Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-03-27 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0585 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 27, 2023 Seventieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:00 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Dani Cherian, Valley Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Thank you for this new day and for calling each Senator and their staff here, to accomplish your will today. I ask that you refresh and bless them and give them energy as they make decisions for Alaska. Lord, Give them wisdom, knowledge, discernment, and guidance so that success will come from their effort. “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Prov 11:14) If wisdom is needed, you say to ask you and you will give it to those who ask. As decisions that need to be made pass through their hands, I pray that you would give them wise counsel to make just decisions for our state. In Jesus' Name, Amen. 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0586 Senator Kawasaki led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the sixty-seventh through sixty-ninth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Standing Committee Reports HB 79 The Finance Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 79(FIN) "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." Signing do pass: Senators Hoffman, Stedman, Olson, Cochairs; Senators Kiehl, Merrick, Bishop. The bill is on today's calendar. HJR 10 The Resources Committee considered 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. Signing do pass: Senators Bishop, Giessel, Cochairs; Senators Dunbar, Kaufman, Wielechowski. Signing no recommendation: Senator Claman. Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, House Resources Committee. The resolution is on today's calendar. 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0587 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 115 SENATE BILL NO. 115 BY SENATOR TOBIN BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to physicians; and relating to health care insurance policies." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Labor and Commerce Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of House Bills HB 79 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 79(FIN) "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 second time. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the bill be advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 79(FIN) was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 79(FIN) "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" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0588 CSHB 79(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson and so, CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 79(FIN) 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. Senator Giessel moved for the adoption of the constitutional budget reserve fund section(s). The question being: "Shall the constitutional budget reserve fund section(s) (Article IX, Section 17(c) Constitution of the State of Alaska) be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 79(FIN) Adopt Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund Section(s)? YEAS: 19 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Shower and so, the constitutional budget reserve fund section was adopted, and the bill was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0589 Second Reading of House Resolutions HJR 10 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, was read the second time. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the resolution be advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without objection, it was so ordered. HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall 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, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 10 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 18 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Kiehl, Tobin and so, HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. Third 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 third time. 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0590 Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cross sponsor on the resolution. Without objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall 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, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 4 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson and so, HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4 passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. Citations Commemorating – Law Enforcement Memorial Day January 9, 2023 Representative(s) Tilton Honoring – Gail Fenumiai Senator(s) Kiehl Representative(s) Story, Hannan Honoring – Lieutenant General Craig Campbell Representative(s) Allard Honoring – Lindsy Weaver Representative(s) Stapp, Tomaszewski Senator(s) Kawasaki In Memoriam – Robert Lee Smay Senator(s) Kaufman Representative(s) Shaw, Coulombe 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0591 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 Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 29. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. SB 13 Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor 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 111 Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 111 "An Act relating to payment of legislator salaries; disapproving recommendations of the State Officers Compensation Commission; 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 29, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0592 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 27 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Early Environmental Scan by Tamar Ben-Yosef, Executive Director of the All Alaska Pediatric Partnership Presentation: Challenges Facing Alaska's Childcare Sector by Stephanie Bergland, CEO of Thread Alaska Presentation: Kids Count Data Book by Trevor Storrs, President and CEO of the Alaska Children's Trust + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0593 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 29 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 99 FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE IN SCHOOLS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program by Herb Schroeder, Vice Provost and Founder of ANSEP Presentation: Alaska EXCEL by Carol Wilson, Executive Director; Billijo Mills, Deputy Director; Christa Wilson, Director of Finance; Ole Chief, Instructor Presentation: Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center by Doug Walrath, NACTEC Director Presentation: Alaska Technical Center by Terri Walker, Superintendent of the Northwest Arctic Borough School District Karl Kowalski, Director of the Alaska Technical Center + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 31 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 27 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + HB 79 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Overview: Governor's Amendments to FY24 Operating & FY23 Supplemental + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 12 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 57 ADULT HOME CARE; MED ASSISTANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 62 RENEWABLE ENERGY GRANT FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0594 FINANCE (continued) Mar 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Consideration of Governor’s Appointee: Anita Halterman, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Overview: University of Alaska - FY24 Operating and Capital - Subcommittee of the Whole + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 30 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Presentation: Retirement Income Comparisons - Pensions vs. 401(k) by David Teal, Consultant to the Senate Finance Committee + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 31 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 98 POWER COST EQUALIZATION ENDOWMENT FUND + SB 114 OIL & GAS PRODUCTION TAX; INCOME TAX + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 28 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: David Paulson - State Medical Board; Anita Halterman, John Morris - Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 30 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SJR 10 MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 27 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 104 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0595 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Commission on Judicial Conduct Todd Fletcher - Anchorage -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: State Board of Parole Sarah Possenti - Fairbanks -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 37 CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 31 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 64 CONTROLLED SUB.;HOMICIDE;GOOD TIME DEDUC. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 27 Monday 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 -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 84 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 45 DIRECT HEALTH AGREEMENT: NOT INSURANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 29 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 83 PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 93 FISHERMEN'S FUND: VESSEL OWNER CLAIMS += SB 88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0596 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 31 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 83 PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 84 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 89 AGE FOR TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG; TAX E-CIG -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 27 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HJR 11 ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN FAIRBANKS <Pending Referral> <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Nick Czarnecki, Fairbanks North Star Borough Air Quality Manager Presentation: Alaska Bycatch Review Task Force Overview by Stephanie Madsen, Alaska Bycatch Review Task (ABRT) Member, Co-chair of Western Alaska Salmon Committee; and Linda Kozak, ABRT Member, Chair of Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska Crab Committee Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 34 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += HJR 11 ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN FAIRBANKS <Pending Referral> Nick Czarnecki, Fairbanks North Star Borough Air Quality Manager -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 92 STATE OWNERSHIP OF SUBMERGED LAND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Brent Goodrum, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Jim Walker, Chief Public Access Assertion and Defense (PAAD) Section, Division of Mining, Land And Water (DMLW), DNR; Daniel Hovancsek, Natural Resource Specialist, (Continued on Next Page) 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0597 RESOURCES (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) PAAD, DMLW, DNR; Mike Sewright, Retired Assistant Attorney General; and John Sturgeon, President, Safari Club International Alaska Club + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 31 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Cook Inlet Update by Colleen Glover, Tax Division Director, Department of Revenue; and Dan Stickel, Chief Economist, Department of Revenue + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 28 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 30 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Alaska Defense Force Overview by Dr. Craig Christensen, Deputy Commissioner Military and Veterans Affairs; Brigadier General Simon Brown AK Defense Force; Angela Laflamme Legislative Liaison, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs + SB 71 PAY FOR AK DEFENSE FORCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 28 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0598 TRANSPORTATION (continued) Mar 30 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SJR 11 WESTERN AK/ARCTIC OIL SPILL RESPONSE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + 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 -- Rescheduled to 04/13/23 -- + Department of Family & Community Services Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Apr 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Rescheduled from 03/28/23 -- + 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 -- Rescheduled to 04/13/23 -- Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Apr 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 4:00 PM -- Rescheduled from 03/29/23 -- Department of Health Budget Overview -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- 2023-03-27 Senate Journal Page 0599 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 27 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch and Learn Presentation: Alaska's Diverse Manufacturing Industry and Opportunities for Growth By: Dr. Alyssa Rodrigues Sponsored by: Senator Dunbar Mar 28 Tuesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska's Changing Arctic: Energy Issues and Trends by Amy Lovecraft, Director, Center for Arctic Policy Studies Sponsored by Senator Kawasaki Mar 28 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:01 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Healthcare Startups and Innovation in Alaska by Jacqueline Summers, Executive Director of Health TIE Sponsored by Senator Kiehl Mar 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: An Introduction to the Uniform Law Commission by Andrew Hemenway, Uniform Law Commission Alaska Delegate and Rebecca Polizzotto, Alaska Delegation Chair Sponsored by Senator Donald Olson