announced that HB 141 was held over.