House Judiciary Committee holds confirmation hearings for administrative law judge and parole board appointee

The Alaska House Judiciary Committee on March 12, 2025, heard confirmation introductions for two of Governor Mike Dunleavy’s appointees: Joan Wilson for chief administrative law judge and Leitoni Topol for the State Board of Parole. The hearing took place in the Gruenberg Room, Capitol Room 120, and the committee did not take a confirmation vote at the session.

Wilson told the committee she has practiced law in Alaska since joining the Alaska Bar in 1996 and described roughly 15 years of state service that included work as an assistant attorney general and assistant district attorney, and a period as director of the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office. She said the Office of Administrative Hearings was created after legislative action in 2004 to consolidate hearing officers from multiple agencies and that the office’s panel of about 10 judges provides due process for many Alaskans who lack legal representation. Wilson said the appointment is for five years and that she expects to work with the Department of Law on a possible statutory update; she offered to return to the committee if legislative changes are proposed.

Leitoni Topol introduced himself as a returning member of the State Board of Parole. Topol described decades of corrections-related work, including service as a corrections officer, probation officer, deputy commissioner in the Department of Corrections and work with the parole board in prior years. He said the board’s biggest operational challenge is ensuring access to treatment and reentry services for people under parole consideration, noting limited provider availability and program funding in some communities. Topol told members the parole board sometimes delays hearings until a treatment placement can be located.

Committee members asked no follow-up questions during the public session. The committee opened and closed public testimony on both appointees after finding no in-room or online speakers. The committee recorded that it had held hearings on Joan Wilson and Leitoni Topol in accordance with AS 39 o 5.08 and proceeded to sign the hearing report; a committee signature on the report does not indicate any member’s intent to vote for or against confirmation in later floor consideration.

The committee’s record showed Vice Chair Kopp and Representatives Mina, Eisheide and Vance present for the hearing. Staff acknowledged included Sofia Tenney (House Records), Susan Quigley (Legislative Information Office) and committee aide Nate Graham.