HB 97-SELF-STORAGE UNITS: LIENS; SALES  1:25:01 PM CHAIR VANCE announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 97, "An Act relating to self-storage facilities for personal property, including vehicles and watercraft; distinguishing self-storage facility liens from another type of storage lien; and excluding self-storage liens from the treatment of certain unclaimed property." [Before the committee was CSHB 97(L&C).] 1:25:24 PM REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD moved to adopt Amendment 2 to CSHB 97(L&C), labeled 33-LS0392\S.5, Dunmire, 7/25/23, which read: Page 5, line 2, following "Revenue.": Insert "The remaining balance from the sale may exceed the limit in AS 34.35.660." REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER objected for the purpose of discussion. 1:25:57 PM REPRESENTATIVE MIKE PRAX, Alaska State Legislature, prime sponsor of CSHB 97(L&C) said Amendment 2 would clarify that regardless of the limits on the value of the stored property, any proceeds exceeding that limit would be turned over to the Department of Revenue (DOR) after three years. If the money is not collected after three years, the money would be deposited into the state's unclaimed property fund. 1:29:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER removed his objection. Without further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted. 1:29:25 PM REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 3 to CSHB 97(L&C). REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER objected for the purpose of discussion. 1:29:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD explained that Conceptual Amendment 3 would replace the word "or" with "and" on page 3, line 6 of the bill, a section that would require units to send the initial notifications of default. She opined that while email allows for instant communication, it is unreliable. Conversely, postal mail would reach the recipients' mailboxes and ensure a higher notice delivery. Combining both methods would reach a broader audience and increase the chances of the notice being received. REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER removed his objection. 1:32:26 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said he did not support the proposed amendment. He shared his reservations and emphasized that the onus should be placed on the renter who broke the contract, not the facility owner. He opined that email would suffice. REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER objected and subsequently removed his objection. REPRESENTATIVE GROH objected. 1:34:41 PM The committee took an at-ease from 1:34 p.m. to 1:36 p.m. 1:36:02 PM REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 3, which would read, "both electronic mail and certified mail." REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER objected. 1:36:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRAY commented that "and" would "cover [the legislature's] bases. 1:37:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE SUMNER explained that he had objected to the proposed amendment because certified mail is less timely than first class mail. He opined that Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 3 would increase the cost while reducing the likelihood of the person actually receiving the notice. REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD, in wrap up, shared her belief that Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 3 was the safer approach. 1:39:20 PM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gray, Groh, Allard, and Vance voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 3. Representatives Carpenter and Sumner voted against it. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 1 to Conceptual Amendment 3 passed by a vote of 4-2. 1:40:20 PM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Allard, Carpenter, Gray, Groh, and Vance voted in favor of Conceptual Amendment 3, as amended. Representative Sumner voted against it. Therefore, Conceptual Amendment 3, as amended, passed by a vote of 5-1. CHAIR VANCE sought final comment from the bill sponsor. 1:41:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked the committee to move the bill forward. 1:41:28 PM REPRESENTATIVE ALLARD moved to report CSHB 97(L&C), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 97(JUD), was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.