Legislature(2009 - 2010)
2009-02-16 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0257 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday February 16, 2009 Twenty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Chenault at 11:02 a.m. Roll call showed 33 members present. Representatives Austerman, Crawford, and Hawker had been excused from a call of the House today. Representative Johansen moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Salmon - from today to morning plane time, February 17 Representative Johnson - from today to morning plane time, February 17 Representative Kawasaki - to 1:30 p.m., plane time, today Representative Dahlstrom - to evening plane time, today The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, the Reverend George Silides of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Representative Gatto moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With deepest respect for the religious traditions of all Alaskans, I offer this prayer. 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0258 Most holy good and gracious God, creator and preserver of all things; keep us ever mindful of our place within your creation, our dependence upon land and sea and all they provide us, and of our place and work as stewards of riches not of our own making. Keep us ever mindful that they provide not just our livelihood but life itself. We give you thanks for all who have led us by word and example into each new day, each better day truer to our best selves and worthy ambitions. We pray their examples will lead us this day to make decisions in the best interest of every Alaskan in every corner of this great land, howsoever far removed from these halls of power they may be - by physical distance or social status. In all the long hours and trying decisions of their day, grant these servants of the people a due sense of the gratitude and appreciation we hold for them. To their families who share them with us for a season, may every grace and protection be given, may no hardship prevail, and every reunion bring joy. For all the possibilities this new day brings, we thank you. For every challenge which calls from us our best efforts and creativity, we thank you. For partners, fellowship, and wise counsel from those we would not have thought of but in your providence provide us this day, we thank you. Upon this House may your grace abound. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Edgmon. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Johansen moved and asked unanimous consent that the ththth journal for the 25, 26, and 27 legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Kerttula introduced Conrad Kapsner, Guest Page, from Juneau. 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0259 COMMUNICATIONS The following was received: Dept. of Education & Early Development Office of the Commissioner Annual Report on Progress Toward High Academic Performance by All Students February 13, 2009 (as required by AS 14.03.078) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 93 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 93 "An Act relating to unwanted telephone solicitations on a cellular or mobile telephone and making those calls to cellular or mobile telephones registered with the national do not call registry violations of the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act." The report was signed by Representative Olson, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Lynn, Buch, Neuman, Chenault, Olson The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Law HB 93 was referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. HB 102 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0260 HOUSE BILL NO. 102 "An Act relating to the Uniform Commercial Code, to the general provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, to documents of title under the Uniform Commercial Code, to the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and to lease-purchases of personal property; amending Rules 403 and 902, Alaska Rules of Evidence; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Olson, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: No recommendation (5): Lynn, Buch, Neuman, Chenault, Olson The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 102 was referred to the Judiciary Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - The Salvation Army, Over 100 Years of Service in Southeast Alaska By Representatives Munoz, Kerttula; Senator Elton In Memoriam - William L. Major By Senator Thomas; Representative Guttenberg INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 135 HOUSE BILL NO. 135 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0261 "An Act providing for an effective date by delaying the effective date of the change of coverage of adult dental services under Medicaid; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 23, 2009, follows: "Dear Speaker Chenault: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill extending the termination date for enhanced adult dental services under Medicaid, for five years. Historically, adults enrolled in Medicaid were only eligible for dental care that addressed immediate relief of pain and acute infection, which often resulted in tooth extractions. In 2006, the Legislature authorized an enhanced program, which provides preventative and restorative services to needy eligible adults under the Medicaid program. This bill would continue this enhanced program for an additional five years. The Department of Health and Social Services reports that the program has provided access to essential dental services to needy vulnerable Alaskan adults who otherwise may not have access to these services. Coverage of routine dental care may reduce complications of pregnancy, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Over the long-term the enhanced dental services offer opportunities for cost-savings as the services should result in decreased need for emergent dental care, including cases of dental infection that require treatment in hospital emergency rooms. Additionally, denture services and restoration of decayed teeth have assisted some adult Medicaid recipients with finding jobs or job advancement opportunities. This provides even more significant cost- 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0262 savings opportunities to the state and to Alaska's society as a whole, as some indigent Alaskans become able to transition to greater financial independence. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Sarah Palin Governor" HB 136 HOUSE BILL NO. 136 by the House Judiciary Committee, entitled: "An Act limiting the release of certain information concerning certain public employees or officials." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. HB 137 HOUSE BILL NO. 137 by Representatives Coghill and Dahlstrom, entitled: "An Act relating to an interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children; amending Rules 4 and 24, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education, Judiciary, and Finance Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 104 The following was read the second time: 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0263 HOUSE BILL NO. 104 "An Act adjusting certain fees for treatment or services under the Alaska Workers' Compensation Act to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page L&C RPT 4DP 2NR 224 FN1: ZERO(LWF) 224 Representative Johansen moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 104 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. Representative Kerttula objected. HB 104 will advance to third reading on the February 18, 2009, calendar. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Johansen moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Brad Oleson, North Pole Patriot No. 23 By Representatives Coghill, Chenault, Buch, Cissna, Crawford, Dahlstrom, Doogan, Edgmon, Fairclough, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Herron, Holmes, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Keller, Kelly, Kerttula, Lynn, Millett, Munoz, Neuman, Olson, Petersen, Ramras, Salmon, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Tuck, Wilson; Senator Therriault In Memoriam - Jeffrey Peede By Representatives Coghill, Chenault, Buch, Cissna, Crawford, Dahlstrom, Doogan, Edgmon, Fairclough, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Herron, Holmes, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Keller, Kelly, Kerttula, Lynn, Millett, Munoz, Neuman, Olson, Petersen, Ramras, Salmon, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Tuck, Wilson 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0264 In Memoriam - McKinnon "Mac" Behrends By Senators Huggins, Elton; Representatives Kerttula, Munoz, Chenault, Buch, Cissna, Coghill, Crawford, Dahlstrom, Doogan, Edgmon, Fairclough, Foster, Gara, Gardner, Gatto, Gruenberg, Guttenberg, Harris, Hawker, Herron, Holmes, Johansen, Johnson, Joule, Kawasaki, Keller, Kelly, Lynn, Millett, Neuman, Olson, Petersen, Ramras, Salmon, Seaton, Stoltze, Thomas, Tuck, Wilson UNFINISHED BUSINESS HJR 12 The Speaker waived the State Affairs Committee referral for the following at the request of Representative Lynn, Chair: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Relating to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System. HJR 12 was removed from the State Affairs Committee and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar. HJR 17 Representative Gatto added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17 Urging the United States Congress to reject H.R. 45, the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009. HB 20 Representative Johansen added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 20 "An Act relating to commercial fishing loans for energy efficiency upgrades." HB 108 Representative Gatto added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 108 "An Act relating to real property foreclosures, to the sale of property on execution, and to deeds of trust." 2009-02-16 House Journal Page 0265 HB 119 Representative Harris added his name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 119 "An Act relating to manufacturing from natural gas products and limiting the production tax applicable to natural gas produced from a lease or property outside the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin and used for an end product that is manufactured in the state." HB 130 Representative Gardner added her name as cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 130 "An Act relating to questionnaires and surveys administered in the public schools." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Johansen moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., February 18, 2009. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:36 a.m. Suzi Lowell Chief Clerk