HB 182-ALCOHOL LICENSE: LIVE MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT  4:26:56 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 182, "An Act relating to live music and entertainment at breweries, wineries, and distilleries." 4:27:09 PM REPRESENTATIVE KY HOLLAND, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HB 182. He explained that current legislation allows breweries, wineries, and distilleries in Alaska to hold four events annually and further requires a permit to be acquired per event. He stated that the permitting requirements per event are identical to requirements already met in acquiring licensure. He explained that HB 182 would simplify the requirements for events and would allow breweries, wineries, and distilleries to put on events with their existing licenses. 4:28:36 PM EVAN WOOD, President, Brewers Guild of Alaska (BGA), gave invited testimony in support of HB 182. He stated that BGA represents breweries, wineries, and distilleries throughout Alaska. He stated that BGA supports HB 182, as is. He asserted that the placement of live events in the permitting section of Alaska Statute (AS) for breweries, wineries, and distilleries was non-sensical because the premises are already licensed. He stated that the permitting process currently used for breweries, wineries, and distilleries are typically used for off-premises events like beer festivals, catering event, et cetera. He asserted that the current laws add additional costs and unnecessary bureaucracy and asserted that HB 182 would make it easier and more affordable for breweries, wineries, and distilleries to host musicians in their spaces. 4:29:51 PM MARIAN CALL, Director, Music Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of HB 182. She explained that Music Alaska represents thousands of musicians and hundreds of music businesses across Alaska. She explained that, regardless of the original intent of current statute, the fee is essentially a tax taken from the musicians. She stated that the $150 fee is taken out of musicians' or producers' revenue for the night, in addition to the cost of room rentals. She referred to the Statewide Alaska Music Census, citing that musicians typically garner about $130 to $160 per show, which, she stated, equates to less than minimum wage when considering set-up, teardown, and rehearsal hours. She asserted that musicians are paying the fees and the fee strongly disincentivizes musicians from working with certain businesses. 4:31:20 PM STEPHANIE HAFKINS, Executive Director, Brewers Guild of Alaska, gave invited testimony in support of HB 182. She stated that the current permitting process for live event permits for those with manufacturer or retail licenses is "cumbersome and redundant." She asserted that HB 182 would remove red tape and make the production of live events more affordable. She noted that applicants must pay a $100 fee to the Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) per each approved live event permit and usually applicants have to pay an additional fee for the approval of local law enforcement officers. She explained that, unlike a catering permit, a manufacturer retail licensed live event permit does not require that the permitee include a security plan or server list given that the events take place on premises with regular employees. She argued that the current process was costly and bureaucratic and required approval for activities already allowed under statute. She stated that HB 182 would remove hurdles and would encourage the affected businesses to exercise the full privilege of their licenses and collaborate more freely with musicians. She concluded by encouraging the committee members to support HB 182 and stated that it would help communities across Alaska. 4:34:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked Ms. Hafkins if she agreed that the fee was actually a tax on musicians. MS. HAFKINS explained that it varied business to business on how they chose to pay permitting fees or additional fees, but it can often affect musicians. She noted that holding four permitted events a year tends to be quite costly for her own business, as her business additionally rents stages and sound equipment as needed. 4:35:26 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS set an amendment deadline for HB 182. [HB 182 was held over.]