Legislature(2019 - 2020)
2020-03-10 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1985 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday March 10, 2020 Fiftieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Giessel at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Costello was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Dani Cherian, Valley Church. Senator Coghill moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you for this new day that you’ve made. I pray that you would protect and guide our Senators as they openly discuss the challenges of this day. Your bible says, “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” (Psalm 91:15 NLT) I ask that you would please be a refuge to our Senators, their staff, and their families while they are traveling back and forth from Juneau. And I ask that you would give them wisdom, peace, and strength as they make good decisions for the people in our great State of Alaska. In Jesus name, Amen. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1986 Senator Stevens led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the forty-ninth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letter dated March 9 was read stating on February 4 and February 26, in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27, of the Alaska Constitution and Alaska Statute 39.05.080, I submitted a list of appointees for confirmation. The following appointees have withdrawn their names from consideration, effective immediately: Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board Paul Robarge Occupational Safety and Health Review Board Keith Bailey Messages from the House SB 101 Message dated March 9 was read stating the House passed and returned: SENATE BILL NO. 101 "An Act establishing March 12 of each year as Ashley Johnson-Barr Day." The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1987 Message dated March 9 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 123 HOUSE BILL NO. 123 BY REPRESENTATIVES WOOL, Kreiss- Tomkins, Drummond, Josephson, entitled: "An Act relating to electric-assisted bicycles." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee. Communications The following letter was received from Lieutenant Governor Kevin Meyer and is on file in the office of the Secretary of the Senate: Letter dated March 9 certifying the proper filing of an initiative entitled: "An Act Replacing the Political Party Primary with an Open Primary System and Ranked-Choice General Election, and Requiring Additional Campaign Finance Disclosures." Standing Committee Reports Report dated March 9 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Health and Social Services Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: State Medical Board David Boswell This does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions. Signing the report: Senator Wilson, Chair; Senators von Imhof, Begich, Shower, Giessel. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1988 Report dated March 9 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: State Commission for Human Rights William Craig Elizabeth “Betsy” Engle Kyle Foster Evelyn Falzerano This does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individuals during any further sessions. Signing the report: Senator Coghill, Chair; Senators Hughes, Micciche. Report dated March 9 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Commission on Judicial Conduct Todd Fletcher This does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions. Signing the report: Senator Coghill, Chair; Senators Hughes, Micciche, Kiehl. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1989 Report dated March 9 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080 and AS 24.60.130 the Judiciary Committee reviewed the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to the Senate for consideration: Select Committee on Legislative Ethics Deborah Fancher Lee Holmes This does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the ratification of the individuals during any further sessions. Signing the report: Senator Coghill, Chair; Senators Hughes, Micciche, Kiehl. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 123 SENATE BILL NO. 123 "An Act relating to the regulation of electric utilities and electric reliability organizations; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Coghill, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Senate Special Committee on the Railbelt Electric System Committee Substitute offered on page 1866. Senator Begich objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 123(RBE) "An Act relating to the creation and regulation of electric reliability organizations; relating to participation of electric utilities in electric reliability organizations; relating to duties of electric reliability organizations; providing for integrated resource planning; requiring project preapproval for certain interconnected large energy facilities; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1990 Senator Coghill, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate Special Committee on the Railbelt Electric System Letter of Intent offered on page 1866 be adopted as a Senate Letter of Intent. Senator Begich objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, the Senate Letter of Intent was adopted. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the bill be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 123(RBE) was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 123(RBE) "An Act relating to the creation and regulation of electric reliability organizations; relating to participation of electric utilities in electric reliability organizations; relating to duties of electric reliability organizations; providing for integrated resource planning; requiring project preapproval for certain interconnected large energy facilities; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 123(RBE) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Dates YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Begich, Bishop, Coghill, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Micciche, Olson, Reinbold, Revak, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, von Imhof, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Costello and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 123(RBE) passed the Senate. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clauses. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment with a Senate Letter of Intent. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1991 Third Reading of House Bills HB 29 SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 29(HSS) am S "An Act relating to insurance coverage for benefits provided through telehealth; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. Senators Wilson, Revak moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 29(HSS) am S "An Act relating to insurance coverage for benefits provided through telehealth; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS HB 29(HSS) am S Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date YEAS: 17 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Begich, Bishop, Coghill, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kiehl, Micciche, Olson, Reinbold, Revak, Stedman, Stevens, von Imhof, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Kawasaki, Shower Excused: Costello and so, SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 29(HSS) am S passed the Senate. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent 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. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1992 Citations th Honoring – 40 Anniversary of PND Engineers, Inc. Senators Giessel, Costello, Wielechowski Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Bishop moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, March 13 through evening plane time, March 15. Without objection, Senator Bishop was excused. SB 176 Senator Bishop moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 176 "An Act relating to pollutants; relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; relating to the duties of the Department of Environmental Conservation; and relating to firefighting substances." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 193 Senators Bishop, Revak, Reinbold moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 193 "An Act relating to liability of an electric utility for contact between vegetation and the utility's facilities; and relating to vegetation management plans." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, March 20 through evening plane time, March 22. Without objection, Senator Kawasaki was excused. Senator Begich moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time through evening plane time on March 21. Without objection, Senator Begich was excused. 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1993 Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from plane time, March 11 through plane time, March 12. Without objection, Senator Olson was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 123 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 123(RBE) "An Act relating to the creation and regulation of electric reliability organizations; relating to participation of electric utilities in electric reliability organizations; relating to duties of electric reliability organizations; providing for integrated resource planning; requiring project preapproval for certain interconnected large energy facilities; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration with a Senate Letter of Intent. HB 29 SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 29(HSS) am S "An Act relating to insurance coverage for benefits provided through telehealth; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., March 11, 2020. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:46 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1994 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Mar 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 194 ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTORS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 218 ROAD SERVICE AREA CONSOLIDATION -- Public Testimony -- Mar 12 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM + Consideration of Governor's Appointees: Professional Teaching Practices Commission - Lem Wheeles -- Public Testimony on All Appointees -- += SB 113 TEACHERS: NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION -- Public Testimony -- += SB 149 HIGH SCHOOL START TIME -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Friday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1995 FINANCE Mar 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 137 EXTEND BOARD OF PAROLE -- Public Testimony -- + SB 172 EXTENDING THE STATE MEDICAL BOARD -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Confirmation of Governor's Appointees: Lucinda Mahoney, Revenue Commissioner + SB 150 INTENSIVE MGMT SURCHARGE/REPEAL TERM DATE -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 55 TEMP. APPOINTMENTS TO COURT OF APPEALS Mar 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 155 EXPLORATION & MINING RIGHTS; ANNUAL LABOR -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 179 NURSING: LICENSURE; MULTISTATE COMPACT + SB 238 INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT;PROTECTIVE CUSTODY -Invited Testimony Followed by Public Testimony- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor's Appointees: State Medical Board - Samuel Abbate - Christopher Gay - Steve Parker - Richard Wein + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1996 JUDICIARY Mar 11 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor's Appointees: Public Defender Agency - Samantha Cherot Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar - William Granger Alaska Police Standards Council - Daniel Wetherly State Commission for Human Rights - Jamie Allard -- Public Testimony on All Appointees -- += SJR 13 CONST. AM: PROHIBIT ABORTION/FUNDING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- Teleconference Listen Only -- Mar 13 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 76 REPEAL WORKERS' COMP APPEALS COMMISSION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SJR 13 CONST. AM: PROHIBIT ABORTION/FUNDING -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor's Appointees: Board of Direct-Entry Midwives - Amanda Penwell Board of Psychologists & Psychological Examiners - Bradley McConnell - Bernard Gatewood - Christina Durham Board of Nursing - Lena Lafferty Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers - Wendy Lawrence Board of Architects, Engineers & Land Surveyors - Fred Wallis -- Public Testimony on All Appointees -- += SB 182 AGE FOR NICOTINE/E-CIG; TAX E-CIG. + SB 68 DENTAL HYGIENIST ADVANCED PRAC PERMIT -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 195 BD OF DIRECTORS: DOMESTIC INSURERS 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1997 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 12 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor's Appointees: Board of Barbers & Hairdressers - Cheryl Brantley - Zera "Blake" Thomas Board of Nursing - Catherine Hample -- Public Testimony on All Appointees -- += SB 68 DENTAL HYGIENIST ADVANCED PRAC PERMIT + SB 173 LICENSE MOBILE INTENSIVE CARE PARAMEDICS -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 161 GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES -- Public Testimony -- + Presentation: Geothermal Resources by Steve Masterman, DGGS Director **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SJR 15 STATE FULL SHARE OF PROFITS IN ANWR -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 184 EXTEND FISHERY RESOURCE LAND. TAX CREDIT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 88 OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 231 VILLAGE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER GRANTS -- Teleconference Listen Only -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 133 SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS: TESTING 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1998 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Mar 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 210 LICENSE PLATES: SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 209 DRIVER LICENSES & IDENT. CARDS FOR INMATE -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM + Overview ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:45 AM + Alaska Psychiatric Institute -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 7:45 AM + Senior Health: Pioneer Homes, Senior & Disabilities Services -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 1999 JUDICIARY Mar 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Alaska Judiciary Overview Presentations: FY21 Agency Budget Invited Testimony by: - Doug Wooliver, Deputy Administrative Director, Alaska Court System - Rhonda McLeod, Chief Financial Officer, Alaska Court System ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Mar 12 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 4:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + FY21 Agency Budget Mar 19 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 4:00 PM + FY21 Agency Budget: Budget Closeout Mar 26 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 4:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Budget Closeout Apr 02 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 4:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Will Meet if Needed ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Mar 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs: FY21 Agency Budget Invited Testimony by: - Craig Christenson, Deputy Commissioner, DMVA - Stephanie Richard, Administrative Services Director, Office of Management & Budget 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 2000 NATURAL RESOURCES Mar 12 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:00 PM + - FY21 Agency Budget: Governor's Proposal vs House Version - Update on State Recorders' Offices - $595,000 UGF Increment for Office of Project Management & Permitting - Update on Hunting Guide Concession Program Mar 19 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:00 PM + FY21 Agency Budget: Budget Closeout Mar 26 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Budget Closeout Apr 02 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Will Meet if Needed ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + State Equipment Fleet & State Facilities Services Mar 18 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Federal Programming Mar 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Alaska Marine Highway System ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Mar 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- + Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative Hearing per AS 24.05.186 - Cori Mills, Department of Law - Megan Wallace & Noah Klein, Legislative Legal - Gail Fenumiai, Division of Elections **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 2001 OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 17 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM Annual Address by the Honorable Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 10 Tuesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn: "American Red Cross of Alaska - Sleeves Up, Hearts Open, All In!" by Tanguy Libbrecht, Regional Executive & Buddy Custard, Board Chair of Red Cross of Alaska Discussion on the Wide Variety of Work Done by Red Cross Volunteers & Employees Sponsored by Representative LeBon Mar 11 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn: "Maritime Operations: Present & Future Impact on Alaska's Economy & Welfare" by Captain Ed Page Sponsored by Representative Hannan Mar 17 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn: "Is Nuclear Energy an Option for Alaska? An Overview of Micro Reactors Technology Trends & Possible Alaska Applications" by Gwen Holdmann, Director of the Alaska Center for Energy & Power of the University of Alaska Fairbanks The Overview Will Discuss the Possible Applications of Micro-Nuclear Reactors in Alaska; as they are Compact, Location-Flexible, No-Emissions, High-Reliability Sources of Heat & Power Sponsored by Representative Wool & Senator Hoffman 2020-03-10 Senate Journal Page 2002 Mar 17 Tuesday Davis 106 12:01 PM Lunch & Learn: "Trapping in Alaska: Techniques & Gear" by Randy Zarnke, Alaska Trappers Association Sponsored by Representative Talerico Mar 18 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn: Aerospace Day in the Capitol: "Alaska Aerospace Corporation, Poker Flats, ACUASI" by Mark Lester, AAC President & CEO and Ross Garelick Bell, Executive Director of the Aerospace States Association Sponsored by Senator Stevens