SB 117-STATE COMMISSION FOR CIVIL RIGHTS  2:14:36 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 117 "An Act renaming the State Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to the definition of 'employer' for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; and relating to local civil rights commissions." 2:15:11 PM SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, District P, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, as sponsor of SB 117 he stated that the bill does more than rename the Human Rights Commission to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights to align with other civil rights organizations. It also includes several substantive updates to the commission's operations and authority. First, it clarifies that the commission may support workers, hold hearings, and investigate complaints involving nonprofit organizations. Second, it allows a religious organization to permit a defense in discrimination cases when employment actions are tied to religious beliefs or practices. Third, it updates the commission's annual reporting requirement to allow submission in electronic form and extends the deadline to November 15, giving staff more time to compile accurate records after the legislative session. Finally, the bill modifies the rules for removing commissioners appointed by the governor, permitting removal only for causesuch as incompetence, neglect of duty, misconduct, or statements that undermine the commission's workrather than at will. Overall, the changes are technical in nature and were requested by the commission to improve its clarity, consistency, and governance. 2:17:08 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 117. 2:17:37 PM REBECCA CARRILLO, member, Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR), Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 117. She explained that the bill updates the commission's reporting deadline because the current schedule is impractical. ASCHR cannot access its data until January 1, and preparing the report takes several weeks, so moving the deadline to November 15 aligns with the fiscal year and allows sufficient time for review. She also noted that changing the name from the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights to the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights modernizes the language and clarifies its focus on state-level civil rights issues, reducing confusion with broader human rights matters. 2:22:14 PM WILLIAM CRAIG, Commissioner, Alaska Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Sitka, Alaska, testified in support of SB 117 and asked the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee to pass the bill without any amendments. He said the name change aligns with what the state legislature has mandated for AHRC. 2:22:48 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 117. 2:23:09 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee. 2:23:12 PM SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 117, work order 34-LS0698\A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 2:23:30 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SB 117 was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.