Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-02-28 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1755 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 28, 2024 Forty-fourth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:05 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Kaufman was excused from a call of the Senate. 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. Blessed are you who gather here to serve. May you be given the gift of grace in the midst of so many complexities and contradictions. May you have the gift of wisdom and creativity to seek new ways and possibilities when options look bleak. May you have the gift of power to create stability and clarity in the midst of so much uncertainty and chaos. Blessed are your home communities. May Alaska stand as a witness to the nation of how we can stand together even when our perspectives vary widely. May your families, friends and loved ones encourage you when you are away and delight when you return. May all our communities flourish because of your work. Blessed are the poor and most vulnerable in our state. May the family experiencing homelessness sleeping in our church right now be surrounded with resources so they may succeed. 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1756 May our workers in schools, hospitals, and public health be supported so they can do the hard work before them. May those who struggle with addictions and mental health disorders find the help they need to be well. You are blessed. May joy and delight be yours, and may it fuel the hard, beautiful work you do. Amen. Senator Gray-Jackson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the forty-second and forty-third legislative days and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 16 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated February 26 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 148 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 148(FIN) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the Alaska performance scholarship program." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1757 Standing Committee Reports SB 144 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 144 "An Act relating to rates and time allowances for motor vehicle warranty work." Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Bishop, Gray-Jackson. Signing no recommendation: Senator Merrick. 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 215 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 215 "An Act relating to teacher incentive payments for national board certification; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 215(EDC) "An Act relating to teacher national board certification; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senators Bjorkman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl. 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. SB 228 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 228 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Massage Therapists; and providing for an effective date." 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1758 Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Merrick, Gray-Jackson, Bishop, Dunbar. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SJR 17 The Education Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17 Urging the United States Congress to extend the deadline for the state to obligate American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief - Homeless Children and Youth funds. Signing do pass: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senators Bjorkman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. SR 3 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3 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. Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1759 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 18 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, Urging withdrawal of proposed Bureau of Land Management regulations affecting the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and urging meaningful engagement with tribes, local governments, and affected communities. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 256 SENATE BILL NO. 256 BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act establishing May as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 14 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry, was read the third time. 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1760 The question being: "Shall SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SJR 14 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Kaufman and so, SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citations be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Colonel William Campfield, Jr. Representative(s) Groh, Wright, Josephson In Memoriam - Robert Charles "Bob" Reupke Senator(s) Wielechowski, Dunbar Representative(s) Wright Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1761 Unfinished Business SB 144 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 144 "An Act relating to rates and time allowances for motor vehicle warranty work." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SJR 14 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry, 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 10:30 a.m., March 1, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:36 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1762 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 Feb 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 242 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 236 GRANTS TO DISASTER VICTIMS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 161 TAX EXEMPTION FOR FARM USE LAND <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 02/27/24> ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 28 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + SB 158 SCHOOL GRANTS AND BOND DEBT REIMBURSEMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 01 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1763 FINANCE Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Update: State Transportation Improvement Plan Department of Transportation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Fiscal Summary Update and Scenarios Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += HB 26 OFFICIAL LANG; COUNCIL FOR AK NATIVE LANG += SB 91 TELEHEALTH: MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE TEAM += SB 132 EMPLOYMENT TAX FOR EDUCATION FACILITIES Mar 01 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Update from the Alaska Broadband Office Thomas Lochner, Director + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 28 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + HB 66 CONTROLLED SUB;HOMICIDE;CRIMES;SENTENCING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 165 DEFENSE OF PUB. OFFICER: ETHICS COMPLAINT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1764 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 01 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 28 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 121 PHARMACIES/PHARMACISTS/BENEFITS MANAGERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 115 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 01 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 173 AUTHORIZE HANDGUNS SCHOOL EMPLOYEE/VOLUNT -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 211 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS/LOANS/SALES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 28 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) Update by Randy Ruaro, Executive Director, AIDEA Brandon Brefczynski, Deputy Director, AIDEA += SB 220 RCA REGULATE NATURAL GAS STORAGE FACILITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 243 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1765 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 01 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 210 SALMON HATCHERY PERMITS <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 199 STATE LAND: DISPOSAL/SALE/LEASE/RESTRICT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 171 RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SJR 15 CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 05 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Department of Administration Budget Mar 19 Tuesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Administration Budget 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1766 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Feb 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Corrections Budget Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Corrections Budget ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Mar 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Presentation: Spill Prevention and Response by TBA ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 06 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Family and Community Services FY 25 Budget ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Health FY 25 Budget ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 11 Monday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Court System Budget 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1767 MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Feb 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs Budget ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 12 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:30 AM + Overview: Department of Revenue, Alaska Mental Health Trust and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation by Steve Williams, CEO AMHT, and Bryan Butcher, CEO AHFC ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Feb 29 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY25 Request ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Mar 06 Wednesday Adams 519 5:00 PM + Approval of Minutes a. December 13, 2023 b. January 15, 2024 Executive Session (Procurement) a. Legislative Audit Single Audit Contract Juneau (907) 586-9085, Anchorage (907) 563-9085 All other 844-586-9085 ---------------------------------------- LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + 1. Approval of the Agenda + 2. Approval of Minutes - December 14, 2023 + 3. Ratification of Charity Events (Continued on Next Page) 2024-02-28 Senate Journal Page 1768 JOINT COMMITTEES (continued) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) a. Alaska SeaLife Center Soiree - February 3, 2024 b. Trend Alaska Fashion Show - February 17, 2024 c. Juneau Animal Rescue Extravaganza - February 17, 2024 d. Sham Jam - March 23, 2024 e. Kenai River Junior Classic - August 7, 2024 f. Ted Stevens Kenai River Classic - August 21, 22, 23, 2024 g. Kenai River Women's Classic - September 12, 13, 14, 2024 + 4. Contract Approvals a. Cybersecurity Licensing, Maintenance and Technical Support Renewal 5. Executive Session a. Legal Update (LAW/Janus) b. Security Update c. Salary Schedule Discussion + 6. Committee Business a. FY23 Legislature Independent Audit b. FY25 Legislative Council Budget c. Print Shop Policy d. Subcommittee Updates e. Preview of Upcoming Items + 7. Adjourn **Streamed live on AKL.tv**