Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2021-03-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0405 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 24, 2021 Sixty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Stutes at 10:31 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Patkotak had been excused from a call of the House today. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Representative Fields. Representative Thompson 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 people of all religious beliefs, I offer the following prayer: It has been approximately 526,000 minutes since the COVID pandemic began. And since then, approximately 526,000 Americans have died. One American life lost per minute for a whole year. We gather here to move forward in hope. Let us pray. We pray for each of those lives lost - more than half a million of them. We pray for the millions of people who mourn their deaths today and will for every remaining minute they have here on earth. We pray for the approximately 300 Alaskans who have lost their lives to COVID and every one of their family members who continues to mourn them. Each and every one of our 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0406 neighbors whose lives were lost was a unique and essential part of who we are. Alaska as a whole, and each of us as individuals, are diminished by their absence. We pray that these losses will inspire us to carry out our duties here. That they will inspire us to value and protect each and every life in Alaska, and to do our best to provide safety and health for them. Inspire us to study and utilize the very best facts and data that are available to us. Inspire us to follow the safety protocols to protect every one of us sitting next to one another. Inspire us to remember that each and every minute that we have here on earth is a precious and priceless gift. We pray that we can chart a course forward toward justice and unity. To that end, we humbly pray for the strength to act with wisdom, with courage, and with compassion. Thank You. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Gillham. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 63rd and 64th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A letter dated March 22 was read stating that on January 19 in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution and Alaska Statue 39.05.080, the Governor submitted a list of appointees for confirmation. The following appointee has been withdrawn from consideration, effective immediately: Board of Chiropractic Examiners Gabriel King The appointment had been referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee (pages 201-203). 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0407 MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE SB 24 A message dated March 22 was read stating the Senate concurred in the House amendment to CSSB 24(L&C), thus adopting: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 24(L&C) "An Act relating to holding corporate meetings by remote communication; allowing voting by remote communication at corporate meetings; making shareholder lists available electronically; relating to for-profit and nonprofit corporations; relating to business and industrial development corporations; relating to Native corporations; relating to the Alaska Banking Code; and providing for an effective date." A message dated March 22 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and they are transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SJR 8 CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8(RES) by the Senate Resources Committee: Urging the Alaska delegation in Congress, the United States Department of the Interior, and the Governor to facilitate a land grant endowment to the University of Alaska; urging the Alaska delegation in Congress to reintroduce the University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act; and urging the Department of Natural Resources to work with the University of Alaska to identify lands suitable for the land endowment. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 21 SENATE BILL NO. 21 by Senators Revak, Costello, Hughes, Micciche, Wilson, Gray-Jackson, Olson, Kawasaki, and Stevens, entitled: 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0408 "An Act relating to mobile intensive care paramedics; relating to duties of the State Medical Board and the Department of Health and Social Services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Labor & Commerce Committees. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Judiciary Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Treg Taylor as Attorney General of the Department of Law. The report was signed by Representative Claman, Chair; and Representatives Eastman,Vance, Drummond, Snyder, and Kurka. The Labor & Commerce Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Tyler Andrews as a member of the Alaska Labor Relations Agency. Fred Wallis Robert "Bob" Bell Jeffrey Garness Loren Leman Edward Leonetti Randall Rozier as members of the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors. Deirdre Ford Amy Steele as members of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission. 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0409 Lisa Radley Rebecca Dean Jodi Pfeiffer as members of the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board. The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Spohnholz, Co- chairs, and Representatives Nelson, McCarty, Schrage, and Snyder. The Transportation Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Lucas Hasenbank Richard Harris as members of the Board of Marine Pilots. The report was signed by Representative Hopkins, Chair; and Representatives Drummond, Cronk, Hannan, Spohnholz, McKay, and McCabe. HB 44 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 44 "An Act relating to the practice of accounting." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 44(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Kreiss-Tomkins, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Claman, Story, Kaufman, Vance, Tarr, Kreiss-Tomkins Amend (1): Eastman 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0410 The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 44(STA): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 44 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 76 The Finance Committee considered: 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." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 76(FIN) "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; approving and ratifying declarations of a public health disaster emergency; 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; meetings of shareholders; and school operating funds; relating to informed consent for COVID-19 vaccines; relating to personal objections to the administration of COVID-19 vaccines; providing immunity from liability and disciplinary action for occupational licensees for exposure of clients to COVID-19; providing immunity from liability for persons engaging in business and their 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0411 employees for exposure of customers to COVID-19; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Merrick and Foster, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Ortiz, Edgmon, Wool, Josephson, Foster Do not pass (3): Carpenter, Thompson, Johnson No recommendation (3): LeBon, Rasmussen, Merrick The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 76(FIN): 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 2. Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services 3. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety 4. Indeterminate, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs 5. Indeterminate, Dept. of Revenue HB 76 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 81 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 81 "An Act authorizing the commissioner of natural resources to modify a net profit share lease." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 81(RES) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Patkotak, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (1): Patkotak No recommendation (5): Cronk, Rauscher, Hannan, Gillham, Schrage 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0412 Amend (1): Hopkins The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 81(RES): 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Natural Resources 2. Indeterminate, Dept. of Revenue HB 81 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 115 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 115 "An Act relating to aquatic farming and hatchery site leases; and requiring the director of the division of lands to provide the legislature with an annual report relating to aquatic farming and hatchery site leases." The report was signed by Representative Patkotak, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Schrage, Gillham, Hannan, Patkotak No recommendation (3): Rauscher, Hopkins, Cronk The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources HB 115 was referred to the Rules Committee. SJR 9 The Transportation Committee considered: CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9(L&C) Urging the United States Congress to exempt cruise ships from certain provisions of the Passenger Vessel Services Act and other applicable provisions of federal law for the period during which Canadian ports are closed to cruise ships carrying more than 100 people; and urging the President of the United States not to fine or take actions against cruise ships sailing to the state. 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0413 The report was signed by Representative Hopkins, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Drummond, Cronk, Hannan, Spohnholz, McKay, McCabe, Hopkins The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Senate Transportation Committee SJR 9 was referred to the Rules Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Delaina Rachelle Pugh By Representative Tilton Honoring - Jane Angvik & Vic Fischer By Representatives Josephson, Fields, Claman Honoring - 2021 Top Five Kuskokwim 300 Finishers By Senator Hoffman; Representative Zulkosky In Memoriam - Dale C. Haggard By Representative McCabe; Senator Wilson In Memoriam - Dr. John Sackett By Senators Hoffman, Olson, Bishop INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 145 HOUSE BILL NO. 145 by Representatives Snyder and Tarr, entitled: "An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to health care services provided by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; and relating to the practice of pharmacy." 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0414 was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Health & Social Services Committees. HB 146 HOUSE BILL NO. 146 by Representatives Snyder and Tarr, entitled: "An Act relating to disclosure of information regarding employee compensation by employers, employees, and applicants for employment; establishing the fund for protection of compensation disclosure rights; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce, Judiciary, and Finance Committees. HB 147 HOUSE BILL NO. 147 by Representative Zulkosky, entitled: "An Act relating to the teacher education loan program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. HB 148 HOUSE BILL NO. 148 by Representative Shaw, entitled: "An Act relating to the Alaska Coordinate System of 2022." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Resources Committees. HB 149 HOUSE BILL NO. 149 by Representative Fields, entitled: "An Act relating to allowing certain child day care providers to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and State Affairs Committees. 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0415 HB 150 HOUSE BILL NO. 150 by Representative Eastman, entitled: "An Act providing immunity from liability for exposure of a natural person to COVID-19; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 36 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 36 "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." with the: Journal Page L&C RPT 6DP 334 FN1: ZERO(ADM) 334 Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 36 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HB 36 was read the third time. The Speaker stated that, without objection, HB 36 will be held in third reading to tomorrow's calendar. SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HR 7 The following was read the second time: 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0416 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 7 Proclaiming March 2021 as Brain Injury Awareness Month. The Rules Committee submitted the following fiscal note: 1. Zero, House Rules Committee The question being: "Shall HR 7 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HR 7 Second Reading Final Passage YEAS: 39 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 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, Prax, Rasmussen, Rauscher, Schrage, Shaw, Snyder, Spohnholz, Story, Stutes, Tarr, Thompson, Tilton, Tuck, Vance, Wool, Zulkosky Excused: Patkotak And so, HR 7 passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment and enrollment. 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 McCabe – from 1:00 p.m., March 25 to 2:30 p.m., March 28 HJR 6 The Speaker removed the State Affairs Committee referral and added a House Special Committee on Ways & Means referral for the following: 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0417 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to an appropriation limit; and relating to the budget reserve fund. HJR 6 was referred to the House Special Committee on Ways & Means with further referral to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. The Speaker made the following additional appointments to the previous list (pages 363-368): Appointed House Members 2021-2022 Bond Reimbursement & Grant Review Committee (AS 14.11.014) Representative Ortiz Coordinated Care Demonstration Project Review Committee (AS 47.07.039) Representative Josephson Election Policy Working Group Representative Kreiss-Tomkins EO 120 In accordance with art. III sec. 23, Constitution of the State of Alaska, and AS 24.08.210, action was not taken on the following and it was returned to the Office of the Governor at 1:50 p.m., March 22: EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 120 Transferring the Violent Crimes Compensation Board from the Department of Administration to the Department of Public Safety. HR 7 Representative Josephson added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 7 Proclaiming March 2021 as Brain Injury Awareness Month. 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0418 HB 3 Representatives Kaufman and Rauscher added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 3 "An Act relating to the definition of 'disaster.'" HB 4 Representatives Rauscher, Vance, McCabe, and Cronk added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 4 "An Act providing immunity from liability and disciplinary action for occupational licensees for exposure of clients to COVID-19; providing immunity from liability for persons engaging in business and their employees for exposure of customers to COVID-19; and providing for an effective date." HB 36 Representative Josephson added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 36 "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." HB 55 Representative Fields added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 55 "An Act relating to participation of certain peace officers and firefighters in the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; relating to eligibility of peace officers and firefighters for medical, disability, and death benefits; relating to liability of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." HB 122 Representative Hopkins added as a cosponsor to: 2021-03-24 House Journal Page 0419 HOUSE BILL NO. 122 "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; requiring physicians, psychologists, psychological associates, social workers, marital and family therapists, and licensed professional counselors to report annually threats of gun violence; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration; and providing for an effective date." SJR 9 Representative Spohnholz added as a cross sponsor to: CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9(L&C) Urging the United States Congress to exempt cruise ships from certain provisions of the Passenger Vessel Services Act and other applicable provisions of federal law for the period during which Canadian ports are closed to cruise ships carrying more than 100 people; and urging the President of the United States not to fine or take actions against cruise ships sailing to the state. SB 21 Representative Schrage added as a cross sponsor to: SENATE BILL NO. 21 "An Act relating to mobile intensive care paramedics; relating to duties of the State Medical Board and the Department of Health and Social Services; 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 10:00 a.m., March 25. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:38 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk