Call the Senate Finance Committee to order.
Good morning, everyone.
Please silence your cell phones today's February 3rd.
We're in the state Capitol Senate finance committee meeting.
It's a little left earned.
It is 9 a.m.
We have full contingent of senators today.
Senator Stedman, Senator Olson, senator Keel,
Senator Merrick,
Senator Kauffman.
Senator Cronk and myself,
Senator Hoffman.
We have three items on the agenda today.
Oh, we we have 3 items
on agenda.
Today, the first one being Senate bill 34,
the repeal of the 90 day session limit.
Seems as though some people want to stay here longer.
September 20th,
the CPR curriculum and Senate Bill 104,
the vehicles, vehicles boats transfer title on death.
We will start with Senate Bill 34,
the repeal of the 90 day limited session limit.
This bill was heard last May on May 7th.
We took public testimony in that that time no amendments were submitted.
I invite Senator Giesel and her staff, Paige Brown, to the table to reintroduce the bill.
Please identify yourself and proceed with your presentation.
Good morning, Mr. Chairman. For the record, I'm Kathy Geesele. I represent Senate District E in the Anchorage area
Mr.. Chairman this bill
Repeals a law that is in place. It was a citizen's initiative
Several a couple decades ago that requires an adjournment at 90 days
Mr Chairman, we haven't met that standard. Well, We did during COVID
but very rarely since this initiative passed.
It sets an unrealistic expectation by the citizens.
This table certainly understands more than anyone
the complexity of the issues we face
and adjourning mandatorily by 90 days is unrealistic.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My staff can enumerate more of that data if you'd like.
Please proceed, Ms. Brown.
For the record, Page Brown, staff to Senator Giesel.
The legislature's frequently extended sessions
beyond the 120-day limit.
More specifically, in 2020, they met for 69 days
due to pandemic restrictions, but the following year,
they were in session for 217 days to compensate
for the lost time.
The public expects sessions to conclude within 90 days,
but that is unrealistic with the current situation of the state.
So this creates more confusion than efficiency.
Thank you for that explanation to committee members have
Questions or comments center stedman. Thank You, mr. Chairman. I could help us.I think the
Constitution governs how long we're we can be in session and
Can you help with the prioritization of the Constitution over statute, which is the prevailing?
rules of The land
For the record page Brown that is correct the Constitution right now has a mandatory
121-day limit and so that
Is the prevailing?
Well, I guess that
restricts the legislature
and with that
the Legislature can
a juror any time it wants if it gets his business done the only requirement that the legislature has is to pass an operating budget and
They can adjourn any
time after that
further questions
Seeing none
Senator keel can you review the fiscal note?
Thank You mr. Chairman it's pretty quick one the legislative affairs agency submitted the Only fiscal noted is a zero
The desire of the committee, Senator Stidman.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I move Senate bill 34, 34 dash L, S, O, three, two,
three backslash A from committee with the attached
fiscal notes and individual committee recommendations.
We'll take a brief at ease while the Senate Finance
members sign the report.
Call the Senate Finance Committee back to order.
That brings us to the second item on today's agenda.
Senate Bill 20, the CPR curriculum.
This bill was last heard on May 12th.
We took public testimony at that time.
No amendments were submitted.
However, we will have the sponsors reintroduce
to introduction of a CS.
So I invite Senator Gray-Jackson, the staff, Clark Pickford, to the table to reintroduce Senate Bill 20.
Please identify yourself and we'll reintroduced the legislation to The Committee.
Okay, Senator Elvick, Great Jackson, representing District G in Anchorage.
First, I want to say thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank You Committee for here in this bill again.
I really appreciate this lifesaving bill.
As a refresher, Senate Bill 20 carries a zero fiscal note because it relies on existing nationally recognized CPR curricula rather than requiring the Department to develop new materials.
This approach made possible through the efforts of Brian Webb is especially important given the state's current fiscal situation.
These evidence based curricular are already widely used across the country and
Sudden cardiac arrest is the third leading cause of death in the United States, claiming
more than 365,000 lives each year.
Immediate bystander CPR can more then triple a person's chance of survival, yet far too
few people have the training or the confidence to act in these critical moments.
Through collaboration with Chief Schragge and safety officer Dolph, both experts on the life-saving benefits of CPR
This bill would strengthen health education in our schools by equipping students with practical
life saving skills and preparing them to respond calmly and effectively in emergencies
Integrating CPR education into Alaska schools promotes a culture of preparedness
Empowers our communities and aligns Alaska with the rest of the nation
The American Heart Association recommends CPR training for all students
to help build a generation ready to act in emergencies.
