Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2021-02-19 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0175 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday February 19, 2021 Thirty-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Stutes at 10:45 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives Rasmussen, Shaw, and Spohnholz be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The presence of Representative Shaw was noted later. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Representative Rauscher. Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. It is with the deepest respect for all religions that I offer this prayer: Father God in Heaven, we come to you with offerings of thanksgiving, prayer and petition. Hallowed is your name above all and your kingdom has no end. Thank you for your son, who died on the cross that we may live with you eternally in heaven. We thank you for our parents, those living and those that have passed before us. We thank you for our children and our spouses. 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0176 We give thanks for our homes, our health, our income, and our privilege to serve as legislators. Father God, we recognize we cannot take a single breath without you. You are our provider. You forgive our iniquities time and time again. Thank you for the strength to forgive those around us in the same manner. Father God, help us to recognize our calling as an opportunity to be able to make a difference and we ask that we not take it lightly. Yet, as we work alongside our colleagues, remind us of their need to represent their district with the same individuality and passion as we represent our own. Father God, heal the broken hearts of the foster child, give a stable and loving environment to them. Help us to provide for them hope and an answer to their prayers. We pray for the unborn child in this world. Give assurance to the recovering addict and a lighted path to those who are still lost. We pray for our children and grandchildren as they grow and learn to become productive and giving in nature. Father God, we ask that you watch over this session, keep us humble, keep us civil, keep our action pure in heart. I ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Tilton. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL The journal for the 31st legislative day was not certified today. * * * * * Representative Edgmon introduced the following House staff: Olivia Piteša, Page - Juneau Hanna Davis, Page - Juneau 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0177 Ben Krall, Page - Juneau Savaya Bieber, Page - Soldotna Griffin Young, Page - Juneau MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDERS EO 119 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 119 Separating the Department of Health and Social Services into two departments - the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services. was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Finance Committees. The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 23, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting an Executive Order to separate the Department of Health and Social Services into two departments – the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services. This reorganization is necessary for efficient administration of services for public assistance programs, protection of vulnerable adults and children, behavioral health, and for the administration of grants related to these services. The Department of Health will have responsibility for administering medical and public assistance programs, disability services, and public health programs. The Department of Family and Community Services will have responsibility for overseeing child welfare services, the Alaska Pioneers’ Home and Veterans’ Home, delinquency services, foster care, and the state psychiatric hospital. This reorganization will strengthen outcomes and improve service delivery by enabling the newly mission-focused departments to 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0178 operate more efficiently. This new structure will improve public health and enhance the state’s ability to protect vulnerable adults, children, and senior citizens. These changes will be effective July 1, 2021. Separately, my administration will be submitting budget amendments to account for the reorganization. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" EO 120 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 120 Transferring the Violent Crimes Compensation Board from the Department of Administration to the Department of Public Safety. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 23, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting an Executive Order transferring the Violent Crimes Compensation Board, currently housed in the Department of Administration, to the Department of Public Safety. The board’s mission fits more appropriately in the Department of Public Safety. The board will be in the Department of Public Safety for administrative purposes, and all board functions will continue as usual. With this move, the board will continue its current functions uninterrupted. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0179 MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A messaged dated February 3 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 1 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 am by Senator Stevens: Suspending Rules 24(a) and 34(c), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; authorizing the presiding officers to allow members to attend a session by videoconference or teleconference in certain circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic; and relating to sessions where members are authorized to attend a session by videoconference or teleconference. was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and State Affairs Committees. COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: A letter dated May 18, 2020, was received from Joel Bolger, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, stating that he nominated the following alternate member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics pursuant to AS 24.60.131(b)(3): Gerald (Jerry) McBeath A letter dated January 20, 2021, was received from Joel Bolger, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, stating that he reappointed the following public member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics pursuant to AS 24.60.130(b): Dennis "Skip" Cook 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0180 The Speaker referred the appointments to the Judiciary Committee. Dept. of Administration Monetary Terms of Agreement Between the State and Public Safety Employees Association January 29, 2021 (as required by AS 23.40.215) Dept. of Administration Monetary Terms of Agreement Between the State and General Government Union January 29, 2021 (as required by AS 23.40.215) The Speaker referred the monetary terms to the Finance Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Fred Agree By Representative Vance In Memoriam - Father Tom Brundage By Representatives McCarty, Merrick In Memoriam - Mollie Anne Boyer By Senator Wilson; Representative Rauscher INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 104 HOUSE BILL NO. 104 by Representative Josephson, entitled: "An Act relating to vehicle registration and registration fees; relating to the motor fuel tax; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0181 HB 105 HOUSE BILL NO. 105 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the duties of the commissioner of corrections; relating to the detention of minors; relating to minors subject to adult courts; relating to the placement of minors in adult correctional facilities; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Health & Social Services Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Corrections 2. Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services 3. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to amending state law to bring the Division of Juvenile Justice into compliance with recent changes to federal law. Specifically, in December 2018, the President signed the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA) that amends and reauthorizes the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) which is the principle law governing juvenile justice practices. This bill brings state law into compliance with new JJRA requirements related to the detention and placement of juveniles under the age of 18 in adult jails or correctional facilities. These new federal requirements go into effect on December 21, 2021. Additionally, the proposal amends AS 47.10 to bring state law into compliance with JJRA provisions related to status offenders (runaways and missing children) being held in secure juvenile facilities without requisite court findings. 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0182 I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 106 HOUSE BILL NO. 106 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to missing persons under 21 years of age." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Health & Social Services Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services 2. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill updating the timeframes for reporting missing persons under the age of 21 to state and national databases. Recent changes in Federal law require all law enforcement agencies to complete and transmit reports of missing persons under the age of 21 into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) no more than two hours after a person has been reported missing. Time is of the essence in cases involving this vulnerable population in order to marshal quickly as many resources as possible to search for the missing person. Current state law gives law enforcement 24 hours to enter a missing person’s report into the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) and the NCIC, and only on persons under the age of 18. The bill amends AS 18.65.620 and AS 47.10.141 to bring state law in line 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0183 with federal requirements, and to align with the current practice of Alaska’s law enforcement agencies. Persons under the age of 21 who go missing are at an increased risk of being harmed. It is crucial that reports are met with urgency. The bill will bring Alaska into federal compliance and ensure that we are leveraging state and national databases to bring these young people home safely. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Tuck 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 - Dr. Norio Yamamoto By Representative Fields Honoring - Norton Sound Health Corporation By Representative Foster; Senator Olson Honoring - Commander Barry McConnell By Senators Gray-Jackson, Revak; Representative Schrage In Memoriam - Stephen Michael Dryden By Senator Wilson In Memoriam - Glen Simpson By Senator Myers; Representative Prax 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0184 UNFINISHED BUSINESS The Speaker made the following appointments: HR 1 House Special Committee on Arctic Policy, Economic Development, & Tourism: Story, Snyder, Patkotak, Tarr, Prax, McKay HR 2 House Special Committee on Energy: Story, Claman, Zulkosky, Fields, Rauscher, Kaufman HR 3 House Special Committee on Fisheries: Tarr, Kreiss-Tomkins, Story, Ortiz, Vance, McCabe HR 4 House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs: Spohnholz, Stutes, Tarr, Claman, Rauscher, Nelson HR 5 House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs: Ortiz, Fields, Drummond, Cronk HR 6 House Special Committee on Ways & Means: Wool, Josephson, Schrage, Story, Prax, Eastman Legislative Council: Representative Stutes Representative Edgmon Representative Tuck Representative Claman Representative McCabe Representative Tilton 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0185 Legislative Budget & Audit Committee: Representative Spohnholz Representative Josephson Representative Foster Representative Kaufman Representative Ortiz (alternate) Joint Armed Services Committee: Representative Claman, Co-chair Representative Spohnholz Representative Stutes Representative Tarr Representative Nelson The Chief Clerk notified the Senate. HJR 12 The Speaker removed the State Affairs Committee referral for the