Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-03-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1793 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 4, 2024 Forty-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senator Stedman was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Hoffman, Shower were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Guy Crockroft, Love, INC. Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for this new day and for this body, the Alaska Senate. Bless them as they serve and grant them the ability to love each other, even when they have differences of opinion. Thank you for your words about love, in I Corinthians 13 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Lord, in accordance with your unconditional love, may you help each Senator as they work together today. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1794 Senator Kaufman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the forty-sixth through forty-eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Hoffman be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was was excused. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Shower be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. Messages from the House Message dated March 1 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HJR 20 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 BY REPRESENTATIVES BAKER, Tomaszewski, Fields, Wright, Rauscher, McKay, McCabe, Armstrong, C.Johnson, Schrage, Saddler, Cronk, Allard, Himschoot, D.Johnson, Stapp, Coulombe, Galvin, Ruffridge, Sumner, Story, Ortiz, Tilton, Urging withdrawal of proposed Bureau of Land Management regulations affecting the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska; and urging meaningful engagement with tribes, local governments, and affected communities. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1795 Message dated March 4 was read stating: The House of Representatives respectfully invites the Senate to a Joint Session of the Thirty-Third Alaska Legislature at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 12 for the purpose of considering Senate Special Concurrent Resolutions regarding the Governor’s Executive Orders. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate accept the House invitation to meet in Joint Session. Without objection, it was so ordered. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. Standing Committee Reports SB 179 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 179 "An Act prohibiting municipalities from levying a tax on the transfer of real property; prohibiting the state from levying a tax on the transfer of real property; and relating to municipal taxation of mobile telecommunications services" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 179(CRA) Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Revenue The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1796 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 11 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 26, relating to the official languages of the State of Alaska; renaming the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council as the Council for Alaska Native Languages; and relating to the Council for Alaska Native Languages. was read the first time and held on the Secretary’s desk. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 24 SENATE BILL NO. 24 "An Act relating to mental health education; 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 Committee Substitute offered on page 1658. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 24(FIN) was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 24(FIN) will advance to third reading on the March 6 calendar. SB 147 SENATE BILL NO. 147 "An Act relating to reemployment rights and benefits" was read the second time. 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1797 Senator Bjorkman, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Labor and Commerce Committee Substitute offered on page 1713. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 147(L&C) "An Act relating to reemployment rights and benefits; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 147(L&C) will advance to third reading on the March 6 calendar. Citations Honoring - Aaron Harkley Senator(s) Dunbar Representative(s) Mina, Gray Honoring - Robert "Bobby" Hill II Senator(s) Merrick Representative(s) Allard Honoring - Ramsey Bodeen Senator(s) Merrick Representative(s) Allard Honoring - Maria Downey Senator(s) Giessel Representative(s) Shaw, C. Johnson Honoring - Colony Knights Boys' Soccer Team Senator(s) Hughes, Wilson Honoring - Colony Knights Boys' Track and Field Senator(s) Hughes, Wilson Honoring - Polaris Building Senator(s) Myers Representative(s) Stapp, Carrick Honoring - Alaska Trappers Association 50th Anniversary Senator(s) Kawasaki, Wilson, Bishop 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1798 Honoring - Tasha Kahele Senator(s) Dunbar Representative(s) Cronk, Groh Honoring - Gretchen Winter Senator(s) Hughes Representative(s) D. Johnson Honoring - Coby Marvin Senator(s) Hughes Representative(s) D. Johnson Honoring - Amy Gallaway Representative(s) Carrick Senator(s) Kawasaki Honoring - John N. Davies Representative(s) Carrick Honoring - Scott Raygor Representative(s) Carrick In Memoriam - Patrick M. Rodey Senator(s) Dunbar, Tobin Representative(s) Gray In Memoriam - Michelle V. Minor Senator(s) Bishop Representative(s) Josephson In Memoriam - Barbara "Tamie" Miller Senator(s) Hughes Representative(s) D. Johnson In Memoriam - Paul Rodriguez, Jr. Senator(s) Hughes, Kiehl In Memoriam - Jackie William Gallion Representative(s) Allard 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1799 In Memoriam - Sergeant William Francis Murphy Representative(s) Allard 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 citations be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Samuel Hart Trivette Representative(s) Hannan, Story Senator(s) Kiehl In Memoriam - Price E. Qaiyaan Brower Representative(s) Baker Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 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., March 6, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:16 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1800 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 Mar 05 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 184 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 04 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska's Charter School Model by School Board Members from School Districts with Charter Schools + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 06 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 97 TEACHER RECRUITMENT; LUMP SUM PAYMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 08 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1801 FINANCE Mar 04 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + School District Fund Balance Discussion <Invited Testimony Only> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 06 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 197 RESIDENTIAL BUILDING CODE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 183 WORKERS' COMP BENEFITS GUARANTY FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 06 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 189 EXTEND ALASKA COMMISSION ON AGING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 120 HUNT/FISH LICENSE FOR NONRESIDENT STUDENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SCR 10 JOINT LEGIS SEAFOOD INDUSTRY TASK FORCE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 08 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1802 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 05 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: - Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority John Sturgeon, Brent Fisher - State Medical Board David Barnes, David Wilson -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 241 MEDICAL ASSIST. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- Meeting Jointly with House Health and Social Services Committee + Presentation: Alaska Citizen Review Panel Annual Report and DFCS Office of Children's Services Response ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 04 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Anna Cometa, Violent Crimes Compensation Board Ron Dupee, Alaska Police Standards Council Jeff Brown, Alaska Police Standards Council -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 163 ANIMAL ADOPTION RECORDS Mar 06 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Terrence Haas, Public Defender Robert Sheldon, Commission on Judicial Conduct + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1803 LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 04 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 154 BIDDER PREF MILITARY CAREER SKILLS PROG -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 102 REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 44 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE <Bill Hearing Canceled> + SB 257 ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATION Uniform Rule 23 Waived -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 06 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: TVEP by University of Alaska += SB 121 PHARMACIES/PHARMACISTS/BENEFITS MANAGERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Mar 08 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 196 EMPLOYER DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 234 EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 04 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 217 INTEGRATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 257 ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATION <Bill Hearing Canceled> + Presentation: Alaska Railbelt Transmission Issues + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 243 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1804 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 06 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Resident Hunters of Alaska (RHAK) by Mark Richards, Executive Director += SB 168 COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFULLY SEIZED GAME -- Public Testimony -- + SJR 18 NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA <Bill Hearing Canceled> + HJR 20 NAT'L PETROLEUM RESERVE IN ALASKA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 05 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Division of Elections Overview by Carol Beecher, Director, Division of Elections + HB 129 VOTER REGISTRATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 246 LEGISLATORS LEGAL FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 232 VOTER PREREGISTRATION FOR MINORS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 07 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Corrections by Jen Winkleman, Commissioner DOC + SB 176 BOARD OF PAROLE: MEMBERSHIP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1805 TRANSPORTATION Mar 05 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 244 MARVIN THURMOND GALENA MAINT. STATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 07 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Hours of Service & Electronic Log Review by Senator Myers & Invited Presenters + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION 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 ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Corrections Budget ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + FY25 Department of Education and Early Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Mar 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Presentation: Spill Prevention and Response 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1806 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 06 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Family and Community Services FY 25 Budget ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Health FY 25 Budget ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 11 Monday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Court System Budget ---------------------------------------- LAW Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Mar 05 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Overview of FY25 Budget Request ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Mar 06 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1807 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) PUBLIC SAFETY (continued) Mar 13 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 12 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:30 AM + Overview: Department of Revenue, Alaska Mental Health Trust and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation by Steve Williams, CEO AMHT, and Bryan Butcher, CEO AHFC ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 07 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY25 Request - continued ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES AK FOOD STRATEGY TASK FORCE EXEC. BOARD Mar 08 Friday Butrovich 205 11:00 AM + 1. Public Testimony 1-844-586-9085 + 2. Report on the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force Presentation to the Legislature + 3. Focus Area Updates + 4. 2024 Report Process + 5. Presentation: Retail Food Supply Chain Frictions and Implications for Rural Food Security by Mike Jones + 6. Next Meeting + 7. Other Items and Announcements 2024-03-04 Senate Journal Page 1808 JOINT COMMITTEES (continued) LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Mar 06 Wednesday Adams 519 5:00 PM + Approval of Minutes a. December 13, 2023 b. January 15, 2024 Executive Session (Procurement) a. Legislative Audit Single Audit Contract Juneau (907) 586-9085, Anchorage (907) 563-9085 All other 844-586-9085 ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 12 Tuesday House Chamber 10:30 AM + Consideration of Senate Special Concurrent Resolutions Regarding the Governor's Executive Orders