Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-03-01 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1771 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday March 1, 2024 Forty-sixth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:35 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senators Hoffman, Kaufman, Shower were 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 Olson moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Lord, let our memory provide no shelter for grievance against each other. Lord, let our heart provide no harbor of rancor for each other. Lord, let our tongue be no accomplice in the judgment of each other. Let us be ambassadors of reconciliation, seeking a third way of integrity and justice together. And if we cannot work together, then at least give us humor and goodwill to find the humanity in one another. Amen. Senator Hughes led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1772 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the forty-fourth and forty-fifth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor A Declaration of Disaster Emergency and initial finance plan dated February 29, authorizing funds for the City of Kotzebue and Northwest Arctic Borough as a result of a water utility line freeze-up from loss of electrical power, 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. Messages from the House Message dated February 28 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 89 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 89(FIN) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to education tax credits for certain payments and contributions for child care and child care facilities; relating to the insurance tax education credit, the income tax education credit, the oil or gas producer education credit, the property tax education credit, the mining business education credit, the fisheries business education credit, and the fisheries resource landing tax education credit; renaming the day care assistance program the child care assistance program; relating to the child care assistance program and the child care grant program; providing for an effective date by amending the effective date of secs. 1, 2, and 21, ch. 61, SLA 2014; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1773 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Report on Military and Spouse Temporary Licensing Calendar Year 2023 in accordance with AS 08.01.063 Department of Education & Early Development School Capital Project Funding Under SB 237 Annual Report in accordance with AS 14.11.035 Report from the Commissioner of the Department of Administration dated February 28 was received stating the monetary terms for the collective bargaining agreement reached with the Public Safety Employees Association representing members of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in accordance with AS 23.40.215. President Stevens referred the report to the Finance Committee. Standing Committee Reports SB 91 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 91 "An Act relating to telehealth; relating to multidisciplinary care teams; and relating to the practice of medicine" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 91(FIN) Signing do pass: Senator Olson, Cochair; Senator Bishop. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wilson, Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1774 SB 132 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 132 "An Act imposing an annual educational facilities maintenance and construction tax on net earnings from self-employment and wages; relating to the administration and enforcement of the educational facilities maintenance and construction tax; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 132(FIN) Signing do pass: Senator Olson, Cochair; Senator Bishop. Signing do not pass: Senator Wilson. Signing no recommendation: Senator Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Labor and Workforce Development Fiscal Note No. 4, Department of Revenue The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 161 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 161 "An Act relating to municipal taxation of farm use land; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 161(CRA) "An Act relating to municipal taxation of farm land and farm structures; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1775 SB 236 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 236 "An Act relating to grants to disaster victims." Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, indeterminate, Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 26 The Finance Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRB) "An Act relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska; renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages; and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages" and recommended it be replaced with SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(FIN) "An Act relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska; renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages; relating to the transfer of the Council for Alaska Native Languages from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development; and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages." (Title Change SCR 11) Signing do pass: Senator Olson, Cochair; Senator Bishop. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wilson, Merrick. 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1776 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 10 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, Establishing the Joint Legislative Seafood Industry Task Force. was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 257 SENATE BILL NO. 257 BY THE SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to public utilities; relating to electric reliability organizations; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority; relating to the Railbelt Transmission Organization; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce, Resources and Finance Committees. 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1777 Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SR 3 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, was read the second time and was before the Senate on final passage. Senators Myers, Kawasaki, Tobin, Hughes, Giessel, Dunbar, Claman, Bishop, Olson, Merrick, Stedman, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on the resolution. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall 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, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SR 3 Final Passage YEAS: 17 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hughes, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Hoffman, Kaufman, Shower and so, SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment and enrollment. Citations In Memoriam - Howard Bess Senator(s) Hughes, Kiehl Representative(s) D. Johnson 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1778 In Memoriam - Dirk Craft, Sr. Senator(s) Hughes Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Announcements SB 257 Senator Bjorkman, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent Uniform Rule 23 be waived on SENATE BILL NO. 257 "An Act relating to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to public utilities; relating to electric reliability organizations; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority; relating to the Railbelt Transmission Organization; and providing for an effective date" for the Labor and Commerce Committee meeting on March 4. Without objection, it was so ordered. 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 4, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1779 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 05 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 184 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 01 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 04 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska's Charter School Model by School Board Members From School Districts with Charter Schools + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 06 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 97 TEACHER RECRUITMENT; LUMP SUM PAYMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1780 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 08 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 01 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Update from the Alaska Broadband Office Thomas Lochner, Director + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 04 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + School District Fund Balance Discussion <Invited Testimony Only> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 06 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 197 RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 183 WORKERS' COMP BENEFITS GUARANTY FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 06 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 189 EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 120 HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SCR 10 JOINT LEGIS SEAFOOD INDUSTRY TASK FORCE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1781 FINANCE (continued) Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 08 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 05 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: - Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority John Sturgeon, Brent Fisher - State Medical Board David Barnes, David Wilson -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 241 MEDICAL ASSIST. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- Meeting Jointly with House Health and Social Services Committee + Presentation: Alaska Citizen Review Panel Annual Report and DFCS Office of Children's Services Response ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 01 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1782 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 04 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Anna Cometa, Violent Crimes Compensation Board Ron Dupee, Alaska Police Standards Council Jeff Brown, Alaska Police Standards Council + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 06 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Terrence Haas, Public Defender Robert Sheldon, Commission on Judicial Conduct + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE 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** Mar 04 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 154 BIDDER PREF MILITARY CAREER SKILLS PROG -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 102 REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 44 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE <Bill Hearing Canceled> + SB 257 ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATION Uniform Rule 23 Waived -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1783 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 06 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: TVEP by University of Alaska += SB 121 PHARMACIES/PHARMACISTS/BENEFITS MANAGERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Mar 08 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 196 EMPLOYER DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 234 EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES 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** Mar 04 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 217 INTEGRATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 257 ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATION <Bill Hearing Canceled> + Presentation: Alaska Railbelt Transmission Issues + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1784 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 06 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Resident Hunters of Alaska (RHAK) by Mark Richards, Executive Director += SB 168 COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFULLY SEIZED GAME -- Public Testimony -- + SJR 18 NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HJR 20 NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA <Pending Referral> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 05 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Division of Elections Overview by Carol Beecher, Director, Division of Elections + HB 129 VOTER REGISTRATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 246 LEGISLATORS LEGAL FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 232 VOTER PREREGISTRATION FOR MINORS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Corrections by Jen Winkleman, Commissioner DOC + SB 176 BOARD OF PAROLE: MEMBERSHIP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1785 TRANSPORTATION Mar 05 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 244 MARVIN THURMOND GALENA MAINT. STATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 07 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Hours of Service & Electronic Log Review by Senator Myers & Invited Presenters + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS 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 ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 06 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Family and Community Services FY 25 Budget 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1786 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 ---------------------------------------- LAW Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Overview of FY25 Budget Request ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Mar 06 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview Mar 13 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview ---------------------------------------- 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 2024-03-01 Senate Journal Page 1787 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY25 Request - continued ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES AK FOOD STRATEGY TASK FORCE EXEC. BOARD Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 11:00 AM + 1. Public Testimony 1-844-586-9085 + 2. Report on the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force Presentation to the Legislature + 3. Focus Area Updates + 4. 2024 Report Process + 5. Presentation: Retail Food Supply Chain Frictions and Implications for Rural Food Security by Mike Jones + 6. Next Meeting + 7. Other Items and Announcements ---------------------------------------- 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