Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-01 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0373 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 1, 2023 Forty-fourth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:00 a.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senators Hoffman, Olson, Shower were excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Kawasaki was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Father Patrick Casey, Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Senator Wilson moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Gracious God, we pray for the men and women who are gathered here in this chamber, who represent the people in the State of Alaska Legislature: that they may work together to uphold the dignity of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable. Amen. Senator Wilson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the forty-second and forty-third legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. The presence of Senator Kawasaki was noted. 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0374 Messages from the Governor SCR 1 Message dated February 28 was read stating the Governor read the following resolution and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Proposing amendments to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to the 2020 edition of "Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure" and relating to standing committees; and providing for an effective date for the amendments. Legislative Resolve No. 1 HJR 6 Message dated February 28 was read stating the Governor read the following resolution and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: 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. Legislative Resolve No. 2 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Energy Authority 2022 Annual Report in accordance with AS 44.83.940 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0375 Department of Education & Early Development School Capital Project Funding Under SB 237 Annual Report 2022 in accordance with AS 14.11.035 Standing Committee Reports Report dated February 27 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Finance Committee held a hearing on the following appointee(s). A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual(s) during any further sessions. Commissioner, Department of Revenue Adam Crum Signing the report: Senators Hoffman, Stedman, Olson, Cochairs; Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Merrick, Bishop. SB 12 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 12"An Act relating to confidentiality of information; relating to the duties of the Department of Administration; creating an address confidentiality program; and providing for an effective date"and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 12(STA) "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Administration; creating an address confidentiality program; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Kawasaki, Chair. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wielechowski, Bjorkman, Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0376 SB 22 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 22 "An Act establishing Juneteenth Day as a legal holiday." Signing do pass: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senator Wielechowski. Signing no recommendation: Senators Bjorkman, Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, indeterminate, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, indeterminate, Office of the Governor President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to the bill. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 8 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8 BY THE SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, Disapproving the proposed rule by the National Park Service limiting non-subsistence hunting methods; and urging the National Park Service to withdraw the rule. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0377 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 87 SENATE BILL NO. 87 BY SENATOR BJORKMAN, entitled: "An Act relating to a lumber grading training program and lumber grading certificates; relating to use of lumber graded and certified by a person holding a lumber grading training program certificate; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. SB 88 SENATE BILL NO. 88 BY SENATORS GIESSEL, Bishop, Stevens, entitled: "An Act relating to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. SB 89 SENATE BILL NO. 89 BY SENATOR STEVENS, entitled: "An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to purchase, sell, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0378 Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Silk Restaurant Senator(s) Gray-Jackson Representative(s) Josephson, Galvin Honoring - The Patrons of the Pratt Society Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Vance Honoring - Michael Trefon Representative(s) Edgmon Senator(s) Hoffman Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business SB 88 Senators Kiehl, Kawasaki, Tobin, Wielechowski, Gray-Jackson, Dunbar, Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 88 "An Act relating to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0379 SB 89 Senators Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 89 "An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to purchase, sell, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from March 10 through March 12. Without objection, Senator Dunbar was excused. Senator Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from March 6 through plane time, March 7. Without objection, Senator Stedman was excused. President Stevens made the following appointments: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Board of Directors Senator Stedman Statewide Broadband Advisory Board Senator Dunbar, alternate NCSL Budgets and Revenue Committee Senator Gray-Jackson NCSL Education Committee Senator Tobin Senator Bjorkman Senator Stevens NCSL Health and Human Services Committee Senator Wilson NCSL Labor and Economic Development Committee Senator Kawasaki Senator Bjorkman Senator Wielechowski 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0380 NCSL Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee Senator Giessel Senator Kawasaki NCSL Task Force on Energy Supply Senator Kawasaki NCSL Task Force on State and Local Taxation Senator Kiehl NCSL Nuclear Legislative Working Group Senator Giessel Senator Bishop NCSL Task Force on Military and Veterans’ Affairs Senator Kawasaki CSG National Interbranch Affairs Committee Senator Hughes Alaska Energy Security Task Force Senator Bishop Victims’ Advocate Selection Committee Senator Wilson, Cochair Senator Kiehl Senator Hughes Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., March 3, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:32 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0381 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 Mar 02 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 16 AK COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE APPRECIATION DAY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 01 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 43 HEALTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Dr. Robin Holmes, Medical Director for the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic Nicole Morentson, PPGNHAIK Education Manager Taylor Stewart, Teen Council Member Taralynn Chesley, Teen Council Member + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 03 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0382 FINANCE Mar 01 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Alaska's Municipalities - Post COVID Update by Nils Andreassen, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 02 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: SNAP & Medicaid Eligibility Redetermination by Division of Public Assistance + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 03 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 02 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 57 ADULT HOME CARE; MED ASSISTANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 8 REPEAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROGRAM <Above Item Removed from Agenda> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 01 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 80 2023 REVISOR'S BILL -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 03 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0383 LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 01 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 70 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE -- Public Testimony -- <Above Item Removed from Agenda> Workforce Challenges in Alaska Presentation by Gloria Burnett, MS, UAA Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 03 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 01 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 67 PFAS USE FIREFIGHTING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Mining Industry Update by Karen Matthias, Executive Director, Council of Alaska Producers (CAP) Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association (AMA) Mike Satre, Governmental Affairs, Hecla Ltd. + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 03 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 02 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0384 TRANSPORTATION Mar 02 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 01 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- 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 ---------------------------------------- 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 Mar 02 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0385 CORRECTIONS (continued) 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 12:30 PM + Department of Education and Early Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Department of Education and Early Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 01 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 06 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0386 HEALTH (continued) Mar 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 06 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget Mar 13 Monday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Judiciary Budget ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Proposed Budget Highlights Mar 14 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Marine Highways Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Airports & Aviation Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Highways & Roads Apr 04 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Closeout 2023-03-01 Senate Journal Page 0387 JOINT COMMITTEES SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS Mar 09 Thursday Anch Lio Denali Rm 11:00 AM -- Teleconference -- SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE 1. Call to Order 2. Public Comment 3. Election of House Subcommittee Chairs for 2023-2024 (+) 4. Executive Session 5. Public Session 6. Other Business 7. Adjourn (Meeting will be teleconferenced) Anchorage Only: 907-563-9085 Juneau Only: 907-586-9085 Outside Anchorage or Juneau: 1-844-586-9085 ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 01 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Peace Corps in Alaska featuring Senator Forrest Dunbar & Brian Holst, Executive Director of the Juneau Economic Development Corporation Sponsored by Senator Tobin Mar 02 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Healthcare Startups and Innovation Health TIE and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Sponsored by Senator Kiehl