Legislature(2017 - 2018)
2017-01-23 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0079 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday January 23, 2017 Seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 11:02 a.m. Roll call showed 38 members present. Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives Claman and Johnston be excused from a call of the House until plane time today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, the Reverend Gordon Blue of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Representative Wilson moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With the deepest respect for the religious beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following prayer. Eternal God, Fountain of Wisdom, it has pleased you to provide abundantly for us from this great land. It has pleased you to make us to be many peoples, but of one blood; you have given us the strength of many cultures. Spirit of justice, creator Spirit, help this House to preserve our many cultures and bring us also to be of one mind. We give you thanks and praise for this great land, and for what has been achieved by past legislatures. 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0080 We remember the words of the elders, Happy are they who consider the poor and needy! The Lord will deliver them in the time of trouble. The Lord preserves them and keeps them alive, so that they may be happy in the land; he does not hand them over to the will of their enemies. (Psalm 41:1-2) God, you know better than we the temptations that will bring us down. Protect us and guide our feet into the way of peace. May you be with these legislators, who have been called by the people. Give them strength to bear their own and one another's burdens. Bless them so that they may bring blessings upon the future generations of Alaska. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Drummond. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the fourth, fifth, and sixth legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Kito introduced Magdalena Oliveros, House Page, from Juneau. Representative Parish introduced Edric Carillo and Laib Allensworth, House Pages, from Juneau. Representative Neuman introduced Matt Simpson, Assistant Sergeant- at-Arms, from Big Lake. Representative Birch introduced Brennen Staples, House Page, from Anchorage. Representative Tuck introduced Gabriella Hill, House Page, from Naknek. 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0081 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up later as a Special Order of Business: Honoring - Gary Bader By Senator Egan; Representatives Kito, Parish INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 2 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 by Representatives Tarr, Spohnholz, Parish, Tuck, Gara, and Drummond: Urging Governor Bill Walker to join with the Alaska State Legislature to respond to the public and behavioral health epidemic of adverse childhood experiences by establishing a statewide policy and providing programs to address this epidemic. was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and State Affairs Committees. HCR 3 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 by Representatives Tarr, Grenn, Tuck, Gara, and Drummond: Proclaiming April 2017 as Child Abuse Prevention Month; and proclaiming April 7, 2017, as Go Blue Friday. was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Finance Committees. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 44 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 44 by Representatives Grenn, LeDoux, Kawasaki, Tuck, Stutes, Spohnholz, Parish, Fansler, Tarr, and Drummond, entitled: 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0082 "An Act requiring a legislator to abstain from taking or withholding official action or exerting official influence that could benefit or harm an immediate family member or certain employers; requiring a legislator to request to be excused from voting in an instance where the legislator may have a financial conflict of interest; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. HB 73 HOUSE BILL NO. 73 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act naming the state ferries built in Ketchikan and entering Alaska marine highway system service on or after 2017; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to establish the authorized names for the State ferries built in Ketchikan and entering the Alaska Marine Highway System service on or after 2017. Currently, two Day Boat Alaska Class Ferries are under construction at Vigor Alaska in Ketchikan. As required by Alaska law, each vessel bears the name of an Alaska glacier. One ferry will be named the Motor Vessel Tazlina and the other the Motor Vessel Hubbard. Last year, I called on Alaska students to submit essays on potential names for the vessels. The Lieutenant Governor and I reviewed and 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0083 selected two names from those suggested in the hundreds of essays th submitted. One of the winning essays was by Tanalian School 7 grader, Malea Voran, who proposed the name "Tazlina." In her essay she explained that "Tazlina," an Ahtna Athabascan name meaning "swift river," is an appropriate name for a ferry, which should be named after something swift and agile. "This name would remind us that even small things are capable of doing big things. This small boat could be named after something big and inspiring," Malea wrote. The Tazlina Glacier begins 1.6 miles north of Mt. Cushman, flows north 25 miles to its terminus one mile south of Tazlina Lake and 43 miles north of Valdez. Tazlina Glacier was named in 1898 by W. C. Mendenhall of the U.S. Geological Survey for the Tazlina River. th The other winning essay was by Eagle River High School 10 grader, Taylor Thompson, who suggested the name "Hubbard," which, unlike many glaciers, has been thickening and advancing into Disenchantment Bay for over a century. Taylor noted "this glorious slab of ice has defied its predisposition and proved to be a true wonder. An Alaskan ferry should be just as incredible," Taylor wrote. The Hubbard Glacier flows southeast and southwest 80 miles to its terminus at Disenchantment Bay, 34 miles north northeast of Yakutat in the St. Elias Mountains. Hubbard Glacier was named for Gardiner G. Hubbard, 1822-1897, a regent of the Smithsonian Institution and founder and president of the National Geographic Society. Hubbard was interested in the exploration of Alaska and helped instigate Israel Cook Russell's 1890 and 1891 expeditions, which were sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Geological Survey. Like you, I look forward to seeing these beautiful vessels sail in Alaska waters for years to come. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Bill Walker Governor" 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0084 HB 74 HOUSE BILL NO. 74 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the implementation of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005; and relating to issuance of identification cards and driver's licenses; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs 2. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Administration The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the implementation of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 for the issuance of identification cards and driver licenses. The bill intends to allow the Department of Administration (Department) to issue both REAL ID compliant and noncompliant identification cards and driver licenses. The bill will also remove the funding restriction that prevents the State from complying with the REAL ID Act. The REAL ID Act of 2005 (Act) is comprised of several sections that strengthen federal laws to protect against terrorist entry into the United States, improve security for driver licenses and identification cards, improve border infrastructure, and changes other aspects of immigration law. In order to prevent terrorists from obtaining state driver licenses and identification cards, the Act creates national standards for their issuance and manufacture, and mandates what source documents states can use to verify a person's identity. The Act does not usurp State authority to issue licenses or identification cards, but rather provides stronger oversight to ensure that all licenses and identification cards are less subject to tampering and fraud. 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0085 Similar to our current driver license regime, the bill gives the Department the authority to adopt regulations to issue compliant licenses and identification cards. The regulations must conform to the Act and federal regulations to ensure that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security certifies the licenses and cards issued by the State. Once the regulations are adopted, the Department will begin to offer the compliant driver licenses and compliant identification cards to the public. The benefits of the State issuing compliant licenses and identification cards include allowing our residents to access military facilities, federal facilities, and pass through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at airports with their State identification documents. Currently, Alaska driver licenses and identification cards cannot be used to enter military bases. It is expected that Alaskans will soon be unable to fly domestically or access federal buildings because our documents do not conform to the Act's requirements. This will require Alaskans to use their passport or other federally issued identification documents to fly to the lower forty-eight or go to a federal building. For those who do not have a passport, they will be required to obtain one at an additional personal expense to themselves. The bill also recognizes that some Alaskans may not want a REAL ID license or identification card. To accommodate those people, the State will continue to issue non-REAL ID compliant identification documents. If the Department is not sure which document a person wants, the default option will be a noncompliant one. Furthermore, a noncompliant document can never cost more than a compliant one, and the State must treat all driver licenses and identification cards the same. With these provisions in place, we strike the right balance between offering federally recognized and traditional identification documents. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Bill Walker Governor" 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0086 HB 75 HOUSE BILL NO. 75 by Representative Tarr, entitled: "An Act relating to gun violence protective orders; relating to the crime of violating a protective order; relating to a central registry for protective orders; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; requiring physicians, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, marital and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors to report annually threats of gun violence; and amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the following member be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the member was excused as noted: Representative Rauscher - from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., January 25 SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, Honoring - Gary Bader, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Gary Bader By Senator Egan; Representatives Kito, Parish, Edgmon, Birch, Chenault, Claman, Drummond, Fansler, Foster, Gara, Grenn, Guttenberg, Johnson, Johnston, Kawasaki, Knopp, Kopp, Kreiss- Tomkins, LeDoux, Millett, Neuman, Ortiz, Pruitt, Rauscher, Reinbold, Saddler, Seaton, Spohnholz, Stutes, Sullivan-Leonard, Talerico, Tarr, Thompson, Tilton, Tuck, Wilson, Wool 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0087 UNFINISHED BUSINESS HCR 1 Representative Tarr added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to voting and abstention from voting. HJR 4 Representative Kopp added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development; urging the United States Department of the Interior to recognize the private property rights of owners of land in and adjacent to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; relating to oil and gas exploration, development, production, and royalties; and relating to renewable and alternative energy technologies. HJR 5 Representatives Kopp and Talerico added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5 Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development; urging the United States Department of the Interior to recognize the private property rights of owners of land in and adjacent to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; relating to oil and gas exploration, development, production, and royalties; and relating to renewable and alternative energy technologies. HB 2 Representative Parish added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 2 "An Act relating to a voluntary preference for veterans by private employers." 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0088 HB 5 Representative Kopp added as a cosponsor to: SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 5 "An Act relating to payment of health benefit premiums for a surviving spouse and dependent child of certain peace officers and firefighters who die in the line of duty; and providing for an effective date." HB 8 Representative Kopp added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 8 "An Act relating to protective orders." HB 12 Representative Kopp added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 12 "An Act relating to the authority of the Department of Health and Social Services to take custody of a child and to remove a child from the child's home." HB 33 Representative Fansler added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 33 "An Act establishing May 31 of each year as Katie John Day." HB 42 Representatives Millett and Grenn added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 42 "An Act relating to seizure of property; relating to forfeiture to the state; relating to criminal law; amending Rules 3, 4, 11, 12, 16, 32, 32.2, 32.3, 39, 39.1, and 42, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rules 501, 801, and 803, Alaska Rules of Evidence, and Rules 202, 209, and 217, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and providing for an effective date." 2017-01-23 House Journal Page 0089 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published daily under separate cover. The following meeting today has been changed as indicated: Judiciary Committee CHANGED TO: 1:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., January 25. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:31 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk