Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-03-20 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1959 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 20, 2024 Sixty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rabbi Yosef Greenberg, Alaska Jewish Campus and Museum, Chabad Lubavitch. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Almighty G-d, Master of the Universe, I stand before you, in prayer. In these troubling times, in the aftermath of the th October 7 atrocities in Israel, when the greatest crimes against Jewish people and humanity, since the Holocaust, were committed, slaughtering babies, raping women, burning whole families alive, and taking hundreds of innocent civilians hostage, in a time, where locally our great state is struggling with domestic violence, suicide, and troubled youth. I turn to you in the words of king of David, psalm 123 “ ????? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ???? ,?????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? . To you, have I lifted my eyes, you who are enthroned in heaven, be gracious to us, Lord, be gracious to us, for we have been overfilled with humiliation” 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1960 As Jewish people all around the world, get ready to celebrate the joyous holiday of Purim this Saturday night and Sunday, when we commemorate the salvation of the Jewish people from total annihilation, thanks to the heroic leadership of the biblical queen Esther and the Jewish leader, Mordechai, in the book of Esther. May you, Almighty G-d, grant the members of the Alaska State Senate wisdom and understanding, that the ultimate way to bring true healing to the world, and to our great state, is by embodying the universal values of the Seven Commandments issued to Noah after the great flood, as transmitted through G-d to Moses on Mount Sinai, the foremost of which is not to commit murder. Almighty G-d, I beseech you to bless this body, assembled today to fulfill one of Your seven commandments to govern by just laws, and in the merit of the global spiritual giant and leader, Your servant, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, whose 122nd birthday will be celebrated on the 11th day of Nissan, Friday, April 19th. In 1978, the US Congress and US President established the Rebbe’s birthday as Education and Sharing Day, in recognition of the Rebbe’s global campaign to bring awareness and educate our youth about these ethical values of the Seven Noahide Laws, as the basis for a just and compassionate society. Like queen Esther and Mordechai in their times, The Rebbe’s timeless leadership and teachings brings healing and redemption to a mourning and broken world. 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1961 Almighty G-d, may it be in the merit of realizing the Rebbe’s vision for humanity, we speedily see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise, “nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore,” With the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days, Amen. Senator Wielechowski led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the sixty-third and sixty-fourth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated March 18 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 126 HOUSE BILL NO. 126 BY REPRESENTATIVES WRIGHT, Story, Hannan, Ruffridge, Galvin, Prax, entitled: "An Act relating to the Board of Professional Counselors; and relating to licensing of associate counselors." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 344 HOUSE BILL NO. 344 BY THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to medical assistance demonstration projects established by the Department of Health." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1962 Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Court System Travel for Justices, Judges, and Magistrate Judges and Affadavit Information 2023 in accordance with AS 22.20.310 Standing Committee Reports Report dated March 18 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. State Board of Parole Richard Larson Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Kiehl, Kaufman. SB 17 The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 17 "An Act relating to political contributions; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 17(JUD) Signing do pass: Senator Claman, Chair; Senator Kiehl. Signing no recommendation: Senator Kaufman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Administration The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1963 SB 195 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 195 "An Act relating to the office of management and budget; and providing for an effective date." Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki, Chair. Signing do pass: Senators Bjorkman, Merrick. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wielechowski, Claman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SJR 15 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto. Signing do pass: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Claman, Bjorkman. Signing no recommendation: Senator Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Office of the Governor President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to the resolution. The resolution was referred to the Finance Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 34 SENATE BILL NO. 34 "An Act reestablishing the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1964 Senator Olson, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Committee Substitute offered on page 1688. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 34(FIN) "An Act reestablishing the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; relating to the membership and duties of the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; relating to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources regarding the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 34(FIN) will advance to third reading on the March 22 calendar. SB 91 SENATE BILL NO. 91 "An Act relating to telehealth; relating to multidisciplinary care teams; and relating to the practice of medicine" was read the second time. Senator Olson, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Committee Substitute offered on page 1773. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 91(FIN) was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 91(FIN) will advance to third reading on the March 22 calendar. Citations Honoring - 2024 Alaska School Activities Association High School Hall of Fame Inductees Representative(s) Cronk In Memoriam - Edwin "Ed" Tussey Representative(s) Stutes Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1965 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Education and Sharing Day 2024 Senator(s) Hughes, Kiehl, Tobin Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 22. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. Senator Bishop moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, March 21 through evening plane time, March 24. Without objection, Senator Bishop was excused. SB 231 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 231 "An Act relating to residential psychiatric treatment centers; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. HB 60 President Stevens stated CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 60(HSS) am "An Act relating to the licensing of runaway shelters; relating to advisors to the board of trustees of the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; relating to the sharing of confidential health information between the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services; relating to the duties of the Department of Health and the Department of Family and Community Services; and providing for an effective date" would be returned to the Health and Social Services Committee. Without objection, the bill was returned to the Health and Social Services Committee. 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1966 SB 140 The Governor's veto of 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 sustained (page 1947) and the engrossed and enrolled copies were returned to the Office of the Governor at 4:48 p.m., March 18, 2024. 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 22, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1967 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 21 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION 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 -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1968 FINANCE 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 Mar 21 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 151 MISSING/MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE;REPORT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SCR 10 JOINT LEGIS SEAFOOD INDUSTRY TASK FORCE Mar 22 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Forthcoming Labor Contracts and Monetary Terms by - Department of Administration - Department of Law <Above Item (Dept of Law) Removed from Agenda> + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 21 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HB 89 CHILD CARE: TAX CREDITS/ASSISTANCE/GRANTS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 20 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 60 REPEAL WORKERS' COMP APPEALS COMMISSION -- Public Testimony <2 Minute Time Limit> -- + 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 -- 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1969 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 22 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 165 DEFENSE OF PUB. OFFICER: ETHICS COMPLAINT + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE 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 ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES 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: += SB 168 COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFULLY SEIZED GAME **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 22 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1970 STATE AFFAIRS 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 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 Apr 11 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:30 PM + Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Mar 27 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 12:15 PM + Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1971 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 ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Mar 26 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 12:15 PM + Department of Fish & Game Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 11 Thursday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 26 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY25 Budget 2024-03-20 Senate Journal Page 1972 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 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