Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-10 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0449 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday March 10, 2023 Fifty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President pro tempore Bishop at 10:35 a.m. The roll showed fifteen members present. Senators Bjorkman, Dunbar, Merrick were excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Shower, Stevens were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Thank you God for Fridays. Thank you for endings and hopefully a promise of rest. Thank you for all those who once sat in these chairs and served in this place. Those who’ve died, who’ve moved to other vocations, who’ve experienced defeat; those who were easy company and those who were challenging. Thank you for endings that keep life and time in perspective; the comfort of knowing this too shall pass. Thank you for endings so we may know beginnings. Out of death comes life, out of the dust comes new creation. This Friday, help us give thanks for endings instead of fearing them. Then may we have the courage to use our time wisely here and now. Give us grace to listen for wisdom in our opponent’s view even if it goes against our agenda. 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0450 Give us the humility to remember we all will end and pass this land, this state onto generations to come. Give us hope to see abundance and possibility instead of scarcity and fear. Thank you God for Fridays. Thank you for the leaders gathered here today and for the legacy they leave. Amen. Senator Claman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the fifty-first and fifty-second legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Stevens be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Stevens was excused. Messages from the Governor Letter dated March 9 was read stating in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 39.05.080, I submit the following list of appointees for confirmation: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees John Morris – Anchorage Appointed: 3/8/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. Alaska Public Offices Commission Eric Feige – Chickaloon Appointed: 3/8/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the State Affairs Committee. 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0451 Big Game Commercial Services Board Michael Flores – Anchorage Appointed: 5/11/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/8/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 The appointment was referred to the Resources Committee. Board of Social Work Examiners Stacy Stone – Anchorage Appointed: 3/8/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 The appointment was referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. State Commission for Human Rights Shiela Cernich – Anchorage Appointed: 3/8/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the Judiciary Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission 2022 Annual Report in accordance with AS 16.43.980 Notice of Availability: Alaska Judicial Council Thirty-First Report 2021 - 2022 to the Legislature and Supreme Court in accordance with art. IV, sec. 9, Constitution of the State of Alaska 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0452 Standing Committee Reports SB 16 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 16 "An Act establishing September 10 as Alaska Community Health Aide Appreciation Day." Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 51 The Health and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 51 "An Act exempting veterinarians from the requirements of the controlled substance prescription database; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Wilson, Chair; Senators Tobin, Kaufman, Dunbar, Giessel. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. SB 53 The Health and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 53 "An Act relating to involuntary civil commitments" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 53(HSS) "An Act relating to competency to stand trial; relating to involuntary civil commitments; relating to victims' rights during certain civil commitment proceedings; and amending Rule 42(a), Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure." 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0453 Signing amend: Senator Wilson, Chair; Senator Tobin. Signing no recommendation: Senators Dunbar, Giessel, Kaufman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Family and Community Services Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Law The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. SB 57 The Health and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 57 "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." Signing do pass: Senator Wilson, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Giessel. Signing no recommendation: Senators Tobin, Kaufman. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SJR 6 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 Honoring the Alaska-Korea relationship; and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, and the 120th anniversary of the first Korean immigration to the United States, and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6(STA) Signing do pass: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Claman. 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0454 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 4 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 BY SENATOR KAUFMAN, Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to an appropriation limit. was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. SJR 9 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 BY SENATOR KAUFMAN, Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund, appropriations from the permanent fund, and the permanent fund dividend. was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 20 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 20 BY SENATOR KAUFMAN, entitled: "An Act relating to an appropriation limit; relating to the budget responsibilities of the governor; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0455 SB 99 SENATE BILL NO. 99 BY SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI, entitled: "An Act establishing a financial literacy education course for public schools; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education Committee. SB 100 SENATE BILL NO. 100 BY SENATOR TOBIN, entitled: "An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - Connie Louise Ford Representative(s) Groh Senator(s) Wielechowski, Tobin Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Chris Etzwiler Senator(s) Stevens Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0456 Unfinished Business SB 99 Senators Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Tobin, Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 99 "An Act establishing a financial literacy education course for public schools; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 100 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 100 "An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 95 Senator Kiehl moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 95 "An Act relating to special request specialty organization registration plates; 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 11:00 a.m., March 13, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:46 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0457 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 Mar 14 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 77 MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Housing Alaskans - A Public Private Partnership by Preston Simmons, DSc. Chair Michele Brown, Senior Fellow, Rasmusson Foundation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Presentation: Public Education Funding in Alaska: Constitutional Requirements and Legal Precedents <Above Item Removed from Agenda> Presentation: Foundation Funding Formula for Public Education in Alaska by Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0458 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 13 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 13 UNIVERSITY: TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS COST -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Dr. Paul Layer, Vice President: Academics, Students & Research, University of Alaska System; Michael Ciri, Vice Chancellor for Administration, UAS; Denise Runge, Provost, UAA Presentation: Public Education Funding in Alaska: Constitutional Requirements and Legal Precedents by Howard Trickey, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt Presentation: Pupil Transportation by Alaska Department of EED + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 9:30 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- Presentation: Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development by James Fields, State Board Chair; Heidi Teshner, DEED Acting Commissioner + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 10 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund Performance by Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0459 FINANCE (continued) Mar 14 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 81 OFFICE OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS: COMPENSATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 29 CIVICS EDUCATION; EST AK CVCS ED COMM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 98 POWER COST EQUALIZATION ENDOWMENT FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority by Randy Ruaro, Ex. Director + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Alaska's Economy by Dan Robinson, Research Chief, Dept. of Labor; Brett Watson ISER + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 17 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: 404 Primacy - Clean Water Act Permitting by Randy Bates, Dept of Environmental Conservation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 14 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Commissioner-Designee Kim Kovol, Department of Family and Community Services -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0460 JUDICIARY Mar 10 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 61 US PRESIDENT ELECT. POPULAR VOTE COMPACT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 15 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 12 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 17 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 13 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 70 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE -- Public Testimony -- + SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0461 RESOURCES Mar 10 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 49 CARBON STORAGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 13 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HJR 5 ALASKA FISHERIES; TROLL FISHERIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Amy Daugherty, Executive Director, Alaska Trollers Association; Tim O'Connor, Craig Mayor; Dani Evenson, ADF&G, Alaska Treaty Coordinator += SB 67 PFAS USE FIREFIGHTING -- Public Testimony -- += SB 49 CARBON STORAGE Kevin Connors, Assistant Director for Regulatory Compliance and Energy Policy with the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR WATER RIGHTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Christy Colles, Director, Dept. of Mining Land and Water (DNR); Tom Barrett, Section Chief of Water, DMLW, DNR + SB 34 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Tina Cunning, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) Expert; Ted Spraker, President, Safari Club International, Kenai + SB 87 LUMBER GRADING PROGRAM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Jeremy Douse, Northern Region Forester, DNR Division of Forestry and Fire Protection; Helge Eng, Director, DNR Division of Forestry and Fire Protection + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0462 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 17 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 72 NATL. RES. WATER NOMINATION/DESIGNATION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Randy Bates, Director, Division of Water, (DEC) Presentation: Heavy Oil Recovery by Abhijit Dandekar, Ph.D, Professor and Chair, Department of Petroleum Engineering, UAF College of Engineering and Mines + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 14 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 46 BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 21 STRATEGIC PLANS FOR STATE AGENCIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 9 ALASKA SUNSET COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 14 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Presentation: Advanced Air Mobility by Nick Adkins, Deputy Director of Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, UAF Ryan Marlow, CMS, UAS Program Coordinator, DOTP&F Statewide Aviation -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0463 TRANSPORTATION (continued) Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Railroad Corporation Overview by Bill O'Leary, President & CEO, Alaska Railroad Corporation -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 14 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0464 FISH & GAME Mar 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 11:00 AM -- Rescheduled from 03/09/23 -- Budget Overview Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 11:00 AM Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 27 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 13 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Mar 10 Friday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Department Overview 2023-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0465 NATURAL RESOURCES Mar 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 14 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Highways & Roads Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Airports & Aviation Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Marine Highways Apr 04 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Closeout