Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-03-01 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1685 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday March 1, 2024 Forty-sixth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Tilton at 10:38 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. 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 Dibert – from today to 11:00 a.m., March 3. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Dani Cherian of Valley Church. Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord Jesus, I praise you because you give wisdom to those who ask. So I ask for wisdom today that you would be a present help in time of trouble and need. I ask for clarity and direction for our Representatives. Your bible says in Psalm 46:1 ESV, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help [abundant help] in trouble. I ask that you would please be a refuge to the Representatives, their staff, and their families during this busy time. 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1686 And I ask that you would give them wisdom and strength as they make decisions for the people in our great State of Alaska. In Jesus' name, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Sumner. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 44th and 45th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated February 14 and accompanying letter dated February 29, regarding the Northwest Arctic Borough damage to water utilities, were received. The declaration and accompanying letter were copied to the Finance Committee Co-chairs and are on file in the Chief Clerk's office. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated February 28 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SJR 14 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 by Senators Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Hoffman, Giessel, Stevens, Dunbar, Merrick, Kiehl, Tobin, Shower, Wilson, Gray-Jackson, Olson, Hughes, Kaufman, Stedman, Wielechowski, and Kawasaki: Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry. 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1687 was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries. COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Military Licensing Report to the Legislature for FY 2023 February 28, 2024 (as required by AS 08.01.063) Dept. of Education & Early Development School Capital Project Funding Annual Report February 29, 2024 (as required by AS 14.11.035) Dept. of Revenue Oil and Gas Tax Credit Certificates Purchased in 2023 February 29, 2024 (as required by AS 43.05.230) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Health and Social Services Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Michael Collins as a member of the Board of Nursing. The report was signed by Representative Prax, Chair; and Representatives Fields, Sumner, Ruffridge, Saddler, and Mina. HB 237 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1688 HOUSE BILL NO. 237 "An Act relating to temporary permits for nurses with lapsed licenses." The report was signed by Representative Sumner, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Carrick, Prax, Wright, Ruffridge, Sumner No recommendation (1): Fields The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 237 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 282 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 282 "An Act relating to access roads; relating to state land; relating to contracts for the sale of state land; relating to the authority of the Department of Education and Early Development to dispose of state land; relating to the authority of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to dispose of state land; relating to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources over certain state land; relating to the state land disposal income fund; relating to the sale and lease of state land; relating to covenants and restrictions on agricultural land; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 282(RES) (same title) The report was signed by Representative McKay, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1689 Do pass (8): Mears, Armstrong, Dibert, McCabe, Saddler, Wright, Baker, McKay Amend (1): Rauscher The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 282(RES): 1. Zero, Dept. of Education and Early Development 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources HB 282 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 296 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 296 "An Act relating to the powers of the board of agriculture and conservation; relating to loans and limitations under the Alaska Agricultural Loan Act; relating to federal crop insurance contributions; relating to municipal and state procurement preferences for agricultural products harvested in the state and fisheries products harvested or processed in the state; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 296(RES) "An Act relating to the Board of Agriculture and Conservation; relating to loans and limitations under the Alaska Agricultural Loan Act; relating to federal crop insurance contributions; relating to a report to the legislature on municipal and state procurement preferences for agricultural products harvested in the state and fisheries products harvested or processed in the state; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative McKay, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (9): Mears, Armstrong, Dibert, McCabe, Saddler, Wright, Baker, Rauscher, McKay 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1690 The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 296(RES): 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community & Economic Development 2. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community & Economic Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources HB 296 was referred to the Rules Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 249 The House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 249 "An Act creating the military and veteran family help desk in the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 249(MLV) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Wright, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Saddler, Rauscher, Groh, Shaw, Wright The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 249(MLV): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs HB 249 was referred to the Finance Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1691 Honoring - Amy Gallaway By Representative Carrick; Senator Kawasaki Honoring - John N. Davies By Representative Carrick Honoring - Scott Raygor By Representative Carrick Honoring - Aaron Harkley By Senator Dunbar; Representatives Mina, Gray Honoring - Robert "Bobby" Hill II By Senator Merrick; Representative Allard Honoring - Ramsey Bodeen By Senator Merrick; Representative Allard Honoring - Tasha Kahele By Senator Dunbar; Representatives Groh, Cronk Honoring - Gretchen Winter By Senator Hughes; Representative D. Johnson Honoring - Coby Marvin By Senator Hughes; Representative D. Johnson Honoring - Colony Knights Boys' Soccer Team By Senators Hughes, Wilson Honoring - Colony Knights Boys' Track and Field By Senators Hughes, Wilson Honoring - Alaska Trappers Association 50th Anniversary By Senators Kawasaki, Wilson, Bishop Honoring - Polaris Building By Senator Myers; Representatives Stapp, Carrick 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1692 In Memoriam - Jackie William Gallion By Representative Allard In Memoriam - Sergeant William Francis Murphy By Representative Allard In Memoriam - Patrick M. Rodey By Senators Dunbar, Tobin; Representative Gray In Memoriam - Michelle V. Minor By Senator Bishop; Representative Josephson In Memoriam - Barbara "Tamie" Miller By Senator Hughes; Representative D. Johnson In Memoriam - Paul Rodriguez Jr. By Senators Hughes, Kiehl INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 389 HOUSE BILL NO. 389 by the House Transportation Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to boating safety; and relating to the use, operation, and regulation of boats." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House return to Introduction of Guests. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House advance to the Daily Calendar. There being no objection, the House advanced to: 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1693 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 19 The following was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19 Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community- minded approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure. with the: Journal Page TRA RPT 6DP 1NR 1650 FN1: ZERO(H.TRA) 1650 Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Carrick: Page 2, lines 2 - 4: Delete all material. Representative Carrick moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Stapp objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 19 Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 9 NAYS: 30 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Carrick, Eastman, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Josephson, Mina, Ortiz, Story 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1694 Nays: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Mears, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Excused: Dibert And so, Amendment No. 1 was not adopted. Amendment No. 2 was offered by Representative Carrick: Page 2, following line 4: Insert new material to read: "WHEREAS a railroad would provide an efficient and safer alternative to industrial hauling operations on public highways that are not designated as industrial use highways; and" Representative Carrick moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 2 be adopted. Representative McCabe objected. Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 2 was offered by Representative Stapp: Page 1, line 3, following "to": Delete all material and insert: "ground transportation" Representative Stapp moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 2 be adopted. Representative Prax objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 2 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 19 Second Reading Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 2 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1695 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 20 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McKay, Rauscher, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Armstrong, Carrick, Eastman, Edgmon, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, McCormick, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Prax, Ruffridge, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Dibert And so, Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 2 was not adopted. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 2 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 19 Second Reading Amendment No. 2 YEAS: 15 NAYS: 24 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Armstrong, Carrick, Eastman, Fields, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Edgmon, Foster, Galvin, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Excused: Dibert And so, Amendment No. 2 was not adopted. Amendment No. 3 was offered by Representative Eastman: Page 1, lines 7 - 8 : Delete all material Representative Eastman moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 3 be adopted. Representative McCabe objected. 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1696 Representative Eastman moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 3. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 4 was offered by Representative Stapp: Page 1, line 12: Delete "Stryker Brigade" Insert "Arctic Mission" Representative Stapp moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 4 be adopted. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection Amendment No. 4 was adopted. Amendment No. 5 was offered by Representative Josephson: Page 1, line 4 (title amendment): Delete "and" Page 1, line 5, following "infrastructure": Insert "; and encouraging efforts to build high-speed light rail between the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Municipality of Anchorage" Page 3, following line 1: Insert new material to read: "WHEREAS, with a 47 percent increase in population between 2000 and 2022,the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is the fastest growing area in the state and is projected to increase another 200 percent in the next 60 to 100 years; and WHEREAS approximately 30 percent of residents of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough commute to Anchorage for work, a commute of about 40 miles and 40 minutes each way, which is approximately 48 percent longer than the national commuter average; and" Page 3, line 19, following "state": Insert "; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages the Alaska Railroad and urges the Alaska delegation in 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1697 Congress to pursue efforts to build a high-speed light rail line between the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and the Municipality of Anchorage" Representative Josephson moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 5 be adopted. Representative Saddler objected. Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 5 was offered by Representative Eastman: Page 1, line 5: Delete "build high-speed light rail" Insert "encourage commuter rail transportation" Page 1, lines 20-21: Delete "build a high-speed light rail line" Insert "encourage commuter rail transportation" Representative Eastman moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 5 be adopted. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 5 was adopted. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 5 as amended be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 19 am Second Reading Amendment No. 5 as amended YEAS: 17 NAYS: 22 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Armstrong, Carrick, Eastman, Edgmon, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1698 Excused: Dibert And so, Amendment No. 5 as amended was not adopted. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR 19 am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. HJR 19 am will advance to third reading on the March 4 calendar. THIRD READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 7 The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following, which was advanced to third reading from the February 28 calendar (page 1676), would be held to the March 4 calendar: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7(W&M) Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the permanent fund, relating to transfers out of the permanent fund, and requiring payment of a dividend to eligible state residents. HJR 20 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the February 28 calendar (page 1678), was read the third time: 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. The question being: "Shall HJR 20 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 20 Third Reading Final Passage 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1699 YEAS: 36 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 2 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, Josephson, McCabe, McKay, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Eastman Excused: Dibert Absent: Edgmon, McCormick And so, HJR 20 passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Saddler 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 – Maria Downey By Senator Giessel; Representatives Shaw, C. Johnson In Memoriam – Dirk Craft, Sr. By Senator Hughes In Memoriam – Howard Bess By Senators Hughes, Kiehl; Representative D. Johnson 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 D. Johnson – from 1:00 p.m., March 8 to 1:00 p.m., March 10 Representative Stapp – from 6:00 p.m., March 22 to 1:00 p.m., March 24 Representative Coulombe – from 7:00 p.m., April 12 to 10:00 p.m., April 14 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1700 HB 238 Representative Vance, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent to waive Uniform Rule 23(a), so the Judiciary Committee may hear the following today: HOUSE BILL NO. 238 "An Act relating to criminal mischief in the third degree; and providing for an effective date." There being no objection, it was so ordered. HCR 8 Representatives Gray, Armstrong, and Carpenter added as cosponsors to: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Honoring United States military veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War; and expressing gratitude for the courageous service of those veterans to the United States. HCR 9 Representative Armstrong added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9 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. HJR 20 Representatives Galvin, Ruffridge, Sumner, Story, Ortiz, and Tilton 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 162 Representative Fields added as a cosponsor to: 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1701 HOUSE BILL NO. 162 "An Act relating to gun violence protective orders; relating to the crime of violating a protective order; relating to a central registry for protective orders; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration; and providing for an effective date." HB 164 Representative Fields added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 164 "An Act relating to misconduct involving weapons in the fourth degree; and establishing the offense of misconduct involving weapons in the sixth degree." HB 320 Representatives Fields and Armstrong added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 320 "An Act relating to the effect of a decree of adoption or termination of parental rights on the legal relationship between a person and the person's siblings." HB 357 Representative Gray added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 357 "An Act relating to designation of state water as outstanding national resource water; designating the Kuskokwim River as outstanding national resource water; and providing for an effective date." HB 361 Representative Armstrong added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 361 "An Act relating to the medical assistance program and mental health or substance use disorder benefit requirements; and providing for an effective date." 2024-03-01 House Journal Page 1702 HB 363 Representatives Fields and Armstrong added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 363 "An Act relating to the placement of foster children in psychiatric hospitals." SJR 14 Representatives Ortiz, Armstrong, and Hannan added as cross sponsors to: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry. ENGROSSMENT HJR 20 HJR 20 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meeting today was changed: Judiciary Committee CHANGED TO: Call of the Chair ADJOURNMENT Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., March 4. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:49 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk