SB 62-BOARD OF PAROLE: MEMBERSHIP, REPORT  3:53:34 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 62 "An Act relating to the board of parole; and providing for an effective date." 3:53:56 PM SENATOR LOKI TOBIN, District I, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 62, provided a brief recap and stated that the bill proposes reforms to Alaska's Board of Parole. SB 62 expands the number of board seats and reserves positions for individuals with specific expertise, including a tribal representative, a licensed physician, psychiatrist or psychologist, someone with drug and alcohol rehabilitation support experience, and a victim of a crime or part of a victim advocacy group. SB 62 also introduces 10-year term limits for board members, along with new reporting requirements to improve accountability and transparency. SB 62 emphasizes that parole offers incarcerated individuals hope and incentive to engage in treatment and rehabilitation. She said that with Alaska spending about $73,000 annually, about $202 a day per prisoner, successful reintegration through parole and supportive services benefits both individuals and communities, making the system more effective and cost-efficient. 3:56:25 PM SENATOR YUNDT asked how many seats the board currently holds and how many it would hold if SB 62 passed. 3:56:35 PM SENATOR TOBIN responded that the current number of seats is five and SB 62 would expand the board to seven seats. 3:56:55 PM SENATOR YUNDT asked how the current five seats are selected. 3:57:06 PM LOUIE FLORA, Staff, Senator Loki Tobin, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, answered a question regarding SB 62 and stated that current statute requires geographical representation by judicial districts and general knowledge of the criminal justice system for Board of Parole members. The new proposal adds more specific criteria and limits how many former corrections officers may serve on the board simultaneously. 3:57:58 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 62. 3:58:17 PM CHRISTINA FHADURA, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 62 and stated that this bill would improve access to parole and incentivize rehabilitation and education for incarcerated individuals. She said adding board seats allows for more diverse perspectives enhancing the board's cultural responsiveness and ability to address underlying issues. SB 62 is not intended to dismantle the board but to share its workload and ensure more informed, balanced decisions about reintegration into communities. 4:00:08 PM NICOLE ZEGIESTOWSKY, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 62 to expand and diversify the Alaska Board of Parole. She noted that about 80 percent of incarcerated Alaskans experience substance use disorders and argued that adding a board member with expertise in treatment or recovery would help the board make more informed decisions. She said this change could increase successful reentry into communities, reduce incarceration rates, and ensure rehabilitation opportunities are meaningful. She emphasized that reintegration is essential for true recovery and endorsed updating the board's composition to better reflect the population it serves. [CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony on SB 62.] 4:02:11 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee. 4:02:12 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to report SB 62, work order 34- LS0227\N, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 4:02:52 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and SSSB 62 was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.