HB 216-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE STATE  CHAIR DYSON announced the consideration of HB 216. [CSHB 216(STA) was before the committee.] 8:03:37 AM SENATOR COGHILL moved Amendment 1. CHAIR DYSON objected for discussion purposes. SENATOR COGHILL explained that the amendment places the bill under a different statute and terms the languages listed in the bill as "ceremonial" as opposed to "official." 8:06:08 AM REPRESENTATIVE JONATHON KREISS-TOMKINS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of HB 216, reviewed Senator Coghill's amendment and asked if the intent is to move the language from Chapter 44.12 to Chapter 44.09. SENATOR COGHILL answered yes; the amendment would create a new Sec. 44.09.150. CHAIR DYSON offered to set the bill aside to give the sponsor an opportunity to review the amendment. REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS explained that the bill amends Chapter 44.12 because that chapter addresses official language. He said he appreciates the intent of creating a new section in Chapter 44.09, but has a slight hesitation. He advised that the balance he hopes to strike is to impose no obligation or burden on government, but not make it appear that these languages are in a display case and ceremonial. SENATOR COGHILL said his intention is to honor the languages while recognizing that Alaska trades in English. 8:11:07 AM At ease. 8:12:24 AM CHAIR DYSON reconvened the meeting and recessed to a call of the chair. HB 216-OFFICIAL LANGUAGES OF THE STATE  CHAIR DYSON returned attention to HB 216. [Amendment 1 was under consideration.] 11:26:10 AM SENATOR COGHILL restated that the intent of Amendment 1 is to place the bill in Chapter 44.09 that houses the state seal, flag, and emblems. He noted that he and the sponsor were working on a compromise. 11:28:18 AM REPRESENTATIVE JONATHON KREISS-TOMKINS, sponsor of HB 216, said he wants to ensure that the language is still true to the spirit of the bill while acknowledging Senator Coghill's concern. It is very clear in statute that English is the official language of government and commerce in Alaska. The bill was never intended to touch that; its purpose is to bring these Native languages in on an equal plane, because they are just as Alaskan as English. He said he didn't object to moving the bill to Chapter 44.09 as long as the wording in the bill still gives these Native languages official status. He expressed hesitation about using the term "ceremonial." CHAIR DYSON disagreed with using the term "ceremonial" and suggested using the term "recognized;" it is neither official nor ceremonial. 11:31:37 AM SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he appreciates the effort to find a compromise, but his perspective is that the bill does not impact the voter passed initiative that enacted AS 44.12.320. It reads as follows: SCOPE The English language is the language to be used by all public agencies in all government functions and actions. The English language shall be used in the preparation of all official public documents and records, including all documents officially compiled, published or recorded by the government. He noted that Senator Coghill provided a Legislative Legal memorandum that in part says: In my opinion, HB 216 would not create an additional duty of government to provide documents in another language. I do not believe that HB 216 would require printing ballots and voting materials in the official languages. It is my opinion that HB 216 would not place any additional burdens on schools. It is my opinion that HB 216 would not require schools to teach a second language in the public school system. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he understands Senator Coghill's concern, but he believes the problems have been addressed and the bill doesn't need change. SENATOR GIESSEL noted that Sec. 44.12.310 says that the English language is the official language of the State of Alaska. SENATOR COGHILL agreed, adding that the bill would change that so that English and the listed Native languages would be the official languages of the state. He thought that would be confusing, based on the findings and scope. He worried that this could cause problems. 11:36:00 AM REPRESENTATIVE KREISS-TOMKINS questioned whether moving the text of the bill to Chapter 44.09 would be a fair compromise. SENATOR COGHILL agreed with the suggestion. CHAIR DYSON suggested the committee move the bill and amend it on the floor. SENATOR COGHILL offered to withdraw the amendment and work with the sponsor on a floor amendment. 11:38:30 AM SENATOR COGHILL withdrew Amendment 1. SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report CS for HB 216(STA), labeled 28- LS0905\Y, from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note(s). CHAIR DYSON found no objection and announced that CSHB 216(STA) is reported from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.