Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2021-08-20 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2021-08-20 House Journal Page 1393 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE THIRD SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday August 20, 2021 Fifth Day Pursuant to Uniform Rule 13 the House was called to order by Speaker Stutes at 11:00 a.m. Roll call showed 34 members present. Representative Kreiss-Tomkins was absent, and his presence was noted later. Representative Rauscher was absent. Representative Claman, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives Merrick, Rasmussen, Tilton, and Tuck be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Representative Cronk. Representative Thompson moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With respect to all religions, I offer the following prayer: Heavenly Father, Your array of miracles draws the admiration of searching souls. Don’t think that miracles and blessings don’t exist. Bless us with the faith to believe and affirm the miracles, be they physical or spiritual in nature. Heavenly Father, heal us. Heal our hearts, heal our emotions, heal our spirits, heal our bodies and soul. 2021-08-20 House Journal Page 1394 Heavenly Father, come against strongholds and evil attacks on the spiritual. We believe you have the miraculous power and strength to conquer the darkest enemies and the strongest barriers. We ask you to send your mightiest warriors to fight these battles for us. Shine your light upon us, free us, give us peace and take us from the enemy’s grip. Heavenly Father, help us see the purpose behind your plans. Provide the grace, the strength, and the faith to believe that all is possible. Heavenly Father, show your love and grace for the members in this House that need your support and healing for family members. Watch over the people of Alaska and lay your blessings upon them. Heal those that are suffering from COVID and nurture those that have lost loved ones. Be with the people of Two Rivers and Pleasant Valley. Lay your hands upon them and take away their fears. Bless our law enforcement that are there and help them capture the evil that has overtaken their communities. Be with the people of Haiti as they recover from the terrible earthquake that devastated their country. Be with the people of Afghanistan during the turmoil and uncertainty that they face. Put your hand on our people there and protect them from the evil that surrounds them. Be with our military. Bless those that served, are serving, and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Bless their minds and souls and let them know that they serve for a higher purpose. Heavenly Father, give all of us in the Capitol today the desire and determination to accomplish good and honest work for Alaskans. I will close with a verse from Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you." In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. 2021-08-20 House Journal Page 1395 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Edgmon. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Claman moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the first, second, third, and fourth legislative days of the Third Special Session be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR The following supplemental Governor's proclamation dated August 19 which amends the proclamation dated May 13 (page 1064) and amended July 29 (page 1370) was read: Under the authority of Article II, Section 9, and Article III, Section 17, Constitution of the State of Alaska, and in the public interest, I hereby amend my proclamation of July 29, 2021, calling the Thirty-Second Legislature of the State of Alaska into special session as follows: The Thirty-Second Legislature of the State of Alaska is called into its third special session at Juneau, Alaska, in the legislative chambers, on August 16, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., to consider the following subjects: • HJR 6, SJR 5, or similar resolutions proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to an appropriation limit; and relating to the Constitutional Budget Reserve fund; • HJR 7 or SJR 6, proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska Permanent Fund, appropriations from the Alaska Permanent Fund, the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, and power cost equalization. • An act or acts relating to measures to increase state revenues. 2021-08-20 House Journal Page 1396 • An act making appropriations, including appropriation for a 2021 Permanent Fund Dividend for eligible Alaskans, and for certain postsecondary education funds. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" SB 65 A message dated August 16 was received stating the Governor signed the following bill and is transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's office for permanent filing: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 65(JUD) "An Act relating to the elements of a claim for medical malpractice; and relating to the definition of a health care provider-patient relationship." Chapter No. 24, SLA 2021 Effective Date: November 14, 2021 SB 76 A message dated August 16 was received stating the Governor signed the following bill and is transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's office for permanent filing: SENATE BILL NO. 76 "An Act relating to vehicles abandoned on private property." Chapter No. 25, SLA 2021 Effective Date: November 14, 2021 COMMUNICATIONS Letters of disclosure received from the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, as required by AS 24.60, were published in House Journal Supplement No. 5 and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 6 on August 19. 2021-08-20 House Journal Page 1397 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 3002 HOUSE BILL NO. 3002 by Representatives Eastman and Kurka, entitled: "An Act relating to the earnings of the Alaska permanent fund and the earnings reserve account; relating to the mental health trust fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Ways & Means and the State Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 3003 HOUSE BILL NO. 3003 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making an appropriation from the general fund to the Department of Education and Early Development for the payment of educational programs; making an appropriation from the earnings reserve account for the payment of permanent fund dividends; making an appropriation from the earnings reserve account to the budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The Governor's transmittal letter dated August 19 follows: "Dear Speaker Stutes, Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting an appropriation bill pursuant to the implementation of a comprehensive fiscal plan for the State of Alaska and in support of recommendations made by the Alaska State Legislature’s Comprehensive Fiscal Plan Working Group. The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation closed its fiscal year June 30 at an all-time high of $81.1 billion following a 29.7 percent annual return, a record strong performance. The earnings reserve account alone totaled $21.0 billion at year end. With its strong performance and exceptional management team, the Permanent Fund is critical to 2021-08-20 House Journal Page 1398 Alaska’s long-term fiscal stability and near-term recovery from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill includes two appropriations critical to helping the legislature finalize a structured fiscal solution for our state and to providing Alaskans with an equitable distribution of the state’s resource wealth. The first item is a $1.53 billion appropriation for the payment of the 2021 Permanent Fund Dividend. This appropriation is 50 percent of the FY22 percent of market value draw from the Permanent Fund and would provide a dividend estimated to be $2,350 per eligible Alaskan. The second item is a one-time $1.47 billion transfer from the earnings reserve account to the budget reserve fund which leverages a small portion of the Permanent Fund’s recent earnings windfall to provide bridge funding while all the components of a comprehensive fiscal solution are fully implemented. The third appropriation item in this bill funds the Alaska Performance Scholarship Award, Alaska Education Grant, and WWAMI Medical Education programs. Each of these programs are a strong investment in young Alaskans and critical for the healthy future of our state. I recognize there may be other appropriation items the Legislature will want to address as we work collaboratively to finalize the fiscal year 2022 budget during the special session. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 3004 HOUSE BILL NO. 3004 by the House Special Committee on Ways and Means, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; making capital appropriations and supplemental appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." 2021-08-20 House Journal Page 1399 was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Ways & Means and the Finance Committee. **The presence of Representative Kreiss-Tomkins was noted. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A message dated August 19 was received stating pursuant to AS 44.33.431 Speaker Stutes appointed the following to the Alaska Minerals Commission: Justin Seavey HR 8 Pursuant to HR 8-POVERTY AND OPPORTUNITY TASK FORCE (House Resolve No. 8), a message dated August 18 was received stating the Speaker made the following amendments to the previous list of appointees to the task force (page 1380): Public Members: Rochelle Adams, Native People’s Action, Indigenous Engagement Director (member withdrawn) Joel Alowa, Maniilaq Association, Behavioral Health Director (member added) ANNOUNCEMENTS Uniform Rule 23(d) is in effect. House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Claman moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until August 23. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:34 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk