ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE RULES STANDING COMMITTEE  May 13, 2024 12:02 p.m. DRAFT MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Craig Johnson, Chair Representative Cathy Tilton, Vice Chair Representative Jamie Allard Representative Jesse Sumner Representative Laddie Shaw Representative Zack Fields Representative Calvin Schrage MEMBERS ABSENT  All members present COMMITTEE CALENDAR  CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 95(STA) AM "An Act relating to special request specialty organization registration plates; relating to special registration plates commemorating peace officers killed in the line of duty; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED HCS CSSB 95(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 189 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective date." - MOVED HCS SB 189(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 179(CRA) "An Act prohibiting municipalities from levying a tax on the transfer of real property; prohibiting the state from levying a tax on the transfer of real property; and relating to municipal taxation of mobile telecommunications services." - MOVED HCS CSSB 179(RLS) OUT OF COMMITTEE SENATE BILL NO. 37 "An Act establishing the crime of airbag fraud." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) am "An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to physicians; and relating to health care insurance policies." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 259(FIN) "An Act relating to the compensation of state employees; relating to the salary of the chief administrative law judge; and providing for an effective date." - SCHEDULED BUT NOT HEARD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: SB 95 SHORT TITLE: LIC. PLATES: SPECIALTY ORGS/PEACE OFFICER SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) MERRICK 03/08/23 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 03/08/23 (S) STA, FIN 04/18/23 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 04/18/23 (S) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 04/20/23 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM 04/20/23 (S) Heard & Held 04/20/23 (S) MINUTE(STA) 05/02/23 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 05/02/23 (S) Moved CSSB 95(STA) Out of Committee 05/02/23 (S) MINUTE(STA) 05/03/23 (S) STA RPT CS 5DP SAME TITLE 05/03/23 (S) DP: KAWASAKI, WIELECHOWSKI, CLAMAN, MERRICK, BJORKMAN 05/10/23 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532 05/10/23 (S) Heard & Held 05/10/23 (S) MINUTE(FIN) 05/12/23 (S) FIN RPT CS(STA) 6DP 1NR SAME TITLE 05/12/23 (S) DP: STEDMAN, HOFFMAN, WILSON, KIEHL, MERRICK, BISHOP 05/12/23 (S) NR: OLSON 05/12/23 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532 05/12/23 (S) Moved CSSB 95(STA) Out of Committee 05/12/23 (S) MINUTE(FIN) 05/16/23 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) 05/16/23 (S) VERSION: CSSB 95(STA) AM 01/16/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/16/24 (H) STA, FIN 03/05/24 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120 03/05/24 (H) Heard & Held 03/05/24 (H) MINUTE(STA) 03/12/24 (H) STA AT 3:00 PM GRUENBERG 120 03/12/24 (H) Moved HCS CSSB 95(STA) Out of Committee 03/12/24 (H) MINUTE(STA) 03/14/24 (H) STA RPT HCS(STA) NEW TITLE 3DP 4NR 03/14/24 (H) DP: WRIGHT, STORY, SHAW 03/14/24 (H) NR: CARPENTER, C.JOHNSON, ALLARD, CARRICK 05/07/24 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519 05/07/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/08/24 (H) FIN AT 9:00 AM ADAMS 519 05/08/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard 05/08/24 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519 05/08/24 (H) Moved HCS CSSB 95(STA) Out of Committee 05/08/24 (H) MINUTE(FIN) 05/09/24 (H) FIN RPT HCS(STA) NEW TITLE 8DP 1NR 05/09/24 (H) DP: TOMASZEWSKI, CRONK, ORTIZ, COULOMBE, JOSEPHSON, GALVIN, STAPP, FOSTER 05/09/24 (H) NR: HANNAN 05/11/24 (H) RLS AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120 05/11/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/11/24 (H) RLS AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120 05/11/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/12/24 (H) RLS AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120 05/12/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/13/24 (H) RLS AT 9:00 AM GRUENBERG 120 BILL: SB 189 SHORT TITLE: EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) KAWASAKI 01/16/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/16/24 (S) FIN 03/07/24 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532 03/07/24 (S) Heard & Held 03/07/24 (S) MINUTE(FIN) 04/17/24 (S) FIN RPT 5DP 04/17/24 (S) DP: STEDMAN, WILSON, KIEHL, MERRICK, BISHOP 04/17/24 (S) FIN AT 9:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532 04/17/24 (S) Moved SB 189 Out of Committee 04/17/24 (S) MINUTE(FIN) 04/22/24 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) 04/22/24 (S) VERSION: SB 189 04/24/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/24/24 (H) FIN 05/10/24 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519 05/10/24 (H) Scheduled but Not Heard 05/11/24 (H) FIN AT 10:00 AM ADAMS 519 05/11/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/11/24 (H) RLS AT 11:00 AM GRUENBERG 120 05/11/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/11/24 (H) RLS AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120 05/11/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/12/24 (H) FIN REFERRAL WAIVED 05/12/24 (H) RLS AT 1:00 PM GRUENBERG 120 05/12/24 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED -- 05/13/24 (H) RLS AT 9:00 AM GRUENBERG 120 BILL: SB 179 SHORT TITLE: PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX; MUNI TELECOMM TAX SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) BJORKMAN 01/16/24 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/12/24 01/16/24 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 01/16/24 (S) CRA 02/15/24 (S) CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 02/15/24 (S) Heard & Held 02/15/24 (S) MINUTE(CRA) 02/22/24 (S) CRA AT 1:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg) 02/22/24 (S) Moved CSSB 179(CRA) Out of Committee 02/22/24 (S) MINUTE(CRA) 03/04/24 (S) CRA RPT CS 4DP SAME TITLE 03/04/24 (S) DP: DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON, GIESSEL, BJORKMAN 04/03/24 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) 04/03/24 (S) VERSION: CSSB 179(CRA) 04/05/24 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/05/24 (H) CRA 04/23/24 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124 04/23/24 (H) Moved HCS CSSB 179(CRA) Out of Committee 04/23/24 (H) MINUTE(CRA) 04/26/24 (H) CRA RPT HCS(CRA) 1DP 1DNP 5NR 04/26/24 (H) DP: RUFFRIDGE 04/26/24 (H) DNP: MCCABE 04/26/24 (H) NR: MEARS, HIMSCHOOT, MCKAY, BAKER, MCCORMICK 05/13/24 (H) RLS AT 9:00 AM GRUENBERG 120 WITNESS REGISTER TOM WRIGHT, Staff Representative C. Johnson Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in the proposed HCS, Version R, to HCS CSSB 95(STA). SORCHA HAZELTON, Staff Representative Kelly Merrick Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB 95 on behalf of Representative Merrick, prime sponsor. EDRA MORLEDGE, Staff Representative Julie Coulombe Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions during the hearing on SB 95. TOM WRIGHT, Staff Representative C. Johnson Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Explained changes in the proposed HCS to SB 189, Version S. SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, gave his approval of the House Rules Standing Committee's proposed House committee substitute for SB 189. TOM WRIGHT, Staff Representative C. Johnson Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the changes in the proposed HCS, Version U, to SB 179. SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, spoke to SB 179. SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of SB 77, gave feedback regarding its incorporation into the proposed HCS to SB 179, Version U. REPRESENTATIVE JULIE COULOMBE Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Gave feedback regarding a proposed House committee substitute during the hearing on SB 179. EDRA MORLEDGE, Staff Representative Julie Coulombe Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information during the hearing on SB 179. ACTION NARRATIVE 12:35:12 PM CHAIR CRAIG JOHNSON called the House Rules Standing Committee meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Representatives Tilton, Allard, Sumner, Shaw, Fields, Schrage, and C. Johnson were present at the call to order. SB 95-LIC. PLATES: SPECIALTY ORGS/PEACE OFFICER  12:35:46 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON announced that the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 95(STA) am, "An Act relating to special request specialty organization registration plates; relating to special registration plates commemorating peace officers killed in the line of duty; and providing for an effective date." [Before the committee was HCS CSSB 95(STA).] 12:35:57 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to adopt the proposed House committee substitute (HCS) for CSSB 95(STA), Version 33- LS0517\R, C. Radford, 5/10/24, as a working document. CHAIR C. JOHNSON objected for the purpose of discussion. 12:36:25 PM TOM WRIGHT, Staff, Representative C. Johnson, Alaska State Legislature, explained that Version R would remove Section 4 from the HCS CSSB 95(STA) version of the bill. He noted there was a legal memorandum ("memo") [included in the committee packet] explaining that a legislator may not hold offices, such as chairing a committee proposed in Section 4, and he indicated this is a separation of power issue. Further, he noted that there is an amendment from Representative Coulombe and a new fiscal note from the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that totals $266,000, which he remarked is "really no change from the other fiscal note." 12:37:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked to hear from the bill sponsor's staff. 12:38:01 PM SORCHA HAZELTON, Staff, Representative Kelly Merrick, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Merrick, prime sponsor of SB 95, stated that "the sponsor has no problem with either change." 12:38:13 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON removed his objection to the motion to adopt the proposed HCS to HCS CSSB 95(STA). There being no further objection, Version R was before the committee. 12:38:39 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to adopt Amendment 1 to Version R of SB 95, labeled 33-LS0517\S.4, C. Radford, 5/11/24, which read as follows: Page 1, line 4, following "personnel;": Insert "relating to the transfer of vehicles;  relating to commercial driver's licenses and  commercial instruction permits;" Page 4, following line 19: Insert new bill sections to read:   "* Sec. 4. AS 28.15.031(c) is amended to read: (c) The department may not issue an original or duplicate commercial driver's license to, nor renew or reinstate the commercial driver's license of, a person who is disqualified from operating commercial motor vehicles in this or any other jurisdiction [OR IS NOT DOMICILED IN THIS STATE].  * Sec. 5. AS 28.15.051(f) is amended to read: (f) A person who is at least 18 years of age may apply to the department for a domiciled commercial instruction permit. The department may, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the examination under AS 28.15.081 other than the driving test, issue to the applicant a domiciled commercial instruction permit. The permit allows a person, while having the permit in the person's immediate possession, to drive a specified commercial type or class of motor vehicle on a highway or vehicular way or area for a period not to exceed 180 days. The permittee shall be accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age who has been licensed at least one year to drive the type or class of vehicle being used, who is capable of exercising control over the wheel, and who occupies a seat beside the driver. A domiciled commercial instruction permit may be renewed one time for a period of 180 days. Once a license is issued to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle, a driver is not eligible to obtain a domiciled commercial instruction [INSTRUCTIONAL] permit for that specified type or class of motor vehicle unless (1) five years have passed since the expiration of the previous license; or (2) the domiciled commercial instruction permit is obtained for the purpose of adding an endorsement to a current class of commercial license.  * Sec. 6. AS 28.15.051 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (g) A person who is at least 18 years of age may apply to the department for a non-domiciled commercial instruction permit. The department may, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the examination under AS 28.15.081 other than the driving test, issue to the applicant a non-domiciled commercial instruction permit if the applicant is domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction or another state, the department determines that the commercial motor vehicle testing and licensing standards of the other jurisdiction meet the requirements of federal law, and the applicant satisfies the requirements of AS 28.33.100(a)(2)(B) - (D). The permit allows a person, while having the permit in the person's immediate possession, to drive a specified commercial type or class of motor vehicle on a highway or vehicular way or area for a period not to exceed one year. The permittee shall be accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age who has been licensed at least one year to drive the type or class of vehicle being used, who is capable of exercising control over the wheel, and who occupies a seat beside the driver. A non-domiciled commercial instruction permit must be marked with "non-domiciled" on the face of the document. A non-domiciled commercial instruction permit expires on the earlier of the expiration date determined by the United States Department of Homeland Security that is stated on the form required for the applicant under AS 28.33.100(a)(2)(B) or one year from the date of issuance. Once a license is issued to drive a specified type or class of motor vehicle, a driver is not eligible to obtain a non-domiciled commercial instruction permit for that specified type or class of motor vehicle unless  (1) five years have passed since the expiration of the previous license; or (2) the non-domiciled commercial instruction permit is obtained for the purpose of adding an endorsement to a current class of commercial license.   * Sec. 7. AS 28.22.031 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (c) The department shall review all accident reports and shall request proof of insurance from a vehicle owner or operator in each case in which evidence of motor vehicle liability insurance that complies with this chapter is not present.   * Sec. 8. AS 28.33.100(a) is amended to read: (a) A person may not drive a commercial motor vehicle until the person applies for and is issued a license for that purpose under AS 28.15.041. The department may [NOT] issue a (1) domiciled license to drive a commercial motor vehicle only if [UNLESS] the applicant (A) [(1)] is at least 18 years of age, to operate in intrastate commerce, or at least 21 years of age, to operate in interstate commerce, except as provided in (f) of this section; (B) [(2)] has successfully completed all required driving tests and written and physical examinations; (C) [(3)] either does not have a driver's license issued by another jurisdiction or surrenders all driver's licenses issued by other jurisdictions; and (D) [(4)] is domiciled in this state;  (2) non-domiciled license to drive a  commercial motor vehicle if the applicant (A) is domiciled in  (i) a foreign jurisdiction that meets the  requirements set out in 49 C.F.R. 383.23(b)(1); or  (ii) another state that meets the  requirements set out in 49 C.F.R. 383.23(b)(2); and  (B) meets the applicable requirements set  out in AS 28.33.100(a) and 49 C.F.R. 383.71  (C) is at least 18 years of age, to operate  in intrastate commerce, or at least 21 years of age,  to operate in interstate commerce, except as provided  in (f) of this section; and  (D) has successfully completed all required  driving tests and written and physical examinations.  * Sec. 9. AS 28.33.100 is amended by adding new subsections to read: (g) A non-domiciled commercial driver's license must be marked with "non-domiciled" on the face of the document. (h) A non-domiciled commercial driver's license expires (1) for an applicant under (a)(2)(A)(i) of this section, on the earlier of (A) the expiration date determined by the United States Department of Homeland Security that is stated on the form required for the applicant under 49 C.F.R. 383.71(f)(2)(i); or (B) one year from the date of issuance; (2) for an applicant under (a)(2)(A)(ii) of this section, one year from the date of issuance. (i) In addition to the requirements under (a) of this section, the holder of a non-domiciled commercial driver's license shall notify the department of any adverse action taken by a foreign or domestic jurisdiction or governmental agency against the person's driving privileges as required by federal law.   * Sec. 10. AS 28.39.040(c) is amended to read: (c) The department shall, upon assignment of a registration number, issue and deliver to the owner a certificate of registration in a form prescribed by the department. [A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION IS NOT VALID UNLESS IT IS SIGNED BY THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THE APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION.]  * Sec. 11. AS 28.39.050(a) is amended to read: (a) If there is a change of ownership of a snowmobile, the [SELLER AND] buyer shall [FILL OUT THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP SECTION OF THE REGISTRATION, AND THE SELLER SHALL SIGN OVER THE REGISTRATION TO THE NEW OWNER. THE SELLER SHALL] promptly submit an  application for registration [THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP SECTION] to the department, and, if the  application meets the requirements set out in this  chapter and in regulation, the department shall issue a new certificate of registration to the new owner.  * Sec. 12. AS 28.90.990(a) is amended by adding new paragraphs to read: (33) "commercial driver's license" includes a non-domiciled commercial driver's license; (34) "commercial learner's permit" includes a non-domiciled commercial learner's permit.  * Sec. 13. AS 28.33.190(9) is repealed." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. CHAIR C. JOHNSON objected for the purpose of discussion. 12:39:01 PM EDRA MORLEDGE, Staff, Representative Julie Coulombe, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Coulombe, addressed Amendment 1. She explained that Representative Coulombe and a member of the other body had, last year, offered companion legislation to shorten the wait period for obtaining commercial licensing in response to a shortage of approximately 500 unfilled trucker positions by reducing the wait time to one year. Subsequently, it was discovered that refugees that had undergone training were not allowed to obtain their commercial driver's license (CDL) from the DMV, and that the issue could not be fixed through regulation but had to be addressed through legislation. The issue is that Alaska does not have a provision for a nondomicile license or instructor's permit. Amendment 1 would correct this oversight. 12:40:41 PM MS. MORLEDGE, in response to Representative Fields, offered her understanding that adopting Amendment 1 would not result in increased cost. 12:40:55 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON removed his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted. 12:41:19 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to report HCS CSSB 95, Version 33- LS0517\R, C. Radford, 5/10/24, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS CSSB 95(RLS) was reported out of the House Rules Standing Committee. SB 189-EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING  12:41:56 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON announced that the next order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 189, "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective date." 12:42:16 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to adopt the proposed House committee substitute (HCS) for SB 189, Version 33-LS1179\S, A. Radford/Bergerud, 5/8/24, as a working document. CHAIR C. JOHNSON objected for the purpose of discussion. 12:42:36 PM TOM WRIGHT, Staff, Representative C. Johnson, Alaska State Legislature, explained that Version S combines four sunset bills: SB 182, which extends the Big Game Services Board; SB 228, which extends the Board of Massage Therapists; and SB 234, which extends the Marijuana Control Board. The primary reason is to alleviate a backlog in the House Finance Committee. He highlighted the existing and new fiscal notes: one from the Committee on Aging for $449,000 non-general fund (GF); a new fiscal note from the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office for $2,079,000 undesignated general funds (UGF) and designated general funds (DGF) for the Marijuana Control Board; and a new fiscal note from the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) for $53,000 in receipt services for the Big Game Commercial Services Board and the Board of Massage Therapists. 12:43:51 PM SENATOR SCOTT KAWASAKI, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, gave his approval of the House Rules Standing Committee's proposed House committee substitute for SB 189. 12:44:18 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON removed his objection. There being no further objection, Version S was before the committee. 12:44:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to report HCS SB 189, Version 33- LS1179\S, A. Radford/Bergerud, 5/8/24, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS SB 189(RLS) was reported out of the House Rules Standing Committee. 12:45:10 PM The committee took a brief at-ease at 12:45 p.m. 12:45:36 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON reiterated that HCS SB 189(RLS) was reported out of the House Rules Standing Committee. SB 95-LIC. PLATES: SPECIALTY ORGS/PEACE OFFICER  12:45:51 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON [announced the committee would return to SB 95] and invited Representative Tilton to speak. 12:45:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON requested a message sent that Legislative Legal Services be allowed to make any conforming and technical changes to HCS CSSB 95(RLS). There being no objection, it was so ordered. SB 179-PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX; MUNI TELECOMM TAX  12:46:23 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON announced that the final order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 179(CRA), "An Act prohibiting municipalities from levying a tax on the transfer of real property; prohibiting the state from levying a tax on the transfer of real property; and relating to municipal taxation of mobile telecommunications services." [Before the committee was HCS CSSB 179(CRA).] 12:46:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to adopt the proposed House committee substitute (HCS) for CSSB 179, Version 33-LS1093\U, Dunmire, 5/12/24, as a working document. CHAIR C. JOHNSON objected for the purpose of discussion. 