[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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",6259793,"mediaKeyId","3136667-638f2dc8c8d9373a0b104d8b7e07131c","parentId",3136667,"title","Senate hears SB95 to expand child‑care assistance to more families; sponsor and providers stress workforce impact","audioSeconds",1489,"startMs",2267000,"endMs",3756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3136667-638f2dc8c8d9373a0b104d8b7e07131c&start=2267&end=3756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3136667-638f2dc8c8d9373a0b104d8b7e07131c/thumbnail_2267000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259793/Alaska/Senate-hears-SB95-to-expand-childcare-assistance-to-more-families-sponsor-and-providers-stress-workforce-impact","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259793-07b286491167b98bc6c4beede9c4873a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770939057&Signature=VMVxgXpxnpw5oKlgqnTdqiKAojPkSNCKkfgdAvi1Prp8ZbDi5ZKKO73~yR59Izb1fhYoWNuuXU~NpeWgpgkIrXlDtG0-D-RDoLqGGhwSkUfuRWSPspN3nt8xlM-8UZ5oxmXp3co9bvmL4R6M41nOvmiQktXznfKiF5fXIaE5MPCE47rgscRpkSe6mjf4tl7GOf9TnSLaIfNbLfwWcS5mOrzea6uJk~dOImRcs0IWWGOTICj9yxexeEDeRB1lWE0-bE4cbOwM-14PPLUOFy-gZTV2p5Z8VGX7BNud3zbtFhAsM07VuLy-VLMObammo6ANBgTddl0ui0bLhfUI2xvGEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alaska State Legislature","date","2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","article","Juneau — The Alaska Senate Finance Committee on April 25 conducted the first hearing on Senate Bill 95, legislation that would expand eligibility and flexibility for child‑care assistance. The bill is being re‑introduced as part of curative legislation tied to litigation challenging last year’s omnibus bill SB189.

Senator Forrest Dunbar, who presented the measure with Senate Majority legal staff, said the bill restates provisions that previously passed as HB89 and were enacted last year but now face uncertainty because of the single‑subject lawsuit. \"This is already the law of the land, but its status has been thrown into some question because of the lawsuit involving the single subject rule,\" Senate staff explained during the hearing.

Invited witnesses and child‑care advocates described the measure as a workforce and family support priority. Stephanie Bergland, chief executive officer of SRED (a statewide child‑care resource and referral organization), told the committee that child‑care closures and staff shortages have undermined the sector and that SB95 would increase access by allowing more families to qualify. She said one large Anchorage provider, Bright Beginnings, \"is closing its doors after 30 years,\" and warned the committee that closures would continue without sustained state investment.

Lisa Seidla (AEYC Southeast) said the bill would raise the income threshold so more families could access assistance and avoid decisions to forgo raises or promotions to keep benefits. Jenny Stuckey of Camp Fire Alaska and Tracy Shafer of Newnikins in Kotzebue also testified in support, describing how lack of affordable care reduces workforce participation and forces families to leave rural communities.

Senator Kiehl reviewed the fiscal note for SB95: committee staff read a fiscal submission from the Department of Health showing $6,092,200 included in the governor’s request for the coming fiscal year, described in committee discussion as composed of \"225.1\" in federal receipts matched dollar‑for‑dollar with a GF match and $5,642,000 in unrestricted general funds, and requesting two full‑time positions. Committee members asked for additional fiscal scenarios, including how costs would change if the eligibility threshold were set higher than 105% of state median income.

Evan Anderson, staff to Representative Fields, explained why the bill raises the ceiling from the former statutory 85% of state median income to 105%: the 85% level historically aligned with maximums for federal pass‑through grants; increasing to 105% reflects a new state investment and would extend assistance to roughly an estimated 18,000 additional children, Anderson said.

Committee members pressed for more information on duplicated statutory language in sections of the bill (sections 7 and 8 were cited as duplicative) and on whether the curative bills can be amended without risking the court‑related purpose. Emily Nauman of Legislative Legal Services advised the committee that the \"safest\" approach to negate the pending litigation is to reenact the language exactly, but that the legislature has latitude to make policy changes and the court would later determine the effect of those changes.

Senator Stedman expressed concern that the 105% threshold may still exclude many dual‑income families in metropolitan areas and asked staff to provide the fiscal impact of higher thresholds (for example, 150%) before the next hearing. The committee set SB95 aside for follow up and additional fiscal analysis.

