HB 28-ACCESS TO MARIJUANA CONVICTION RECORDS  1:39:41 PM CHAIR VANCE announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 28, "An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions; and providing for an effective date." 1:39:52 PM REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 28, Version 33-LS0271\S, Radford, 4/13/23, as the work draft. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN objected for the purpose of discussion. 1:40:19 PM JAKE ALMEIDA, Staff, Representative Sarah Vance, Alaska State Legislature, summarized the changes in the proposed CS for HB 28, ("Version S"), on behalf of Representative Vance. He stated that Version S added subsection (f)(5) to Section 3 on page 3, line 5; additionally, Version S deleted Section 5. CHAIR VANCE invited questions from members of the committee. 1:41:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY asked how the fee of $150 was established. CHAIR VANCE explained that after researching [the fees for] marijuana conviction records in other states, which range from $150-$500, she decided upon the "lowball figures" to compensate for financial hardship. She reasoned that paying a fee for the associated costs of sealing prior convictions would demonstrate the seriousness the individual. Further, she intended for the fiscal note to be greatly reduced due to the proposed user fee. 1:42:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Version S was adopted as the work draft. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE invited final comments from the bill sponsor. 1:42:56 PM REPRESENTATIVE STANLEY WRIGHT, Alaska State Legislature, prime sponsor of HB 28, thanked the committee for putting the bill through its paces and allowing it to move forward. He described the bill as good legislation. CHAIR VANCE invited final comments from members of the committee. 1:43:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN inquired about the effect of the language on page 3, line 21, of Version S. He questioned how to obtain [a criminal history record] that includes the information removed under (a) of this section. CHAIR VANCE sought to clarify the question. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN directed attention to page 3, lines 19- 22. He asked whether there was another way for people to obtain the [sealed] information, and whether that method would be made publicly available, per paragraphs (1) and (2). CHAIR VANCE remarked, "I believe on line 9 that we were very clear on what we told the court system to do as far as the publicly available information. The only other information removed in the CS was not required by law." REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN asked about the intent of page 3, line 21. CHAIR VANCE shared her belief that Ms. Meade had previously testified on how the court's website addressed this issue. REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN shared his understanding that Ms. Meade had stated that the information would not be available and therefore, would not be referenced on the court's website. 1:46:48 PM The committee took a brief at-ease. 1:49:28 PM CHAIR VANCE pointed out that this was time for closing remarks not further debate or questions. She invited Representative Eastman to finish his closing remarks. 1:49:56 PM REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN expressed concern that the language on page 3, lines 21-22, might send a person down a never-ending loop in search of information. Further, he highlighted page 3, line 16. He suggested that the language in question would require further attention as the bill advanced. 1:51:34 PM REPRESENTATIVE GROH applauded the work of the sponsor; however, he maintained his concern about the [user fee]. 1:52:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE C. JOHNSON moved to report CSHB 28, Version 33- LS0271\S, Radford, 4/13/23, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 28(JUD), was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee. He gave Legislative Legal Services permission to make all technical and conforming changes necessary.