Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-02-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0173 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday February 6, 2023 Twenty-first Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Greg Weinert, Emmanuel Baptist Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Father, magnificent Creator, I praise you for our state. In your image, You have granted Alaskans with courage, tenacity, and creativity and a spirit of cooperation in the face of adversity. I call on you to instill these qualities in greater measure in the men and women of this chamber. I ask for your grace and forgiveness for those wrongs committed in the past and wisdom to mediate them. Deepen our commitment to continue those things which have been done in Your spirit of charity to all. Strengthen these servants in this chamber to seek Your wisdom first in all their decisions and obligations. Give them the courage to hold on to their beliefs that they may be endowed with the ability to inspire the best in all those who call themselves Alaskans. This I humbly petition, not to our glory, Lord, but to you and you alone. I pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0174 Senator Hughes led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the sixteenth through twentieth legislative days and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 3 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development 2022 Alaska Taxable Report in accordance with AS 14.17.510 Department of Administration Office of Administrative Hearings Annual Report January 31, 2023 in accordance with AS 44.64.020 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 56 SENATE BILL NO. 56 BY SENATOR DUNBAR, entitled: "An Act relating to the Alaska performance scholarship program." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0175 SB 57 SENATE BILL NO. 57 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to medical assistance for recipients of Medicaid waivers; establishing an adult care home license and procedures; providing for the transition of individuals from foster care to adult home care settings; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health Governor's transmittal letter dated February 2: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to allow individuals to be licensed to operate an adult care home and receive payment under Medicaid for the provision of assisted living services for elderly adults and adult foster children in a home-like environment. Under this bill, an adult care home would be limited to a non-business site where the head of household lives and provides 24-hour care for no more than two individuals. The Department of Health (DOH) would be able to adopt regulations that allow for care of up to three individuals based on certain circumstances. The bill would authorize DOH to pay for services under the state’s Medicaid program associated with a licensed adult care home. DOH would also be authorized to license and develop rules for the operation of an adult care home. 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0176 This bill will allow Alaskans to continue to care for family members in their homes while providing access to financial support to offset the cost of the care. This bill will encourage foster families to remain together when special needs recipients age out of foster care and desire to remain with their foster family. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 58 SENATE BILL NO. 58 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to Medicaid eligibility; expanding eligibility for postpartum mothers; conditioning the expansion of eligibility on approval by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health Governor's transmittal letter dated February 2: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to allow the expansion of Medicaid coverage in Alaska for postpartum mothers. This takes advantage of recent federal amendments to the Social Security Act of 1935 permitting states to amend their state plans to extend existing coverage for pregnant women up to 12 months postpartum. 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0177 Under the bill, the Department of Health (DOH) will be authorized to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for enrolled pregnant women up to the maximum time authorized under federal law. The bill further requires DOH to submit a state plan amendment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(16), as amended by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to authorize the extension of coverage for Medicaid-enrolled mothers up to 12 months postpartum. Under the bill, the coverage expansion will only become effective if the state plan amendment is approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If the department’s state plan amendment is approved, the expansion would become effective on the day after the revisor of statutes is notified by the department of the approval. Because the bill permits extension of postpartum coverage to the extent permitted by federal law, DOH will be able to seek additional extensions of postpartum coverage in the future, should federal law subsequently allow it, without the need of further statutory amendments. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 59 SENATE BILL NO. 59 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the licensing of runaway shelters; relating to advisors to the board of trustees of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; relating to the sharing of confidential health information between the Department of Health and the Department of 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0178 Family and Community Services; relating to the duties of the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Family and Community Services Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Health Governor's transmittal letter dated February 2: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the implementation of Executive Order 121. Executive Order 121 separated the Department of Health and Social Services into the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS). This bill would facilitate administration of the resulting departments by enacting a statute to allow the departments to share identifiable health information necessary for the operation of state programs. It would correct an error wherein licensing authority for runaway shelters was assigned to DFCS. The bill would also add the Commissioner of DFCS as a board advisor to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority. In addition to these substantive changes, the bill contains clarifying amendments to properly identify or assist with identification of the new departments in statute. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0179 SB 60 SENATE BILL NO. 60 BY SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI, entitled: "An Act repealing the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission; relating to decisions and orders of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission; relating to superior court jurisdiction over appeals from Alaska Workers' Compensation Board decisions; repealing Rules 201.1, 401.1, and 501.1, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, and amending Rules 202(a), 204(a) - (c), 210(e), 601(b), 602(c) and (h), and 603(a), Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Richard Boothby Senator(s) Wilson Representative(s) McCabe Honoring - Colony High School Knights 2022 Football State Champions Senator(s) Wilson Representative(s) Sumner Honoring - Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association's 70th Anniversary Senator(s) Wilson Honoring - 2023 UAF Alumni Association Award Recipients Representative(s) Carrick In Memoriam - Robert Clyde April Senator(s) Wilson, Wielechowski Representative(s) Wright 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0180 In Memoriam - Bert Lloyd Cottle Senator(s) Wilson Representative(s) Johnson, Rauscher In Memoriam - Andy Granville Andersen Representative(s) Rauscher Senator(s) Shower Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citations be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business In Memoriam - Sandy Coons Senator(s) Hughes Representative(s) Tilton, Johnson In Memoriam - Charles Frank Kaucic, Jr. Senator(s) Hughes In Memoriam - Patricia Linda Kendall Senator(s) Hughes Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business SB 56 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 56 "An Act relating to the Alaska performance scholarship program." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0181 SB 33 Senator Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund and recommendation program; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 23. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. SB 51 Senators Kaufman, Bjorkman, Merrick, Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 51 "An Act exempting veterinarians from the requirements of the controlled substance prescription database; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., February 7, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:16 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0182 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Feb 07 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 06 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- Presentation: Association of Alaska School Boards Legislative Fly-In by School Board Members and Students from Across Alaska. Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 08 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 14 RIP FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES/TEACHERS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Doug Wooliver, Acting Deputy Administrative Director for the Alaska Court System += SB 52 INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0183 EDUCATION (continued) Feb 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 14 RIP FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES/TEACHERS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 52 INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 06 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 54 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; REAPPROP; AMENDING Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Fiscal Scenarios - Legislative Finance Division Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 25 REPEALING FUNDS, ACCOUNTS, AND PROGRAMS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 38 INTERFERENCE WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 09 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- Teleconferenced -- School Major Maintenance & Construction Update - Department of Education & Early Development Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 10 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0184 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 07 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 45 DIRECT HEALTH AGREEMENT: NOT INSURANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Feb 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 58 MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY: POSTPARTUM MOTHERS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 06 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 08 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Informational Hearing on Department of Justice Investigation of the State of Alaska's Behavioral Health System for Children -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 10 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Commissioner, Department of Corrections Jen Winkelman – Juneau -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Department of Corrections Overview by Commissioner-Designee Jen Winkelman -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0185 LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 06 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 08 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- Teleconferenced -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Workforce Challenges in Alaska Presenters: Stephanie Queen - City Manager, City of Soldotna Terry Eubank - City Manager, City of Kenai **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- Teleconferenced -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Workforce Overview from the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) Perspective Presentation by Director Sylvan Robb **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 06 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 08 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Overview: Tax Structure on Cook Inlet by Alaska Department of Revenue, Tax Division Presentation: Alaska Department of Natural Resources: Dept. Overview by Commissioner-Designee John Boyle -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0186 RESOURCES (continued) Feb 10 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 10 HUNTING/TRAPPING/FISHING: DISABLED VETS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Presentation: Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Dept. Overview by Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- Joint Meeting with House State Affairs Committee Overview: Department of Public Safety by Commissioner Jim Cockrell Overview: Department of Corrections by Commissioner-Designee Jen Winkleman -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Feb 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 07 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- Presentation: Overview of Aviation by The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Presentation: Overview of Public Facilities by The Department of Transportation & Public Facilities -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0187 OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 07 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan's Annual Address Feb 22 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 06 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM -- Rescheduled from 02/03/2023 -- Lunch & Learn Presentation: University of Alaska Ted Stevens Internship Program Sponsored by Senator Kiehl