Legislature(2023 - 2024)

2023-04-26 Senate Journal

Full Journal pdf

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0869
                                                                                                                                
                                SENATE JOURNAL                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                           ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                           THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                FIRST SESSION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                   Wednesday                    April 26, 2023                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                              One Hundredth Day                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                                             
Stevens at 11:03 a.m.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The roll showed eighteen members present. Senator Wilson was                                                                    
excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Shower was absent.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Bill Nelson, United                                                              
Pentecostal Church of Juneau. Senator Hoffman moved and asked                                                                   
unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so                                                            
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
          Dear Lord,                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
          Thank You Lord, for Your loving care for all of us. I                                                                 
          call upon You with the desire that You will be here                                                                   
          today and that Your presence will be felt by all.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
          Grant us Your wisdom and understanding, let Your                                                                      
          peace abide upon us. Lord, I ask for Your blessing                                                                    
          upon this great state of Alaska and all the people who                                                                
          live here. I pray for continued peace and prosperity                                                                  
          for all.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
          I pray for Your blessing upon these Legislators and                                                                   
          upon their families and upon the work that they do to                                                                 
          ensure a bright future for all of us. For all of this, I                                                              
                         Thank You Lord,        Amen.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator Gray-Jackson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0870
                                Certification                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for                                                               
the ninety-ninth legislative day 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.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          Standing Committee Reports                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Reports dated April 25 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.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Commissioner, Department of Corrections                                                                                       
Jen Winkelman                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Alaska Public Offices Commission                                                                                              
Eric Feige                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Signing the report: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Wielechowski,                                                             
Bjorkman.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                  Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SB 139                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 139 BY SENATOR BISHOP, entitled:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
            "An Act relating to trapping cabins on state land; and                                                             
          relating to trapping cabin permit fees."                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0871
                        Consideration of the Calendar                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                        Second Reading of Senate Bills                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SB 93                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 93 "An Act relating to claims against protection                                                                
and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners; and providing for                                                            
an effective date" was read the second time.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Senator Bjorkman, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the                                                              
adoption of the Labor and Commerce Committee Substitute offered on                                                              
page 625. Senator Wielechowski objected, then withdrew his                                                                      
objection. There being no further objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL                                                                 
NO. 93(L&C) "An Act relating to claims for injury, disability, or heart                                                         
attack payable from the fishermen's fund; relating to claims against                                                            
protection and indemnity insurance policies of vessel owners; and                                                               
providing for an effective date" was adopted.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 93(L&C) will                                                                    
advance to third reading on the April 28 calendar.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                        Second Reading of House Bills                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
HB 62                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 62 "An Act relating to the renewable energy grant                                                                
fund and recommendation program; and providing for an effective                                                                 
date" was read the second time.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Olson, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the                                                               
adoption of the Finance Senate Committee Substitute offered on                                                                  
page  666. Senator Wielechowski objected, then withdrew his                                                                     
objection. There being no further objection, SENATE CS FOR                                                                      
HOUSE BILL NO. 62(FIN) was adopted.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens stated SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                               
NO. 62(FIN) will advance to third reading on the April 28 calendar.                                                             
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0872
                        Third Reading of Senate Bills                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 87                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 87 "An Act relating to a lumber grading training                                                                
program and lumber grading certificates; relating to use of lumber                                                              
graded and certified by a person holding a lumber grading training                                                              
program certificate; and providing for an effective date" was read the                                                          
third time.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wielechowski moved and asked unanimous consent to be                                                                    
shown as a cosponsor on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 87 "An Act relating to                                                               
a lumber grading training program and lumber grading certificates;                                                              
relating to use of lumber graded and certified by a person holding a                                                            
lumber grading training program certificate; and providing for an                                                               
effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following                                                         
result:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SB 87                                                                                                                           
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
Effective Date(s)                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  18   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  2   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                 
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Excused:  Shower, Wilson                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
and so, SENATE BILL NO. 87 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 – Doug Tansy                                                                                                           
Senator(s) Dunbar, Bishop, Kawasaki                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0873
Honoring – Pier One Theatre                                                                                                     
Senator(s) Stevens                                                                                                              
Representative(s) Vance                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Jeremy Narus and Rowan Wollrich                                                                                      
Senator(s) Giessel                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Sarge Truesdell                                                                                                      
Representative(s) Ruffridge                                                                                                     
Senator(s) Bjorkman                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Arnold Ibias                                                                                                         
Representative(s) Story, Hannan                                                                                                 
Senator(s) Kiehl                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Elizabeth Congdon–McGee                                                                                              
Representative(s) Josephson                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Blake Stewart and Darren Albertson                                                                                   
Representative(s) Josephson                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Cooper Roberts                                                                                                       
Representative(s) Josephson                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Kelly Shrein                                                                                                         
Representative(s) Josephson                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Dr. Loren Dean Halter                                                                                             
Senator(s) Stevens                                                                                                              
Representative(s) Stutes                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Irene Cadiente                                                                                                    
Representative(s) Story, Hannan                                                                                                 
Senator(s) Kiehl                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Hari Pariyar                                                                                                      
Representative(s) Vance                                                                                                         
Senator(s) Stevens                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Wayne Fredeen                                                                                                     
Representative(s) Allard                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0874
In Memoriam – Ralph William “Billy” Foster                                                                                      
Representative(s) Allard                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Manuel R. Agramonte                                                                                               
Representative(s) Allard                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Donna Jayne Shaw                                                                                                  
Representative(s) Josephson                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Dennis L. Smythe                                                                                                  
Representative(s) Josephson                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Lorrie Horning                                                                                                    
Representative(s) Josephson                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Sadie Jane Huffer                                                                                                 
Representative(s) Josephson, Saddler, Allard                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam – Gladys Mae Yuth                                                                                                   
Representative(s) Vance                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
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.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                          Special Order of Business                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Honoring – Gina Spartz                                                                                                          
