Legislature(2023 - 2024)

2024-02-12 House Journal

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2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1475
                                                                                                                                
                              HOUSE JOURNAL                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                        ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                        THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                             SECOND SESSION                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                   Monday              February 12, 2024                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                            Twenty-eighth Day                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                                                
Tilton at 11:16 a.m.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Roll call showed 40 members present.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Miss Alaska Hanna Utic sang "Alaska's Flag."                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Doctor Charles                                                             
Ensminger of ?unéix_ Hídi Northern Light United 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 respect to the religious beliefs of those gathered here on                                                             
    this day, I invite you to turn your hearts in reverance or                                                                  
    reflection:                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
    Creator God, we gather in this place and in this time and in                                                                
    your grace. As we do so, I pray that you will inspire the hearts                                                            
    of those gathered here and provide them with the paths of                                                                   
    wisdom. Grant that this legislative body hears the call to seek                                                             
    and maintain justice.  Provide them with confidence in and for                                                              
    the truth.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
    During these challenging times, Creator God, I pray for your                                                                
    guidance for these lawmakers. Guide them through their                                                                      
    deliberations, their conversations, and in the tasks that are                                                               
    ever before them. May they face difficulties with fortitude,                                                                

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1476
     their duties with fidelity, and in all things gratitude for the                                                           
    opportunity to serve.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
    I pray for these gathered here, the staff, the pages, and all in                                                           
         this building. Watch over them, enliven their work, and                                                               
    uphold them in your mercy.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
       I pray for the state of Alaska, for our Nation, and for our                                                             
    world. I ask all of this in your holy name. Amen.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Mina.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                      CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
journal for the 25th, 26th, and 27th legislative days be approved as                                                            
certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so                                                               
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                * * * * *                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Ruffridge introduced Maggie Grenier, Guest Page,                                                                 
from Nikiski.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative Cronk introduced Genevieve Muldoon, Guest Page,                                                                  
from Eagle.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative D. Johnson introduced Tybee and Brodie Repnow,                                                                   
Guest Pages, from Palmer.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                             COMMUNICATIONS                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The following letter dated February 12 was read:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Mr. President and Madame Speaker:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
I respectfully request to change the date I address a join session of the                                                       
Legislature from the currently scheduled Wednesday, February 14,                                                                
2024, to Thursday, February 15, 2024 beginning at 10:00 a.m.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                

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I look forward to seeing you, all members of the Legislature, and                                                               
discussing the path ahead for the State we love and serve.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
For any necessary follow-up, please contact Kara Hollatz, my                                                                    
Regional Director.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Lisa Murkowski                                                                                                                  
United States Senator"                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                     REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
HB 89                                                                                                                         
The Finance Committee considered:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 89                                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to the day care assistance program and the child                                                           
    care grant program; and providing for an effective date."                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 89(FIN)                                                                                               
    "An Act relating to education tax credits for certain payments and                                                          
    contributions for child care and child care facilities; relating to the                                                     
    insurance tax education credit, the income tax education credit, the                                                        
    oil or gas producer education credit, the property tax education                                                            
    credit, the mining business education credit, the fisheries business                                                        
    education credit, and the fisheries resource landing tax education                                                          
    credit; renaming the day care assistance program the child care                                                             
    assistance program; relating to the child care assistance program                                                           
    and the child care grant program; providing for an effective date                                                           
    by amending the effective date of secs. 1, 2, and 21, ch. 61, SLA                                                           
    2014; and providing for an effective date."                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representatives Foster, D. Johnson, and                                                                
Edgmon, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations:                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (7):  Galvin, Coulombe, Cronk, Tomaszewski, Foster,                                                                     
D. Johnson, Edgmon                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (3):  Stapp, Hannan, Josephson                                                                                

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1478
Amend (1): Ortiz                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 89(FIN):                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2.  Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
3.  Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB 89 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 259                                                                                                                        
The State Affairs Committee considered:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 259                                                                                                          
    "An Act establishing the Council on Human and Sex Trafficking;                                                              
    and relating to the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual                                                                 
    Assault."                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 259(STA)                                                                                              
    "An Act establishing the Council on Human and Sex Trafficking;                                                              
    relating to the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault;                                                            
    and providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Shaw, Chair, with the                                                                   
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (6):  C. Johnson, Carrick, Carpenter, Allard, Wright, Shaw                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Amend (1):  Story                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 259(STA):                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                  
2.  Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                                                
3.  Zero, Dept. of Health                                                                                                       
4.  Zero, Dept. of Law                                                                                                          
5.  Fiscal, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
HB 259 was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                   

