Senate Finance adopts committee substitute to extend three regulatory boards, adds Commission on Aging

Senator Jesse Bjorkman introduced Senate Bill 80 on March 6, 2025, a bill to backdate and extend the sunset dates for three regulatory boards: the Big Game Commercial Services Board, the Board of Massage Therapists and the Marijuana Control Board. The Senate Finance Committee adopted a committee substitute as its working document by unanimous consent.

The bill as introduced would “back date and then extend the sunset date of 3 boards,” Bjorkman said, naming the Marijuana Control Board, the Board of Massage Therapists and the Big Game Commercial Services Board. A committee substitute later amended the bill to add the Alaska Commission on Aging, according to Liz Harpold, staff to Senator Olsen’s office.

The committee heard supporters for the Big Game Commercial Services Board. Kevin (Cabot) Pitts, vice president of the Alaska Professional Hunters Association, told the committee the board “is super critical to the long term health of the guiding industry in Alaska” and said the board enables oral testing and licensing standards the industry relies on. Pitts said the board moved from nearly $1 million in debt to an approximately $800,000 surplus after fee adjustments by licensees and the board.

There was also support for extending the Marijuana Control Board. Lacey Bocock, vice president of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association, said the board “plays a crucial role in ensuring that Alaska's regulated cannabis industry operates safely, transparently, and in compliance with state law” and urged the committee to “maintain the necessary oversight and structure.”

Senator Merrick moved that the committee adopt the committee substitute for Senate Bill 80 as the working document. The chair put the question and, seeing no objection, the committee adopted the substitute by unanimous consent and set the bill aside for further review and possible amendments.

The committee did not take a floor vote on final passage; it adopted the substitute as its working document and will consider any amendments in follow-up work. Staff asked members to send potential amendment suggestions to Senator Olsen’s office by close of business the next day or first thing Monday.