ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
            SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                           
                         April 7, 2016                                                                                          
                           9:03 a.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Bill Stoltze, Chair                                                                                                     
Senator John Coghill, Vice Chair                                                                                                
Senator Charlie Huggins                                                                                                         
Senator Lesil McGuire                                                                                                           
Senator Bill Wielechowski                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 231(FIN)                                                                                
"An Act  extending the termination  date of the Board  of Parole;                                                               
and providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED SCS CSHB 231(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 150                                                                                                             
"An Act  adding the  commissioner of  the Department  of Military                                                               
and  Veterans'  Affairs  to  the membership  of  the  Council  on                                                               
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATE BILL NO. 171                                                                                                             
"An   Act  relating   to  the   duties  of   the  Department   of                                                               
Administration;  relating  to  payment of  judgment  against  the                                                               
state; relating to pre-audit of  claims; relating to travel costs                                                               
and  travel  outside  the   state;  repealing  authorization  and                                                               
administration  of  the  Department  of  Administration  to  make                                                               
advances to  the University of  Alaska; and repealing  the United                                                               
States savings bond purchase plan."                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED CSSB 171(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 77(FIN)                                                                                 
"An Act  relating to training  regarding disabilities  for police                                                               
officers,  probation  officers,   parole  officers,  correctional                                                               
officers,  and  village  public   safety  officers;  relating  to                                                               
guidelines for  drivers when encountering  or being stopped  by a                                                               
peace  officer; relating  to driver's  license examinations;  and                                                               
relating  to  a  voluntary  disability  designation  on  a  state                                                               
identification card and a driver's license."                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     - MOVED CSHB 77(FIN) OUT OF COMMITTEE                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 273(STA)                                                                                
"An  Act relating  to the  transfer of  the title  to a  vehicle,                                                               
including certain  manufactured homes and trailers,  on the death                                                               
of the owner;  allowing a person to act for  the surviving spouse                                                               
of a decedent to make a  demand of the personal representative of                                                               
the decedent's  estate related to  enforcing a  liability against                                                               
real  property or  an interest  in real  property transferred  at                                                               
death  by  a  transfer  on  death  deed;  and  providing  for  an                                                               
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CONFIRMATION HEARINGS                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Board of Fisheries                                                                                                         
          Israel Payton                                                                                                         
          Alan Cain                                                                                                             
          Robert Ruffner                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     - ITEM REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
BILL: HB 231                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: EXTEND BOARD OF PAROLE                                                                                             
SPONSOR(s): LYNN                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
01/19/16       (H)       PREFILE RELEASED 1/8/16                                                                                
01/19/16       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
01/19/16       (H)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
01/21/16       (H)       STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106                                                                             
01/21/16       (H)       Moved HB 231 Out of Committee                                                                          
01/21/16       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
01/22/16       (H)       STA RPT 7DP                                                                                            
01/22/16       (H)       DP:    TALERICO,     STUTES,    VAZQUEZ,                                                               
                         GRUENBERG, KREISS-TOMKINS, LYNN, KELLER                                                                
03/15/16       (H)       FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519                                                                       
03/15/16       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/15/16       (H)       MINUTE(FIN)                                                                                            
03/24/16       (H)       FIN AT 9:30 AM HOUSE FINANCE 519                                                                       
03/24/16       (H)       Moved CSHB 231(FIN) Out of Committee                                                                   
03/24/16       (H)       MINUTE(FIN)                                                                                            
03/25/16       (H)       FIN RPT CS(FIN) 8DP                                                                                    
03/25/16       (H)       DP: SADDLER, KAWASAKI, PRUITT, GARA,                                                                   
                         WILSON, GUTTENBERG, MUNOZ, THOMPSON                                                                    
03/29/16       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
03/29/16       (H)       VERSION: CSHB 231(FIN)                                                                                 
03/30/16       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/30/16       (S)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
04/05/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
04/05/16       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
04/05/16       (S)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
04/07/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 150                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DMVA COMMISSIONER MEMBER OF CDVSA                                                                                  
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
01/21/16       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
01/21/16       (S)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
03/22/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
03/22/16       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/22/16       (S)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
04/07/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: SB 171                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DOA PAYMENTS; REPEAL OTHER DOA DUTIES                                                                              
SPONSOR(s): RULES BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
02/05/16       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/05/16       (S)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
02/18/16       (S)       STA AT 8:30 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
02/18/16       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
02/18/16       (S)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
03/24/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
03/24/16       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/24/16       (S)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
03/31/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
03/31/16       (S)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/31/16       (S)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
04/07/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 77                                                                                                                   
SHORT TITLE: DISABILITY: ID/LICENSE AND TRAINING RQMTS.                                                                         
SPONSOR(s): THOMPSON                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
01/23/15       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
01/23/15       (H)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
03/24/15       (H)       STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106                                                                             
03/24/15       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/24/15       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
04/02/15       (H)       STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106                                                                             
04/02/15       (H)       -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                 
04/07/15       (H)       STA RPT CS(STA) NT 5DP                                                                                 
04/07/15       (H)       DP: STUTES, KELLER, VAZQUEZ, KREISS-                                                                   
                         TOMKINS, LYNN                                                                                          
04/07/15       (H)       STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106                                                                             
04/07/15       (H)       Moved CSHB 77(STA) Out of Committee                                                                    
04/07/15       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
03/15/16       (H)       FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519                                                                       
03/15/16       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
03/15/16       (H)       MINUTE(FIN)                                                                                            
03/24/16       (H)       FIN AT 9:30 AM HOUSE FINANCE 519                                                                       
03/24/16       (H)       Moved CSHB 77(FIN) Out of Committee                                                                    
03/24/16       (H)       MINUTE(FIN)                                                                                            
03/25/16       (H)       FIN RPT CS(FIN) 10DP                                                                                   
03/25/16       (H)       DP: SADDLER, KAWASAKI, PRUITT, GARA,                                                                   
                         WILSON, GUTTENBERG, GATTIS, EDGMON,                                                                    
                         MUNOZ,                                                                                                 
03/25/16       (H)       THOMPSON                                                                                               
03/30/16       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
03/30/16       (H)       VERSION: CSHB 77(FIN)                                                                                  
04/01/16       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/01/16       (S)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
04/07/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 273                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: VEHICLES: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE; ESTATES                                                                         
SPONSOR(s): STATE AFFAIRS                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
01/22/16       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
01/22/16       (H)       STA                                                                                                    
02/04/16       (H)       STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106                                                                             
02/04/16       (H)       Heard & Held                                                                                           
02/04/16       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
02/09/16       (H)       STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106                                                                             
02/09/16       (H)       DMV REVOCATION OF DRIVER'S LICENSE                                                                     
03/15/16       (H)       STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 106                                                                             
03/15/16       (H)       Moved CSHB 273 (STA) Out of Committee                                                                  
03/15/16       (H)       MINUTE(STA)                                                                                            
03/16/16       (H)       STA RPT CS(STA) NT 7DP                                                                                 
03/16/16       (H)       DP:    STUTES,     SPOHNHOLZ,    KELLER,                                                               
                         TALERICO, KREISS-TOMKINS, VAZQUEZ, LYNN                                                                
03/23/16       (H)       TRANSMITTED TO (S)                                                                                     
03/23/16       (H)       VERSION: CSHB 273(STA)                                                                                 
03/25/16       (S)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
03/25/16       (S)       STA, FIN                                                                                               
04/07/16       (S)       STA AT 9:00 AM BUTROVICH 205                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
ESTHER MIELKE, Staff                                                                                                            
Representative Lynn                                                                                                             
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of HB 231.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
DANIEL GEORGE, Staff                                                                                                            
Senator Stoltze                                                                                                                 
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of SB 150 and SB 171.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
LAURIE HUMMEL, Commissioner                                                                                                     
Alaska Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA)                                                                         
Elmendorf Airforce Base, Alaska                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed questions regarding SB 150.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
JAYNE ANDREEN, President                                                                                                        
Alaska Public Health Association                                                                                                
Douglas, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in opposition to Amendment 2 of SB                                                              
150.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
LAUREE MORTON, Executive Director                                                                                               
Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault                                                                                 
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding SB 150.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN, Associate Vice President of State Relations                                                                  
University of Alaska                                                                                                            
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions regarding SB 150 and SB                                                                
171.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SCOT AREHART, Director                                                                                                          
Division of Finance                                                                                                             
Alaska Department of Administration                                                                                             
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed questions regarding SB 171.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
LYNETTE BERGH, Staff                                                                                                            
Representative Steve Thompson                                                                                                   
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided an overview of HB 77.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
JUANITA WEBB, Member                                                                                                            
Wall Busters Advocacy Group                                                                                                     
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 77.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
PATRICK REINHART, Executive Director                                                                                            
Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education                                                                        
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 77.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CHAD GOEDEN, Academy Commander                                                                                                  
Division of Alaska State Troopers                                                                                               
Alaska Department of Public Safety                                                                                              
Sitka, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified on HB 77.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
ART DELAUNE, Member                                                                                                             
Wall Busters Advocacy Group                                                                                                     
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 77.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
AMY ERICKSON, Director                                                                                                          
Division of Motor Vehicles                                                                                                      
Alaska Department of Administration                                                                                             
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT: Addressed questions regarding HB 77.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
DENEEN TUCK, Staff                                                                                                              
Representative Lynn                                                                                                             
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented an overview of HB 273.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:03:02 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BILL STOLTZE  called the  Senate  State Affairs  Committee                                                             
meeting to order  at 9:03 a.m. Present at the  call to order were                                                               
Senators Coghill,  Huggins, McGuire,  and Chair  Stoltze. Senator                                                               
Wielechowski arrived shortly thereafter.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                 HB 231-EXTEND BOARD OF PAROLE                                                                              
9:03:33 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of HB 231.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:04:05 AM                                                                                                                    
ESTHER   MIELKE,  Staff,   Representative   Lynn,  Alaska   State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, explained that HB  231 would extend                                                               
the  Board of  Parole's sunset  date. She  noted that  the sunset                                                               
date originally was  six years, but changes were made  due to the                                                               
pending  crime bill.  She  revealed that  the  Division of  Audit                                                               
provided recommendations, but found the  Board of Parole to be in                                                               
good operating order.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE stated  that he was not sure there  was a consensus                                                               
on  Board  of  Parole  and   noted  that  improvements  would  be                                                               
addressed with Director Edwards. He  said an amendment was before                                                               
the  committee and  affirmed  that  the intent  was  to have  the                                                               
board's  sunset date  interact with  the  crime bill,  SB 91.  He                                                               
asked Senator Coghill, SB 91 sponsor, if he had any comments.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL explained that an  audit would be requested to be                                                               
done sooner  because a lot  of new  duties were being  asked from                                                               
the jail system and the Board  of Parole. He surmised that a 2020                                                               
sunset date would mean an audit would be done in 2019.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  asked for a  motion to adopt the  Senate committee                                                               
substitute (SCS).                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MCGUIRE moved  to adopt the work draft SCS  for CSHB 231,                                                               
29-LS1138\N, as the working document.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that hearing  no objection, version N was                                                               
adopted. He declared that no  other comments were heard and asked                                                               
Senator McGuire for a motion.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:06:58 AM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR MCGUIRE moved to report  SCS CSHB 231 from committee with                                                               
