Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-22 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0543 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 22, 2023 Sixty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 12:28 p.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Shower was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Lieutenant Brandt N. Peacock, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Our Father In Heaven. We are grateful to be here together today. We are grateful for the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication of all our elected officials and those who support this important work. I ask that thou would bless this governing body with wisdom, light, and knowledge as they proceed today, and help them to represent themselves and their constituents in a manner that would be pleasing to thee. Father, I pray that the work done here will be a beacon and example for others to follow. Please bless and watch over our nation and its leaders. We are grateful for the great State of Alaska and the incredible opportunities it affords to all who live here. May it forever be a blessed and prospered land. These things I pray, In thy Holy Name, Amen. Senator Hughes led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0544 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the sixty-third and sixty-fourth 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. Messages from the Governor SB 86 Letter dated March 20 was received: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority vested in me by Article II, Section 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill: SB 86 “An Act disapproving recommendations of the State Officers Compensation Commission relating to the salaries of state officers; and providing for an effective date.” The State Officers Compensation Commission met on March 15, 2023, and modified their report, to include legislative salaries to be set at half the compensation of Commissioners, or $84,000. As amended, the report now provides a comprehensive compensation plan that includes the legislature. This bill is no longer necessary as the issue has been resolved by the amendment to the report. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0545 Messages from the House Message dated March 20 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HJR 4 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 BY REPRESENTATIVES MINA, Wright, Sumner, Armstrong, Mears, Story, McCormick, Gray, Schrage, Carpenter, Groh, Shaw, Josephson, Stapp, Dibert, Galvin, Tomaszewski, Tilton, Honoring the Alaska-Korea relationship; and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, and the 120th anniversary of the first Korean immigration to the United States. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. HJR 10 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 BY REPRESENTATIVES CRONK, Sumner, Stutes, McCabe, Armstrong, Rauscher, C. Johnson, Schrage, Vance, D. Johnson, Patkotak, Carpenter, Saddler, Tilton, Allard, Tomaszewski, Stapp, Wright, 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. Senator Merrick added as a cross sponsor on the resolution. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0546 First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 62 HOUSE BILL NO. 62 BY REPRESENTATIVES EDGMON, Schrage, Hannan, Armstrong, Himschoot, Mina, Patkotak, Story, McCormick, Foster, Cronk, Galvin, Stutes, Josephson, Carrick, Groh, Ortiz, Wright, Mears, entitled: "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund and recommendation program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Message dated March 21 was read stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Thirty-third Alaska Legislature at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22 for the purpose of voting to override the Governor's veto to Senate Bill 86; Reject Compensation Commission Recommendations. President Stevens stated a letter has been sent to the Speaker of the House respectfully declining the invitation to meet in Joint Session. Standing Committee Reports Report dated March 20 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Resources 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 Natural Resources John Boyle Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Brett Huber Greg Wilson 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0547 Regulatory Commission of Alaska Robert Doyle Signing the report: Senators Giessel, Bishop, Cochairs; Senators Dunbar, Kaufman, Kawasaki. Report dated March 21 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Transportation 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. Board of Marine Pilots James Cunningham Signing the report: Senator Kaufman, Chair; Senators Wilson, Myers, Tobin, Kiehl. Reports dated March 21 were read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the State Affairs 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. Lieutenant Governor Successor Jason Brune Alaska Police Standards Council Rebecca Hamon Daniel Carothers Stephen Dutra Signing the reports: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Bjorkman, Merrick. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0548 SB 13 The Education Committee considered 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." Signing do pass: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Stevens, Kiehl. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, University of Alaska The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 23 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 23 "An Act relating to the duties of the Alaska Police Standards Council; relating to municipal correctional officers and municipal correctional employees; making municipal police officers subject to police standards; relating to the duties of the Department of Public Safety; relating to reports of incidents of use of force by state and municipal police, probation, parole, and correctional officers and municipal correctional facility employees; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 23(CRA) "An Act relating to the duties of the Alaska Police Standards Council; relating to municipal correctional officers and municipal correctional employees; making municipal police officers subject to police standards; relating to the duties of the Department of Public Safety; relating to reports of incidents of use of force by state and municipal police, probation, parole, pretrial services, and correctional officers and municipal correctional facility employees; and providing for an effective date." Signing no recommendation: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Bjorkman, Giessel. Signing do pass: Senator Gray-Jackson. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0549 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Corrections Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Public Safety The bill was referred to the State Affairs Committee. SB 63 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 63 "An Act relating to restrictions on firearms and other weapons." Signing no recommendation: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray- Jackson, Giessel, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Law Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Law The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 110 SENATE BILL NO. 110 BY SENATOR HUGHES, entitled: "An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education, Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0550 SB 111 SENATE BILL NO. 111 BY SENATORS HUGHES, Myers, entitled: "An Act relating to payment of legislator salaries; disapproving recommendations of the State Officers Compensation Commission; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. SB 112 SENATE BILL NO. 112 BY SENATOR DUNBAR, entitled: "An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. SB 113 SENATE BILL NO. 113 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school district fund; relating to Mt. Edgecumbe High School; and relating to teacher housing." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0551 Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - William "Bill" Louis Dozette 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. Unfinished Business HJR 4 Senators Tobin, Kawasaki, Dunbar, Gray-Jackson, Bishop, Merrick, Claman, Wielechowski, Stedman, Myers, Kaufman, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Honoring the Alaska-Korea relationship; and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, and the 120th anniversary of the first Korean immigration to the United States. Without objection, it was so ordered. HJR 4 Senator Kawasaki, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent that the State Affairs Committee referral be waived on HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Honoring the Alaska-Korea relationship; and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea, the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, and the 120th anniversary of the first Korean immigration to the United States. The State Affairs Committee passed CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6(STA) (a similar bill) out of committee, (page 453) with a do pass recommendation. Without objection, the resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0552 SB 13 Senators Hughes, Kiehl, Kawasaki 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. Senator Hughes offered the following: Sense of the Senate It is the sense of the Senate that the Senate disapproves of the pay increases recommended by the State Officers Compensation Commission that were included in the bill that passed the Senate on February 27th. This bill was subsequently vetoed by the governor on March 20th. In addition, the Senate finds that the process undertaken by the State Officers’ Compensation Commission was flawed in adopting an amendment to their original report, and with the spring revenue forecasts predicting a deficit of over $900 million for this and the next fiscal year, pay raises are not justified nor warranted. Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to adopt the Sense of the Senate. Objections were heard. President Stevens referred the Sense of the Senate to the Finance Committee. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate accept the House invitation to meet in Joint Session today. President Stevens ruled the motion out of order. Senator Myers appealed the ruling of the Chair. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0553 The question being: "Shall the Senate Uphold the Ruling of the Chair?" The roll was taken with the following result: Uphold Ruling of the Chair? YEAS: 16 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Hughes, Myers Excused: Shower Absent: Olson and so, the ruling of the Chair was upheld. HJR 10 Senators Wilson, Giessel, Bishop, Bjorkman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Disapproving the proposed rule by the National Park Service limiting non-subsistence hunting methods; and urging the National Park Service to withdraw the rule. Without objection, it was so ordered. HB 62 Senators Kaufman, Kawasaki, Tobin, Kiehl, Dunbar, Gray-Jackson, Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on HOUSE BILL NO. 62 "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant fund and recommendation program; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from evening plane time, March 24 through morning plane time, March 27. Without objection, Senator Kaufman was excused. 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0554 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 24, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 1:11 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0555 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 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 77 MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROP + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees for the University of Alaska Board of Regents: Dennis Michel, Bethany Marcum, Joey Crum, Paula Harrison Consideration of Governor’s Appointees for the Professional Teaching Practices Commission: Mary Carlson + SB 97 TEACHER RECRUITMENT; LUMP SUM PAYMENT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Susan McKenzie, Director of Innovation and Education Excellence SENATE BILL: LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE ALASKA EDUCATION TAX CREDIT PROGRAM <Pending Introduction & Referral> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0556 FINANCE Mar 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Spring Revenue Forecast by Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 23 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Willow Project Update by Department of Natural Resources Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 24 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Fiscal Summary Update & Fiscal Scenarios by Division of Legislative Finance + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Presentation: Discussion of Court Rules and Grand Jury by Nancy Meade, General Counsel, Alaska Court System John Skidmore, Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Law -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 64 CONTROLLED SUB.;HOMICIDE;GOOD TIME DEDUC. -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 37 CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG <Bill Hearing Canceled> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0557 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 24 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Victimization Survey by Dr. Ingrid Johnson, Assistant Professor, Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 104 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Invited and Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> All off net callers must hang up immediately after testifying to keep lines open **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 89 AGE FOR TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG; TAX E-CIG -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 51 CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT VETERINARIAN -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 93 FISHERMEN'S FUND: VESSEL OWNER CLAIMS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Invited & Public Testimony -- 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0558 RESOURCES Mar 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 90 EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Enrique Fernandez, Chairman, Alaska Minerals Commission += SB 49 CARBON STORAGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Kevin Connors, Assistant Director, Regulatory Compliance and Energy Policy, Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) Presentation: Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) Update by Commissioner-Designee John Boyle, Department of Natural Resources -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 24 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR WATER RIGHTS <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Public Testimony -- + SB 90 EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION -- Public Testimony -- += SB 34 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 87 LUMBER GRADING PROGRAM -- Public Testimony -- += SB 72 NATL. RES. WATER NOMINATION/DESIGNATION <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Public Testimony -- += HJR 10 NAT'L PARK SERVICE; HUNTING IN PRESERVES -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0559 STATE AFFAIRS Mar 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 46 BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 28 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 27 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Mar 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2023-03-22 Senate Journal Page 0560 TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES 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 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Red Cross of Alaska Sharing the Impact of Red Cross Volunteers and Employees Across the State by: Buddy Custard, Red Cross of Alaska Board Chair and Cameron Morrison, Regional Philanthropy Officer Sponsored by Senator Olson Mar 28 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Healthcare startups and innovation in Alaska by Jacqueline Summers, Executive Director of Health TIE Sponsored by Senator Kiehl