SB 120-CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION  3:38:19 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 120 "An Act establishing the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission; and relating to the powers and duties of the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission." This is the third hearing of SB 120, [CSSB version N was adopted at the previous meeting.] 3:39:33 PM DEIRDRE GOINS, Staff, Senator Gray-Jackson, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a brief recap of SB 120 and stated that Alaska is already experiencing serious climate change impacts. SB 120 would establish a commission to coordinate the state's response, secure federal resources, and ensure communities, especially the most vulnerable, have a voice in planning for the future. 3:40:49 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 120. 3:41:09 PM JULIA INGA, representing self, Palmer, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120 and argued that SB 120 is unnecessary, calling it an overreaching bureaucracy that would waste money, burden communities with rules, and threaten vital industries like oil, gas, and fishing. She stressed that Alaskans should adapt to nature locally, invest in practical needs like infrastructure and healthcare, and resist outside climate mandates or agendas. 3:44:32 PM ALISA COX, representing self, Delta Junction, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120, and viewing it as a "money grab" and fear-mongering tactic rather than a genuine climate solution. She argued that Alaskans know how to adapt to natural weather cycles, that local forests already capture carbon effectively, and that outside interventions only waste money on unnecessary programs. She emphasized that the state's real needs are practical infrastructure improvements, not regulatory control over residents or expensive climate initiatives. 3:48:04 PM MELISSA SWOPE, representing self, Homer, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120 and creating the Alaska Climate Change Emergency Response Commission. She said the commission is costly, intrusive, and unaccountable. She argued it would drain millions from the treasury, add unnecessary bureaucracy, and empower outside lobbyists and NGOs to impose harmful regulations on Alaska's core industries. She urged investing in infrastructure that directly benefits Alaskans and focusing on practical, locally driven solutions that honor the state's history and values. 3:50:52 PM ED MARSHALL, representing self, Soldotna, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120, criticizing the Alaska legislature for overreach, corruption, and poor priorities. He said the legislature has cited unchecked union funding, renewable energy mandates, red flag laws, and other controversial actions. He accused lawmakers of arrogance, ignoring voter decisions, and mismanaging issues like climate policy, while expressing frustration and urging voters to hold legislators accountable in the next election. 3:53:33 PM WAYNE WOODS, representing self, Palmer, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120 arguing that the commission's powers are overly broad and primarily benefit the green energy and climate- change industry at Alaska's expense. He warned it could harm the state's economy and allow undue influence from international nonprofits, calling for lawmakers in Juneau to focus. 3:56:42 PM KEN GRIFFIN, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120 and calling it an overreach that strips citizen sovereignty, wastes money on unnecessary commissions, and fails to address real economic challenges. He warned it will worsen Alaska's affordability crisis, drive residents away, and accuse lawmakers of mismanaging priorities while failing to protect the people's rights. 3:59:25 PM KEN HUCKEBA, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120 arguing that the bill empowers Non- Government Organizations (NGOs) and special interests at the expense of individual sovereignty and Alaska's representative government. He criticized additional commissions, mandates, and regulations as burdensome, economically harmful, and unsupported by measurable outcomes, calling the legislation an offense to common sense. 4:02:07 PM MIKE COONS, representing self, Wasilla, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120 criticizing the bill as an unnecessary and costly commission driven by "climate change hysteria" and compares it to policies in states he views as overly socialist. He argued climate predictions have been exaggerated; Alaska's budget is already in deficit. He said the legislature should focus on constitutional responsibilities like balancing the budget and protecting the Permanent Fund Dividend rather than creating more bureaucracy. 4:05:49 PM CASSIE ANDREWS, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 120 and argued that the commission is less about protecting the environment and more about giving NGOs and climate activists a taxpayer-funded platform. She stressed Alaska's emissions are negligible globally, yet the state is unfairly targeted. Even with local members, the commission would be influenced by outside money and mandates. She asked instead for practical, common-sense adaptation rather than climate alarmism. [CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony on SB 120.] 4:07:17 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee. 4:07:25 PM At ease. 4:07:33 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting. 4:07:38 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to report CSSB 120, work order 34- LS0073\N, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 4:07:53 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and CSSB 120(STA) was reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.