Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-04-11 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0701 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday April 11, 2023 Eighty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 2:03 p.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Trenton Cooper, Glacier Valley Baptist Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Father God, I thank You for this opportunity to pray over our civil leaders that You have put in place. I thank you for their willingness to serve the people of this great state. I believe that You intimately know and care about each and every one of them and their friends and families. So, as Your servant, I come before You to pray for their well-being, health, and happiness. Lord, I pray that You protect them from evil, sin, and temptation. I pray that their actions and decisions will be glorifying to You. I also reflect on the significance of this past Sunday, where Your children celebrated the reality of Jesus taking up His life again after laying it down for all who place their faith in Him. Christ’s sacrifice was the ultimate display of Your love for humanity. And You displayed Your power by raising Him from the dead. So, I celebrate this wonderful freedom You have offered through Jesus. I pray that in reflecting on it, people will be drawn to You and Your love. 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0702 President Lincoln prayed for this nation on March 30th, 1863, and I echo his prayer for this state: “Whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.” So I, too, pray that Your people will humbly repent from anything done at Your offense and seek not our will but that Yours be done. Father God, I pray lastly for Your blessings on these leaders, their families, and this great state of Alaska. May You lead this state and her leaders into great prosperity and abundance and that You get all of the glory for it. It is in Your son Jesus Christ’s name that I pray, Amen. Senator Shower led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the seventy-ninth through eighty-fourth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Standing Committee Reports SB 70 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 70 "An Act relating to coverage for additional insureds under owner and contractor controlled insurance programs; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 70(L&C) Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Gray-Jackson. 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0703 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 Judiciary Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 126 SENATE BILL NO. 126 BY THE SENATE LABOR & COMMERCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; relating to architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 55 SENATE BILL NO. 55 "An Act extending the termination date of the State Medical Board; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Olson, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Committee Substitute offered on page 685. Senator Myers objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 55(FIN) "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; extending the termination date of the State Medical Board; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0704 President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 55(FIN) will advance to third reading on the April 12 calendar. Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 77 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(CRA) "An Act relating to municipal property tax; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. Senator Kiehl moved and asked unanimous consent the bill be returned to second reading for amendments. Without objection, the bill was returned to second reading. Senators Kiehl, Dunbar offered Amendment No. 1 : Page 2, line 31: Delete "the" Insert "a property owner's" Page 3, line 1: Delete "of an individual" Page 3, following line 1: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 3. AS 29.45.560 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: (b) Home rule and first class cities inside boroughs may levy a tax under AS 29.45.057." Renumber the following bill section accordingly. Senator Kiehl moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 1. Senator Wilson objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0705 Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 2 : Page 2, line 22: Delete "has been remediated or redeveloped" Insert "is undergoing remediation or redevelopment" Page 2, line 27: Delete "fulfill" Insert "comply with" Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 2. Senator Dunbar objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 2 was adopted. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 3 : Page 2, line 31: Delete "levy a tax under this section on" Insert "designate as blighted" Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 3. Senator Dunbar objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 3 was adopted. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 4 : Page 2, line 13, following "blighted;": Insert "the standards must include a requirement that the condition of the property endangers public health or safety;" Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 4. Senator Dunbar objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 4 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0706 CSSB 77(CRA) am Second Reading Amendment No. 4? YEAS: 5 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Wilson Nays: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Absent: Olson and so, Amendment No. 4 failed. CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(CRA) am was automatically in third reading. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(CRA) am "An Act relating to municipal property tax; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 77(CRA) am Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 13 NAYS: 6 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Bjorkman, Hughes, Myers, Shower, Stedman, Wilson Absent: Olson Bishop changed from "NAY" to "YEA" and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(CRA) am passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved for the adoption of the effective date clause(s). 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0707 The question being: "Shall the effective date clause(s) be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 77(CRA) am Effective Date Clause(s) YEAS: 16 NAYS: 3 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Hughes, Myers, Shower Absent: Olson and so, the effective date clause was adopted and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Third 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 third time. The question being: "Shall 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, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SJR 10 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Absent: Olson 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0708 and so, SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations In Memoriam – Mark Herzberg Senator(s) Kawasaki, Bishop Representative(s) Carrick In Memoriam – Benjamin R. Cottle Senator(s) Wilson In Memoriam – Karen Michelle Southwood Representative(s) McCabe 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 citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring – Dixie St. John Representative(s) Ruffridge Senator(s) Bjorkman Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business HB 56 Senators Merrick, Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on HOUSE BILL NO. 56 "An Act exempting controlled substances prescribed or dispensed by a veterinarian to treat an animal from the requirements of the controlled substance prescription database." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0709 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, April 26 through morning plane time, May 1. Without objection, Senator Gray- Jackson was excused. SB 115 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 115 "An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to physicians; and relating to health care insurance policies." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 95 Senator Kaufman 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. SB 53 President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to SENATE BILL NO. 53 "An Act relating to involuntary civil commitments." The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 77 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 77(CRA) am "An Act relating to municipal property tax; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0710 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 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 11:00 a.m., April 12, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 2:51 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0711 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 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 12 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: State Board of Education and Early Development - James Fields -- Public Testimony -- += SB 110 SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Parents as Teachers Program by Alaska Department of Education and Early Development <Above Item Removed from Agenda> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 14 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 99 FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE IN SCHOOLS += SB 120 EXTEND EDUCATION TAX CREDITS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0712 FINANCE Apr 11 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 107 PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND; POMV SPLIT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 67 PFAS USE FIREFIGHTING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 87 LUMBER GRADING PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 104 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 52 INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 52 INCREASE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 14 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL Presentation: Earnings Reserve Account by Deven Mitchell, CEO, APFC + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0713 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES 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 ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 28 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 14 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 12 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 83 PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + SB 126 ARCHITECT/ENGINEER REGISTRATION BOARD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> += SB 94 PROFESSION OF PHARMACY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled += SB 73 REGISTER INTERIOR DESIGNERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 04/10/23> **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 14 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0714 RESOURCES 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: += SB 78 HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT **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 11 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 71 PAY FOR AK DEFENSE FORCE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 32 CHOKEHOLD BAN -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 119 STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD FOR PRISONERS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0715 TRANSPORTATION Apr 11 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 123 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 123 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Apr 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 6:40 PM Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Apr 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:15 AM + Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development Budget Closeout **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Apr 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 6:20 PM Budget Closeout 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0716 EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Apr 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Department of Education & Early Development Budget Closeout **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 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> -- ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Apr 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:30 AM + Department of Fish & Game Budget Closeout **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- GOVERNOR Apr 14 Friday Senate Finance 532 12:00 PM Subcommittee Budget Closeout 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0717 HEALTH 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 5:30 PM + Finance Subcommittee Close-Out Meeting Apr 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 6:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Finance Subcommittee Close-Out Meeting ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATURE Apr 14 Friday Senate Finance 532 12:05 PM Subcommittee Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Apr 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:30 AM + Overview: Subcommittee Closeout 2023-04-11 Senate Journal Page 0718 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 ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Apr 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 12:00 PM Subcommittee Budget Closeout