[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6328668,"mediaKeyId","2318476-36d6d512fc2da75b1b7ec2ed2c7bd8a6","parentId",2318476,"title","Committee hears bill to ban fees for paper statements; proponents cite impacts on older and rural Alaskans","audioSeconds",404,"startMs",1592664,"endMs",1997445,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2318476-36d6d512fc2da75b1b7ec2ed2c7bd8a6&start=1592&end=1997","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2318476-36d6d512fc2da75b1b7ec2ed2c7bd8a6/thumbnail_1592664.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328668/Alaska/Committee-hears-bill-to-ban-fees-for-paper-statements-proponents-cite-impacts-on-older-and-rural-Alaskans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328668-06b23727039e9bb5f1bbe492161cad70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177534&Signature=cFcb1Rn4q6fQ9c7Nm8fmUo9eVIn0QRN4ViR~6V3D4WVr-qOn73xHJAdv1O8occjCDuKJo9aDupucGuj-VCHF6n1iUO7lbXBZHH-1~ilMN3FQn2MfOzt-tiKiMmGiLHTPQUHuRR~3-k3KnMT4M6PtttJc5vtbtaYbvJuw6y9--EHSrw6bk3i5RYYIENViZxWndrOc8i-0emtikfOdYVzvv7BVJUAx49lcrIVg2k9xM8rtwcdmNIGCZi8HnV~zuUKoCDJ98~BR0h6pIDWFfLSLdtk7PHDvE1Vqo5GyMI6cQCzRjLL0n8yqJ2jw9IuZn1SWL0L~4jyhdL6VvvmSZvcIjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska Legislature","date","2025-02-14T00:00:00Z","article","Juneau — The House Labor and Commerce Committee held a first hearing Feb. 14 on House Bill 20, sponsored by Rep. Dan Sadler, which would prohibit businesses and insurers from charging customers additional fees for receiving paper invoices or statements.

Sadler introduced the bill as a consumer-protection measure aimed at preventing a shift to effectively penalize customers who do not use online billing. \"The fees for this kind of service can range from a dollar to $10 a month or per statement,\" Sadler told the committee, and gave an example that multiple fees can add up to \"about $300 a year.\" He said older Alaskans and residents with unreliable internet access are disproportionately affected.

Noah Wilkins, staff to Rep. Sadler, read the bill’s section-by-section analysis. According to Wilkins, the bill would add a new section to the insurance statutes (cited in the hearing as \"AS 21 36\") to prevent insurers from charging different rates for customers who choose paper statements. It would add a parallel provision to the commerce statute (cited as \"AS 45 45\") to bar businesses from charging extra for paper documents, and would define \"business\" by reference to AS 43 71 10. Wilkins also told the committee the bill would not prohibit charges for duplicate copies of documents already provided.

Representative Garrett asked whether any state departments currently charge for paper documents and whether the bill would apply to the state. Sadler replied the bill is narrowly focused on businesses as defined in statute and \"would not cover\" state agencies; he said a separate effort could examine state printing/mail costs.

Laurie Winghire, director of the Division of Insurance, was present for the hearing; no division position was read into the record during the Feb. 14 session. The committee did not vote on the bill; Wilkins’s reading served as the informational presentation and the hearing concluded without formal action.

Why it matters: proponents said the bill would protect customers—particularly older residents and those in areas with unreliable internet—from an added cost of doing business by mail. The statutory language read into the record seeks to make such a practice an unlawful business act under Title 45 and to add a parallel prohibition for insurers.

Next steps: the committee did not set a vote; members noted amendment deadlines for other bills scheduled at the next hearing but took no final action on HB 20 on Feb. 14.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House LABOR & COMMERCE 02/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Dan Sadler presented House Bill 20 on Feb. 14, proposing to prohibit businesses and insurers from charging extra fees to customers who receive paper invoices. Staff read statutory additions; no vote was taken.","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},6328673,"Lawmakers hear support for bill to create Alaska Innovation Council",1203,413280,1616540,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2318476-36d6d512fc2da75b1b7ec2ed2c7bd8a6&start=413&end=1616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2318476-36d6d512fc2da75b1b7ec2ed2c7bd8a6/thumbnail_413280.jpg","/articles/6328673/Alaska/Lawmakers-hear-support-for-bill-to-create-Alaska-Innovation-Council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328673-5583e42c67f792c09e8d579c6e601258/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177534&Signature=SrWOettC97xvpejAl6QgeRi3iOxGAybTZScpxsSWqE1ahaBiF8gFaS4l0E1uiiH5RhyY78iCMWrvO9b2-I6143RAS2BM9aWSzLs4W8eLz4BsR~cKQgZFqD8THy2AjlIQsx9nOqlL7k57aiiyC1ysv3PG0szD2xkmfIqsA95YGck7gf~60-NOBHji3QIlnl-WfnuyM-8K9cyJFyHzPHkGvDvvy1vBjFxaGzivBIf8WGdrQ-ub~6tQ33LbSV4nYSq-pdfSa60rIEFU~-B3mNH2nBWPM-9D3p7fI4cSUlIjRUsAUok3qDegyeNfeSk7hjlphSwuKV9D739TzFBPhrbnNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Juneau — The House Labor and Commerce Committee held a second hearing Feb. 14 on House Bill 34, legislation introduced by Rep. Sam Holland to establish an Alaska Innovation Council to advise state policymakers on entrepreneurship and technology development.

Committee members opened the hearing with invited testimony from John Bittner of the Alaska Small Business Development Center, who described the prevalence of small businesses in Alaska and urged state attention to supports that drive job creation. \"Finding ways to support that innovation, support that economic growth, is extremely important,\" Bittner said, noting the center’s statewide advising, workshops and loan-facilitation programs.

The proposal drew backing from outside entrepreneurship experts and founders in public testimony. Norris Krueger, who said he serves on the Leadership Council of the Ecosystem Builder Leadership Network and has worked on state innovation strategies in Idaho, described similar efforts as a relatively low-cost way to gather input from the private sector and researchers. \"This is a huge opportunity for a very small amount of money to make a real difference for the people out there in the trenches,\" Krueger said.

Entrepreneur Laura Oden, founder of Pandier Shoes, told the committee the state lacks consistent, sustained support for startups. She cited difficulties obtaining small, early-stage loans and said those financing gaps leave entrepreneurs feeling \"unmoored.\" \"You can get a hundred and $50,000 loan, but getting a $15,000 loan is just not gonna happen,\" Oden said, adding that convening stakeholders to identify gaps and practical supports is the council’s potential value.

Committee members asked brief questions of witnesses. After public testimony closed, Chair Bert Fields said the panel would take up further consideration of HB 34 at a later date. No formal action or vote was taken during the Feb. 14 session.

Why it matters: supporters told the committee a council could provide a single forum for entrepreneurs, universities, investors and state officials to identify practical barriers—such as financing, permitting and networking—and recommend coordinated policy or program responses. Proponents argued a formal council could make state policy more responsive to on-the-ground needs without large direct state spending.

The committee did not set a date for a work session or vote; members said they would return to the bill at a future meeting.","At a Feb. 14 House Labor and Commerce Committee hearing, invited and public witnesses urged passage of House Bill 34, saying an Alaska Innovation Council could coordinate support for small businesses and startups across the state.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee hears bill to ban fees for paper statements; proponents cite impacts on older and rural Alaskans

Lawmakers hear support for bill to create Alaska Innovation Council