[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,99],{"_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",6269255,"mediaKeyId","3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39","parentId",3044922,"title","Committee hears bill to recognize electronic driver licenses; DMV says mobile ID will remain companion to physical card","audioSeconds",1686,"startMs",384000,"endMs",2070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39&start=384&end=2070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39/thumbnail_384000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269255/Alaska/Committee-hears-bill-to-recognize-electronic-driver-licenses-DMV-says-mobile-ID-will-remain-companion-to-physical-card","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269255-dda246a01b9c45e8c4556105e54a7f31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114087&Signature=B0nmx5fS9dkqr5asKxDuMIv~NxIIyFHSxLeyJq7phcUiQtI3sSiTWRngB9hSEBOeaNHOhmElfBTORCt4IvmObLpYIorILmRc2sWBMR~C06KbX3vQeG56LjGyBKaV0kbKSGsUYEhnL4l2wZPE0Y2jPGkW3oegzjXpHQBj0QzPXEZvOK3iU-WZpx40oc~b9O6TJY~X9b2I1DVD~SbH3IlsxCs9ix5eqmanoJnX9eYnh7gNXrz5Ft-bOE1kufGZOnQdbEoMfS9oPNtVzP8JNRqa59pLtzuzxMzYS4Da4965vJhhZ8weM-E50YnA3Sfi~Aqoo~JZeig6PKEEzON2pL2VJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","House Judiciary Committee Chair Representative Gray opened a public hearing on House Bill 180 on April 16, 2025, a bill from the governor that would authorize the Department of Administration to issue electronic driver’s licenses and state IDs as a digital companion to existing physical cards.

Department of Administration acting administrative services director Eric Demulan told the committee the bill “authorizes the Department of Administration in conjunction with already existing physical ID cards to also offer electronic driver’s licenses to constituents here in Alaska,” and that it is “designed to strengthen privacy protections” while clarifying legal procedures for law enforcement.

The bill, presented by Forrest Wolf, legislative liaison for the Department of Administration, would amend multiple Alaska statutes to recognize an electronic identification card while maintaining a statutory requirement that a person retain a physical identification or driver’s license card. Wolf described provisions that would (as written) require return of a physical card when a license is canceled, suspend or revoke physical cards, and allow the commissioner to enter into agreements with law‑enforcement or data‑exchange services to support electronic credentials.

Lauren Whiteside, division operations manager for the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), said Alaska already operates an “Alaska Mobile ID” (M‑ID) as a companion credential and that HB 180 would provide legal recognition and clarity for its use. “The Alaska MIB [M‑ID] offers enhanced security features compared to physical ID cards,” Whiteside said. “Users have control over the personal information they share, allowing them to verify their identity or age without disclosing unnecessary details.”

Whiteside described privacy and technical safeguards discussed in the bill and in DMV implementation: the proposed language prohibits officers from accessing other data on a mobile device when a presented electronic driver’s license is being checked and grants immunity to law enforcement for damage to a device except in cases of intentional misconduct. The draft also directs the department to adopt regulations governing issuance and use, and requires electronic credentials to display notices of revocation, cancellation, limitation, restriction or suspension across the front of the electronic license.

Committee members asked operational questions about interoperability and acceptance. Whiteside said the M‑ID can indicate Real‑ID compliance and that Alaska is working toward acceptance by the Transportation Security Administration, with a target of late 2025 for federal checkpoint acceptance. She said the DMV developed and released a free verifier app for businesses and retailers and that verifiers must opt in; businesses that choose to accept mobile IDs can set the verifier’s required fields (for example, requiring an address), and if a user declines to share those fields they can present their physical card instead.

The witnesses also said the DMV followed ISO standards in development, uses best practices promulgated by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and participates in an industry digital trust program. Whiteside stated that the personalization facility for physical cards occurs in the United States and described the credential vendor relationship as one the DMV has used for the last decade.

Committee action: Chair Gray set the bill aside for further work and set an amendment deadline of Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. The committee also noted Captain Kidchan of the Alaska State Troopers was available online for questions. No final vote on the bill occurred at the hearing.

