Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-04-11 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2261 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday April 11, 2024 Eighty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Tilton at 12:03 p.m. Roll call showed 40 members present. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, the Reverend Gordon Blue of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be respecting of the beliefs of all the people of our great land, Alaska, O Lord, our maker and redeemer. We begin in a moment of silence, to consider the needs of our friends in Kivalina and their losses in the fire this week. We ask for their safety and their relief. Psalm 34 is appointed this morning. In verses 6-8, we read: I called in my affliction and the Lord heard me and saved me from all my troubles. The angel of the Lord encompasses those who fear him, and he will deliver them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are they who trust in him! Let us pray: Creator, we give you thanks, for all you are and all you bring to us within the sacred circle of your creation, and especially we thank you today for this gathering. 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2262 As the members of the House continue their labor let there be peace among them. Give them the great peace, Lord, of those for whom there is no stumbling block. Nothing is so difficult, O Lord, as to create something new, and in difficult times this is what we are called upon to do. Nothing is so difficult, O Lord, as to be the stumbling block, placed in the path of difficult times. Clear the path ahead, Lord; Bless this House and inspire them, to find in their path the cornerstone of the future you are calling them to bring. Help them to do that work which they have sworn to do to the benefit of future generations and of this one, the protection of the poor and the oppressed, and the provision of well-being for all of your people. Bless them in their work together, so that they may bring blessings upon the future generations of Alaska. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Hannan. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 86th 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 April 10 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 196 SENATE BILL NO. 196 by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2263 "An Act relating to drug and alcohol testing by employers." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 187 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 187 "An Act relating to utilization review entities; exempting certain health care providers from making preauthorization requests for certain services; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Ruffridge, Vice Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Sumner, McCormick, Ruffridge No recommendation (2): Fields, Mina The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 187, discharged from Health & Social Services Committee (page 2258), is in the Labor & Commerce Committee INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring – Lydia Jacoby, Big 12 Swimming Championship By Representatives Stutes, Armstrong; Senator Stevens Honoring – The Boardroom By Representative Armstrong 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2264 Honoring – Dave Dershin, 2024 Alaska Principal of the Year By Senator Myers; Representatives Carrick, Tomaszewski Honoring – West High School Cross-Country Ski Teams, 2024 Division I State Championships By Senators Claman, Tobin; Representative Armstrong In Memoriam – Marian James Johnson By Representative Stutes; Senator Stevens In Memoriam – Joseph "Joe" M. Killion By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 27 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27 by the House Labor and Commerce Committee: Supporting trade policies for the United States that hold China, Russia, and other countries accountable, reward leadership in clean production standards, reward superior environmental performance, support economic development, and support the rebuilding of supply chains in the United States. was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Resources Committees. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 397 HOUSE BILL NO. 397 by the House State Affairs Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to eliminating vacant positions in the classified and partially exempt service of the state; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2265 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 268 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 10 calendar (page 2252), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268(FIN) am "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; 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." The question being: "Shall CSHB 268(FIN) am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 268(FIN) am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 23 NAYS: 17 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Edgmon, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Armstrong, Carrick, Dibert, Eastman, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, CSHB 268(FIN) am passed the House. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the appropriations from the constitutional budget reserve fund in Section 49 (Article IX, Section 17(c) of the Constitution of the State of Alaska) be adopted. 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2266 The question being: "Shall the House adopt the constitutional budget reserve fund appropriations in Section 49?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 268(FIN) am Third Reading Constitutional Budget Reserve Appropriations YEAS: 22 NAYS: 18 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Baker, Coulombe, Cronk, Edgmon, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Armstrong, Carpenter, Carrick, Dibert, Eastman, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, lacking the required 30 votes, the constitutional budget reserve fund appropriations in Section 49 were not adopted and the new title follows: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." Representative Saddler moved the effective date clauses. The question being: "Shall the House adopt the effective date clauses?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) Third Reading Effective Date YEAS: 39 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2267 Yeas: Allard, 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 And so, the effective date clauses were adopted. Representative C. Johnson gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on CSHB 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld). RECONSIDERATION HB 268 Representative C. Johnson moved and asked unanimous consent that reconsideration of CSHB 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) be taken up on the same day. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 268(FIN) am was before the House in third reading. The question to be reconsidered: "Shall CSHB 268(FIN) am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 268(FIN) am Third Reading Final Passage Reconsideration YEAS: 23 NAYS: 17 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Edgmon, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Armstrong, Carrick, Dibert, Eastman, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, CSHB 268(FIN) am passed the House on reconsideration. 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2268 Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the appropriations from the constitutional budget reserve fund in Section 49 (Article IX, Section 17(c) of the Constitution of the State of Alaska) be adopted. The question being: "Shall the House adopt the constitutional budget reserve fund appropriations in Section 49?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 268(FIN) am Third Reading Constitutional Budget Reserve Appropriations Reconsideration YEAS: 21 NAYS: 19 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Baker, Coulombe, Cronk, Edgmon, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Wright Nays: Armstrong, Carpenter, Carrick, Dibert, Eastman, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story, Stutes, Vance And so, lacking the required 30 votes, the constitutional budget reserve fund appropriations in Section 49 were not adopted and the new title follows: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." Representative Saddler moved the effective date clauses. The question being: "Shall the House adopt the effective date clauses?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2269 CSHB 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) Third Reading Effective Date Reconsideration YEAS: 39 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, 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 And so, the effective date clauses were adopted. CSHB 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 270 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 10 calendar (page 2257), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 270(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall CSHB 270(FIN) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 270(FIN) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 39 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2270 Yeas: Allard, 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 And so, CSHB 270(FIN) passed the House. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative C. Johnson gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on CSHB 270(FIN). RECONSIDERATION HB 270 Representative C. Johnson moved and asked unanimous consent that reconsideration of CSHB 270(FIN) be taken up on the same day. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 270(FIN) was before the House in third reading. The question to be reconsidered: "Shall CSHB 270(FIN) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 270(FIN) Third Reading Final Passage Reconsideration YEAS: 39 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, 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 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2271 Nays: Eastman And so, CSHB 270(FIN) passed the House on reconsideration. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 270(FIN) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. THIRD READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 7 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 10 calendar (page 2257), was read the third time: 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. Representative Carpenter placed a call of the House. The Speaker stated that the call was satisfied. UNFINISHED BUSINESS SB 107 Representative Sumner, citing Uniform Rule 48(d), moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be discharged from the Finance Committee: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 107(FIN) "An Act relating to the Alaska permanent fund; relating to income of the Alaska permanent fund; relating to the amount available for appropriation and appropriations from the earnings reserve account; relating to the permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date." 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2272 There was objection. The question being: "Shall CSSB 107(FIN) be discharged from the Finance Committee?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 107(FIN) Discharge Bill from Finance Committee YEAS: 37 NAYS: 3 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, 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, Foster, McCormick And so, CSSB 107(FIN) was discharged from the Finance Committee and referred to the Rules Committee. HB 156 Representative Galvin, citing Uniform Rule 48(d), moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be discharged from the House Special Committee on Ways & Means: HOUSE BILL NO. 156 "An Act relating to the taxation of income of individuals, partners, shareholders in S corporations, trusts, and estates; repealing tax credits applied against the tax on individuals under the Alaska Net Income Tax Act; and providing for an effective date." There was objection. The question being: "Shall HB 156 be discharged from the House Special Committee on Ways & Means?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 156 Discharge Bill from Ways & Means Committee YEAS: 20 NAYS: 20 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2273 Yeas: Armstrong, Carpenter, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, McCormick, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Rauscher, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Baker, Coulombe, Cronk, Eastman, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McKay, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright And so, the motion failed. THIRD READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 7 The following was before the House in third reading: 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. Representative Carpenter lifted the call. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 142 Representative Gray, citing Uniform Rule 48(d), moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be discharged from the House Special Committee on Ways & Means: HOUSE BILL NO. 142 "An Act relating to a state sales and use tax; authorizing the Department of Revenue to enter into the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement; and providing for an effective date." Representative McCabe objected. The question being: "Shall HB 142 be discharged from the House Special Committee on Ways & Means?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2274 HB 142 Discharge Bill from Ways & Means Committee YEAS: 17 NAYS: 23 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Armstrong, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Sumner Nays: Allard, Baker, Cronk, Eastman, Foster, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Ortiz, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright And so, the motion failed. THIRD READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 7 The following was before the House in third reading: 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. The question being: "Shall CSHJR 7(W&M) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHJR 7(W&M) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 22 NAYS: 18 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Eastman, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McKay, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Armstrong, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, McCormick, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story, Stutes 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2275 And so, lacking the required 27 votes, CSHJR 7(W&M) failed to pass the House. Representative Sumner gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on CSHJR 7(W&M)(fld H). 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 – Van's Dive Bar By Representatives Groh, Mina; Senator Tobin Honoring – Stephen Rollins By Senator Giessel; Representative Shaw Honoring – Alaska Excel By Senators Dunbar, Olson; Representative Gray In Memoriam – Josiah Michael Goecker By Representatives Wright, Allard, Saddler In Memoriam – Mattie Sagoonick By Senator Dunbar; Representative Gray In Memoriam - Brian Ross McKay By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam – Richard "Dick" Flaharty By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert 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 Baker – from 7:00 p.m., April 12 to 10:00 p.m., April 14 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2276 Representative Tomaszewski – from 5:00 p.m., April 12 to 10:00 a.m., April 15 Representative Cronk – from 7:00 p.m., April 12 to 10:00 p.m., April 14 HB 226 Representative Wright added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 226 "An Act relating to the Board of Pharmacy; relating to insurance; relating to pharmacies; relating to pharmacists; relating to pharmacy benefits managers; relating to patient choice of pharmacy; and providing for an effective date." HB 228 Representative McCormick added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 228 "An Act establishing the Alaska mental health and psychedelic medicine task force; and providing for an effective date." ENGROSSMENT HB 268 CSHB 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) was engrossed. HB 270 CSHB 270(FIN) was engrossed. ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meeting today was changed: Health & Social Services Committee CHANGED TO: 10 min. after adjournment 2024-04-11 House Journal Page 2277 ADJOURNMENT Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., April 12. Representative Eastman objected and moved and asked unanimous consent to amend the motion to adjourn sine die. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the motion to adjourn be amended to adjourn sine die?" The roll was taken with the following result: Adjourn to 10:30 a.m., April 12 Amend to Adjourn Sine Die YEAS: 6 NAYS: 34 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Armstrong, Coulombe, Eastman, Prax, Ruffridge, Sumner Nays: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Cronk, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, Josephson, McCabe, McCormick, McKay, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Rauscher, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Coulombe changed from "NAY" to "YEA" Himschoot changed from "YEA" to "NAY" And so, the motion failed. There being no further objection, the House adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk