SB 126-CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; PLACEMENT  3:34:41 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 176 "An Act approving and ratifying the sale of royalty oil by the State of Alaska to Marathon Petroleum Supply and Trading Company LLC; and providing for an effective date." 3:34:52 PM SENATOR ROBERT YUNDT, District N, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 126 paraphrased the following summary: [Original punctuation provided.] SB 126 would add a section to the powers given to the Commissioner, to give them the ability to look at out of state options for housing inmates who have 7 or more years remaining on their sentence, should the cost of doing this be cheaper than keeping them in state. By sending some prisoners out of state, this would help the State reduce the cost of housing some prisoners. There would also be a requirement that these inmates be kept separate from other prisoners, to keep them from possibly mixing with more hardened criminals being housed in the same location. I urge your support for SB 126 SENATOR YUNDT stated that typically the legislators enjoy the legislation they are presenting, in this case this legislation is not exciting; it as a sensitive and delicate matter. 3:36:21 PM RYAN MCKEE, Staff, Senator Rob Yundt, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the sectional analysis for SB 126 and read the following: [Original punctuation provided.] Section 1 AS.33.30.061 adds new subsections to section 1. Section (e) would grant the Commissioner the ability to investigate cost reductions by either consolidating existing facilities or designating placement of a prisoner at an out-of-state facility. Section (f) clarifies that any prisoner that is sent out of state shall be housed exclusively apart from prisoners who are not residents of the state. Section (g) requires the state to estimate the cost savings annually, resulting from actions taken under section (e) of this section. It also allows the legislature to appropriate an amount equal to the annual cost savings estimate for education purposes. 3:37:32 PM SENATOR BJORKMAN asked, in consideration of SB 126, which correctional facilities the sponsor would close. 3:37:51 PM SENATOR YUNDT replied that it's not his decision and he trusts the Department of Corrections to make the right choice. 3:38:19 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI agreed with the answer and noted that, since legislators represent different districts, decisions about closing or consolidating facilities are complex and often politically sensitive. He suggested an independent, less political process, like past Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commissions, to evaluate closures, while acknowledging cost concerns and the need for careful justification. He asked how many inmates are currently at the seven-year mark, and why seven years was chosen as the threshold instead of another timeframe. 3:40:40 PM SENATOR YUNDT replied that there were 792 inmates at the time of data collection, though the current number may differ. He suggested bringing inmates back when they have two years or less remaining to support reentry and training, while balancing fiscal responsibility and compassion. The two-year mark was seen as a practical midpoint for budgeting and consolidation, though capacity limits make consolidation difficult. He emphasized that decisions about facility closures rest with designated officials rather than legislators. 3:42:16 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI announced Senator Wielechowski joined the meeting. 3:42:28 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SB 126. 3:42:52 PM MICHAEL GARVEY, Policy Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in opposition to SB 126. He acknowledged that the bill does not mandate sending inmates out of state but expressed concern that it introduces the idea without exploring other cost-saving options. He argued that out- of-state incarceration risks violating prisoners' constitutional rights, harms families and communities, creates logistical and oversight challenges, and may increase gang involvement. He suggested reducing costs instead by better using medical and geriatric parole, noting that high healthcare expenses drive much of the corrections budget. 3:45:46 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI noted that in SB 126, Section 1 outlines only two cost-reduction methods and invited suggestions for additional options to include in statute. 3:46:36 PM ADAM BARGER, representing self, Casa Grande, Arizona, testified in opposition to SB 126. He told the committee his experience as an incarcerated person. He argued that sending prisoners out of state harms families, weakens rehabilitation, and worsens outcomes. He claimed it leads to poorer conditions, increased gang influence, higher long-term recidivism, and unresolved behavioral issues that ultimately pose greater risks to Alaska communities, while not significantly reducing medical costs. 3:51:03 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI commented that part of SB 126 addresses housing of prisoners and that the prisoners will be separated from the prisoners that aren't from Alaska. MR. BARGAR noted that the understanding in SB 126 matched the situation when he was sent to a prison in Arizona; the facility had to fill its beds, so it didn't matter if prisoners from two different states were housed next to each other. 3:51:47 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI asked whether Mr. Bargar went to Goose Creek facility when he returned to Alaska. BARGAR replied in the affirmative. 3:52:17 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony on SB 126. CHAIR KAWASAKI explained that Goose Creek was built with the goal of bringing prisoners back to Alaska to reduce costs, support families, and lower recidivism. He said he is unsure those outcomes were achieved and suggests reviewing past promises and results. 3:53:55 PM SENATOR YUNDT stated his support of HB 35, expanding electronic devices in prisons to improve rehabilitation, enable approved video contact with family, and increase access to telehealth, which could help reduce healthcare costs. He noted that in- person visitation rates are currently low, making these tools especially important. He emphasized that any policy moving forward should be handled with compassion and firmly opposed to sending Alaska inmates out of state if they will be intermingled with prisoners not from Alaska. 3:55:40 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 126 in committee.