Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-05-07 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2739 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday May 7, 2024 One Hundred Thirteenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Tilton at 10:53 a.m. Roll call showed 40 members present. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Representative Armstrong. Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With the deepest respect for the beliefs of all Alaskans, I invite you into a moment of reflection with the following poems by Rilke: I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give myself to it. I circle around God, around the primordial tower. I've been circling for thousands of years and I still don't know: am I a falcon, a storm, or a great song? * * * * * God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night. These are the words we dimly hear: 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2740 You, sent out beyond your recall, go to the limits of your longing. Embody me. Flare up like a flame and make big shadows I can move in. Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final. Don't let yourself lose me. Nearby is the country they call life. You will know it by its seriousness. Give me your hand. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Ruffridge. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 112th legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The Speaker stated that, without objection, the House would stand at ease to allow members of the Senate to enter the Chamber. JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE Consideration of the Governor's appointees will be published in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 18. IN THE HOUSE The Speaker called the House back to order at 4:37 p.m. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HCR 13 A message dated May 6 was read stating the Senate passed: 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2741 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13 Recognizing and commending the National Conference of State Legislatures on its 50th anniversary in 2025. HCR 13 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 26 A message dated May 6 was read stating the Senate passed: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRB) "An Act relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska; renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages; and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages." with the following amendment, and it is transmitted for consideration: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(FIN) "An Act relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska; renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages; relating to the transfer of the Council for Alaska Native Languages from the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to the Department of Education and Early Development; and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages." (SCR 11 - title change resolution) CSHB 26(TRB) is under Unfinished Business. HB 268 A message dated May 7 was read stating the President granted limited powers of free conference to the Senate members of the Conference Committee considering: 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; 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2742 capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; repealing appropriations; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." on the following specific points: The appropriations and language that are not identical in the House and Senate version of HB 268. And, in accordance with practice and usage, authorized the addition of the monetary terms of collective bargaining agreements for the following bargaining units: Alaska Correctional Officers Association Correctional Officers Unit Alaska Public Employees Association / Supervisory Unit Labor, Trades and Crafts Unit Alaska Graduate Workers Association / UAW The Speaker granted the limited powers of free conference as requested (page 2746). HB 270 A message dated May 7 was read stating the President granted limited powers of free conference to the Senate members of the Conference Committee considering: 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." 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2743 and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 270(FIN) (same title) on the following specific points: The appropriations and language that are not identical in the House and Senate version of HB 270. And, in accordance with practice and usage, authorized the addition of the monetary terms of collective bargaining agreements for the following bargaining units: Alaska Correctional Officers Association Correctional Officers Unit Alaska Public Employees Association / Supervisory Unit Labor, Trades and Crafts Unit Alaska Graduate Workers Association / UAW The Speaker granted the limited powers of free conference as requested (page 2747). A message dated May 6 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and they are transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 11 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 by the Senate Finance Committee: Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 26, relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska; renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages; and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages. was read the first time. 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2744 FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 28 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 28(FIN) by the Senate Finance Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to workplace violence protective orders; relating to the crime of violating a protective order; 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." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee. SB 204 SENATE BILL NO. 204 by the Senate Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the issuance of certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians; relating to fees for certificates of fitness for plumbers and electricians; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. SB 206 SENATE BILL NO. 206 by Senators Gray-Jackson, Bjorkman, Dunbar, and Kaufman, entitled: "An Act relating to workers' compensation reemployment benefits; establishing a workers' compensation stay-at-work program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 307 The Finance Committee considered: 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2745 HOUSE BILL NO. 307 "An Act relating to the taxation of independent power producers; and increasing the efficiency of integrated transmission system charges and use for the benefit of ratepayers." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 307(FIN) "An Act relating to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to regulation of public utilities and pipeline carriers; relating to approval of wholesale power agreements; relating to preapproval for construction of energy facilities; relating to electric reliability organizations; relating to the taxation of new electricity generation facilities; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority; relating to the Railbelt Transmission Organization; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Edgmon, D. Johnson, and Foster, Co-Chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Stapp, Hannan, Edgmon, D. Johnson, Foster No recommendation (4): Cronk, Coulombe, Josephson, Ortiz Amend (1): Tomaszewski The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 307(FIN): 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 307 was referred to the Rules Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 268 The Conference Committee considering: 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; 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2746 capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; repealing appropriations; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." requests limited powers of free conference on the appropriations and language that are not identical in the House and Senate version of HB 268. In accordance with past practice and usage, the Conference Committee requests authorization to add the monetary terms of collective bargaining agreements for the following bargaining units: Alaska Correctional Officers Association Correctional Officers Unit Alaska Public Employees Association / Supervisory Unit Labor, Trades and Crafts Unit Alaska Graduate Workers Association / UAW The request was signed by Representatives D. Johnson (Chair), Edgmon, Ortiz; and Senators Stedman (Chair), Olson. The Speaker granted the limited powers of free conference as requested. In addition, the Speaker ruled that given the unique nature of collective bargaining agreements in the budget process, that must either be accepted or rejected, these late-received collective bargaining agreements would be incorporated into the budget during the conference committee process, so therefore the Speaker granted the powers requested by the conference committee related to the above bargaining agreements. The Chief Clerk notified the Senate. 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2747 The Senate message granting limited powers of free conference is on page 2741. HB 270 The Conference Committee considering: 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." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 270(FIN) (same title) requests limited powers of free conference on the appropriations and language that are not identical in the House and Senate version of HB 270. In accordance with past practice and usage, the Conference Committee requests authorization to add the monetary terms of collective bargaining agreements for the following bargaining units: Alaska Correctional Officers Association Correctional Officers Unit Alaska Public Employees Association / Supervisory Unit Labor, Trades and Crafts Unit Alaska Graduate Workers Association / UAW The request was signed by Representatives D. Johnson (Chair), Edgmon, Ortiz; and Senators Stedman (Chair), Olson. The Speaker granted the limited powers of free conference as requested. In addition, the Speaker ruled that given the unique nature of collective bargaining agreements in the budget process, that must either be accepted or rejected, these late-received collective bargaining agreements would be incorporated into the budget during the conference committee process, so therefore the Speaker granted the powers requested by the conference committee related to the above bargaining agreements. 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2748 The Chief Clerk notified the Senate. The Senate message granting limited powers of free conference is on page 2742. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Deborah Collins By Representative Galvin; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - Tam Agosti-Gisler By Representatives Galvin, Josephson; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - Paul Klaben By Representatives Vance, Ruffridge Honoring - Staff Sergeant Adan Sanches By Representatives Prax, Stapp; Senator Myers Honoring - Blue Market AK By Representatives Galvin, Mina; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - Imagine That Childcare, 50th Anniversary By Representative Prax; Senator Myers Honoring - Juneau Douglas High School Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears 2023 Varsity Softball State Champions By Representatives Hannan, Story; Senator Kiehl Honoring - 2024 Senate Floor Staff By Senator Wielechowski In Memoriam - Frederick Joseph John By Representative Ortiz; Senator Stedman In Memoriam - Nynaeve Kay Seaman By Representative Prax; Senator Myers 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2749 In Memoriam - David Charles Kilbourn By Representatives Prax, Dibert; Senator Myers In Memoriam - Wendall Harold Zesiger By Representative Prax In Memoriam - Louis Hale Barton By Representative Prax In Memoriam - Andra Lee Olive Gutendorf Rice By Representative Prax; Senator Myers In Memoriam - Dale Edwin Denny By Representative Prax; Senator Myers In Memoriam - Candice Marie Howard Brunty By Representative Prax In Memoriam - Jonnie Lee Jennings By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam - Jeanne Mary Brenner By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Wright In Memoriam - Richard Anthony Gularte By Senator Wielechowski In Memoriam - Charles D. Hostetler By Senator Wielechowski In Memoriam - Cheryl Smith By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam - Winnifred "Winnie" Belle Atwood By Senators Kawasaki, Bishop; Representative Carrick In Memoriam - Barry Donnellan By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Mildred "Millie" Alice Dufseth By Senator Kawasaki 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2750 In Memoriam - Joshua Loring Collins By Senators Kawasaki, Bishop; Representative Dibert CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 55 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 55 "An Act relating to allocations of funding for the Alaska Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page EDC RPT CS(EDC) NEW TITLE 2DP 2NR 3AM 1865 FN1: (EED) 1865 FN2: (LWF) 1865 FN3: (LWF) 1865 FN4: (LWF) 1865 L&C RPT CS(L&C) 3DP 2NR 2AM 2182 FN5: (EED) 2182 FN6: (LWF) 2182 FN7: (LWF) 2182 FN8: (LWF) 2182 FN9: (UA) 2182 FIN RPT CS(L&C) 9DP 2NR 2676 FN2: (LWF) 2676 FN10: ZERO(LWF) 2676 FN11: (EED) 2676 FN12: (LWF) 2676 FN13: (LWF) 2676 FN14: (UA) 2676 Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 55(L&C) (same title) 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2751 Representative Eastman objected and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, CSHB 55(L&C) was adopted. Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Eastman: Page 2, lines 6 - 9: Delete all material. Renumber the following bill section accordingly. Representative Eastman moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Carrick objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 55(L&C) Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 1 NAYS: 39 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Eastman Nays: 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 And so, Amendment No. 1 was not adopted. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 55(L&C) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 55(L&C) was read the third time. 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2752 The question being: "Shall CSHB 55(L&C) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 55(L&C) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 38 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, 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: Coulombe, Eastman Allard changed from "NAY" to "YEA" And so, CSHB 55(L&C) 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 was objection. The question being: "Shall the effective date clause be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 55(L&C) Third Reading Effective Date YEAS: 40 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, Eastman, 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 And so, the effective date clause was adopted. 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2753 CSHB 55(L&C) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 114 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 114 "An Act relating to the definition of 'village' in the Village Safe Water Act." with the: Journal Page RES RPT 6DP 2DNP 2446 FN1: ZERO(DEC) 2446 Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative McCormick: Page 1, line 5, following "city": Insert "located off the interconnected state road system" Page 1, line 6, following "city": Insert "located off the interconnected state road system" Page 1, line 7, following "municipality": Insert "located off the interconnected state road system" Page 1, line 12, following "is": Insert "located off the interconnected state road system and is" Representative McCormick moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Vance objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 114 Second Reading Amendment No. 1 YEAS: 17 NAYS: 23 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2754 Yeas: Armstrong, Carrick, Dibert, Eastman, Edgmon, Fields, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, McCormick, Mina, Ortiz, Schrage, Story Nays: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Foster, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McKay, Mears, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Shaw, Stapp, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright And so, Amendment No. 1 was not adopted. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 114 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. HB 114 will advance to third reading on tomorrow's calendar. SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS SB 187 The following was read the second time: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(FIN) am "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and other appropriations; making reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page FIN RPT HCS(FIN) 7DP 3AM 2684 Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(FIN) (same title) 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2755 Representative Eastman objected. The question being: "Shall the House adopt HCS CSSB 187(FIN)?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 187(FIN) am Second Reading Adopt House Finance CS 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, HCS CSSB 187(FIN) was adopted. The Speaker stated that, without objection, HCS CSSB 187(FIN) would be held in second reading to tomorrow's calendar. Representative C. Johnson moved and asked unanimous consent to set an amendment deadline of 7:00 p.m., today, for all amendments to HCS CSSB 187(FIN) to be turned into Legal Services. There being no objection, it was so ordered. THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 169 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the May 6 calendar (page 2699), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 169(FSH) "An Act relating to certain fish; and establishing a fisheries rehabilitation permit." 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2756 The question being: "Shall CSHB 169(FSH) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 169(FSH) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 35 NAYS: 5 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, Eastman, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Gray, Groh, Himschoot, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McKay, Mina, Ortiz, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Shaw, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance, Wright Nays: Galvin, Hannan, Josephson, McCormick, Mears And so, CSHB 169(FSH) 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. Representative Eastman objected. The question being: "Shall the House approve the citations on the calendar?" The roll was taken with the following result: Approve the Citation(s) on the Calendar YEAS: 38 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Allard, Armstrong, Baker, Carpenter, Carrick, Coulombe, Cronk, Dibert, 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 Absent: Edgmon 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2757 And so, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring – Thunder Mountain High School Culinary Arts Team By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring – Alaska School Boards and Members By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring – 2024 House Floor Staff By Representative C. Johnson Honoring – Pena Park Market By Senators Wielechowski, Tobin; Representative Groh Honoring – Luk'ae Tse' Taas Comics By Senators Wielechowski, Tobin, Dunbar In Memoriam – George Davidson By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl In Memoriam – James "Jim" Eldon Graham By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam – Orin Seybert By Senator Olson; Representative Edgmon SPECIAL PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR Representative Eastman rose to points of order regarding impugning the motives of others. The Speaker directed the member to proceed with caution. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 55 Representatives Josephson and Story added as cosponsors to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 55(L&C) "An Act relating to allocations of funding for the Alaska Workforce Investment Board; and providing for an effective date." 2024-05-07 House Journal Page 2758 ENGROSSMENT HB 55 CSHB 55(L&C) was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 169 CSHB 169(FSH) was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. ANNOUNCEMENTS With appointment of the Conference Committee on the operating budget, Rule 23(d) of the Uniform Rules is in effect as of May 6. House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meetings today were changed: Health & Social Services Committee CHANGED TO: 10 min. after adjournment ADJOURNMENT Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., May 8. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 6:06 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk