Alaska Legislature: Senate Finance, 5/4/26, 1:30pm

Call the Senate Finance Committee meeting to order. It's 1:30. We're in the State Capitol, May 4th. It's in the finance room. Present today: Chairman Steadman, Senator Olson, Senator Keehl, Senator Merrick, Senator Kaufman, Senator Cronkite, myself, Senator Hoffman.

We have 3 items on this afternoon's calendar. Senate Bill 208 is the Agricultural Land Lease. This bill was heard on April 27th. We took public testimony and reviewed the fiscal notes. No amendments have been submitted.

Will the committee, Senator Steadman? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move Senate Bill 208, version 0, from committee with attached fiscal note and individual recommendations. Objection. Seeing none, that moves on to the next committee of referral, which is Finance.

Second item on today's agenda is Senate Bill 174, invasive species management. This bill was heard on April 27th. We took public testimony, reviewed the fiscal notes at that time. No amendments have been submitted. Bill to committee.

Senator Stigman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move Senate Bill 174, version A, from committee with attached fiscal note and individual recommendations. Is there objection to moving the committee to the next committee referral? Seeing none, that bill moves on to the Rules Committee.

The last item on today's agenda is consideration of the Governor's appointee to the State Assessment Review Board. I invite Jane Wilson to the table to introduce herself and to give us why you want to serve on the board. She's online. Yes. Yes.

Thank you. Good afternoon, chairs, and good afternoon, members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to be here. My name is Jana Walsheen. I'm a lifelong Alaskan, born and raised in Fairbanks.

I currently practice law in Anchorage as the principal attorney at JDW Council, which I established in 2015. For more than 10 years, my focus of my practice has been on administrative law, regulatory matters, and land use, with a material portion of my work involving quasi-judicial proceedings property valuation issues, and tax assessment disputes. I've handled property assessment appeals and Department of Revenue audit determination matters, although none are directly related to oil and gas. I routinely work within administrative frameworks that require careful statutory interpretation and record-based decision-making. My work regularly involves developing and evaluating evidentiary records and applying governing statutes and regulations to complex factual situations.

I also advise clients on business valuations and negotiations, particularly where the regulatory decisions impact asset value. In addition to my legal practice, I served on— for 5 years on the Anchorage Planning Board, where I participated in quasi-judicial hearings involving property rights and land use decisions. I currently serve on the Alaska Advisory Oil and Gas Royalty Board. That board works within the Department of Natural Resources to review proposed royalty transactions like royalty-in-kind contracts. We look at the financial terms and the economic impacts and statutory factors and then prepare a written recommendation to the legislature.

My experience on these boards has helped reinforce the importance of impartial, evidence-based decision-making and adhering to governing law. I'm also a property owner, a commercial property owner, and a landlord, which gives me practicality with valuation methodologies and the financial impacts of property taxation and regulatory decisions.

I understand that the State Assessment Review Board requires members to have experience with property assessments, and my background handling assessment appeals, valuation disputes, and administrative proceedings directly aligns with that requirement. I'm seeking this appointment because I believe the board plays a critical role in ensuring that assessments are fair and consistent and grounded in statute. If I'm confirmed, I will approach that responsibility with neutrality, diligence, and a strong commitment to applying the law to the record before the board. Thank you, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Jenna.

Do members of the Finance Committee have questions on the nominee?

No questions here. Will of the committee, Senator Steadman.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Senate Finance Committee has reviewed the qualifications of the governor's appointee and recommends I move that the following name be forwarded to the Joint Session for consideration: Jane Welton, State Assessment Review Board. This does not reflect intent by any of the members to vote for or against this individual during further sessions for the purpose of confirmation. Is there objection? Seeing none, the name will be submitted for consideration to Joint Session.

That concludes the meeting this afternoon. We have 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, 3 pieces of legislation. Senate Bill 196, Behavioral Health Crisis Surcharge and Fund. Senate Bill 251, Repeal Workers' Comp Appeals Commission. And House Bill 184, ADA.

Finance, Workforce, Housing Development. Is there anything else to come before the committee? We are adjourned.