Senate Judiciary Committee refers wage-disclosure bill after brief second hearing

The Alaska Senate Judiciary Committee on April 30, 2025, by unanimous consent referred Senate Bill 78, a measure on disclosure of wage information, out of committee following a brief second hearing.

Sponsor Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D‑District J, told the committee the bill “seeks to support fair hiring practices for protection of all Alaskan workers while also ensure ensuring employers are not placed at unfair risk or disadvantage.” He added the bill is intended to save jobseekers time and to “prevent[] punishments for employees when they are discussing their wages.” Ariel Wigan, staff to Sen. Dunbar, was present and assisted with the presentation.

Dunbar said the measure previously passed the other chamber several years ago and was originally sponsored by then‑Representative Liz Snyder. The committee did not take further substantive debate or ask follow‑up questions on policy details during the session.

Sen. Kim moved that the committee refer Senate Bill 78 (work order 34LS0060/a, as read on the floor) from committee with individual recommendations and an attached fiscal note. With no members objecting, the chair declared the bill moved from committee. The transcript records no roll‑call; the action was completed by unanimous consent/no objection.

The motion record indicates an attached fiscal note was part of the referral, but the committee did not discuss the fiscal details on the record during this hearing. Committee staff and the sponsor may provide additional fiscal or bill language materials in subsequent filings or hearings.

The committee convened at 1:30 p.m. and adjourned at 1:47 p.m.; the chair announced the committee would next meet Monday, May 5, at 1:30 p.m.