[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6244358,"mediaKeyId","3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27","parentId",3230364,"title","Committee hears support for new Cook Inlet administrative area to protect East Side set-netters","audioSeconds",932,"startMs",1384000,"endMs",2316000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27&start=1384&end=2316","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27/thumbnail_1384000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6244358/Alaska/Committee-hears-support-for-new-Cook-Inlet-administrative-area-to-protect-East-Side-set-netters","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244358-73870bbf362a091e6a1dbee63b077d9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1769951002&Signature=LBaajVMkUcGjS1oQz7SAhblKLWCSYLdsFfetS7PPzJdKpklA5Xxm-A32NcsPPK6ZwyAbq7oCE1btcLZMEbLJfJBMS~v8LLhjNGWS43ZkPVcOH~0T-~K887uZN4UGDUemYdIHs2vm0ifqDawNmIV0JOviG8Cean9eFi7QcqojMXzV5jDl7DKvc2VSvmIsBos88mrM8fpmXa-mbFwuUOjXCjzHB7AbRuPm~WK2VO3LZtM8Sdo3dMHAvVicqE-zH7pME84fgoiTJTCNNs2VjROGbNvqVT4jqXlDea8yYwhtZGYUIFOLqpeAk5XZXCW1-9NsegMUPyyYRiJOqqcVWw~dDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday received invited testimony supporting Senate Bill 158, a bill that would establish a distinct administrative area in the upper subdistrict of the Central District of Cook Inlet to encompass the East Side set-net fishery.

Conrad Jackson, staff to Senator Christine Bjorkman and the bill presenter, said SB 158 \"proposes a new administrative area be established on the East Side Of Cook Inlet, where the East Side set net permit holders have historically fished.\" He told the committee the bill does not change allocations or the fishery itself but creates an administrative boundary to allow the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) to manage permits and offer greater self-determination for local permit holders.

Why it matters: Testimony from long-term set-net permit holders described a fishery with unique management needs and repeated closures tied to paired restrictions for king salmon. Supporters said the new area would let CFEC more easily verify historical participation and economic dependence and would enable local solutions such as a regional fisheries association or a buyback effort tailored to East Side users.

Invited and public testimony included CFEC Commissioner Glenn Haight, who told the committee the bill \"creates the area. That's something we do have authority to do,\" and explained the Commission would run a regulatory project, receive applications and code licensing changes to bring qualifying permits into the new area. Haight said the bill's approach differs from CFEC's usual practice by creating statutory criteria for reassignment and by directing certain appeals to Superior Court rather than through CFEC's normal process.

Multiple longtime East Side permit holders testified in favor. Lisa Gebrott (who introduced herself during testimony as a Kenai resident and \"East Side set-netter for over 39 years\") said the area's statistical units include two of the Kenai Peninsula's most prized river systems and would allow \"self determine what we want our permits, fishery, and family businesses to be.\" Gary Hollier, who said he received an original set-net permit in 1975 and has fished the East Side for 54 years, added that \"the Eastside set-net fishery is managed differently from the rest of Cook Inlet\" and that 80% of East Side set-netters are Alaska residents.

Key clarifications contained in the bill presentation and testimony:

- The bill identifies specific statistical areas to be included in the new administrative area (transcript references: statistical area numbers 24431, 24432, 24441 and 24442, roughly from north of Nanilchik to Boulder Point).

- The draft would establish that an individual with a Cook Inlet Central District set-net permit is not entitled to fish in the new area unless their permit has been reassigned to that administrative area; CFEC would administer reassignment following criteria based on historical participation and economic dependence.

- The bill adds an appeals process for the new administrative area; testimony said provisional licenses would be issued pending resolution of appeals and that appeals would be directed to the Superior Court rather than adjudicated entirely within CFEC.

- The sponsor's draft includes an effective-date clause making the bill effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Committee action: The committee took invited and public testimony and set SB 158 aside for future consideration.

