Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-15 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0487 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 15, 2023 Fifty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Shower was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Dr. Keith Hamilton, President, Alaska Christian College. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Lord, today all gather in this capitol building to ask for guidance and direction for the elected leaders sitting in this mighty chamber. Each of them has been given a great responsibility to uphold the Constitution, to be fair in all matters, and seek what is best for all the citizens of our great state. Their jobs can be hard, stressful, and at times can cause difficulty in their personal lives. They have been chosen for, and have been elected to serve, all of our residents and that is an enormous task. So, this day, again I pray for our great leaders Donny, Shelley, David, Robert, and Mike as they will have decisions to make that impact each of us. Use their wisdom to provide the best possible answers for Alaska's future. 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0488 Thanks for the hard work that Jesse B., Click, Matt, Elvi, and Lyman and their teams do every day in this building to propel us forward as a State. They serve well. We are grateful for the powerful leadership of Bill, Cathy, Gary, Löki, and Bert in their places of influence as they are respected for the tasks before them... and finally for Scott, Forrest, Kelly, Jesse K. and James who strive to do all they can to serve all Alaskans through the many roles that they have been called to. I know our Legislature and Governor are working overtime to bring us a budget that serves our State the best way they know how as well as many other critical issues. I pray for holy wisdom, incredible discernment, honest evaluation, and a strong sense of unity that results in what is best for their constituents as they deliberate these issues. Bring peace Lord to the legislative process today; also, Lord as I have prayed many times before, protect each of our service men and women that come from our great state from harm as they have gone before us, in our places, to protect our country, our values, and our homes. All this I ask in the name of your son Jesus, Amen. Senator Giessel led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Shower be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0489 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Notice of Availability: Department of Revenue Alaska Salmon Price and Production Report Calendar Year 2022 in accordance with AS 43.80.060 Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board (AMHOB) Annual Report February 2023 in accordance with Ch. 20, SLA 2021 Department of Natural Resources 2022 Determination to Take Oil and Gas Royalty In-Value in accordance with AS 38.05.182 Disclosure letters received from the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, in accordance with AS 24.60, will be published in Senate Journal Supplement No. 3 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 8. Standing Committee Reports Report dated March 14 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Health and Social Services 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 Family and Community Services Kim Kovol Signing the report: Senator Wilson, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Giessel. 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0490 SB 52 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 52 "An Act relating to education; increasing the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 52(EDC) "An Act relating to education; requiring the Department of Education and Early Development to provide information relating to public schools on an Internet website; relating to information on the post- secondary education, career path, and residency of graduates from high schools in the state; increasing the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senators Bjorkman, Gray- Jackson, Stevens, Kiehl. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Education and Early Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. HJR 5 The Resources Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5(FSH) 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. Signing do pass: Senators Bishop, Giessel, Cochairs; Senators Dunbar, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Claman, Wielechowski. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, House Special Committee on Fisheries The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0491 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 101 SENATE BILL NO. 101 BY SENATOR TOBIN, entitled: "An Act relating to a renewable portfolio standard; relating to electrical energy transmission; relating to distributed energy systems; relating to power cost equalization; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. SB 102 SENATE BILL NO. 102 BY SENATOR MYERS, entitled: "An Act relating to refuse utility rates and Regulatory Commission of Alaska regulations regarding refuse utilities; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. SB 103 SENATE BILL NO. 103 BY SENATOR DUNBAR, entitled: "An Act relating to peer support counseling programs for law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the Department of Corrections." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. SB 104 SENATE BILL NO. 104 BY SENATOR DUNBAR, entitled: "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0492 SB 105 SENATE BILL NO. 105 BY THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act authorizing the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue revenue bonds to finance the replacement of the Alaska Railroad Corporation's passenger dock and related terminal facility in Seward, Alaska; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 38 SENATE BILL NO. 38 "An Act establishing the crime of interference with emergency communications" was read the second time. President Stevens stated SENATE BILL NO. 38 will advance to third reading on the March 17 calendar. Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 80 SENATE BILL NO. 80 "An Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as recommended by the revisor of statutes; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 80 "An Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as recommended by the revisor of statutes; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0493 SB 80 Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Shower and so, SENATE BILL NO. 80 passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations Honoring - The Tanana Valley Farmers Market Fiftieth Anniversary Senator(s) Kawasaki, Bishop Representative(s) Carrick Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was 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 - Georgianna Lincoln Senator(s) Bishop Representative(s) Cronk Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0494 Unfinished Business SB 13 Senators Gray-Jackson, Dunbar, Tobin moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 13 "An Act relating to costs of and charges for textbooks and other course materials required for University of Alaska courses; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 101 Senators Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 101 "An Act relating to a renewable portfolio standard; relating to electrical energy transmission; relating to distributed energy systems; relating to power cost equalization; relating to the Alaska Energy Authority; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 103 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 103 "An Act relating to peer support counseling programs for law enforcement agencies, emergency service providers, and the Department of Corrections." Without objection, it was so ordered. President Stevens made the following appointments: Pacific Northwest Economic Region Delegate Council Senator Giessel Senator Kiehl Senator Olson, alternate Senator Wielechowski, alternate Pacific Northwest Economic Region Arctic Caucus Senator Stevens NCSL Cybersecurity Task Force Senator Hughes 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0495 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 80 SENATE BILL NO. 80 "An Act making corrective amendments to the Alaska Statutes as recommended by the revisor of statutes; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., March 17, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:35 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0496 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 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 77 MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Housing Alaskans - A Public Private Partnership by Preston Simmons, DSc. Chair Michele Brown, Senior Fellow, Rasmusson Foundation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 15 Wednesday Davis 106 8:30 AM -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- Uniform Rule 23(a) Waived Joint meeting with the House Education Committee Presentation: Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development by James Fields, State Board Chair; Heidi Teshner, DEED Acting Commissioner + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0497 FINANCE Mar 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority by Randy Ruaro, Exec. Director + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Alaska's Economy by Dan Robinson, Research Chief, Dept. of Labor; Brett Watson ISER + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 17 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: 404 Primacy - Clean Water Act Permitting by Randy Bates, Dept. of Environmental Conservation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 15 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS <Bill Hearing Canceled> += SB 12 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 17 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0498 LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 70 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE -- Public Testimony -- + SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 15 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR WATER RIGHTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Christy Colles, Director, Dept. of Mining Land and Water (DNR); Tom Barrett, Section Chief of Water, DMLW, DNR + SB 34 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Tina Cunning, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) Expert; Ted Spraker, President, Safari Club International, Kenai + SB 87 LUMBER GRADING PROGRAM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Jeremy Douse, Northern Region Forester, DNR Division of Forestry and Fire Protection; Helge Eng, Director, DNR Division of Forestry and Fire Protection + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0499 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 17 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 72 NATL. RES. WATER NOMINATION/DESIGNATION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Randy Bates, Director, Division of Water, (DEC) Presentation: Heavy Oil Recovery by Abhijit Dandekar, Ph.D, Professor and Chair, Department of Petroleum Engineering, UAF College of Engineering and Mines + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Railroad Corporation Overview by Bill O'Leary, President & CEO, Alaska Railroad Corporation -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Administration Budget ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 6:00 PM -- Teleconference -- + Corrections Budget 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0500 FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Mar 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 11:00 AM -- Rescheduled from 03/09/23 -- Budget Overview Mar 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 11:00 AM Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 27 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Mar 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY24 Budget Overview 2023-03-15 Senate Journal Page 0501 TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES 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 ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Healtheconnect and Alaska eHealth Network presentation on "Alaska's Statewide Health Information Exchange" by Dr. Gene Quinn Sponsored by Senator David Wilson Mar 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch and Learn Presentation: Red Cross of Alaska Sharing the Impact of Red Cross Volunteers and Employees Across the State by: Tanguy Libbrecht, Red Cross of Alaska Regional Executive; Buddy Custard, Red Cross of Alaska Board Chair Sponsored by Senator Olson