Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-02-07 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1547 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 7, 2024 Twenty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:45 a.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senator Kaufman was excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Shower was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Greg Weinert, Emmanuel Baptist Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. In deepest reverence for the beliefs of all Alaskans, I invite you into a time of reflection on our solemn covenant as servants of the people. Our Father, glorious Creator, I praise you for our state and the many blessings you have bestowed upon us already. I further ask that You, in benevolence, bless our senators with strength to face the burdens placed upon them by the people of Alaska. Grant them the courage to face full-on the challenges that are set before them and to hold on to their beliefs that they may be endowed with the ability to inspire the best in all those who call themselves Alaskans. Confer to them a spirit of understanding and cooperation in the face of adversity, that they would lead wisely and with civility, working together for our common good, seeking Your wisdom first in all their decisions and obligations. 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1548 This I humbly petition, not to our glory, Lord, but to you and you alone. I pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. Senator Merrick led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the twenty-first and twenty-second legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Education & Early Development State Tribal Education Compact Schools Demonstration Report January 29, 2024 in accordance with ch. 43, SLA 22 Department of Administration Office of Administrative Hearings Annual Report January 31, 2024 in accordance with AS 44.64.020 Standing Committee Reports SJR 13 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13 Encouraging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to pass and sign legislation amending the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to release certain land held in trust back to affected Alaska Native village corporations. 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1549 Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senator Gray-Jackson. Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Senate Community and Regional Affairs Committee The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 218 SENATE BILL NO. 218 BY SENATOR KAWASAKI BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to vehicle weight limits; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Labor and Commerce Committees. SB 219 SENATE BILL NO. 219 BY SENATOR WILSON, entitled: "An Act relating to utilization review entities; exempting certain health care providers from making preauthorization requests for certain services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Health and Social Services Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Norman "Norm" Regis Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Stutes 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1550 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citations be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. XI PSI Omega Chapter 40th Anniversary Representative(s) Wright Senator(s) Tobin, Gray-Jackson In Memoriam - Eugene R. "Buzzy" Peltola, Jr. Senator(s) Hoffman, Kawasaki Representative(s) McCormick Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. The presence of Senator Shower was noted. Unfinished Business SB 141 Senator Bishop moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 141 "An Act naming the Raymond and Esther Conquest Bridge." Without objection, it was so ordered. Recess Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 11:01 a.m. 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1551 After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Tilton called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Stevens, who called the Joint Session to order at 11:08 a.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear Chief Justice Peter J. Maassen’s State of the Judiciary address. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. Representative Saddler moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. President Stevens appointed Senator Kiehl and Representative Carpenter to escort Chief Justice Peter J. Maassen to the Joint Session. The Senate Sergeant at Arms, Matt Simpson, announced Chief Justice Maassen's entrance to the House Chamber. Chief Justice Maassen was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Stevens and Speaker Tilton. The Honorable Peter J. Maassen delivered his address. This address appears in Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 13. The Chief Justice received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Representative Carpenter and Senator Kiehl. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Stevens adjourned the Joint Session at 11:42 a.m. 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1552 After Recess In The Senate The Senate reconvened at 11:47 a.m. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., February 8, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:47 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1553 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 Feb 08 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 207 MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILY HELP DESK -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 07 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: The Different Education Models Used by Alaska's Public Schools by Norm Wooten, Association of Alaska School Boards Michael Hanley, Superintendent, Aleutian Region Schools Todd Hindman, Retired Principal at the Fireweed Academy in Homer Scott MacManus, Director of State and Federal Programs, Yukon-Koyukuk School District Dean O'Dell, Director, IDEA Homeschool Program Additional Invited Testifiers + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 09 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1554 EDUCATION (continued) Feb 12 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Association of Alaska School Boards Legislative Fly-in by School Board Members and Students from Across Alaska + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 14 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 215 TEACHERS: BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Presentation: The State of Teaching in Alaska by Invited Teachers and Stakeholders + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 16 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 07 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 141 NAMING RAYMOND & ESTHER CONQUEST BRIDGE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 24 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Administration Response to Prior Meetings: Office of Management and Budget Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 08 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Update & Overview Administration Response to Prior Meetings: Department of Natural Resources + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1555 FINANCE (continued) Feb 08 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- += SB 125 AK HOUSING FINANCE CORP: SUSTAIN ENERGY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled += SB 170 EXTEND SENIOR BENEFITS PAYMENT PROGRAM -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Feb 09 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 08 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 07 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + EO 133 ELIMINATING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION ADVISORY BOARD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + EO 135 ELIMINATING THE ALASKA SAFETY ADVISORY COUNCIL -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 09 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + SB 163 ANIMAL ADOPTION RECORDS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1556 LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 07 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 191 AHFC MAKE/PURCHASE MORTGAGE LOANS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 209 ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF FISHING VESSELS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 09 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 07 Wednesday Adams 519 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- Meeting Jointly with the House Resources Committee + Presentation: Cook Inlet Gas Update by Luke Saugier, Senior Vice President, Hilcorp Alaska Mark Slaughter, Chief Commercial Officer, HEX/Furie Benjamin Johnson, President and CEO, BlueCrest Energy Inc. John Sims, President, ENSTAR Gas Company -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 09 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1557 STATE AFFAIRS Feb 08 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 131 ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + EO 128 SEPARATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY AND THE ALASKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXPORT AUTHORITY -- Public Testimony -- + HB 3 GOLD AND SILVER SPECIE AS LEGAL TENDER -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Feb 20 Tuesday Gruenberg 120 4:00 PM + Meeting Jointly with House Subcommittee on Department of Administration Budget Feb 27 Tuesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Administration Budget Mar 19 Tuesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Administration Budget ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Feb 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Corrections Budget Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Corrections Budget 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1558 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) JUDICIARY Feb 26 Monday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Court System Budget Mar 11 Monday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Court System Budget ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 07 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Peter J. Maassen Feb 14 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator Feb 21 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 07 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: + Understanding Recent Changes to Alaska's Unique Legal Landscape: How Alaska Tribes are Pursuing Justice and Public Safety In Our Communities by Alex Cleghorn, Chief Operating Officer, Alaska Native Justice Center Rick Garcia, Co-Director Law & Policy, Alaska Native Women's Resource Center Maude Blair, Tribal Justice Manager for Alaska Native Justice Center Tami Truett Jerue, Executive Director, Alaska Native Women's Resource Center Sponsored by Senator Wielechowski 2024-02-07 Senate Journal Page 1559 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Feb 08 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Academies of Anchorage ASD by Senior Director of Teaching and Learning by Kersten Johnson Sponsored by Senator Merrick Feb 09 Friday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Informational Session about General Obligation Bonds and the Capital Budget Process by: Ryan Williams, State Debt Manager, Department of Revenue Steve Nerland, The Alliance for Support of American Legion Baseball Sponsored by Senator Claman and Representative Coulombe Feb 14 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: + Navigating the Future: Protecting Alaska's Blue Economy Presented by the Marine Exchange of Alaska Sponsored by: Senator Kiehl & Senator Olson Feb 22 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Overview of the Experiences and Structural Damages caused by the 1964 Earthquake Compared to the 2018 Earthquake Presented by: Dennis L. Berry and Colin Maynard, Alaska Professional Design Council Sponsored by Senator Kaufman