Background and next steps: Supporters said the measure would give East Side permit holders tools to pursue local options, including a regional fisheries association and the possibility of a buyback financed and run by the local fleet. CFEC said it would perform the licensing and coding work necessary to implement a new administrative area, and that a rulemaking and application review would be required to identify qualifying permits.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05/07/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony supporting Senate Bill 158, which would create a new administrative area in upper Cook Inlet to recognize and manage the East Side set-net fishery independently of other Cook Inlet areas.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Alaska, Alaska","taxId",78559,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244363,"Senate committee hears mixed testimony on modernizing charitable pull tabs; work on committee substitute underway",764,431000,1195000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27&start=431&end=1195","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27/thumbnail_431000.jpg","/articles/6244363/Alaska/Senate-committee-hears-mixed-testimony-on-modernizing-charitable-pull-tabs-work-on-committee-substitute-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244363-f5554684e43fe72969815863817c8f1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1769951002&Signature=kNy83EYM3Zny19jGfYUcMEp41XSD7Epynyb50Kf63xHwoh9wofBvZupBMJw7oaX5EsoJbjig1tqUuIgw4LsWPcWaUfM5A~ygcFdj1M0ZMyqh4PNm3RRrNZ3qMUz4OVVWC7dhFqLDehQDI-pO9rQF0uw9R~FGE80~8-Tvve8Rg3LUEnfCTHBMH8h~RkPA2nmRW463dT60iBSTz6loRKjeZKEan1LIcm5ILd3eSYjskSHqvBCPz3sTaPZbGKZVMFQGGKsUcrN6tp2ZB4P2iZzUQUaDTbeFPL9uuo~N~YtK1twFEea1H1VNlaD7vm5QXvjsZnNzqPBesVvMDWoOgZ4W3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday heard public testimony on Senate Bill 170, a proposal to modernize Alaska's charitable gaming rules to authorize electronic pull tabs and other electronic devices while the committee prepares a draft committee substitute.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Christine Bjorkman, chair of the committee, told members the goal is to \"modernize our charitable gaming statutes and maximize revenue for charities and nonprofits without turning charitable gaming into anything that resembles gambling and all of the social ills that go with it.\" She opened the record for public testimony and said the committee will accept suggested changes to a forthcoming committee substitute.

Why it matters: SB 170 would change how small nonprofits, fraternal and veterans service organizations raise funds across Alaska. Supporters say electronic pull tabs can increase revenue, improve accounting and preserve the social character of pull-tab fundraising. Opponents at the hearing said some device and payout restrictions in the current draft would advantage large operators over volunteer-run organizations and could impose staffing and cost burdens on small groups.

Speakers during public testimony included Krista Foley, who identified herself as \"a department creator for AMVET Alaska,\" and told the panel the bill \"leans heavily for its operators and forgets about small VSO[s] out here\" and urged the committee to preserve choice for individual organizations on what devices they may use. Michelle Sass, who said she represents veterans groups, testified that \"SB 70 in its current form puts this kind of grassroots giving at risk,\" warning that a handheld-only device requirement could create a staffing burden for small organizations. Charles Boring and Kayla Hansen (Soledadna Chamber of Commerce gaming manager) also urged flexibility in device choice and higher payout limits.

Not all testimony opposed the bill. Cody Oatman, business representative for the Alaska District Council of Laborers, said his organization's scholarship fund receives proceeds from charitable gaming and that tablets \"will enhance accuracy and streamline accounting for charities,\" adding tablets would keep operational and maintenance costs low and be geographically manageable for Alaska.

Details and clarifications from testimony and committee remarks:

- Several speakers urged that small volunteer-run veteran service organizations and committees be allowed to choose the devices they use rather than be limited to a single device type; one witness noted veterans posts are private, membership-based clubs and argued that restrictions should reflect that operational reality.

- Witnesses suggested raising payout/limit caps; one public speaker recommended raising limits to $7,000,000 \"across the board.\" The sponsor explained the bill's proposed limits were designed to allow multiple nonprofits to benefit and to avoid concentrating play under high limits.

- The committee chair said cabinets and large, slot-like machines were intentionally excluded from the draft to keep charitable gaming social and distinct from casino-style gambling.

Committee action: The committee took public testimony and \"set the bill aside\" for further work; the chair said staff will prepare a draft committee substitute and asked interested parties to submit proposed changes to the chair's office.

What was not decided: The committee did not vote on any amendments or adopt final statutory language. Questions remain about the final device rules, payout limits, and how any new regulations would be applied to small, volunteer-run nonprofits versus larger operators. The chair invited written comment and said public testimony would remain open for a future hearing.