No vote or amendment was recorded at the first hearing. Supporters asked the committee to restore additional operating budget funding the witnesses described as necessary to stabilize providers and implement the eligibility changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/25/2025 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Finance Committee on April 25 heard SB95, a bill to expand child‑care assistance eligibility and related program changes; the measure is being advanced as curative legislation after legal challenges to last year’s omnibus law.","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},6259788,"Senate reviews SB96 to expand employer tax credits for child‑care benefits",1166,3766000,4932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3136667-638f2dc8c8d9373a0b104d8b7e07131c&start=3766&end=4932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3136667-638f2dc8c8d9373a0b104d8b7e07131c/thumbnail_3766000.jpg","/articles/6259788/Alaska/Senate-reviews-SB96-to-expand-employer-tax-credits-for-childcare-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259788-b4052cca387b2f331d4ca75353334392/orig.mp4?Expires=1770939057&Signature=d4P-runtdRY3dU5wdTF-c6ALjsWsFQphpgl~ND4UG~h4MUroumruGCFoGJdQJ7VxSgQGL2dv5bSSeOxvOc1Uhpt1hVcs5J16t~skp9MiK32VvIRzKQgYTnzZPS-F-Zi3YpzGNMWhv6jJz8WwBrOXvtvN46RQ0ZxaOhuVhwAtuqEfUm6afn0Kpo~ZmiLEe4rQoahpUCS93wvafrRMzgrVl2QifJp-x7YNbmyQs-qZRkdnLk0hOeAJyeLZqvjCkYwbQOAekAB57yOlUITAWekKwbKSf506kF-vZ-I4CLL0W1-ZkL2oM4a2BP4SPkETjXKCtlz6IxDstKj64rNEl~T3bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Juneau — The Senate Finance Committee held a first hearing on Senate Bill 96 on April 25. SB96 would add child‑care expenditures to certain existing employer tax credits to encourage private investment in child‑care benefits, employer‑sponsored facilities and other supports.

Sonia Kawasaki, Senate Majority Legal Counsel, described the bill to the committee as a workforce measure: the proposal would expand existing education tax credits to allow credits for employer child‑care expenditures and payments. Kawasaki said the credit could be claimed against seven tax categories included in the bill: insurance premium taxes, title insurance premium tax, oil and gas production tax, oil and gas property tax, mining license tax, fisheries business tax and fishery resource landing tax.

Katie Capozzi, president and CEO of the Alaska Chamber, told the committee SB96 would provide an additional mechanism for employers to support child care. \"Alaska's economy depends on a strong, stable workforce,\" Capozzi said, arguing that lack of affordable child care is a barrier to participation and that employer‑driven options could increase supply.

Stephanie Bergland, testifying again for the statewide child‑care resource organization SRED, said employer credits are a needed piece of a broader strategy and noted most licensed programs are not employer‑sponsored today. Department of Revenue staff and the committee clarified which entities could use the credit. Brandon Spanos, deputy director in the Department of Revenue Tax Division, explained that eligibility to claim the credit depends on whether an employer pays one of the taxes listed in the bill; companies structured so they do not pay those taxes (for example, certain pass‑through entities) would not be able to use the credit unless they pay an eligible tax.

Committee members asked for additional detail about which employers would realistically benefit and whether credits would disproportionately favor larger or C‑corporation style businesses. Capozzi said one practical pathway is for an employer to use the credit to create an on‑site or near‑site facility that could be open to employees of other employers as well.

SB96 includes a sunset timing change for the underlying education tax credit; testimony flagged that the bill shortens the existing credit’s sunset by one year (from 2029 to 2028) and that some chamber members were concerned about that change. Committee staff read three fiscal notes for SB96 showing no immediate state operating cost for labor market information or insurance operations and an indeterminate effect on state revenue when the tax credit sunsets.

Supporters urged the committee to advance the bill as part of a package to shore up child‑care supply; the committee set SB96 aside after the hearing for consideration at the conference table and for any further technical questions about tax eligibility.

