Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-04-15 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2201 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday April 15, 2024 Ninety-first Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senator Kawasaki was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Hoffman, Olson, Shower were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Father Michael Galbraith, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Senator Bishop moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Loving and gracious God, I give you thanks for giving us another day. I ask today that you bless the Members of this Senate to be the best and most faithful servants of the people they serve. Purify their intentions, that they will say what they believe and act consistent with their words. Endow them with wisdom and courage that is borne of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy; loyalty to their constituents, and loyalty to our State and Nation. Help them to be honest with themselves so that they will be concerned how their words and deeds affect the lives of those in need and those who look to them for support and leadership. 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2202 I pray that they may serve your people with renewed clarity of vision and refined purpose that will soon unify the State of Alaska in compassion and confidence. May all that is done this day in this Senate Assembly be for your greater honor and glory. Amen. Senator Kiehl led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the eighty-eighth through ninetieth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senators Hoffman, Olson be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senators Hoffman, Olson were 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 Messages dated April 12 were read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HCR 13 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13 BY REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER, Recognizing and commending the National Conference of State Legislatures on its 50th anniversary in 2025. 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2203 was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 268 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 268(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations and reappropriations; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 270 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 270(FIN) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Standing Committee Reports Report dated April 12 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Resources 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. 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2204 Regulatory Commission of Alaska John Espindola Board of Fisheries Märit Carlson-Van Dort Signing the report: Senator Giessel, Cochair; Senators Kawasaki, Claman, Wielechowski, Kaufman, Dunbar. SB 171 The Resources Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 171 "An Act changing the residency requirements for sport fishing, hunting, and trapping privileges; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Giessel, Cochair; Senator Kaufman. Signing no recommendation: Senators Claman, Dunbar. Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Fish and Game Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Public Safety The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 219 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 219 "An Act relating to utilization review entities; exempting certain health care providers from making preauthorization requests for certain services; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Gray-Jackson. Signing no recommendation: Senator Merrick. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2205 SB 239 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 239 "An Act relating to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority; and relating to workforce housing development projects." Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senator Merrick. Signing do pass: Senators Gray-Jackson, Dunbar. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Lydia Jacoby Big 12 Swimming Championship Representative(s) Stutes, Armstrong Senator(s) Stevens th Honoring - UAA Hospitality Administration Program 25 Anniversary Representative(s) Coulombe, Gray, Wright Honoring - Principal Ron Brown Representative(s) Gray, Mina Senator(s) Dunbar In Memoriam - Marian James Johnson Representative(s) Stutes Senator(s) Stevens Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2206 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., April 17, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:27 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2207 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 Apr 16 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += HB 279 LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION <Bill Hearing Canceled> += SB 174 HONOR & REMEMBER/HONOR & SACRIFICE FLAGS += SJR 20 WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEM STATION OUTAGES += SCR 13 ART. II, SEC. 16, CONST:AFFIRM COMPLIANCE + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 18 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Apr 15 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Presentation: Alaska Vocational Technical Center by Cathy LeCompte, AVTEC Director + Presentation: Anchorage School District Career Academies by Representatives from the Anchorage School District + Presentation: Alaska EXCEL by Representatives from Alaska EXCEL + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2208 EDUCATION (continued) Apr 17 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Presentation: Education Assessment Results in Alaska by Representatives from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 19 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Briefing on the Federal "Maintenance of Equity" Requirements + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Apr 15 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 15 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- Subcommittee of the Whole University of Alaska - FY25 Closeout + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 16 