2020-03-23                     House Journal                      Page 2027
HB 311                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 311 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act extending the March 11, 2020, governor's declaration of                                                            
     a public health disaster emergency in response to the COVID-19                                                             
     pandemic; relating to the powers of the director of insurance;                                                             
     relating to standing orders issued by the chief medical officer;                                                           
     relating to professional licensing; relating to telemedicine and                                                           
     telehealth; relating to board of nursing fingerprint requirements;                                                         
     relating to the 2020 primary and general elections; relating to                                                            
     permanent fund dividend applications; relating to automatic voter                                                          
     registration; relating to tax; relating to shareholder meetings; and                                                       
     providing for an effective date."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                    

2020-03-23                     House Journal                      Page 2028
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                  
2.  Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                  
3.  Zero, Office of the Governor                                                                                                
4.  Zero, Office of the Governor                                                                                                
5.  Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                     
6.  Zero, Dept. of Health & Social Services                                                                                     
7.  Zero, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                                
8.  Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue                                                                                                    
9.  Indeterminate, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 20 follows:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to an extension of my                                                           
March 11, 2020, public health disaster emergency declaration.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
On March 11, 2020, the commissioner of the Department of Health                                                                 
and Social Services certified that a credible threat exists of an                                                               
imminent outbreak of disease due to the worldwide spread of the novel                                                           
coronavirus disease COVID-19. Accordingly, on March 12, 2020, I                                                                 
declared a public health disaster emergency to initiate a unified                                                               
command structure between the Department of Health and Social                                                                   
Services and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to                                                                 
implement statutory powers to address the public health emergency                                                               
and keep Alaskans safe. This bill allows for an extension of this                                                               
declaration until March 12, 2021. I have proposed a one year                                                                    
extension due to the uncertainty and unknown duration of the global                                                             
pandemic. The bill further provides for necessary actions to protect                                                            
public health, safety, and general welfare to address the effects of the                                                        
COVID-19 outbreak.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
We understand from solid public health evidence and the experiences                                                             
of other countries that major, long-term measures will be needed to                                                             
address this pandemic. I urge your prompt support to safeguard the                                                              
health and wellbeing of all Alaskans.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                

2020-03-23                     House Journal                      Page 2029
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"