No committee votes or amendments were recorded at the hearing.","Senate Finance on April 25 heard SB96, a bill to let employers claim tax credits for child‑care expenditures against a set of existing state taxes to encourage private investment in employer‑based child care.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6259797,"Senate committee hears SB97 to create big‑game guide concession permits on state land",1357,875000,2232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3136667-638f2dc8c8d9373a0b104d8b7e07131c&start=875&end=2232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3136667-638f2dc8c8d9373a0b104d8b7e07131c/thumbnail_875000.jpg","/articles/6259797/Alaska/Senate-committee-hears-SB97-to-create-biggame-guide-concession-permits-on-state-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259797-44680449a91195df1aebb64f03b260ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770939058&Signature=Hzd804WfAn2cYaidAQxwB5rwt9RgFlHVdS0fqch8M7mMC-iSvBRZkDtJbFLeQxGG3YYCM1eCcm5CP1FnkG3GPsvPurXhCVojge0C7cF-VOGtZwhoWzF1ZTnT2QsAzjDjLTtZWs6PJu08VX~xf0PKJFYKmzcELj5k66dqzBnZESSE541QmGhA0xr1ZlacWzAKC7WBCDxZZ7K8w7Vf5rE012QkhGNIQVzqkRDht-Bq1C6C0QIjWTZPwrLvtMITwuC5902YotDJ7EQ~cc0u9K8D79QiRKTzeoZepI3PKsu9LF15rkJnHAoj5ZUgSrWkz3idU~fE2YEWfxhAXMWBEDM-eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Juneau — The Alaska Senate Finance Committee on April 25 held the first hearing on Senate Bill 97, a proposal to establish a competitive concession permit program for big‑game guides on state land intended to reduce crowding and conflicts among guided, resident and subsistence hunters.

Senator Kathy Giesel, sponsor of SB97, told the committee the program would model federal concession areas: permits would be issued through an open, competitive process; they would be granted for a 10‑year term; and the measure would not limit resident or subsistence hunting. \"The concession area, the permit area would be granted for a 10 year duration,\" Giesel said, describing the bill’s basic structure and fee authority.

The bill is being advanced as part of a set of curative bills responding to a lawsuit that challenges the single‑subject compliance of last session’s omnibus law SB189. Megan Wallace, chief counsel of Legislative Legal Services, told the committee the curative bills — including SB97 — were intended to give the legislature an option to \"cure the alleged defect\" if a court rules against the enactment of SB189.

SB97 would create a state permitting program administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with roles for the Board of Game, the Department of Fish and Game and the Big Game Commercial Services Board. Key provisions described to the committee include an initial pilot area (one game unit), a competitive process for awarding permits, a limit of three concession permits per guide, limited transferability, and enforcement authority.

Supporters at the hearing said the program would protect subsistence access and help manage overuse in problem areas. Jeffrey Toye, staff attorney for AFN (Alaska Federation of Natives), testified: \"AFN supports this bill,\" saying it could \"reduce conflicts over resources, preserve and protect subsistence rights for rural residents of Alaska, and promote equitable opportunities for Alaska Native guides and businesses.\"

Opponents and critics raised finance and legal concerns. Mark Richards, executive director of Resident Hunters of Alaska, testified: \"We strongly oppose SB 97 as currently written,\" arguing the fiscal note understates long‑term costs, that the bill could create a new bureaucracy, and that limited geographic rollout could displace guides into other overcrowded areas. Richards also warned of potential constitutional exposure, citing a 1988 Alaska Supreme Court decision (referred to in testimony as the Osageck decision) and saying transfer provisions risk treating concessions as alienable property.

Sam Rohrer, president of the Alaska Professional Hunters Association, spoke for guides who support the concept, arguing the permits would be limited in duration and awarded on operational and conservation criteria rather than solely on monetary bids. \"Reestablishing state concessions on state lands in Alaska has been the hunting guides' top priority for the last 36 years,\" Rohrer said.

Committee members reviewed three fiscal notes offered with the bill. Senator Kiehl summarized the submissions: a Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation fiscal note showing $112,000.3 in unrestricted general funds and one full‑time position; a Board of Fisheries and Game component showing $14,000.4; and a Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water note showing $341.6 and two full‑time positions, with indeterminate revenues from permit fees. Committee members asked whether the program could be made self‑sustaining through fees; the sponsor and witnesses said the applicable board historically seeks fee structures to cover program costs but could not provide a definitive guarantee at the hearing.

Legal questions about transferability and whether concession rights could be treated as private property were raised by committee members and public testimony. The committee asked Legislative Legal Services for additional briefing on those points before the next hearing.

No action was taken to advance or amend SB97 at this first hearing; the committee \"set the bill aside\" pending further information and follow up on the legal and fiscal questions raised.

The committee recorded that Senators present included the chair; Senators Stedman, Kiehl, Merrick, Kaufman, Crompton and Hoffman were on the committee for the hearing, and staff from DNR and Fish and Game participated by phone or at the table.","On April 25 in Juneau the Senate Finance Committee held a first hearing on Senate Bill 97, a proposal to create a state-run big‑game guide concession permit program intended to reduce hunter conflicts and support wildlife conservation. The bill is part of a package of \"curative\" measures tied to litigation over last year’s omnibus bill, SB189.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate hears SB95 to expand child‑care assistance to more families; sponsor and providers stress workforce impact

Senate reviews SB96 to expand employer tax credits for child‑care benefits

Senate committee hears SB97 to create big‑game guide concession permits on state land