Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-02-26 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1733 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday February 26, 2024 Forty-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:31 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Kaufman was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Ordained Minister Sherry Patterson, Breakthrough Family Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Senator Bishop led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the thirty-ninth through forty-first legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1734 Messages from the House Message dated February 23 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 143 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 143(RES) BY THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the Department of Environmental Conservation; relating to advanced recycling and advanced recycling facilities; relating to waste; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Labor and Commerce Committees. Concur Messages SB 140 Senator Giessel moved the Senate concur in the House amendment to CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 140(FIN), thus adopting: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 140(FIN) am H "An Act relating to funding for Internet services for school districts; relating to charter schools; relating to transportation of public school students; relating to correspondence study funding; relating to the base student allocation; relating to funding for reading improvement plans; and providing for an effective date." and recommended the body vote yes. Senators Hoffman, Olson, Bjorkman moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain from voting due to a conflict of interest. Objections were heard and Senators Hoffman, Olson, Bjorkman were required to vote. 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1735 The question being: "Shall the Senate concur in the House amendment(s)?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 140(FIN) am H Shall the Senate Concur in the House Amendment to CSSB 140(FIN)? Effective Date(s) YEAS: 18 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Shower Excused: Kaufman and so, the Senate concurred in the House amendment(s), thus adopting CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 140(FIN) am H "An Act relating to funding for Internet services for school districts; relating to charter schools; relating to transportation of public school students; relating to correspondence study funding; relating to the base student allocation; relating to funding for reading improvement plans; and providing for an effective date." Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on concurrence be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. HCR 4 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 140, relating to funding for Internet services for school districts, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1736 HCR 4 Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Kaufman and so, HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. Standing Committee Reports SJR 14 The Finance Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry. Signing do pass: Senators Hoffman, Olson, Cochairs; Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Merrick, Bishop. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Senate Finance Committee. The resolution is on today’s calendar. Report dated February 26 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Finance 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. 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1737 Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees Brent Fisher John Sturgeon Signing the report: Senators Hoffman, Olson, Cochairs; Senators Wilson, Kiehl, Merrick, Bishop. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 14 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry, was read the second time. President Stevens stated SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 will advance to third reading on the February 28 calendar. Citations In Memoriam - Sara Lynn Cebulski Senator(s) Kawasaki, Myers In Memoriam - Betty Ruth "Bruth" George Senator(s) Bishop, Kawasaki In Memoriam - David Elbert Austin Senator(s) Hughes, Stedman In Memoriam - Bryce Clinton Ray Senator(s) Hughes Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1738 Unfinished Business Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 1. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. SB 206 Senator Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 206 "An Act relating to workers' compensation reemployment benefits; establishing a workers' compensation stay-at-work program; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SJR 14 Senators Stedman, Wielechowski, Kawasaki, moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Calling on the United States Congress and all federal agencies to adopt policies and engage in certain efforts to improve the competitiveness and resiliency of the state's seafood industry. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 4 to evening plane time. Without objection, Senator Stedman was excused. SB 56 Senator Bishop moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 56 "An Act relating to the Alaska performance scholarship program." 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 10:58 a.m. 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1739 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 11:16 a.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear an address by the Honorable Mary Sattler Peltola, U.S. Representative. 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 Rauscher, Acting Majority Leader, 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 Hoffman and Representative Stapp to escort U.S. Representative Mary Sattler Peltola to the Joint Session. The Senate Sergeant at Arms, Matt Simpson, announced the Honorable Mary Sattler Peltola’s entrance to the House Chamber. Representative Peltola was escorted to the rostrum. Representative Peltola delivered her address. This address appears in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 16. Following her address, there was a question and answer period. Representative Peltola received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Representative Stapp and Senator Hoffman. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Stevens adjourned the Joint Session at 11:58 a.m. 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1740 After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 12:02 p.m. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Enrollment SB 140 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 140(FIN) am H "An Act relating to funding for Internet services for school districts; relating to charter schools; relating to transportation of public school students; relating to correspondence study funding; relating to the base student allocation; relating to funding for reading improvement plans; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 3:46 p.m., February 26, 2024. Memorandum from Division of Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, was received, reporting the following manifest errors in CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 140(FIN) am H which have been corrected in enrolling: Page 2, line 18, following "school": Insert "contract" Page 5, line 9: Delete "article 15 to" 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1741 Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 28, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 12:02 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1742 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 27 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 161 TAX EXEMPTION FOR FARM USE LAND += SR 3 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 242 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT += SB 236 GRANTS TO DISASTER VICTIMS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 26 