This approach places thousands of new qualified life savers into our communities each year.
Finally, it's important to note that nothing in this bill prohibits the school or district
from exceeding the hands-on CPR standards established here.
Those standards represent a minimum requirement, not a ceiling.
Thank you again for hearing this Bill.
I would like to forward to it.
Moving forward.
Thank You Senator.
Do members of the Senate Finance Committee have questions for the prime sponsor, Senator
Seeing none
Motion to adopt this CS
Senator keel
Thank you
Thank You mr. Chairman I move the Senate Finance Committee adopt the committee substitute for Senate bill 20 finance
34 work order 34 LS 0 2 5 3 slash I as an Ileana as our working document
And I will object and invite Liz Harpaul staff to send her also into the Senate Finance
Committee table to explain the CS to the committee
Good morning for the record Liz Harpold staff to Senator Olson and the Senate Finance Committee
It's a very minor change that happened here. The effective date was previously August 25th 2025
We worked with the sponsors office to determine the best route forward and removed that effective day from the bill
Thank you for that explanation is their objection to the adoption of the CS
Seeing none that CS is adopted
I remove my objection and ask Senator Keel to review the fiscal note.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We have one new fiscal notes from the Department of Education and Early Development.
The only things that have changed are the date and the name on the bottom.
It remains a zero fiscal not.
Further discussion on The Bill of the Fiscal Note?
Yes.
Senator Olson wanted to explain that there were numerous occasions in this building
Senator Kahn Bundy and
Senator Stevens where he had to assist them in
In measures when they had problems with their CPR, so
It's not only needed this legislation not. Only needed throughout the state of Alaska, but in
this
capital building
Do we have any closing
ask senator keel for a review of the updated
fiscal note
Thank You mr. Chairman if I didn't say already the sponsors correct. It's a zero fiscal
Note we Have a new one from EED with this year's date on it. Is it a bigger fiscal zero fiscal note?
I'll double check it nope same zero. Okay. Thank you very much
closing comments for the prime sponsor, Senator Gray Jackson.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Committee.
I just want to say once again, thank you so much for moving this very important bill forward.
And I agree with Senator Olsen that we need folks in this building who know CPR too in case of unfortunate emergencies.
Thank You.
Thank are there any closing questions for
the Prime Sponsor?
Seeing none, senator Stedman?
Thank you, mr. Chairman. I move that the committee substitute for Senate bill 20 finance 34 dash lso
253 backslash I
from committee with
individual attached physical notes and individual committee recommendations
And this time I will ask is there any objection to the motion to pass the bill from Committee with individual recommendations
Seeing none
That bill was passed from community. We'll take a brief at ease. Well
Members, sign the report.
Call the Senate Finance Committee back to order.
That brings us to agenda item three, the last item on our agenda.
Senate bill 104, insurance, prior authorizations.
This is the first hearing on the bill.
So I invite the prime sponsor, Senator Kawasaki and his staff,
Jenna Calhoun, to the table to introduce Senate Bill 104.
Please come forward.
Give us your brilliance on 104
Morning mr. Chairman for the record senator Scott Kawasaki fairbanks
I wanted to related the short titles relating to the transfer on death deed and transfer-on-death title
Senate bill 104
and
I'll just read a brief statement and then let Miss Calhoun go through details
The death of a family member is a difficult situation to experience for any person.
And it's an emotional process that we will all have had or will face.
And, it drains an individual's stamina and motivation.
Add to that the legal complications and cost of this absence inflicts on a household.
It's no wonder that death in a family is one of the most stressful events in
a person's life. Going through the probate process can cost a
family thousands, potentially tens of thousands of dollars in legal filings at
a time when individuals are less able to cope with such financial pressure.
Senate Bill 104 would provide an option for Alaskans to alleviate such pressures
when loved ones pass.
Senate Bill 104 aims to continue the work of the Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act.
The legislation originally passed in 2014 with unanimous support of both chambers.
That is what created the transfer on death deed,
which would allow for non-probate transfers of real property. Transfer of death deeds allow
Alaskans to select a beneficiary who will receive the property at their time of passing.
and removes that property from the process of probate,
which can take anywhere from six months
to several years to complete.
At this time, a transfer on death deed
cannot be issued for boats or other vehicles
for which the DMV issues titles.
