[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6265793,"mediaKeyId","3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0","parentId",3088779,"title","Committee reports bill defining delivery app drivers as independent contractors; moves to insurance committee","audioSeconds",155,"startMs",5760000,"endMs",5915000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0&start=5760&end=5915","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0/thumbnail_5760000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265793/Alaska/Committee-reports-bill-defining-delivery-app-drivers-as-independent-contractors-moves-to-insurance-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265793-23e9cb588eedac8620a4536f01539e28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971870&Signature=TN4PNp6cW4ZWImqxoTPbcD6cPueXy8pnp9cBxphuGiA1gbwwc4G-TSmgG7IhudTLN3gTQtAt~qZAjBsH~HqOqiOiM5LW7CHV7OyFmM7SS8RSTzN1rj8WJiRUTnWkuadfCUE6uds6WPmlIkGCSO04gM52JQgJfWZ5dWJJSUyofyTNMu8O2SPORt5AzrUemZYCXN8a0wxNBpsnAo-BoIbKRg2t~qRqRP41ZXhCMTVXiCZ1nNPnFLbfhQDDdOg1zu98G1HwJeykQ~QcJWT7~qt6pFloxN2VnHXH9icS9YDlATkNimZjV0EYipNpd5VQB0HJ58OoZQMOm6tQDdlUHzFMSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate State Affairs Committee on April 22 reported Senate Bill 35 out of committee with individual recommendations; the measure would amend workers’ compensation statutes to align individuals who provide delivery services through network delivery companies with those who provide services through transportation network companies.

Sponsor Senator Jesse Bjorkman of the Kenai Peninsula reintroduced the bill, explaining it would define delivery‑network‑company (DNC) drivers as independent contractors and align statutory treatment with transportation network companies (TNCs). Bjorkman told the committee the change is intended to clarify coverage under workers’ compensation law and that the bill’s next stop is a committee with jurisdiction over insurance, labor and commerce to address related insurance questions.

The committee recorded no objections when Senator Grama Jackson moved the bill be reported out of committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note. Written letters from several delivery platforms were included in the record. The committee forwarded SB35 to the appropriate committee for further review of insurance and labor issues.

Supporters and opponents were not extensively recorded in the April 22 transcript; the sponsor and staff said the change seeks statutory alignment and clarity. The bill is expected to receive review focused on insurance coverage, employer obligations and the consequences for driver classification in subsequent committee work.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/22/2025 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 35 would align delivery‑network‑company drivers with transportation network company drivers under workers' compensation and classify them as independent contractors. The Senate State Affairs Committee reported the bill out with individual recommendations and sent it to a subsequent committee for insurance and labor review.","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},6265798,"Committee reviews bill to ease CPA education rules, allow out‑of‑state firm practice privileges",579,4499000,5078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0&start=4499&end=5078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0/thumbnail_4499000.jpg","/articles/6265798/Alaska/Committee-reviews-bill-to-ease-CPA-education-rules-allow-outofstate-firm-practice-privileges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265798-a4a9e19c07327ea2b5143954c2967db6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971870&Signature=Ok4blcRxdQO28EfBGm8whtWSNWnM3i5FYWdX7T-3skIe1HZXqGi4oAF2bk54cThbQu1B-E2hwrYLt-BEoMiEU-EJXumtMpalmZi2elBaCRpBBfOkbaimtAQ~349oljqamAUHIEb~BlcVsVXAsHXjuQoKewdcnONVbc9tG8JBSNoDtpYeK8WOG7182BkIbzlO04A-J3F3C2zEivtQHHb-z1HOApsPVL9T0cOUW2Nza5ZWr4gdSehNSPkZkFjdZ8uGFT-FReZILPLc5TRNUv4bxi8~EUkswMvFJKDAeLnasLGWBqr3QeVmgeoP7Yyo0MjivU4r9z6q2X4KIHljSS00RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate State Affairs Committee on April 22 heard House Bill 121, proposed to modernize CPA licensure requirements and firm mobility to increase the pipeline of accounting professionals in Alaska.

Amanda Dimo, staff presenting for Representative Calvin Schrage, told the committee HB121 would remove a statutory 50‑credit requirement that has effectively required many applicants to earn roughly an additional year of college beyond a standard bachelor’s degree. Under the bill, applicants would still need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with an accounting concentration, must pass the Uniform CPA exam and meet experience requirements; the statutory extra‑credit requirement would be removed and licensing criteria updated to match national standards.

Supporters from the profession described a workforce shortfall and urged the change to retain candidates. Beth Stewart, managing partner of KPMG’s Anchorage office and chair of the State Board of Accountancy, said the extra credits can be unrelated to accounting and often require students to spend an additional year or to pursue a costly out‑of‑state master’s degree. Karen Burrit Harbour (past chair of the State Board and chair of the Alaska Society of CPAs legislative committee) and Krista Berson, president and CEO of the Alaska Society of CPAs, said the bill aligns Alaska with the updated Uniform Accountancy Act and national practice, and that other states have moved to a 120‑credit model (effectively four years of education) to improve recruitment.

Tom Neal, chair of the AICPA Uniform Accountancy Act Committee, testified that the bill’s language aligns with national model law changes and noted that many jurisdictions are adopting similar reforms and firm mobility provisions. The bill would also align Alaska’s treatment of out‑of‑state firms with how out‑of‑state individual licensees are currently allowed to provide services under practice privilege rules.

Public testimony included one commenter who referenced broader credentialing questions. The committee did not take a final vote and set HB121 aside for a further hearing; written testimony was accepted via committee email.

Proponents said HB121 maintains professional safeguards—exam, experience, and disciplinary oversight—while removing an education barrier that deters qualified candidates and increases cost and delay. Board and society supporters argued the change would help retain accounting talent in state and ease administrative burdens on firms seeking to serve Alaska clients.

","House Bill 121 would remove an extra 30-credit statutory education barrier for CPA licensure, align Alaska with national model law and allow out‑of‑state CPA firms consistent practice privileges. Supporters said the changes address a statewide CPA shortage; the committee took testimony and set the bill aside for further consideration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265803,"Senators hear two approaches to ending daylight saving time; committee leaves bills open for amendments",549,3751000,4300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0&start=3751&end=4300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0/thumbnail_3751000.jpg","/articles/6265803/Alaska/Senators-hear-two-approaches-to-ending-daylight-saving-time-committee-leaves-bills-open-for-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265803-4931377d12dd4758a8521924f95a751b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971870&Signature=AmRGZDh~a03T2OgwQiEDhVoHLPawbzAAzMqc7onPDJB6FzAgYYU706xQ6uPg6wtB4MdbHOxL9JS0QzE-TEwuNH~3B6hMwMRMRF-5FWQ~goVOwQvyFE9NP~T0gQVHx8~ZJ5BaYmFaq2J1Gv4EDCtRoskDFA-WPPxaTCzvBvGPMzibwUTSCPKJhJEtrVcrs~BE2yF-d7zUzUciEh2hTuhkGwORUru5NvRZsdaSB-Fm-n~efF1X9~boSocDNQBxoteBZlUgAjdWMb8lpGubKaHX2-xJpIjrgD5VJrUyMO3ZmsAAFKDoS6iiwDzIWUsVsQwkJ0LNVfwrmIsGDWYjSHIf1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate State Affairs Committee held hearings April 22 on two bills that would end Alaska’s twice‑yearly clock change, taking competing paths to the same stated goal of eliminating daylight saving time.

Senate Bill 102, presented by committee staff Joe Hayes, would exempt Alaska from observing daylight saving time and adopt year‑round standard time immediately. Hayes said the measure is intended to restore morning daylight and reduce documented health risks linked to the biannual clock change.

Senate Bill 26, sponsored by Senator Kelly Merrick of Eagle River, takes a different approach: it would direct the legislature to petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to place the entire state in Pacific Standard Time and would make an exemption from daylight saving time effective only if the USDOT places Alaska in Pacific Standard Time on or before 2035. Carrie Crocker, staff to Senator Merrick, said SB26 seeks federal approval to move Alaska to Pacific time to align the state with the West Coast and to address stakeholders such as tourism and banking.

Invited and public testimony favored abandoning the twice‑yearly clock change and largely supported returning to standard time rather than permanent daylight saving time. Jay Pea, president of the nonprofit Safe Standard Time and co‑chair of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time, told the committee that permanent standard time best protects circadian health and morning light; he warned that permanent daylight time can push Anchorage sunrise times past 9 a.m. for parts of the year. Health professionals who testified, including Lisa Alexia, a physician assistant who has worked in rural Alaska, emphasized public‑health benefits and the particular importance of morning light for schoolchildren, commuters and people working outdoors.

Other residents—including speakers from Willow, Fairbanks, Eagle River and Anchorage—said ending the clock change would improve safety, reduce sleep disruption and simplify business and travel. Several witnesses urged the committee to choose the approach that would take immediate effect and restore morning light rather than waiting for federal action. Senator Merrick said SB26 is intended to meet stakeholders’ needs by securing federal permission to locate Alaska in Pacific Standard Time, a more complex but potentially longer‑term alignment.

The committee set an amendment deadline of April 28 at the close of business for both SB102 and SB26 and left public testimony open. No formal action was taken to advance either bill at the April 22 hearing; the committee set both bills aside for further work and possible amendment.

","The Senate State Affairs Committee heard two bills to end daylight saving time in Alaska: SB102 would adopt year‑round standard time immediately; SB26 would seek federal approval to place Alaska in Pacific Standard Time and make the exemption effective upon USDOT action. Committee left both bills open for amendment and public comment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265808,"Senate committee advances bill to restore campaign contribution limits in Alaska",2446,669000,3115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0&start=669&end=3115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3088779-83c1747d84304dfa267a345e415c78d0/thumbnail_669000.jpg","/articles/6265808/Alaska/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-restore-campaign-contribution-limits-in-Alaska","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265808-db115b25ea33736b4d3d4ddfe61ed333/orig.mp4?Expires=1770971870&Signature=DivnAAjeZ62tgTCrqXm8o-M19Zu74hzPtF~cDQ1j2Z9Nhkn1NyF00nLQvIHJyD1JQnXzAq7280Km9Vby3Q-NCqQsZ7KO08pltIPmmvAYl23UqxYSPyH1MDPx9H9ZS00UzN~krY-JZE9078cj3KqczSx8X7JTXX2hG0wNl2kjjJ4VD3sl1x64O7b0VHjRyQt80epHMyWlwNB2rJ-4dDwYlrJQyG7KeKhf5NqIwzNuAitJOyxifRO9yedkBJ9o1bwpI4X8a1YMJ9hqjKlSeBQWFZ-N8F8kFuL4slLDn5fu7eVC0DrAywkFm3Y~rEsTe9Umld169eD90N6OInRLMhIGYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate State Affairs Committee on April 22 voted to report Senate Bill 116, a measure to restore campaign contribution limits in Alaska and index them for inflation, advancing the proposal to the full Senate with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note.

The bill would reestablish contribution ceilings based on the limits approved by Alaska voters in 2006, adjusted for inflation and calculated per two-year campaign periods. Under the draft presented, individual-to-candidate limits would be $2,000 per campaign, individual contributions to joint gubernatorial campaigns $4,000 per campaign, and certain group-to-candidate limits would increase to $4,000 per campaign. The legislation also directs the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) to index limits for inflation every 10 years beginning in 2031.

Proponents said the legislation responds to a 2021 ruling by the Ninth Circuit in Thompson v. Hebden that struck down Alaska’s then-statutory contribution limits as unconstitutionally low and noted the Alaska Public Offices Commission’s 2022 advisory-opinion process that left the state without enforceable statutory limits. Joe Hayes, staff to the committee, summarized the bill’s history and stated proponents’ goal of reinstating “reasonable and constitutional” limits aligned with both federal guidance and voter-approved policy.

During questioning, Heather Hebden, executive director of the Alaska Public Offices Commission, clarified that the bill would apply limits to political action committees (PACs) and other groups as defined in the draft, but would not restrict independent-expenditure groups. Hebden said section 3’s group definition brings PACs under the limits while section 6 excludes independent-expenditure organizations from contribution limits because independent expenditures remain regulated under federal First Amendment jurisprudence.

Public testimony was largely supportive. Kevin Morford, president of Alaska Move to Amend, urged the committee to pass SB116, saying the measure was carefully drafted to withstand constitutional scrutiny; Bruce Potello, co-chair of Citizens Against Money in Politics, and Mercedes Arciniegas of Alaska Public Interest Research Group also urged passage. Heather Arnett of the League of Women Voters of Alaska said the inflation indexing provision was important to keep limits current. One public commenter, identified in the record as Mike (surname redacted), spoke in strong opposition, arguing the measure would infringe on First Amendment rights.

Senator Jesse Bjorkman moved the bill be reported out of committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note; the committee raised no objections and the motion carried, with the clerk recording SB116 as reported from committee. The committee did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript; the minutes state no objections were raised.

Supporters said SB116 is a targeted response to court direction and that automatic indexing will reduce future constitutional challenges tied to outdated dollar amounts. Opponents in testimony and during questions warned that federal court review could again unsettle contribution limits and noted independent expenditures remain outside the scope of state regulation.

The bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.

","The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to report Senate Bill 116, which would reinstate individual and group contribution limits tied to past voter-approved caps and indexed for inflation, returning limits after a 2021 federal court decision left Alaska without statutory caps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reports bill defining delivery app drivers as independent contractors; moves to insurance committee

Committee reviews bill to ease CPA education rules, allow out‑of‑state firm practice privileges

Senators hear two approaches to ending daylight saving time; committee leaves bills open for amendments

Senate committee advances bill to restore campaign contribution limits in Alaska