Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-04-17 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0763 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday April 17, 2023 Ninety-first Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:11 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Wilson was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Kermit Wilson, Safe Harbor Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Heavenly Father, Thank you for your love and grace that sustains us this day. I ask for your blessings upon our legislators, their staff, and families. Thank you for the sacrifice that they are making for the good of Alaska. Grant greater wisdom, insight and partnership as they make serve the peoples of Alaska. I humbly ask you watch over our fellow Alaskans. Grant them safety, and provision for every need. God, may the decisions made this day be for the good of all Alaskans. Amen. Senator Wielechowski led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0764 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the eighty-eighth through ninetieth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated April 14 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 69 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(CRA) BY THE HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the reclassification of first class cities as second class cities; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. HB 123 HOUSE BILL NO. 123 BY REPRESENTATIVES C.JOHNSON, Edgmon, McCormick, Foster, Galvin, Ruffridge, Mina, Patkotak, Cronk, Stapp, Story, McKay, entitled: "An Act relating to an amendment to the articles of incorporation of a corporation organized under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0765 Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Alaska Energy Authority Round 15 Renewable Energy Fund Status Report in accordance with AS 42.45.045 Standing Committee Reports Report dated April 14 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. Big Game Commercial Services Board Michael Flores Board of Fisheries Mike Wood Greg Svendsen Gerad Godfrey Signing the report: Senators Bishop, Giessel, Cochairs; Senators Kawasaki, Claman, Wielechowski, Kaufman. 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0766 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 130 SENATE BILL NO. 130 BY SENATOR OLSON, entitled: "An Act relating to the licensure of nursing professionals; relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 58 SENATE BILL NO. 58 "An Act relating to Medicaid eligibility; expanding eligibility for postpartum mothers; conditioning the expansion of eligibility on approval by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. President Stevens stated SENATE BILL NO. 58 will advance to third reading on the April 19 calendar. Second Reading of House Bills HB 78 HOUSE BILL NO. 78 "An Act establishing September 10 as Alaska Community Health Aide Appreciation Day" was read the second time. President Stevens stated HOUSE BILL NO. 78 will advance to third reading on the April 19 calendar. Third Reading of House Bills HB 103 HOUSE BILL NO. 103 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission" was read the third time. 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0767 The question being: "Shall HOUSE BILL NO. 103 "An Act extending the termination date of the Alaska Minerals Commission" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 103 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Excused: Wilson and so, HOUSE BILL NO. 103 passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. Citations Honoring – Jeff Landfield Senator(s) Kaufman, Gray-Jackson Representative(s) Josephson Honoring – Justus Trayer Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears Honoring – Zori Opanasevych Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears Honoring – University of Alaska Anchorage Culinary Arts Program Representative(s) Wright Senator(s) Wielechowski Honoring - University of Alaska Anchorage Police Department Representative(s) Wright Senator(s) Wielechowski Honoring – University of Alaska Anchorage & Alaska Pacific University Consortium Library Representative(s) Wright Senator(s) Wielechowski 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0768 Honoring – Glacier Kings Hockey Team Representative(s) Vance Senator(s) Stevens Honoring – Ninilchik High School Boys Basketball 2023 2A State Champions Representative(s) Vance Senator(s) Stevens In Memoriam – John W. Sipary Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears In Memoriam – Evan “Toby” Tobler Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Wright In Memoriam – Lieutenant Colonel Harold Braspenninckx (Ret.) Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Wright In Memoriam - Gregory & Edithanne Gabriel Representative(s) Ruffridge Senator(s) Bjorkman In Memoriam – Louis Hayden Green, Sr. Representative(s) Foster Senator(s) Olson, Tobin In Memoriam – Daniel T. Seamount, Jr. Representative(s) Saddler Senator(s) Stedman, Merrick Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0769 Unfinished Business SB 103 Senator Tobin 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. SB 12 Senators Tobin, Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 12 "An Act relating to confidentiality of information; relating to the duties of the Department of Administration; creating an address confidentiality program; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from April 19 through April 21. Without objection, Senator Hughes was excused. 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., April 19, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:27 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0770 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 Apr 18 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 79 RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 20 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 79 RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Overview: ANCSA 14(c)(3) and the Municipal Lands Trustee Program + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Apr 17 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 99 FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE IN SCHOOLS Presentation: Parents as Teachers Program Update from the Alaska Department of Health by Emily Urlacher, Public Health Specialist II Mack Wood, Public Health Informaticist II Christie Reinhardt, Health Program Manager III Presentation: Special Education in Alaska by Elwin Blackwell, DEED School Finance Manager Donald Enoch, DEED Special Education Administrator + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0771 EDUCATION (continued) Apr 19 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Presentation: Teachers Like Us: Strategies for Increasing Educator Diversity by Lynn Olson, former Deputy Director of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Apr 17 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM Subcommittee of the Whole - University of Alaska FY24 Budget Closeout += SB 98 POWER COST EQUALIZATION ENDOWMENT FUND + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 107 PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND; POMV SPLIT Apr 17 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM + SB 34 CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREAS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + SB 122 APPORTION TAXABLE INCOME;DIGITAL BUSINESS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + HB 54 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; REAPPROP; AMENDING <Pending Referral> <Bill Hearing Canceled> += SB 54 