Looking ahead: The committee signaled it will circulate a committee substitute for SB 170 and seek input from stakeholders before returning the bill for further consideration.","The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday heard public testimony on Senate Bill 170, a proposal to allow electronic pull tabs for charitable gaming, and set the bill aside while staff prepare a committee substitute.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244353,"Renewable portfolio standard draws technical testimony; sponsors, utilities and developers to refine draft",1425,2445000,3870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27&start=2445&end=3870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27/thumbnail_2445000.jpg","/articles/6244353/Alaska/Renewable-portfolio-standard-draws-technical-testimony-sponsors-utilities-and-developers-to-refine-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244353-f4d2a6df2d608de0c4de218d35a67a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1769951002&Signature=jYALb6SzelONdIFyg-pRzd1SQW2IlhAcbKEoaq1I6jX~csWetDfhrNVYVszuyJd78vUvZeSJI~~8OgGSdN8BoS9bvsr53-2Ijmu2Khv3NEMjtFYJeGsIc6b~hONRyYjlqGMLODvNJuwd7VVdbuRfnb~SS2fHTFz5uiDfheM8FGhJIkovGQEruozvGhhQXOh2rea1uiiG3acV60mMlfcNhJz8kb-fcJBwMyWE8FCEtjftJvyXGQsTd81Ip6ebHJimupCoURXZnnNcB41emUTccZrlquqyFyQUAbqWPVJXfxvK~H0KYr6ovVWnemswY7h1NCTYEsEYN3p5JOEyzrwMVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators and witnesses on Wednesday discussed Senate Bill 149, a proposal to create a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for Alaska that sponsors and staff said is intended to diversify energy sources on the Railbelt and attract independent power producers.

Senator Bill Wilkowsky, sponsor of SB 149, said the bill responds to what he described as a Cook Inlet gas development shortfall and a need to move beyond repeated, unsuccessful incentive spending. \"We don't like to force anybody to do things but... this bill uses a little heavier touch but... will have the impact of incentivizing independent power producers,\" Wilkowsky said, adding that the measure aims to provide \"reliable, affordable energy.\" He noted House Bill 306 (2010) set a nonbinding 50% renewable goal that Alaska has not met.

Sponsor staff, Hunter Lotzfelt, walked members through a sectional analysis of draft language. Key elements he described include a requirement that utilities' integrated resource plans account for the standard, a compliance structure that contemplates renewable energy credits (RECs), specific incentives (for example, a 1.25 multiplier for certain large wind projects), and a noncompliance fee set in the draft at $45 per megawatt-hour. Lotzfelt said the bill's principal targets in the draft are 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 55% by 2035; he also noted a number of waiver grounds and a sunset clause for certain preapproval provisions.

Independent testimony: Erin McKittrick presented a preliminary independent analysis that found pipeline projects now studied or underway could meet the 2030 target and make progress toward the 2035 target. McKittrick said two proposed wind projects (Little Mount Susitna and Chawla Creek) and other projects such as a Bradley Lake expansion and planned solar would, together, meet the first target. She also presented a worst-case scenario in which no projects are built and utilities pay the noncompliance fees; she estimated that maximal fees could raise Railbelt utilities' revenue requirement by about 5.5% in the first target period and 8.5% in the second, translating to roughly a 1.2-cent-per-kilowatt-hour or about $6 per month increase on a residential bill in her straw-man calculation.

Developers and industry input: Matthew Perkins, CEO of Alaska Renewables (Velasco Renewables in testimony), told the committee an RPS would attract investment capital and increase competition by bringing more independent power producers to Alaska. Perkins highlighted the need for regulatory stability and careful engineering to integrate inverter-based resources and storage. On technical integration, Perkins said modern inverter-based plants and appropriate design can manage variable generation, and he emphasized batteries and long-duration storage as part of the solution.

Committee concerns and clarifications:

- Sponsor and staff stressed the bill is \"in flux\" and that changes are being discussed with utilities and stakeholders; a committee substitute was not introduced at the hearing.

- The draft sets a $45/MWh noncompliance fee as a cap; Lotzfelt and McKittrick described waiver mechanisms and incentives that could reduce reliance on fee payments.

- Senator Bjorkman expressed concern about fines ultimately being borne by ratepayers and reiterated interest in large hydro projects such as the Susitna-Watana project as a long-term, low-cost resource.

Committee action: The committee heard invited testimony, asked technical questions and set SB 149 aside for further work; staff and the sponsor said they will continue consultations with utilities, IPPs and stakeholders and work toward a revised draft.

Next steps: Sponsors indicated they will work with Representative Holland and other stakeholders on a companion bill in the House and refine compliance, credit and waiver language before returning to committee.","Lawmakers heard technical testimony on SB 149, a proposed renewable portfolio standard for the Railbelt that would set binding percentage targets for renewable generation and create compliance rules with fees and incentives.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6244349,"Panel debates coverage for delivery drivers; sponsor seeks clearer workers'comp rules for gig economy",151,5089000,5240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27&start=5089&end=5240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3230364-dcc00131e3fb91d8bc4b670aeedb6c27/thumbnail_5089000.jpg","/articles/6244349/Alaska/Panel-debates-coverage-for-delivery-drivers-sponsor-seeks-clearer-workerscomp-rules-for-gig-economy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6244349-dd0856a7671fd6b16b524215226351e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1769951002&Signature=e1cGSwdAYeXTe0HaLqEnvg6BLnYtpI0I4ED8xWjiZdG-1VBiBm8mDb0qhN5JSiPZ5p5yow8hv29E~p1mmDZL8djMAJGmST41mcxfX8HGg4Rh5tqZAklN1yNclxjS~pmTbLD2zqQAQCuQSjSl7yXla3di337qqR0lKqao0LYeIGsJDGcV7y-xtfxMpEpSftGP22CBqPJRbcwteWMA--cxcjkz7CO268ONjzVxLBIsvDx4dB9qYYelYYk4-A7XAHdZ5oNCEFRhiIORhB~pyoioKe7ebiVFeg5CjOLiiX92tqbdFC6PV088ra2kuX-dUPrcnWCDCyMJcW~BUoVcQUrPwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on Wednesday heard a recap of Senate Bill 35, a proposal to clarify the statutory status of delivery network company drivers under Alaska workers' compensation law and align them with transportation network company drivers when \"logged on\" to a digital network.

Conrad Jackson, staff to Senator Christine Bjorkman, said SB 35 \"aligns individuals who provide delivery services through delivery network companies, with individuals who provide services for transportation network companies\" and would treat those drivers as independent contractors provided they meet statutory criteria. Jackson said the current statutory language is unclear because delivery network companies were not widely present when the 2017 transportation network company statute was adopted.

Why it matters: The bill seeks to reduce litigation and statutory ambiguity about whether gig-economy drivers are employees for workers' compensation purposes. Supporters argue most drivers use the platforms as part-time supplemental income and prefer independent-contractor status to preserve scheduling flexibility. Industry invited testimony (including Uber) previously answered committee questions; John Finley from Uber was listed as available for questions and had submitted written answers to the committee.

Insurance and occupational-injury questions were a central part of the discussion. The sponsor acknowledged unresolved questions about when personal auto insurance applies and whether there should be an occupational-injury insurance instrument for delivery drivers. Senator Greg Jackson (committee member) said he intends to pursue an offline conversation about requiring delivery companies to provide occupational injury coverage and may offer an amendment to that effect.

Committee action: The committee closed public testimony (none was offered) and set SB 35 aside for further consideration. The sponsor said he wants to \"get the policy right instead of just doing something to get it done\" and will work with the Division of Insurance and stakeholders to explore options for insurance coverage and language.

What was not decided: No statutory language was adopted, and no decision was made about whether the bill will include a requirement for occupational-injury insurance or other insurance-related provisions. The committee did not vote on the bill.","Senate Bill 35 would clarify the statutory status of delivery network company drivers and align them with transportation network company drivers as independent contractors while logged on to a digital dispatch network. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the change would reduce litigation and create parity with ride-hailing drivers; committee","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears support for new Cook Inlet administrative area to protect East Side set-netters

Senate committee hears mixed testimony on modernizing charitable pull tabs; work on committee substitute underway

Renewable portfolio standard draws technical testimony; sponsors, utilities and developers to refine draft

Panel debates coverage for delivery drivers; sponsor seeks clearer workers'comp rules for gig economy