Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-02-15 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0255 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 15, 2023 Thirtieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:03 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Stedman was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Nancy Campbell, White Fields Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Heavenly Father, Oh, Lord, my God, You are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty. Oh, you who walk on the wings of the wind it is to You I come. Thank You for Your goodness and mercy you bestow upon us. I entreat Your favor on the Senate as they meet together today. May You, Lord, protect them and put them out of harm's reach. Send them help from the sanctuary and strengthen them. May You grant them the desires of their hearts and make their plans successful (taken from Psalms 20). And now, Lord, let Your refreshing wind come and fill this place with Your presence. Thank You for attending to my prayer, O, Lord. Bless these Senators now, Lord. Bless the labors of their hands. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. Senator Myers led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0256 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. The presence of Senator Stedman was noted. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Labor and Workforce Development Technical and Vocational Education Program Report State Fiscal Year 2022 in accordance with AS 23.15.835 Disclosure letters received from the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, in accordance with AS 24.60, will be published in Senate Journal Supplement No. 2 and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 5. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 69 SENATE BILL NO. 69 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to geothermal resources; relating to the definition of 'geothermal resources'; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Natural Resources 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0257 Governor's transmittal letter dated February 14: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the state’s geothermal resources. This bill removes obstacles for exploration and development of Alaska's geothermal resources. First, the bill updates the definition of "geothermal resources." Currently, the term “geothermal resources” is defined with reference to energy hotter than 120 degrees Celsius and excludes subterranean heat sources that might be commercially useful at lower temperatures. The arbitrarily high temperature threshold in current law ignores technological advances that make lower- temperature geothermal energy commercially viable. It also ignores growing non-commercial uses of heat energy, such as heat pumps relying on shallow subsurface pipes to heat or cool residential structures. Current law provides companies only two to three years to prove a commercial discovery, which then allows the company to apply for a more long-term lease. This bill increases the time available for exploration to five years to better account for the time needed to complete an exploration program. The bill changes the current permit system to an exploration license system similar to oil and gas exploration. The proposed five-year exploration license term in the bill allows explorers more time to conduct background research, acquire any related permits, and perform the field work necessary to locate a resource and produce the data necessary to convert a license to a lease. This bill also nearly doubles the acreage limit for geothermal projects from 51,200 acres to 100,000 acres. This change is particularly beneficial because geothermal resources tend to spread over larger acreages. The proposed acreage increase in the bill may attract greater interest in geothermal resources because developers will have a greater opportunity to explore the correct amount of acreage. 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0258 The bill would allow the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) the option to pursue state permitting primacy over Class V geothermal wells from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Primacy may allow for more expeditious responses to local concerns and projects. The bill also clarifies AOGCC's authority over geothermal resources and implements penalty provisions similar to AOGCC's existing penalty provisions for oil and gas. With the enactment of this measure, our state will continue to responsibly manage its natural resources in a manner that provides maximum benefits to the citizens through development of needed energy sources. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 70 SENATE BILL NO. 70 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to coverage for additional insureds under owner and contractor controlled insurance programs; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0259 Governor's transmittal letter dated February 14: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to allow for the inclusion of additional insureds under owner and contractor controlled insurance programs (OCIPs). Currently, the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Insurance is required to enforce certain limitations on OCIPs on major construction projects, including a moratorium on policies naming one or more persons as additional insureds. This limitation prevents individuals and businesses from efficiently managing large scale infrastructure projects because it forces the owner or contractor to name all potential contractors and subcontractors at the initiation of a project. Projects such as the Trans- Alaska Pipeline System are not economically viable unless owners and contractors can enter into OCIPs that allow for additional insureds. This bill removes the limitation on additional insureds and creates economic incentives for owners and contractors to engage in large scale contracts that will assist Alaska’s economy. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 71 SENATE BILL NO. 71 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to pay for the Alaska State Defense Force; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0260 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, indeterminate, Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs Governor's transmittal letter dated February 14: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill authorizing pay for training and drill activities of members of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF). The ASDF is a component of the organized militia of the state. The ASDF operates solely under the authority of the state government and provides valuable support to the Alaska National Guard in disaster response and rural Alaska operations. Currently, members of the ASDF do not receive compensation when ordered to active duty by the governor for the purposes of training and drill activities. However, the ASDF still regularly engages in drill and training for emergency response in a manner similar to the Alaska National Guard. This bill will authorize pay for training and drill activities of the ASDF when called to active service for those purposes by the governor. Paid training will motivate current ASDF members and increase enlistment, especially in rural Alaska. This local emergency and disaster response will be particularly valuable because the ASDF can be immediately activated in remote parts of the state while awaiting mobilization of the Alaska National Guard. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0261 Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 10 SENATE BILL NO. 10 "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of the Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge; making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent identification cards available to certain disabled veterans without charge; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE BILL NO. 10 was read the third time. Senators Dunbar, Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain from voting due to a conflict of interest. Objections were heard and Senators Dunbar, Hughes were required to vote. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 10 "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of the Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge; making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent identification cards available to certain disabled veterans without charge; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 10 Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson and so, SENATE BILL NO. 10 passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0262 Citations Honoring - James "Coach Wes" Cornelison Senator(s) Dunbar Representative(s) Mina, Gray Honoring - Raymond Alexie Senator(s) Hoffman Representative(s) McCormick Honoring - 2023 Top Five Kuskokwim 300 Finishers Senator(s) Hoffman Representative(s) McCormick Honoring - Amy Russell Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Vance In Memoriam - Louis "Louie" Bencardino Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Stutes In Memoriam - Yolande L. "Sam" Fejes Representative(s) Carrick 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 SJR 7 Senator Giessel, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent Uniform Rule 23 be waived on SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7 Supporting oil and gas leasing and development within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and urging President Biden and the United States Department of the Interior to approve the Willow Master Development Plan, for the Resources Committee meeting on February 17. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0263 SB 27 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 27 "An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 10 Senators Olson, Gray-Jackson, Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 10 "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of the Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge; making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent identification cards available to certain disabled veterans without charge; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 63 Senators Kaufman, Bjorkman, Wielechowski moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 63 "An Act relating to restrictions on firearms and other weapons." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, February 17 through morning plane time, February 20. Without objection, Senator Kaufman was excused. President Stevens made the following appointments: Alaska Food Strategy Task Force Senator Bishop Senator Hughes Council of State Governments-West Executive Committee Senator Claman Senator Stevens 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0264 Canada Relations Committee Senator Giessel Senator Kawasaki Senator Hughes Education Committee Senator Tobin Senator Stevens Energy and Environment Committee Senator Wielechowski Health Committee Senator Wilson Senator Giessel Housing Committee Senator Tobin Senator Dunbar Public Safety Committee Senator Claman Legislative Oversight Working Group Senator Stevens Council of State Governments-National Shared State Legislation Committee Katrina Matheny, Staff Appointee Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0265 Engrossment SB 10 SENATE BILL NO. 10 "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of the Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge; making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent identification cards available to certain disabled veterans without charge; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 9:30 a.m., February 17, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:42 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0266 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 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Overview: Alaska Office of Broadband by Thomas Lochner, Director **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Update on Alaska's Educational Assessments by Representatives from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0267 FINANCE Feb 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Federal Infrastructure Funding in Alaska - Mike Anderson, Acting Infrastructure Investment Coordinator - Katherine Keith, Deputy Commissioner DOT + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Callan - Capital Markets & Permanent Fund Sustainability - Greg Allen, CEO & Chief Research Officer - Steven Center, Senior Vice President + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 17 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Update on Broadband Equity, Access, & Deployment (BEAD) in Alaska - Thomas Lochner, Director of the Alaska Broadband Office + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 8 REPEAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROGRAM + Presentation: Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0268 JUDICIARY Feb 15 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Law Criminal Division Overview by John Skidmore, Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Law + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 17 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Public Defender Agency Overview by Samantha Cherot, Public Defender, Public Defender Agency + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Workforce Challenges in Alaska From the Perspective of Labor Unions Presenters: - Joelle Hall, Executive President, AFL-CIO - Shannon Adamson, Vice-President, Masters, Mates and Pilots, Retired - Jordan Adams, Business Manager, Public Employees Local 71 Bronson Frye, Southcentral Building Trades **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Workforce Challenges in Alaska from the Perspective of Alaska Municipal League Presentation from Nils Andreassen, Executive Director + SB 55 EXTEND STATE MEDICAL BOARD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0269 RESOURCES Feb 15 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 33 RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT FUND -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Overview: Statehood Defense by Commissioner-Designee John Boyle, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Jason Brune, Department of Environmental Conservation Deputy Commissioner Ben Mulligan, Department of Fish and Game Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills, Department of Law + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 17 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SJR 7 NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Uniform Rule 23(a) Waived + Presentation: Outstanding Federal Lawsuits by Deputy Attorney General Cory Mills, Department of Law Assistant Attorneys General Julie Pack, Cody Doig, Ron Opshal, and Thad Atkins, Department of Law -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0270 TRANSPORTATION Feb 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Teleconference -- + SB 62 ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Feb 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:30 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget Mar 01 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:30 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget Mar 08 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget Mar 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Feb 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget Mar 02 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0271 CORRECTIONS (continued) Mar 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 20 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget Feb 27 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget Mar 06 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget Mar 13 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget ---------------------------------------- LAW Feb 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM -- Teleconference -- + Department of Law Budget Feb 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM Department of Law Budget 2023-02-15 Senate Journal Page 0272 REVENUE Feb 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 12:00 PM + Overview: Dept. of Revenue Budget ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 17 Friday House Chamber 10:00 AM + Address by Mary Sattler Peltola, U.S. Representative Feb 22 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 15 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: The Alaska Farm Bureau will explore food production in Alaska Sponsored by Senator Hughes