Legislature(2023 - 2024)

2024-03-28 House Journal

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2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2011
                                                                                                                                
                             HOUSE JOURNAL                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                       ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                       THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                            SECOND SESSION                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                  Thursday               March 28, 2024                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                           Seventy-third Day                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                                                
Tilton at 11:07 a.m.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Roll call showed 40 members present.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
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 Mears – from 12:30 p.m., today to 10:00 p.m.,                                                                    
March 31                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend David Elmore                                                               
of Landmark Apostolic 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 prayer:                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
    Jesus, as we close out this week, I want to thank you for your                                                              
    lovingkindess, your wisdom, and your guidance. I thank you                                                                  
    for everything that has been accomplished and I know that                                                                   
    there is more work to be done. I ask that you would once                                                                    
    again anoint every person here to carry out that work and give                                                              
    them the strength, resolve, and clarity to do so.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2012
    Jesus, I ask that you would give them wisdom, knowledge,                                                                    
    and understanding. Give them a heart of love and peace for                                                                  
    the people that they lead and represent.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
    Jesus, I pray for a hedge of protection around them, protect                                                                
    them and keep them safe, encamp your angels around them,                                                                    
    Lord. I pray for this session today, that it would be                                                                       
    uninterrupted and that this legislative body would be unified                                                               
    like never before.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    Lord, I know that each person here has been called to serve                                                                 
    for such a time as this, and I am grateful for their willingness                                                            
    to answer that call.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
    Lord, I consider myself blessed and highly favored to be                                                                    
    called to pastor this beautiful city, and to live in the greatest                                                           
    state in our Union. Lord, I pray blessings, peace, and unity                                                                
    upon the State of Alaska and its people. It's in Jesus' name I                                                              
    pray, Amen.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Eastman.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                     CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
journal for the 72nd legislative day be approved as certified by the                                                            
Chief Clerk.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                      MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HB 193                                                                                                                        
A message dated March 27 was read stating the Governor signed the                                                               
following bill and is transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to                                                         
the Lieutenant Governor's office for permanent filing:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 193                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to funding for Internet services for school                                                                
    districts; and providing for an effective date."                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
    Chapter No. 1, SLA 2024                                                                                                     
    Effective Date:  March 28, 2024                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2013
                    REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 227                                                                                                                        
The Judiciary Committee considered:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 227                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to liability of an electric utility for contact                                                            
    between vegetation and the utility's facilities."                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 227(JUD)                                                                                              
    (same title)                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Vance, Chair, with the                                                                  
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (5):  C. Johnson, Carpenter, Sumner, Allard, Vance                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (2):  Gray, Groh                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 227(JUD):                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Office of the Governor/Combined                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 227 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 251                                                                                                                        
The Labor & Commerce Committee considered:                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 251                                                                                                          
    "An Act exempting certain foods and drinks prepared in a person's                                                           
    uninspected home kitchen from state labeling, licensing,                                                                    
    packaging, permitting, and inspection requirements; and                                                                     
    permitting a person to acquire meat from a producer by way of an                                                            
    ownership share in an animal if certain conditions are met."                                                                
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2014
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 251(L&C)                                                                                              
    "An Act exempting certain foods and drinks prepared in an                                                                   
    uninspected kitchen from state labeling, licensing, packaging,                                                              
    permitting, and inspection requirements; and permitting a person                                                            
    to acquire meat from a producer by way of an ownership share in                                                             
    an animal if certain conditions are met."                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Sumner, Chair, with the                                                                 
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (2):  Ruffridge, Sumner                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (5):  Carrick, Fields, Saddler, Prax, Wright                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 251(L&C):                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Environmental Conservation                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 251 was referred to the Resources Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 337                                                                                                                        
The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 337                                                                                                          
    "An Act establishing 4-H Day."                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative McCormick, Chair, with the                                                              
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (5):  Himschoot, McKay, Baker, Mears, McCormick                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (1):  McCabe                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Office of the Governor/Combined                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 337 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2015
                     REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 110                                                                                                                        
The House Special Committee on Ways & Means considered:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 110                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to the Alaska permanent fund; relating to                                                                  
    permanent fund dividends and the dividend fund; transferring the                                                            
    dividend program from the Department of Revenue to the Alaska                                                               
    Permanent Fund Corporation; relating to the duties of the                                                                   
    Department of Revenue; relating to the duties of the Alaska                                                                 
    Permanent Fund Corporation; and providing for an effective date."                                                           
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 110(W&M)                                                                                              
    "An Act relating to the Alaska permanent fund; relating to income                                                           
    of the Alaska permanent fund; relating to the earnings reserve                                                              
    account; relating to the dividend fund; relating to the permanent                                                           
    fund dividend; and providing for an effective date."                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Carpenter, Chair, with the                                                              
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (3):  McCabe, Allard, Carpenter                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (3):  Gray, Groh, McKay                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 110(W&M):                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Revenue                                                                                                      
2.  Zero, Dept. of Revenue                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 110 was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 329                                                                                                                        
The House Special Committee on Fisheries considered:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 329                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to state tideland leases; and relating to aquatic                                                          
    farming or related hatchery operation site leases."                                                                         

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2016
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 329(FSH)                                                                                              
    "An Act relating to state tideland leases; relating to geoduck seed                                                         
    transfers; and relating to aquatic farming or related hatchery                                                              
    operation site leases."                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Vance, Chair, with the                                                                  
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (6):  C. Johnson, Himschoot, Carpenter, Stutes, McCabe,                                                                 
Vance                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 329(FSH):                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1.  Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
HB 329 was referred to the Resources Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                       INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules                                                               
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Fairbanks Memorial Hospital                                                                                          
By Representatives Stapp, Dibert; Senator Bishop                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Arctic Light Elementary School                                                                                       
By Representative Stapp                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Fairview Inn 100th Anniversary                                                                                       
By Representative McCabe                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Joseph Hickel                                                                                                        
By Senators Giessel, Claman; Representative Armstrong                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2017
                  CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                     SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 155                                                                                                                        
The following was read the second time:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 155                                                                                                          
    "An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs Commission; and                                                            
    relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Military Affairs                                                            
    Commission."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
with the:                                                  Journal Page                                                         
                                                                                                                                
 MLV RPT CS(MLV) 6DP 966                                                                                                        
 FN1: (GOV) 966                                                                                                                 
 FIN RPT CS(FIN) 10DP 1NR 1510                                                                                                  
 FN2: (GOV) 1510                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill:                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN)                                                                                              
    (same title)                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Amendment No. 1 was offered  by Representative Stapp:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Page 2, lines 7 - 12:                                                                                                           
    Delete all material and insert:                                                                                             
             "(4)  three members who are mayors, or their designees,                                                            
    from municipalities with installations of the armed forces of the                                                           
    United States within the municipal boundaries, appointed by the                                                             
    governor; the governor shall appoint members under this                                                                     
    paragraph so that                                                                                                           
                 (A)  the installations, collectively, represent different                                                      
        branches of the armed forces of the United States; and                                                                 
                 (B)  each member represents a different geographic                                                             
         region, to the extent possible;"                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stapp moved and asked unanimous consent that                                                                     
Amendment No. 1 be adopted.                                                                                                     

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2018
Objection was heard and withdrawn.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that                                                                   
CSHB 155(FIN) am be considered engrossed, advanced to third                                                                     
reading, and placed on final passage.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
There was objection.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 155(FIN) am will advance to third reading on the April 1                                                                   
calendar.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                     THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 253                                                                                                                        
The following, which was advanced to third reading from the                                                                     
March 27 calendar (page 2000), was read the third time:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 253                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to refrigerants designated as acceptable for use                                                           
    under federal law."                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The question being:  "Shall HB 253 pass the House?"  The roll was                                                               
taken with the following result:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 253                                                                                                                          
Third Reading                                                                                                                   
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
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, HB 253 passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk                                                             
for engrossment.                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2019
                     THIRD READING OF SENATE BILLS                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SB 93                                                                                                                         
The following, which was advanced to third reading from the                                                                     
March 27 calendar (page 2003), was read the third time:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 93(L&C) am                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to claims for injury, disability, or heart attack                                                          
    payable from the fishermen's fund; relating to claims against                                                               
    protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners;                                                               
    relating to the definition of 'occupational disease'; and providing                                                         
    for an effective date."                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The question being:  "Shall CSSB 93(L&C) am pass the House?"  The                                                               
roll was taken with the following result:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CSSB 93(L&C) am                                                                                                                 
Third Reading                                                                                                                   
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
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, CSSB 93(L&C) am passed the House.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler 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 being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CSSB 93(L&C) am was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and                                                                  
returned to the Senate.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2020
                  THIRD READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
HJR 7                                                                                                                         
The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following, which was                                                            
held from the March 27 calendar (page 2005), would be held to the                                                               
April 1 calendar:                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    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.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                         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 – Joelene Fortin                                                                                                       
By Representatives Gray, Groh; Senator Tobin                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Megan Eilers                                                                                                         
By Representatives Stapp, Carrick; Senator Myers                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Shad Eric McCune                                                                                                  
By Representative Sumner                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Carl Cogland Behnert                                                                                              
By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Evelyn "Evie" J. Mielke                                                                                           
By Representative D. Johnson                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Maria Greulich                                                                                                    
By Representative Stapp; Senators Kawasaki, Bishop                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Donald "Don" Martin                                                                                               
By Representatives Stapp, Prax; Senator Myers                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2021
                          UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 329                                                                                                                        
The Speaker added a Finance Committee referral for the following:                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 329                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to state tideland leases; and relating to aquatic                                                          
    farming or related hatchery operation site leases."                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
HB 329 is in the Resources Committee with further referral to the                                                               
Finance Committee.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
HB 155                                                                                                                        
Representatives Groh, Saddler, Cronk, Wright, McCabe, and                                                                       
Josephson added as cosponsors to:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN) am                                                                                           
    "An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs Commission; and                                                            
    relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Military Affairs                                                            
    Commission."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 347                                                                                                                        
Representative Carpenter added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 347                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to assessment of property, boards of equalization,                                                         
    and certification of assessors; and providing for an effective date."                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                              ENGROSSMENT                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB 253                                                                                                                        
HB 253 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and                                                                
transmitted to the Senate for consideration.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                             ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
House committee schedules are published under separate cover.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-03-28                     House Journal                      Page 2022
                              ADJOURNMENT                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
House adjourn until 1:30 p.m., April 1.  There being no objection, the                                                          
House adjourned at 11:57 a.m.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                           Crystaline Jones                                                                     
                                           Chief Clerk