Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-01-24 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1405 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 24, 2024 Ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Dr. Charles Ensminger, Kunéix Hídi Northern Light United Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Almighty God, As we take this moment to pause, I pray for these members of the state Senate. In thanksgiving for their work, I would ask for your wisdom to instruct them, and clarity of vision and purpose to guide them as they work for the people of Alaska. I pray that they will be guided by integrity and a desire for justice. Give them the strength of character and be with them as they face the challenges of their office. I pray that you will help them to work together in unity and the desire to find common ground. Defend them, their families, their constituents, and all who live in this great land. I ask all of this in your holy name. Amen. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1406 Senator Giessel led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the seventh and eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Aerospace Corporation 2023 Annual Report in accordance with AS 26.27.100 Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Nature and Extent of Tax Exemption of Property, Assets, Income, Receipts, Project, Development Project, and Leasehold Interests Devoted to an Essential Public and Governmental Function and Purpose Annual Report in accordance with AS 44.88.140 Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water Report on Identified RS-2477 Rights-of-Way in accordance with AS 19.30.400 Notification of Annual Mining Report in accordance with AS 27.05.060 Land Disposal Program Reports in accordance with AS 38.04.022 Notification of Annual Report on Water Removals and Exports in accordance with AS 46.15.020 Notification of Interim Classifications in accordance with AS 38.05.300 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1407 Summary of Cooperative Resource Management or Development Agreements in accordance with AS 38.05.027 Annual Summary of the Department’s Efforts to Maintain or Enhance Access to and Along Fishing Streams in accordance with AS 38.04.205 Annual report of Aquatic Farm Lease Applications, Monetary and Job Estimates, and Recommendations in accordance with AS 38.05.035 Letter dated January 19 was received from Peter J. Maassen, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, stating in accordance with AS 24.60.130(b), the following public members have been nominated to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Dennis “Skip” Cook Joyce Anderson Rachel Kelly, alternate President Stevens stated the nominations would be held on the Secretary's desk. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SR 3 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3 BY SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, Recognizing March 2024 as Chronic Kidney Disease Awareness Month in Alaska to raise awareness of the need for research, screening programs, and access to care for individuals who suffer from chronic kidney disease. was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1408 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 201 SENATE BILL NO. 201 BY SENATOR KAUFMAN, entitled: "An Act establishing the office of information technology; relating to information technology projects undertaken by state agencies; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. SB 202 SENATE BILL NO. 202 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act renaming Fairbanks International Airport as Don Young Fairbanks International Airport; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill renaming the Fairbanks International Airport to Don Young Fairbanks International Airport. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1409 This bill recognizes Donald Edwin “Don” Young for his lifetime of service to the State of Alaska and advocacy for the construction, maintenance, and safety of the State’s transportation infrastructure. Don Young advanced transportation development while serving in both chambers of the Alaska State Legislature and throughout his tenure as the longest-serving Republican Congressman in the nation’s history. As a state legislator, Young championed legislation to modernize Alaska’s air commerce system and require that aircraft be outfitted with radio beacon devices for emergency rescue. In Congress, Young served as chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and sponsored numerous bills to reshape infrastructure and safety requirements. His efforts with particular impact in Alaska include funding Alaskan ferry and ferry terminal projects, the Alaska highway program, Alaska Railroad passenger operations improvements, and the construction of roads and surface infrastructure in Alaska Native villages and rural communities. Young was also keenly aware of the vital role of air transportation in Alaska and sponsored bills to streamline airline communication to reduce flight delays, provide economic support for the continued operation of airlines affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, protect pilots from in-flight dangers, and authorize improvement grants for small airport safety infrastructure. By renaming the Fairbanks International Airport to the Don Young Fairbanks International Airport, the State honors Don Young at a place that epitomizes the importance of Alaska’s transportation infrastructure and where the immense benefits of his advocacy can be enjoyed by Alaskans and visitors every day. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1410 SB 203 SENATE BILL NO. 203 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to business license fees; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill increasing business license fees. The Alaska Business License Act (Act) requires that a person obtain and pay for a business license from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), prior to engaging in business in the State. The Act sets the fees for business licenses and for license endorsements that permit a business to sell tobacco products. This bill would increase these statutory fees. The bill would increase the fee for a business license from $50 to $100 per year. The Act includes an exception for certain sole proprietorships owned by individuals 65 years or older and disabled veterans, which sets a lower fee of $25 for these businesses. The bill would increase those licenses to $50. Tobacco endorsements would be increased from $100 to $200 annually. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1411 The bill would have an effective date of October 1, 2024, to allow DCCED time to update its forms and public information in advance of license renewals at the start of the upcoming calendar year. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 204 SENATE BILL NO. 204 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the issuance of certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians; relating to fees for certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to authorize the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to issue a six-year trainee certificate of fitness for plumbers and electricians as opposed to the current two-year certificate. The bill maintains the current two-year certification requirement for journeyman level plumbers and electricians. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1412 Passage of this bill will allow plumber and electrician trainees to complete their 8,000 hours of work experience without having to renew their license. Currently, apprentice hours completed under an expired two-year certificate of fitness do not count towards the 8,000 hour requirement. By expanding the duration of the trainee certificate, trainee plumbers and electricians will be able to complete the apprenticeship programs with minimal expense and delay. Plumbing and electrical services are lagging behind capacity in Alaska. This professional trade gap significantly impacts the ability of public and private sectors to fully-staff development and infrastructure projects that are needed to maintain and advance Alaska's economy. This bill addresses this bottleneck by encouraging people to enter into the plumbing and electrical trades by lowering costs and bureaucratic barriers while simultaneously maintaining the high standards for professional development that Alaskans expect. Under the bill, currently certificated plumbing and electrical trainees are eligible for the new six-year certificate without the need to re-apply. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 205 SENATE BILL NO. 205 BY SENATOR KAUFMAN, entitled: "An Act authorizing the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to acquire or purchase a building that it occupies for an amount that does not exceed $9,000,000; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1413 SB 206 SENATE BILL NO. 206 BY SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, entitled: "An Act relating to workers' compensation reemployment benefits; establishing a workers' compensation stay-at-work program; 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 Citations Honoring - Bill and Barbara Webb Representative(s) McKay In Memoriam - Joseph Emil Usibelli, Sr. Senator(s) Bishop, Kawasaki In Memoriam - Victor Fischer Representative(s) Josephson, Fields Senator(s) Gray-Jackson 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 SB 172 Senators Merrick, Olson, Claman, Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 172 "An Act extending the Alaska senior benefits payment program; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1414 SB 170 Senators Merrick, Claman, Bishop, Stedman, Olson, Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 170 "An Act extending the Alaska senior benefits payment program; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 90 Senators Merrick, Giessel, Dunbar, Kawasaki, Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 90 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 206 Senator Bjorkman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 206 "An Act relating to workers' compensation reemployment benefits; establishing a workers' compensation stay-at-work program; 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 10:30 a.m., January 26, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:16 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1415 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 Jan 25 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Jan 24 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 192 SCREENING/READING INTERVENTION K-3 -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Alaska Native Language Literacy Update by Joel Isaak, Deputy Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 26 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 24 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: FY25 Budget Overview by Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1416 FINANCE (continued) Jan 24 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM + SB 127 TAXATION: VEHICLE RENTALS, SUBPOENAS -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. Jan 25 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: FY25 Budget Overview by Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 25 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 26 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 25 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Family and Community Services Overview + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 24 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair -- + SB 100 ACCESS TO MARIJUANA CONVICTION RECORDS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 26 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Informational Hearing by the Office of Public Advocacy on Public Guardianship 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1417 LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 24 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM Presentation: UAA Workforce Solutions for Alaska by UAA Provost Dr. Denise Runge -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 173 AUTHORIZE HANDGUNS SCHOOL EMPLOYEE/VOLUNT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 26 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 24 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HB 125 TRAPPING CABINS ON STATE LAND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Randy Zarnke, President, Alaska Trappers Association + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 26 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 49 CARBON STORAGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Jan 25 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: A.I. Overview by Addie Cooke, Global A.I. Policy Lead at Google Cloud Ilana Beller, Field Manager Public Citizen + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1418 TRANSPORTATION Jan 25 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM SB 141 NAMING RAYMOND & ESTHER CONQUEST BRIDGE -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Jan 31 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Alaska Children's Trust Presented by: Trevor Storrs, President and CEO and Jen Griffis, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy Sponsored by Senator Tobin Feb 06 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Understanding the Crisis of MMIWG2S/MMIP in Alaska by: Dr. Charlene Aqpik Apok, Executive Director, Data for Indigenous Justice Kendra Kloster, Co-Director Law & Policy, Alaska Native Women's Resource Center Kelsey Potdevin, Education and Outreach Manager, Alaska Native Justice Center Sponsored by Senator Olson 2024-01-24 Senate Journal Page 1419 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Feb 07 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Understanding Recent Changes to Alaska's Unique Legal Landscape: How Alaska Tribes are Pursuing Justice and Public Safety In Our Communities by Alex Cleghorn, Chief Operating Officer, Alaska Native Justice Center Rick Garcia, Co-Director Law & Policy, Alaska Native Women's Resource Center Maude Blair, Tribal Justice Manager for Alaska Native Justice Center Tami Truett Jerue, Executive Director, Alaska Native Women's Resource Center Sponsored by Senator Wielechowski