12:46:57 PM TOM WRIGHT, Staff, Representative C. Johnson, Alaska State Legislature, explained the changes in the proposed HCS, Version U, to SB 179. He said [Version U] would combine three other bills: HB 347, sponsored by Representative Coulombe, which addresses property assessment and is currently in the Senate Rules Standing Committee, with some problems in it but the original bill that passed the House is in SB 179, Version U; SB 77, regarding community property tax exemption, and including the language of a recent House Rules Standing Committee version; and SB 161, addressing tax exemption for farm land/structures, to which Mr. Wright said the House Resources Standing Committee had no objection to its incorporation. He noted that an amendment would be presented by Representative Coulombe's staff. Further, he commented that there is a new zero fiscal note from the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED), in addition to the previous zero fiscal note. 12:48:13 PM SENATOR JESSE BJORKMAN, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, stated that SB 179 is a policy choice set by the legislature that the State of Alaska will not allow the imposition of taxes on transfers of real property. He expressed being fine with the changes proposed under Version U, stating that it is an incorporation of "a lot of good ideas." He thanked the committee. 12:49:07 PM SENATOR FORREST DUNBAR, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of SB 77, gave feedback regarding its incorporation into the proposed HCS to SB 179, Version U. He offered his understanding that there would be an amendment offered by the committee. He noted that "a portion of this bill" was addressed by the Senate Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee with the Alaska Municipal League (AML); "there are some contracted assessors in smaller communities for whom the existing language in the assessor bill doesn't really work." He indicated that the [forthcoming] amendment is "very positive." 12:50:08 PM SENATOR DUNBAR, in response to Representative Fields, offered his understanding that the language in the proposed HCS does not include a longer period of property tax abatement but rather a more "thorough exemption that includes the education portion" from SB 77. 12:50:57 PM REPRESENTATIVE JULIE COULOMBE, Alaska State Legislature, stated that she had no problem with [Version U] to SB 179, echoing that an amendment would be forthcoming. 12:51:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE, in response to a question from Representative Fields regarding an amendment made during a floor session pushing the effective date back one year for smaller communities, confirmed that the effective date was changed on the House floor. 12:51:43 PM EDRA MORLEDGE, Staff, Representative Julie Coulombe, Alaska State Legislature, in response to Representative Fields, indicated that there was a drafting error "in this version" regarding the effective date for municipal assessors to become certified at level three; an amendment had been made on the House floor for an effective date of January 1, 2026. REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS specified he would like clarification as to whether the pushed back effective date, by a year, is in [Version U]. MS. MORLEDGE responded, "No." She said the drafting error is in [Version U]. 12:52:49 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON, [his objection for the purpose of discussion treated as withdrawn] and ascertaining there was no further objection, announced that Version U was before the committee as a working document. 12:53:08 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to adopt Amendment 1 to Version U of SB 179, labeled 33-LS1093\U.1, Dunmire, 5/13/24, which read as follows: Page 6, line 22, following "assessor": Insert "or a person designated by the assessor" Page 6, line 23, following "property.": Insert "The meeting required under this subsection may  be virtual or telephonic." CHAIR C. JOHNSON objected for the purpose of discussion. 12:53:40 PM REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE said she had no problem with Amendment 1. 12:54:03 PM CHAIR C. JOHNSON removed his objection to Amendment 1. There being no further objection, [Amendment 1 was adopted]. 12:54:24 PM The committee took a brief at-ease at 12:54 p.m. 12:54:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS moved to adopt Conceptual Amendment [2] to Version U of SB 179, to establish an effective date of January 1, 2026, for Section 14 of the bill on page 6, lines 13-18. CHAIR C. JOHNSON, after ascertaining there was no objection, announced that Conceptual Amendment [2] was adopted. 12:55:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE TILTON moved to report HCS CSSB 179, Version 33- LS1093\U, Dunmire, 5/12/24, as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes, and to allow Legislative Legal Services to make conforming and technical changes. There being none, HCS CSSB 179(RLS) was reported out of the House Rules Standing Committee. 12:56:50 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House Rules Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at [12:57] p.m.