Legislature(2023 - 2024)

2024-04-24 Senate Journal

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2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2289
                                                                                                                                
                                SENATE JOURNAL                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                           ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                           THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                SECOND SESSION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                   Wednesday                    April 24, 2024                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                              One Hundredth Day                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                                             
Stevens at 11:03 a.m.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The roll showed twenty members present.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend David Elmore,                                                                  
Landmark Apostolic Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked                                                                      
unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so                                                            
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
          Heavenly Father, I come before you and I thank you                                                                    
          for this legislative body today. I thank you for your                                                                 
          many blessings and for your wisdom and guidance. I                                                                    
          ask that you would anoint each and every person here                                                                  
          as they gather to make decisions for the betterment of                                                                
          this great state and its people.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
          Jesus, I ask that you would give them wisdom,                                                                         
          knowledge, and understanding. Give them a heart of                                                                    
          love for the people that they lead and represent.                                                                     
          Jesus, I pray for a hedge of protection around them,                                                                  
          protect them and keep them safe. I pray for this                                                                      
          session today, that it would be uninterrupted, that                                                                   
          there would be peace not conflict, and that they                                                                      
          would be able to be unified and stand ready to make                                                                   
          decisions that benefit the citizens of this wonderful                                                                 
          state.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2290
            Lord, I know that each person here has been called to                                                              
           their position for such a time as this, and I thank you                                                             
          for every single one of them.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
            I pray blessings, peace, and strength upon them. It’s                                                              
                      in Jesus' name I pray,       Amen.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wielechowski led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Certification                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for                                                              
the ninety-eighth and ninety-ninth legislative days be approved as                                                              
certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          Messages from the Governor                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SB 46                                                                                                                         
Message was read stating the Governor signed the following bill on                                                              
April 23 and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the                                                               
Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing:                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
          HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 46(STA) "An                                                                              
          Act establishing the month of March as Brain Injury                                                                   
          Awareness Month; and providing for an effective                                                                       
          date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                             Chapter 2, SLA 2024                                                                               
                           Effective Date: 4/24/24                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2291
SB 93                                                                                                                         
Message was read stating the Governor signed the following bill on                                                              
April 23 and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the                                                               
Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing:                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 93(L&C) am "An Act                                                                             
          relating to claims for injury, disability, or heart attack                                                            
          payable from the fishermen's fund; relating to claims                                                                 
          against protection and indemnity insurance policies                                                                   
          of vessel owners; relating to the definition of                                                                       
          'occupational disease'; and providing for an effective                                                                
          date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                             Chapter 3, SLA 2024                                                                               
                           Effective Date: 4/24/24                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                           Messages from the House                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Message dated April 22 was read stating the House passed and                                                                    
transmitted for consideration:                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                        First Reading and Reference of                                                                       
                              House Resolutions                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
HCR 16                                                                                                                        
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16 BY THE HOUSE                                                                                 
RULES COMMITTEE,                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
          Designating April 21 - 27, 2024, as Crime Victims'                                                                    
          Rights Week.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The resolution is on today's calendar.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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                          Standing Committee Reports                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SB 177                                                                                                                        
The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 177 "An                                                                  
Act relating to artificial intelligence; requiring disclosure of deepfakes                                                      
in campaign communications; relating to cybersecurity; and relating to                                                          
data privacy" and recommended it be replaced with                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 177(STA) "An Act                                                                               
          relating to disclosure of election-related deepfakes;                                                                 
          relating to use of artificial intelligence by state                                                                   
          agencies; and relating to transfer of data about                                                                      
          individuals between state agencies."                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki, Chair. Signing do pass: Senators                                                               
Wielechowski, Bjorkman. Signing no recommendation: Senator                                                                      
Merrick.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
     Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to the bill.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Judiciary, then Finance Committees.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SB 182                                                                                                                        
The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 182 "An Act                                                                    
extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services                                                              
Board; and providing for an effective date."                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senator Olson, Cochair; Senators Wilson, Kiehl,                                                                
Merrick.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                                                  
          Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and                                                            
          Economic Development                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                

