Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-03-18 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1939 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 18, 2024 Sixty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Hoffman was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Major Gina Halverson, The Salvation Army. Senator Olson moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord, we thank you for this beautiful land we are able to work, maintain, enjoy and be a part of year after year. As each person here brings their experiences, knowledge and ideas, provide guidance to help all work together to maintain a spirit of comradery that will move our beautiful state into a future that will flourish and provide a cornerstone for Alaskans centuries to come. From Alaskan snow to Alaskan rivers along the Alaska coastline with a fresh glacier breeze, I pray that all will be at the forefront of every decision made in this Assembly. Amen. Senator Tobin led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1940 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the sixtieth through sixty-second 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 floor session today. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Standing Committee Reports Report dated March 15 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary 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. Alaska Police Standards Council Dusty Dumont State Commission for Human Rights Rebecca Carrillo William Craig Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Tobin, Kiehl, Kaufman. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 127 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 127(FIN) "An Act relating to vehicle rental taxes; relating to the issuance of subpoenas related to tax records; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1941 The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 127(FIN) "An Act relating to vehicle rental taxes; relating to the issuance of subpoenas related to tax records; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 127(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 15 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kaufman, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Nays: Hughes, Kawasaki, Shower, Stedman Excused: Hoffman and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 127(FIN) passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Senate Bills in Third Reading SB 161 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" which had been held in third reading (page 1923) was before the Senate. Senator Hughes moved the bill be returned to second reading for all amendments offered today. Without objection, the bill was returned to second reading. Senator Hughes offered Amendment No. 1 : Page 2, following line 12: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 2. AS 29.45.050(y) is amended to read: 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1942 (y) In this section, (1) "farming activity" means raising and harvesting crops other than marijuana; feeding, breeding, and managing livestock; dairying; or any combination of those activities; (2) "industrial hemp" has the meaning given in AS 03.05.100; (3) "marijuana" means the plant of the genus cannabis but does not include industrial hemp." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Senator Hughes moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 1. Objections were heard. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 161(CRA) Second Reading Amendment No. 1? YEAS: 9 NAYS: 10 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Hughes, Kaufman, Merrick, Myers, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Wilson Nays: Bishop, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Olson, Tobin, Wielechowski Excused: Hoffman and so, Amendment No. 1 failed. Senator Kiehl offered Amendment No. 2 : Page 2, line 2, following "vegetables,": Insert "aquatic farm products as defined in AS 16.40.199," Page 2, line 3, following "crops": Insert "specified by ordinance" Page 2, following line 12: Insert a new bill section to read: 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1943 "* Sec. 2. AS 29.45.050(y) is amended to read: (y) In this section, "farming activity" means raising and harvesting crops; feeding, breeding, and managing livestock; dairying; propagating, farming, or cultivating an aquatic farm product as defined in AS 16.40.199; or any combination of those activities." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Senator Kiehl moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 2. Senator Shower objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 2 was adopted. CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 161(CRA) am was automatically in third reading. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 161(CRA) am "An Act relating to municipal taxation of farm land and farm structures; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 161(CRA) am Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Hoffman and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 161(CRA) am passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1944 Citations Honoring - City of Wasilla 50th Anniversary Senator(s) Wilson Honoring - Wolfgang Emil Junge Senator(s) Wilson Representative(s) McCabe Honoring - Dr. Karen Ward Senator(s) Wilson Honoring - Brandon Griff Harbour Senator(s) Wilson Honoring - Wasilla High School Warriors Girls Volleyball 2023 4A State Champions Senator(s) Wilson Honoring - Robin Ann Minard Senator(s) Wilson Honoring - Spencer Woods Representative(s) Baker In Memoriam - Tim Stewart Senator(s) Tobin, Olson Representative(s) Foster In Memoriam - Drew Spencer Rotermund Representative(s) Tomaszewski Senator(s) Myers In Memoriam - Hans Clark Nicholson Representative(s) Sumner In Memoriam - Julia Dawn Maxwell Representative(s) Sumner Senator(s) Wilson 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1945 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, March 28 through evening plane time, April 1 and from morning plane time, April 18 through evening plane time, April 21. Without objection, Senator Myers was excused. Senator Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on April 5. Without objection, Senator Kawasaki was excused. Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to amend a prior excusal (page 1717) in order to be excused from a call of the Senate on April 4 and April 5. Without objection, Senator Gray- Jackson was excused. HB 286 Senator Hughes moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cross sponsor on CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 286(STA) "An Act relating to victim restitution and compensation." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 207 Senators Merrick, Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 207 "An Act creating the military and veteran family help desk in the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. HB 3 Senator Bjorkman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cross sponsor on CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 3(FIN) "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1946 SB 175 Senators Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 175 "An Act relating to an electronic product stewardship program; relating to collection, recycling, and disposal of electronic equipment; establishing the electronics recycling advisory council; and providing for an effective date." 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 11:52 a.m. 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 2:18 p.m. SB 140 The purpose of the Joint Session was to consider override of the Governor's veto of CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 140(FIN) am H (EDU: Internet/Charter/Transp./Funding/BSA). The roll call of the Senate showed twenty members present. The roll of the House showed thirty-nine members present. Senator Giessel moved CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 140(FIN) am H become law notwithstanding the Governor's veto. Senator Wielechowski rose to a point of order. President Stevens ruled the point well taken. Representative Eastman moved and asked unanimous consent the Secretary read the Governor's veto letter that accompanied the bill. Representative Eastman moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw his motion. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1947 The question being: "Shall 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" become law notwithstanding the Governor's veto?" The roll of the Senate was taken with the following result: SENATE CSSB 140(FIN) am H Veto Override YEAS: 16 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Hughes, Myers, Shower, Wilson The roll of the House was taken with the following result: HOUSE CSSB 140(FIN) am H Veto Override YEAS: 23 NAYS: 16 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Armstrong, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Groh, Hannan, Himschoot, Josephson, McCormick, Mears, Mina, Ortiz, Ruffridge, Schrage, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Sumner, Wright Nays: Allard, Baker, Carpenter, Coulombe, Cronk, Eastman, C.Johnson, D.Johnson, McCabe, McKay, Prax, Saddler, Shaw, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Vance Excused: Rauscher TOTALS: YEAS: 39 NAYS: 20 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 and so, lacking the necessary 40 votes to override, the Governor's veto was sustained. 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1948 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, the Joint Session adjourned at 4:01 p.m. After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 4:04 p.m. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 127 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 127(FIN) "An Act relating to vehicle rental taxes; relating to the issuance of subpoenas related to tax records; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. SB 161 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 161(CRA) am "An Act relating to municipal taxation of farm land and farm structures; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., March 20, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 4:04 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1949 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 19 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + HB 279 LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 21 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 18 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + SB 178 SCHOOL TERMS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1950 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 20 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees - University of Alaska Board of Regents: Seth Church - Fairbanks Stephen Colligan - Wasilla Board of Education and Early Development: Pamela Dupras - Anchorage Barbara Tyndall - Fairbanks Professional Teaching Practices Commission: Michael Robbins - Ketchikan -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 22 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 18 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Fiscal Update by Legislative Finance Division + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 19 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + HB 125 TRAPPING CABINS ON STATE LAND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 207 MILITARY AND VETERAN FAMILY HELP DESK -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 20 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 84 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 206 WORKERS' COMP. STAY-AT-WORK PROGRAM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1951 FINANCE (continued) Mar 21 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 151 MISSING/MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE;REPORT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 22 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Forthcoming Labor Contracts and Monetary Terms by - Department of Administration - Department of Law + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 19 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 233 CHILD CARE PROVIDER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT += SB 241 MEDICAL ASSIST. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS + HB 344 MEDICAL ASSIST. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS <Pending Referral> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HB 89 CHILD CARE: TAX CREDITS/ASSISTANCE/GRANTS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 18 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Delayed to 1:45 pm -- += SB 17 CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS + SB 134 INS. DATA SECURITY; INFO. SECURITY PRGRMS <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 03/20/24> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Richard Larson, State Board of Parole -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1952 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 20 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 60 REPEAL WORKERS' COMP APPEALS COMMISSION + HJR 3 CONCEALED HANDGUN RECIPROCITY B/W STATES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 134 INS. DATA SECURITY; INFO. SECURITY PRGRMS <Bill Hearing Rescheduled from 03/18/24> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Mar 22 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 165 DEFENSE OF PUB. OFFICER: ETHICS COMPLAINT + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 18 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + SB 203 BUSINESS LICENSE FEES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 200 TRS CONTR RATE; PERS SOC SECURITY OR SBS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 20 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 196 EMPLOYER DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 121 PHARMACIES/PHARMACISTS/BENEFITS MANAGERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 22 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1953 RESOURCES Mar 18 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 168 COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFULLY SEIZED GAME <Bill Hearing Canceled> Presentation: Micro-reactor Pilot Program at Eielson Air Force Base by Ms. Nancy Balkus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety and Infrastructure + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 20 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 194 REDUCE ROYALTY ON COOK INLET OIL & GAS -- Public Testimony -- += HB 143 ADVANCED RECYCLING AND FACILITIES -- Public Testimony -- += SB 175 ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 22 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 19 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 195 STATE AGENCY PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT -- Public Testimony -- Presentation: Department of Administration Online Checkbook Implementation + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SJR 15 CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1954 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Mar 21 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 185 ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION -- Public Testimony -- += SB 223 ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL APPOINTMENT -- Public Testimony -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Lt. Governor Successor, Major General Torrence Saxe -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 19 Tuesday Barnes 124 1:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- Meeting Jointly with the House Transportation Committee + Presentation: Innovations in Autonomous and Uncrewed Systems by Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + HB 81 VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 255 OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PLACES; TRESPASSING -- Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 19 Tuesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Administration Budget Apr 11 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:30 PM + Budget Closeout 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1955 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES (continued) CORRECTIONS Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Department of Corrections Budget Apr 11 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:45 PM + Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 11 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Mar 19 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 11:00 AM + Overview: Alaska Military Youth Academy ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 19 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM -- Rescheduled from 03/14/24 -- + FY25 AMHS Request ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 18 Monday House Chamber 2:15 PM + Consideration of the Governor's Veto of SB 140 (EDU: Internet/Charter/Transp./Funding/BSA) 2024-03-18 Senate Journal Page 1956 OTHER MEETINGS (continued) MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 19 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Housing Alaskans - A Public Private Partnership (HAPPP) Addressing Alaska’s Housing Crisis Through Partnerships, Advocacy, Technical Support and Creative Funding Solutions Presented by Michele Brown and other HAPPP Representatives Sponsored by Senator Dunbar 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 Mar 26 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM + Lunch & Learn Presentation: Global Military Outlook: What's Going On Around the World and its Impact to Alaska Presented by the Joint Staff of the National Guard Sponsored by Senator Kawasaki and Representative Shaw