Legislature(2007 - 2008)
2007-05-15 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1307 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday May 15, 2007 One Hundred Twentieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Green at 3:17 p.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Amanda Omta. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent that the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord, Our Heavenly Father, th As we land upon our 120 day we find ourselves exhausted and anxious. We come to you today as weakened individuals and we ask that you revitalize our hearts and minds. We ask that you help shed the resentment, frustration and urgency, to allow us to appreciate what we have already accomplished and the resilience to finish out the last few days. You have given us the vitality to come so far, and with only one day left we ask for your continued blessings. In your name I pray. Amen. Senator Wagoner led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the one hundred nineteenth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1308 SB 125 Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to refer the following to the Rules Committee: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 125(FIN) "An Act relating to the accounting and payment of contributions under the retirement plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the Teachers' Retirement System, to calculations of contributions under those retirement plans, and to participation in, and termination of and amendments to participation in, the defined benefit plans of those systems; relating to employer contributions to the health reimbursement arrangement plan; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date." and HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 125(FIN) "An Act relating to the accounting and payment of contributions under the retirement plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the Teachers' Retirement System, to calculations of contributions under those retirement plans, and to participation in, and termination of and amendments to participation in, the defined benefit plans of those systems; relating to recovery of an award of damages or other recovery by those systems; relating to employer contributions to the health reimbursement arrangement plan; relating to participation in the public employees' defined contribution plan by certain elected officials; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House SCR 10 Message dated May 14 was read, stating the House passed and returned: 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1309 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 209, relating to the chair of the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and amending the timeline requirements for a final order of the commission. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SB 171 Message dated May 14 was read, stating the House passed and returned: SENATE BILL NO. 171 "An Act relating to the withdrawal of a candidate from a judicial retention election and the removal of such a candidate's name from the general election ballot; and providing for an effective date." The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. Message dated May 14 was read, stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 252 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 252(STA) BY THE HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act requiring paid leave from employment for organ and bone marrow donation." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, State Affairs and Finance Committees. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1310 Concur Messages SB 27 Message dated May 15 was read, stating the House passed and returned for consideration CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 27(FIN) am "An Act relating to eligibility requirements for medical assistance for certain children, pregnant women, disabled persons, and persons in medical or intermediate care facilities; and providing for an effective date" with the following amendment: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 27(FIN) "An Act relating to eligibility requirements for medical assistance for certain children, pregnant women, and disabled persons; and providing for an effective date." (technical title change) Senator Stevens moved that the Senate concur in the House amendment. The question being: "Shall the Senate concur in the House amendment?" The roll was taken with the following result: HCS CSSB 27(FIN) Shall the Senate Concur in the House Amendment to CSSB 27(FIN) am? Effective Date YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, the Senate concurred in the House amendment, thus adopting HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 27(FIN) "An Act relating to eligibility requirements for medical assistance for certain children, pregnant women, and disabled persons; and providing for an effective date." Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on concurrence be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1311 The Secretary was requested to notify the House. The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. Standing Committee Reports HB 22 The Judiciary Committee considered HOUSE BILL NO. 22 am "An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator French, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, McGuire. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Office of the Governor The bill is on today's calendar. HB 184 The Finance Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) "An Act relating to a commemorative troops license plate and to license plates available to disabled veterans; relating to mandatory motor vehicle insurance, license suspensions, mandatory impoundments of vehicles used in certain offenses, and notices relating to motor vehicles and driver's licenses; relating to registration of vehicles for disabled persons; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) "An Act relating to a commemorative troops license plate; relating to registration of vehicles for disabled persons; relating to the anatomical gift awareness fund; and providing for an effective date." (Title change SCR 7) Signing do pass: Senators Hoffman, Stedman, Cochairs; Senators Elton, Thomas, Dyson, Huggins. Signing no recommendation: Senator Olson. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1312 The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, indeterminate, Department of Administration The bill is on today's calendar. HB 244 The Finance Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 244(FIN) am "An Act creating an Alaska Decoration of Honor and establishing criteria for awarding the decoration." Signing do pass: Senators Hoffman, Stedman, Cochairs; Senators Elton, Thomas, Dyson, Huggins, Olson. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs Fiscal Note No. 2, Legislative Agency The bill is on today's calendar. SR 7 The Finance Committee considered SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7 Creating and relating to the Senate VPSO Task Force, and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7(FIN) Signing do pass: Senators Hoffman, Stedman, Cochairs; Senators Elton, Thomas, Dyson, Huggins, Olson. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Legislative Agency The bill is on today's calendar. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 181 SENATE BILL NO. 181 BY SENATOR MCGUIRE, entitled: 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1313 "An Act relating to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, to anatomical gifts, to donations to the anatomical gift awareness fund, to a registry of anatomical gifts, and to organizations that handle the procurement, distribution, or storage of all or a part of an individual's body." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and Social Services, State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. SB 182 SENATE BILL NO. 182 BY SENATORS WIELECHOWSKI, McGuire, Ellis, entitled: "An Act establishing a clean elections program in the state." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs, State Affairs, Judiciary and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of House Bills HB 22 HOUSE BILL NO. 22 am "An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. HOUSE BILL NO. 22 am was read the third time. The question being: "Shall HOUSE BILL NO. 22 am "An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Association; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1314 HB 22 am Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, HOUSE BILL NO. 22 am passed the Senate. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. HB 87 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 87(FIN) am "An Act relating to the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 87(FIN) am was read the third time. Senators Wilken, McGuire, Huggins, Bunde, Green moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 87(FIN) am "An Act relating to the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1315 CSHB 87(FIN) am Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 18 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken Nays: Elton, Kookesh and so, CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 87(FIN) am passed the Senate. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. HB 155 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN) "An Act extending the termination date of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN) was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN) "An Act extending the termination date of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 155(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1316 and so, CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN) passed the Senate. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. HB 177 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 177(FIN) am "An Act relating to the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act; providing inducements for the construction of a natural gas pipeline and shippers that commit to use that pipeline; establishing the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act reimbursement fund; providing for an Alaska Gasline Inducement Act coordinator; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Stedman, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Senate Committee Substitute offered on page 1236. Senator Therriault objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 177(FIN) was adopted. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 177(FIN) was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 177(FIN) "An Act relating to the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act; providing inducements for the construction of a natural gas pipeline and shippers that commit to use that pipeline; establishing the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act reimbursement fund; providing for an Alaska Gasline Inducement Act coordinator; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1317 SCS CSHB 177(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 177(FIN) passed the Senate. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Recess President Green stated that the Senate would stand in recess to a call of the Chair. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 3:48 p.m. After Recess The Senate reconvened at 5:41 p.m. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate return to introduction and reference of Senate Resolutions. Without objection, the Senate returned to: Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 11 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE, Establishing and relating to the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force. with the following fiscal information published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Senate Rules Committee 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1318 was read the first time and was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 Establishing and relating to the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 11 Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken Nays: Dyson and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of House Bills HB 184 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) "An Act relating to a commemorative troops license plate and to license plates available to disabled veterans; relating to mandatory motor vehicle insurance, license suspensions, mandatory impoundments of vehicles used in certain offenses, and notices relating to motor vehicles and driver's licenses; relating to registration of vehicles for disabled persons; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Stedman, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Senate Committee Substitute offered on page 1311. Without objection, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) "An Act relating to a commemorative troops license plate; relating to registration of vehicles for disabled persons; relating to the anatomical gift awareness fund; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1319 Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) "An Act relating to a commemorative troops license plate; relating to registration of vehicles for disabled persons; relating to the anatomical gift awareness fund; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 184(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) passed the Senate. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. SCR 7 Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to take up SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7. Without objection, it was so ordered and the resolution was read the second time and was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 184, relating to motor vehicles, license plates, and driver's licenses, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1320 SCR 7 Second Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. HB 186 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 186(FSH) "An Act relating to sharing with certain federal agencies records required of sport fishing guides; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senators Wagoner, Bunde offered Amendment No. 1 : Page 1, line 2, following "guides;": Insert "providing for an effective date by delaying the effective date of repeal of the authority of the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission to maintain the vessel-based commercial fisheries limited entry systems for the Bering Sea Korean hair crab and weathervane scallop fisheries, and the effective date of conforming amendments related to the repeal of those systems;" Page 3, following line 12: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. Section 28, ch. 137, SLA 2002, is amended to read: Sec. 28. Sections 5, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, and 27 of this Act take effect December 30, 2013 [2008]." Renumber the following bill section accordingly. Senator Wagoner moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 1. Senator Stevens objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1321 CSHB 186(FSH) Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 5 NAYS: 15 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Dyson, Olson, Wagoner Nays: Davis, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wielechowski, Wilken Therriault changed from "Yea" to "Nay". and so, Amendment No. 1 failed. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 186(FSH) was read the third time. Senators Elton, Stedman, Wilken, Therriault, Kookesh, Thomas, Wagoner, Cowdery, Huggins, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 186(FSH) "An Act relating to sharing with certain federal agencies records required of sport fishing guides; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 186(FSH) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 186(FSH) passed the Senate. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1322 Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wagoner gave notice of reconsideration. Reconsideration of House Bills HB 186 Senator Huggins moved and asked unanimous consent that the reconsideration on CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 186(FSH) be taken up at this time. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was before the Senate on reconsideration. The question to be reconsidered: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 186(FSH) "An Act relating to sharing with certain federal agencies records required of sport fishing guides; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 186(FSH) Third Reading - On Reconsideration Effective Date YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 186(FSH) passed the Senate on reconsideration. Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. HB 244 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 244(FIN) am "An Act creating an Alaska Decoration of Honor and establishing criteria for awarding the decoration" was read the second time. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1323 Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the bill be advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 244(FIN) am was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 244(FIN) am "An Act creating an Alaska Decoration of Honor and establishing criteria for awarding the decoration" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 244(FIN) am Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 244(FIN) am passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SR 7 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7 Creating and relating to the Senate VPSO Task Force, was read the second time. Senator Stedman, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Committee Substitute offered on page 1312. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7(FIN) was adopted and was before the Senate on final passage. Senator Therriault offered Amendment No. 1 : Page 1, line 12, following "senators": Insert "including one member of the senate minority" 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1324 Senator Therriault moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 1. Senator Stevens objected. Senator Therriault moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 1. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Hoffman, Stevens, Dyson, Elton, Kookesh, Therriault, French, Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on the resolution. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7(FIN) Creating and relating to the Senate VPSO Task Force, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSR 7(FIN) Second Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bunde, Cowdery, Davis, Dyson, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Hoffman, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Therriault, Thomas, Wagoner, Wielechowski, Wilken and so, CS FOR SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 7(FIN) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment and enrollment. Unfinished Business SB 125 Senator Therriault rose to a point of order, stating the previous motion to refer CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 125(FIN) and HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 125(FIN) (page 1308) to the Rules Committee was out of order. Senator Therriault further stated it is in order to refer the concur message on the bill. Senator Stevens moved that the concur message, requesting the Senate to concur in the House amendment to CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 125(FIN) "An Act relating to the accounting and payment of contributions under the retirement plans of the Public Employees' 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1325 Retirement System of Alaska and the Teachers' Retirement System, to calculations of contributions under those retirement plans, and to participation in, and termination of and amendments to participation in, the defined benefit plans of those systems; relating to employer contributions to the health reimbursement arrangement plan; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date" thus adopting HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 125(FIN) "An Act relating to the accounting and payment of contributions under the retirement plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the Teachers' Retirement System, to calculations of contributions under those retirement plans, and to participation in, and termination of and amendments to participation in, the defined benefit plans of those systems; relating to recovery of an award of damages or other recovery by those systems; relating to employer contributions to the health reimbursement arrangement plan; relating to participation in the public employees' defined contribution plan by certain elected officials; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date." be referred to the Rules Committee. Senator Therriault objected. The question being: "Shall the concur message be referred to the Rules Committee?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 125 Send Concur Message to the Rules Committee? YEAS: 13 NAYS: 5 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 2 Yeas: Cowdery, Davis, Ellis, Elton, French, Green, Huggins, Kookesh, McGuire, Olson, Stevens, Thomas, Wielechowski Nays: Bunde, Dyson, Therriault, Wagoner, Wilken Absent: Hoffman, Stedman and so, the concur message was referred to the Rules Committee. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1326 HB 29 Senator French, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee referral be waived on CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 29(FIN) "An Act relating to infants who are safely surrendered by a parent shortly after birth." Without objection, the bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Senator Thomas moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from June 9 through 18; from July 21 through 24; from August 4 through 11; from September 10 through 18; from October 20 through November 10; and from November 22 through December 7. Without objection, Senator Thomas was excused. Senator Kookesh moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, October 21 through evening plane time, October 28. Without objection, Senator Kookesh was excused. Senator Huggins moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from September 12 through 27. Without objection, Senator Huggins was excused. HB 113 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 113(L&C) "An Act relating to the prescription and use of pharmaceutical agents, including controlled substances, by optometrists; and providing for an effective date" which had been engrossed (page 1304), was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. Recess President Green stated that the Senate would stand in recess to a call of the Chair. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 6:42 p.m. After Recess The Senate reconvened at 8:28 p.m. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1327 Announcements Rule 23(d) of the Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules is currently in effect. Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment HB 177 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 177(FIN) "An Act relating to the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act; providing inducements for the construction of a natural gas pipeline and shippers that commit to use that pipeline; establishing the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act reimbursement fund; providing for an Alaska Gasline Inducement Act coordinator; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. HB 184 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(FIN) "An Act relating to a commemorative troops license plate; relating to registration of vehicles for disabled persons; relating to the anatomical gift awareness fund; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. SCR 7 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 184, relating to motor vehicles, license plates, and driver's licenses, was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. SCR 11 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 Establishing and relating to the Joint Legislative Education Funding Task Force, was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1328 Adjournment Senator Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:00 a.m., May 16, 2007. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Kirsten Waid Secretary of the Senate 2007-05-15 Senate Journal Page 1329 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 FINANCE May 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SR 7 SENATE VPSO TASK FORCE + HB 184 MOTOR VEHICLES + HB 244 MEDAL OF HONOR + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled May 16 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY May 15 Tuesday Butrovich 205 10:00 AM + HB 22 EXTEND BOARD OF GOVERNORS ABA ---------------------------------------- CONFERENCE COMMITTEES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB 95 & HB 96 May 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Delayed to 8:00 pm -- = HB 95 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS = HB 96 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET