HB 181-STATE COMMISSION FOR CIVIL RIGHTS  1:58:53 PM CHAIR VANCE announced that the final order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 181, "An Act renaming the State Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to the definition of 'employer' for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; and relating to local civil rights commissions." CHAIR VANCE opened public testimony on HB 181. 1:59:40 PM CHERYL BOWIE, Representing Self, testified in support of HB 181. She requested that tribal organizations be included in the proposed legislation to start recognizing cultural diversity and respecting people's civil rights. She referenced an offensive blog article. She alluded to the use of Native corporations' political savvy and "ability to bend the law to gain access to our medical records without individual consent." 2:01:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER asked for clarification on the article she had referenced. MS. BOWIE cited a Must Read Alaska article, titled "Valerie Davidson says Native hospitals don't have to honor religious exemptions because aren't covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964" published on October 12, 2021. She argued that there was an obligation [for Native organizations] to act in tandem with state laws to protect Alaskans and Alaska Native peoples. REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD agreed with Ms. Bowie. She summarized the article and asked whether she was referring to the correct one. MS. BOWIE answered yes. She emphasized the need to review conflicting laws [of Native organizations] and the various interpretations of such laws. She stressed the need to research the impact of civil rights issues in Alaska and suggested that the bill was an avenue to do so. 2:05:35 PM KAREN BARNARD, Representing Self, opined that the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR) should be changed to the Alaska State Commission for Human and Civil Rights. She opined that the removal of "human" would lead to abuse against various groups of people. She opined that two seats on the board should be reserved for Alaska Natives; further, that only the legislature should be able to remove [a commissioner]. She discussed the removal of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation's executive director, asserting that it was unfair. She argued that the bill language on page 1, line 11, allowing the governor to remove a commissioner "for cause" was too ambiguous. 2:08:42 PM ZACKARY GOTTSHALL, Chair, Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR), testified in support for HB 181. He highlighted four major components of the bill. He shared his belief that changing the commission's name would ensure that Alaskans had a better understanding of the commission's role and discussed the need to close a loophole in statute as it related to nonprofit organizations. He reported that 2018 data alluded to over 5,700 nonprofits in Alaska that constituted 44,000 employees and generated approximately $3.9 billion of annual income. He explained that under current law, those 44,000 employees were unable to receive support from ASCHR due to jurisdictional limitations. 2:11:27 PM REPRESENTATIVE EASTMAN asked Mr. Gottshall to describe his experience with the commission. MR. GOTTSHALL said he was first elected as the commission's chairman in 2022, adding that he was recently reelected in January [2023]. 2:11:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether Mr. Gottshall was supportive of the portion of the bill pertaining to the governor's removal of a commissioner for freedom of speech violations. MR. GOTTSHALL indicated that forthcoming edits would address that portion of the legislation. REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether Mr. Gottshall was speaking on behalf of the entire commission. Additionally, she asked Mr. Gottshall to clarify whether he, the commissioners, or the executive director was making decisions for the commission. MR. GOTTSHALL stated that the commission had brought forth several resolutions, which were all unanimously voted upon. He said the executive director was often the voice of the commission. In regard to editing recommendations for the proposed legislation, he declined to speak on behalf of the commission until the topic was discussed in session. REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD asked whether the executive director was providing legal advice to ensure that the bill was accurate. MR. GOTTSHALL remarked: I would say, carefully, yes, there is an advantage of our executive director having that legal background, but we also understand that the AG also does provide us with input as well as it relates to the legalities and the proper terminology. So, we have benefit of both offices, I think, when it comes to the verbiage utilized in our resolution that we push forward to the legislative branch. REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD remarked, "I'd like for that to be put on record, that legal advice is being given when that is not allowed." CHAIR VANCE responded, "Vice Chair Allard, I don't believe that that was the statement that Mr. Gottschall had made." 2:14:54 PM JESSIE RUFFRIDGE, Commissioner, Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR), testified in support of HB 181. She noted that often, the commission was called for services that fall outside its jurisdiction, which she believed was due to a lack of clarity regarding ASCHR's name. She summarized the components of the bill, adding that she supported the overall intent and purpose of the proposed legislation. 2:16:37 PM MAE MARSH, Vice Chair, Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR), testified in support of HB 181. She outlined the four major components of the bill, which had been voted on by the commission and unanimously passed. 2:18:07 PM CHAIR VANCE closed public testimony on HB 181. She announced that the bill would be held over.