Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0405 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 6, 2023 Forty-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:00 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senators Stedman, Tobin were excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Shower was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Doctor Laura Krauss, Kunéix Hídi Northern Light United Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. It is so easy to live a life operating from a place of fear believing the myth of scarcity. Instead of this struggle may we gather the courage of risk-taking. Envisioning a world of abundance for all of life, being reminded that all creation is interdependent and interconnected. May we truly share, for there is enough for all. Amen. Senator Bishop led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the forty-fourth through forty-eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0406 Messages from the Governor A Declaration of Disaster Emergency and initial finance plan dated March 3, authorizing public assistance for the Yupiit Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) as a result of disrupted water service to community facilities and additional funds for the Eagle River Avalanche disaster, with an accompanying letter, was received pursuant to AS 26.23.020. The declaration, letter and finance plan had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. Letter dated March 2 was read stating in accordance with Article III, Section 13 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 44.19.040, I submit the following nomination for lieutenant governor successor: Lieutenant Governor Successor Jason Brune The appointment was referred to the State Affairs Committee. Letter dated March 2 was read stating in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 39.05.080, I submit the following list of appointees for confirmation: Alaska Labor Relations Agency Dennis DeWitt – Juneau Appointed: 11/20/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Jennifer McConnel – Girdwood Appointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Alcoholic Beverage Control Board David Koch – Anchorage Appointed: 3/8/2021 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0407 Board of Dental Examiners Jesse Hronkin – Palmer Appointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 Megan Ferguson – Anchorage Appointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 Newell Walther – Wasilla Appointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 Board of Marital and Family Therapy Noah Shields – Kenai Appointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 Board of Massage Therapists Tonia Nelson – Anchorage Appointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2024 Board of Pharmacy Sara Rasmussen – Anchorage Appointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Marijuana Control Board Ely Cyrus – Kiana Appointed: 1/4/2022 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Christopher Jaime – Anchorage Appointed: 3/1/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Real Estate Commission Cheryl Markwood – Fairbanks Appointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 The appointments were referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0408 Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees Anita Halterman – Eagle River Appointed: 8/2/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Greg Wilson – Eagle River Appointed: 9/1/2022 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 The appointment was referred to the Resources Committee. Alaska Police Standards Council Rebecca Hamon – King Salmon Appointed: 3/1/2011 Term Expired: 3/1/2015 Reappointed: 3/1/2015 Term Expired: 3/1/2019 Reappointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 Daniel Carothers – Douglas Appointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2025 Stephen Dutra – North Pole Appointed: 5/14/2018 Term Expired: 3/1/2019 Reappointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 The appointments were referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. Commission on Judicial Conduct Todd Fletcher – Anchorage Appointed: 5/21/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0409 State Board of Parole Sarah Possenti – Fairbanks Appointed: 4/1/2011 Term Expired: 3/1/2013 Reappointed: 3/1/2013 Term Expired: 3/1/2018 Reappointed: 3/1/2018 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/1/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointments were referred to the Judiciary Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. Messages from the House Message dated March 1 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HJR 5 CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5(FSH) BY THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, Urging the United States Secretary of Commerce, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and other federal and state agencies to defend the state's fisheries, including the Southeast Alaska troll fishery. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0410 First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 51 HOUSE BILL NO. 51 BY REPRESENTATIVES WRIGHT, Mears, Ruffridge, Schrage, Josephson, entitled: "An Act relating to refrigerants designated as acceptable for use under federal law." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 90 SENATE BILL NO. 90 BY SENATOR BISHOP, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. SB 91 SENATE BILL NO. 91 BY SENATOR CLAMAN, entitled: "An Act relating to telehealth; relating to multidisciplinary care teams; and relating to the practice of medicine." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - John H. McLay Representative(s) Vance Senator(s) Stevens 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0411 In Memoriam - Chérie B. Stihler Senator(s) Kawasaki, Myers Representative(s) Carrick In Memoriam - Burnie Recel Hall Representative(s) Carrick In Memoriam - Carlene Joyce Sanders Representative(s) Tilton Senator(s) Wilson In Memoriam - Faye Palin Representative(s) Tilton Senator(s) Wilson 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 - Emil Notti Senator(s) Bishop Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Merrick moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 9 and March 10. Without objection, Senator Merrick was excused. Senator Bishop moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, March 7 through morning plane time, March 8. Without objection, Senator Bishop was excused. 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0412 SB 87 Senators Dunbar, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 87 "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." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., March 8, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:19 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0413 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 07 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 16 AK COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE APPRECIATION DAY + SB 23 LAW ENFORCEMENT: REGISTRY; USE OF FORCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 06 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 29 CIVICS EDUCATION; EST AK CVCS ED COMM -- Public Testimony -- += SB 24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION -- Public Testimony -- Presentation: Foundation Funding Formula for Public Education in Alaska by Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0414 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 08 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Presentation: Teacher Retention and Recruitment in Alaska by Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, University of Alaska Institute of Social and Economic Research + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Presentation: Public Education Funding in Alaska: Constitutional Requirements and Legal Precedents + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 06 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 58 MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY: POSTPARTUM MOTHERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 55 EXTEND STATE MEDICAL BOARD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Presentation: Alaska's Economy by Dan Robinson, Research Chief, Department of Labor and Workforce Development + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 09 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Comparing Retention Data Between Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Employees by Alexei Painter, Director Division of Legislative Finance + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0415 FINANCE (continued) Mar 10 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund Performance by Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 07 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner-Designee, Department of Health -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 8 REPEAL CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROGRAM += SB 44 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE Mar 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 51 CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT VETERINARIAN += SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS += SB 57 ADULT HOME CARE; MED ASSISTANCE += SB 59 RUNAWAYS; DFCS/DOH: DUTIES/LICENSING/INFO ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 06 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 80 2023 REVISOR'S BILL + SB 66 CRIME OF SEX/HUMAN TRAFFICKING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 08 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 12 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Alaska Bar Rule 43.5 and the Community Justice Worker Program by Nikole Nelson, Executive Director Alaska Legal Services Corporation -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0416 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 10 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS <Pending Referral> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 06 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 84 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 83 PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 08 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 74 PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 75 AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 06 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage by David Greeson, Carbon Capture Project Consultant; Frank Paskvan, Affiliate Professor on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration, University of Alaska Fairbanks -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0417 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 08 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage by Tip Meckel, Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology Austin Cahill, Managing Director, Alliant Insurance; David LePain, State Geologist, Director of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Department of Natural Resources; Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner, Department of Fish and Game -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 10 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 49 CARBON STORAGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 07 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 19 ELECTIONS; BALLOTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 1 ELECTIONS: BALLOT, VOTING, SECURITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Discussion on Election Reform and Election Related Bills by Carol Beecher, Director Division of Elections + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0418 TRANSPORTATION Mar 07 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- += SB 62 ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES -- Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Teleconference Listen Only -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION 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 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0419 CORRECTIONS (continued) 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 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Mar 09 Thursday Senate Finance 532 11:00 AM Budget Overview Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 11:00 AM Budget Overview 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0420 HEALTH Mar 06 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 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 ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Mar 10 Friday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Department Overview ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Mar 09 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Department Overview ---------------------------------------- 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 Highways & Roads 2023-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0421 TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES (continued) Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Airports & Aviation Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Marine Highways Apr 04 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Closeout ---------------------------------------- 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 06 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Long Trail Updates and Overview by: Haley Johnston, Alaska Trails Initiative Sponsored by Senator Wielechowski