Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2019-03-25 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0373 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 25, 2019 Seventieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 11:04 a.m. Roll call showed 38 members present. Representative Revak had been excused from a call of the House today. Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Rauscher be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Major Kirk Thorsteinson of the Alaska Army National Guard. Representative Shaw moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. What's happening 'Team House of Representatives!' Thank you for the invite, and as The Invocator, I'll be back! It's an honor to be here with you on Seward's Day! In reverence and recognition of the diversity of religious belief present, let us pray. Sovereign God, I invite and acknowledge your presence with us on this beautiful beginning of a sweet week. Encourage those present so that none has "a case of the Mondays" in these days of March Madness. I thank you for and ask your blessings upon this team, their family, and all supporting and working alongside them as they identify ways forward for Alaska - together. 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0374 Omniscient God, you knew Secretary of State William Henry Seward would face opposing points of view and adversity while negotiating Alaska's purchase from Russia in 1867. Please aid these representatives with their important negotiations this session. May they continue to creatively gather as musicians, at gun and archery ranges, or at a place that serves great Viking food – yada yada yada – mutually beneficial legislation not seen as folly for Alaskans! Infinite God, as conflict presents us with opportunities, remind us to be strong and courageous, not to tremble or be dismayed, for you are with us wherever we go. And may we strive to live out Seward's last words to his family, "love one another." Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Tuck. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 65th through 69th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Hopkins introduced Serena Rothman, Guest Page, from Fairbanks. Representative Story introduced Elsie Stringer, Danika Scheytt, and Krystalynn Hill, Guest Pages, from Juneau. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A letter dated March 21 was read stating that, in accordance with AS 39.05.080 and art. III, secs. 26 and 27, Constitution of the State of Alaska, the Governor submits the following name for legislative confirmation of appointment to the position noted. 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0375 The Speaker referred the following to the Labor & Commerce Committee: State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors Phillip Schneider – Palmer Appointed: 3/21/2019 Term Expires: 3/1/2022 A resume for the appointment is on file in the Chief Clerk's office. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Judiciary Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to the House for ratification: H. Connor Thomas as a member of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The report was signed by Representative Claman, Chair; and Representatives Eastman, Wool, LeDoux, and Kopp. The Labor & Commerce Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Charlie Cross as a member of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The report was signed by Representatives Wool and LeDoux, Co- chairs; and Representatives Hannan and Talerico. HB 48 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 48 "An Act removing from the exempt service of the state persons who are employed in a professional capacity to make a temporary 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0376 or special inquiry, study, or examination as authorized by the governor and including those persons in the partially exempt service of the state." The report was signed by Representatives LeDoux and Wool, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Hannan, Talerico, LeDoux No recommendation (1): Wool The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration HB 48 was referred to the Finance Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Dr. Timothy Ballard By Representatives Revak, Merrick Honoring - Dimond High School, 2018 Girls Swimming and Diving State Champions By Senator Costello; Representative Rasmussen In Memoriam - Edward Cartner By Representative Wilson; Senator Coghill In Memoriam - Victor Thomas Stockton III By Representative Wilson; Senator Coghill In Memoriam - Spiros Gialopsos By Representatives Drummond, Tuck; Senator Birch In Memoriam - Jan Rutherdale By Representatives Hannan, Story; Senator Kiehl 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0377 In Memoriam - Robert R. Howard By Senator Coghill In Memoriam - Helen H. "Beaver" Warner By Senator Coghill In Memoriam - Heinrich "Henry" Springer By Senators Coghill, Birch In Memoriam - Elgin Jones By Senators Begich, Gray-Jackson; Representative Jackson INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 13 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 by Representatives Pruitt and Vance: Urging the Alaska delegation in Congress, the United States Department of the Interior, and the Governor to facilitate the completion of a land grant endowment to the University of Alaska. was read the first time and referred to the Education and Resources Committees. HJR 14 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 by Representative Foster: Urging the Alaska Congressional delegation to pursue infrastructure funding for a deep draft Arctic port in Nome; requesting the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to send a letter from the state to the Alaska Congressional delegation supporting a deep draft Arctic port in Nome; and requesting the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to work collaboratively with the City of Nome on a deep draft Arctic port in Nome. was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0378 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 104 HOUSE BILL NO. 104 by Representatives Wilson and Thompson, entitled: "An Act relating to exemptions from mortgage loan originator licensing requirements; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 105 HOUSE BILL NO. 105 by Representatives Ortiz and Stutes, entitled: "An Act relating to claims against protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Finance Committee. HB 106 HOUSE BILL NO. 106 by Representative Wilson, entitled: "An Act relating to school bond debt reimbursement." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 107 HOUSE BILL NO. 107 by Representative Sullivan-Leonard by request, entitled: "An Act relating to the authority of first class cities and home rule cities to issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke, and regulate certain licenses involving alcoholic beverages; and relating to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees. 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0379 HB 108 HOUSE BILL NO. 108 by Representatives LeDoux and Revak, entitled: "An Act requiring the establishment of a reading program in school districts for grades kindergarten through three; providing for student retention in grade one; and providing for a report on the reading program and on student retention." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. HB 109 HOUSE BILL NO. 109 by Representatives LeDoux and Tuck, entitled: "An Act relating to residency requirements for public school enrollment for certain children of active duty military members." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the Education Committee. HB 110 HOUSE BILL NO. 110 by Representative Spohnholz, entitled: "An Act relating to the transfer of a title to a boat on the death of the owner; relating to the transfer of a title to a vehicle, including certain manufactured homes and trailers, on the death of the owner; allowing a person to act for the surviving spouse of a decedent to enforce liability against real property transferred at death; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. HB 111 HOUSE BILL NO. 111 by Representative Rasmussen, entitled: "An Act transferring the division with responsibility for agriculture from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and providing for an effective date." 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0380 was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Resources Committees. HB 112 HOUSE BILL NO. 112 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to compensation for certain public officials, officers, and employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement; establishing a two-week pay period for state employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Administration/Various Depts. The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 22 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to pay for exempt employees. The bill would amend the exempt service statutes for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute to clarify that the executive director and employees of those entities are in the exempt service. The bill also would set a maximum salary for most exempt employees at $300,000.00, provide that an agency or department with exempt positions may adopt a salary schedule for those positions to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director for approval, and require that any salary increases and bonuses for exempt positions not subject to an approved salary schedule be approved by the OMB Director. 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0381 The bill proposes to amend the statute providing for pay increments for classified and partially-exempt employees who are not members of a collective bargaining unit so that employees at the final step of a pay range would be entitled to pay increments based on job performance every three years instead of every two years. The bill would permit the Director of Personnel to establish a bi-weekly pay procedure. The bill would not apply to persons who are members of a collective bargaining unit established under AS 23.40.070 - 23.40.260 (Public Employment Relations Act). The bill would reduce overall personnel costs and promote a sustainable budget by reducing the number of positions that may receive salaries beyond that authorized by the statutory pay schedule for exempt and partially-exempt service employees, prohibit bonuses for executive exempt positions without the approval of the OMB Director, and establish a more affordable pay increment policy. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Michael J. Dunleavy Governor" CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR HOUSE BILLS IN SECOND READING HB 83 The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following, which was held in second reading from the March 20 calendar (page 350), would be held to the March 27 calendar: HOUSE BILL NO. 83 "An Act relating to voting by electronic transmission in a state election; and providing for an effective date." 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0382 LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Thompson 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 - West High School Girls Cross-Country Ski Team, 2019 State Champions By Senator Costello; Representative Claman Honoring - Jesus "Jesse" Antonio V. Vizcocho By Senators Kawasaki, Gray-Jackson, Olson Honoring - Thunder Mountain High School Drama, Debate, and Forensics Team By Senator Kiehl; Representatives Story, Hannan In Memoriam - Dan A. Carson By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Hopkins UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Thompson 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 Stutes – from 8:00 a.m., March 27 to 9:30 a.m., March 31 Representative Zulkosky – from 10:00 a.m., March 27 to 8:00 a.m., April 1 HB 34 Representative Kopp added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 34 "An Act naming the Scott Johnson Memorial Bridge." 2019-03-25 House Journal Page 0383 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., March 27. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk