Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-04-05 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0661 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday April 5, 2023 Seventy-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senator Myers was excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Shower was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Tim Harrison, Chapel by the Lake. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Most gracious God, you are full of wisdom, mercy, and patience. How pleasant it is when you shower your good gifts on all people. We are grieved when we see the brokenness of this world and ask you to bring comfort and healing. To the many still grieving and suffering from the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria; To the many still grieving and suffering from the severe storms in the Southeastern US; To the many still grieving and suffering from the war in Ukraine. We also lift to you our own state, cities, villages, and communities. We ask your care and comfort for those who are hungry, those who are lonely, those ensnared by addictions, those who look to the future and do to have hope. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0662 We lift to your care the youngest and some of the most vulnerable, our children. Help us to strengthen our community bonds so that our children grow up in environments where they may flourish and prosper. As this body of legislators takes up the work of this day, give them all they need so they might work in freedom and peace, and that the fruit of their work might strengthen all our people. I pray these things in the name of Jesus, who is the fulfillment of your grace, peace, and mercy. Amen. Senator Olson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the seventy-seventh and seventy-eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor HB 79 Message was read stating the Governor signed the following bill on March 31 and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 79(FIN) "An Act making supplemental appropriations and other appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." Chapter 1, SLA 2023 Effective Date: 4/1/23 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0663 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Annual Report FY 2022 in accordance with AS 16.51.100 Division of Community and Regional Affairs 2023 Designated Legislative Lapsing Grant Report Alaska Railroad Corporation 2022 Annual Report in accordance with AS 42.40.260 Standing Committee Reports Report dated April 3 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Education Committee held a hearing on the following appointee(s). A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual(s) during any further sessions. University of Alaska Board of Regents Joey Crum Signing the report: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senators Bjorkman, Gray- Jackson, Stevens, Kiehl. Report dated April 3 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the following appointee(s). A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual(s) during any further sessions. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0664 Alaska Police Standards Council Rebecca Hamon Daniel Carothers Stephen Dutra Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Tobin, Kaufman, Kiehl. Report dated April 3 was received stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the following appointee(s). A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual(s) during any further sessions. State Commission for Human Rights Shiela Cernich Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Tobin, Kaufman, Kiehl. Report dated April 3 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Resources Committee held a hearing on the following appointee(s). A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual(s) during any further sessions. Board of Fisheries Stanley Zuray Big Game Commercial Services Board Larry Kunder Signing the report: Senators Giessel, Bishop, Cochairs; Senators Kawasaki, Claman, Wielechowski, Dunbar, Kaufman. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0665 SB 37 The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 37 "An Act establishing the crime of airbag fraud." Signing do pass: Senator Claman, Chair. Signing no recommendation: Senators Tobin, Kaufman, Kiehl. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Corrections Fiscal Note No. 4, zero, Department of Law Fiscal Note No. 5, zero, Department of Public Safety The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 58 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 58 "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." Signing do pass: Senators Stedman, Hoffman, Olson, Cochairs; Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Merrick, Bishop. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Health The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 103 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 103 "An Act relating to peer support counseling programs for law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the Department of Corrections." Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0666 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Corrections Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Public Safety The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 113 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 113 "An Act relating to the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school district fund; relating to Mt. Edgecumbe High School; and relating to teacher housing." Signing amend: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senator Kiehl. Signing do pass: Senators Gray-Jackson, Stevens. Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 62 The Finance Committee considered HOUSE BILL NO. 62 "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund and recommendation program; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 62(FIN) Signing do pass: Senators Stedman, Hoffman, Cochairs; Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Merrick, Bishop. Signing no recommendation: Senator Olson, Cochair. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0667 HB 103 The Resources Committee considered HOUSE BILL NO. 103 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission." Signing do pass: Senators Giessel, Bishop, Cochairs; Senators Kawasaki, Claman, Wielechowski, Dunbar, Kaufman. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 123 SENATE BILL NO. 123 BY THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to commercial motor vehicle drivers' license requirements; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Labor and Commerce Committees. SB 124 SENATE BILL NO. 124 BY SENATOR WILSON BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to health care insurers; relating to pharmacy benefits managers; relating to prescription drug defined cost sharing; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0668 SB 125 SENATE BILL NO. 125 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to subsidiary corporations of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; and establishing the Alaska energy independence fund." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Revenue Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Governor's transmittal letter dated April 4: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to subsidiary corporations of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and establishing the Alaska energy independence fund. This bill allows AHFC to establish a nonprofit subsidiary to function as an Alaskan “green bank” that will offer financing opportunities to sustainable energy development projects in the state. Sustainable energy development includes renewable energy generation, energy storage, energy efficiency improvements for commercial and residential buildings, electrical infrastructure projects, clean transportation, and other greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and zero-emission technology projects. Sustainable energy development projects often languish due to a lack of traditional financing opportunities through private financial institutions. A green bank can offer innovative financial solutions that are deployed in conjunction with traditional financing and thereby enable these projects to proceed more quickly. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0669 The bill expands AHFC’s powers to include sustainable energy development financing and to allow creation of a nonprofit subsidiary for the same purpose. To carry out these purposes, the bill creates the Alaska energy independence fund in the corporation and allows AHFC, through a non-profit subsidiary, to use the fund to finance sustainable energy development through loan origination, bond issuances, provision of capital, and other financial tools. The new subsidiary would develop clean energy loan programs and products, catalyzing the sustainable energy market in Alaska through private sector co-investment. The subsidiary would also be eligible to apply for federal grant funding under the federal Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The bill allows an AHFC non-profit subsidiary to provide direct and indirect financing and technical assistance for sustainable energy development projects in the state. Direct financing would include loans or capital provided to individuals or companies for specific sustainable energy development projects. The AHFC non-profit subsidiary would also indirectly invest by providing financial and technical assistance to new or existing public, quasi-public, or non- profit entities that finance sustainable energy development in the state as well as enhance, through various means, the existing energy efficiency programs AHFC administers in conjunction with stakeholders. The AHFC non-profit subsidiary would be able to partner with the Alaska Energy Authority for technical review, energy infrastructure expertise, analysis, and deployment of proposed sustainable energy development loans. The Alaska Energy Authority would also provide technical assistance in support of regional and local governments and nonprofit entities that provide financing or financial assistance to sustainable energy development projects in the state. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0670 Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 77 SENATE BILL NO. 77 "An Act relating to municipal property tax; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Dunbar, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Community and Regional Affairs Committee Substitute offered on page 607. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(CRA) was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(CRA) will advance to third reading on the next calendar. Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 10 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Encouraging Alaska's Congressional delegation and the federal government to raise Medicare reimbursement rates to meet the actual cost of care for the state's senior citizens, was read the second time. President Stevens stated SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 will advance to third reading on the next calendar. Citations Honoring – Nanooks Rifle Team 2023 National Rifle Champions Representative(s) Carrick, Tomaszewski Senator(s) Kawasaki Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0671 Unfinished Business SB 106 Senators Tobin, Dunbar, Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 106 "An Act relating to home- and community-based services under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. HB 78 Senators Claman, Olson, Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on HOUSE BILL NO. 78 "An Act establishing September 10 as Alaska Community Health Aide Appreciation Day." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, April 13 through morning plane time, April 17. Without objection, Senator Claman was excused. SB 78 Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 78 "An Act relating to hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses for certain nonresident postsecondary students; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from evening plane time, April 6 through morning plane time, April 14. Without objection, Senator Kaufman was excused. SB 121 Senator Bjorkman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 121 "An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to insurance; relating to pharmacies; relating to pharmacists; relating to pharmacy benefits managers; relating to patient choice of pharmacy; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0672 Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from May 18 through May 30. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. SB 94 Senators Dunbar, Tobin moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 94 "An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to the practice of pharmacy; relating to pharmacies; relating to prescription drug manufacturers; relating to prescriptions for epinephrine; relating to the administration of epinephrine; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wilson moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Shower be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. 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., April 7, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:27 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0673 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 Apr 06 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 11 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Apr 05 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 99 FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE IN SCHOOLS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 120 EXTEND EDUCATION TAX CREDITS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: University of AK Board of Regents - John Jepson -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 07 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0674 FINANCE Apr 05 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += HB 62 RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT FUND += SB 58 MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY: POSTPARTUM MOTHERS += SB 75 AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT Apr 06 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 07 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 06 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 05 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 20 APPROPRIATION LIMIT; GOV BUDGET -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SJR 4 CONST. AM: APPROP LIMIT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 07 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0675 LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 05 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 83 PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS + SB 85 PERM FUND; EMPLOYMENT; ELIGIBILITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 45 DIRECT HEALTH AGREEMENT: NOT INSURANCE -- Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 07 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Apr 05 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) Overview by Curtis Thayer, Executive Director of Alaska Energy Authority and Bryan Carey, Director of Owed Assets, Alaska Energy Authority Presentation: Interior Gas Utility (IGU) Update by Dan Britton, General Manager, Interior Gas Utility and Elena Sudduth, Director of Public Relations and Customer Service, Interior Gas Utility + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 07 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 10 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0676 RESOURCES (continued) Apr 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Board of Game: Jacob Fletcher -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 92 STATE OWNERSHIP OF SUBMERGED LAND -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 69 GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Alaska’s Geothermal by Bernie Karl, President, Chena Power + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 14 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 92 STATE OWNERSHIP OF SUBMERGED LAND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Board of Fisheries Appointees: Gerad Godfrey, Greg Svendsen, Mike Wood Big Game Commercial Services Board: Michael Flores -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Apr 06 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Apr 06 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0677 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Apr 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 6:40 PM Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Apr 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 6:20 PM Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Apr 11 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Spill Prevention and Response by Commissioner Brune and Director Tiffany Larson Apr 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Subcommittee Closeout ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Apr 11 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Spill Prevention and Response by Commissioner Brune and Director Tiffany Larson Apr 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Subcommittee Closeout ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Apr 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Rescheduled from 03/28/23 -- + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0678 HEALTH Apr 11 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor's Appointees: State Medical Board - David Barnes -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 4:00 PM -- Rescheduled from 03/29/23 -- Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Apr 14 Friday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY 24 Operating Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- LAW Apr 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 6:30 PM + Finance Subcommittee Close-Out Meeting ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Apr 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:30 AM + Overview: Subcommittee Closeout 2023-04-05 Senate Journal Page 0679 NATURAL RESOURCES Apr 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY 24 Operating Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Apr 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Finance Subcommittee Close-Out Meeting ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Apr 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:15 AM + Overview: Subcommittee Closeout