HB 155-COURT SYSTEM PROVIDE VISITORS & EXPERTS  1:35:14 PM CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 155 "An Act relating to court-appointed visitors and experts; relating to the powers and duties of the office of public advocacy; relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Court System; and providing for an effective date." [HB 155 was previously heard on 1/31/2022 and 2/2/2022. Public testimony was opened and closed on 2/22/2022.] CHAIR HOLLAND turned to amendments on HB 155. 1:35:40 PM SENATOR KIEHL moved to adopt Amendment 1, work order 32- LS0698\B.1. 32-LS0698\B.1 Radford 2/3/22 AMENDMENT 1 OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR KIEHL Page 4, line 21: Following "to": Insert "the provision of visitors and experts in" Following "and": Insert "the provision of visitors in" Page 4, line 22: Delete "commenced" Page 4, line 24: Following "provide": Insert "for the services of" Following the second occurrence of "and": Insert "for the services of" Page 4, line 25: Delete "that were commenced" CHAIR HOLLAND objected for discussion purposes. 1:35:50 PM SENATOR KIEHL explained that Amendment 1 would provide a smooth transfer of the Court Visitor Program from the Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) to the Alaska Court System. Amendment 1 would allow the agencies to hand off cases on the bill's effective date, so both agencies would not be carrying the cases. 1:36:43 PM MICHAEL MASON, Staff, Representative Chris Tuck, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, on behalf of the sponsor, said the sponsor has no objection to Amendment 1. 1:36:58 PM CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 1:37:07 PM SENATOR KIEHL moved to adopt Amendment 2, work order 32- LS0698\B.2. 32-LS0698\B.2 Radford 2/4/22 AMENDMENT 2 OFFERED IN THE SENATE BY SENATOR KIEHL Page 4, line 29: Delete "2021" Insert "2022" CHAIR HOLLAND objected for discussion purposes. 1:37:18 PM SENATOR KIEHL explained that Amendment 2 would update the effective date of the bill. 1:37:30 PM CHAIR HOLLAND removed his objection; hearing no further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. 1:37:47 PM MICHAEL MASON, Staff, Representative Chris Tuck, Alaska State legislature, Juneau, Alaska stated that HB 155 was a collaborative effort between the three branches of government, the sponsor appreciated the work the committee put into the bill. 1:38:09 PM SENATOR HUGHES asked if the court visitors' clients were supportive of the bill. She asked if the sponsor had heard from any of the senior groups on HB 155 since many seniors use court visitors. MR. MASON stated that the sponsor solicited comments from several organizations and did not receive any negative comments. He deferred to Mr. Wooliver or Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) to respond. 1:39:05 PM SENATOR HUGHES commented that she was glad to hear there was no opposition. She said she was comfortable with HB 155. 1:39:28 PM CHAIR HOLLAND recognized Representative Tuck. 1:39:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TUCK, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, speaking as sponsor of HB 155, thanked the committee for considering the bill. He characterized HB 155 as a clean-up bill that will make the Court Visitor Program run more smoothly and efficiently. 1:40:10 PM SENATOR HUGHES moved to report HB 155, work order 32-LS0698\B, as amended, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR HOLLAND found no objection, and SCS HB 155(JUD) was reported from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.