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 168 COMPENSATION FOR WRONGFULLY SEIZED GAME -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 215 TEACHERS: BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 16 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2209 FINANCE (continued) Apr 17 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + HB 268 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM + HB 270 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 17 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 18 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 18 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 19 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 16 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HB 17 CONTRACEPTIVES COVERAGE:INSURE;MED ASSIST -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 219 PRIOR AUTH EXEMPT FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 18 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 15 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 20 APPROPRIATION LIMIT; GOV BUDGET += SJR 4 CONST. AM: APPROP LIMIT += SB 165 DEFENSE OF PUB. OFFICER: ETHICS COMPLAINT 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2210 JUDICIARY (continued) Apr 17 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 19 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 15 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 235 CNA TRAINING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 237 TAX CREDIT CHILD CARE/UTILITY/HOUSE/FOOD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 17 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce: Cathy Munoz – Juneau Alaska Labor Relations Agency: Justin Mack – Anchorage Board of Public Accountancy: Mark Diehl – Palmer Lance Johnson – Nome Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board: Mark Sayampanathan – Anchorage Debbie White – Auke Bay John Corbett – Fairbanks Pamela Cline – Wasilla Bronson Frye – Anchorage Steven Heidemann – Anchorage Brian Zematis – Anchorage Alcoholic Beverage Control Board: Diane Thompson – Anchorage Janice Hill – Haines State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors: Jeffrey Garness – Anchorage (Continued on Next Page) 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2211 (Continued from Previous Page) Colin Maynard – Anchorage Paul Baril – Anchorage John Barry – Gustavus Bradford Rinckey – Anchorage Board of Barbers and Hairdressers: Tenaya Miramontes – Juneau Wendy Palin – Palmer Michelle McMullin – Anchorage Kevin McKinley - Anchorage Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Ronald Gherman – Soldotna John Lloyd – Anchorage Board of Examiners in Optometry: Ethan Arndt – Anchorage Bradley Cross – Soldotna Marijuana Control Board: Bailey Stuart – Wasilla Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives: Bethel Belisle – Anchorage Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers: Mae Sprague – Wasilla Jenny Buswell – Palmer Board of Marital and Family Therapy: Shawnmarie Carpenter – Anchorage Kayla Green – Eagle River Board of Massage Therapists: Emily Foster – Palmer Board of Nursing: Michael Collins – Wasilla April Erickson – Anchorage Occupational Safety and Health Review Board: Ryan Sharratt – Kodiak Board of Pharmacy: Sylvain Nouvion – Eagle River Ashley Schaber – Anchorage Carla Hebert – Anchorage Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners: Lorin Bradbury – Bethel Erin Johnson – Anchorage Bradley McConnell – Anchorage Board of Social Work Examiners: Anne Wells – Fairbanks (Continued on Next Page) 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2212 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) Board of Veterinary Examiners: Denise Albert – Denali Park Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council: Megan O’Neil – Petersburg State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board: Rebecca Dean – Fairbanks Workers’ Compensation Appeals Commission: Nancy Shaw – Anchorage Amy Steele – Anchorage += SB 152 COMMUNITY ENERGY FACILITIES; NET METERING Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 19 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 257 ELECTRIC UTILITY REGULATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 146 GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + HB 253 FEDERALLY DESIGNATED REFRIGERANTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Apr 15 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SJR 19 SUPPORTING CERTAIN US TRADE POLICIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Presentation: Department of Natural Resources Next Generation Mineral Assessments in Alaska by Melanie Werdon, Director, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys; John Crowther, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2213 RESOURCES (continued) Apr 17 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Hydrogen Opportunities by Alaska Hydrogen Working Group, Alaska Center for Energy and Power, University of Alaska Fairbanks Erin Whitney, Director, Department of Energy Arctic Energy Office + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 19 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 217 INTEGRATED TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Apr 16 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 18 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SCR 3 HOUSING SHORTAGE;PUBLIC-PRIV. PARTNERSHIP -- Public Testimony -- + HB 146 REGULATION OF FIREWORKS -- Public Testimony -- + HB 265 CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 286 CRIME VICTIM RESTITUTION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-04-15 Senate Journal Page 2214 TRANSPORTATION Apr 16 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Board of Marine Pilots: Andrew Mew - Anchorage -- Public Testimony -- + SB 263 ROADS & HWYS ADV BOARD; IMPROVEMENT PRGM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 18 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Apr 15 Monday Senate Finance 532 10:00 AM -- Rescheduled from 4/12/24 -- + FY25 Closeout ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT May 09 Thursday Adams 519 5:00 PM I. Approval of Minutes - April 4, 2024 II. Executive Session - Audit a. Release of the FY23 State Single Audit Teleconferenced: Juneau (907)586-9085, Anchorage (907)563-9085, Outside Juneau & Anchorage (844)586-9085