Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-01-22 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1323 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday January 22, 2024 Seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Tilton at 11:31 a.m. Roll call showed 40 members present. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, the Reverend Gordon Blue of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. 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 prayers: Creator of life, redeemer of the afflicted and spirit of grace, In this season, the Epiphany, the Northern infancy of light, we celebrate our homes and ask your blessing upon them. Make this building the home of blessings for all Alaskans. Behold, I stand at the door and knock, says the Lord. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into the house, and eat with you, and you with me. Then the Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in from this time forth for evermore. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting one, grant to this Capitol the grace of your presence. Renew this sprawling and often fractious abode, restore the functions of the House and 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1324 the Senate and the Administration; redeem the work of the parties, that you may be known to be the inhabitant of this dwelling, Alaska, and the defender of this household; its Capitol. Visit, O blessed Lord, this House with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who work here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your respect to each other and to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace now and forever. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Himschoot. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Pursuant to Uniform Rule 1 (e), the Speaker made the following appointment: Committee on Committees Rauscher replaced Patkotak The Speaker stated that, without objection, the House would recess; and so, the House recessed at 11:42 a.m. AFTER RECESS The Speaker called the House back to order at 12:01 p.m. 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1325 COMMUNICATIONS The following was received: Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority 2023 Annual Report on the Nature and Extent of Tax Exemptions Devoted to an Essential Public and Governmental Function and Purpose January 10, 2024 (as required by AS 44.88.140) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HJR 7 The Judiciary Committee considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7 Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska requiring payment of a dividend to eligible state residents. and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7(W&M) Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the permanent fund, relating to transfers out of the permanent fund, and requiring payment of a dividend to eligible state residents. The report was signed by Representative Vance, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): C. Johnson, Gray, Carpenter, Groh, Allard, Vance Amend (1): Eastman The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHJR 7(W&M): 2. Zero, Office of the Governor HJR 7 was referred to the Rules Committee. 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1326 HB 119 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 119 "An Act relating to marijuana taxes; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 119(L&C) "An Act relating to the lawful operation of retail marijuana stores; relating to the registration of marijuana establishments; relating to marijuana taxes; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Sumner, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Carrick, Prax, Wright, Ruffridge, Sumner No recommendation (1): Saddler The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 119(L&C): 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Public Safety 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue HB 119 was referred to the Finance Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES A report of the Committee on Committees dated January 22 was read submitting amendments to the January 19, 2023, report (page 27-28). Additional reports are on pages 154-155. The amendments follow: Community & Regional Affairs Committee: Representative Baker replaced Representative Patkotak Resources Committee: Baker replaced Patkotak 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1327 Judiciary Committee: Sumner replaced Eastman State Affairs Committee: Carrick replaced Armstrong HR 4 House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs: Baker replaced Patkotak; Carrick replaced Armstrong HR 5 House Special Committee on Arctic Policy, Economic Development, & Tourism: Baker replaced Patkotak; Armstrong replaced Carrick HR 6 House Special Committee on Energy: Baker replaced Patkotak; Armstrong replaced Carrick The report was signed by Representative Tilton, Chair; and Representatives C. Johnson, D. Johnson, Rauscher, and Schrage. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Committees report be adopted. Representative Eastman moved and asked unanimous consent to amend the Committee on Committees report to remove the Judiciary Committee change. The Speaker ruled that the motion was not in order. Representative Eastman appealed the ruling of the Chair. The question being: "Shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained?" The roll was taken with the following result: Amend Report - Out of Order Sustain Ruling of the Chair 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1328 YEAS: 39 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, Josephson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Eastman And so, the ruling of the Chair was sustained. Representative Eastman objected to the adoption of the report. Representative Stapp rose to a point of order regarding impugning the motives of members of the body. The Speaker cautioned the member. The question being: "Shall the Committee on Committees report be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: Committee on Committees Report Adopt YEAS: 39 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, Josephson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Eastman And so, the motion passed. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1329 Honoring – Bill and Barbara Webb By Representative McKay In Memoriam – Victor Fischer By Representatives Josephson, Fields; Senator Gray-Jackson In Memoriam – Joseph Emil Usibelli, Senior By Senators Bishop, Kawasaki INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 18 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18 by Representatives Galvin, Fields, and Stutes: Urging the United States Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset of the Social Security Act. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 281 HOUSE BILL NO. 281 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the permitting, lease, and sale of state land for remote recreational cabin sites; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1330 The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Tilton: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the sale or lease of state land for remote recreational sites. This bill sets up a framework to encourage the settlement of state land and the development of its resources. With only 10 percent of state land in private ownership, we need changes to allow Alaskans to lease or purchase land for recreational purposes. This bill strikes the balance of allowing Alaskans a more efficient and fair process to obtain an interest in state land consistent with constitutional principles. The bill amends the current program for remote recreational sites to address eligibility, nomination, classification, and staking of remote recreational sites. The bill allows for eligible applicants to nominate up to 10 acres of available state land for a remote recreational site if not included in the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) schedule of land offerings. Purchasers must include a survey and appraisal of the site and agree to pay the remote recreational site's fair market value. Further, the bill would allow the Commissioner of DNR to issue a permit for a remote recreational site. This bill will increase the availability of land for recreational use and help make land available to Alaskans. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 282 HOUSE BILL NO. 282 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to access roads; relating to state land; relating to contracts for the sale of state land; relating to the authority of the 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1331 Department of Education and Early Development to dispose of state land; relating to the authority of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to dispose of state land; relating to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources over certain state land; relating to the state land disposal income fund; relating to the sale and lease of state land; relating to covenants and restrictions on agricultural land; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation, Resources, and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Tilton: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to disposal of state land. This bill provides authority for the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and the Department of Education and Early Development to dispose of state land. The bill further increases the cap on the land disposal income fund and updates and improves provisions relating to the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) surface land disposal procedures. The bill clarifies the state land sale bidding process by requiring an earnest money deposit and granting the State greater discretion regarding the construction of access roads related to state land sales. The bill also provides DNR discretion whether to require a survey prior to the issuance of a long-term lease. Finally, the bill amends the Alaska Land Act. The bill broadens the terms for sales contracts for land sold by public auction or sealed bid and clarifies that DNR may terminate a sales contract without recourse to a foreclosure lawsuit in appropriate circumstances. The bill further 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1332 provides for leasing and sale of parcels of state land for commercial development, as well as relaxes restrictions on land conveyed for agricultural purposes. In order to make the best use of our state land for all citizens, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 283 HOUSE BILL NO. 283 by Representative Dibert, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services Committee. HB 284 HOUSE BILL NO. 284 by Representative Allard by request, entitled: "An Act exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 285 HOUSE BILL NO. 285 by Representative Fields, entitled: "An Act relating to insurance; relating to mammograms; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Finance Committees. 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1333 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Saddler 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: 10:00 a.m., March 3 to 11:00 p.m., March 4 6:00 p.m., March 8 to 11:00 p.m., March 10 HB 169 Representative Rauscher added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 169 "An Act relating to certain fish; and establishing a fisheries rehabilitation permit." HB 234 Representative Groh added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 234 "An Act relating to police officer training; establishing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Review Commission; relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons; relating to the duties of the Department of Public Safety; and providing for an effective date." HB 235 Representative Groh added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 235 "An Act relating to the duty of law enforcement agencies to report missing persons; and relating to missing persons." SB 22 Representative Groh added as a cross sponsor to: SENATE BILL NO. 22 "An Act establishing Juneteenth Day as a legal holiday." 2024-01-22 House Journal Page 1334 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., January 24. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:41 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk