SB 177-STATE AGENCY PUBLICATIONS  4:24:08 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 177 "An Act relating to the elimination or modification of state agency publications that are outdated, duplicative, or excessive." CHAIR KAWASAKI stated that the governor requested all bills submitted by him receive a hearing and the committee has complied. He noted that SB 177 was scheduled, but the governor chose not to send anyone to introduce it. He explained that SB 177 originated from House Bill 187, introduced by then Representative Kaufman and passed unanimously by both bodies in 2022. He referenced a letter from the Department of Law indicating no one was available to present the bill. He expressed support for Senator Kaufman's plan to reintroduce similar legislation to reduce government inefficiencies and costs and reiterated disappointment that no representative from the governor's office attended to introduce SB 177. 4:27:02 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the committee had received a fiscal note. 4:27:09 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI stated that no fiscal note has been received from the agencies, though publishing reports across 14 principal agencies and sub-agencies is costly. While the exact fiscal impact is unclear, eliminating outdated or duplicative publications under SB 177 is expected to save money. He said the legislature may request the Governor's Office and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide an estimate. 4:28:33 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI noted that Sections 8 and 9 of SB 177 [AS 37.14.720 and AS 38.05.180(b)] repeal about 42 laws and expressed interest in what those are. He explained SB 177 was submitted to meet a mandate requiring agencies to identify outdated, duplicative, or excessive publications, which likely account for the repealed sections. 4:29:34 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI stated that with no one available to present SB 177, it is speculative to determine whether the repealed sections are duplicative. Without input from commissioners or agencies involved, it is unclear how to assess them. 4:30:14 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there was anyone online from the Governor's office to answer questions. CHAIR KAWASAKI replied there was no one from the Governor's office online for SB 177. 4:30:43 PM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the meeting was properly noticed and if the Governor's office was aware the meeting was occurring. 4:30:53 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI answered yes, SB 177 was properly noticed. He said the Department of Law sent a written response Tuesday morning, and it is available online under Senate Bill 177. 4:31:41 PM CHAIR KAWASAKI held SB 177 in committee.