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1479
SB 13                                                                                                                         
The Education Committee considered:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    SENATE BILL NO. 13                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to costs of and charges for textbooks and other                                                            
    course materials required for University of Alaska courses; and                                                             
    providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representatives Ruffridge and Allard, Co-                                                              
chairs, with the following individual recommendations:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (7):  Himschoot, Story, McKay, Prax, McCormick, Ruffridge,                                                              
Allard                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2.  Zero, University of Alaska                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SB 13 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                        INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The following citation was introduced and taken up as a Special Order                                                           
of Business:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Gary Franklin Zepp                                                                                                   
By Senator Wilson                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules                                                               
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Andrew Slagle                                                                                                        
By Representatives Prax, Stapp; Senator Myers                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Dolores Marie Gard                                                                                                
By Representative Rauscher; Senator Shower                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – John Norman Wilson                                                                                                
By Representative Rauscher; Senator Shower                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1480
In Memoriam – Erma Sookiayak                                                                                                    
By Representatives Prax, Foster; Senator Olson                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Frederick Craig McCurdy                                                                                           
By Representatives Prax, Dibert; Senator Kawasaki                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Michael Martin Silva                                                                                              
By Representatives Prax, Tomaszewski; Senator Myers                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Jared Dye                                                                                                         
By Representatives Prax, Stapp; Senator Myers                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Wayne Anderson Gregory                                                                                            
By Representatives Prax, Stapp; Senator Myers                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Ann Elizabeth Carrington Nickerson                                                                                
By Representatives Prax, Stapp; Senator Myers                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Arthur Mannix                                                                                                     
By Senator Claman; Representatives Shaw, Fields                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Allen Menaker                                                                                                     
By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Dibert                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                        SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation,                                                                 
Honoring – Gary Franklin Zepp, 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:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Gary Franklin Zepp                                                                                                   
By Senator Wilson                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1481
               INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE                                                                    
                             OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HB 284                                                                                                                        
SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 284 by                                                                                    
Representative Allard by request, entitled:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to daylight saving time; and providing for an                                                              
    effective date."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                                                           
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 318                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 318 by Representative Shaw, entitled:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to disclosure of information by nonprofit                                                                  
    corporations."                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce                                                                    
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 319                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 319 by Representative Fields, entitled:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to game management; relating to a hunting                                                                  
    license surcharge and related revenue; and relating to regulations                                                          
    of the Board of Game."                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 320                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 320 by Representative Gray, entitled:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to the effect of a decree of adoption or                                                                   
    termination of parental rights on the legal relationship between a                                                          
    person and the person's siblings."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                                

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1482
                   CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                          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:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Tom Kizzia                                                                                                           
By Representatives Gray, Vance; Senator Bishop                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Leah Sahr                                                                                                            
By Representative McCormick; Senator Hoffman                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Literacy Council of Alaska, 50th Anniversary                                                                         
By Senator Myers; Representatives Carrick, Tomaszewski                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Lightbotics 18185 Team                                                                                               
By Senator Myers; Representatives Prax, Cronk                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Howard Weaver                                                                                                     
By Representatives Groh, Galvin, Josephson                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Katherine M. Cleveland "Tatqavin"                                                                                 
By Representative Baker                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Ronald "Ronnie" P. Daanen                                                                                         
By Representative Carrick; Senator Kawasaki                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Mohabbat Ahmadi                                                                                                   
By Representative Carrick                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Richard Hagen II                                                                                                  
By Senator Myers; Representative Prax                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Eugene Michael Hansen                                                                                             
By Senator Myers; Representatives Prax, Stapp                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Bernard "Tony" Higdon                                                                                             
By Senators Myers, Kawasaki; Representative Prax                                                                                

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1483
                           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 McKay – from 8:00 p.m., February 15 to 8:00 p.m.,                                                                
February 18                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Baker – from 8:00 p.m., March 1 to 1:00 p.m.,                                                                    
March 10 (amended from page 1467)                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative McKay moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                 
House revert to Committee Announcements. There being no objection,                                                              
the House reverted to:                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                              ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
House committee schedules are published under separate cover.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following meeting today was changed:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Resources Committee                                                                                                             
CHANGED TO:                                   15 min. after adjournment                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The Speaker stated that, without objection, the House would advance                                                             
to Unfinished Business. And so, the House advanced to:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                           UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
HB 100                                                                                                                        
Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 100                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to teacher and public employee leave."                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 191                                                                                                                        
Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 191                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to medical care for major emergencies."                                                                    

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1484
HB 196                                                                                                                        
Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 196                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to the supplemental nutrition assistance program;                                                          
    and providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 231                                                                                                                        
Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 231                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to notice requirements allowing museums to                                                                 
    acquire title to undocumented property."                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB 234                                                                                                                        
Representatives Mina and Himschoot added as cosponsors 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                                                                                                                        
Representatives Mina and Himschoot added as cosponsors to:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 235                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to the duty of law enforcement agencies to report                                                          
    missing persons; and relating to missing persons."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
HB 249                                                                                                                        
Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 249                                                                                                          
    "An Act creating the military and veteran family help desk in the                                                           
    Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and providing for                                                             
    an effective date."                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-02-12                     House Journal                      Page 1485
HB 286                                                                                                                        
Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 286                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to victim restitution and compensation."                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SB 92                                                                                                                         
Representative Saddler added as a cross sponsor to:                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 92(2d RES)                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to state ownership of submerged land underlying                                                            
    navigable water within the boundaries of federal areas; and                                                                 
    providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                * * * * *                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative McCabe requested that members stand for a moment of                                                              
silence to honor the life of Representative Tom Anderson.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                * * * * *                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               ADJOURNMENT                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., February 14. There being no                                                                     
objection, the House adjourned at 12:59 p.m.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                             Crystaline Jones                                                                   
                                             Chief Clerk