Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2021-02-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0223 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 24, 2021 Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Stutes at 10:34 a.m. Roll call showed 40 members present. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Representative Prax. Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. It's quite a responsibility to talk to our creator on behalf of our whole group. I respect the thoughts and beliefs of all people. Thank you for the opportunity to gather together to advance the interests of all of our neighbors. Help us to focus on justice, to be merciful toward those with whom we disagree, and to walk humbly under your guidance. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Vance. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 35th and 36th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0224 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Dave Miller By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins Honoring - Fred G. Hamilton, Sr. By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins Honoring - Marcia Aceveda By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins In Memoriam - Jane Eidler By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins In Memoriam - Richard Nelson By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins In Memoriam - Eric Benson By Representative Johnson; Senator Wilson In Memoriam - Betty Jane Pederson By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins In Memoriam - Bob Allen By Representative Kreiss-Tomkins; Senator Stedman In Memoriam - Conrad Peterson By Senator Stevens In Memoriam - George Bradford Lee By Senator Stevens INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 110 HOUSE BILL NO. 110 by Representative Hannan, entitled: 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0225 "An Act raising the minimum age to purchase, sell, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to transporting tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Judiciary Committees. HB 111 HOUSE BILL NO. 111 by Representatives Spohnholz and Kreiss- Tomkins, entitled: "An Act relating to the practice of dental hygiene; relating to advanced practice permits for dental hygienists; relating to dental assistants; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against a dental hygienist who holds an advanced practice permit; relating to medical assistance for dental hygiene services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 112 HOUSE BILL NO. 112 by Representative Spohnholz, entitled: "An Act relating to the transfer of a title to a boat on the death of the owner; relating to the transfer of a title to a vehicle, including certain manufactured homes and trailers, on the death of the owner; allowing a person to act for the surviving spouse of a decedent to enforce liability against real property transferred at death; relating to changes of address; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0226 HB 113 HOUSE BILL NO. 113 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the establishment of an all-payer health claims database; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce, Health & Social Services, and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Health & Social Services The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 23 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to establish an All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) for Alaska. An APCD is a state maintained database that provides for the systematic collection of health care payment data from insurers and providers to assist policymakers and industry professionals to analyze costs, quality, and utilization for improved decision-making and policy formulation. The Alaska Healthcare Transformation Project (AHTP) identified the establishment of an APCD as a critical first step in helping understand health spending trends, utilization, and pricing variation in Alaska in order to provide better transparency, inform policy and address health care costs. This bill makes changes to the Alaska Insurance Code to authorize the division of insurance to establish a statewide APCD to collect, aggregate, and report on claims data and to allow the division director to select a lead organization to coordinate and manage the database. Under this proposal, certain insurers and providers will be required to 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0227 submit their health cost data. This data will be aggregated for policy analysis, cost trends and to potentially help inform consumers about their health care choices. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this important reform measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 114 HOUSE BILL NO. 114 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the education loan program and Alaska supplemental education loan program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development 2. Zero, Dept. of Revenue The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 23 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the education loan program for postsecondary students. The bill would increase opportunities for borrowers to consolidate education loans by expanding options to show eligibility. Current statute requires that borrowers physically reside in the State. This bill adds additional eligibility options to include being a previous borrower, cosigner, or beneficiary of an education loan made under 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0228 AS 14.43 or AS 14.44, or being a graduate of a high school or postsecondary institution physically located in the State. Specific loan limits would be removed from statute and instead the Alaska Student Loan Corporation would have the authority to set limits, as appropriate, to address evolving student needs. The bill would also clarify that a borrower’s obligation to commence repayment of the loan could begin immediately upon disbursement of the loan. This legislation will increase responsiveness to Alaska’s higher education community and will allow for responsible increases to annual loan limits and originations to meet the financial aid needs of Alaska’s student loan borrowers. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 115 HOUSE BILL NO. 115 by Representatives Story and Kreiss-Tomkins, entitled: "An Act relating to aquatic farming and hatchery site leases; and requiring the director of the division of lands to provide the legislature with an annual report relating to aquatic farming and hatchery site leases." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Resources Committee. HB 116 HOUSE BILL NO. 116 by Representative Spohnholz, entitled: "An Act relating to care of juveniles and to juvenile justice; relating to employment of juvenile probation officers by the Department of Health and Social Services; relating to terms used 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0229 in juvenile justice; relating to mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect; relating to sexual assault in the third degree; relating to sexual assault in the fourth degree; repealing a requirement for administrative revocation of a minor's driver's license, permit, privilege to drive, or privilege to obtain a license for consumption or possession of alcohol or drugs; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Judiciary Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Dr. Karen Gaborik By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Hopkins In Memoriam - Tom Chang By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Johnson In Memoriam - Annie Duffy By Senator Kawasaki; Representative LeBon In Memoriam - Jonna Weed By Senators Kawasaki, Bishop; Representative Hopkins UNFINISHED BUSINESS The Speaker made the following appointments: HR 1 House Special Committee on Arctic Policy, Economic Development, & Tourism: removed Story, Tarr; added Drummond, Hannan 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0230 HR 2 House Special Committee on Energy: removed Story; added Tuck HR 4 House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs: added Story HR 5 House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs: added Tarr HB 10 The Speaker removed the Finance Committee referral and added a House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 10 "An Act relating to the Funter Bay marine park unit of the state park system; relating to protection of the social and historical significance of the Unangax^ cemetery located in Funter Bay; providing for the amendment of the management plan for the Funter Bay marine park unit; and providing for an effective date." HB 10 is in the Resources Committee with further referral to the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. HB 101 The Speaker removed the State Affairs Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 101 "An Act relating to credit for reinsurance; and providing for an effective date." HB 101 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 54 The Speaker reversed the Committee referrals for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 54 "An Act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game; relating to management of invasive 2021-02-24 House Journal Page 0231 species; relating to invasive species management decals; and providing for an effective date." HB 54 was referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries with further referral to the Resources Committee. HB 15 Representative Nelson added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 15 "An Act relating to occupational licensing; relating to temporary licenses and permits; relating to certification of teachers; and providing for an effective date." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Tuck moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., February 26. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:53 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk