Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2021-04-16 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0621 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday April 16, 2021 Eighty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Stutes at 10:36 a.m. Roll call showed 38 members present. Representatives LeBon and Thompson had been excused from a call of the House today. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Representative Kaufman. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With deep request for all religious beliefs, I offer the following prayer: As people of faith, we are called to give thanks in all things. With this in mind, I share Psalm 100 as a prayer of thankfulness for the many blessings we all experience. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0622 give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative McCarty. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 86th and 87th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 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: Samantha Cherot as the Public Defender. The report was signed by Representative Claman, Chair; and Representatives Eastman, Vance, Kreiss-Tomkins, Drummond, and Kurka. The Labor & Commerce Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Justin Ruffridge as a member of the Board of Pharmacy. Mae Sprague Hayes as a member of the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers. Rachel Berngartt as a member of the Board of Veterinary Examiners. 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0623 The report was signed by Representative Spohnholz, Chair; and Representatives Nelson, McCarty, Fields, Schrage, and Kaufman. HB 26 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 26 "An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Patkotak, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Fields, Cronk, Hannan Do not pass (2): McKay, Gillham No recommendation (3): Hopkins, Schrage, Patkotak Amend (1): Rauscher The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game HB 26 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 55 The State Affairs Committee considered: 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." 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0624 The report was signed by Representative Kreiss-Tomkins, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Claman, Tarr, Kreiss-Tomkins Amend (4): Story, Eastman, Kaufman, Vance The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration HB 55 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 127 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 127 "An Act relating to the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority." The report was signed by Representatives Schrage and Hannan, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): McCarty, Drummond, Prax, McCabe, Schrage, Hannan The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue HB 127 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 163 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 163 "An Act relating to vehicle title applications." The report was signed by Representatives Schrage and Hannan, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): McCabe, Prax, McCarty, Drummond, Schrage, Hannan 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0625 The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration HB 163 was referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 168 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 168 "An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to provide and allow submission of an electronic application for certain state benefits; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Snyder and Zulkosky, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Fields, Spohnholz, McCarty, Snyder, Zulkosky Do not pass (1): Prax No recommendation (1): Kurka The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services HB 168 was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 21 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: 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." The report was signed by Representatives Snyder and Zulkosky, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0626 Do pass (5): Fields, Spohnholz, McCarty, Prax, Snyder No recommendation (2): Kurka, Zulkosky The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Office of the Governor/Combined SB 21 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 144 The House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 144 "An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs Commission; and relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Military Affairs Commission." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 144(MLV) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Tuck, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Nelson, Story, Tuck Amend (1): Rauscher The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 144(MLV): 1. Fiscal, Office of the Governor HB 144 was referred to the Finance Committee. 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0627 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Paul Johnson By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins Honoring - Kyle Hopkins By Representatives Tarr, Spohnholz; Senator Begich Honoring - Dr. Susan Hunter-Joerns By Representatives Josephson, Story; Senator Kiehl Honoring - David Schaff By Representative Tuck; Senator Wielechowski Honoring - Dr. Brian J. McMahon By Representative Spohnholz; Senators Wielechowski, Hoffman Honoring - Lalo's Pizza By Representatives Josephson, Tuck; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - The Elevation of the Negro Leagues to Formal Major League Status By Representative Josephson; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - Burrito Factory By Representative Spohnholz; Senator Wielechowski Honoring - University of Alaska Fairbanks, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library 50th Anniversary By Representative LeBon; Senators von Imhof, Bishop Honoring - David Gray By Senators Hoffman, Kiehl In Memoriam - Clifford "Cliff" Gilmore By Representative Tilton 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0628 In Memoriam - Michael Witman By Representative Tilton In Memoriam - Charles "Chuck" Sassara By Representatives Josephson, Fields; Senator Begich In Memoriam - John Lewis By Representative Josephson; Senator Gray-Jackson In Memoriam - Frank Fantazzi By Representatives LeBon, Thompson In Memoriam - Andy Anderson By Senator Stevens INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 4 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 by Representative Tarr: Urging the Governor to establish the Office of Outdoor Equity. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 176 HOUSE BILL NO. 176 by Representatives Rasmussen and McCabe, entitled: "An Act relating to insurance; relating to direct health care agreements; and relating to unfair trade practices." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Health & Social Services Committees. 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0629 HB 177 HOUSE BILL NO. 177 by Representatives Tuck and Spohnholz, entitled: "An Act relating to an increase of an appropriation due to additional federal or other program receipts; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 178 HOUSE BILL NO. 178 by Representatives Gillham, Vance, and McCarty, entitled: "An Act adding to the duties of the victims' advocate and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and relating to informing certain peace officers, firefighters, correctional employees, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, ambulance attendants, emergency responders, and medical professionals of legal protections that may be available if they become crime victims." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and State Affairs Committees. HB 179 HOUSE BILL NO. 179 by Representatives Tilton, Rauscher, McCabe, Shaw, Vance, Carpenter, Thompson, McKay, Kaufman, Cronk, Nelson, Gillham, Prax, Johnson, and Rasmussen, entitled: "An Act relating to firearms and other weapons restrictions." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs, Judiciary, and State Affairs Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 109 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 14 calendar (page 612), was read the third time: 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0630 HOUSE BILL NO. 109 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall HB 109 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 109 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 34 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Claman, Cronk, Drummond, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Gillham, Hannan, Hopkins, Johnson, Josephson, Kaufman, Kreiss-Tomkins, McCarty, McKay, Merrick, Nelson, Ortiz, Patkotak, Prax, Rasmussen, Rauscher, Schrage, Shaw, Snyder, Spohnholz, Story, Stutes, Tarr, Tilton, Tuck, Vance, Wool, Zulkosky Nays: Carpenter, Eastman, Kurka, McCabe Excused: LeBon, Thompson And so, HB 109 passed the House. Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the effective date clause be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 109 Third Reading Effective Date 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, McCabe, McCarty, McKay, Merrick, Nelson, Ortiz, Patkotak, Prax, Rasmussen, Rauscher, Schrage, Shaw, Snyder, Spohnholz, Story, Stutes, Tarr, Tilton, Tuck, Vance, Wool, Zulkosky 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0631 Excused: LeBon, Thompson And so, the effective date clause was adopted. Representative Carpenter gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on HB 109. 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 - Vince Beltrami By Representatives Josephson, Tuck; Senator Bishop Honoring - Kendra Kloster By Representatives Spohnholz, Tuck; Senator Wielechowski Honoring - Vern? Boerner By Representatives Spohnholz, Shaw, Zulkosky Honoring - Hooper Bay Lady Warriors, 2021 Girls State 2A Basketball Champions By Representative Foster; Senator Olson Honoring - Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 50th Anniversary in Senate District T By Representatives Foster, Patkotak; Senator Olson Honoring - District 39 Tribal Health Clinics' Efforts During the COVID-19 Pandemic By Representative Foster; Senator Olson Honoring - District 39 Native Village Tribes' Efforts During The COVID-19 Pandemic By Representative Foster; Senator Olson In Memoriam - Supreme Court Justice Robert C. Erwin By Representatives Josephson, Claman 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0632 In Memoriam - Darlene "Petesy" Lust By Representative Rauscher; Senator Shower In Memoriam - Patricia Bowen Elias By Representative Cronk In Memoriam - Louise L. "Avessuk" (Keller) Bauman By Representative Foster; Senator Olson In Memoriam - Shawn Lyons By Senator Begich; Representative Tuck In Memoriam - Vernon Bartlett Brice By Senator Bishop In Memoriam - Jack Mann By Senators Bishop, Hughes In Memoriam - Jack Noble Reisland By Senator Bishop In Memoriam - Dr. Hugh "Bud" Fate, Jr. By Senators Bishop, Myers; Representative LeBon In Memoriam - Mary Jane Fate By Senator Bishop UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 146 The Speaker removed the Judiciary Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 146 "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." HB 146 is in the Labor & Commerce Committee with further referral to the Finance Committee. 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0633 HB 168 The Speaker removed the Finance Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 168 "An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to provide and allow submission of an electronic application for certain state benefits; and providing for an effective date." HB 168 was referred to Rules Committee. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Tarr rose to a Point of Order regarding dilatory comments, unsubstantiated claims, and impugning the motives of persons not present. The Speaker cautioned the member to proceed in order. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 8 Representative Tarr added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 8 "An Act relating to professional and occupational licensing; and relating to protection of children and vulnerable adults." HB 17 Representative Story added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 17 "An Act adding to the powers and duties of the State Commission for Human Rights; and relating to and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression." HB 23 Representative McCarty added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 23 "An Act relating to elections and voter registration; relating to 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0634 ballot custody, retention, and destruction; prohibiting possession of another voter's ballot; requiring signature verification; establishing an election offense hotline; and providing for an effective date." HB 38 Representative Tarr added as a cosponsor to: 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 109 Representative Tuck added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 109 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and providing for an effective date." HB 127 Representative Schrage added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 127 "An Act relating to the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority." HB 145 Representatives Fields and Story added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 145 "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." HB 156 Representative Schrage added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 156 "An Act relating to industrial hemp; and providing for an effective date." 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0635 HB 158 Representative Rauscher added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 158 "An Act relating to contributions from permanent fund dividends to the general fund." HB 167 Representative Prax added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 167 "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie." HB 168 Representative Spohnholz added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 168 "An Act requiring the Department of Health and Social Services to provide and allow submission of an electronic application for certain state benefits; and providing for an effective date." HB 174 Representatives LeBon and Cronk added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 174 "An Act relating to proposing and enacting laws by initiative." HB 175 Representatives Gillham, McCarty, and McCabe added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 175 "An Act relating to COVID-19 immunization rights." SB 21 Representative Cronk 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." 2021-04-16 House Journal Page 0636 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., April 19. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:12 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk