Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-02-20 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0299 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday February 20, 2023 Thirty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senator Wielechowski was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Bjorkman, Giessel were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Adam Bauer of Bahá'í of Juneau. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praise-worthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal. Abdu’l-Bahá 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0300 Senator Shower led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Kiehl, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the thirty-second through thirty-fourth legislative days and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 6 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kiehl, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent Senators Bjorkman, Giessel be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senators Bjorkman, Giessel were excused. Messages from the Governor Letter dated February 17 was read stating in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 39.05.080, I submitted a list of appointees for confirmation. The following appointee is withdrawn from consideration, effective immediately: Alaska Police Standards Council Bryan Barlow Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Labor and Workforce Development Alaska Training Program Performance for Participants Exiting Programs Annual Report Fiscal Year 2021 In accordance with AS 23.15.580 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0301 Department of Revenue Summary of Calendar Year 2022 Alaska Education Tax Credits in accordance with AS 43.05.010 Department of Education and Early Development Annual Report February 15, 2023 in accordance with AS 14.03.078 Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Division of Insurance 2022 Annual Report in accordance with AS 21.06.110 Department of Natural Resources Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys 2022 Annual Report in accordance with AS 41.08.030 Department of Fish and Game Board of Game Allocation Report February 1, 2023 in accordance with AS 16.05.050 Standing Committee Reports SB 26 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 26 "An Act relating to special registration plates commemorating peace officers killed in the line of duty" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 26(STA) Signing no recommendation: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Bjorkman, Merrick. Signing do pass: Senators Wielechowski, Claman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0302 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 76 SENATE BILL NO. 76 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act making supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Governor's transmittal letter dated February 17: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to appropriations for the state’s operating expenses for fiscal year 2023. This appropriation bill includes supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 that are of an urgent nature. I am requesting expedited consideration of these items to ensure the state’s continued ability to provide for fair and speedy trials and to ensure the timely delivery of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits to Alaskans in need. I look forward to working with the Legislature on the prompt passage and implementation of these items. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Bill Hill Senator(s) Hoffman Representative(s) Edgmon 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0303 Honoring - Michael Swain, Jr. Senator(s) Hoffman Representative(s) Edgmon Honoring - North Pole High School Unified Champion School Senator(s) Myers, Kawasaki Representative(s) Prax In Memoriam - Dorothy "Dory" Stucky Representative(s) Galvin Senator(s) Gray-Jackson Senator Kiehl, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Kiehl, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., February 22, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:11 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0304 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Feb 21 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 63 LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 20 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Overview: University of Alaska by University of Alaska President Pat Pitney Paul Layer, Vice President of Academics, Students and Research Deborah Craig, Dean of the College of Health Tonia Dousay, Dean of the School of Education Chad Hutchison, Director of State Relations + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 29 CIVICS EDUCATION; EST AK CVCS ED COMM + SB 24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0305 EDUCATION (continued) Feb 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 20 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Overview of Governor's Budget Amendments Neil Steininger, Director, Office of Management and Budget += SB 40 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL += SB 42 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET += SB 54 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; REAPPROP; AMENDING + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Fiscal Position with Governor's Budget Amendments Alexei Painter, Director, Legislative Finance Division += SB 40 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL += SB 42 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET += SB 54 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; REAPPROP; AMENDING + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 23 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM PERS/TRS Tier Comparisons Ajay Desai, Director, Division of Retirement and Benefits Kevin Worley, Chief Finance Officer, Division of Retirement and Benefits + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 24 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Update on Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) in Alaska Thomas Lochner, Director, Alaska Broadband Office + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0306 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 8 REPEAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled += SB 45 DIRECT HEALTH AGREEMENT: NOT INSURANCE Feb 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 44 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled += SB 45 DIRECT HEALTH AGREEMENT: NOT INSURANCE ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 20 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Alaska Police Standards Council Bryan Barlow – Anchorage -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Presentation: Proposal for Alaska-specific Police Policy Manual by Chief Steve Dutra, President, Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 24 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0307 LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 20 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 80th Percentile Presentation from Lori Wing-Heier Director, Division of Insurance + SB 70 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE -- Invited and Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> += SB 55 EXTEND STATE MEDICAL BOARD + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Workforce Challenges from the Oil and Gas, Resource Development and Tourism Industry Perspective Presentations by: Kara Moriarty, Executive Director, Alaska Oil & Gas Association Leila Kimbrell, Executive Director, Resource Development Council Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association and other industry representatives to be announced. **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Workforce Challenges in Alaska Presenteres to be announced. **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0308 RESOURCES Feb 20 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Carbon Offset: Forestry Panel by Helge Eng, Director of Forestry and Alaska State Forester, Department of Natural Resources Brian Kleinhenz, President of Terra Vera Nathan Lojewski, Forestry Manager of Chugachmiut Chris Maisch, President of Society of American Foresters Josh Strauss, Senior Vice President of Natural Climate Solutions -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Carbon Offset: Financial Questions by Dr. Melanie Werdon, Minerals Resources Section Chief, Department of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Department of Natural Resources Sean Carney, President of Finite Carbon Anthony Mallott, President of Sealaska Aaron Schutt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Doyon, Limited -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 24 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 48 CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM ON STATE LAND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 21 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0309 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Feb 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 28 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 31 SELECTION AND REVIEW OF JUDGES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 32 CHOKEHOLD BAN -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Roads, Highways, & Bridges by Department of Transportation & Public Facilities -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Feb 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:30 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget Mar 01 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:30 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget Mar 08 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget Mar 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0310 COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Mar 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 12:30 PM + Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Feb 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget Mar 02 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget Mar 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM + Department of Education and Early Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 20 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget Feb 27 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0311 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 06 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget Mar 13 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget ---------------------------------------- LAW Feb 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Department of Law Budget ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Feb 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + General Department Overview ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Feb 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 12:00 PM + Overview: Dept. of Revenue Budget ---------------------------------------- 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0312 JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Feb 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM I. Call to Order II. Committee Organization a. Election of the Chair b. Election of the Vice Chair III. Committee Policies a. Quorum and Voting Requirements b. Alternate Members c. Sanctioning Charity Events d. Subcommittees IV. Approval of Minutes a. December 19, 2022 V. Ratification of Charity Events a. Governor’s Inaugural Celebration JUNEAU – January 20, 2023 b. Governor’s Inaugural Celebration FAIRBANKS – January 28, 2023 c. Governor’s Inaugural Celebration ANCHORAGE – February 18, 2023 <Above Item V (a)(b)(c) Removed from Agenda> VI. Committee Business a. 2023 Manual of Legislative Drafting b. Office of Victims' Rights Compensation c. 2023 Revisor's Bill d. FY22 Legislature Audit e. FY24 Legislative Council Budget VII. Adjourn **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 22 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator 2023-02-20 Senate Journal Page 0313 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Economic Benefits of Alaska's Construction Industry by Associated General Contractors and McKinley Research Sponsored by Senator Merrick Feb 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation: History, Structure, Investment, and Use of the Fund Presented by APFC Executive Director, Deven Mitchell *This event is not catered, welcome to bring your own lunch.* New Staff and Legislators are Encouraged to Attend Hosted by Joint Rules Chairs-Senator Wielechowski & Representative Craig Johnson