ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE  May 6, 2025 8:06 a.m. DRAFT MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Rebecca Himschoot, Co-Chair Representative Donna Mears, Co-Chair Representative Carolyn Hall Representative Ky Holland Representative Mike Prax MEMBERS ABSENT  Representative Justin Ruffridge COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE BILL NO. 207 "An Act relating to a matching grant program for fire station construction and renovation; and providing for an effective date." - HEARD & HELD PRESENTATION(S): RURAL CAP: 60 YEARS OF ALASKA DEVELOPMENT AND A FUTURE VIEW - HEARD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HB 207 SHORT TITLE: FIRE STATION GRANT PROGRAM SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) SCHRAGE BY REQUEST 04/25/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/25/25 (H) CRA, FIN 05/06/25 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 WITNESS REGISTER ACTION NARRATIVE 8:06:04 AM CHAIR REBECCA HIMSCHOOT called the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:06 a.m. Representatives Hall, Holland, Himschoot, and Mears were present at the call to order. Representative Prax arrived as the meeting was in progress. HB 207-FIRE STATION GRANT PROGRAM  8:07:15 AM CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 207, "An Act relating to a matching grant program for fire station construction and renovation; and providing for an effective date." 8:07:37 AM }REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE* Alaska State Representative* Juneau, Alaska* As prime sponsor, presented HB 207.{ as prime sponsor, presented HB 207. He paraphrased the sponsor statement [included in the committee packet], which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: House Bill 207 establishes the Fire Station Grant Program, promoting a robust partnership between local communities and the state to strengthen safety and security. This matching grant program provides funding for up to 50 percent of the total project cost for constructing or renovating fire stations, supporting communities in enhancing their emergency response infrastructure. Alaska faces unique challenges in emergency response, making it crucial for our fire stations to be well equipped and properly maintained. Many fire stations across the state are in desperate need of replacement due to their age and deteriorating condition. Replacing these facilities is essential to strengthening their operational capabilities, improving emergency response times, and ensuring that Alaskans continue receiving the highest standard of emergency fire services. Addressing these needs involves constructing new facilities, replacing outdated stations with new buildings when more economical than renovation, and upgrading infrastructure to meet current safety standards. It has been over a decade since the Legislature last dedicated substantial funding to support communities statewide for the construction, replacement, or major renovations of local fire stations. During that period, state assistance facilitated the development of approximately a dozen fire stations across Alaska, marking one of the most well-received capital programs in recent history. However, the need for such investments has only grown. Recognizing this critical need, the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association has identified nearly two dozen projects for the Legislature's consideration, underscoring the pressing need for this program. The Fire Station Grant Program seeks to invest in the safety of all regions of Alaska, while also ensuring support at the local level for these projects. Investing in these projects is not merely a matter of infrastructure it's a matter of public safety and preparedness for challenges of tomorrow. 8:10:39 AM CO-CHAIR MEARS asked whether the sponsor envisioned... REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said yes, it would allow for long-range planning 8:11:33 AM }AMANDA DNEMO, Staff* Representative Calvin Schrage* Alaska State Legislature* Juneau, Alaska* Presented the sectional analysis for HB 207 on behalf of Representative Schrage, prime sponsor.{ 8:12:52 AM MS. DNEMO gave a PowerPoint presentation on HB 207 [hard copy included in the committee packet]. She gave an introduction, outlined the purpose of HB 207, and summarized the bill's key provisions. 8:14:58 AM }FORREST KUIPER, President& Alaska Fire Chiefs Association* Fairbanks, Alaska* Gave invited testimony during the hearing on HB 207.{ made key points in support of HB 207. REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE highlighted that ad-hoc funding requests have been received over the years. The bill would allow for a more open and transparent process. He offered to share examples of the conditions of fire houses across the state, highlighting significant need. CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT opened public testimony? 8:19:46 AM }CAROLE TRIEM, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager* Alaska Municipal League* Juneau, Alaska* Gave invited testimony during the hearing on HB 207.{ CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT closed public testimony? 8:21:13 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the program is separate or whether REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said he hopes that it would facilitate more communication REPRESENTATIVE PRAX observed that local efforts have not been coordinated REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE acknowledge that different needs should be considered, balanced, and prioritized. 8:26:38 AM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked about the current status of funding for fire stations REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said there has been a diminishment of state support for fire stations 8:28:22 AM MR. KUIPER said they've exhausted all efforts to find funding, but capacity is limited for federal grants through the * ... There are also federal brick grants and others, but departments have been unsuccessful. REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND shared his understanding that fire stations are fairly integrated facilities and expressed concern about whether "fire station grants" puts too narrow a boundary on this REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE shared his belief that 8:32:01 AM REPRESENTATIVE HALL asked whether the 50 percent match is a traditional percentage; additionally she asked whether funding sources could be braided REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE shared his belief that yes, funding could be braided REPRESENTATIVE HALL restated her question, asking whether 50 percent match is traditional REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE offered to follow up 8:33:41 AM CO-CHAIR MEARS asked whether MR. KUIPER yes, the list is the comprehensive list that's dynamic and constantly updated. It was first compiled last year but with new construction estimates its updates as they arise CO-CHAIR MEARS asked whether there is a need to cast the net wider to capture the needs of smaller communities MR. KUIPER said the list is a preliminary one to identify need 8:36:45 AM CO-CHAIR MEARS asked in identifying community needs for fire stations and facilities, whether this work is being done }SANDRA MOLLER* Director, Division of Community & Regional Affairs, Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development* City & State* { CO-CHAIR MEARS MS. MOLLER said if the program were enacted, 8:39:01 AM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked whether this work is currently catalogued MS. MOLLER said yes, there is a community database online that's fiarly robust; however at present, it does not track this work, but it could be added. MS. KUIPER said if the program were enacted, they would work with DPS and Ms. Moller to update the database 8:41:33 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether DCCED has a capital improvements list from municipal governments MS. MOLLER answered no. 8:44:05 AM CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT likened the funding to the chicken or the egg and asked how the funding would be dispersed REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said as currently proposed, regulation would determine the disbursement of funding. CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked whether it would be similar to the harbor grant program REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE did not know the answer CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT said she would like some parity between urban and rural REPRESENTATIVE PRAX said another bill would establish mental health crisis services. He asked whether insurance companies had been talked to or whether CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT said when another state approves a capital project, they put aside 3 percent and asked whether that would feel like overreach REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE said he would want more information on the structure of that 3 percent CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT 8:49:33 AM [HB 207 was held over.] 8:49:57 AM at-ease ^PRESENTATION(S): RurAL CAP: 60 Years of Alaska Development and a Future View PRESENTATION(S): RurAL CAP: 60 Years of Alaska Development and  a Future View    8:52:34 AM CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT announced that the next order of business would be the RurAL CAP: 60 Years of Alaska Development and a Future View presentation. 8:53:09 AM }JASMINE BOYLE, Chief Development Officer* RurAL Alaska Community Action Program, Inc.* City & State* Gave a the RurAL CAP: 60 Years of Alaska Development and a Future View presentation.{ directed attention to a PowerPoint presentatrion, titled "RurAL CAP: 60 Years of Alaska Development and a Future View" [hard copy included in the committee packet]. She began on slide 2 and share the organization's mission. She discussed the national network on slide 3. 8:55:44 AM MS. BOYLE outlined RurAL CAP's social enterprise model on slide 4. She said it's the entities 50th year of weatherization, and have weatherized over 40,000 homes. They also help adapt elderly people's homes. They launched a for profit subsidiary and the only import of Toyo stoves. They have 230 affordable housing units. He said the goal is to run programs until local communities or leadership are ready to take that over. She shared the example of Hooper Bay's domestic survivor propgram. 9:01:57 AM CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked about the indigenous survival international program in 1984. MS. BOYLE said although its not a recognized Tribal program, many of its workers are indigenous people CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked whether it operates off federal funds MS. BOYLE answered no, about 64 percent federally funded; 15 percent with state funds; and then they receive a stipend from their subsidiary 9:06:11 AM MS. BOYLE continue to slide 5, "Our Model: local Capacity," which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: •Investing in community partners: •Alaska Legal Services •Community Enterprise Development Corporation (CEDC) •Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) •Citizens Participation Committee •Alaska Native Commission on Alcoholism •Alaska Regional Energy Association •Alaska Village Alcohol Information League •Rural Energy Enterprises MS. BOYLE said a community needs assessment is conducted every two years by federal requirement. She reported an uptick in responses. 9:08:35 AM MS. BOYLE described a map of statewide service providers in Alaska on slide 6. Slide 7 listed statewide impacts in 2024. Slide 8 showed the intersection of rural housing, community development, and family services. She shared the board's 5-year strategic plan on slide 9, which focuses on housing in rural Alaska, local leadership capacity building, and workforce development. 9:15:17 AM MS. BOYLE discussed the housing service continuum on slide 10, which read as follows [original punctuation provided]: Housing Service Continuum •Statewide Planning & Partnership •Statewide planning and housing advocacy •Community and tribal grant assistance •Planning, infrastructure and community development support •Climate mitigation and crisis planning •Home Improvement •Weatherization •Senior & Disability Accessibility Improvements •Mobile Home Repairs •Housing Preservation •Home Ownership & Construction •Loan Packaging & Credit Counseling •Mutual Self-Help Housing •CBDO Certified •Pilot and Innovation Project Partnership •Supportive Housing & Shelter Services 9:16:01 AM MS. BOYLE discussed infrastructure partnerships on slide 11 9:17:09 AM MS. BOYLE put a regional spotlight on Kenai on slide 12; a regional spotlight on Kenai on slide 13; She concluded on slide 14 with a look to the future. She expressed strong interest in partnering with the state and private partners to 9:23:55 AM }TIEL SMITH, Chief Executive Officer* RurAL Alaska Community Action Program, Inc.* City & State* Answered questions during the { 9:25:11 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the board of directors is composed of different partner organizations MS. BOYLE said federagl government requires a tri-partied board to represent communities across the state, government officials, and the private sector; Alaska Legal Services always has representation on the board as well REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked for elaboration on the private sector CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT asked about the meaning of tri-partied MS. BOYLE said currently, the private sector has evolved and tends to be more flexible. No seats reserved for regional corporations. She shared several examples. She spoke to regional representation. 9:30:19 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether any representation from DOH or DCRA MS. BOYLE said the governor has an appointed seat on the board, currently being represented by kim koval. In addition, she said there is a demonstrated ability to work with the state during the pandemic and helped the state distribute almost $10 million in grants 9:33:58 AM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND asked about housing and asked which projects might make a difference in the future in terms of the housing crisis. MS. BOYLE applauded rural housing leadership and said local materials come up a lot in discussion. She said understanding the importance of understanding how to respond to the current administration. She shared examples a 9:39:17 AM at-ease 9:40:34 AM MS. BOYLE continued her discussion. 9:43:51 AM REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND commented and asked how entrepreneurship is viewed as a tool to help local communities MS. BOYLE said economic opportunity is a solution to changing times. She suggested privatizing traditional government services and the idea of harnessing that for everyday people in the state. She discussed access to opportunity 9:47:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the strategic plan is available online MS. BOYLE it should be but offered to follow up REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked how goals and results are measured MS. BOYLE said its dependent 9:49:03 AM CO-CHAIR HIMSCHOOT thanked the presenters 9:50:02 AM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the * meeting was adjourned at *.