Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-01-17 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0001 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday January 17, 2023 First Day Pursuant to provisions of the Constitution of the State of Alaska, the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, and AS 24.05.160, the Senate of the State of Alaska assembled in the Senate chamber for the first regular session of the Thirty-third Legislature. The Senate was called to order at 1:03 p.m. by the Honorable Nancy Dahlstrom, Lieutenant Governor. Colors The following members of the Girl Scouts of Alaska, led by troop coordinator Alenita Danner, presented the colors: Sigrid Bogert, Troop 22085 Isabel Danner, Troop 4007 Cagney Davis, Troop 4007 Joya McClain, Troop 102 Gabrielle Williams, Troop 22085 Cora Williams, Troop 22085 The Girl Scouts of Alaska led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Alaska Flag Song "Alaska's Flag" was performed by the following members of Young Voices of Alaska, under the direction of Missouri Smyth, Artistic Director: Cagney Davis Charlotte Gomez Hilary Nguyen 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0002 Johnathan Gee-Miles Marlaine Pedersen Lelehua Fujimoto Vertido Shayla Jaravata Invocation The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Gordon Blue, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Today, in the Tradition, we remember Antony of Egypt. Creator, as you enabled your servant Antony to withstand the temptations of the world, so give us grace to follow you with pure hearts and minds. Spirit of justice, Creator Spirit, help this Senate to make and keep the great State of Alaska a home for all its peoples. You have made us many peoples, but of one blood. Preserve our many cultures and make us also of one mind. We give you thanks and praise for our Great Land, and for the good achieved by past Legislatures. Creator, you know better than we the temptations that will bring us down. Protect us and guide our feet into the way of peace. May you be with these Senators, they have been called by the people into service. Give them strength to bear their own and one another's burdens. Bless them so that their example may give to the people a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, and they may direct our liberty to bring blessings upon the future generations of Alaska. Amen. 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0003 Election Certification Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom read the certificate of election: I, Gail Fenumiai, Director of the Division of Elections for the State of Alaska, do hereby certify that in accordance with the provisions of AS 15.15.450, a General Election was held on the 8th day of November 2022, in the State of Alaska pursuant to AS 15.15.020 and the following are the certified results for the office designated: Senate District A Bert K. Stedman 4 year term Senate District B Jesse Kiehl 2 year term Senate District C Gary Stevens 4 year term Senate District D Jesse J. Bjorkman 2 year term Senate District E Cathy Giessel 4 year term Senate District F James D. Kaufman 2 year term Senate District G Elvi Gray-Jackson 4 year term Senate District H Matt Claman 2 year term Senate District I Löki G. Tobin 4 year term Senate District J Forrest Dunbar 2 year term Senate District K Bill Wielechowski 4 year term Senate District L Kelly R. Merrick 2 year term Senate District M Shelley Hughes 4 year term Senate District N David S. Wilson 2 year term Senate District O Michael K. Shower 4 year term Senate District P Scott Kawasaki 2 year term Senate District Q Robert H. Myers Jr. 4 year term Senate District R Click Bishop 2 year term Senate District S Lyman F. Hoffman 4 year term In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed hereto the Seal of the State of Alaska, at Juneau, the Capital, this 30th day of November, A.D. 2022. /s/ Gail Fenumiai, Director Division of Elections 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0004 Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested the following Senators approach the rostrum to be administered the Oath of Office: Senate District A Bert K. Stedman 4 year term Senate District B Jesse Kiehl 2 year term Senate District C Gary Stevens 4 year term Senate District D Jesse J. Bjorkman 2 year term Senate District E Cathy Giessel 4 year term The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oath of Office to the Senators. Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested the following Senators approach the rostrum to be administered the Oath of Office: Senate District F James D. Kaufman 2 year term Senate District G Elvi Gray-Jackson 4 year term Senate District H Matt Claman 2 year term Senate District I Löki G. Tobin 4 year term Senate District J Forrest Dunbar 2 year term The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oath of Office to the Senators. Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested the following Senators approach the rostrum to be administered the Oath of Office: Senate District K Bill Wielechowski 4 year term Senate District L Kelly R. Merrick 2 year term Senate District M Shelley Hughes 4 year term Senate District N David S. Wilson 2 year term The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oath of Office to the Senators. 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0005 Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested the following Senators approach the rostrum to be administered the Oath of Office: Senate District P Scott Kawasaki 2 year term Senate District Q Robert H. Myers Jr. 4 year term Senate District R Click Bishop 2 year term Senate District S Lyman F. Hoffman 4 year term The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oath of Office to the Senators. The following Senator will take the Oath of Office at a later date: Senate District O Michael K. Shower President Pro Tempore Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom announced nominations were in order for President pro tempore of the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Bishop be nominated President pro tempore of the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent nominations for President pro tempore of the Senate be closed. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Bishop be elected President pro tempore. There being no objection, Senator Bishop was elected President pro tempore of the Senate. Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested Senator Merrick and Senator Olson escort the President pro tempore to the rostrum. President pro tempore Bishop requested Senator Merrick and Senator Olson escort the Lieutenant Governor from the chamber. 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0006 President pro tempore Bishop announced that pursuant to AS 24.05.120, the Uniform Rules in effect during the previous legislature would serve as the rules of the Thirty-third Alaska State Legislature until adoption of permanent rules. President President pro tempore Bishop announced nominations were in order for President of the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Stevens be nominated President of the Senate for the Thirty-third Legislature. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent nominations be closed. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Stevens be elected President of the Senate for the Thirty-third Legislature. Without objection, Senator Stevens was elected Senate President. President pro tempore Bishop requested Senator Stedman and Senator Hoffman escort President Stevens to the podium. In accordance with Uniform Rule 1(e), President Stevens made the following appointments: Committee on Committees Senator Stevens, Chair Senator Wielechowski Senator Giessel Senator Bishop Senator Hoffman President Stevens appointed Senator Bjorkman and Senator Gray- Jackson to inform the Governor the Senate was organized and ready to do business. 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0007 President Stevens appointed Senator Claman and Senator Kaufman to inform the House the Senate was organized and ready to do business. Recess Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 1:47 p.m. After Recess The Senate reconvened at 2:09 p.m. Committee on Committees Report January 17, 2023 Mister President: The Committee on Committees has met and submits to the Senate for its consideration chairs and members of the ten standing committees as approved by the Committee on Committees: Community and Regional Affairs Committee Senator Dunbar, Chair Senator Olson, Vice Chair Senator Gray-Jackson Senator Bjorkman Senator Giessel Education Committee Senator Tobin, Chair Senator Stevens, Vice Chair Senator Bjorkman Senator Kiehl Senator Gray-Jackson 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0008 Finance Committee Senator Stedman, Cochair Senator Hoffman, Cochair Senator Olson, Cochair Senator Bishop Senator Merrick Senator Kiehl Senator Wilson Health and Social Services Committee Senator Wilson, Chair Senator Kaufman, Vice Chair Senator Tobin Senator Dunbar Senator Giessel Judiciary Committee Senator Claman, Chair Senator Kiehl, Vice Chair Senator Kaufman Senator Giessel Senator Olson Labor and Commerce Committee Senator Bjorkman, Chair Senator Bishop, Vice Chair Senator Gray-Jackson Senator Merrick Senator Dunbar Resources Committee Senator Bishop, Cochair Senator Giessel, Cochair Senator Wielechowski, Vice Chair Senator Kawasaki Senator Kaufman Senator Dunbar Senator Claman 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0009 Rules Committee Senator Wielechowski, Chair Senator Stedman, Vice Chair Senator Stevens Senator Giessel Senator Hoffman State Affairs Committee Senator Kawasaki, Chair Senator Claman, Vice Chair Senator Bjorkman Senator Wielechowski Senator Merrick Transportation Committee Senator Kaufman, Chair Senator Wilson, Vice Chair Senator Tobin Senator Kiehl Senator Myers The report was signed by Senator Stevens, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Giessel, Bishop, Hoffman. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Committee on Committees Report be adopted. Senator Hughes objected. The question being: "Shall the Committee on Committees Report be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: Shall the Committee on Committees Report be adopted? YEAS: 17 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Hughes, Myers Absent: Shower and so, the Committee on Committees Report was adopted. 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0010 President Stevens announced Senator Giessel will serve as Majority Leader for the Thirty-third Legislature. Messages from the Governor Letter dated January 11 was read stating: Under the provision of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I hereby request the opportunity to address a joint session of the Thirty-third Alaska State Legislature on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. for presentation of the State of the State Address. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate accept the Governor's invitation to meet in Joint Session. Without objection, it was so ordered. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SR 1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 BY SENATOR STEVENS, Establishing a Senate Special Committee on World Trade. was read the first time. Fiscal information forthcoming. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 be taken up. Without objection, the resolution was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 Establishing a Senate Special Committee on World Trade, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0011 SR 1 Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Absent: Shower and so, SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment and enrollment. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the further introduction and reference of senate resolutions be held one legislative day. Without objection, it was so ordered. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the introduction and reference of senate bills be held one legislative day. Without objection, it was so ordered. Unfinished Business Election of Senate Secretary In accordance with Uniform Rule 3(a) and AS 24.10.030, Senator Wielechowski, Rules Committee Chair, nominated Liz Clark to serve as Senate Secretary for the Thirty-third Legislature and moved and asked unanimous consent the nominations be closed. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wielechowski moved and asked unanimous consent Liz Clark be elected Senate Secretary for the Thirty-third Legislature. There being no objection, Liz Clark was elected Senate Secretary for the Thirty-third Legislature. 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0012 President Stevens made the following appointments: Select Committee on Legislative Ethics (in accordance with AS 24.60.130 and AS 24.60.131) Senator Stevens Senator Tobin Senator Wilson, alternate Senator Olson, alternate Senator Giessel moved Senator Stevens and Senator Tobin be ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall Senator Stevens and Senator Tobin be ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Shall Senator Stevens and Senator Tobin be ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics? YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Absent: Shower and so, Senator Stevens and Senator Tobin were ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. Senator Giessel moved Senator Wilson and Senator Olson be ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall Senator Wilson and Senator Olson be ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Shall Senator Wilson and Senator Olson be ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics? 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0013 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Absent: Shower and so, Senator Wilson and Senator Olson were ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. President Stevens made the following appointments: Legislative Council Senator Gray-Jackson, Chair Senator Stevens Senator Kiehl Senator Bishop Senator Olson Senator Hoffman Senator Claman Senator Stedman, alternate Legislative Budget & Audit Senator Stedman, Vice Chair Senator Wielechowski Senator Hoffman Senator Kaufman Senator Kawasaki Senator Bishop, alternate Joint Armed Services Committee Senator Kawasaki, Cochair Senator Wielechowski Senator Shower Senator Merrick Senator Dunbar 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0014 SR 1 Senate Special Committee on World Trade Senator Hoffman, Cochair Senator Stevens, Cochair Senator Olson Senator Stedman Senator Wielechowski Senator Bishop Senator Giessel Senator Hughes 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., January 18, 2023. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 2:26 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0015 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 FINANCE Jan 18 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- Teleconference -- Production Forecast - Department of Natural Resources Jan 19 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 20 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- Teleconference -- Revenue Forecast - Department of Revenue - Adam Crum, Commissioner of Revenue - Dan Stickel, Chief Economist - Colleen Glover, Tax Director ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 18 Wednesday Butrovich 205 4:00 PM -- Teleconference -- -- Please Note Time Change -- Committee Discussion of Resource Topics 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0016 RESOURCES (continued) Jan 20 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Teleconference -- Presentation: University of Alaska's Land Grant by Chad Hutchinson (Director of State relations for the University of Alaska System); Adrienne Stolpe (University of Alaska Land Management Director) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS Jan 19 Thursday Butrovich 205 2:00 PM -- Teleconference -- 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes a. House Subcommittee October 13, 2022 b. House Subcommittee November 18, 2022 4. Public Comment 5. Election of Committee Chairs for 2023-2024 a. Article 3 Ethics Committee Election Procedure 6. Chair/Staff Report a. Management Log Review b. Public Member Committee Appointment Update c. Ethics Disclosures i. Total Disclosures by Type in 2022 ii. Yearly Comparison of Total Disclosures 2019-2022 d. Publications i. 2022 Public Decisions Booklet - AS 24.60.150(a)(2) ii. 2022 Advisory Opinion Booklet - AS 24.60.150(a)(2) iii. 2023 Standards of Conduct Handbook - AS 24.60.150(a)(3) 7. 2023 Ethics Training (Continued on Next Page) 2023-01-17 Senate Journal Page 0017 SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) 8. Budget a. FY23 Budget Summary b. FY24 Budget Request Detail 9. Contract Report a. Outside Counsel i. Brent Cole ii. Kevin Fitzgerald b. Investigator i. Monique Rapuzzi 10. Other Business 11. Adjourn (Meeting will be teleconferenced) Anchorage Only: 563-9085 Juneau Only: 586-9085 Outside Anchorage or Juneau: 1-844-586-9085 Jan 19 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:00 PM -- Teleconference -- SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE 1. Call Meeting to Order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Public Comment 4. Motion to go into EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss matters which by law must remain confidential under AS 24.60.160, Uniform Rule 22(b) regarding executive sessions and Rules of Procedure Section 5: Executive Sessions and discussion of matters, the immediate knowledge of would adversely affect the finances of a governmental unit, and discussion of subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of a person. 5. Executive Session 6. Public Session 7. Other Business 8. Adjourn (Meeting will be teleconferenced) Anchorage Only: 563-9085 Juneau Only: 586-9085 Outside Anchorage or Juneau: 1-844-586-9085