Legislature(2025 - 2026)GRUENBERG 120

02/21/2026 03:15 PM House STATE AFFAIRS

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ HJR 22 FEDERAL CONST. CONVENTION: TERM LIMITS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
*+ HJR 23 CONST. AM: GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
*+ HB 290 DELIVERY OF RESOLUTIONS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
*+ HCR 10 UNIFORM RULES: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
             HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                           
                       February 21, 2026                                                                                        
                           3:17 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                             DRAFT                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Ashley Carrick, Chair                                                                                            
Representative Andi Story, Vice Chair                                                                                           
Representative Rebecca Himschoot                                                                                                
Representative Ky Holland (via teleconference)                                                                                  
Representative Sarah Vance                                                                                                      
Representative Kevin McCabe                                                                                                     
Representative Steve St. Clair                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
OTHER LEGISLATORS                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                              
Representative Mia Costello                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22                                                                                                   
Requesting the United States Congress  to propose an amendment to                                                               
the  Constitution of  the United  States to  set a  limit on  the                                                               
number of terms that  a person may be elected as  a member of the                                                               
United States  House of  Representatives and as  a member  of the                                                               
United States  Senate; and requesting the  United States Congress                                                               
to call for a constitutional  convention of the states to propose                                                               
a single  amendment to the  Constitution of the United  States to                                                               
set a limit on  the number of terms that a  person may be elected                                                               
as a member of the United  States House of Representatives and as                                                               
a member of the United States Senate.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 23                                                                                                   
Proposing  an  amendment to  the  Constitution  of the  State  of                                                               
Alaska requiring the governor to  submit a balanced budget to the                                                               
legislature.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 290                                                                                                              
"An Act relating to delivery of resolutions by the governor."                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10                                                                                              
Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State                                                                 
Legislature relating to resolutions.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD & HELD                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HJR 22                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: FEDERAL CONST. CONVENTION: TERM LIMITS                                                                             
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TOMASZEWSKI                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
04/22/25       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/22/25       (H)       STA, JUD                                                                                               
02/21/26       (H)       STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HJR 23                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: CONST. AM: GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET                                                                              
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) UNDERWOOD                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
04/28/25       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
04/28/25       (H)       STA, JUD, FIN                                                                                          
02/21/26       (H)       STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HB 290                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: DELIVERY OF RESOLUTIONS                                                                                            
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
02/04/26       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/04/26       (H)       STA                                                                                                    
02/21/26       (H)       STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
BILL: HCR 10                                                                                                                  
SHORT TITLE: UNIFORM RULES: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION                                                                             
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
02/04/26       (H)       READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS                                                                        
02/04/26       (H)       STA                                                                                                    
02/21/26       (H)       STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI                                                                                                
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As prime sponsor of HJR 22, provided an                                                                  
introduction.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CONNOR MERRINER, Staff                                                                                                          
Representative Frank Tomaszewski                                                                                                
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented and answered questions on behalf                                                               
of Representative Tomaszewski, prime sponsor of HJR 22.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CONSTANTIN QUERARD, Regional Director                                                                                           
U.S. Term Limits                                                                                                                
Washington, D.C.                                                                                                                
POSITION STATEMENT:  Gave invited testimony in support of HJR
22.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
ED MARTIN representing self                                                                                                     
Kenai, Alaska                                                                                                                   
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support on HJR 22; testified                                                                
on HJR 23; testified in support of HB 290; and testified in                                                                     
support of HCR 10.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE JUBILEE UNDERWOOD                                                                                                
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  As prime sponsor, introduced HJR 23.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
BUDDY WHITT, Staff                                                                                                              
Representative Jubilee Underwood                                                                                                
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented on HJR 23, on behalf of                                                                        
Representative Underwood, prime sponsor.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
LARISA FONOV, representing self                                                                                                 
Wasilla, Alaska                                                                                                                 
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HJR 23.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
RYAN SHELDON, representing self                                                                                                 
Talkeetna, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Testified in support of HJR 23.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
AYDEN NICHOL, Staff                                                                                                             
Representative Ky Holland                                                                                                       
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented on HB  290 and HJR 10 on behalf of                                                             
Representative Holland, prime sponsor.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:17:23 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  ASHLEY CARRICK  called the  House  State Affairs  Standing                                                             
Committee  meeting to  order at  3:17 p.m.   Representatives  St.                                                               
Clair,  Himschoot, Holland  (via teleconference),  Vance, McCabe,                                                               
and Carrick  were present at  the call to order.   Representative                                                               
Story arrived as the meeting was in progress.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
         HJR 22-FEDERAL CONST. CONVENTION: TERM LIMITS                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:18:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK  announced that the  first order of  business would                                                               
be HOUSE JOINT  RESOLUTION NO. 22,  Requesting  the United States                                                               
Congress  to propose  an  amendment to  the  Constitution of  the                                                               
United  States to  set a  limit  on the  number of  terms that  a                                                               
person may be  elected as a member of the  United States House of                                                               
Representatives and as a member  of the United States Senate; and                                                               
requesting   the   United  States   Congress   to   call  for   a                                                               
constitutional  convention  of the  states  to  propose a  single                                                               
amendment  to the  Constitution of  the  United States  to set  a                                                               
limit on the  number of terms that  a person may be  elected as a                                                               
member of  the United  States House of  Representatives and  as a                                                               
member of the United States Senate.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:19:13 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  FRANK TOMASZEWSKI,  Alaska State  Legislature, as                                                               
prime sponsor introduced  HJR 22.  He stated that  a conducted in                                                               
January  2025  showed that  84  percent  of Alaskans  favor  term                                                               
limits.   Twelve states have  similar legislation, and  14 others                                                               
have legislation  in committees.  He  said it takes 34  states to                                                               
bypass Congress to call a constitutional convention.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:22:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CONNOR MERRINER, Staff,  Representative Frank Tomaszewski, Alaska                                                               
State Legislature, presented and  answered questions on behalf of                                                               
Representative Tomaszewski, prime sponsor of HJR 22.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MERRINER began  a PowerPoint  presentation  titled "HJR  22:                                                               
U.S. Term Limits,"  [hard copy in the committee file].   On slide                                                               
2, he outlined reasons why there  is a need for U.S. term limits:                                                               
to  restore  a  citizen  legislature,  bring  state-specific  and                                                               
private sector experience to D.C.   On slide 4, he shared reasons                                                               
for restoring a citizen legislature.   As states were intended to                                                               
be laboratories of innovation, bringing  state experience to D.C.                                                               
is important.   He  shared reasons  on slide  6 to  bring private                                                               
sector  expertise  to D.C.    He  reiterated the  bill  sponsor's                                                               
statement that  84 percent of Alaskans  support implementing U.S.                                                               
term limits.   Currently,  12 states have  passed calls  for term                                                               
limit amendments, while 14 states have similar legislation.                                                                     
                                                                                                                              
3:26:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked how long resolutions last.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:26:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CONSTANTIN QUERARD, Regional Director,  U.S. Term Limits, replied                                                               
that  resolutions  last  into perpetuity.    States  can  rescind                                                               
resolutions.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STORY   asked  whether,  when   a  constitutional                                                               
convention is called, the issue is just limited to term limits.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.   MERRINER  replied   that   it  doesn't   open  the   entire                                                               
constitution, it is just a single item resolution.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  CARRICK asked,  since  this is  a  resolution, what  would                                                               
prevent it from becoming a more open discussion.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MERRINER  replied a  delegation  is  called for  a  proposed                                                               
amendment  to the  constitution.   The  states  must ratify  that                                                               
amendment.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT  asked  in  other  democracies  whether                                                               
there are term limits.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. QUERARD replied yes, he can provide a list.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:29:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HJR 22.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. QUERARD began  his invited testimony in favor of  HJR 22.  He                                                               
said he is here on behalf of  Alaskans who are in support of this                                                               
cause.   The presentation already  outlined several  good reasons                                                               
for  this change  and there  are many  more.   Everyone seems  to                                                               
support  it  for  a  lot  of  different  reasons.    Congress  is                                                               
dysfunctional  because [the  length of  time members  of Congress                                                               
are  in office].   Incumbents  lean into  seniority as  a selling                                                               
point.   It takes a while  to get influence in  Congress, usually                                                               
ten to twenty years.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:33:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ED MARTIN,  representing self,  testified in  support of  HJR 22.                                                               
This is a  very good subject for  state affairs.  He  said he has                                                               
voted  in many  elections since  1973.   U.S. Representative  Don                                                               
Young stayed  in Congress  his whole  career.   He said  too many                                                               
people have made  this a career.  Their oath  is subject to their                                                               
egos instead  of the people.   He  asked the committee  to please                                                               
pass this resolution to Congress.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:35:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  CARRICK  after  ascertaining  no  further  testimony,  she                                                               
closed public testimony on HJR 22.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT stated  that she  hasn't come  to terms                                                               
with  term limits.    She  comes from  a  rural  area with  fewer                                                               
people.  The  seniority system gives more say on  what happens in                                                               
the  legislature.   She said  there  should be  an exception  for                                                               
rural folks.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. QUERARD replied that with  a small delegation like Alaska, it                                                               
is difficult.   He said states with term limits  use more subject                                                               
area expertise.   He stated this  would be good for  a state like                                                               
Alaska  to  send  congressmen  with expertise  in  an  area  that                                                               
interests the state.  With term  limits, there will be times when                                                               
the congressman has seniority.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT replied that  she doesn't disagree.  The                                                               
state system is partisan.  She  said at the state level, there is                                                               
power and  influence in staff.   At  the federal level,  there is                                                               
professional level staff with this knowledge.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
3:40:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. QUERARD stated  that staff influence is not a  bad thing.  He                                                               
is more  concerned about  a chairperson  not having  subject area                                                               
expertise and being managed by the staff.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT commented on  investment potential.  She                                                               
asked, "How many years has Chuck Grassley been in office?"                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. QUERARD replied that he is the longest serving congressman.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:42:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  CARRICK  said  she  appreciated  the  presentation.    She                                                               
acknowledged that  term limits  are supported  by Alaskans.   She                                                               
shares  some  of  the   concerns  that  Representative  Himschoot                                                               
expressed.  Legislators are public  figures and the staff is less                                                               
accountable to the public.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. QUERARD  said he disagrees  that legislators  are accountable                                                               
to their districts.   He said congressmen are  not as accountable                                                               
to voters.   The system is  broken and the re-election  rates are                                                               
high.    He  gave  examples  of a  couple  of  Senators.    Staff                                                               
expertise will  not eliminate institutional knowledge,  but staff                                                               
get hired  or fired.   Voters don't have  many options.   He said                                                               
quality staff survive  and staff and members  work well together.                                                               
This job wasn't ever meant to be a career.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK  said she  appreciates the dialog.   She  still has                                                               
some concerns  with challenges on  election reform and  the money                                                               
in politics.   The United  States needs to address  that Congress                                                               
is like  a retirement  home.   She liked  the potential  for more                                                               
subject-matter experts who work well across the aisle.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:49:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said that some  of the ballot issues are                                                               
due to open primaries and rank choice voting.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MR.  QUERARD replied  that  rank choice  is a  newer  idea.   The                                                               
incumbent is still the one to  win the election.  He asked, "What                                                               
changes can  be made  that will  stand up to  the courts?"   Term                                                               
limits are popular in all states.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MCCABE stated  he  is excited  to  hear that  the                                                               
committee  is interested  in  campaign finance  reform  as he  is                                                               
sponsoring a  bill on this  issue.  He is  a member of  U.S. Term                                                               
Limits.   He  agrees that  the United  States needs  to stop  the                                                               
retirement  home  in  Congress.    As  an  elected  official,  he                                                               
oversees the staff as a leader.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:54:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  stated  that   she  fully  supports  [term                                                               
limits] and has  co-sponsored previous related bills.   The first                                                               
President realized  that it  was not healthy  to stay  in office.                                                               
The  Founding Fathers  were visionaries.   Term  limits encourage                                                               
more people to  participate in self-governance.   She opined that                                                               
12-year  term limits  provide a  good balance  and a  respectable                                                               
amount of time.  She is in support of this resolution.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:57:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK announced that HJR 22 was held over.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
3:57:52 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The committee took an at-ease from 3:57 p.m. to 3:59 p.m.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
          HJR 23-CONST. AM: GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET                                                                      
                                                                                                                              
3:59:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the  next order of business would be                                                               
HOUSE  JOINT RESOLUTION  NO. 23,  Proposing an  amendment to  the                                                               
Constitution of  the State  of Alaska  requiring the  governor to                                                               
submit a balanced budget to the legislature.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  JUBILEE UNDERWOOD,  Alaska State  Legislature, as                                                               
prime  sponsor introduced  HJR 23.   This  resolution proposes  a                                                               
constitutional  amendment focused  on the  structure of  Alaska's                                                               
budget process.   It  addresses how the  process begins  with the                                                               
governor's  budget   and  accompanying   revenue  bills.     This                                                               
resolution  asks  whether  Alaska would  benefit  from  statutory                                                               
changes and  whether the  fiscal framework  should be  changed to                                                               
improve the structure for the future.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:02:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BUDDY  WHITT,  Staff,  Representative Jubilee  Underwood,  Alaska                                                               
State   Legislature,  presented   on   HJR  23,   on  behalf   of                                                               
Representative   Underwood,  prime   sponsor.     He  said   this                                                               
resolution   is  simple,   and   the   presentation  shares   the                                                               
constitutional   framework  and   requirements.     He  began   a                                                               
PowerPoint  [hard copy  included in  the committee  packet].   He                                                               
shared  the constitutional  requirements  under Art.  IX, Sec  12                                                               
shown on slide 2.   Statutory timing requirements are outlined on                                                               
slide  3.   On slide  4,  required bill  separation and  balanced                                                               
budget  requirement are  shared as  outlined in  statute.   Long-                                                               
range  planning  is  addressed, including  the  six-year  capital                                                               
improvements program  and the 10-year fiscal  plan projections on                                                               
slide  5.   On slide  6,  the format  and supporting  information                                                               
required in  AS 37.07.050 is  presented.  He shared  amendments &                                                               
supplemental budgets information  on slide 7.   The governor must                                                               
submit a balanced budget that  doesn't include the constitutional                                                               
budget reserve (CBR)  which is outlined on slide 8.   In closing,                                                               
he stated that the bill  sponsor believes the budget should begin                                                               
with a plan on slide 9.  On  slide 10, he stated that HJR 23 does                                                               
not dictate policy.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:07:42 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  ST. CLAIR  said  that  expenditures don't  exceed                                                               
revenue.  He asked what sources are being used as revenue.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WHITT replied  that the  legislation doesn't  try to  answer                                                               
that  question.   The  resolution  requires  a budget  that  must                                                               
balance and not use the CBR.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  said she appreciates the  additional charts                                                               
that show  the budget,  revenue, and deficits  for the  last nine                                                               
years.   She wondered why  the supplemental budget is  not listed                                                               
and whether HJR 23 would impact the supplemental budget.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  WHITT replied  that the  bill  sponsor's intent  is that  it                                                               
would lower supplemental budgets.   He said budgets would be more                                                               
accurate on  expenditures and revenues.   This resolution  is not                                                               
focused on  the supplemental  budget but  focused on  the initial                                                               
governor's budget.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
4:12:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE UNDERWOOD  replied that  simply not starting  in a                                                               
deficit and  having a  good starting point  is the  whole intent.                                                               
She said it is fiscally responsible to not start in a deficit.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE  asked whether this would  be on November's                                                               
ballot for the voters.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  UNDERWOOD  replied  yes, if  everything  goes  as                                                               
planned.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated there  have been 28 ballot measures;                                                               
12 have been rejected and the last one passed 22 years ago.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
4:14:38 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STORY  asked  whether   the  long-range  plan  is                                                               
supposed  to  be balanced  and  whether  other states  require  a                                                               
balanced budget with the accompanying revenue bills.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. WHITT  replied he  doesn't know about  other states  but will                                                               
get  back to  the committee.   Long-range  plans are  a statutory                                                               
requirement.   This legislation doesn't  touch on  the long-range                                                               
plan and any of the requirements.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
4:16:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  CARRICK  asks  if  currently the  governor  can  submit  a                                                               
deficit  budget  if he  provides  revenue  measures to  fill  the                                                               
deficit.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. WHITT replied yes.  The  governor must offer revenue bills if                                                               
needed.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK  stated those revenue  bills are supposed  to cover                                                               
the deficit.   She asked whether  there has ever been  a governor                                                               
who has done this.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. WHITT  replied he doesn't  have the information but  will get                                                               
it.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:18:36 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HIMSCHOOT  said  that  she served  on  the  local                                                               
assembly.    The  assembly  budget  would  be  balanced  but  the                                                               
opportunity  cuts would  be included.   She  asked whether  other                                                               
levels of government were required to  do this as well.  She said                                                               
it is common practice to know the gap.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE UNDERWOOD  responded that  in her  experience from                                                               
the school  board budget, it  was presented with a  few different                                                               
options.   The budget was built  backwards and at the  end of the                                                               
day it was a balanced budget.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:21:00 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HJR 23.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
LARISA FONOV, representing self, testified  in support of HJR 23.                                                               
She stated that starting with  a balanced budget that doesn't use                                                               
the savings  will ensure  a more  stable future.   She  asked the                                                               
committee to pass HCR 23 out of the committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
ED MARTIN, representing self, testified  that he does not support                                                               
HJR 23.  He said he e-mailed his testimony to the committee.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RYAN SHELDON, representing self, testified  in support of HJR 23.                                                               
As a businessperson,  he said, it makes sense to  work within the                                                               
budget.  He said HJR 23 has great bipartisan support.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
4:26:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining  there was no further testimony,                                                               
she closed public testimony on HJR 23.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:27:15 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK announced HJR 23 was held over.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                  HB 290-DELIVERY OF RESOLUTIONS                                                                            
         HCR 10-UNIFORM RULES: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
4:27:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK announced that the  next order of business would be                                                               
HOUSE BILL NO.  290, "An Act relating to  delivery of resolutions                                                               
by  the  governor"  and  HOUSE   CONCURRENT  RESOLUTION  NO.  10,                                                               
Proposing an amendment  to the Uniform Rules of  the Alaska State                                                               
Legislature relating to resolutions.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND,  as prime sponsor  of HB 290 and  HCR 10,                                                               
said  that  the  two  actions together  are  about  timely  joint                                                               
resolutions.    Currently,  there are  specific  timeframes  when                                                               
joint resolutions  are fully transmitted and  set in legislation.                                                               
Last year, resolutions about the  fire season were transmitted in                                                               
the fall.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
AYDEN  NICHOL, staff,  Representative  Ky  Holland, Alaska  State                                                               
Legislature  presented  on  HB  290  and  HCR  10  on  behalf  of                                                               
Representative Holland,  prime sponsor.   He said this is  a pair                                                               
of  companion measures  about the  timely  transmittals of  joint                                                               
resolutions.  All resolutions from  last session were sent out on                                                               
an extreme delay such as the one that missed the fire season.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
4:31:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  NICHOLS presented  a PowerPoint,  titled  "HB 290  & HCR  10                                                               
Transmittal  of Joint  Resolutions," [hard  copy included  in the                                                               
committee file].   The current  distribution process  is reviewed                                                               
on  slide 2.    He stated  there  is no  timeline  set for  these                                                               
resolutions.   On slide  3, he outlined  issues with  the current                                                               
process.  Delays are an issue  as fall was the earliest date that                                                               
resolutions were  distributed.   A sectional  analysis of  HB 290                                                               
including 15  days for transmittal  while in session and  20 days                                                               
outside of session was outlined on  slide 4.  On slide 5, showing                                                               
a  sectional  analysis of  HCR  10,  the resolution  changes  the                                                               
distribution  to  the  Office  of   the  Chief  Clerk  or  Senate                                                               
Secretary's Office,  with a  timeline of  within fifteen  days of                                                               
the  resolution being  returned by  the governor.   Additionally,                                                               
the notification of the sponsor  is required when a resolution is                                                               
distributed.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:35:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE  asked whether resolutions were  hung up in                                                               
the Office of the Governor or the legislature.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. NICOLS  replied there were delays  in both the Office  of the                                                               
Governor and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE  asked again about  whether it was  held up                                                               
in the legislature.  He asked if  the sponsor would be open to an                                                               
amendment  that  bills   need  to  be  transmitted   out  of  the                                                               
legislature in a timely manner.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. NICOL replied that it would be a reasonable amendment.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HOLLAND  replied  that   he  would  be  happy  to                                                               
investigate it.   There  was a  great deal  of difference  in the                                                               
timeline.   All the resolutions  were released  on July 16.   The                                                               
amount of  time spent  in the executive  office varied  until the                                                               
resolutions were all  released.  He would  investigate a timeline                                                               
to put into the initial transmittal.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
4:38:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  commented about  the separation  of powers.                                                               
She  remarked that  resolutions are  different from  bills.   She                                                               
asked  whether   legislative  resolutions   need  to   touch  the                                                               
executive branch.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. NICOL  replied that the office  has sought an answer  to that                                                               
question but has not received an answer.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  VANCE  asked,  "How  do other  states  deal  with                                                               
this?"   It touches on the  separation of powers.   She explained                                                               
that she  wants to  protect the  power of  the legislature.   She                                                               
expressed  concerns   about  cutting   out  the  Office   of  the                                                               
Lieutenant Governor.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR.  NICOL  replied that  the  role  of the  lieutenant  governor                                                               
wasn't  clarified.   He said  the lieutenant  governor is  tasked                                                               
with many recordkeeping duties.   The lieutenant governor thought                                                               
this change may ease the tension  with the legislature.  He noted                                                               
that the separation of powers is an important part.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE  asked whether HCR  10 and any  amendment to                                                               
the Uniform Rules must be taken  up by a joint session and passed                                                               
by two-thirds of the legislature.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. NICOL confirmed it was by two-thirds of the legislature.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:42:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK said  that she requested a bill  be transmitted and                                                               
it wasn't  transmitted for five  months.  She asked  whether this                                                               
only relates to resolutions.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. NICOL replied  that Chair Carrick raised  an excellent point.                                                               
The scope of the measures is  limited to resolutions.  He said he                                                               
would discuss it with the bill sponsor.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:44:11 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  STORY   said  she   was  pleased  to   have  this                                                               
information as she  was unaware of this large gap.   Her question                                                               
has to do with  bills and resolutions.  A bill  must be looked at                                                               
legally and  have conforming  changes.   She cautioned  about the                                                               
timeline needed  to have a legal  review.  She asked  whether the                                                               
sponsor did  not receive an explanation  of why it takes  so long                                                               
to get out.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR.  NICOL   replied  that  the   sponsor  did  not   receive  an                                                               
explanation  from the  Office of  the Governor.   The  lieutenant                                                               
governor walked  through the process  with the  sponsor's office.                                                               
The workload  is heavy  as many of  these resolutions  have large                                                               
numbers of recipients.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether this is the correct timeline.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. NICOL replied that this timeline  was picked in part with the                                                               
constitutional timelines of  bills.  There was no  input from the                                                               
Office of the  Governor.  Legislative Legal  Services, the Office                                                               
of the  Chief Clerk,  and Senate  Secretary's Office  agreed that                                                               
the timeline was reasonable.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
4:47:47 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT  asked for  a review of  the differences                                                               
between   a   resolution,   joint   resolution   and   concurrent                                                               
resolution.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. NICOL replied that a joint  resolution is most formal type of                                                               
resolution  and can  have the  governor's signature.   All  other                                                               
resolutions  go  through  the Legislative  Affairs  Agency  which                                                               
falls  to  the   Office  of  the  Chief  Clerk   and  the  Senate                                                               
Secretary's Office.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT  asked, "How  does one decide  which one                                                               
to use?"                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  NICOL said  an issue  of national  politics or  constitution                                                               
that  must  be  done  through a  joint  resolution.    Concurrent                                                               
resolutions  are  used  to  express  concerns  to  the  executive                                                               
office.  House  or Senate special resolution express  the will of                                                               
one body.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:50:51 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HB 290.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ED  MARTIN, representing  self,  stated support  for  HB 290  and                                                               
commended Representative  Holland for bringing forward  the bill.                                                               
He  thanked  him  for  trying  to  fix  the  bureaucracy  of  the                                                               
legislature.  Last year, he sent  a letter to the House Judiciary                                                               
Standing Committee  in mid-March  with a sample  resolution about                                                               
an investigation of  Alaska's judiciary.  He  asked the committee                                                               
to refer to the letter.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
4:53:33 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining  there was no further testimony,                                                               
she closed public testimony on HB 290.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
4:53:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HCR 10.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARTIN  testified in  support  of  HCR  10.   He  asked  for                                                               
increased efficiency in the legislature.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
4:54:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining  there was no further testimony,                                                               
she closed public testimony on HCR 10.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  HOLLAND  thanked  fellow  committee  members  for                                                               
their time considering HB 290 and HCR  10.  He said he is looking                                                               
forward to the follow-up.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
4:55:19 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR CARRICK announced both HCR 10 and HB 290 were held over.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
4:56:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
State Affairs  Standing Committee  meeting was adjourned  at 4:56                                                               
p.m.                                                                                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HJR 22 Ver. A.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 22
HJR 22 Sponsor Statement.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 22
HJR 23 Version A.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 23
HJR 23 Sponsor Statement.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 23
HJR 23 Sectional Analysis Version A.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 23
HJR 23 Fiscal Note OOG-DOE-02-13-26.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 23
HJR 23 Backup LRS Report Imbalance of Governors Initial Budget Requests FY 17-26.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 23
HJR23 Support Documents - Presentation.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 23
HB 290 Ver. A.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HB 290
HB 290 Sponsor Statement Ver. A.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HB 290
HB 290 Sectional Analysis Ver. A.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HB 290
HB 290 HCR 10 Slides STA.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HB 290
HCR 10
HCR 10 Ver. I.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HCR 10
HCR 10 Sponsor Statement Ver. I.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HCR 10
HCR 10 Secitonal Analysis Ver. I.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HCR 10
HCR 10 Backup Uniform Rule 49.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HCR 10
HB 290 Fiscal Note LEG-SESS-02-20-2026.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HB 290
HCR 10 Fiscal Note LEG-SESS-2-20-26.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HCR 10
HJR 22 Presentation 2-21-26.pdf HSTA 2/21/2026 3:15:00 PM
HJR 22