HB 161-CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND
1:33:24 PM
CHAIR VANCE announced that the first order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 161, "An Act relating to appropriations to the
civil legal services fund."
CHAIR VANCE opened public testimony on HB 161
1:33:51 PM
CHRISTINE PAIGHT, Legal Program Director, Council on Domestic
Violence And Sexual Assault (CDVSA), testified in support of HB
161. She understood that there is an enormous continuing unmet
need for Alaskans to access civil legal assistance and few
agencies, in addition to the Alaska Legal Services Corporation
(ALSC) to provide this service. In the criminal justice system,
there is a right to council; however, there is no corresponding
right in the civil justice system. She reported that civil
legal services are the most important service to ending domestic
violence and sexual assault because civil legal attorneys are
the ones who can get spousal support, child support, property
division, and more. She shared a personal anecdote and urged
the committee to pass HB 161.
1:40:36 PM
JEANNE GERHARDT-CYRUS, representing self, testified in support
of HB 161. She said the bill would help people with
disabilities gain services, maintain employment, and ensure that
they get the benefits they need to be full members of the
community. It would also benefit low-income individuals. She
posited that people who need this service and cannot afford it
should not face a disadvantage in the court room. ALSC would
help level the playing field, she said.
1:42:56 PM
MARY RUTH MOORE, representing self, testified in support of HB
161. She shared that ALSC helped her and her children by
extending a domestic violence protection order, getting custody
and visitation during the divorce, helping with trust accounts
after encountering carbon monoxide poisoning, enforcing her
father's will, and restoring medical benefits. She advocated
for the increase in funding.
1:44:37 PM
TRAUDL HACKLEY, representing self, testified in support of HB
161. She shared her experience seeking a divorce and a
protective order against her then husband. She said with help
from her ALSC attorney, she obtained full-time custody of her
boys, a long-term protective order, and instruction for
supervised parenting time with their dad. She described the
process of gaining representation through legal aid as a lengthy
and competitive process. She urged a "yes" vote on HB 161.
1:47:55 PM
JOHN PETERSON, representing self, testified in support of HB
161.
[Due to technical difficulties, portions of the audio are
indiscernible.]
1:50:30 PM
CHAIR VANCE closed public testimony on HB 161. She announced
that the bill would be held over.