Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-02-22 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0317 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 22, 2023 Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:31 a.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senator Myers was excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Gray-Jackson was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Daymond Geary, Pastor of Breakthrough Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19 New King James Version) We join together in this chamber asking for wisdom, grace and favor on our State. Throughout our towns and villages there are incredible needs for quality health-care workers, social workers, community workers, volunteers and church leaders. I ask for favor on our state to draw these workers and the needed attention of investors and business leaders to build with our communities. I also ask for grace to be given for those willing to come and those we now have in state. I pray for strength for each Senator, staff member, the legislative staff and additional State employees supporting this chamber and our State. I pray for the health and safety of these and their families. 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0318 Lastly, I pray as Jesus taught us. In this manner, therefore, pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 New King James Version) Senator Stedman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Gray- Jackson be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Gray-Jackson was excused. Messages from the House Message dated February 20 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HJR 6 CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6(RES) am BY THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0319 Supporting oil and gas leasing and development within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and urging President Biden and the United States Department of the Interior to approve the Willow Master Development Plan. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Standing Committee Reports SB 14 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 14 "An Act relating to reemployment of persons who retire under the teachers' retirement system as mentors; relating to retirement incentives for members of the defined benefit retirement plan of the teachers' retirement system and the defined benefit retirement plan of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." Signing no recommendation: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senator Kiehl. Signing do pass: Senators Gray-Jackson, Stevens. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. SB 55 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 55 "An Act extending the termination date of the State Medical Board; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Bishop, Vice Chair; Senators Dunbar, Gray- Jackson. Signing no recommendation: Senator Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0320 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 77 SENATE BILL NO. 77 BY SENATOR DUNBAR, entitled: "An Act relating to municipal property tax; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - Jay Hogan Senator(s) Hoffman Representative(s) Groh In Memoriam - Christine Pricer-Fish Representative(s) Sumner, Wright Senator(s) Wielechowski Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Patti Mackey Representative(s) Ortiz Senator(s) Stedman Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0321 Unfinished Business Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent President Stevens be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, February 24 through evening plane time, February 26. Without objection, Senator Stevens was excused. SB 63 Senator Merrick moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 63 "An Act relating to restrictions on firearms and other weapons." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 1. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. SB 77 Senator Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 77 "An Act relating to municipal property tax; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 26 Senators Tobin, Dunbar, Claman, Kawasaki, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 26(STA) "An Act relating to special registration plates commemorating peace officers killed in the line of duty." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from March 1 through March 3. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Senator Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 2. Without objection, Senator Kawasaki was excused. 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0322 Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from March 1 through March 3. Without objection, Senator Olson was excused. Announcements HJR 6 Senator Giessel, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent Uniform Rule 23 be waived on CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6(RES) am Supporting oil and gas leasing and development within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and urging President Biden and the United States Department of the Interior to approve the Willow Master Development Plan, for the Senate Resources Committee meeting today at 3:30 p.m. Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements are at the end of the journal. Recess Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 10:47 a.m. After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Tilton called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Stevens, who called the Joint Session to order at 11:07 a.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear an address by the Honorable Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0323 Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. President Stevens appointed Senator Wielechowski and Representative Cronk to escort U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski to the Joint Session. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, Matt Simpson, announced the Honorable Lisa Murkowski’s entrance to the House Chamber. Senator Lisa Murkowski was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Stevens and Speaker Tilton. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski delivered her address. This address appears in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 7. Following her address, there was a question and answer period. Senator Murkowski received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Representative Cronk and Senator Wielechowski. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Stevens adjourned the Joint Session at 12:25 p.m. After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 12:28 p.m. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., February 24, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 12:28 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0324 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 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 63 LIMITATIONS ON FIREARMS RESTRICTIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION 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** Feb 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0325 FINANCE (continued) 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 ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES 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 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Alaska Police Standards Council Bryan Barlow – Anchorage -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Above Item Removed from Agenda> + 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 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0326 LABOR & COMMERCE 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** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HJR 6 NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA Uniform Rule 23 Waived 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 -- 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** 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0327 STATE AFFAIRS 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 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 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0328 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** 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0329 JUDICIARY Feb 27 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget 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 ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 22 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator 2023-02-22 Senate Journal Page 0330 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS 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 Mar 02 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Healthcare Startups and Innovation Health TIE and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Sponsored by Senator Kiehl