Why this matters: HB 180 would put Alaska’s current, opt‑in mobile credential on explicit statutory footing while preserving the legal and practical role of the physical card. The bill’s provisions on privacy, law‑enforcement access, and verifier standards shape how Alaskans and businesses will be expected to use electronic IDs if enacted.

What’s next: The committee will accept amendments through April 23, 2025, and the bill will be returned for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/16/2025 01:00 PM House JUDICIARY","oneSentenceSummary","House Judiciary Committee Chair Representative Gray opened a public hearing on House Bill 180 on April 16, 2025, a bill from the governor that would authorize the Department of Administration to issue electronic driver’s licenses and state IDs as a digital companion to existing physical cards.","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},6269250,"Panel reviews bill letting state apply for PFDs to collect child‑support arrears; legal questions prompt withdrawal of amendments",1400,2071000,3471000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39&start=2071&end=3471","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39/thumbnail_2071000.jpg","/articles/6269250/Alaska/Panel-reviews-bill-letting-state-apply-for-PFDs-to-collect-childsupport-arrears-legal-questions-prompt-withdrawal-of-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269250-362bbddee53da62e43dc13a2dc610be0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114087&Signature=dRQBJAD26THrPSeI8FzlocCfrED9N7tTDB80mEGALG8PcA7AYGG2E4eaTaOygP5m6gQfFp0GTfV9voFMnhDnWOUifLBU6lFiDz3f~KcR2nmJ8lchmPuL6Ba0qkByAYD9NkPVWnBS9Mm-zj3sO1oAV6db18yE2-G2HLjJ3KnClsl62fo~pjZlO0Ju-~hMbAZ88EIt~wmzjMj-b3nP2iF81wM5gEY84hMS-afIFemB8vM89VLVrdT86C2cifikCaYpptc7wgOQTv4xHiKFPEtwoafDB4fjatff35LJpiEdUfzNeG9sSQtS~CZa5nQJ5mp2nY3uWvs1N3WNKWOwxeT6HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ashley Kerrick (West Fairbanks) introduced House Bill 137 on April 16, 2025, a proposal that would allow the state to apply for a Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) on behalf of residents who owe child‑support arrears and who have not timely filed their own PFD application.

Kerrick told the committee the bill is intended to help children owed support. “There are around 30,000 child support cases eligible to have PFD garnished,” Kerrick said, noting that about 10,000 of those individuals voluntarily apply for a PFD, leaving roughly 20,000 cases that could be affected if the state applies on their behalf.

The committee heard amendments and detailed questions about residency screening and potential legal exposure. Griffin Seque, staff to Representative Kerrick, described an amendment offered in committee intended to clarify that applying for a PFD on behalf of an obligor is not evidence that the person is an Alaska resident; the amendment was offered as a safeguard in the event a person had moved out of state and depended on the PFD for benefits elsewhere. That amendment (offered by Representative Eisheide) was withdrawn after members expressed legal and policy concerns.

Officials from state agencies participated in the hearing. Chris Tran, Director of the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) at the Department of Revenue, explained how cases are screened and submitted to the Permanent Fund Division: CSED sends cases with a baseline arrearage (the division cited a threshold of $5 or more) and matches by Social Security number, name and date of birth to identify PFD recipients for potential garnishment. Genevieve Wojczesik from the PFD division and legal counsel from Legislative Legal and the Department of Law were available to answer questions.

Committee members pressed for clarity about how the state would avoid applying for PFDs for people who are no longer Alaska residents and about whether criminal nonpayment or “criminal abandonment” should make victims eligible for other compensation (for example, the Victims’ Compensation fund). Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore said he had not reviewed this bill and could not answer specific legal questions at that moment; Legislative Legal Services attorney Emily Naumann said she did not see a takings clause problem with an amendment that would direct unused remainder amounts to the Permanent Fund, noting precedent where dividends otherwise ineligible for felons were set aside for a restorative fund.

Action in committee: Members offered and discussed multiple amendments; Representative Eisheide withdrew amendment 1 and later amendment 2 was also withdrawn. The committee set the bill aside for further study and said it will be brought back at a later meeting to allow staff and legal counsel to answer outstanding questions.

Why this matters: HB 137 would change how the state collects child support arrears by using PFDs as a collection vehicle for eligible arrears when obligors do not file for their own dividend. The bill affects program administration and raises legal questions about residency screening, interjurisdictional effects and precedent for diverting otherwise eligible funds.

What’s next: The committee will revisit HB 137 at a later date after additional legal review and agency follow‑up; no final vote occurred at this hearing.","Representative Ashley Kerrick (West Fairbanks) introduced House Bill 137 on April 16, 2025, a proposal that would allow the state to apply for a Permanent Fund Dividend on behalf of residents who owe child‑support arrears and who have not timely filed their own PFD application.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_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},6269240,"Bill would require salary ranges in job postings and ban salary‑history questions, sponsor says",0,5033000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39&start=5033&end=5033","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39/thumbnail_5033000.jpg","/articles/6269240/Alaska/Bill-would-require-salary-ranges-in-job-postings-and-ban-salaryhistory-questions-sponsor-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269240-cd2c9735f72e5320077b9bb82585db6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114087&Signature=LmowztHeIfIViUaos5C5KSWTmHOjjSwaN9unPyxNMT5i7FZLJOmz0R91hZXU7eH3eeC92faqaB6Y3iCwz4O76Sgrkh1Pcvr7lEwT5vuS7VAiIOR80vp70gxAYsvnEAwB9KptTaMShgd7b7~Ypf4LQ~BjtqhlepsJEIgc893ghCaIsiLvSDD1AIlRlGAVdYwLuW7qCwqBCqoZSkaFC1Nwb4O0R4hzW3gSjEy3-Mmgzs-ZwjAMkhoB7pwABcOlc3S0I5hIOTKT7VklLm2R-ivFZbwf7wVkdp4MH4JuvjuAdyKEH9e7GwrAmQKibre5ELtN88aUwu4pzqmKJ1h5gHSIyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Genevieve Mina (House District 19) presented House Bill 156 to the House Judiciary Committee on April 16, 2025. The bill would add a new article to AS 23.10 (employment practices) creating state law requirements for pay transparency in job postings and protections for employees who discuss compensation.

Mina summarized HB 156 as a tool to improve Alaska’s competitive labor market by standardizing hiring practices and increasing transparency. “What House Bill 156 does is seeks to improve Alaska’s competitive labor market and strengthen our workforce by standardizing fair, transparent hiring practices,” she said.

The staff sectional summary presented to the committee described the bill’s provisions: employers must include a salary or salary range in job postings; applicants and employees may discuss current pay; employers may not ask an applicant about salary history; an employee is not obligated to disclose compensation and an employer may not use voluntarily disclosed salary history to set pay for a new hire. The bill would require employers to post a summary of the law, prohibit retaliation and create a civil claim for damages with a three‑year statute of limitations. The draft directs the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to adopt regulations and authorizes penalties between $100 and $2,000, with discretion for the commissioner to reduce fines or allow corrective audits.

Dr. Michael Walsh, vice president for public policy at the 4Acre Group (a statewide nonprofit association), testified in support. Walsh said pay transparency helps address the gender pay gap and aids recruitment and retention. “Pay transparency is a critical tool in addressing gender pay equity,” he said, and noted that the 4Acre Group requires pay ranges for nonprofit job postings on its job board.

Committee members asked procedural questions about covered employers, the status of independent contractors (the draft exempts independent contractors), and which entities count as employers (the bill defines “employer” to include the state, the University of Alaska, Alaska Railroad Corporation, political subdivisions, and any person who employs one or more employees). Members also asked how many other states have similar laws; Dr. Walsh said roughly two dozen states have related pay‑transparency laws but did not identify specific states during the hearing.

Action: The committee set HB 156 aside for further consideration and indicated it will be heard again a week later. No committee vote on final passage occurred at this hearing.

Why this matters: HB 156 would create statutory pay‑transparency requirements and anti‑retaliation protections that could affect hiring practices across public and private employers in Alaska and contribute to efforts to reduce pay disparities.

What’s next: The committee will take HB 156 up again at a future meeting; staff and interested parties will have an opportunity to submit amendments and comment.","Representative Genevieve Mina introduced House Bill 156 to require employers to include salary ranges in job postings, protect the right of workers to discuss pay, prohibit asking applicants about salary history, and create penalties and a civil claim for retaliation. The nonprofit 4Acre Group testified in support, citing pay‑equity research.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269245,"Committee adopts amendment raising mens rea for wage‑theft felony from “knowingly” to “intentionally”",1477,3773000,5250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39&start=3773&end=5250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3044922-ea6a43761d1173a08d426a2f1351fc39/thumbnail_3773000.jpg","/articles/6269245/Alaska/Committee-adopts-amendment-raising-mens-rea-for-wagetheft-felony-from-knowingly-to-intentionally","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269245-3ed5a76cbd670653bc0508f0c6fa8742/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114087&Signature=mLXI1C340uA-Vvb3894-gqzm83Zs5J5o16Zvnrvcc~a3nMF7CkvoJF63p2z5b4W7eFlD87dw77lm5ClkYtxHG3AW0oxk3El6XBmN~I0sOaRzcBtPu2nmtmQzO~Oh0xGrkZYvIceey3Iayhj4hzMIYh7WGVu5KpkRaeIAJicAUml0qt-OkjfhHwxLn9fZehbGD75HtQQcvu7SmKmmAwI-hiDUrXk3Tt-vMbwkJG7KRwSvULFQMV1M4xKHPFgpBsnv6H3Llj~bczCZCo9f6UykSAfMUEOAoT6lUGogMw45tSNhUapToJSenMh7JgRxjEMmgk92fSF32ZxYpLAxj4g-EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee on April 16, 2025 debated an amendment to House Bill 97 that changes the mental‑state requirement for wage‑theft from “knowingly” to “intentionally.” Representative Vance moved the amendment; Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore explained the legal distinction between the two terms and the prosecutorial implications.

Skidmore told the committee that “knowingly” generally means a person is aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk and disregards it, while “intentionally” denotes a conscious objective to cause the prohibited result. He said raising the mens rea to “intentionally” creates a higher mental‑element threshold and helps prosecutors and courts distinguish between existing misdemeanor wage statutes and the felony provisions now proposed in HB 97.

Supporters of the change, including Vice Chair Kopp, said the amendment protects employers who face payment disputes or administrative delays (for example, in state procurement) from being prosecuted when there is no conscious decision to withhold pay. Opponents warned against narrowing worker protections; Chair Gray maintained an objection to the amendment during discussion.

The committee recorded a roll‑call vote after debate. The clerk announced: Representative Nina — yes; Representative Eisheid — yes; Representative Vance — yes; Representative Copp — yes; Representative Underwood — yes; Chair Gray — no; Representative Costello — absent. The motion to adopt the amendment passed 5–1.

Action and next steps: The committee adopted the mens‑rea amendment to the wage‑theft section of HB 97. Committee members indicated there were additional amendments to be considered and the bill was set aside for further work.

Why this matters: Changing the statutory mens rea from “knowingly” to “intentionally” alters which cases meet the felony standard and can affect prosecutorial charging decisions, potential liability for employers and contractors, and the distinction between civil disputes and criminal conduct.

What’s next: HB 97 was set aside for continuation of committee work and further amendments; the mens‑rea change will remain part of the draft that returns to the committee.","During consideration of House Bill 97 (retail theft and related provisions), Representative Vance offered an amendment changing the mens rea for a wage‑theft felony from “knowingly” to “intentionally.” Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore advised the committee on the legal difference; the amendment passed on a 5–1 roll call.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill to recognize electronic driver licenses; DMV says mobile ID will remain companion to physical card

Panel reviews bill letting state apply for PFDs to collect child‑support arrears; legal questions prompt withdrawal of amendments

Bill would require salary ranges in job postings and ban salary‑history questions, sponsor says

Committee adopts amendment raising mens rea for wage‑theft felony from “knowingly” to “intentionally”