Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-20 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0525 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 20, 2023 Sixty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:05 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senator Shower was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Claman, Wielechowski were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Lt. Colonel Kirk V. Thorsteinson, Alaska Army National Guard. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. God, you are a mighty fortress, a bulwark never failing! I ask for and appreciate Your presence with us on this International Day of Happiness. Lord of Heaven and Earth, for those who are happy and they know it, I pray they not only clap their hands, but stomp their happy feet, giving You praise, not taking their current peak in life for granted. God of hope, for those currently in a valley, or who are merely acting happy, may Your shiny happy people Spring into action, hold their hands and help them to laugh again! May they seek and be filled with all joy and peace so that they will abound in hope. King of Peace, Your kingdom is forever, but this life is not always happy pappy. Help us to rejoice always; pray without ceasing; and in everything give thanks. Amen! God bless you all! Onward and upward! 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0526 Senator Hoffman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the sixtieth through sixty-second legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senators Claman, Wielechowski be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senators Claman, Wielechowski were excused. Messages from the Governor A Declaration of Disaster Emergency and initial finance plan dated March 14, authorizing public assistance for the City of Kotzebue as a result of blizzard conditions and additional funds for the Statewide Winter Storm, with an accompanying letter, was received pursuant to AS 26.23.020. The declaration, letter and finance plan had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. Letters dated March 14 and 15 were 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 Workers’ Compensation Board John Corbett – Fairbanks Appointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2024 Jonathon Dartt – Fairbanks Appointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2025 Anthony Ladd – Anchorage Appointed: 11/5/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0527 Lake Williams – Fairbanks Appointed: 5/14/2014 Term Expired: 1/19/2015 Reappointed: 1/19/2015 Term Expired: 3/1/2017 Reappointed: 3/1/2017 Term Expired: 3/1/2020 Reappointed: 3/1/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Dana Walukiewicz – Anchorage Appointed: 3/1/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Board of Dental Examiners Jonathan Woller – Fairbanks Appointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 The appointments were referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. Board of Marine Pilots Edward Sinclair – Juneau Appointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 The appointment was referred to the Transportation Committee. Board of Education and Early Development James Fields – Glenallen Appointed: 3/22/2013 Term Expired: 3/1/2018 Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/14/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the Education Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0528 Messages from the House Message dated March 17 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HCR 1 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 BY REPRESENTATIVES SUMNER, Mears, Fields, Wright, Schrage, Story, Josephson, Tomaszewski, Dibert, Stapp, Ruffridge, Foster, D. Johnson, Coulombe, Saddler, Tilton, Galvin, C. Johnson: Establishing a joint task force on labor workforce, training, and retention. was read the first time and referred to the Rules Committee. Standing Committee Reports SB 25 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 25 "An Act relating to inactive state accounts and funds; relating to the curriculum improvement and best practices fund; relating to the fuel emergency fund and fuel emergency grants; relating to the special Alaska Historical Commission receipts account; relating to the rural electrification revolving loan fund and loans from the fund; relating to the Southeast energy fund and grants from the fund; and relating to the Exxon Valdez oil spill unincorporated rural community grant fund and grants from the fund" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 25(FIN) "An Act relating to inactive state accounts and funds; relating to the curriculum improvement and best practices fund; relating to the fuel emergency fund and fuel emergency grants; relating to the special Alaska Historical Commission receipts account; relating to the rural electrification revolving loan fund and loans from the fund; and relating to the Exxon Valdez oil spill unincorporated rural community grant fund and grants from the fund." 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0529 Signing do pass: Senators Hoffman, Olson, Stedman, Cochairs; Senator Bishop. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 81 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 81 "An Act relating to the office of victims' rights; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senators Stedman, Hoffman, Olson, Cochairs; Senators Kiehl, Bishop. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wilson, Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Legislative Agency The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 109 SENATE BILL NO. 109 BY SENATOR TOBIN, entitled: "An Act relating to employee rights; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0530 Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of House Resolutions HJR 5 CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5(FSH) Urging the United States Secretary of Commerce, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and other federal and state agencies to defend the state's fisheries, including the Southeast Alaska troll fishery, was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5(FSH) Urging the United States Secretary of Commerce, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and other federal and state agencies to defend the state's fisheries, including the Southeast Alaska troll fishery, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHJR 5(FSH) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 17 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wilson Excused: Claman, Shower, Wielechowski and so, CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5(FSH) passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. Citations Honoring - Colleen James Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Vance Honoring - Dean Marshall Representative(s) Allard Honoring - Ed Boudreau Representative(s) Allard 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0531 In Memoriam - Joleen L. Caspersen Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Wright In Memoriam - Lance Mackey Senator(s) Kawasaki, Myers Representative(s) McCormick In Memoriam - Amanda Blanchard Senator(s) Kawasaki In Memoriam - Mayor James C "Jim" Hayes Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Dibert, Stapp In Memoriam - Darroll R. Hargraves Senator(s) Wilson In Memoriam - Jeffrey David LeDoux Representative(s) Stutes Senator(s) Stevens In Memoriam - Dorothy "Anne" Cusick Representative(s) Stutes Senator(s) Stevens In Memoriam - Kaitlyn A. Burns Representative(s) Allard In Memoriam - Patti Lynn Stone Representative(s) Allard In Memoriam - Frederick William Hester Representative(s) Allard In Memoriam - Harold L. Rodgers Representative(s) Allard Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0532 Unfinished Business SB 109 Senators Dunbar, Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 109 "An Act relating