Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-24 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0563 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday March 24, 2023 Sixty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:37 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Shower was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk V. Thorsteinson, Alaska Army National Guard. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing! Lord, I request and value Your presence with us on National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day. Creator God, thank you for making us in Your own image. As Elvis Presley, who was inducted into the Army on this day in 1958 said, Everybody comes from the same source. If you hate another human being, you're hating part of yourself. God who helps, remind us our self-worth comes from relationship with You. And aid us in loving our neighbors and our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. Let all things their Creator bless, and worship Him in humbleness! Then all the people said, “Amen.” Until we meet again, may God bless you as he has blessed me. Senator Kaufman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0564 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the sixty-fifth and sixty-sixth 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 Letter dated March 23 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 appointees for confirmation: Alaska Judicial Council Dennis DeWitt – Juneau Appointed: 3/22/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar William Granger – Anchorage Appointed: 3/1/2011 Term Expired: 3/1/2014 Reappointed: 3/1/2014 Term Expired: 3/1/2017 Reappointed: 3/1/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/22/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 The appointments were referred to the Judiciary Committee. Board of Barbers and Hairdressers Breanna Hardy – North Pole Appointed: 3/22/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2025 Glenda Ledford – Wasilla Appointed: 3/22/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0565 Board of Nursing Danette Schloeder – Anchorage Appointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2023 Reappointed: 3/22/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 The appointments were referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. State Medical Board David Barnes – Palmer Appointed: 3/22/2023 Term Expires: 3/1/2024 The appointment was referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. Messages from the House Message dated March 22 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 79 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 79(FIN) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act making supplemental appropriations and other appropriations; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0566 Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Aerospace Corporation 2022 Annual Report March 17, 2023 in accordance with AS 26.27.100 Standing Committee Reports SB 28 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 28 "An Act relating to workplace violence protective orders; relating to the crime of violating a protective order; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration; and providing for an effective date." Signing no recommendation: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Merrick, Bjorkman. Signing do pass: Senator Wielechowski. Signing amend: Senator Claman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Law The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. SB 46 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 46 "An Act establishing the month of March as Brain Injury Awareness Month." Signing do pass: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Claman, Merrick, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0567 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 11 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11 BY SENATOR KIEHL, Recognizing the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 and the importance of certain provisions intended to enhance oil spill response capabilities in Western Alaska and the United States Arctic to promote improved safety in shipping commerce, protection of communities in the state, and the health of critical marine resources; urging the United States Coast Guard to consider the unique challenges of the state when developing oil spill response requirements for Western Alaska and the United States Arctic; and urging the deployment of individualized oil spill response resources for the state that use modern technologies to track the operation of large vessels in the region and local service providers with knowledge of the region and local wildlife. was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 114 SENATE BILL NO. 114 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act establishing an income tax on certain entities producing or transporting oil or gas in the state; relating to the oil and gas production tax; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0568 Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of House Resolutions HJR 4 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, was read the second time. President Stevens stated HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 will advance to third reading on the March 27 calendar. Citations Honoring - Cash Robert Arrington Representative(s) Foster In Memoriam - Joshua "Josh" Brooks Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Vance In Memoriam - Elaine Hawks Representative(s) Prax, Stapp Senator(s) Myers 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. 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0569 Special Order of Business Honoring - Edward and Janice Hotch Senator(s) Kiehl, Hughes Representative(s) Story 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 SB 112 Senators Giessel, Bjorkman, Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 112 "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." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 24 Senators Giessel, Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 24 "An Act relating to mental health education; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 27. Without objection, Senator Gray-Jackson was excused. Senator Merrick moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Without objection, Senator Merrick was excused. 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0570 HJR 10 Senators Kaufman, Hughes 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. 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 27, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:53 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0571 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 28 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 103 PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 77 MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROP **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 30 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION 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 <Above Item Removed from Agenda> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv**