Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2020-02-19 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1641 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 19, 2020 Thirtieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 11:01 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representatives Neuman and Tilton had been excused from a call of the House today. District 3 was vacant. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Dr. Thomas Fox Thornton of Juneau Society of Friends (Quakers). Representative Drummond moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Good morning Friends, The silent, unprogrammed Quaker tradition of worship is based on no creeds, but rather expectant centeredness, heeding the Psalm: Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). Queries may be offered to invoke core values, like integrity and community, as those gathered in worship seek truth and unity in the light of God. In this spirit, I respectfully invite you into prayer with five short queries followed by a period of silent reflection. 1. Is my work in harmony with truth as I understand it? 2. How do my interactions with others reflect my beliefs and values? 3. Do I listen deeply and openly to others' views and experiences? 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1642 4. How can I speak my truth so that those who may disagree can hear it? 5. Do I bring my inner life and outer life into wholeness and integrity, so as to reveal the light of God? The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Pruitt. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 28th and 29th legislative days and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 15 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Carpenter introduced his daughters, Jenna and Melanie Carpenter, Guest Pages, from Nikiski. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR The following letter dated February 18 was received: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Pursuant to my authority under Article II, Section 4 of the Alaska Constitution and the process outlined in AS 15.40.320, I have appointed Glenn M. Prax to fill the vacancy in the Alaska State House, District 3. Subject to confirmation by the House Republicans, Glenn M. Prax will hold this office for the remainder of the unexpired term of the 31st Legislature for House District 3. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1643 MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HB 44 A message dated February 17 was read stating the Senate passed: HOUSE BILL NO. 44 "An Act relating to fees for using an automated teller machine; and providing for an effective date." HB 44 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Transportation Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Richard Harris Luke Hasenbank as members of the Board of Marine Pilots. The report was signed by Representative Stutes, Chair; and Representatives Talerico, Story, Claman, Drummond, and Gillis. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 221 The House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 221 "An Act providing for state recognition of federally recognized tribes; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 221(TRB) (same title) 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1644 The report was signed by Representative Zulkosky, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Kopp, Lincoln, Edgmon, Zulkosky No recommendation (1): Vance Amend (1): Talerico The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 221(TRB): 1. Zero, Dept. of Law HB 221 was referred to the Community & Regional Affairs Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Brad and Christine St. Pierre, 2019 Farm Family of the Year By Representatives Tarr, Hopkins, Talerico Honoring - Dimond High School Girls Soccer, 2019 State Champions By Senator Costello; Representative Rasmussen Honoring - Team Rubicon By Senator Reinbold Honoring - Fraternal Order of Eagles 4207 By Senator Revak In Memoriam - Sammye Seawell By Senator Revak In Memoriam - Kevin Mitchell Thomet By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1645 In Memoriam - Dr. Bob Johnson By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 13 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13 by the House Rules Committee: Relating to the Alaska permanent fund. was read the first time and referred to the Rules Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 255 HOUSE BILL NO. 255 by Representatives Josephson and Tuck, entitled: "An Act relating to a waiver of work requirements or time limits in the food stamp program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services Committee. HB 256 HOUSE BILL NO. 256 by Representatives Hopkins and Story, entitled: "An Act establishing a workforce enhancement program for teachers employed in the state." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 257 HOUSE BILL NO. 257 by Representative LeBon by request, entitled: 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1646 "An Act relating to the Alaska Banking Code; relating to mutual savings banks; relating to interstate state banks and international banks; relating to the pledging of bank assets as collateral security to tribal organizations; relating to the pledging of bank assets for interest swap agreements; relating to state business licenses; relating to persons who make loans secured by interests in vessels or facilities; relating to liability for the release or threatened release of hazardous substances; relating to the Model Foreign Bank Loan Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 258 HOUSE BILL NO. 258 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to state lands; relating to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources over state owned lands; relating to the disposal of state land; relating to the leasing and sale of state land for commercial or industrial development; repealing establishment of recreation rivers and recreation river corridors; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill clarifying the State's role in management of state land, removing barriers or obstacles in the state land sales process, allowing for the lease of state lands for economic 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1647 or industrial development, and repealing statutes that have created land use or management problems for the State. This bill would make land managed by the Department of Natural Resources -- including Mental Health Trust land, parks and recreation areas, refuges, and habitat areas -- subject to the Department of Natural Resources' platting authority, regardless of where the land is situated. Under current law, plats for subdivisions of state lands for disposal of sale must be approved by a municipality exercising its platting authority. Obtaining this approval delays the platting process and slows state land sales. To make the most of all avenues available to encourage land use for the benefit of the public, this bill includes a new statute for leasing state lands for commercial or industrial development. Under this new statute, the State can lease and sell lands situated within federally designated Qualified Opportunity Zones, or nominated and assessed by the state as appropriate for commercial development. The statute includes a process for requesting proposals from prospective lessees, for accepting bids, and for entering a contract to lease. This statute will allow the lessee to apply to purchase the leased land at any time during the term of the lease if the department determines the lessee has used the land for commercial development consistent with their proposal. Further, this bill clarifies the state land sale bidding process by requiring an earnest money deposit, increasing the term of a contract for sale, and granting the state greater discretion as far as when to construct access roads related to state land sales. This bill also repeals the establishment of recreational rivers and corridors. These statutes have created management problems for the State and through this bill we can end those management issues, maintain public use, and allow the State to consider the disposal of some of those state lands. In order to make the best use of our state land for all citizens, I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1648 HB 259 HOUSE BILL NO. 259 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act directing the commissioner of revenue to pay dividends to certain eligible individuals; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that directs the payment of the unpaid amount of the 2019 Permanent Fund dividend. The payment of the unpaid amount will be distributed to eligible individuals in 2020. An individual is eligible to receive the unpaid amount of the 2019 Permanent Fund dividend if the individual received a 2019 Permanent Fund dividend and is eligible to receive the 2020 Permanent Fund dividend. The Permanent Fund Dividend Program was established in 1980, to allow all Alaskans to benefit directly from Alaska's mineral and investment wealth. For years, the Alaska State Legislature, through a carefully balanced statutory formula has assured a dividend payment that keeps the Permanent Fund on a healthy financial footing, while at the same time directly benefitting the mineral owners, Alaskans themselves. For the past four years, the statutory calculation of the dividend has not been followed. Until such a time that the statutory calculation is amended, I intend to follow the law and submit requests to pay the unpaid amounts. 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1649 I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 260 HOUSE BILL NO. 260 by Representative Tarr, entitled: "An Act relating to the state education policy." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Health & Social Services Committees. HB 261 HOUSE BILL NO. 261 by Representative Tarr, entitled: "An Act relating to mental health screening for children in foster care." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Finance Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 25 The following was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25 Encouraging the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Governor of the state to assist the National Park Service in its efforts to ensure long-term access into Denali National Park and Preserve by way of the existing roadway. with the: Journal Page RES RPT 9DP 1618 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 1618 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1650 Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR 25 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HJR 25 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall HJR 25 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 25 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 37 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 2 ABSENT: 0 VACANT: 1 Yeas: Carpenter, Claman, Drummond, Eastman, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Gillis, Hannan, Hopkins, Jackson, Johnson, Johnston, Josephson, Knopp, Kopp, Kreiss-Tomkins, LeBon, LeDoux, Lincoln, Merrick, Ortiz, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rauscher, Shaw, Spohnholz, Story, Stutes, Sullivan-Leonard, Talerico, Tarr, Thompson, Tuck, Vance, Wool, Zulkosky Excused: Neuman, Tilton Vacant: District 3 And so, HJR 25 passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: In Memoriam - Leo Mark-Anthony By Senator Coghill UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1651 Representative Johnson – from 1:00 p.m., February 20 to 10:00 p.m., February 23 Representative Gillis – from 7:30 a.m., February 21 to 10:00 a.m., February 24 Representative Rauscher – from 6:00 a.m., February 21 to 11:00 a.m., February 24 HJR 25 Representatives Pruitt, Eastman, Johnston, Story, Tuck, and Tarr added as cosponsors to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25 Encouraging the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Governor of the state to assist the National Park Service in its efforts to ensure long-term access into Denali National Park and Preserve by way of the existing roadway. HB 181 Representative Story added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 181 "An Act relating to mental health education." HB 198 Representative Claman added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 198 "An Act relating to aggravating factors considered at sentencing." HB 245 Representative Tuck added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 245 "An Act relating to the definition of 'disaster.'" 2020-02-19 House Journal Page 1652 ENGROSSMENT HJR 25 HJR 25 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meeting today was changed: Judiciary Committee CANCELED ADJOURNMENT Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., February 21. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:13 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk