Legislature(2015 - 2016)
2015-02-25 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0309 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 25, 2015 Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Meyer at 11:04 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Senator Gardner. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Spirit of Life, known by many names yet by no name fully known, help us to find the patience to accept our fears and wounds, and the persistence to pursue our hopes and dreams. Our hopes and dreams seem all too often shattered. On a worldly scale, our dreams of a peaceful world are rudely broken by the daily news of yet another country torn by violence or famine; in our communities, we see homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and all the ills of modern life. But from this brokenness can come brilliance as we strive to make things better. The artist who creates a beautiful mosaic, creates it using broken shards of glass; the artist does not see the broken dish, he, or she, sees what can be done with that brokenness. Spirit of Life, help us to always be open to growth and change, to movement, to grace, and to seeing the brilliance in all the brokenness. As Leonard Cohen so aptly said, "there are cracks, cracks, in everything - that's how the light gets in." 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0310 In the name of all that is holy, and in all holy names that have ever been uttered, let us say Blessed be, Shalom, and Amen. (David Dierdorff, Unitarian Universalist Regional Lay Leader) Senator Stedman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the journals for the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated February 23 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HCR 2 CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2(EDC) BY THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, Designating January 24 - 30, 2016, as Alaska School Choice Week. was read the first time and referred to the Education Committee. First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 70 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 70(RES) BY THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act adding land and water to the Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Resources Committees. 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0311 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska State Fair 2014 Annual Report and The Socioeconomic Impacts of the Alaska State Fair, 2014 from Jerome Hertel, General Manager in accordance with AS 03.20.030 2014 Annual Report from Craig W. Richards, Attorney General Department of Law in accordance with AS 44.23.020(b)(7) Report from the Commissioner of the Department of Administration dated February 19 was received stating the monetary terms of the July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2017 collective bargaining agreement reached with the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots in accordance with AS 23.40.215. President Meyer referred the report to the Finance Committee. Standing Committee Reports Reports dated February 23 were read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: State Commission for Human Rights Kathryn Dodge - Fairbanks Lester Lunceford - Anchorage Violent Crimes Compensation Board Dr. George Brown - Douglas This does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individuals during any further sessions. 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0312 Signing the reports: Senator Coghill, Vice Chair; Senators Costello, Micciche. Report dated February 23 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Resources Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Board of Game Kip Fanning - Yakutat Teresa Sager Albaugh - Tok This does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individuals during any further sessions. Signing the report: Senator Giessel, Chair; Senators Costello, Coghill, Stedman, Stoltze. SB 33 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to remittance of tire fees; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Costello, Chair; Senators Ellis, Meyer, Giessel, Stevens. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Revenue The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 34 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 34 "An Act relating to investment of the power cost equalization endowment fund; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Costello, Chair; Senators Stevens, Giessel, Meyer, Ellis. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Revenue The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0313 SJR 13 The Resources Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 Supporting oil and gas exploration and development on the outer continental shelf offshore of the state; opposing attempts to prohibit oil and gas development in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area and the Beaufort Sea Planning Area; and requesting that the federal Administration cease and desist from all future restrictions in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13(RES) Supporting oil and gas exploration and development on the outer continental shelf offshore of the state; opposing attempts to prohibit future oil and gas development in the Beaufort and the Chukchi Seas, including the Hanna Shoal area; and requesting that the federal Administration cease and desist from restrictions that adversely affect active or future leases in high petroleum potential areas in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, including the Hanna Shoal area. Signing do pass: Senator Giessel, Chair; Senators Costello, Coghill, Micciche, Stedman, Stoltze. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Senate Resources Committee The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 16 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16 BY SENATOR MCGUIRE, Expressing support for the Arctic Economic Council; and requesting that the United States Congress express support for the Arctic Economic Council, for 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0314 the chair of the Arctic Economic Council to be a resident of this state, and for the structure of the Arctic Economic Council leadership to mirror the rotation of the chair of the Arctic Council. was read the first time and referred to the Senate Special Committee on the Arctic. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 12 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 12 BY SENATORS WIELECHOWSKI, Ellis, entitled: "An Act relating to the payment of sick leave by employers; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. SB 61 SENATE BILL NO. 61 BY SENATOR STEVENS, entitled: "An Act establishing a museum construction grant program in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. SB 62 SENATE BILL NO. 62 BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the regulation of marijuana, marijuana testing, marijuana products, and marijuana accessories; relating to the licensing of marijuana retailers, producers, processors, boutique producers, brokers, and home growers; relating to taxation of marijuana; and providing for an effective date." 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0315 was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 35 SENATE BILL NO. 35 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 35 "An Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as recommended by the revisor of statutes; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 35 Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Dates YEAS: 19 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Coghill, Costello, Dunleavy, Egan, Ellis, Gardner, Giessel, Hoffman, Huggins, MacKinnon, McGuire, Meyer, Micciche, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Stoltze, Wielechowski Nays: Kelly and so, SENATE BILL NO. 35 passed the Senate. Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clauses. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations In Memoriam - Judith Florence Woods Senator(s) Bishop, Meyer, Coghill, Costello, Dunleavy, Egan, Ellis, Gardner, Giessel, Hoffman, Huggins, Kelly, MacKinnon, McGuire, Micciche, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Stoltze, Wielechowski 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0316 In Memoriam - Patsy Miller Representative(s) Reinbold Senator(s) MacKinnon, Meyer, Bishop, Coghill, Costello, Dunleavy, Egan, Ellis, Gardner, Giessel, Hoffman, Huggins, Kelly, McGuire, Micciche, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Stoltze, Wielechowski Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business SB 1 Senators Olson, Ellis, Gardner, Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 1 "An Act prohibiting smoking in certain places; relating to education on the smoking prohibition; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. HB 35 Senators Ellis, McGuire, Costello, Olson, Coghill, Stevens, Micciche, Bishop, Egan, Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 35(STA) "An Act establishing March 27 as Great Alaska Good Friday Earthquake Remembrance Day." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 39 Senators Huggins, MacKinnon, Giessel, Bishop, Micciche, Coghill, Dunleavy, Meyer moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 39 "An Act repealing the film production tax credit; providing for an effective date by repealing the effective dates of secs. 31 - 33, ch. 51, SLA 2012; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 27 and March 6. Without objection, Senator Ellis was excused. 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0317 Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that President Meyer be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, February 27 through evening plane time, March 1. Without objection, Senator Meyer was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 35 SENATE BILL NO. 35 "An Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as recommended by the revisor of statutes; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:00 a.m., February 27, 2015. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:47 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0318 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Feb 26 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 26 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SCR 1 CIVICS EDUCATION TASK FORCE + Presentation: Secondary School Boarding Stipend Program Elizabeth Nudelman, Director, School Finance DEED District Operated Residential Schools (Variable Length and 180-day Term Programs) Various School Districts Mt. Edgecumbe High School Bill Hutton, Superintendent ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 27 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS Departments: Corrections, Public Safety, and Law Department of Fish and Game <Above Agenda Item Rescheduled from 02/23/14> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0319 FINANCE (continued) Feb 26 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Juneau Access and KABATA Administrative Order 271 Commissioner-Designee Marc Luiken, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities + Presentation: Ambler Road Mark Davis, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority - via teleconference Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 27 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 25 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Rescheduled from 02/23/15 -- -- Uniform Rule 23 Waived -- Medicaid Expansion Presentation given by DHSS Commissioner Valerie Davidson -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Feb 27 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 25 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 12:00 PM + CRIME SUMMIT -- Invited and Public Testimony -- Feb 27 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 51 UNIFORM INTER.CHILD SUPPORT;PARENTAGE + SB 49 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Invited and Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0320 LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 26 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 15 LIFE INSURANCE POLICY PREMIUM TAX + SB 47 LIFE INSURANCE/ANNUITY EXEMPTIONS -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 12:00 PM + Joint Hearing with House Resources Committee Overview on the Mining Industry in Alaska -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Feb 25 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Overview of Extraction Industry in Alaska: Anchorage Economic Development Corporation -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- <Above Item Removed from Agenda> += SB 32 TIMBER SALES -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 27 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 26 Thursday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM + Governor's Appointments - Confirmation Hearing: Sheldon Fisher, Department of Administration Commissioner -- Public Testimony -- "Continuing Discussion of the Implementation of Ballot Measure No. 2 (13PSUM)" Kevin Anselm, Director, Division of Banking & Securities, DCCED Lori Wing-Heier, Director, Division of Insurance DCCED += HJR 13 RETAIN ARMY FORCES IN ALASKA -- Public Testimony -- <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 02/24/15> + SB 9 ELECTION PAMPHLETS + Bills/Topics Previously Heard/Scheduled 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0321 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Mar 05 Thursday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM + Governor's Appointments - Confirmation Hearings: Rebecca Hamon, Alaska Police Standards Council Gustaf Sandahl, Alaska Police Standards Council -- Public Testimony -- <Hearing Rescheduled from 02/24/15> ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 26 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:00 PM + Dalton Highway - Informational Hearing with the Department of Transportation and Industry Representatives Discussing the Conditions and Needs on the Dalton Highway Additional Departments May be Added to the Agenda ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Mar 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Commerce, Community & Economic Development Mar 17 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Commerce, Community & Economic Development Mar 24 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Closeout ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Military & Veterans Affairs Mar 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Closeout ---------------------------------------- 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0322 PUBLIC SAFETY Mar 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Department of Public Safety Mar 19 Thursday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Department of Public Safety Mar 26 Thursday Senate Finance 532 3:00 PM Closeout ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL CMTE ON THE ARCTIC Feb 26 Thursday Butrovich 205 11:15 AM + Presentation: "Managing the Arctic Maritime Domain through Available Technology" Ed Page, Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Alaska -- Invited and Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Feb 26 Thursday Barnes 124 3:30 PM Audits Alaska State Legislature Financial Statements and Audit Report Executive Session Statewide Single Audit FY14 Preliminary Other Committee Business -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 30 Monday Barnes 124 7:30 AM Audits - Executive Session: Statewide Single Audit FY14 Final Other Committee Business -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- 2015-02-25 Senate Journal Page 0323 OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 23 Monday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by the Honorable Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETING Feb 27 Friday Capitol 106 12:00 PM Lunch and Learn Presentation: "The Smartest Kids in the World" and Quality Teaching in Alaska Given by Alaskan Teachers: Jacob Bera, Mary Janis, Jennifer Waisanen, and Bob Williams Sponsored by Senator Bishop