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that hearing no objection, SCS CSHB                                                                     
231(STA) moves from committee.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
9:07:15 AM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
            SB 150-DMVA COMMISSIONER MEMBER OF CDVSA                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:10:51 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of SB 150 and moved to                                                                
adopt Amendment 1, labeled 29-GS2797\A.2:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 1                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                           
     TO SB 150                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, line 2, following "Assault":                                                                                     
          Insert "; and relating to the duties of the                                                                         
     Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault"                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, following line 13:                                                                                                 
     Insert a new bill section to read:                                                                                         
        "* Sec. 3. AS 18.66.050 is amended to read:                                                                         
          Sec. 18.66.050. Duties of the council. The                                                                          
     council shall                                                                                                              
               (1) Hire an executive director, and the                                                                          
     executive  director  may   hire  staff;  the  executive                                                                    
     director is  in the  exempt service  under AS 39.25.110                                                                    
     and staff  members are in the  classified service under                                                                    
     AS 39.25.100;                                                                                                              
               (2) Elect one of its members as presiding                                                                        
     officer;                                                                                                                   
               (3) In consultation with authorities in the                                                                      
     field,  develop,   implement,  maintain,   and  monitor                                                                    
     domestic   violence,   sexual   assault,   and   crisis                                                                    
     intervention   and   prevention   programs,   including                                                                    
     educational  programs, films,  and school  curricula on                                                                    
     the  cause,  prevention,   and  treatment  of  domestic                                                                    
     violence and sexual assault;                                                                                               
               (4) Coordinate services provided by the                                                                          
     Department  of Law,  the  Department  of Education  and                                                                    
     Early  Development, the  Department  of Public  Safety,                                                                    
     the  Department  of  Health and  Social  Services,  the                                                                    
     Department of  Corrections, the Department  of Military                                                                
     and  Veterans' Affairs,  and other  state agencies  and                                                                
     community  groups   dealing  with   domestic  violence,                                                                    
     sexual   assault,    and   crisis    intervention   and                                                                    
     prevention,   and  provide   technical  assistance   as                                                                    
     requested  by   those  state  agencies   and  community                                                                    
     groups;                                                                                                                    
               (5)  Develop  and  implement  a  standardized                                                                    
     data  collection system  on  domestic violence,  sexual                                                                    
     assault, and crisis intervention and prevention;                                                                           
               (6)  Conduct public  hearings and  studies on                                                                    
     issues   relating  to   violence,  including   domestic                                                                    
     violence and sexual assault, and  on issues relating to                                                                    
     the role of crisis intervention and prevention;                                                                            
               (7)  Receive and  dispense state  and federal                                                                    
     money   and    award   grants   and    contracts   from                                                                    
     appropriations  for  the  purpose  to  qualified  local                                                                    
     community  entities   for  domestic   violence,  sexual                                                                    
     assault,   and  crisis   intervention  and   prevention                                                                    
     programs;                                                                                                                  
               (8)  Oversee  and  audit  domestic  violence,                                                                    
     sexual assault, and  crisis intervention and prevention                                                                    
     programs that receive money under this chapter;                                                                            
               (9) Provide  fiscal and  technical assistance                                                                    
     to plan,  organize, implement, and  administer domestic                                                                    
     violence, sexual  assault, and crisis  intervention and                                                                    
     prevention programs;                                                                                                       
               (10) Make  an annual  report to  the governor                                                                    
     on the activities of the  council, plans of the council                                                                    
     for  new services  and programs,  and  concerns of  the                                                                    
     council,  including   recommendations  for  legislation                                                                    
     necessary to  carry out the  purposes of  this chapter;                                                                    
     the  council  shall  notify the  legislature  that  the                                                                    
     report is available;                                                                                                       
               (11)  Adopt  regulations in  accordance  with                                                                    
     AS 44.62  (Administrative Procedure  Act) to  carry out                                                                    
     the  purposes  of  this  chapter  and  to  protect  the                                                                    
     health,  safety,  well-being,  and privacy  of  persons                                                                    
     receiving  services financed  with grants  or contracts                                                                    
     under this chapter;                                                                                                        
               (12)  Consult with  the Department  of Health                                                                    
     and  Social Services  in the  formulation of  standards                                                                    
     and procedures for the delivery  of services to victims                                                                    
     of  domestic violence  by  health  care facilities  and                                                                    
     practitioners of  healing arts  and personnel  in those                                                                    
     facilities as required in AS 18.66.300;                                                                                    
               (13)   Consult   with   the   Alaska   Police                                                                    
     Standards  Council and  other police  training programs                                                                    
     in  the state  to develop  training programs  regarding                                                                    
     domestic   violence  for   police   officers  and   for                                                                    
     correction, probation, and parole officers;                                                                                
               (14) Consult with public employers, the                                                                          
     Alaska   Supreme    Court,   school    districts,   and                                                                    
     prosecuting   authorities    who   are    required   by                                                                    
     AS 18.66.300   -   18.66.310  to   provide   continuing                                                                    
     education courses in domestic violence to employees."                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL objected for discussion purposes.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
9:11:02 AM                                                                                                                    
DANIEL GEORGE, Staff, Senator  Stoltze, Alaska State Legislature,                                                               
Juneau, Alaska,  explained that Amendment 1  catches an oversight                                                               
to  add  the commissioner  for  the  Department of  Military  and                                                               
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to the  Council on Domestic Violence and                                                               
Sexual Assault (CDVSA).                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL removed his objection.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE announced  that no further objection  was heard and                                                               
Amendment 1 was adopted.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:12:25 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STOLTZE moved to adopt Amendment 2, labeled 29-GS2797\A.1:                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 2                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                           
     TO SB 150                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, line 7, following "affairs":                                                                                   
          Insert "who shall serve ex officio as a nonvoting                                                                 
     member of the council"                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL objected for discussion purposes.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. GEORGE said two letters  were presented to the committee that                                                               
addressed Amendment  2. They were  from the commissioner  of DMVA                                                               
and the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL commented that the  amendment would make the DMVA                                                               
commissioner an ex officio, non-voting member for CDVSA.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  explained that the  purpose for ex  officio status                                                               
was  not to  alter CDVSA's  public balance  as well  as keep  the                                                               
fiscal note  from occurring  on the bill.  He said  a sensitivity                                                               
existed to not have an  outnumbering of government officials over                                                               
public members.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE opened public testimony.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  asked  if  Commissioner  Hummel  supported                                                               
Amendment 2 for SB 150.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:13:59 AM                                                                                                                    
LAURIE HUMMEL,  Commissioner, Department  of Military  & Veterans                                                               
Affairs  (DMVA),  Anchorage,  Alaska, replied  that  she  opposed                                                               
making commissioners  non-voting members on  the administration's                                                               
own boards, commissions and councils.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  pointed  out   that  the  concern  was  an                                                               
imbalance  would   occur  with  her  appointment.   He  asked  if                                                               
Commissioner Hummel agreed that the concern was valid.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER  HUMMEL  voiced  that  she was  concerned  about  an                                                               
imbalance  and recommended  that an  additional public  member be                                                               
added to the board.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  asked if  the  administration  proposed adding  a                                                               
public member when introducing the bill.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
COMMISSIONER HUMMEL replied that she  did not believe there was a                                                               
discussion.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:16:40 AM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI pointed out  that CDVSA's current membership                                                               
already had five commissioners and  four public members. He asked                                                               
if the committee wanted to add more public members.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE commented  that SB 150 was not his  bill, but added                                                               
that he  did not  want to further  promote CDVSA's  imbalance. He                                                               
opined that  the administration  could have  offered alternatives                                                               
for the imbalance.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HUGGINS  commented that the  bill was a prime  example of                                                               
being  careful  before asking  for  something  where the  state's                                                               
price tag for doing business was driven up.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:18:22 AM                                                                                                                    
JAYNE  ANDREEN,  President,  Alaska  Public  Health  Association,                                                               
Douglas,  Alaska,  testified in  opposition  to  Amendment 2  and                                                               
voiced her support  for a balanced board. She  shared her history                                                               
of  serving on  CDVSA's  board and  discussed  the importance  of                                                               
having a balanced  board. She set forth that  public members have                                                               
an  important   voice  whose  primary   role  is  serving   as  a                                                               
coordinating entity.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
9:20:50 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STOLTZE  noted that  each commissioner  has a  strong voice                                                               
and  could serve  as ex-officio  members. He  suggested that  all                                                               
commissioners should  be ex officio.  He stated that  Amendment 2                                                               
was the  most cost effective way  to not disrupt the  balance and                                                               
make sure  that the public votes  were at least at  par. He noted                                                               
that  fiscal  notes  for  board  costs  have  been  appropriately                                                               
scrutinized and  opined that the  cost for adding  another member                                                               
would be better served going to victims' services.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:22:13 AM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI pointed  out  that SB  150  would make  the                                                               
CDVSA board  6-commissioners and 4-public members.  He said there                                                               
was  a  reluctance  to  spend more  money  on  additional  public                                                               
members. He asked Ms. Andreen  if she would support an imbalanced                                                               
board.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS. ANDREEN replied that she  would support adding another public                                                               
member.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE   commented  that  the  2014   gubernatorial  race                                                               
involved DMVA discussions by the  governor where arrests would be                                                               
made.  He opined  that the  attorney general's  office has  had a                                                               
muted response to DMVA.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MCGUIRE asked  if there was anything  in CDVSA's meetings                                                               
that prevented any commissioner  or lawmakers from addressing the                                                               
council.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:25:30 AM                                                                                                                    
LAUREE MORTON,  Executive Director, Council on  Domestic Violence                                                               
and Sexual  Assault, Juneau, Alaska,  answered no.  She specified                                                               
that  CDVSA's  meetings  were  open to  the  public  with  stated                                                               
comment periods. She revealed that  CDVSA has issue-specific days                                                               
where guest speakers were invited.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  MCGUIRE asked  if there  has  been an  instance where  a                                                               
request to attend was denied.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:27:14 AM                                                                                                                    
MS. MORTON answered no, not during her tenure since 2011.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MCGUIRE opined that SB 150  was a solution in search of a                                                               
problem. She  stated that  she did  not think  politicizing CDVSA                                                               
was  appropriate. She  set forth  that  she did  not support  the                                                               
amendment.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  explained that the  amendment was offered  as kind                                                               
of a placeholder to facilitate  a discussion. He remarked that he                                                               
was comfortable with  sending SB 150 forward  to Senator McKinnon                                                               
in the Senate Finance Committee.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MCGUIRE  replied that  she was  not comfortable  with the                                                               
power imbalance created by the  amendment. She requested that the                                                               
SB 150 be held in committee.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  stated  that  the  bill would  be  held  for  the                                                               
administration to address the committee's issues.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  asked Ms. Morton  to comment on SB  150 and                                                               
Amendment 2.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. MORTON replied  that the council was neutral on  the bill and                                                               
would  accept  the  decision. She  revealed  that  state  members                                                               
absorb costs within their own  departments to participate and the                                                               
council provides cost for public  members that would amount to an                                                               
approximate $2,500  fiscal note.  She set  forth that  both costs                                                               
and balance were important.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  asked  Mr. Christensen  from  the  University  of                                                               
Alaska  to address  the committee.  He  inquired if  there was  a                                                               
problem  with  sexual  assault   and  domestic  violence  on  the                                                               
university's campuses.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
9:32:49 AM                                                                                                                    
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN,  Associate Vice President of  State Relations,                                                               
University of Alaska, Anchorage,  Alaska, replied that there were                                                               
issues with violence  on the university campus.  He detailed that                                                               
rates tended  to be lower  than rates in the  general population,                                                               
but  the university  was very  concerned. He  explained that  the                                                               
university aggressively  focuses on  following Title IX  rules as                                                               
well.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  asked if there  was a problem whether  revealed or                                                               
hidden regarding sexual assaults on campuses.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR. CHRISTENSEN  replied that there  was a problem.  He specified                                                               
that some  problems were  stranger-on-stranger violence  that was                                                               
found  in the  rest of  the  state and  some were  dating-related                                                               
violence where alcohol and drugs were a significant part.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  opined that  sexual assaults  on campuses  was not                                                               
raised  in the  campaign and  were really  concealed because  the                                                               
university does  not want to  talk about  it. He asserted  that a                                                               
university person should be on be a member on the CDVSA board.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE announced  that SB 150 would be  held in committee.                                                               
[Amendment 2 was pending.]                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:37:59 AM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
          SB 171-DOA PAYMENTS; REPEAL OTHER DOA DUTIES                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:39:17 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of SB 171.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
DANIEL GEORGE, Staff, Senator  Stoltze, Alaska State Legislature,                                                               
Juneau, Alaska,  stated that the  CS for SB 171(STA),  version H,                                                               
was adopted during the 3/24/16  hearing. He explained that the CS                                                               
inserted  into the  statutes  for:  the state's  online-checkbook                                                               
system, fiscal-note  inclusion, and department  appropriation and                                                               
allocation.  He   added  that   fiscal  note  revisions   by  the                                                               
Department of Administration were done as well.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  requested  that Mr.  George  review  the  revised                                                               
fiscal notes.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GEORGE explained  that  the previous  fiscal  note from  the                                                               
Department  of Administration  contained the  addition of  three-                                                               
fulltime  positions  and   several  hundred-thousand  dollars  of                                                               
personal services as  well as $81,000 of  commodities starting in                                                               
FY17. He opined that the fiscal note was fairly significant.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
He  detailed  that Commissioner  Fisher  from  the Department  of                                                               
Administration worked with the committee's  office to help reduce                                                               
the fiscal impact  to the state while implementing  a policy that                                                               
ensured  transparency to  the public.  He revealed  that the  new                                                               
fiscal note  reflected no  personal-services costs  as well  as a                                                               
reduced  services  cost  in  FY17 and  FY18,  and  no  additional                                                               
personnel. He added  that the revised fiscal  note was contingent                                                               
on the adoption of Amendment 3.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. GEORGE added  that the CS requires the  university system and                                                               
court  system  to  participate   in  the  state's  managed-travel                                                               
program. He noted  that the court system presented  a fiscal note                                                               
with thorough  analysis in a previous  meeting that participation                                                               
in the state's managed-travel program  was not cost effective. He                                                               
added that  the university system's president  submitted a letter                                                               
addressing  participation in  the managed-travel  program, but  a                                                               
fiscal note was not provided.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
9:42:47 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STOLTZE withdraw Amendment 1.  [Amendment 1 was not offered                                                               
but was in the bill packet.]                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE moved to adopt Amendment 2, labeled 29-GS2811\H.1.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 2                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                           
     TO: CSSB 171(STA), Draft Version "H"                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, lines 14 - 18:                                                                                                     
          Delete all material.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 8:                                                                                                            
          Delete "sec. 6"                                                                                                       
          Insert "sec. 5"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 12:                                                                                                           
          Delete "sec. 6"                                                                                                       
          Insert "sec. 5"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  explained  that Amendment  2  removes  the  court                                                               
system from participating in  the state's managed-travel program.                                                               
He opined  that the court  system made a case  that participating                                                               
in the managed-travel program would not provide efficiencies.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
He announced that hearing no objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE moved to adopt Amendment 3, labeled 29-GS2811\H.5                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 3                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                           
     TO: CSSB 171(STA), Draft Version "H"                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, lines 11 - 12:                                                                                                     
          Delete ", approving, purchasing, and reimbursing"                                                                     
          Insert "and purchasing"                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 8:                                                                                                            
          Delete "October 1, 2016"                                                                                              
          Insert "January 1, 2017"                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 12:                                                                                                           
          Delete "must,"                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, lines 13 - 14:                                                                                                     
          Delete "list information from the previous fiscal                                                                     
     year. Beginning on October 1, 2017, the list shall be                                                                      
     updated monthly or annually, as specified"                                                                                 
          Insert "must implement and expand a public data                                                                       
     portal as follows:                                                                                                         
               (1) Software for expenditure transactions,                                                                       
     by July 1, 2017;                                                                                                           
               (2)    Employee-payroll   transactions,    by                                                                    
     January 1, 2019;                                                                                                           
               (3) Revenue transactions, by January 1,                                                                          
     2020"                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL objected for discussion purposes.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GEORGE explained  that Amendment  3,  version H.5,  replaces                                                               
Amendment 1.  He clarified that the  state managed-travel program                                                               
does not approve  someone's travel or reimburse  them, but simply                                                               
dealt  with purchasing  the  travel. He  added  that the  state's                                                               
online-checkbook  would be  delayed  three months  to January  1,                                                               
2017  to  help defray  costs.  He  said  Amendment 3  also  added                                                               
transitional language  regarding the implementation  timeline for                                                               
the  state's online-checkbook  as well  as software  expenditures                                                               
and implementation payroll and revenue.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
9:45:09 AM                                                                                                                    
SCOT  AREHART,  Director,  Division  of  Finance,  Department  of                                                               
Administration, Juneau,  Alaska, testified  that the  fiscal note                                                               
was  modified by  scheduling  software  implementation in  phases                                                               
that used current resources within the division.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE asked Mr. Arehart to confirm that scheduling                                                                      
coordination would occur with other major upgrades that the                                                                     
division was already doing.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. AREHART answered correct.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE asked if there were any objections to Amendment 3.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL removed his objection.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that hearing no objection, Amendment 3                                                                  
was adopted.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE moved Amendment 4, labeled 29-GS2811\H.6.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                          AMENDMENT 4                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
OFFERED IN THE SENATE                                                                                                           
     TO: CSSB 171(STA), Draft Version "H"                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Page 1, lines 2 - 3:                                                                                                       
          Delete   "the   Department   of   Administration's                                                                  
     managed travel program"                                                                                                  
          Insert "negotiated state contracts to make                                                                          
         arrangements for persons traveling on official                                                                       
     business"                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Page 2, lines 8 - 18:                                                                                                      
          Delete all material and insert:                                                                                       
          "Sec.   14.40.335.   Use   of   negotiated   state                                                                  
     contracts.  The University  of Alaska  shall use  state                                                                  
     contracts    negotiated    by   the    Department    of                                                                    
     Administration  to  make   arrangements  for  a  person                                                                    
     traveling on official business."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Renumber the following bill sections accordingly.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 8:                                                                                                            
          Delete "sec. 6"                                                                                                       
          Insert "sec. 5"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Page 6, line 12:                                                                                                           
          Delete "sec. 6"                                                                                                       
          Insert "sec. 5"                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL objected for discussion purposes.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
9:47:00 AM                                                                                                                    
MR.  GEORGE explained  that Amendment  4, version  H.6, clarified                                                               
that  the   university  system  would   use  the   Department  of                                                               
Administration's  already negotiated  travel  contracts and  that                                                               
the university can become a separate entity under the contracts.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  pointed out  that the  amendment was  requested by                                                               
Commissioner Fisher.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR COGHILL withdrew his objection.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  asked if the university  supports Amendment                                                               
4.                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHRIS CHRISTENSEN,  Associate Vice President of  State Relations,                                                               
University  of  Alaska,  Anchorage,  Alaska,  remarked  that  the                                                               
amendment takes care of part of  the problem. He pointed that the                                                               
university   has  reduced   its  unrestricted-travel   budget  by                                                               
approximately 30  percent over the  past three and a  half years.                                                               
He  stated that  the university's  preference would  be that  the                                                               
language  instruct  the  university  system to  use  the  state's                                                               
contracts or  adopt a travel  system that provides  an equivalent                                                               
or greater cost  savings and efficiencies. He  expressed that the                                                               
university system  could conceivably come  up with a  system that                                                               
works  better. He  noted that  more than  half of  the university                                                               
system's  travel  was  actually  federally  funded  due  research                                                               
grants and Medicaid travel.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:50:16 AM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR   WIELECHOWSKI  asked   if   Mr.  Christensen   supported                                                               
Amendment 4.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  CHRISTENSEN suggested  that language  be added  that allowed                                                               
greater flexibility for  the university system to  use either the                                                               
state's  managed-travel  program  or  its own  travel  system  if                                                               
savings  were equal  or greater  than the  state's managed-travel                                                               
program.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE noted  that the Senate State  Affairs Committee was                                                               
the first  committee of  referral and the  bill would  go through                                                               
both the Senate and House  finance committees. He reiterated that                                                               
the bill was  a placeholder for further  discussions and possible                                                               
changes.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
9:52:58 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  STOLTZE announced  that Amendment  4  was adopted  without                                                               
objection.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:53:25 AM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  COGHILL moved  to  report  the CS  for  SB 171(STA),  as                                                               
amended,  from  committee  with  individual  recommendations  and                                                               
attached fiscal notes.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  objected  for  Senator  Wielechowski  to  make  a                                                               
statement.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI  stated  that he  appreciated  the  online-                                                               
checkbook additions.  He noted that  Alaska was dead last  in the                                                               
country  regarding  an online-checkbook  system  which  led to  a                                                               
severe lack of transparency in  what was happening in government.                                                               
He said  the bill would get  the state to the  point where people                                                               
can  have   more  confidence  in   what  was  happening   in  the                                                               
government. He added that he  appreciated what was done regarding                                                               
savings as well.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  removed his objection  and announced  that without                                                               
objection, CSSB 171(STA) moved out of committee.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:54:35 AM                                                                                                                    
At ease.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
    HB 77-DISABILITY: ID/LICENSE AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:55:11 AM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  STOLTZE  announced  the  consideration  of  HB  77.  [CSHB                                                               
77(FIN) was before the committee.]                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
9:56:40 AM                                                                                                                    
REPRESENTATIVE STEVE THOMPSON,  Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,                                                               
Alaska, sponsor  of HB  77, explained  that constituents  who are                                                               
advocates for the disabled approached  him to address legislation                                                               
for non-apparent  disabilities due  to bad interactions  with law                                                               
enforcement  officers. He  detailed that  his office  worked with                                                               
Wall  Busters and  Access Alaska  to  compose a  bill that  would                                                               
improve  communications  between  individuals  with  non-apparent                                                               
disabilities and law enforcement.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
He detailed that HB 77 has three main components as follows:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
   1. Non-apparent disability awareness training at state trooper                                                               
     and police training academies.                                                                                             
   2. Section added to the Division of Motor Vehicle's handbook                                                                 
     addressing driver's responsibilities when interacting with                                                                 
     law enforcement.                                                                                                           
   3. Statewide voluntary identification system for driver's                                                                    
     licenses or state IDs that lets police officers or                                                                         
     corrections officers know an individual has a non-apparent                                                                 
     disability.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  THOMPSON summarized  that  the  bill can  improve                                                               
communication  between all  parties and  help instruct  people on                                                               
what to expect when stopped by a police officer.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE revealed  that his family has a  member with autism                                                               
and interacting with police has  been addressed. He remarked that                                                               
an  interaction   between  an  individual  with   a  non-apparent                                                               
disability  and a  police  officer who  does  not understand  the                                                               
disability can turn badly. He  noted that an incident occurred in                                                               
Kodiak  that  could  have  been  prevented.  He  stated  that  he                                                               
appreciated  the legislation  coming forward  for more  awareness                                                               
and training for law enforcement officials.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
9:59:18 AM                                                                                                                    
LYNETTE  BERGH,  Staff,  Representative  Steve  Thompson,  Alaska                                                               
State  Legislature,  Juneau,  Alaska,  explained  that  the  bill                                                               
evolved from  statewide input  so that  the legislation  could be                                                               
accepted by  the public and  law enforcement. She set  forth that                                                               
the bill  would help both disabled  people and others on  what to                                                               
do when stopped by a police officer.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
10:00:39 AM                                                                                                                   
JUANITA  WEBB, Member,  Wall Busters  Advocacy Group,  Fairbanks,                                                               
Alaska, testified  in support  of HB 77.  She detailed  that Wall                                                               
Busters  was a  consumer-driven advocacy  group that  brought the                                                               
bill  forward with  Access Alaska  and Representative  Thompson's                                                               
office.  She set  forth that  the bill  came about  because of  a                                                               
need, both on  a national and local level. She  asserted that law                                                               
enforcement needs to understand how  a person with a non-apparent                                                               
disability may have  communication or understanding opportunities                                                               
that   can   drastically   change  the   interaction   with   law                                                               
enforcement.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
She specified  that HB  77 would  accomplish an  understanding as                                                               
follows:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
   • Discreet icon on ID or driver's license that was completely                                                                
     voluntary.                                                                                                                 
   • Education of law enforcement, corrections, or probation                                                                    
     officers at the academy level.                                                                                             
   • Education for anyone applying for a driver's license.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
She detailed  that a person has  to have diagnostic proof  from a                                                               
licensed physician,  nurse practitioner or  licensed psychiatrist                                                               
in order to  obtain a disability ID. She noted  that the bill had                                                               
a zero-fiscal note. She set forth  that the disability ID was not                                                               
a  get-out-of-jail-free card.  She summarized  that the  discreet                                                               
indicator and education would create  a safe environment for both                                                               
the   general  public,   people   with   disabilities,  and   law                                                               
enforcement. She  asked that the  bill be waived from  the Senate                                                               
Finance Committee assignment due to the bill's zero-fiscal note.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:04:26 AM                                                                                                                   
PATRICK  REINHART,  Executive  Director,  Governor's  Council  on                                                               
Disabilities and Special  Education, Anchorage, Alaska, testified                                                               
in support  of HB 77.  He set forth  that the bill  would improve                                                               
the experience  between people  with unapparent  disabilities and                                                               
law enforcement.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:05:26 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAD  GOEDEN,   Academy  Commander,  Division  of   Alaska  State                                                               
Troopers, Department  of Public Safety, Sitka,  Alaska, testified                                                               
that the  department was  neutral on  HB 77.  He stated  that the                                                               
academy can modify its training  to meet the bill's requirements.                                                               
He  noted that  the academy  already had  an 8-hour  segment that                                                               
covered disabilities.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  asserted  that  Mr.  Goden  was  neutral  from  a                                                               
political standpoint  and noted  that his  department as  well as                                                               
the governor's  office did not take  a position. He asked  if Mr.                                                               
Goden saw value in adding the training.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. GOEDEN replied that he saw  value, but remarked that the bill                                                               
would not solve all of the  problems. He stated that the bill was                                                               
a  step in  the right  direction to  increase communication  from                                                               
both sides.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  opined   that  the  bill  would   also  help  law                                                               
enforcement  better understand  the  circumstances  for both  the                                                               
person  and   public,  ultimately  strengthening   the  officer's                                                               
position.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
10:06:48 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  WIELECHOWSKI asked  if  the state  would  be exposed  to                                                               
liability if the requirements were  not followed if a person with                                                               
disabilities was not recognized.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR.  GOEDEN responded  that  he did  not think  he  was the  best                                                               
person to answer Senator Wielechowski's question.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE asked Ms. Berge  if the liability question has come                                                               
up before.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS. BERGH  replied that  she did not  recall the  question coming                                                               
up,  but noted  that the  designation was  voluntary. She  opined                                                               
that she did not believe that  a person could be held responsible                                                               
if certain  behaviors and interactions took  place. She specified                                                               
that the icon  was just a notification to law  enforcement that a                                                               
person has a type of a disability.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE stated  that he did not want to  rely on an opinion                                                               
and  noted  that  a  very  specialized  area  of  disability  law                                                               
existed.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:08:09 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  MCGUIRE stated  that she  liked the  bill. She  revealed                                                               
that she  has a head-injured  brother and remarked  that everyone                                                               
has  been  touched at  some  point  or  another by  someone  with                                                               
disabilities. She  said her biggest area  of questioning centered                                                               
on liability.  She remarked  that the bill  may expose  the state                                                               
along  with jurisdictions  with  corrections  and village  public                                                               
safety  officers due  to the  bill's  new set  of standards.  She                                                               
asked that Legal  Services provide an opinion due  to new actions                                                               
caused  by  either  disability-law  theory  or  police  council's                                                               
training  requirements. She  detailed that  receiving an  opinion                                                               
might mitigate  or offset liability  by setting  mental standards                                                               
or placing  a cap on  what the amount  would be. She  stated that                                                               
all public-safety individuals should  be included. She noted that                                                               
she did  not see  not the inclusion  of correctional  officers in                                                               
the bill.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS. BERGH noted that version W included correctional officers.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MCGUIRE  confirmed that correctional  officers, probation                                                               
officers,  police officers,  and village  public safety  officers                                                               
were covered  in the bill.  She asked  Ms. Bergh to  confirm that                                                               
the regulations were equal for everyone.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MS.  BERGH replied  that the  standards applied  to all  officers                                                               
throughout the state.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:12:02 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR  STOLTZE  noted  that  two  committee  members  brought  up                                                               
liability issues.  He offered  that the committee  meet on  an ad                                                               
hoc basis to receive legal opinions.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR MCGUIRE stated  that she would be happy to  move the bill                                                               
along  and  suggested  that  liability   issue  be  flagged  with                                                               
recommendations for the next committee of assignment.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE agreed to "flag" the bill and move it on.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  COGHILL   asked  Chair  Stoltze  to   confirm  that  the                                                               
committee would get a legal opinion for the next committee.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR STOLTZE  confirmed that the  next committee chair  would be                                                               
aware of the committee's concerns.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:14:50 AM                                                                                                                   
ART  DELAUNE, Member,  Wall  Busters  Advocacy Group,  Fairbanks,                                                               
Alaska,  testified  in support  of  HB  77.  He noted  that  Wall                                                               
Busters, a  grassroots organization,  was concerned  about people                                                               
being treated  poorly. He  detailed that  Representative Thompson                                                               
was enlisted  to write  the bill and  noted improvements  made by                                                               
the  bill. He  pointed out  that all  three police  academies had                                                               
training in  place, but upgrades to  address certain disabilities                                                               
must  be  made. He  summarized  that  the  bill  would use  of  a                                                               
discreet,  medical  information  would   not  be  shared,  police                                                               
officers  would be  made aware,  and a  conversation between  the                                                               
parties would be opened. He set  forth that the bill's intent was                                                               
to  make  interaction  safer  between  law  enforcement  and  the                                                               
public.  He specified  that the  resolve was  not to  have police                                                               
officers  discern   specific  disabilities  with   everyone  they                                                               
encountered. He asserted that the  legislation would be a tool to                                                               
help officers be more aware and facilitate better communication.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE closed  public testimony  on HB  77. He  asked Ms.                                                               
Erickson  to  address   what  would  be  required   for  an  icon                                                               
designation on driver's licenses.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
10:20:42 AM                                                                                                                   
AMY ERICKSON, Director, Division  of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Alaska                                                               
Department of  Administration, Anchorage, Alaska,  explained that                                                               
DMV envisioned a simple form that  would be certified by a doctor                                                               
under  conditions outlined  by the  bill. She  asserted that  DMV                                                               
would not want to know any medical information.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE asked  Ms. Erickson  to confirm  that she  did not                                                               
envision a  fiscal note as  well as  a nominal fee  being charged                                                               
for the designation.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS. ERICKSON answered  correct and noted that  the designator fee                                                               
would be $5, the same as the veterans' designator.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
10:22:22 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR MCGUIRE  stated that  she supported  the bill  and opined                                                               
that  there may  be  more cost  than what  was  indicated in  the                                                               
bill's  fiscal  note.  She  noted   that  a  cultural  shift  was                                                               
occurring  in the  area  of  law enforcement  to  move away  from                                                               
adversarial interactions  with citizens. She added  that the bill                                                               
could be improved in the next  committee by clarifying that a new                                                               
legal  cause of  action was  not  created as  well as  clarifying                                                               
language about  what the cause  of action  would be and  what the                                                               
set amount would be so that the state's exposure was limited.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
10:23:41 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR  MCGUIRE moved  to  report CSHB  77  from committee  with                                                               
individual recommendations and attached zero-fiscal note.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  STOLTZE  announced  that without  objection  CSHB  77(FIN)                                                               
moves from committee.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:24:20 AM                                                                                                                   
He called attention  to the confirmation hearing  in the previous                                                               
committee  meeting   on  the   appointment  of   Commissioner  of                                                               
Corrections, Dean Williams. He announced  that in accordance with                                                               
AS 39.05.080, the State Affairs  Committee reviewed the following                                                               
and recommends  the appointment be  forwarded to a  joint session                                                               
for consideration.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
       HB 273-VEHICLES: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE; ESTATES                                                                    
                                                                                                                              
10:25:29 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR STOLTZE announced the consideration of HB 273.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
DENEEN   TUCK,   Staff,   Representative   Lynn,   Alaska   State                                                               
Legislature, Juneau,  Alaska, read  the sponsor statement  for HB                                                               
273 with commentary as follows:                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
       HB 273 is a way that people can plan their estate                                                                        
     without going through the problems, length and expense                                                                     
     of probate; this is the  fourth step in this process. A                                                                    
     number  of years  ago Title  13  provisions were  added                                                                    
     that would allow  a person to have a  Transfer on Death                                                                    
     (TOD)  bank account  and designate  a beneficiary  with                                                                    
     one   or   more   beneficiaries,   depending   on   the                                                                    
     institution, and  simply designating to the  account by                                                                    
     filling out a small card.  When you open a bank account                                                                    
     or thereafter,  you can  change it  or do  anything you                                                                    
     want with it, but it  has proven very beneficial. Title                                                                    
     13 provides for brokerage  accounts, like Merrill Lynch                                                                    
     or accounts that  do the same thing and  these are also                                                                    
     permitted  under Federal  law; it  has proven  to be  a                                                                    
     very good step  in the area of estate  planning and not                                                                    
     controversial. You don't have to  do it, but you can do                                                                    
     it if you wish.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Several years  ago, legislators  carried this  one step                                                                    
     further in enacting TOD-deed  legislation that does the                                                                    
     same thing  with real  estate. If you  want a  TOD deed                                                                    
     than there is  a form you just fill out  and it becomes                                                                    
     effective upon your  death and you record  it. When you                                                                    
     die the person who's  the beneficiary simply presents a                                                                    
     copy  of the  death  certificate or  whatever proof  of                                                                    
     death  that's  recorded  and   then  the  deed  becomes                                                                    
     effective.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     From  what  I  know  the  TOD  concept  has  been  very                                                                    
     successful  and  now we're  trying  with  this bill  to                                                                    
     expand that  concept to  vehicles. Currently  15 states                                                                    
     have  at  last count,  excluding  Alaska.  There is  no                                                                    
     uniform act yet for this,  hopefully there will be or a                                                                    
     model  act   or  a   suggested  state   legislation  or                                                                    
     something;  but, what  we did  was  we got  Legislative                                                                    
     Research and they gave us  copies of all the state laws                                                                    
     and in  addition, copies  of the  state laws  for which                                                                    
     four states  have expanded this  for watercraft  and we                                                                    
     also register  snow machines in  this state and  we are                                                                    
     looking at outboard motors as well.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     The Division  of Motor Vehicles  has been  very helpful                                                                    
     and has provided  a lot of technical  assistance in the                                                                    
     drafting  of this  bill because  they were  given these                                                                    
     laws to see how they could  put together a bill for us;                                                                    
     they did  not feel  it was appropriate  to go  with the                                                                    
     watercraft  and we  can't do  aircraft because  that is                                                                    
     federal  and there  are  obligations  on their  titles,                                                                    
     it's not  done internally  that way.  HB 273  is 6-page                                                                    
      bill so that it has conforming language with all of                                                                       
     the other TOD language in the statute.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
10:28:39 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR STOLTZE announced that HB 273 would be held in committee.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:29:21 AM                                                                                                                   
There being no further business to come before the committee,                                                                   
Chair Stoltze adjourned the Senate State Affairs Standing                                                                       
Committee at 10:29 a.m.