Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-02-15 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1507 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday February 15, 2024 Thirty-first Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Tilton at 9:32 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Allard be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Trenton Cooper of Glacier Valley Baptist 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 all people including those with differing beliefs, I invite you into a time of prayer and reflection: Lord, I come to you this morning to intercede on behalf of the men and women that you have allowed to lead our great state. Your word tells us that wisdom and power belong to You and You change the times and seasons; You remove kings and establish kings. You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding, (Daniel 2:20-21). You have established the rule and authority of this body. And my prayer on behalf of them is that you grant them wisdom and knowledge. I pray that you give them discernment and a desire to do justice, extend mercy, and seek righteousness for 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1508 your name's sake. You told each of us what is good and what the Lord requires: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with God, (Micah 6:8). May the members of this body learn to do this as they provide the leadership of this state. May their work be guided and blessed by your hand so that the people of this great state can enjoy your favor. Above all, God, I thank you for the grace and mercy that you have shown all people by giving your son, Jesus Christ, to be the atonement for man's sins so that all can have life through him. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Rauscher. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 30th legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated February 14 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SJR 13 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 by Senators Dunbar, Giessel, Olson, Gray-Jackson, Claman, Bishop, Wielechowski, Kawasaki, Tobin, Stedman, and Stevens: Encouraging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to pass and sign legislation amending the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to release certain land held in trust back to affected Alaska Native village corporations. 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1509 was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs Committee. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 97 The Judiciary considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 97 "An Act relating to self-storage facilities for personal property, including vehicles and watercraft; distinguishing self-storage facility liens from another type of storage lien; and excluding self- storage liens from the treatment of certain unclaimed property." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 97(JUD) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Vance, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Carpenter, Sumner, Allard, Vance No recommendation (2): Gray, Groh The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 97(JUD): 2. Zero, Office of the Governor/Combined HB 97 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 147 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 147 "An Act relating to teacher certificates for retired teachers." The report was signed by Representative Sumner, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1510 Do pass (6): Carrick, Fields, Saddler, Prax, Ruffridge, Sumner The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development HB 147 was referred to the Education Committee. HB 155 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 155 "An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs Commission; and relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Military Affairs Commission." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 155(FIN) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Foster, D. Johnson, and Edgmon, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (10): Cronk, Ortiz, Coulombe, Galvin, Hannan, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Foster, D. Johnson, Edgmon No recommendation (1): Josephson The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 155(FIN): 2. Fiscal, Office of the Governor HB 155 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 161 The Judiciary Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 161 "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1511 and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 161(JUD) "An Act relating to the civil legal services fund." The report was signed by Representative Vance, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: No recommendation (4): Carpenter, Sumner, Allard, Vance Amend (2): Gray, Groh The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 161(JUD): 1. Zero, Alaska Judiciary System 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 161 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 253 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 253 "An Act relating to refrigerants designated as acceptable for use under federal law." The report was signed by Representative Sumner, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Carrick, Saddler, Prax, Ruffridge, Fields, Sumner The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety HB 253 was referred to the Rules Committee. 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1512 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring – Allie Ostrander By Representative Ruffridge; Senator Bjorkman Honoring – Chad Carpenter By Representative D. Johnson In Memoriam – Mary "Nich'it Sheegwal" (Johnson) Frank By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Kristopher Gerald Shockley By Senators Bishop, Kawasaki INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 9 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9 by Representative Prax: Recognizing the need for parity in the provision of mental health and substance use disorder medical assistance benefits in the state; and urging the Department of Health to adopt regulations that ensure parity in the provision of mental health and substance use disorder medical assistance benefits in the state. was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services Committee. HJR 21 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21 by Representative Eastman: Relating to recruitment and retention in the United States Armed Forces and the National Guard; requesting President Biden to make available the results of an evaluation concerning the president's mental fitness and ability to discharge the powers and 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1513 duties of the Office of the President of the United States; and urging the principal officers of the executive departments of the United States to examine the repeated failures of the United States Department of Defense to meet assigned recruitment goals and to take immediate action. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee and the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 326 HOUSE BILL NO. 326 by Representative Rauscher, entitled: "An Act relating to cross-deputization agreements with federally recognized tribes and peace officers employed by federally recognized tribes." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs and the State Affairs Committee. HB 327 HOUSE BILL NO. 327 by Representatives Hannan, Prax, and Vance, entitled: "An Act relating to the Board of Massage Therapists; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 328 HOUSE BILL NO. 328 by Representative Tomaszewski, entitled: "An Act relating to community energy facilities." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Energy and the Labor & Commerce Committee. 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1514 HB 329 HOUSE BILL NO. 329 by Representative Vance, entitled: "An Act relating to state tideland leases; and relating to aquatic farming or related hatchery operation site leases." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Resources Committee. HB 330 HOUSE BILL NO. 330 by Representatives Vance, Coulombe, Wright, and Gray, entitled: "An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 331 HOUSE BILL NO. 331 by Representative Sumner by request, entitled: "An Act relating to the rates of the tax on corporations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 143 The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following, which was advanced to third reading from the February 14 calendar (page 1501), would be held to the February 19 calendar: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 143(RES) "An Act relating to the Department of Environmental Conservation; relating to advanced recycling and advanced recycling facilities; relating to waste; and providing for an effective date." 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1515 LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the House Approve the Citations on the Calendar?" The roll was taken with the following result: Approve Citation(s) on the Calendar YEAS: 38 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, Josephson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Eastman Excused: Allard And so, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring – Ginamaria Smith By Representatives Coulombe, Shaw Honoring – Snowzilla By Representative Mina; Senator Dunbar Honoring – Kuskokwim 300, 2024 Top Five Finishers By Senator Hoffman; Representative McCormick Honoring – The Fairbanks Red Hackle Pipe Band, 50th Anniversary By Senators Kawasaki, Bishop; Representative Carrick In Memoriam – James Louis Thurman By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Margaret Isabel Eagan By Senator Bishop 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1516 In Memoriam – Nicole Schok By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Ronald Lloyd Franklin By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Jerald Durane Stansel By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Robert Clifton Swarthout By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Robert Masson By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Marvin James Thurmond By Senator Bishop; Representative Cronk In Memoriam – Mary Ellen Starr By Senator Bishop In Memoriam – Fritz Peter Corpuz By Senators Wielechowski, Kiehl; Representative Wright In Memoriam – Mabel Freda Brown By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Wright In Memoriam – Alice Marie Bebow Bethka By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam – Darcy Stielstra By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the following member be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the member was excused as noted: Representative Baker – from 1:30 p.m., February 15 to 8:30 p.m., February 18 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1517 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 9:55 a.m. AFTER AT EASE The Speaker called the House back to order at 10:10 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 10:11 a.m. The purpose of the joint session was to hear an address by the Honorable Lisa Murkowski, United States Senator. 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 Ruffridge and Senator Gray-Jackson to escort the Senator to the joint session. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Senator's entrance into the House Chamber. Senator Murkowski was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Stevens and Speaker Tilton. Senator Murkowski delivered her address, and it is published in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 14. A question and answer period followed the conclusion of the Senator's speech. 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1518 Senator Murkowski received a standing ovation. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint session adjourn. There being no objection, President Stevens adjourned the joint session at 11:13 a.m. 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 11:23 a.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HJR 20 Representatives Rauscher and McKay added as cosponsors to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 Urging withdrawal of proposed Bureau of Land Management regulations affecting the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and urging meaningful engagement with tribes, local governments, and affected communities. HB 21 Representative Carpenter added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 21 "An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective date." HB 30 Representative Foster added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 30 "An Act relating to daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1519 HB 81 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 81 "An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the death of the owner; and providing for an effective date." HB 155 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 155 "An Act establishing the Alaska Military Affairs Commission; and relating to the duties and powers of the Alaska Military Affairs Commission." HB 196 Representatives Edgmon, McCormick, and Gray added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 196 "An Act relating to the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and providing for an effective date." HB 219 Representative Fields added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 219 "An Act repealing the assistive technology loan guarantee and interest subsidy program; and providing for an effective date." HB 291 Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 291 "An Act relating to reports of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporations." SJR 13 Representatives Fields and Gray added as cross sponsors to: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 Encouraging the United States Congress and the President of the 2024-02-15 House Journal Page 1520 United States to pass and sign legislation amending the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to release certain land held in trust back to affected Alaska Native village corporations. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. Representative Himschoot moved and asked unanimous consent that the House revert to Introduction of Guests. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The Speaker stated that, without objection, the House would advance to Adjournment. There being no objection, the House advanced to: ADJOURNMENT Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., February 19. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:25 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk