Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2020-03-27 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2307 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday March 27, 2020 Sixty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Giessel at 11:03 a.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senators Costello, Hughes, Reinbold, Stedman were absent. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent Senators Costello, Hughes be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senators Costello, Hughes were excused. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Senator Stevens. Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, Some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, Who violently sweep your house Empty of its furniture, Still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, Meet them at the door laughing, And invite them in. 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2308 Be grateful for whoever comes, Because each has been sent As a guide from beyond. Amen. th (by 13 century Persian poet, Rumi) Senator Revak led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the sixty-sixth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. The presence of Senator Stedman was noted. Standing Committee Reports HB 301 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) "An Act relating to certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians" and recommended it be replaced with SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) Signing do pass: Senator Bishop, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Stevens, Revak. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Labor and Workforce Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2309 Recess Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess to a call of the Chair. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 11:08 a.m. After Recess The Senate reconvened at 7:01 p.m. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate return to Messages from the House. Without objection the Senate returned to: Messages from the House HB 309 Message dated March 26 was read stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment to HOUSE BILL NO. 309 am, thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 309(RLS) "An Act relating to the procedure for confirmation of the governor's appointments; relating to the board of the Mental Health Trust Authority; and providing for an effective date." SB 106 Message dated March 26 was read stating the House passed and returned: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 106(L&C) "An Act relating to renewal of insurance coverage for homeowners and renters; and providing for an effective date." The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SB 134 Message dated March 26 was read stating the House passed and returned: 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2310 SENATE BILL NO. 134 "An Act relating to medical assistance reimbursement for the services of licensed professional counselors; and providing for an effective date." The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SB 155 Message dated March 26 was read stating the House passed and returned: CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 155(RES) "An Act relating to exploration and mining rights; relating to annual labor requirements with respect to mining claims and related leases; relating to statements of annual labor; defining 'labor'; and providing for an effective date." The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SB 195 Message dated March 26 was read stating the House passed and returned: SENATE BILL NO. 195 "An Act relating to election of a domestic insurer's board of directors." The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 14 Message dated March 26 was received stating the House passed and returned: CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14(RLS) Authorizing the House of Representatives and the Senate to recess for a period of more than three days. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. Messages dated March 26 were read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2311 First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HCR 20 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 20 BY THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE, Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 241, extending the March 11, 2020, governor's declaration of a public health disaster emergency in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; relating to the COVID-19 outbreak; relating to a financing plan; relating to standing orders of the chief medical officer; relating to occupational and professional licensing; relating to telemedicine and telehealth; relating to fingerprinting requirements; relating to elections in calendar year 2020; relating to permanent fund dividend applications; relating to automatic voter registration; relating to tax filings, payments, and penalties; relating to shareholder meetings; relating to the teachers' retirement system and the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for electronic and videoconference notification, verification, and acknowledgment of documents. was read the first time and held on the Secretary's desk. First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 30 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 30(FIN) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to notice of workers' compensation death benefits; relating to the payment of workers' compensation benefits in the case of permanent 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2312 partial impairment; relating to the payment of workers' compensation death benefits payable to a child of an employee when there is no surviving spouse; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. HB 127 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 127(FIN) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the practice of dental hygiene; relating to advanced practice permits for dental hygienists; relating to dental assistants; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against a dental hygienist who holds an advanced practice permit; relating to medical assistance for dental hygiene services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 146 CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 146(JUD) BY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to an application for a license to operate as a dealer in motor vehicles; and requiring a dealer in motor vehicles to maintain liability and property insurance." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. HB 174 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 174(CRA) BY THE HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, entitled: 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2313 "An Act raising the minimum age to purchase, sell, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Concur Messages SB 241 Message dated March 26 was read stating the House passed and returned for consideration CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 241(RLS) am "An Act extending the March 11, 2020, governor's declaration of a public health disaster emergency in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; relating to the COVID-19 outbreak; relating to a financing plan; relating to standing orders of the chief medical officer; relating to occupational and professional licensing; relating to telemedicine and telehealth; relating to fingerprinting requirements; relating to elections in calendar year 2020; relating to permanent fund dividend applications; relating to automatic voter registration; relating to tax filings, payments, and penalties; relating to shareholder meetings; relating to the teachers' retirement system and the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; providing for electronic and videoconference notification, verification, and acknowledgment of documents; and providing for an effective date" with the following amendments: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 241(RLS) am H "An Act extending the March 11, 2020, governor's declaration of a public health disaster emergency in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; relating to the COVID-19 outbreak; relating to a financing plan; relating to standing orders of the chief medical officer; relating to occupational and professional licensing; relating to telemedicine and telehealth; relating to fingerprinting requirements; relating to elections in calendar year 2020; relating to permanent fund dividend applications; relating to automatic 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2314 voter registration; relating to tax filings, payments, and penalties; relating to shareholder meetings; relating to corporations; relating to municipal government deadlines; relating to the Alaska regional economic assistance program; establishing a conclusive presumption that COVID-19 is an occupational disease for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, peace officers, and health care providers; relating to allowable absences for the permanent fund dividend; relating to the Department of Health and Social Services; relating to retail sellers; tolling deadlines for action by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to disconnection of utility service for nonpayment; relating to power cost equalization; relating to regulatory assets of a utility; relating to evictions; and providing for an effective date." (Title Change HCR 20) Senator Hoffman moved the Senate concur in the House amendments and recommended the body vote no. The question being: "Shall the Senate concur in the House amendments?" The roll was taken with the following result: HCS CSSB 241(RLS) am H Shall the Senate Concur in House Amendments to CSSB 241(RLS) am? YEAS: 0 NAYS: 17 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 1 Nays: Begich, Bishop, Coghill, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Micciche, Olson, Revak, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, von Imhof, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Costello, Hughes Absent: Reinbold and so, the Senate failed to concur. Senator Hoffman moved the Senate waive Uniform Rule 42(a) for the purpose of appointing a free conference committee. Without objection, Uniform Rule 42(a) was waived. 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2315 The Secretary was requested to notify the House of the Senate's action and request the House to recede from its amendment. In the event the House fails to recede, the President appointed a Free Conference Committee to meet with a like committee from the House to consider the bills: Senator Coghill, Chair Senator Bishop Senator Begich Senator Hoffman moved to adopt the First Supplemental Calendar. Without objection, the First Supplemental Calendar was adopted. Consideration of the First Supplemental Calendar President Giessel stated in accordance with Rule 43(b), Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules, engrossment may be waived on all bills transmitted to the House this legislative day. Second Reading of House Bills HB 301 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) "An Act relating to certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians" was read the second time. Senator Bishop, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Labor and Commerce Senate Committee Substitute offered today. Senator Begich objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) "An Act relating to certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians" was adopted. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) was read the third time. Senator Begich moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain from voting due to a conflict of interest. Senator Hoffman objected and Senator Begich was required to vote. 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2316 Senator Wielechowski moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain from voting due to a conflict of interest. Senator Hoffman objected and Senator Wielechowski was required to vote. The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) "An Act relating to certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 301(L&C) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 16 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Begich, Bishop, Coghill, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Micciche, Olson, Revak, Stedman, Stevens, von Imhof, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Shower Excused: Costello, Hughes Absent: Reinbold and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Announcements Rule 23(d) of the Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules is currently in effect. Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment HB 301 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 301(L&C) "An Act relating to certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2317 Adjournment Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 9:00 a.m., March 28, 2020. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 7:11 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2318 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 EDUCATION Mar 27 Friday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 27 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM **Please Note: All Public Testimony Will be via Telephone Only. No In-Person Testimony. From Juneau: 586-9085, Anchorage: 563-9085 Outside Juneau or Anchorage: 844-586-9085 Written Testimony Will be Accepted at: finance.committee@akleg.gov + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 242 COVID-19: RCA; UNEMPLOY; PUB ASSIST; LOAN Mar 28 Saturday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM **Please Note: All Public Testimony Will be via Telephone Only. No In-Person Testimony. From Juneau: 586-9085, Anchorage: 563-9085 Outside Juneau or Anchorage: 844-586-9085 Written Testimony Will be Accepted at: finance.committee@akleg.gov + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2319 FINANCE (continued) Mar 29 Sunday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM **Please Note: All Public Testimony Will be via Telephone Only. No In-Person Testimony. From Juneau: 586-9085, Anchorage: 563-9085 Outside Juneau or Anchorage: 844-586-9085 Written Testimony Will be Accepted at: finance.committee@akleg.gov + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 27 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 27 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Teleconference -- ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 27 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Consideration of Governor's Appointees: Board of Fisheries - John Wood += SB 70 REPEAL OCEAN POLLUTION MONITORS/FEE -- Public Testimony -- + SB 214 HUNTING/FISHING ID CARDS: DISABLED VETS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 194 ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTORS -- Public Testimony -- += HB 203 TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE CRAB -- Public Testimony -- - Continue to Access Meeting Through akleg.gov - All Off-Net Callers Must Hang Up Immediately After Testifying to Keep Lines Open + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2020-03-27 Senate Journal Page 2320 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Apr 02 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 4:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Will Meet if Needed ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Apr 02 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Will Meet if Needed ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Mar 30 Monday Adams 519 7:00 AM -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- + Executive Session - Final Audit Release: FY19 Statewide Single Audit Special Audit Requests - Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority - Alaska State Commission on Human Rights Other Committee Business ---------------------------------------- CONFERENCE COMMITTEES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB205 Mar 27 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += HB 205 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS - Department of Public Safety - Debt Service - Permanent Fund - Operating Supplementals - Capital <Item Above Removed from Agenda> CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON SB241 Mar 28 Saturday Butrovich 205 11:00 AM + SB 241 EXTENDING COVID 19 DISASTER EMERGENCY