And so Senate Bill 104 would basically correct the situation.
The legislation would continue the ongoing efforts
to reduce costs and stress of Probate for Alaskans
by creating a streamlined service
Department of Motor or Division of motor vehicles through which Alaskans can designate beneficiaries for both vehicles and boats by filling out a simple form
This transfer on death deed
With the transfer of death-deed and Alascan would be able to gain access to a vehicle or a boat much faster than if they would have to go through the probate process
and
It is these we've seen these situations happen time and time again
For instance, if maybe a family runs a fishing business and owns a boat needs that boat transferred
over for insurance purposes or for business purposes and the boat's a crucial part of that
business. If they miss a season, it could end in ruins. So Senate Bill 104 would ensure that the
situation would not happen and that transfers can happen very streamlined. Transfer on death
for which the DMV provides titles that would also
include mobile homes manufactured pre-manufactured mobile home.
And the program would be totally self-sustaining through fees collected from individuals who file for this transfer on death deed.
There's no cost to the state after this is essentially set up within the department or the division of motor vehicles.
And then it would allow Alaskans to be able to pass down boats vehicles and some manufactured homes to their direct beneficiaries
Without again having to go through a very complicated and costly and time-consuming process of probate
I would urge the members to
consider Senate bill 104 and I'd be
Oh, I I'm gonna pass it off for any more technical questions and a presentation to my staff genic call you
Before you proceed Miss Calhoun, I'd like to correct the record
I announced that since Bill 104 was related to insurance and prior authorizations
I
announced earlier that it was for
Vehicles boats and transfer title on death
So I would like that correction to the records. Miss calhoun. Please proceed
Thank you for the Record Jenna Calhoon staff
to Senator Scott Kawasaki, presenting on SB 104, an act relating to the transfer of title on the death of an owner and providing for an effective date.
As Senator Kawazaki said, this is continuing the work of the 28th legislature.
In 2014, they passed the Uniform Real Property Transfer on death act.
An individual may transfer property to one or more beneficiaries effective at the transfer's death by a transfer on death deed.
The statute continues to define that a Transfer on Death deed is non-testimitary.
So that means that it's not involving or creating a well.
An asset subject to a TOD deed skipped the probate process.
This will be saving Alaskans money on average.
Probate processes can take up to $14,000 to go through.
adjudicate the vehicle and this would help them save money on an individual basis.
At this point in time, TODDs can only be used for real property, which is defined as land or anything permanently attached to it.
Which is why we have SB 104.
What it does, it extends this idea to.
Boats, vehicles, and certain manufactured homes that are titled through the DMV.
Some things to note about this legislation is that there can be no more than two beneficiaries.
An owner can revoke a TOD deed or change the beneficiary at any time without notice to the beneficiaries,
and the benefit fishery does not have, while there is a TOD deed,
it is enacted. And at that time the designated beneficiary can
disclaim their interest if they so desire. Now the beneficiary of the TODD
would be subject to the conveyances and conferences, assignments, contracts,
liens, and the other interest to which the boat or vehicle has been assigned.
Another thing to note is that if the estate of
the
One who has expired, has any liens upon their property.
The designee tea of the boat cannot sell the
boat within 12 months in case there is a credit
door that needs to make a claim upon that estate.
The SB 104 will continue to establish a procedure to obtain a TODD.
What they will need to do is an owner will fill out an application and
submit a fee to the department of administration or the Department of Motor Vehicles, the DMV for the regular public.
These fees will serve to fund the program.
I will continued to note that there is a initial setup fee which you have in your fiscal note of $75,000.
But after that, again, the fees will serve to fund this program.
What is the benefits of SB 104?
Well, not only will it lower the cost for probate for Alaskans, on average it costs $14,225 to settle in a state.
It'll lower costs for our courts.
No longer will the courts have to be gummed up with these probates.
cases because they could be adjudicated through the DMV with these TOD deeds.
Now, it also will allow Alaskans without ready access to law services to estate planning tools.
It's going to be a benefit to our rural Alascans who may not have the time, money or.
benefit to be able to go to Anchorage, to meet with a lawyer and plan their state.
They will be to transfer their important vehicles, their boats or
their manufactured homes to their beneficiaries with this simple form.
And again, this will expedite.
expedites the beneficiaries access to boats and vehicle, enabling timely maintenance and preservation of boats
and vehicles. As you know, Senator Kawasaki represents Fairbanks Alaska. We just had a very,
very cold snap at negative 40 degree weather. If somebody cannot access their car in that type
of weather, it's going to damage the vehicle. So, and that's something to consider. And then
in the instance of a family fishing business, this allows businesses to continue uninterrupted.
