Legislature(2023 - 2024)

2023-02-17 House Journal

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                             HOUSE JOURNAL                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                       ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                       THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                             FIRST SESSION                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska Friday February 17, 2023                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                           Thirty-second Day                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                                                
Tilton at 9:31 a.m.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Roll call showed 31 members present.  Representatives Dibert, Foster,                                                           
Ruffridge, Shaw, Stapp, and Stutes had been previously excused from                                                             
a call of the House today. Representative Hannan was absent, and her                                                            
presence was noted later.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler 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:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Carrick – from today to 9:15 p.m., February 19                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative Armstrong – today                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Nancy                                                                      
Campbell of the White Fields Church.  Representative Vance moved                                                                
and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the                                                                
journal.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    With respect for the beliefs of each person here, I offer this                                                             
     prayer:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Dear Heavenly Father,                                                                                                      
      Thank you for your goodness this day, O Lord. Thank you for                                                              
      your never-ending love and your mercies that are new every                                                               
     morning. Great is your faithfulness.                                                                                       

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     I will lift up my eyes to you, Lord, and I pray for the House                                                              
     today as they continue their work here. Be their strength                                                                  
     today, Lord. Grant them peace of mind and rest for any who                                                                 
     are weary. Guide them in their decisions. Keep them healthy                                                                
     throughout the session, Lord. Be their keeper. Preserve them                                                               
     from all evil and preserve their souls.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in                                                                  
     today. He will be with you. I proclaim his blessing over you                                                               
     now and over your loved ones. Thank you, Lord, that you                                                                    
     have heard my prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Himschoot.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                     CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
journal for the 30th and 31st legislative days and House Journal                                                                
Supplement No. 2 and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement                                                                  
No. 5 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk.  There being no                                                              
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                      MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
A message dated February 15 was read stating that on January 31 in                                                              
accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution and Alaska Statue 39.05.080, the Governor submitted a                                                              
list of appointees for confirmation.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The following appointees are withdrawn from consideration, effective                                                            
immediately:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Board of Game                                                                                                                 
Beatrice "Ruth" Cusack – Chugiak                                                                                                
Appointed: 7/1/2022   Term Expires: 7/1/2025                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Allen "Al" Barrette – Fairbanks                                                                                                 
Reappointed: 7/1/2022  Term Expires: 7/1/2025                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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Board of Fisheries                                                                                                            
Thomas Carpenter – Cordova                                                                                                      
Appointed: 7/1/2022   Term Expires: 7/1/2025                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The appointments had been referred to the Resources Committee and                                                               
the House Special Committee on Fisheries (pages 123 and 125).                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                       MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
A message dated February 15 was read stating the Senate has passed                                                              
the following, and it is transmitted for consideration:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                      FIRST READING AND REFERENCE                                                                            
                            OF SENATE BILLS                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SB 10                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 10 by Senators Kiehl, Kaufman, Kawasaki,                                                                        
Wielechowski, Tobin, Hughes, Dunbar, Bjorkman, Merrick, Claman,                                                                 
Bishop, Stevens, Olson, Gray-Jackson, and Shower, entitled:                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of the                                                          
     Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge;                                                                
     making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent                                                                      
     identification cards available to certain disabled veterans without                                                        
     charge; and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                            COMMUNICATIONS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following was received:                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                            
Division of Insurance                                                                                                           
2022 Annual Report                                                                                                              
(as required by AS 21.06.110)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
**The presence of Representative Hannan was noted.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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                     REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 62                                                                                                                         
The House Special Committee on Energy considered:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 62                                                                                                          
     "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund and                                                                    
     recommendation program; and providing for an effective date."                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Rauscher, Chair with the                                                                
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (4):  Patkotak, Wright, Schrage, Carrick                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (3):  Prax, McKay, Rauscher                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 62 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                       INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules                                                               
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Bill Hill                                                                                                            
By Senator Hoffman; Representatives Edgmon, Cronk                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Michael Swain, Jr.                                                                                                   
By Senator Hoffman; Representative Edgmon                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Dorothy "Dory" Stucky                                                                                             
By Representative Galvin; Senator Gray-Jackson                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
              INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE                                                                     
                            OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 77                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 77 by Representatives Gray, Fields, Josephson,                                                                   
and Mina, entitled:                                                                                                             

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     "An Act naming the Senator Johnny Ellis Jr. Anchorage                                                                      
     Legislative Office Building."                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                  CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                         LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler 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:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - North Pole High School, Unified Champion School                                                                      
By Senators Myers, Kawasaki; Representative Prax                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler 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:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Mina – from:                                                                                                     
     6:00 a.m., February 18 to 10:00 p.m., February 19                                                                          
 6:00 a.m., March 3 to 10:00 a.m., March 6                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative C. Johnson – from 7:00 p.m., February 17 to 7:30 p.m.,                                                           
February 19                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative D. Johnson – from 7:00 a.m., February 18 to 1:00 p.m.,                                                           
February 19                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Cronk – from 5:45 a.m., February 18 to 10:00 a.m.,                                                               
February 20                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                               * * * * *                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The Speaker stated that the House would stand at ease to allow                                                                  
members of the Senate to enter the House Chamber; and so, the House                                                             
stood at ease at 9:50 a.m.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                

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                             AFTER AT EASE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The Speaker called the House back to order at 10:01 a.m.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                      JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
In accordance with Uniform Rule 51, Speaker Tilton turned the gavel                                                             
over to President Stevens who called the joint session to order at                                                              
10:01 a.m.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The purpose of the joint session was to hear an address by the                                                                  
Honorable Mary Sattler Peltola, U. S. Representative.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call                                                            
of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present.  There                                                             
being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present.                                                           
There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens appointed Representative McCormick and Senator                                                                
Tobin to escort the Representative to the joint session.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Representative's entrance                                                             
into the House Chamber.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Representative Peltola was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by                                                              
President Stevens and Speaker Tilton.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative Peltola delivered her address, and it is published in                                                            
Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 6.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
A question and answer period followed the conclusion of the                                                                     
Representative's speech.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative Peltola received a standing ovation and was escorted                                                             
from the Chamber by Representative McCormick and Senator Tobin.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint                                                                
session adjourn.  There being no objection, President Stevens                                                                   
adjourned the joint session at 10:34 a.m.                                                                                       

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The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate                                                            
to leave the Chamber.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                             IN THE HOUSE                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The Speaker called the House back to order at 10:36 a.m.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                          UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HJR 3                                                                                                                         
Representative McKay added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3                                                                                               
     Encouraging Congress to pass the Concealed Carry Reciprocity                                                               
     Act or a similar bill.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HJR 5                                                                                                                         
Representative Cronk added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5                                                                                               
     Urging the United States Secretary of Commerce, the National                                                               
     Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and                                                                
     Game, and other federal and state agencies to defend the state's                                                           
     fisheries, including the Southeast Alaska troll fishery.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 9                                                                                                                          
Representatives Mina and McCormick added as cosponsors to:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 9                                                                                                           
     "An Act relating to the Board of Regents of the University of                                                              
     Alaska."                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 17                                                                                                                         
Representatives Mina and McCormick added as cosponsors to:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 17                                                                                                          
     "An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and                                                              
     related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for                                                              
     contraceptives and related services; and providing for an effective                                                        
     date."                                                                                                                     

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HB 22                                                                                                                         
Representative Mina added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 22                                                                                                          
     "An Act relating to participation of certain peace officers and                                                            
     firefighters in the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of                                                      
     the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; relating to                                                             
     eligibility of peace officers and firefighters for medical, disability,                                                    
     and death benefits; relating to liability of the Public Employees'                                                         
     Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an effective                                                                
     date."                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 28                                                                                                                         
Representative Mina added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 28                                                                                                          
     "An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions;                                                         
     and providing for an effective date."                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 43                                                                                                                         
Representative Mina added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 43                                                                                                          
     "An Act relating to professional and occupational licensing; and                                                           
     relating to treatment to change the sexual orientations or gender                                                          
     identities of children and vulnerable adults."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HB 46                                                                                                                         
Representative Mina added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 46                                                                                                          
     "An Act allowing child care providers that receive state aid to                                                            
     organize and collectively bargain with the Department of Health;                                                           
     and establishing the child care provider fund."                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 53                                                                                                                         
Representative Mina added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 53                                                                                                          
     "An Act relating to state identifications and driver's licenses for                                                        

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     persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections; relating                                                          
     to the duties of the commissioner of corrections; and providing for                                                        
     an effective date."                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
HB 61                                                                                                                         
Representatives C. Johnson, Carpenter, Prax, Wright, Rauscher, and                                                              
McKay added as cosponsors to:                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 61                                                                                                          
   "An Act relating to restrictions on firearms and other weapons."                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 62                                                                                                                         
Representatives Mina and Patkotak added as cosponsors to:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     HOUSE BILL NO. 62                                                                                                          
     "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund and                                                                    
     recommendation program; and providing for an effective date."                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SB 10                                                                                                                         
Representatives Sumner and Hannan added as cross sponsors to:                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     SENATE BILL NO. 10                                                                                                         
     "An Act providing for trapping licenses for active members of the                                                          
     Alaska National Guard and military reserves without charge;                                                                
     making sport fishing, hunting, and trapping permanent                                                                      
     identification cards available to certain disabled veterans without                                                        
     charge; and providing for an effective date."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                             ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
House committee schedules are published under separate cover.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                              ADJOURNMENT                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                               
House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., February 20.  There being no                                                                    
objection, the House adjourned at 10:37 a.m.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                              Crystaline Jones                                                                  
                                              Chief Clerk