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SB 206                                                                                                                        
The Finance Committee considered 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."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senator Olson, Cochair; Senator Kiehl. Signing no                                                              
recommendation: Senator Stedman, Cochair; Senators Wilson,                                                                      
Merrick, Bishop.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                                                  
     Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Labor and Workforce                                                                       
          Development                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SB 223                                                                                                                        
The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 223 "An                                                                  
Act relating to the appointment of an assistant adjutant general; and                                                           
providing for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki, Chair. Signing do pass: Senators                                                               
Claman, Merrick, Bjorkman. Signing no recommendation: Senator                                                                   
Wielechowski.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                                                  
        Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Military and Veterans’                                                          
          Affairs                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SB 234                                                                                                                        
The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 234 "An Act                                                                    
relating to the Marijuana Control Board; and providing for an effective                                                         
date."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senator Olson, Cochair; Senators Wilson, Kiehl,                                                                
Merrick.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                

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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.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SB 262                                                                                                                        
The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 262 "An                                                                  
Act relating to the state Artificial Intelligence Task Force; and                                                               
providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with                                                            
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 262(STA)                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki, Chair. Signing do pass: Senator                                                                
Bjorkman. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wielechowski,                                                                     
Claman, Merrick.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
          Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and                                                            
          Economic Development                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to the bill.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 3                                                                                                                          
The State Affairs Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                        
NO. 3(FIN) "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and                                                         
relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie" and                                                                 
recommended it be replaced with                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                       SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                         
          NO. 3(STA)                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki, Chair. Signing do pass: Senator                                                                
Bjorkman. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wielechowski,                                                                     
Merrick.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2295
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
     Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Administration                                                                      
         Fiscal Note No. 4, zero, Department of Commerce, Community,                                                           
          and Economic Development                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 17                                                                                                                         
The Health and Social Services Committee considered CS FOR                                                                      
HOUSE BILL NO. 17(HSS) am(efd fld) "An Act relating to insurance                                                                
coverage for contraceptives and related services; and relating to                                                               
medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services"                                                            
and recommended it be replaced with                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
          SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                                       
          NO. 17(HSS) "An Act relating to insurance coverage                                                                    
          for contraceptives and related services; relating to                                                                  
          medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and                                                                    
          related services; and providing for an effective date."                                                               
          (technical title change)                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Signing amend: Senator Wilson, Chair. Signing do pass: Senators                                                                 
Tobin, Kaufman, Giessel, Dunbar.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
          Fiscal Note No. 9, indeterminate, Department of Commerce,                                                            
          Community, and Economic Development                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                                                  
     Fiscal Note No. 6, zero, Department of Administration                                                                      
     Fiscal Note No. 8, zero, Department of Health                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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HB 104                                                                                                                        
The Resources Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                            
NO. 104(RES) am "An Act relating to salvage sales of timber,                                                                    
negotiated timber sales for local manufacture of wood products, and                                                             
expedited timber sales; and providing for an effective date" and                                                                
recommended it be replaced with                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                       SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                         
          NO. 104(RES) "An Act relating to timber sales."                                                                       
          (Title Change SCR 14)                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senators Bishop, Giessel, Cochairs; Senators                                                                   
Claman, Dunbar. Signing no recommendation: Senators                                                                             
Wielechowski, Kaufman. Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
     Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Natural Resources                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 273                                                                                                                        
The Labor and Commerce Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE                                                                        
BILL NO. 273(L&C) "An Act relating to the power of the Alaska                                                                   
Housing Finance Corporation to make or purchase mortgage loans;                                                                 
and providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senator Gray-Jackson.                                                                 
Signing no recommendation: Senator Dunbar.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                                                  
     Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Revenue                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 371                                                                                                                        
The Health and Social Services Committee considered HOUSE BILL                                                                  
NO. 371 "An Act relating to medical review organizations; relating to                                                           
the definitions of 'health care provider' and 'review organization'; and                                                        
relating to the duties of the chief medical officer in the Department of                                                        
Health."                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2297
Signing do pass: Senator Wilson, Chair; Senators Giessel, Dunbar,                                                               
Kaufman. Signing no recommendation: Senator Tobin.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                                                  
     Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Health                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        Introduction and Reference of                                                                        
                              Senate Resolutions                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SCR 14                                                                                                                        
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14 BY THE                                                                                      
SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE,                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
          Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e),                                                                         
          Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature,                                                                        
          concerning House Bill No. 104, relating to salvage                                                                    
          sales of timber, negotiated timber sales for local                                                                    
          manufacture of wood products, and expedited timber                                                                    
          sales.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and held on the secretary's desk.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        Consideration of the Calendar                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                        Second Reading of Senate Bills                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SB 113                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 113 "An Act relating to the regional educational                                                                
attendance area and small municipal school district fund; relating to                                                           
Mt. Edgecumbe High School; and relating to teacher housing" was                                                                 
read the second time.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens stated SENATE BILL NO. 113 will advance to third                                                              
reading on the April 26 calendar.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                

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SB 151                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 151 "An Act establishing the Missing and                                                                        
Murdered Indigenous Persons Review Commission; relating to                                                                      
missing and murdered indigenous persons; relating to the duties of the                                                          
Department of Public Safety; 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 2242.                                                              
Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 151(FIN) "An Act                                                                      
relating to police officer training; establishing the Missing and                                                               
Murdered Indigenous Persons Review Commission; relating to                                                                      
missing and murdered indigenous persons; relating to the duties of the                                                          
Department of Public Safety; and providing for an effective date" was                                                           
adopted.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 151(FIN) will                                                                   
advance to third reading on the April 26 calendar.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SB 183                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 183 "An Act relating to the workers'                                                                            
compensation benefits guaranty fund; and providing for an effective                                                             
date" was read the second time.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens stated SENATE BILL NO. 183 will advance to third                                                              
reading on the April 26 calendar.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SB 205                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 205 "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 second time.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens stated SENATE BILL NO. 205 will advance to third                                                              
reading on the April 26 calendar.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                        Third Reading of Senate Bills                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 115                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) "An Act relating to physician                                                                   
assistants; relating to physicians; and relating to health care insurance                                                       
policies" was read the third time.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2299
Senator Tobin moved the bill be returned to second reading for the                                                              
purpose of a specific amendment, that being Amendment No. 1.                                                                    
Without objection, the bill was returned to second reading.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senators Tobin, Kiehl offered Amendment No. 1 :                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Page 1, line 11:                                                                                                                
     Delete "and"                                                                                                               
     Insert "[AND]"                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Page 1, line 12, following "physician":                                                                                         
     Insert "; and                                                                                                          
              (5)  hours of practice experience, if any, that a                                                             
     physician assistant must complete under a collaborative                                                                
     agreement to practice in a practice area that is substantively                                                         
     different than the physician assistant's previous practice                                                             
     areas; the board may not require that a physician assistant                                                            
     complete more than 4,000 hours under this paragraph, in                                                                
     addition to the hours required under (c) of this section, to                                                           
     practice in a new practice area without a collaborative                                                                
     agreement"                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Page 2, line 28:                                                                                                                
     Delete "A"                                                                                                                 
     Insert "Unless additional hours are required by the board to                                                               
practice in a new practice area under (a)(5) of this section, a"                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Page 3, lines 2 - 4:                                                                                                            
     Delete "with at least one collaborating physician during work                                                              
hours in person or by telephone or another telecommunications                                                                   
device"                                                                                                                         
     Insert "during work hours, in person or by telephone or another                                                            
telecommunications device, with one or more collaborating physicians                                                            
who, collectively, practice in each of the physician assistant's practice                                                       
areas"                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Page 3, line 15:                                                                                                                
     Delete "and"                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2300
Page 3, line 17, following "assistant":                                                                                         
     Insert "; and                                                                                                              
              (7)  describe the physician assistant's practice areas and                                                        
     the collaborating physicians who practice in those areas"                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Tobin moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 1.                                                                        
Objections were heard.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll                                                                
was taken with the following result:                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CSSB 115(HSS)                                                                                                                   
Second Reading                                                                                                                  
Amendment No. 1?                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  17   NAYS:  3   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman,                                                                 
Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Shower,                                                                       
Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Giessel, Myers, Wilson                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
and so, Amendment No. 1 was adopted.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) am was automatically in third                                                                   
reading.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Senator Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain                                                                   
from voting due to a conflict of interest. Objections were heard and                                                            
Senator Kawasaki was required to vote.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL                                                                                   
NO. 115(HSS) am "An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to                                                           
physicians; and relating to health care insurance policies" pass the                                                            
Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2301
CSSB 115(HSS) am                                                                                                                
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  19   NAYS:  1   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                 
Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower,                                                                
Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Hoffman                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) am passed the Senate                                                                    
and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SB 118                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 118(FIN) "An Act relating to critical                                                                    
and essential minerals" was read the third time.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 118(FIN)                                                                      
"An Act relating to critical and essential minerals" pass the Senate?"                                                          
The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CSSB 118(FIN)                                                                                                                   
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                 
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 118(FIN) passed the Senate and                                                                   
was referred to the Secretary for engrossment.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SB 240                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 240(HSS) "An Act allowing minors 16                                                                      
years of age or older to consent to behavioral health and mental health                                                         
services; authorizing school personnel to recommend a behavioral                                                                
health or mental health professional to a child 16 years of age or older;                                                       
and relating to medical assistance coverage for rehabilitative,                                                                 
mandatory, and optional services furnished or paid for by a school                                                              
district on behalf of certain children" was read the third time.                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2302
The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 240(HSS)                                                                      
"An Act allowing minors 16 years of age or older to consent to                                                                  
behavioral health and mental health services; authorizing school                                                                
personnel to recommend a behavioral health or mental health                                                                     
professional to a child 16 years of age or older; and relating to medical                                                       
assistance coverage for rehabilitative, mandatory, and optional                                                                 
services furnished or paid for by a school district on behalf of certain                                                        
children" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following                                                               
result:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CSSB 240(HSS)                                                                                                                   
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  14   NAYS:  5   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  1                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bishop, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman,                                                                  
Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin,                                                                       
Wielechowski                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Bjorkman, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Wilson                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Absent:  Hughes                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 240(HSS) passed the Senate and                                                                   
was referred to the Secretary for engrossment.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SB 259                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 259(FIN) "An Act relating to the                                                                         
compensation of state employees; relating to the salary of the chief                                                            
administrative law judge; and providing for an effective date" was read                                                         
the third time.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 259(FIN)                                                                      
"An Act relating to the compensation of state employees; relating to                                                            
the salary of the chief administrative law judge; and providing for an                                                          
effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following                                                         
result:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CSSB 259(FIN)                                                                                                                   
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
Effective Date(s)                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  19   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  1                                                                               
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2303
Yeas:  Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                 
Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson,                                                                       
Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Absent:  Hughes                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 259(FIN) passed the Senate.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the                                                               
passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date                                                                
clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was                                                                
referred to the Secretary for engrossment.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                     Second Reading of House Resolutions                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HCR 16                                                                                                                        
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16 Designating                                                                                  
April 21 - 27, 2024, as Crime Victims' Rights Week, was read the                                                                
second time and was before the Senate on final passage.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION                                                                          
NO. 16 Designating April 21 - 27, 2024, as Crime Victims' Rights                                                                
Week, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HCR 16                                                                                                                          
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  19   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  1                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                 
Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson,                                                                       
Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Absent:  Hughes                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
and so, HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16 passed the                                                                           
Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the                                                           
House.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2304
                                  Citations                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Brevig Mission Huskies Girls 1A Basketball Team 2024                                                                 
Alaska State Tournament                                                                                                         
Senator(s) Olson                                                                                                                
Representative(s) Foster                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Heather Conn                                                                                                         
Representative(s) Himschoot                                                                                                     
Senator(s) Stedman                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Dave Allgood                                                                                                         
Representative(s) Galvin, Fields                                                                                                
Senator(s) Gray-Jackson                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Barbara Franks                                                                                                       
Representative(s) Hannan, McCormick                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Lillian Outcalt                                                                                                      
Representative(s) Story                                                                                                         
Senator(s) Kiehl                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Jessica Black, Ph.D.                                                                                                 
Representative(s) Dibert                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Kawasaki, Bishop                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hartman                                                                                           
Representative(s) Dibert, Stapp                                                                                                 
Senator(s) Kawasaki                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - The Fairbanks Community Band 30th Anniversary                                                                        
Representative(s) Dibert                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Kawasaki                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - 55th Anniversary of HIPOW                                                                                            
Representative(s) Dibert                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Kawasaki                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - 2024 Hockey Club Fairbanks Girls Tier II 19U 1A                                                                      
National Champions                                                                                                              
Representative(s) Dibert                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Kawasaki, Bishop                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2305
In Memoriam - JJ Redmon                                                                                                         
Representative(s) Gray, Coulombe, Ruffridge                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Dr. Vera Alexander                                                                                                
Representative(s) Carrick                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
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                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Michael Barton                                                                                                    
Senator(s) Kiehl                                                                                                                
Representative(s) Story, Hannan                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
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                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SB 118                                                                                                                        
Senators Shower, Bishop, Stedman, Wilson moved and asked                                                                        
unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on CS FOR SENATE                                                                    
BILL NO. 118(FIN) "An Act relating to critical and essential                                                                    
minerals." Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 155                                                                                                                        
Senators Merrick, Shower, Bishop, Claman, Stevens moved and asked                                                               
unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on CS FOR HOUSE                                                                 
BILL NO. 155(FIN) am "An Act establishing the Alaska Military                                                                   
Affairs Commission; and relating to the duties and powers of the                                                                
Alaska Military Affairs Commission." Without objection, it was so                                                               
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2306
SB 131                                                                                                                        
Senators Wielechowski, Olson, Stevens moved and asked unanimous                                                                 
consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 131 "An                                                                    
Act requiring education in the history and contributions of Asian                                                               
Americans and Pacific Islanders." Without objection, it was so                                                                  
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Announcements                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Engrossment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SB 115                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 115(HSS) am "An Act relating to                                                                          
physician assistants; relating to physicians; and relating to health care                                                       
insurance policies" was engrossed, signed by the President and                                                                  
Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SB 118                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 118(FIN) "An Act relating to critical                                                                    
and essential minerals" was engrossed, signed by the President and                                                              
Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SB 240                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 240(HSS) "An Act allowing minors 16                                                                      
years of age or older to consent to behavioral health and mental health                                                         
services; authorizing school personnel to recommend a behavioral                                                                
health or mental health professional to a child 16 years of age or older;                                                       
and relating to medical assistance coverage for rehabilitative,                                                                 
mandatory, and optional services furnished or paid for by a school                                                              
district on behalf of certain children" was engrossed, signed by the                                                            
President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for                                                                        
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2307
SB 259                                                                                                                        
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 259(FIN) "An Act relating to the                                                                         
compensation of state employees; relating to the salary of the chief                                                            
administrative law judge; and providing for an effective date" 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., April 26, 2024. Without objection,                                                             
the Senate adjourned at 12:41 p.m.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                    Liz Clark                                                   
                                                     Secretary of the Senate                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2308
                                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 25        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+             SENATE BILL: LOANS UNDER $25,000, PAYDAY LOANS                                                                    
              <Pending Introduction & Referral>                                                                                 
+ HB 347 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT                                                                                                    
              <Pending Referral>                                                                                                
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  EDUCATION                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 24        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Friday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              -- Please Note Time & Location Change --                                                                          
              Meeting Jointly with the Senate Judiciary                                                                         
              Committee                                                                                                         
+             Presentation: The Way Forward - Report of the                                                                     
              Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission                                                                   
              on Native Children by                                                                                             
              Gloria O'Neill, CEO of the Cook Inlet Tribal                                                                      
              Council                                                                                                           
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2309
                                   FINANCE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Apr 24        Wednesday                 Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+= HB 268 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM                                                                               
              <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 04/24/24 - 1:30 PM>                                                                  
+= HB 270 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                                          
              <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 04/24/24 - 1:30 PM>                                                                  
              Presentation: Fiscal Update by                                                                                    
              Alexei Painter, Director, Legislative Finance                                                                     
              Division                                                                                                          
              <Above Items Removed from Agenda>                                                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled:                                                                                 
+= SB  85 PERM FUND; EMPLOYMENT; ELIGIBILITY                                                                                    
+= SB 206 WORKERS' COMP. STAY-AT-WORK PROGRAM                                                                                   
              -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Apr 24        Wednesday                 Senate Finance 532            1:30 PM                                                 
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+= HB 268 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM                                                                               
+= HB 270 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                                          
+             Presentation: Fiscal Update by                                                                                    
              Alexei Painter, Director, Legislative Finance                                                                     
              Division                                                                                                          
              <Above Item Removed from Agenda>                                                                                  
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 25        Thursday                  Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Fiscal Update by                                                                                                  
              Alexei Painter, Director, Legislative Finance                                                                     
              Division                                                                                                          
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled:                                                                                 
+= HB 268 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM                                                                               
+= HB 270 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 25        Thursday                  Senate Finance 532            1:30 PM                                                 
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Friday                    Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2310
                           HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 25        Thursday                        Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled:                                                                                 
+= SB 219 PRIOR AUTH EXEMPT FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS                                                                                
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  JUDICIARY                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 24        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Friday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
+             Meeting Jointly with the Senate Education                                                                         
              Committee                                                                                                         
+             Presentation: The Way Forward - Report of the                                                                     
              Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission                                                                   
              on Native Children by                                                                                             
              Gloria O'Neill, CEO of the Cook Inlet Tribal                                                                      
              Council                                                                                                           
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 24        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+= SB 235 CNA TRAINING                                                                                                          
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                           
+= HB  97 SELF-STORAGE UNITS: LIENS; SALES                                                                                      
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                           
+ HB  29 INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION                                                                                               
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled:                                                                                 
+= SB 257 ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATION                                                                                           
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2311
                                  RESOURCES                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 24        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:                                                                           
              Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission:                                                                     
              Michael Porcaro                                                                                                   
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+ HB  50 CARBON STORAGE                                                                                                         
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              Frank Paskvan, Affiliate Professor, UAF                                                                           
              Institute of Northern Engineering                                                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Friday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Presentation: USGS Assessment of Undiscovered                                                                     
              Oil & Gas Resources by                                                                                            
              Jared Gooley, Alaska Basins and Petroleum                                                                         
              Systems Project, Team Lead, USGS Alaska Science                                                                   
              Center                                                                                                            
              Chris Zimmerman, Center Director; USGS Alaska                                                                     
              Science Center                                                                                                    
              Doug Kreiner, Acting Associate Center Director,                                                                   
              USGS Alaska Science Center                                                                                        
              David Houseknecht, Alaska Basins and Petroleum                                                                    
              Systems Project, Senior Science Advisor, USGS                                                                     
              Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center                                                                         
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled:                                                                                 
+= SB 194 REDUCE ROYALTY ON COOK INLET OIL & GAS                                                                                
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                STATE AFFAIRS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Apr 25        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2024-04-24                     Senate Journal                      Page 2312
                                TRANSPORTATION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Apr 25        Thursday                        Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled:                                                                                 
+= SB 263 ROADS & HWYS ADV BOARD; IMPROVEMENT PRGM                                                                              
              -- Public Testimony --                                                                                            
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               JOINT COMMITTEES                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                          LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
May 09        Thursday                           Adams 519            5:00 PM                                                 
+             I. Approval of Minutes - April 4, 2024                                                                            
              II. Executive Session - Audit                                                                                     
              a. Release of the FY23 State Single Audit                                                                         
              Teleconferenced: Juneau (907)586-9085, Anchorage                                                                  
              (907)563-9085, Outside Juneau & Anchorage                                                                         
              (844)586-9085                                                                                                     
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                             LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Apr 30        Tuesday                   Senate Finance 532            5:30 PM                                                 
+             I. Approval of Minutes                                                                                            
              a. February 28, 2024                                                                                              
+             II. Ratification of Charity Events                                                                                
              a. Legislative Skits - April 27                                                                                   
              b. Victim Services Awards - April 25                                                                              
+             III. Contract Approvals                                                                                           
              a. FY25 Hardware Refresh                                                                                          
              IV. Executive Session                                                                                             
              a. RFP 672 Office Space in Anchorage (OVR)                                                                        
+             V. Committee Business                                                                                             
              a. Travel and Per Diem Policy Amendment re:                                                                       
              Wallet Funds                                                                                                      
              b. Four-Year Technology Plan, 2024-2027                                                                           
              c. Social Media Policy Update