Senator(s) Kiehl                                                                                                                
Representative(s) Hannan, 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.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0875
                             Unfinished Business                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                  
from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, July 15 through                                                              
evening plane time, August 6; and from morning plane time,                                                                      
September 1 through evening plane time, October 6. Without                                                                      
objection, Senator Claman was excused.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
HB 62                                                                                                                         
Senators Bishop, Wielechowski 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.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Announcements                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SB 138                                                                                                                        
Senator Kawasaki, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent                                                                      
Uniform Rule  23 be waived on SENATE BILL NO. 138 "An Act                                                                       
relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to voting; relating to                                                      
the crime of unlawful interference with voting in the first degree;                                                             
relating to campaign signs; relating to the reporting of financial and                                                          
business interests by certain municipal officers and former officers and                                                        
candidates for municipal office; relating to the Redistricting Board;                                                           
and providing for an effective date" for the State Affairs Committee                                                            
meeting on April 27 at 3:30 p.m. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Engrossment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SB 87                                                                                                                         
SENATE BILL NO. 87 "An Act relating to a lumber grading training                                                                
program and lumber grading certificates; relating to use of lumber                                                              
graded and certified by a person holding a lumber grading training                                                              
program certificate; and providing for an effective date" was                                                                   
engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to                                                             
the House for consideration.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0876
                                 Adjournment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand                                                              
in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., April 28, 2023. Without objection,                                                             
the Senate adjourned at 11:23 a.m.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                    Liz Clark                                                   
                                                     Secretary of the Senate                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0877
                                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 27        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+= HB  69 RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIES                                                                                
+ HB 123 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR ANCSA CORPS                                                                              
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  EDUCATION                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
+= SB  56 AK PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP; ELIGIBILITY                                                                               
              -- Public Testimony --                                                                                            
+= SB 120 EXTEND EDUCATION TAX CREDITS                                                                                          
              <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                           
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+ SB 132 EMPLOYMENT TAX FOR EDUCATION FACILITIES                                                                                
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 28        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0878
                                   FINANCE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM                                                                                   
              Overview: Alaska Gasline Development                                                                              
              Corporation - Update & FY24 Request                                                                               
              <Above Item Removed from Agenda>                                                                                  
+ SB 113 REAA FUND: MT. EDGECUMBE, TEACHER HOUSING                                                                              
              -- Invited and Public Testimony --                                                                                
              -- <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                                     
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM                                                                                   
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+= HB  39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP                                                                             
+= HB  41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                                          
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 27 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM                                                                                    
+= SB 114 OIL & GAS PRODUCTION TAX; INCOME TAX                                                                                  
              <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 05/01/23>                                                                            
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 27 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM                                                                                    
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+= HB  39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP                                                                             
+= HB  41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                                          
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 28 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM                                                                                      
+= HB  39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPP                                                                             
+= HB  41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET                                                                                          
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 28 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM                                                                                      
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                           HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 27 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM                                                                                         
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0879
                                  JUDICIARY                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Informational Hearing on Department of Justice                                                                    
              Investigation of the State of Alaska's                                                                            
              Behavioral Health System for Children                                                                             
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 28        Friday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
+ HB  75 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE                                                                                
              <Pending Referral>                                                                                                
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+= SB  70 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE                                                                               
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
              -- Please Note Time & Location Change --                                                                          
+= SB  94 PROFESSION OF PHARMACY                                                                                                
+= SB  88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT.                                                                              
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Presentations: Defined Contribution and Defined                                                                   
              Benefits Retirement Plans by Reason Foundation                                                                    
              and National Institute on Retirement Security-Dan                                                                 
              Doonan                                                                                                            
+= SB 123 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS                                                                                   
              <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                           
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
  -- <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                                                 
+  Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                             
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 28        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+= SB  88 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT.                                                                              
+ SB 116 ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS                                                                                  
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              -- <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                                     
+= SB 123 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: COMM. DRIVERS                                                                                   
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
  -- <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                                                 
+  Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                             
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                

2023-04-26                     Senate Journal                      Page 0880
                                  RESOURCES                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 26        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
+= SB  68 PUBLIC NOTICE FOR WATER RIGHTS                                                                                        
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+= SB  48 CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM ON STATE LAND                                                                                   
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 28        Friday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+= SB  48 CARBON OFFSET PROGRAM ON STATE LAND                                                                                   
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              Overview: Area M Fisheries, Part I of II                                                                          
  -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                             
  Alaska Department of Fish & Game                                                                                              
  Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang                                                                                                
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                STATE AFFAIRS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Apr 27        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
+ SB  17 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS                                                                                                 
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+= SB  19 ELECTIONS; BALLOTS                                                                                                    
              <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                           
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+ SB 138 ELECTIONS; VOTER REG.; CAMPAIGNS                                                                                       
              Uniform Rule 23 Waived                                                                                            
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                TRANSPORTATION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Apr 27        Thursday                        Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              Overview: Ports and Harbors of Alaska: Part 2 by                                                                  
              the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port                                                                  
              Administrators and Port Representatives                                                                           
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**