to employee rights; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 104 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 104 "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 24 Senators Hoffman, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 24 "An Act relating to mental health education; 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 22, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:31 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0533 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 21 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 23 LAW ENFORCEMENT: REGISTRY; USE OF FORCE += SB 63 LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 77 MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROP + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 20 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 13 UNIVERSITY: TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS COST -- Public Testimony -- Presentation: The Class of 2005 - Where these high school grads landed by Joshua Warren, Economist with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Presentation: Tribal Compacting and Alaska Native Education by Joel Isaak, Director of Tribal Affairs, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Presentation: Alaska Native Knowledge Network <Above Item Removed from Agenda> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0534 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees for the University of Alaska Board of Regents: Dennis Michel, Bethany Marcum, Joey Crum, Paula Harrison Consideration of Governor’s Appointees for the Professional Teaching Practices Commission: Mary Carlson + SB 97 TEACHER RECRUITMENT; LUMP SUM PAYMENT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Susan McKenzie, Director of Innovation and Education Excellence SENATE BILL: LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE ALASKA EDUCATION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM <Pending Introduction & Referral> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 20 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 107 PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND; POMV SPLIT + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Spring Revenue Forecast by Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 23 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Willow Project Update by Department of Natural Resources Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0535 FINANCE (continued) Mar 24 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Fiscal Summary Update & Fiscal Scenarios by Division of Legislative Finance + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 91 TELEHEALTH: MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE TEAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 20 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Presentation: Discussion of Court Rules and Grand Jury by Nancy Meade, General Counsel, Alaska Court System; John Skidmore Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Division Department of Law -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 104 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0536 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Presentation: Discussion of Court Rules and Grand Jury by Nancy Meade, General Counsel, Alaska Court System John Skidmore, Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Law -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 64 CONTROLLED SUB.;HOMICIDE;GOOD TIME DEDUC. -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 37 CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG <Bill Hearing Canceled> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 24 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Victimization Survey by Dr. Ingrid Johnson, Assistant Professor, Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 104 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 20 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Invited and Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> All Off Net callers must hang up immediately after testifying to keep lines open **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Invited and Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> All off net callers must hang up immediately after testifying to keep lines open **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0537 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 89 AGE FOR TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG; TAX E-CIG -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 51 CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT VETERINARIAN -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 93 FISHERMEN'S FUND: VESSEL OWNER CLAIMS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Invited & Public Testimony -- ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 20 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SJR 8 NAT'L PARK SERVICE; HUNTING IN PRESERVES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HJR 10 NAT'L PARK SERVICE; HUNTING IN PRESERVES <Pending Referral> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources: John Boyle Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: Brett Huber, Greg Wilson Regulatory Commission of Alaska: Robert Doyle -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 90 EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Enrique Fernandez, Chairman, Alaska Minerals Commission += SB 49 CARBON STORAGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Kevin Connors, Assistant Director, Regulatory Compliance and Energy Policy, Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) Presentation: Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) Update by (Continued on Next Page) 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0538 RESOURCES (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) Commissioner-Designee John Boyle, Department of Natural Resources -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 24 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR WATER RIGHTS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 90 EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION -- Public Testimony -- += SB 34 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 87 LUMBER GRADING PROGRAM -- Public Testimony -- += SB 72 NATL. RES. WATER NOMINATION/DESIGNATION -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 21 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Alaska Police Standards Council Rebecca Hamon - King Salmon Steve Dutra - North Pole Daniel Carothers Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Lieutenant Governor Successor DEC Commissioner Jason Brune **Streamed live on AKL.tv** -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 46 BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 28 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0539 TRANSPORTATION Mar 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: James Cunningham, Board of Marine Pilots + SB 105 RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 11:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 27 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2023-03-20 Senate Journal Page 0540 TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES 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 ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Healtheconnect and Alaska eHealth Network presentation on "Alaska's Statewide Health Information Exchange" by Dr. Gene Quinn Sponsored by Senator David Wilson Mar 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Red Cross of Alaska Sharing the Impact of Red Cross Volunteers and Employees Across the State by: Buddy Custard, Red Cross of Alaska Board Chair Sponsored by Senator Olson Mar 28 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Healthcare startups and innovation in Alaska by Jacqueline Summers, Executive Director of Health TIE Sponsored by Senator Kiehl