SJR 15-RECOGNIZING ALASKA/CANADA RELATIONSHIP  5:21:41 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would be SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15, Recognizing and honoring the relationship between Canada and the state; and recognizing the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. CO-CHAIR FIELDS asked whether the sponsor has any additional comments regarding the resolution. 5:21:59 PM SENATOR TOM BEGICH, Alaska State Legislature, replied no. 5:22:04 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for SJR 15, labeled 32-LS0855\B, Nauman, 2/21/22, as the working document. There being no objection, Version B was before the committee. 5:22:23 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on SJR 15. 5:23:09 PM HEATHER EVOY, Indigenous Engagement Lead, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC), expressed concern that the resolution does not address transboundary mining and water issues. She spoke from written testimony, which read as follows (original punctuation provided): SEACC is the regional conservation organization for Southeast Alaska and has worked diligently to protect the communities, wildlife, habitat, and lifestyle of Southeast Alaska for over 50 years. We are a membership supported and driven organization based in Juneau with supporters throughout the region and throughout Alaska. We would like to express some concerns about SJR 15, and about the relationship between Alaska and Canada. It is our view that SJR 15 paints an entirely rosy view of our relationship with Canada, and that this view does not reflect the experience of Southeast Alaska residents and communities, particularly as it relates to the shared transboundary waters of the Taku, Stikine, and Unuk rivers. We have watched with growing dismay as Canada and province of British Columbia have supported a headlong rush to exploit the mineralized headwaters of our shared rivers with little regard for the long-term impact on downstream Alaska communities, fishing industry, and Tribes. The huge number of mines and tailings dams projected for these waters should give pause to any Alaska legislator. The impacts of even a single failure event could be devastating. This blanket resolution does not reflect the very real problems we have with our upstream neighbors, nor does it reflect their unwillingness to deal with the concerns of Tribes and communities. We urgently need a bilateral, an international approach to management of shared waterways. Please consider including language in this resolution that addresses Southeast Alaskan's concerns about our shared waterways. MS. EVOY, as an indigenous Alaskan, noted that legislators are also considering a tribal recognition bill. She suggested that if the state were to formally recognize Southeast Alaskan tribes, this bilateral working group should be a trilateral working group between the State of Alaska, British Columbia, and Southeast Alaskan tribes. 5:25:53 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS closed public testimony after ascertaining no one else wished to testify. CO-CHAIR FIELDS invited the sponsor to discuss the concept of addressing transboundary mining issues in SJR 15 and whether it should be considered by the committee. 5:26:14 PM SENATOR BEGICH stated that the resolution doesn't speak to specific things, it speaks to the longstanding relationship between Canada and the United States. He directed attention to page 2, lines 7-10, which state, "WHEREAS the United States is Canada's premier partner in the Arctic, and cooperation between Canada and the state is longstanding, including on economic opportunities, health, education, energy security, environmental protection, infrastructure, and public safety issues". He then drew attention to page 2, lines 11-13, which state, "WHEREAS Canada and the state strive to advance the goal of sustaining healthy and resilient Arctic and northern peoples and communities, by strengthening indigenous, economic, cultural, and family connections across the region". He said these two paragraphs point to the ability to have dialogue, but no specific issue is mentioned because this resolution speaks to the relationship that allows all those various discussions to go forward in the form of where each of those forums come together. He concurred with the testifier that there is always a need to particularly ensure protection of the state's fishing and indigenous lifestyles. Those discussions are ongoing with Canada, he stated, they haven't always been successful, and this resolution is designed to continue to enhance the relationship so those discussions can continue. 5:28:03 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS shared that he is concerned about transboundary mine operations on Southeast Alaska fisheries. He said he is comfortable with the resolution's text as is because as soon as [the transboundary mining] level of detail is added, it would then seem inconsistent not to add all the other issues. SENATOR BEGICH noted that the tribal recognition legislation, which he supports, is a resolution that came from the House to the Senate, and he is hoping it will get a full hearing before the Senate and be returned to the House for passage. He said that is a more appropriate area to deal with the recognition issue, which is important for dignity and respect for all Alaska Native people. CO-CHAIR FIELDS added that he is open to working on the issue of transboundary mines with Ms. Evoy and other Southeast Alaskans. CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ remarked that no neighbors are without some disagreements and the intention is to resolve them. However, she said, this resolution is to solidify and strengthen Alaska's relationship with Canada and she appreciates the sponsor's work on this. Moving SJR 15 from committee doesn't signal a lack of interest in addressing any of these issues, she stated, but rather to stay up at a higher level on this resolution. 5:30:14 PM CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ moved to report SJR 15, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS SJR 15 was moved out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.