We do not want, again, the sad case of a death of the family member to cause
further financial harm to these families if they're unable to gain access to their boat in a timely manner.
And again it reduces the probate caseload for the rest of this state of Alaska.
Thank you all so much.
We have invited testimony and if you had any questions we would invite them as well.
Thank you do members of the finance committee have questions the prime sponsor of this Calhoun at this time
Seeing none we do have invited testimony we have two individuals first online
From Homer we, have
Abigail O'Connor
Who is the chief fiduciary officer for peak trust?
Mr. Connor please identify yourself for the record and
give the committee your invited testimony.
Yes, good morning to the chair. Thank you very much for the opportunity. My name is Abigail O'Connor.
I am the Chief Judiciary Officer of Peak Trust Company. I'm also a longtime estate
planning attorney. Uh, I've been practicing in Alaska for over 10 years, exclusively in the
I am in support of SB 104.
I think that the ability to name the beneficiary for a vehicle or boat will give Alaskans yet
one more tool in their toolbox to accomplish their estate planning goals.
I also think it solves a practical problem that we have seen numerous times, especially
at owning a car, my first advice to the family is to park the car and do not let anybody access it
because it creates a liability for the estate. And so the ability to have the
car go immediately and be retitled in the name of the designated beneficiary
resolves that the issue of liability
and makes everything a lot easier.
So I am in support and I'm also available
to answer any questions.
Are there any question?
Seeing none, the second individuals that signed up
or invited testimony is Linda Holbert.
Please identify yourself for the record
and give us your invited a testimony.
My name is Linda Holberg and I'm calling you from Fairbanks today.
I am a New York Life agent and have been a new York life agent in the state of Alaska
for the last 35 years having lived here since 1969.
In many situations where this bill would have made a big difference to people in their
transfer asked in an efficient way.
It includes motor homes, mobile homes.
These are valuable items
because they add up to the total of the estate.
Once the state is over a certain amount of money, it must go to probate.
With these assets out of
the estates, many times people can avoid probates at any expense.
and be able to settle the estate in a timely fashion.
For this reason, because it reaches everybody in the state,
their transfer on death is a reasonable planning tool.
It's not a forever situation,
because an individual can change their mind
and re-titled it in different names should they used to do so.
So it's never forever a situation
where you have to make a decision today
that you can't change tomorrow.
The passage of this bill is important for Alaskans, it's efficient,
it is reasonable,
it will cost and it encourages people to plan.
And that always is very important in a situation where you have an unexpected
gas or even an expected one.
It just makes it much easier for the family.
Much easier.
a large camper, you know, before things used to not be very extended, today they are, and they really do tie up the state.
So for this reason, for all other states to enhance the ability for people to settle the states and to go on with life,
I would encourage everyone to pass this bill.
Thank you for your time and I appreciate your attention to this issue.
Do members of the committee have questions on Ms. Holbert seeing none we'll open up the
Committee to public testimony
Is there anyone in the room that wants to testify on this
Senate bill 104
Is their any money online that want to testify and Senate Bill 104
Seeing none we'll close the public hearing
Senator Keel review the fiscal note
Thank You mr. Chairman
Senate bill 104 has one
updated fiscal notes with the new date as the sponsor noted it is a
$75,000 one-time setup cost from the Department of Administration DMV
And the funding source is DMB program receipts designated general fund
Thank You senator keel senator Kawasaki. Do you have any additional comments on your legislation?
No, I just wanted to thank the
Thank the chairman of the members of committee for hearing Senate bill 104 today. I look forward to working with the committee
Thank you
Thank, you senator kawasaki do any members in the Committee have many final questions or comments?
Thank you through the chair. Yes, I'm just wondered about the fiscal note that seems like a lot of
Hours to to do the programming changes
I guess working
One FTE working about four months to affect those changes. It just it it seems higher than what I would imagine
But then again, i don't know the system
We'll take a look at that center
More around how information technology projects are managed. Thank you, senator Kaufman further comments
Seeing none
We will set this bill aside
That concludes the agenda for this morning our next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow
Wednesday at 9 a.m. Here in
In the Senate Finance Room we will be hearing from the Governor's FY26
supplemental overview.
Seeing nothing else to come before the committee we are adjourned.