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 215 TEACHERS: BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE + SJR 17 EXTEND DEADLINE FOR ARP-HCY FUNDS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Presentation: Governor's Task Force on Child Care by Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg Leah Van Kirk, Healthcare Policy Advisor Stephanie Bergland, CEO of Thread + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1743 EDUCATION (continued) Feb 28 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + SB 158 SCHOOL GRANTS AND BOND DEBT REIMBURSEMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 01 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 26 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Confirmation of Governor's Appointees: John Sturgeon, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Brent Fisher, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority + SB 85 PERM FUND; EMPLOYMENT; ELIGIBILITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SJR 14 SUPPORT STATE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY Feb 26 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 27 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 105 RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 205 AHFC AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE BUILDING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled += SB 125 AK HOUSING FINANCE CORP: SUSTAIN ENERGY Feb 27 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1744 FINANCE (continued) Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Update: State Transportation Improvement Plan Department of Transportation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Fiscal Summary Update and Scenarios Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 01 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Update from the Alaska Broadband Office Thomas Lochner, Director + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 27 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Health Response to LB&A Audit Findings -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 240 SCHOOL DISTRICT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1745 JUDICIARY Feb 26 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 166 MENTAL HEALTH/PSYCHEDELIC MED. TASK FORCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 28 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + HB 66 CONTROLLED SUB;HOMICIDE;CRIMES;SENTENCING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 165 DEFENSE OF PUB. OFFICER: ETHICS COMPLAINT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 01 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 26 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 144 RATES: MOTOR VEHICLE WARRANTY WORK -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 204 CERT. OF FITNESS: PLUMBERS/ELECTRICIANS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 228 EXTEND BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPISTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 28 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 121 PHARMACIES/PHARMACISTS/BENEFITS MANAGERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 115 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1746 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 01 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 173 AUTHORIZE HANDGUNS SCHOOL EMPLOYEE/VOLUNT -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 211 AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS/LOANS/SALES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 26 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Mining Industry Update by Karen Matthias, Executive Director, Alaska Metal Mines Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director, Alaska Miners Association Katie Sweeney, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, National Mining Association + SB 243 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 28 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) Update by Randy Ruaro, Executive Director, AIDEA Brandon Brefczynski, Deputy Director, AIDEA += SB 220 RCA REGULATE NATURAL GAS STORAGE FACILITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 243 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1747 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 01 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 210 SALMON HATCHERY PERMITS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 199 STATE LAND: DISPOSAL/SALE/LEASE/RESTRICT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 171 RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 27 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 223 ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL APPOINTMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 185 ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SJR 15 CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 27 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1748 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Feb 27 Tuesday Adams 519 4:00 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Jointly Meeting with House Subcommittee on Department of Administration Budget Mar 05 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Department of Administration Budget Mar 19 Tuesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Administration Budget ---------------------------------------- COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Feb 26 Monday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Department of Fish & Game Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1749 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 ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Feb 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs Budget ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Feb 29 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY25 Request ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Feb 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + 1. Approval of the Agenda + 2. Approval of Minutes - December 14, 2023 + 3. Ratification of Charity Events a. Alaska SeaLife Center Soiree -February 3, 2024 b. Trend Alaska Fashion Show - February 17, 2024 c. Juneau Animal Rescue Extravaganza -February 17, 2024 d. Sham Jam - March 23, 2024 e. Kenai River Junior Classic -August 21, 22, 23, 2024 f. Ted Stevens Kenai River Classic -August 21, 22, 23, 2024 g. Kenai River Women's Classic -September 12, 13, 14, 2024 + 4. Contract Approvals a. Cybersecurity Licensing, Maintenance and Technical Support Renewal (Continued on Next Page) 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1750 JOINT COMMITTEES (continued) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) 5. Executive Session a. Legal Update (LAW/Janus) b. Security Update c. Salary Schedule Discussion + 6. Committee Business a. FY23 Legislature Independent Audit b. FY25 Legislative Council Budget c. Print Shop Policy d. Subcommittee Updates e. Preview of Upcoming Items + 7. Adjourn **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 26 Monday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Address by Mary Sattler Peltola, U.S. Representative ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 26 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Complete Streets Presented by Beth Osborne, Director of Transportation for America and Julius Adolfsson, Active Transportation Planner at DOTPF Sponsored by Senator Kiehl 2024-02-26 Senate Journal Page 1751 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Feb 26 Monday Davis 106 12:01 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: The Alaska Trucking Association will be Presenting on the Trucking Industry in Alaska by Joe Michel, Executive Director, Alaska Trucking Association Kelly Droop, Pape Kenworth Samantha Brown, United Freight & Transport Darren Kessler, Odyssey Alaska Brooke Sillers, Alaska West Express Randy Efrid, Weaver Bros. Sponsored by Senator Myers Feb 27 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Long Trail by Alaska Trails Deputy Director, Haley Johnston Sponsored by Senator Merrick