SB 137-EXTEND BOARDS: MIDWIVES, NURSING, PAROLE  1:34:55 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 137 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; extending the termination date of the Board of Nursing; extending the termination date of the Board of Parole; and providing for an effective date." 1:35:43 PM MATT CHURCHILL, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented a brief recap of SB 137, on behalf of the sponsor: [Original punctuation provided.] This Bill extends the sunset dates of three professional boards (Direct-Entry Midwifery, Nursing, and Parole) and follows the recommended six-year extension for each of the Boards of Midwifery and Nursing to June 30, 2031 and the recommended four-year extension of the Board of Parole to June 30, 2029. 1:37:13 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 137. 1:37:41 PM MICHAEL GARVEY, Policy Director, Alaska Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, testified with concerns on SB 137. He focused on Section 3, which would extend the Alaska Board of Parole until 2029. The audit report recommended renewal but highlighted the need for stronger legislative oversight due to an unexplained decline in parole approval rates. He said the ACLU disagrees with a statement by the board's chair that it is inaccurate to compare yearly overall discretionary parole approval rates since comparing aggregate data is a routine practice in criminal justice. He urges lawmakers to require the board to provide more detailed reporting on how statutory and regulatory criteria apply in its decisions. Greater transparency would allow the legislature to ensure fairness, consistency, and accountability in parole decisions. He said SB 137 would also help policymakers identify barriers to reentry, such as limited behavioral health treatment, and consider solutions. Since incarceration costs the state over $200 per day compared to $13 for probation, better data from the board would support more effective use of public funds while fulfilling the intent of renewing the parole board. 1:40:23 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 137. 1:40:34 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee. 1:40:36 PM SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 137, work order 34-LS0732\A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). 1:40:51 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SB 137 was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.