[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6103310,"mediaKeyId","2797423-d0d89e5e2bc301d0cf7088d0cb52d499","parentId",2797423,"title","Committee considers extending AELS board authority, adding registered interior designers","audioSeconds",1870,"startMs",860000,"endMs",2730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2797423-d0d89e5e2bc301d0cf7088d0cb52d499&start=860&end=2730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2797423-d0d89e5e2bc301d0cf7088d0cb52d499/thumbnail_860000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6103310/Alaska/Committee-considers-extending-AELS-board-authority-adding-registered-interior-designers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103310-faf103e3cdd1602bb48d681957f3657c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775150794&Signature=RA~ATaIUwnurmOjTUiWBKPH66zmWn3qd6jzxlCC4aMUG-x-1vAOGYDb6aTQwLfRWLKCZwTTJ4eKUY~Gj2r2Zc3LPfoSQ8QGJoBnq6dlFnN-WmWdEXinLDRDFfUZ3oGwBWt2SLBi-Xx0BXap-Qa3QHcwbQbEj4Q1UXguqAdISBq3XatMFudSSVZNeDwS8G7lbHaOQfzmgI3~QLOgawcQmNaIcToBKnkVrVQ-FHwOmObSu9zqn~6VsKUcxgjmTLwIlXaFQqHq0vxL81cLLogphaAf~x~9aLQSFMdxFRysEeXVFspxZlvpfv6aKrFkFH2a8A57FSbK9lQO~SpcIWYOIbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Finance heard Senate Bill 54 on March 27, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Matt Klayman, would extend the statutory termination date for the Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors (AELS) Board by eight years to June 30, 2033; add registered interior designers to the board’s jurisdiction; and make several conforming statutory changes.

The bill would establish a title‑act registration pathway for qualified interior designers, enable registered interior designers to obtain permitting privileges (a construction stamp) for work within a regulated scope of services impacting public health, safety or welfare in public‑occupancy buildings, and add board seats to represent interior design and separate electrical and mechanical engineering seats.

Nut Graf: Supporters — including NCIDQ‑certified interior designers and board representatives — said the bill fills a gap by enabling qualified interior designers to register, obtain a stamp for certain commercial permitting, and increase consumer protection. Opponents — notably some architects and AIA Alaska members — said the bill should remain a title act (not a practice act) and expressed concerns about permanently expanding the board’s membership.

Details and testimony: Senator Matt Klayman described the bill’s purpose: “Senate Bill 54 will extend the statutory authorization for the Board of Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyor. The AELS Board, add registered interior designers to the Board's jurisdiction and make statutory changes requested by the Board.” He said the bill is intended to be cost neutral through registration and renewal fees and to allow the board to hire an occupational licensing examiner.

Chris Curtis, state legislative auditor, told the committee the board’s 2024 sunset audit found the board served the public interest and recommended extension; the audit showed 6,628 active registrants and a roughly $1.2 million surplus as of January 2024. Colin Maynard, speaking for the AELS Board, said the board voted 7–2 to support the bill and outlined staffing costs tied to adding an occupational licensing examiner.

Public commenters included NCIDQ‑certified interior designers who urged passage, representatives of the Council for Interior Design Qualification, and architects. Ramona Shimshimeyer (reading prepared remarks for AIA Alaska) said AIA Alaska would accept a title act rather than a practice act and would remove opposition if the bill remains a title act. Catherine Fritz, speaking as an individual and a registered architect, opposed permanently expanding the board’s size and questioned adding a voting seat for interior design given the bill is a title act.

Fiscal impact and process: Senator Kiel summarized the fiscal note: an increased FY26 cost of approximately $172,601 (receipt supported services) and on a going basis FY27 and after an estimated $401,700 in receipt‑supported services and two positions. The bill was set aside for further consideration; the committee announced an amendment deadline of April 8, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Ending: The committee did not advance SB 54 at the March 27 hearing and set it aside for further review; sponsors and stakeholders were encouraged to provide additional information before the amendment deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/27/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Finance heard Senate Bill 54 on March 27, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Matt Klayman, would extend the AELS Board authorization eight years, add registered interior designers to the board’s jurisdiction, and create a registration pathway with permitting privileges for qualified interior designers.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6103305,"Senate hears manufacturer‑funded electronics recycling proposal to remove e‑waste from rural landfills",3032,2800000,5832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2797423-d0d89e5e2bc301d0cf7088d0cb52d499&start=2800&end=5832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2797423-d0d89e5e2bc301d0cf7088d0cb52d499/thumbnail_2800000.jpg","/articles/6103305/Alaska/Senate-hears-manufacturerfunded-electronics-recycling-proposal-to-remove-ewaste-from-rural-landfills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103305-06c2a2db29dff8cfd38e0d5ed5500f38/orig.mp4?Expires=1775150794&Signature=hANPAxle8PShDouTwR50gq8cQjTlNZ05qlhTqxOheYCP8d8Ih9DXl7lsjGLGefLzv6fnNpka0mOxhjptBYE4PTXHHyjVQStJw5RzqsFZ8EbhgBMejHexURYaP6eKPy60wE6GzZe-eVdWSDt1zRvtqTCAMgOjY7PF3gmNnsPP1TCHMbjbx8x~aMw~LybszqTS7hwzqsZXDWF9UBdYh~z-TnRC2Z~vxCa3R1vXowmx9BximGbvPzrcchJOBb1U3eabZCjbhNihywMyCm7Ey-odw5D-vTigjErNJXLFa9b~AWbLEu3YPoyOyLA2-podjysHzxTU-QtwJ7V7nS53zeb1OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Finance on March 27, 2025, took testimony on Senate Bill 61, sponsored by Senator Lukey Tobin, to create a manufacturer‑funded electronics product stewardship program. The bill would require manufacturers selling covered electronic devices in Alaska to register with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), pay an annual fee, and operate or join an approved producer responsibility organization (PRO) to fund collection, transport and recycling.

Sponsor overview and purpose: Senator Lukey Tobin described the bill’s purpose as addressing hazardous electronic waste in unlined rural landfills and stabilizing funding for existing local collection efforts. “Instead of having Alaskans pay for it, like all these other states and Canadian provinces and European countries, we will have the manufacturers foot the bill,” Tobin said. The bill would establish a 13‑member advisory council to review stewardship plans and allow DEC to approve plans submitted by manufacturers or PROs.

Nut Graf: Supporters — including regional nonprofits, tribal entities and statewide backhaul programs — said the bill creates predictable, long‑term funding to remove hazardous electronics from rural dumps and reduce health risks associated with burning or landfilling electronics. Industry groups raised concerns about the bill’s convenience requirements, the cost to manufacturers (and potentially consumers), and gaps in statewide e‑waste quantity and infrastructure data.

Key details and testimony: The bill’s scope was narrowed in committee to remove certain items (microwaves, batteries containing electronics, and FDA devices) and to reduce the number of required collection sites; the advisory council may meet virtually. Louis Flora (staff to Senator Tobin) and multiple invited witnesses said existing statewide efforts cover many communities and the bill aims to formalize and fund them.

Invited testimony included:
- Riley Kosinski (Backhaul Alaska/Zender Environmental) — described existing backhaul and hub‑and‑spoke collection infrastructure and said roughly 70% of Alaska communities have some level of e‑waste recycling or access to collection events.
- Scott Clague (Product Stewardship Institute) — noted that two dozen states have electronics EPR laws, praised the bill’s stakeholder process, and said an effective law must build on existing infrastructure.
- Dr. Lynn Zender (civil engineer, SWAT) — emphasized health risks from electronics in rural landfills and burning and estimated many villages cannot afford incineration or advanced landfill upgrades.

Public testimony: Rural tribal representatives, nonprofit coordinators and regional program managers urged passage, saying local efforts currently rely on volatile grants. Phelan (Saunde) Gleeson, an environmental health specialist, said EPR would free federal grant funds for other uses. Opponents included Katie Capozzi, CEO of the Alaska Chamber of Commerce, who argued the bill would create one of the most expensive programs in the nation and shift cost to consumers, and Katie Riley of the Consumer Technology Association, who raised concerns about the bill’s convenience standards, lack of statewide e‑waste quantity data, and certain structural provisions such as requiring a single PRO.

Fiscal note and procedure: Senator Kiel summarized DEC’s fiscal note: DEC estimated an FY26 unrestricted general fund need of $499,600 and two full‑time positions; the estimate adjusts and stabilizes in FY28 (about $420,700), and in FY29 the funding source shifts to program receipts (manufacturer fees). The committee set the bill aside for further consideration. The chair announced the amendment deadline for the bills heard that day as Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 5 p.m.

Ending: SB 61 was set aside pending further work; stakeholders were encouraged to continue engagement with the sponsor and DEC on program details and implementation timing.","Senate Finance on March 27, 2025, took testimony on Senate Bill 61, sponsored by Senator Lukey Tobin, to require manufacturers to fund a statewide electronics product stewardship program administered through DEC.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":44,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6103316,"Senate committee hears bill to waive Alaska state park fees for disabled veterans",547,313000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2797423-d0d89e5e2bc301d0cf7088d0cb52d499&start=313&end=860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2797423-d0d89e5e2bc301d0cf7088d0cb52d499/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6103316/Alaska/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-waive-Alaska-state-park-fees-for-disabled-veterans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6103316-51ec8213756480a80ce2a22a3489657c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775150794&Signature=PVrm~BsafjZFsUacpM6eeTxYeqj248xaAmPobysLOfXJux90f~GJI5Cc2cojW7VnL3oDeVLyWJ1WrUeof0qd~hcBVc~Asyd0wfE6oLUWiI1lrkJjsxUc59isAuJBNUL1mHAutcESpyx71IpOH4aSb8UqYTUwPCZPCMDF2vCGOkYfRpNbybeyjUE3YK5YutN4KCvd2A16-iyojedigwlw0y4QW0CCi~G-o4AECnZA64zZg521xDvRVuXkd9RhIaxpyEBYkBgh5Pu~oBgcZM4Vz1KQm7gw7OCwV3fKUdEroR6gswlA3xPwhW-tt-ekszSqx9BkWKkNwdxTUnMpF6PB2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Finance on March 27, 2025, heard testimony on Senate Bill 30, sponsored by Senator Jesse Bjorkman, which would allow disabled veterans who honorably served to apply for a pass to Alaska state parks with fees waived and expand day‑use parking exemptions.

The bill would make the pass renew automatically every five years and reissue when a veteran updates their address, Bjorkman said. “This bill will allow disabled veterans who have honorably served our country to have access to our state parks free of charge,” Senator Jesse Bjorkman said during his introduction to the committee.

Nut Graf: Supporters say the change would expand an existing benefit (currently limited in statute to camping) to day visits and simplify administration. Invited testimony cited federal precedent: the National Defense Authorization Act of 2002 established free lifetime national park access for veterans, and witnesses urged Alaska to move toward a similar benchmark for state parks.

Details and testimony: Senator Bjorkman described the bill as simplifying access for disabled veterans and asked the committee for support. Lehi Hokanson, identified in testimony as chair of the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council, told the committee the change would “honor their service and support their well‑being” by offering more opportunity to use Alaska’s parks. The transcript notes that State Parks Director Ricky Yese and Bjorkman’s staff member Matt Churchill were available to answer questions but no committee member asked follow‑up during the hearing.

Fiscal impact: Senator Kiel read the fiscal note for the resources version (OMB component 3001, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Parks Management). The fiscal note submitted February 19 shows a projection of a $300,000 decrease in program receipts offset by a corresponding $300,000 increase in unrestricted general fund going forward. The committee indicated an updated fiscal note was expected and set SB 30 aside for further review.

Procedure and next steps: After invited testimony and no public commenters, the committee set the bill aside for additional consideration and an updated fiscal note. The chair later announced the amendment deadline for bills heard that day would be Tuesday, April 8, at 5 p.m.

Ending: SB 30 was not advanced or voted on at the March 27 meeting; the committee recorded it as set aside pending an updated fiscal note and further consideration.","Senate Bill 30 would let disabled, honorably discharged veterans apply for a waived Alaska state parks pass, expand day-use parking exemptions and auto‑renew passes. Committee testimony noted alignment with a 2002 federal parks policy and a fiscal note estimating a $300,000 revenue shift.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee considers extending AELS board authority, adding registered interior designers

Senate hears manufacturer‑funded electronics recycling proposal to remove e‑waste from rural landfills

Senate committee hears bill to waive Alaska state park fees for disabled veterans