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; REAPPROP; AMENDING Overview by Neil Steininger, Director, Office of Management and Budget += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL Overview by Neil Steininger, Director, Office of Management and Budget (Continued on Next Page) 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0772 FINANCE (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) += SB 29 CIVICS EDUCATION; EST AK CVCS ED COMM += SB 87 LUMBER GRADING PROGRAM += SB 104 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- += SB 74 PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT += SB 75 AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 19 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + HB 39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP <Pending Referral> + HB 41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET <Pending Referral> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 19 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 53 FIVE-YEAR INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM For Juneau, Southeast, Prince William Sound, & Kodiak Please Sign Up By 10:15 am + HB 39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + HB 41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL <Time Limit May Be Set For All Public Testimony> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0773 FINANCE (continued) Apr 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM For Fairbanks, Interior, & Copper River Valley Please Sign Up by 2:45 pm -- Please Note Time Change -- += HB 39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += HB 41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 21 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM For Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, Unalaska, Dillingham & Offnets Please sign up by 10:15 am += HB 39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += HB 41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 21 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM For Anchorage, Mat-Su Valley, Kenai Peninsula Please sign up by 2:45 pm += HB 39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += HB 41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 41 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0774 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 17 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Alaska + Judicial Council - Dennis DeWitt -- Public Testimony -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar - William Granger -- Public Testimony -- += SB 61 US PRESIDENT ELECT. POPULAR VOTE COMPACT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 65 HARASSMENT; SEX OFFENDERS & OFFENSES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 70 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 21 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 84 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 128 COMMERCIAL SALMON FISHERY CLOSURE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0775 LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 17 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 83 PROFESSIONAL LICENSING; TEMP PERMITS += SB 94 PROFESSION OF PHARMACY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += HB 56 CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT ANIMAL RX -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 19 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 45 DIRECT HEALTH AGREEMENT: NOT INSURANCE += SB 85 PERM FUND; EMPLOYMENT; ELIGIBILITY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 126 ARCHITECT/ENGINEER REGISTRATION BOARD -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 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 123 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Apr 17 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 69 GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += HJR 11 ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN FAIRBANKS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Jason Olds, Acting Director Division of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Conservation + SB 82 COOK INLET: NEW ADMIN AREA;PERMIT BUYBACK -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 92 STATE OWNERSHIP OF SUBMERGED LAND **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0776 RESOURCES (continued) Apr 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Board of Game: Stanley Hoffman, David Lorring -- Public Testimony -- += HJR 11 ADDRESS AIR POLLUTION IN FAIRBANKS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR WATER RIGHTS -- Invited Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR WATER RIGHTS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 82 COOK INLET: NEW ADMIN AREA;PERMIT BUYBACK -- Public Testimony -- += SB 48 CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM ON STATE LAND -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Apr 18 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Delayed to a Call of the Chair -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Commissioner of Corrections - Jen Winkelman Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Alaska Public Offices Commission - Eric Feige -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 95 LICENSE PLATES: SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 04/20/23> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 21 STRATEGIC PLANS FOR STATE AGENCIES + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0777 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Apr 20 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: What is Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and how does it benefit elections by Shane Hamlin, Executive Director of ERIC + HB 8 ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES <Pending Referral> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 62 ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: + SB 95 LICENSE PLATES: SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 04/18/23> **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Apr 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 127 TAXATION: VEHICLE RENTALS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled + HB 8 ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES <Pending Referral> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0778 JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Apr 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM I. Call to Order II. Approval of the Agenda III. Approval of Minutes a. January 16, 2023 b. February 21, 2023 IV. Ratification of Charity Events a. Sham Jam 2023 – April 8, 2023 b. Legislative Skits – April 29 & 30, 2023 c. Kenai River Junior Classic – August 9, 2023 d. Ted Stevens Kenai River Classic - August 23, 24 & 25, 2023 e. Kenai River Women’s Classic – September 14, 15 & 16, 2023 V. Contract Approvals a. Ketchikan Lease Extension b. Fairbanks Lease Renewal c. Mat-Su Lease Extension Renewal d. FY24 Microsoft Enterprise Software Renewal Agreement VI. Committee Business – Executive Session a. Lease Extension Renewal VII. Committee Business a. 40-Hour Work Week b. FY24 Hardware Refresh c. Amendment to COVID-19 Mitigation Policy VIII. Other Committee Business a. Announcement of Subcommittees b. 2022 Agency Report c. Preview of Upcoming Items IX. Adjourn **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2023-04-17 Senate Journal Page 0779 OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Apr 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch and Learn Presentation: A screening of the documentary "At Home/In Home: Rural Alaska Childcare in Crisis, followed by a Q & A with Tracey and Bailey Schaeffer via Teams. The presenter will be Laura Norton-Cruz.