Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2024-05-09 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2547 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday May 9, 2024 One Hundred Fifteenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:04 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Hughes was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Greg Weinert, Emmanuel Baptist Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Heavenly Creator, I praise Your name. As the author of life, Father God, I lift up the men and women of this chamber and ask a blessing of good health, safety, and well-being that they may accomplish the noble works before them. Grant this fortification to all who serve here in name of the people of Alaska. And to their families and loved ones, many separated by great distance and time, I ask the blessing of peace-of-mind in the knowledge their sacrifice also is to the higher cause of selfless service. I pray against the divisiveness that plagues our land. I humbly plead that, by Your miraculous power Father, the members of this Senate would work together in civil humility for the good of our state. Let there be no malice between them. Even in the midst of differing opinions, positions, and beliefs, let no one doubt their fervent devotion to the state and its people. 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2548 I invite Your Holy Spirit to give them comfort, discernment, and endurance as they finish the multitude of tasks in these last few days of this session. Keep them mindful of placing Your will first. Let the world see the resolve, the strength, the ingenuity, the compassion, cooperation, and courage of all Alaska, inspired by the example set by their leaders. I pray this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Senator Kaufman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the one hundred fourteenth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated May 8 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 145 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 145(FIN) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or less; relating to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry; relating to deferred deposit advances; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2549 HB 312 HOUSE BILL NO. 312 am BY THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the appointment of an assistant adjutant general; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 345 HOUSE BILL NO. 345 BY REPRESENTATIVES STORY, McCormick, Himschoot, Stutes, Vance, Hannan, Josephson, Schrage, Cronk, Galvin, Wright, C.Johnson, Armstrong, Saddler, Gray, Mears, entitled: "An Act relating to safety ladders at municipal harbor facilities; relating to the harbor facility grant fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. HB 362 HOUSE BILL NO. 362 BY REPRESENTATIVE PRAX, entitled: "An Act relating to the reimbursement rate for prisoner medical care." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. Concur Messages SB 187 Message dated May 8 and received at 7:53 p.m. was read stating the House passed and returned for consideration CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(FIN) am "An Act making appropriations, including capital 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2550 appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and other appropriations; making reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date" with the following amendment(s): HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(FIN) am H Standing Committee Reports SB 266 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 266 "An Act relating to standards-based assessments; relating to correspondence study programs; relating to student fund accounts for correspondence study programs; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 266(EDC) "An Act relating to standards-based assessments; relating to correspondence study programs; relating to allotments for correspondence study programs; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Kiehl. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 29 The Judiciary Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 29(JUD) am "An Act prohibiting certain insurance decisions based solely on a person's status as an elected official" and recommended the adoption of the Labor and Commerce Committee Substitute offered on page 2464. 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2551 Signing do pass: Senator Claman, Chair. Signing no recommendation: Senators Tobin, Kaufman. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 347 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 347(CRA) am "An Act relating to assessment of property, boards of equalization, and certification of assessors; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 347(CRA) "An Act relating to municipal property tax; relating to assessment of property, boards of equalization, and certification of assessors; and providing for an effective date." (Title Change SCR 18) Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Gray-Jackson, Olson. Signing amend: Senator Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 375 The Transportation Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 375(L&C) "An Act prohibiting certain restrictions based on the energy source of a motor vehicle." Signing do pass: Senator Kaufman, Chair; Senator Myers. Signing do not pass: Senator Tobin. 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2552 The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 18 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18 BY THE SENATE COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, entitled: Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 347, relating to assessment of property, boards of equalization, and certification of assessors. was read the first time and held on the Secretary's desk. SJR 21 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21 BY THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, entitled: Urging federal support for the state's aviation fuel transition. was read the first time and referred to the Transportation Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of House Bills HB 228 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 228(STA) am "An Act establishing the Alaska task force for the regulation of psychedelic medicines approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2553 President Stevens stated CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 228(STA) am will advance to third reading on the May 10 calendar. HB 237 HOUSE BILL NO. 237 "An Act relating to temporary permits for nurses with lapsed licenses" was read the second time. President Stevens stated HOUSE BILL NO. 237 will advance to third reading on the May 10 calendar. HB 371 HOUSE BILL NO. 371 "An Act relating to medical review organizations; relating to the definitions of 'health care provider' and 'review organization'; and relating to the duties of the chief medical officer in the Department of Health" was read the second time. President Stevens stated HOUSE BILL NO. 371 will advance to third reading on the May 10 calendar. Third Reading of House Bills HB 17 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 17(L&C) "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" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 17(L&C) "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" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 17(L&C) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 16 NAYS: 3 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2554 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Myers, Shower, Wilson Excused: Hughes and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 17(L&C) 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. Third Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 19 CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19(RES) Supporting trade policies for the United States that hold China, Russia, and other countries accountable, reward leadership in clean production standards, reward superior environmental performance, support economic development, and support the rebuilding of supply chains in the United States, was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19(RES) Supporting trade policies for the United States that hold China, Russia, and other countries accountable, reward leadership in clean production standards, reward superior environmental performance, support economic development, and support the rebuilding of supply chains in the United States, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSJR 19(RES) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bishop, Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Wilson Excused: Hughes 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2555 and so, CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19(RES) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations In Memoriam - Richard Cleo McGahan Senator(s) Bjorkman Representative(s) Carpenter In Memoriam - Gene Horner Senator(s) Hughes, Claman In Memoriam - Kenneth Christensen Representative(s) Story, Hannan Senator(s) Kiehl In Memoriam - Bill Bishop Representative(s) McCabe, D. Johnson Senator(s) Myers 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 Tobin moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, June 1 through evening plane time, June 15. Without objection, Senator Tobin was excused. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from August 5 through August 14. Without objection, Senator Myers was excused. 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2556 Announcements Rule 23(d) of the Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules is currently in effect. Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment HB 17 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 17(L&C) "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" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. SJR 19 CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19(RES) Supporting trade policies for the United States that hold China, Russia, and other countries accountable, reward leadership in clean production standards, reward superior environmental performance, support economic development, and support the rebuilding of supply chains in the United States, 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., May 10, 2024. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:31 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2557 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 May 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + HB 345 HARBOR FACILITIES AND SAFETY LADDERS + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION May 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + HB 111 EDUCATION FOR DEAF & HARD OF HEARING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 13 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 15 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2558 FINANCE May 09 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += HB 66 CONTROLLED SUB;HOMICIDE;CRIMES;SENTENCING -- Public Testimony <Time Limit Will Be Set> -- += HB 126 ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS += HB 155 ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION += HB 19 REGISTRATION OF BOATS: EXEMPTION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- May 09 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += HB 66 CONTROLLED SUB;HOMICIDE;CRIMES;SENTENCING -- Public Testimony <Time Limit Will Be Set> -- += HB 155 ESTABLISH AK MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMISSION += HB 126 ASSOCIATE AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS <Above Item Removed from Agenda> = HB 19 REGISTRATION OF BOATS: EXEMPTION <Above Item Removed from Agenda> May 10 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 135 AK WORK & SAVE PROGRM; RETIRE. SAVINGS BD -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled May 11 Saturday Senate Finance 532 10:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled May 12 Sunday Senate Finance 532 1:00 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES May 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled May 14 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2559 JUDICIARY May 10 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 13 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 14 Tuesday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 15 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 17 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE May 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 5:15 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- += HB 226 PHARMACIES/PHARMACISTS/BENEFITS MANAGERS -- Public Testimony -- += HB 189 SALE OF ALCOHOL -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += HB 88 WAREHOUSE WORK QUOTAS -- Public Testimony -- += HB 203 PAYMENT OF WAGES; PAYROLL CARD ACCOUNT -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += HB 146 REGULATION OF FIREWORKS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 146 GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS -- Public Testimony -- += HB 233 RATES: MOTOR VEHICLE WARRANTY WORK -- Public Testimony -- + HB 251 EXEMPTIONS FOR HOMEMADE FOODS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2560 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) May 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES May 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 2:00 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- += SB 194 REDUCE ROYALTY ON COOK INLET OIL & GAS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 10 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: HB 295 SALMON HATCHERY PERMITS -- Public Testimony -- HB 329 AQUATIC FARMS AND HATCHERIES -- Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS May 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 11 Saturday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 14 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2024-05-09 Senate Journal Page 2561 TRANSPORTATION May 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- + HB 375 ENERGY SOURCES OF MOTOR VEHICLES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled May 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------- CONFERENCE COMMITTEES CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB268 AND HB270 May 09 Thursday Senate Finance 532 4:15 PM Conference Committee: += HB 268 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP; AM += HB 270 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET