Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-02-22 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0249 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 22, 2023 Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Tilton at 10:57 a.m. Roll call showed 36 members present. Representative Wright had been excused from a call of the House today. Representative Saddler 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 Foster – today Representative McCormick – from today to 8:00 a.m., February 27 Representative Rauscher – from today to 6:00 p.m., February 24 * * * * * The Speaker stated that the House would stand at ease to allow members of the Senate to enter the Chamber; and so, the House stood at ease at 10:58 a.m. AFTER AT EASE The Speaker called the House back to order at 11:07 a.m. JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE In accordance with Uniform Rule 51, Speaker Tilton turned the gavel over to President Stevens who called the joint session to order at 11:07 a.m. 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0250 The purpose of the joint session was to hear an address by the Honorable Lisa Murkowski, U. S. Senator. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. President Stevens appointed Representative Cronk and Senator Wielechowski to escort the Senator to the joint session. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Senator's entrance into the House Chamber. Senator Murkowski was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Stevens and Speaker Tilton. Senator Murkowski delivered her address, and it is published in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 7. A question and answer period followed the conclusion of the Senator's speech. Senator Murkowski received a standing ovation and was escorted from the Chamber by Representative Cronk and Senator Wielechowski. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint session adjourn. There being no objection, President Stevens adjourned the joint session at 12:25 p.m. The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate to leave the Chamber. IN THE HOUSE The Speaker called the House back to order at 12:35 p.m. 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0251 The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Lydia Kline, Assistant Chief Clerk. Representative Vance 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 the religious beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following invocation: Let us express our gratitude for the opportunities before us. Gratitude for the opportunity to serve Alaska and all of its residents. For the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. For the opportunity to work together for the betterment of our great state. Let us embrace the challenge and responsibility we have as leaders, so we may lead with integrity and respect. Many important, complex problems will come before this body. Let us have the strength, courage, and humility to face these issues together. Let us bring the wisdom of the past and the hope of the future to all of our decisions so we may create a present that is truly a gift. Thank you for your service. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative C. Johnson. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 35th and 36th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development Research and Analysis Section Alaska Training Program Performance For Participants Exiting Programs in State Fiscal Year 2021 February 2023 (as required by AS 23.15.580) 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0252 Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities Alaska Sustainable Energy Act 2022 Annual Progress Report February 2023 (as required by AS 44.42.067) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 3 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 3 "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie." The report was signed by Representative Shaw, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Allard, C. Johnson, Carpenter, Shaw No recommendation (2): Armstrong, Story The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 3 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 25 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 25 "An Act relating to eligibility for the permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0253 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 25(STA) "An Act allowing certain members of the uniformed services, spouses and dependents of certain members of the uniformed services, and individuals attending certain merchant marine vocational programs to remain eligible for the permanent fund dividend during absences from the state; allowing, in certain cases, an otherwise eligible individual to file for an unclaimed permanent fund dividend if the parent, guardian, or authorized representative failed to claim a dividend on behalf of the individual during the application period; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Shaw, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Armstrong, Allard, Story, Carpenter, Shaw No recommendation (1): C. Johnson The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 25(STA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Revenue HB 25 was referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs. HB 48 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 48 "An Act relating to reports from the State Commission for Human Rights." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 48(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Shaw, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0254 Do pass (6): Armstrong, Story, Allard, C. Johnson, Carpenter, Shaw The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 48(STA): 1. Zero, Office of the Governor HB 48 was referred to the Rules Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: Honoring – Patty Mackey By Representative Ortiz; Senator Stedman The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring – Ronald Vecera By Representative Shaw Honoring – Noel "Merrill" Wien, Alaska Aviation Museum Hall of Fame By Senator Olson In Memoriam – Roberta "Bobbie" Joyce Mason By Representative Rauscher; Senator Shower SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, Honoring – Patty Mackey, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0255 Honoring – Patty Mackey By Representative Ortiz; Senator Stedman INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 80 HOUSE BILL NO. 80 by Representatives Josephson and Fields, entitled: "An Act relating to competency to stand trial; relating to commitment based on a finding of incompetency; relating to administration of psychotropic medication; and relating to victims' rights during certain civil commitment proceedings." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services, State Affairs, and Judiciary Committees. HB 81 HOUSE BILL NO. 81 by Representative Rauscher, entitled: "An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the death of the owner; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and State Affairs Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 51 The Speaker stated that the following, which was held from the February 20 calendar (page 240), would be held to the February 24 calendar: HOUSE BILL NO. 51 "An Act relating to refrigerants designated as acceptable for use under federal law." 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0256 LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Saddler 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: In Memoriam – Christine Pricer-Fish By Representatives Sumner, Wright; Senator Wielechowski In Memoriam – Jay Hogan By Senator Hoffman; Representative Groh UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Saddler 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 C. Johnson – from: 6:00 p.m., February 24 to 10:30 a.m., February 27 6:00 p.m., March 3 to 10:30 a.m., March 5 Representative McCabe – from 6:00 p.m., March 2 to 3:00 p.m., March 5 Representative Coulombe – from 1:00 p.m., March 4 to 10:30 a.m., March 6 HB 62 The Speaker added a Finance Committee referral to the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 62 "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund and recommendation program; and providing for an effective date." HB 62 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 1 Representative Prax added as a cosponsor to: 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0257 HOUSE BILL NO. 1 "An Act relating to elections." HB 61 Representative Ruffridge added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 61 "An Act relating to restrictions on firearms and other weapons." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meetings today were changed: Judiciary Committee CHANGED TO: 1:30 p.m. Resources Committee CHANGED TO: 1:30 p.m. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Gray moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Eastman be censured for offensive, insulting, and unsubstantiated statements that undermine the dignity of the House. Representative Vance objected. Representative Eastman rose to a point of order, citing Section 121 of Mason's Manual. The Speaker cautioned members to refrain from impugning the motives of others. Representative Vance removed her objection. Representative Eastman objected. 2023-02-22 House Journal Page 0258 The question being: "Shall the House censure Representative Eastman?" The roll was taken with the following result: Censure Representative Eastman YEAS: 35 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 4 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, Josephson, McCabe, McKay, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Patkotak, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance Nays: Eastman Excused: Foster, McCormick, Rauscher, Wright And so, the motion passed. ADJOURNMENT Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., February 24. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 1:09 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk