05/17/2025 10:00 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB107 | |
| SR3 | |
| HB17 | |
| HJR13 | |
| HCR6 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 107 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 17 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HJR 13 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HCR 6 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
May 17, 2025
10:02 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Scott Kawasaki, Chair
Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Vice Chair
Senator Bill Wielechowski
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Robert Yundt
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 107
"An Act establishing a violation for hindering the Alaska Sunset
Commission; establishing the Alaska Sunset Commission to review,
audit, and make recommendations on discontinuation of or changes
to state entities; and relating to the powers and duties of the
Alaska Sunset Commission."
- MOVED CSSB 107(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3
Urging the United States Congress to grant American Samoans the
ability to serve as commissioned officers in the uniformed
services of the United States and the right to vote in federal
elections.
- MOVED SR 3 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 17
"An Act relating to retirement benefits and military service."
- MOVED HB 17 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13(MLV)
Urging the President of the United States to expand evacuation
efforts for applicants with approved Special Immigrant Visas,
including resumption of evacuation flights organized by the
Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts; urging the United
States Department of State to secure legal protections and
humanitarian assistance for Special Immigrant Visa applicants;
urging the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in
the United States Department of Homeland Security to expedite
the review of applications for Special Immigrant Visas; and
requesting that the United States Secretary of State provide a
report to Congress regarding efforts to reinstate evacuation
flights for applicants with approved Special Immigrant Visas.
- MOVED CSHJR 13(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6(MLV)
Commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States Marine
Corps.
- MOVED CSHCR 6(MLV) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 107
SHORT TITLE: ALASKA SUNSET COMMISSION
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) HUGHES
02/19/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/19/25 (S) STA, FIN
03/20/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/20/25 (S) Heard & Held
03/20/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
05/01/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/01/25 (S) Heard & Held
05/01/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
05/15/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/15/25 (S) Heard & Held
05/15/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
05/17/25 (S) STA AT 10:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: SR 3
SHORT TITLE: SAMOAN SERVICE & VOTING RIGHTS
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) WIELECHOWSKI
05/09/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/09/25 (S) STA
05/15/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/15/25 (S) Heard & Held
05/15/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
05/17/25 (S) STA AT 10:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HB 17
SHORT TITLE: DISABLED VETERANS: RETIREMENT BENEFITS
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) RAUSCHER
01/22/25 (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/10/25
01/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/22/25 (H) MLV, FIN
02/18/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124
02/18/25 (H) Heard & Held
02/18/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/25/25 (H) MLV AT 11:15 AM BARNES 124
02/25/25 (H) Moved HB 17 Out of Committee
02/25/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
02/26/25 (H) MLV RPT 7DP
02/26/25 (H) DP: HALL, FIELDS, SADDLER, GRAY,
ALLARD, NELSON, EISCHEID
03/19/25 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519
03/19/25 (H) Heard & Held
03/19/25 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
04/07/25 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM ADAMS 519
04/07/25 (H) Moved HB 17 Out of Committee
04/07/25 (H) MINUTE(FIN)
04/09/25 (H) FIN RPT 10DP 1NR
04/09/25 (H) DP: BYNUM, JOHNSON, HANNAN, ALLARD,
TOMASZEWSKI, GALVIN, JIMMIE, STAPP,
FOSTER,
04/09/25 (H) SCHRAGE
04/09/25 (H) NR: JOSEPHSON
04/28/25 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
04/28/25 (H) VERSION: HB 17
04/30/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/30/25 (S) STA, FIN
05/15/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/15/25 (S) Heard & Held
05/15/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
05/17/25 (S) STA AT 10:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HJR 13
SHORT TITLE: AFGHANS, SP. IMMIGRANT VISAS, ASSISTANCE
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) STAPP
03/21/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/25 (H) MLV
04/08/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124
04/08/25 (H) Heard & Held
04/08/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
04/15/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124
04/15/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/24/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124
04/24/25 (H) -- MEETING CANCELED --
04/29/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124
04/29/25 (H) Moved CSHJR 13(MLV) Out of Committee
04/29/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
04/30/25 (H) MLV RPT CS(MLV) NEW TITLE 4DP
04/30/25 (H) DP: HALL, GRAY, FIELDS, EISCHEID
05/07/25 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/07/25 (H) VERSION: CSHJR 13(MLV)
05/09/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/09/25 (S) STA
05/15/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/15/25 (S) Heard & Held
05/15/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
05/17/25 (S) STA AT 10:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
BILL: HCR 6
SHORT TITLE: US MARINE CORPS 250TH BIRTHDAY
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) UNDERWOOD
04/30/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
04/30/25 (H) MLV
05/06/25 (H) MLV AT 10:15 AM BARNES 124
05/06/25 (H) Moved CSHCR 6(MLV) Out of Committee
05/06/25 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
05/07/25 (H) MLV RPT CS(MLV) NEW TITLE 7DP
05/07/25 (H) DP: GRAY, ALLARD, FIELDS, SADDLER,
HALL, NELSON, EISCHEID
05/10/25 (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)
05/10/25 (H) VERSION: CSHCR 6(MLV)
05/12/25 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/12/25 (S) STA
05/15/25 (S) STA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/15/25 (S) Heard & Held
05/15/25 (S) MINUTE(STA)
05/17/25 (S) STA AT 10:00 AM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
WITNESS REGISTER
SENATOR SHELLY HUGHES
District M
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of SB 107.
MAXINE LABERGE, Researcher
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions about SR 3.
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER
District 29
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HB 17.
HENRY THOMPSON, Staff
Representative Will Stapp
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a brief overview of HJR 13.
ACTION NARRATIVE
10:02:35 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI called the Senate State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senators Bjorkman, Wielechowski, Gray-Jackson, and
Chair Kawasaki.
SB 107-ALASKA SUNSET COMMISSION
10:03:46 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
107 "An Act establishing a violation for hindering the Alaska
Sunset Commission; establishing the Alaska Sunset Commission to
review, audit, and make recommendations on discontinuation of or
changes to state entities; and relating to the powers and duties
of the Alaska Sunset Commission.
On May 15, 2025 the committee adopted a Committee substitute
(CS) for SB 107, workorder 34-LS-0111\T.
10:04:12 AM
SENATOR SHELLY HUGHES, District M, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, as sponsor she provided a brief recap of SB 107.
She stated that SB 107 would be a useful part of a broader
fiscal plan. Around ten other statesboth red and blue use this
approach. She stated that SB 107 will ensure Alaskans get the
best value for public funds by allowing a deeper, more objective
review than typical finance committees can provide. She said
this tool could help both governors and legislators craft and
finalize the state budget more effectively.
10:05:42 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
10:05:44 AM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to report CSSB 107 work order 34-LS-
0111\T, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
10:06:03 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and CSSB 107(STA) was reported
from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
SR 3-SAMOAN SERVICE & VOTING RIGHTS
10:06:17 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE RESOLUTION
NO. 3 Urging the United States Congress to grant American
Samoans the ability to serve as commissioned officers in the
uniformed services of the United States and the right to vote in
federal elections.
10:06:30 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI summarized SR 3. He stated American Samoa
is the only U.S. territory where residents are U.S. nationals,
not citizens. The people of American Samoa people serve in the
military at high rates and pay taxes but can't vote in federal
elections or serve as commissioned officers. He stated that this
resolution urges Congress to grant them those rights.
10:07:55 AM
SENATOR BJORKMAN asked why Samoans are classified as nationals
rather than citizens and whether the government of American
Samoa was asked their perspective.
10:08:35 AM
MAXINE LABERGE, Researcher, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau,
Alaska, answered questions about SR 3 and said America Samoa
does have representation in congress but they would like to have
voting rights.
10:09:13 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI stated that there is broad support in
American Samoa for voting rights and serving as commissioned
officers. However, there's some debate over whether they want
U.S. citizenship instead of national status.
10:09:57 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
10:10:00 AM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report SR 3, work order 34-
LS0963\N, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
10:10:18 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and SR 3 was reported from the
Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
HB 17-DISABLED VETERANS: RETIREMENT BENEFITS
10:10:32 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 17
"An Act relating to retirement benefits and military service."
10:11:01 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE RAUSCHER, District 29, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, as sponsor he gave a recap of HB
17. He stated that HB 17 lets 100 percent disabled veterans
retire up to five years early. It costs the state nothing and
gives vets needed flexibility as their disabilities progress.
10:12:43 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on HB 17; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
10:13:06 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
10:13:09 AM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to report HB 17, work order 34-LS0233\A,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
10:13:26 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and HB 17 was reported from
the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
HJR 13-AFGHANS, SP. IMMIGRANT VISAS, ASSISTANCE
10:13:49 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 13(MLV) Urging the President of the United States
to expand evacuation efforts for applicants with approved
Special Immigrant Visas, including resumption of evacuation
flights organized by the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation
Efforts; urging the United States Department of State to secure
legal protections and humanitarian assistance for Special
Immigrant Visa applicants; urging the United States Citizenship
and Immigration Services in the United States Department of
Homeland Security to expedite the review of applications for
Special Immigrant Visas; and requesting that the United States
Secretary of State provide a report to Congress regarding
efforts to reinstate evacuation flights for applicants with
approved Special Immigrant Visas.
10:14:22 AM
HENRY THOMPSON, Staff, Representative Will Stapp, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a brief overview of HJR 13.
He stated the purpose of HJR 13 is to draw attention to the
failure of the Special Immigrant Visa program in brining Iraqi
and Afghan allies to the US and granting them citizenship. It
urges the executive branch to act and resolve program
challenges.
10:15:40 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on HJR 13; finding none,
he closed public testimony.
10:15:55 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
10:15:59 AM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to report CSHJR 13(MLV), work order 34-
LS0710\G, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
10:16:19 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and CSHJR 13(MLV) was reported
from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
HCR 6-US MARINE CORPS 250TH BIRTHDAY
10:16:36 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of CS FOR HOUSE
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6(MLV) Commemorating the 250th
birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
10:17:56 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited the will of the committee.
10:17:59 AM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to report CSHCR 6(MLV), work order 34-
LS0935\N, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
10:18:17 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no objection and CSHCR 6(MLV) was reported
from the Senate State Affairs Standing Committee.
10:18:56 AM
CHAIR KAWASAKI There being no further business to come before
the committee, Chair Kawasaki adjourned the Senate State Affairs
Standing Committee meeting at 10:18 a.m.
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