Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-03-13 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1899 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 13, 2024 Fifty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:03 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Hoffman was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Major Shane Halverson, The Salvation Army. Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Our great provider and sustainer, we are thankful for the opportunity to meet once again in this sacred chamber. We thank you for the work that has already been accomplished, and the collaboration and communication that has been demonstrated. Yet we are also reminded of the unique challenges and blessings that Alaskan’s experience. Blessings like the spectacular auroras that dance across our skies and the untamed and abundant waters of the Inside Passage. Your magnificent creation surrounds us. Today, we turn our hearts to some of the issues that affect our state, issues like mental health and addiction. Grant us compassion and insight as we seek solutions to support those struggling with these burdens. Strengthen our commitment and our determination to break down barriers to treatment and recovery, offering hope and healing to all who are in need. 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1900 We’re also reminded of the needs of our education system. We’re thankful for and pray also for our teachers and students. Be with them as they work for excellence in learning and teaching. Guide our school boards as they struggle with issues of funding, facilities and maintenance, and teacher recruitment and retention. Give our youth the tools they need to become the leaders who will shape the future of our state. We are also thankful for our valued and respected elected leaders represented here today. May their efforts reflect your unlimited love and grace. May they bring light into the darkest corners of despair. Amen. Senator Olson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the fifty-seventh legislative day 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 excused. Messages from the Governor Letter dated March 12 was read stating in accordance with Article III, sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution, and AS 39.05.080, I submit the following appointee(s) for confirmation: Board of Public Accountancy Lance Johnson – Nome Appointed: 10/21/2020 Term Expired: 3/1/2024 Reappointed: 3/11/2024 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1901 Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board Steven Heidemann – Anchorage Appointed: 12/29/2022 Term Expired: 3/1/2024 Reappointed: 3/11/2024 Term Expires: 3/1/2027 Brian Zematis – Anchorage Appointed: 3/11/2024 Term Expires: 3/1/2026 Board of Pharmacy Carla Hebert – Anchorage Appointed: 12/29/2022 Term Expired: 3/1/2024 Reappointed: 3/11/2024 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointments were referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. Board of Education and Early Development Bob Griffin – Anchorage Appointed: 1/15/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2019 Reappointed: 3/1/2019 Term Expired: 3/1/2024 Reappointed: 3/11/2024 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 The appointment was referred to the Education Committee. State Medical Board Eric Nimmo – Palmer Appointed: 3/11/2024 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1902 Standing Committee Reports SB 127 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 127 "An Act relating to vehicle rental taxes; relating to the issuance of subpoenas related to tax records; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 127(FIN) Signing do pass: Senator Olson, Cochair. Signing no recommendation: Senator Stedman, Cochair; Senators Wilson, Merrick, Bishop. Signing amend: Senator Kiehl. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, indeterminate, Department of Revenue The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 131 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 131 "An Act requiring education in the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders." Signing do pass: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senator Claman. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wielechowski, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to the bill. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 184 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 184 "An Act exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 184(CRA) 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1903 Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel. Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 161 SENATE BILL NO. 161 "An Act relating to municipal taxation of farm use land; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Dunbar, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Community and Regional Affairs Committee Substitute offered on page 1774. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 161(CRA) "An Act relating to municipal taxation of farm land and farm structures; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 161(CRA) will advance to third reading on the March 15 calendar. Unfinished Business SB 27 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 27 "An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 166 Senator Tobin moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 166 "An Act establishing the Alaska mental health and psychedelic medicine task force; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1904 Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 14 and March 15. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. Action was not taken on the following Executive Orders and they were returned to the Governor's Office at 1:01 p.m., March 13, 2024: EO 125 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 125 Eliminating the Alaska Council on Emergency Medical Services. EO 133 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 133 Eliminating the Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board. EO 134 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 134 Eliminating the Recreation Rivers Advisory Board. EO 135 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 135 Eliminating the Alaska Safety Advisory Council 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., March 15, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:21 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1905 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 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Report on Relationship Between Intimate Partner Violence and Alaskan Women's Health + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 13 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 158 SCHOOL GRANTS AND BOND DEBT REIMBURSEMENT + SB 221 CPR CURRICULUM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1906 FINANCE Mar 13 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 243 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY GOVERNANCE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 116 ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 118 CRITICAL NATURAL RESOURCES; REPORTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 260 AK PERM FUND CORP BD/AK PERM FUND COUNCIL <Above Item Removed from Agenda> -- Invited Testimony -- -- <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Spring Revenue Forecast by Department of Revenue Overview: Governor's Budget Amendments by Office of Management and Budget + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + HB 148 AK PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIP; ELIGIBILITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 15 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1907 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 14 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: State Medical Board - David Paulson + HB 57 EMERGENCY MED. SVCS: REVIEW ORGANIZATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 181 CHILD PLACEMENT; DILIGENT SEARCH ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 13 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Report on "Relationships Between Intimate Partner Violence and Alaskan Women's Health" by Dr. Ingrid Johnson, University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Center + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 15 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Dusty Dumont, Alaska Police Standards Council Rebecca Carrillo & William Craig, State Commission for Human Rights -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 13 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 234 EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 146 GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 219 PRIOR AUTH EXEMPT FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1908 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 15 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 44 NATUROPATHS: LICENSING; PRACTICE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 225 OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING FEES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 237 TAX CREDIT CHILD CARE/UTILITY/HOUSE/FOOD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 13 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 217 INTEGRATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS -- Public Testimony -- + Presentation: Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) Update by Curtis Thayer, Executive Director + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 15 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 164 STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 175 ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HB 143 ADVANCED RECYCLING AND FACILITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1909 TRANSPORTATION Mar 14 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 255 OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PLACES; TRESPASSING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 218 VEHICLE WEIGHT LIMITS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION 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 ---------------------------------------- LAW Mar 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Department Overview 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1910 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Mar 19 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Alaska Military Youth Academy ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Mar 13 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Department Overview ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 14 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:30 AM -- Rescheduled from 03/12/24 -- + 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 14 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM -- Rescheduled to 03/19/24 -- + FY25 AMHS Request Mar 19 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM -- Rescheduled from 03/14/24 -- + FY25 AMHS Request 2024-03-13 Senate Journal Page 1911 OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: The Alaska Just Transition Collective - Aligned Vision for a Just and Equitable Transition Away from an Extractive Economy Into a Resilient One Based in Care Presenters Include: Faith Tyson, Alaska Renewables Doug Tansy, Business Manager of IBEW Local 1547 Wayne Morgan, Aniak Traditional Council Sponsored by Senator Claman, Senator Dunbar, and Representative McCormick