Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-03-07 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1829 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday March 7, 2024 Fifty-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:39 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Hoffman was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Guy Crockroft, Love, INC. Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for this new day and for this governing body, the Alaska Senate. I’m reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in I Timothy, where he encouraged us that “petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” I ask for your blessings upon each Senator. May you give them wisdom, compassion, and humility as they serve together to help all Alaskans. Help them to do justly, and to love mercy; and for those who believe in you and follow you, to walk humbly with you, Lord Jesus, as they perform their duties in this place and across this great State. 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1830 In the words of the Prophet Amos “Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen. Senator Kiehl led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the fifty-first legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Hoffman be excused from a call of the Senate. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Messages from the Governor Letter dated March 7 was read stating in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 39.05.080, I submitted a list of appointees for confirmation. Due to inadvertant presentment the following appointee is withdrawn from consideration, effective immediately: Board of Barbers and Hairdressers Michelle McMullin Messages from the House Messages dated March 6 were read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1831 First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HJR 19 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19 am BY THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community- minded approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure. was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 81 HOUSE BILL NO. 81 BY REPRESENTATIVES RAUSCHER, Sumner, Ortiz, McKay, Tomaszewski, Wright, Galvin, Hannan, Stapp, Cronk, Allard, Mina, Stutes, Story, Tilton, entitled: "An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the death of the owner; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and State Affairs Committees. HB 273 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 273(L&C) BY THE HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the power of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to make or purchase mortgage loans; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1832 Standing Committee Reports Report dated March 6 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. Public Defender Terrence Haas Commission on Judicial Conduct Robert Sheldon Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Tobin, Kiehl, Kaufman. SB 166 The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 166 "An Act establishing the Alaska mental health and psychedelic medicine task force; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 166(JUD) "An Act establishing a legislative task force on mental health and psychedelic medicine; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Giessel, Tobin, Kiehl. Signing no recommendation: Senator 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. 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1833 HJR 20 The Resources Committee considered HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 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. Signing do pass: Senators Bishop, Giessel, Cochairs; Senator Dunbar. Signing no recommendation: Senator Wielechowski. Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, House Resources Committee The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 68 SENATE BILL NO. 68 "An Act relating to public notice for a sale, appropriation, or removal of water, or for filing a declaration of a right of water; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Giessel, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw her name as prime sponsor and add the Senate Resources Committee as prime sponsor on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Resources Committee Substitute offered on page 995. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 68(RES) "An Act relating to public notice for certain state actions and public hearings; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1834 Updated fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Environmental Conservation Fiscal Note No. 4, zero, Department of Natural Resources President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 68(RES) will advance to third reading on the March 11 calendar. Third Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 17 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, was read the third time. Senators Hughes, Wielechowski, Kawasaki, Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on the resolution. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall 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, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SJR 17 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Hoffman and so, SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1835 Citations Honoring - Keegan Messing Representative(s) D. Johnson Senator(s) Giessel Honoring - Richard Douglas Seifert Representative(s) Carrick Senator(s) Kawasaki In Memoriam - George Reifenstein, Jr. Senator(s) Kiehl Representative(s) Story, Hannan 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 - 2024 Arctic Winter Games Representative(s) D. Johnson, Rauscher Senator(s) Wilson 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 HJR 20 Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cross sponsor on HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 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. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1836 Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, March 8 through morning plane time, March 10. Without objection, Senator Kaufman was excused. Senator Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 11, to evening plane time. Without objection, Senator Stedman was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SJR 17 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, 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., March 11, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:56 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1837 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 07 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 12 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 256 ESTABLISH ALS AWARENESS MONTH += SB 242 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT += SB 184 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 08 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 11 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1838 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 13 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 158 SCHOOL GRANTS AND BOND DEBT REIMBURSEMENT + SB 221 CPR CURRICULUM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE 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 Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 08 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 11 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 12 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 236 GRANTS TO DISASTER VICTIMS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1839 FINANCE (continued) Mar 12 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 21 STRATEGIC PLANS FOR STATE AGENCIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 243 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 116 ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 118 CRITICAL NATURAL RESOURCES; REPORTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- SENATE BILL: ALASKA PERMANENT FUND BOARD COMPOSITION <Pending Introduction & Referral> -- Invited Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Spring Revenue Forecast by Department of Revenue Overview: Governor's Budget Amendments by Office of Management and Budget + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + HB 148 AK PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP; ELIGIBILITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1840 FINANCE (continued) Mar 15 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES 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 Mar 12 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SCR 9 MENTAL HEALTH/SUBSTANCE ASSISTANCE PARITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 27 CONTRACEPTIVES COVERAGE:INSURE;MED ASSIST -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 240 SCHOOL DISTRICT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE Mar 14 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: State Medical Board - David Paulson + HB 57 EMERGENCY MED. SVCS: REVIEW ORGANIZATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 11 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 17 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1841 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 13 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Report on "Relationships Between Intimate Partner Violence and Alaskan Women's Health" by Dr. Ingrid Johnson, University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 15 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Dusty Dumont, Alaska Police Standards Council Rebecca Carrillo & William Craig, State Commission for Human Rights -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE 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** Mar 11 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 121 PHARMACIES/PHARMACISTS/BENEFITS MANAGERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 203 BUSINESS LICENSE FEES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1842 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 13 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 234 EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 146 GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 219 PRIOR AUTH EXEMPT FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 44 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 225 OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING FEES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 237 TAX CREDIT CHILD CARE/UTILITY/HOUSE/FOOD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 11 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 199 STATE LAND: DISPOSAL/SALE/LEASE/RESTRICT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 210 SALMON HATCHERY PERMITS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 164 STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1843 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 13 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 217 INTEGRATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS -- Public Testimony -- + Presentation: Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) Update by Curtis Thayer, Executive Director, AEA + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 164 STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 175 ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HB 143 ADVANCED RECYCLING AND FACILITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS 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 Mar 12 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 131 ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER PROGRAM -- Public Testimony -- + SB 193 SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS/TRACKING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1844 TRANSPORTATION 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** Mar 12 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 14 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 255 OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PLACES; TRESPASSING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 218 VEHICLE WEIGHT LIMITS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION 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 ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + FY25 Department of Education and Early Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1845 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Mar 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Presentation: Spill Prevention and Response ---------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY 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 ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY25 Request - continued 2024-03-07 Senate Journal Page 1846 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 ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 12 Tuesday House Chamber 10:30 AM + Consideration of Senate Special Concurrent Resolutions Regarding the Governor's Executive Orders