following: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Urging the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, to honor the recent lease sales and proceed with permitting in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; urging the President of the United States to defend the 2020 Record of Decision approving the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; opposing designation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a National Monument; and urging the Alaska delegation in Congress to uphold sec. 20001 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. HJR 12 is in the Resources Committee. HB 13 The Speaker removed the State Affairs Committee referral and added a Judiciary Committee referral for the following: 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0186 HOUSE BILL NO. 13 "An Act relating to shared child custody; relating to relocation of a child out of state; and relating to a presumption of the best interests of the child in child custody and visitation determinations." HB 13 is in the Health & Social Services Committee with further referral to the Judiciary Committee. HB 27 The Speaker added a Finance Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 27 "An Act naming the irene Webber Bridge." HB 27 is in the Transportation Committee. HB 34 The Speaker removed the State Affairs Committee referral and added a Finance Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 34 "An Act naming the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots' Memorial Bridge." HB 34 is in the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs with further referral to the Finance Committee. HB 38 The Speaker removed the Judiciary Committee referral and added a State Affairs Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 38 "An Act relating to the Alaska Police Standards Council; relating to the Department of Public Safety; and providing for an effective date." HB 38 is in the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs with further referral to the State Affairs Committee. 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0187 HB 65 The Speaker added a Resources Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 65 "An Act relating to the duties and powers of certain unconfirmed appointees to the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game; and providing for an effective date." HB 65 is in the House Special Committee on Fisheries with further referral to the Resources and Judiciary Committees. HB 76 The Speaker removed the Health & Social Services Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 76 "An Act extending the January 15, 2021, governor's declaration of a public health disaster emergency in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic; providing for a financing plan; making temporary changes to state law in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the following areas: occupational and professional licensing, practice, and billing; telehealth; fingerprinting requirements for health care providers; charitable gaming and online ticket sales; access to federal stabilization funds; wills; unfair or deceptive trade practices; and meetings of shareholders; and providing for an effective date." HB 76 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 43 The Speaker removed the Health & Social Services Committee referral and added an Education Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 43 "An Act extending the termination date of the special education service agency; and providing for an effective date." HB 43 is in the Education Committee with further referral to the Finance Committee. 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0188 HB 99 The Speaker removed the Health & Social Services Committee referral and added a Finance Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 99 "An Act relating to the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board; relating to the practice of physical therapy; and relating to the practice of occupational therapy." HB 99 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee with further referral to the Finance Committee. **The presence of Representative Shaw, who was excused (page 175), was noted. Representative Tuck moved that the House confirm the appointments of Representatives Hannan and Johnson and Representatives Tuck and Eastman (alternates) to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall the House confirm the appointments of Representatives Hannan and Johnson and Representatives Tuck and Eastman (alternates) to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Confirm - Representatives Hannan and Johnson Representatives Tuck and Eastman, alternate Select Committee on Legislative Ethics YEAS: 38 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Carpenter, Claman, Cronk, Drummond, Eastman, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Gillham, Hannan, Hopkins, Johnson, Josephson, Kaufman, Kreiss-Tomkins, Kurka, LeBon, McCabe, McCarty, McKay, Merrick, Nelson, Ortiz, Patkotak, Prax, Rauscher, Schrage, Shaw, Snyder, Story, Stutes, Tarr, Thompson, Tilton, Tuck, Vance, Wool, Zulkosky Excused: Rasmussen, Spohnholz And so, the appointments were confirmed. The Chief Clerk notified the Senate. 2021-02-19 House Journal Page 0189 Representative Tuck 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 Cronk – from 12:30 p.m., today to 8:00 a.m., February 22 Representative Josephson – from 1:30 p.m., today to 1:30 p.m., February 21 Representative Tuck – from 1:30 p.m., today to 6:00 p.m., February 21 Representative Ortiz – from 8:00 a.m., February 20 to 9:00 p.m., February 21 Representative McCabe – from 2:00 p.m., today to 3:00 p.m., February 22 HB 57 Representative Kreiss-Tomkins added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 57 "An Act relating to the budget reserve fund established under art. IX, sec. 17(d), Constitution of the State of Alaska; relating to money available for appropriation for purposes of applying art. IX, sec. 17, Constitution of the State of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., February 22. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:31 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk