Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2019-02-20 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0341 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 20, 2019 Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Giessel at 10:36 a.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senator Coghill was excused from a call of the Senate. Senator von Imhof was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Tom Matthews, Douglas Island Bible Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord: Let me echo the words of the Psalmist: I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom… The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Thank you that you exercise grace in my time of need. Thank you that you are compassionate and rich in love, that you care what goes on in my life and the lives of these senators I am praying for today. As I think about this, my heart and my prayers go out for Senator John Coghill and his wife, Luann, as they process through the death of his father. I know that they will be united one day in heaven, but in the 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0342 meantime there is a separation that has occurred, and that is why we sorrow in loss. Please comfort their family. Encourage them as only you can do with a peace that truly passes understanding. The paper and the news show us the many challenges that these lawmakers have to face this year. We recognize that each person comes to the table with their own set of lenses that they see the world through. Sometimes that diversity of thought makes it difficult to move forward. I pray for clarity of thought, and for the passage of bills and laws that are true and right, and good for the state. I would ask for the State of Alaska to flourish and be a great example to the rest of the nation, because of the work done by these legislators during this session. I lift this prayer in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen. Senator Wilson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Costello moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the thirty-sixth legislative day and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 3 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Introduction of Guests Senator Birch introduced the Honorable Sidney Alexander "Sandy" Silver, Premier of Yukon, Canada and Brandon Lee, Consul General of Canada in Seattle. The presence of Senator von Imhof was noted. 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0343 Messages from the House Message dated February 19 was read stating the House confirmed the following members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Representative Stutes Representative Johnson Representative Hannan, Alternate Representative Sullivan-Leonard, Alternate Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Education and Early Development Curricula Approval and Review, Pilot Program, and Incentives Report In accordance with AS 14.07.180 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 7 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7 BY SENATOR BIRCH, Requesting that the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management implement an oil and gas leasing program in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0344 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 65 SENATE BILL NO. 65 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Governor's transmittal letter dated February 19: Dear President Giessel: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill adds a new duty for the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to coordinate and monitor state career and technical education (CTE) programs by cooperating with the Department of Education and Early Development, the University of Alaska, and any other entities that provide or fund these programs. The bill formalizes the Department’s role in promoting CTE programs, leverages existing workforce planning efforts, and directly utilizes the department’s direct knowledge of Alaska’s labor market to help inform CTE programs in the state. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Michael J. Dunleavy Governor 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0345 SB 66 SENATE BILL NO. 66 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the division of labor standards and safety; relating to the division of workers' compensation; establishing the division of workers' safety and compensation; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Governor's transmittal letter dated February 19: Dear President Giessel: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to two divisions within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill would merge the Division of Labor Standards and Safety with the Division of Workers’ Compensation as of July 1, 2019. The new division would be called the Division of Workers’ Safety and Compensation and would administer the same programs as are currently administered by the divisions of Labor Standards and Safety and Workers’ Compensation. This bill would improve fiscal management within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and allow for efficiencies through management and administrative restructuring and improved coordination of service delivery. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Michael J. Dunleavy Governor 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0346 SB 67 SENATE BILL NO. 67 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act repealing the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Administration Governor's transmittal letter dated February 19: Dear President Giessel: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission. This bill would repeal the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission (Commission) as of June 30, 2019. The Commission was created to aid in developing a statewide, integrated public broadcasting system and to coordinate all public broadcasting stations. The Commission’s primary purpose has been to apply for, receive, and disburse grant funding for public broadcasting related purposes. This function can be accomplished utilizing non-governmental entities that can be attuned to and more responsive to the local broadcasting needs of communities. This bill directs the Commissioner of the Department of Administration to transfer all of the assets of the Commission to Alaska non-profit public broadcasting entities at no cost. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Michael J. Dunleavy Governor 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0347 Unfinished Business SB 14 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 14 "An Act repealing certain credits against the oil and gas production tax; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Recess Senator Costello moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 10:48 a.m. After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Edgmon called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Giessel, who called the Joint Session to order at 11:02 a.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear the State of the Judiciary Address by the Honorable Joel H. Bolger, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. Senator Costello moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0348 President Giessel appointed Senator Micciche and Representative Story to escort Chief Justice Joel H. Bolger to the Joint Session. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, Grace Ellsworth, announced Chief Justice Bolger's entrance to the House Chamber. Chief Justice Bolger was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Giessel. The Honorable Joel H. Bolger delivered his address. This address appears in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 4. The Chief Justice received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Representative Story and Senator Micciche. Senator Costello moved and asked unanimous consent the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Giessel adjourned the Joint Session at 11:23 a.m. After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 11:28 a.m. Adjournment Senator Costello moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., February 21, 2019. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:29 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2019-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0349 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.