Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-01-24 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0061 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 24, 2025 Fourth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:35 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative McCabe be excused from a call of the House from today to 10:00 p.m., January 26. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Nathaniel Habeger of Juneau Christian Center. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With deepest respect for the religious beliefs of each person here, I invite you to join me as we open in prayer: Dear God, I’m reminded that in the Bible, you describe your kingdom, not as a matter of laws and rituals, but one marked by righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy spirit. As a Christ follower, my personal goal is to emulate the kingdom of God while here on earth. So God, I pray today, for this House. This incredible gathering of representatives from all over the State of Alaska. That they would be marked by righteousness, peace, and joy. 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0062 Maybe that’s easier to believe as possible on a Friday. Maybe that’s easier to believe earlier in the session than towards the end. But God, I pray that each representative would sense your righteousness, peace, and joy upon them. That the comradery I witnessed just a few days ago would stick with them this entire legislative session. As they come and as they go, may there be peace and joy in all that they do. I bless each representative here and the position that they hold, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Burke. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the second and third legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR EO 136 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 136 by the Governor: Establishing the Department of Agriculture and transferring functions of the Department of Natural Resources relating to agriculture to the Department of Agriculture. was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 20 follows: "Dear Speaker-Elect Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting an Executive Order establishing the Alaska Department of Agriculture. Pursuant to my authority under Article III, Section 23, of the Alaska Constitution to make changes in the organization of the Executive Branch and in the assignment of 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0063 functions among its units, this Order would create a new principal Department of the State with authority over agricultural policy. This order would transfer the powers and duties of the Department of Natural Resources relating to agriculture in Title 3 of the Alaska Statutes to the new Department of Agriculture. The Alaska Board of Agriculture and Conservation would be moved to the new Department. The Commissioner of Agriculture would consult with the Commissioner of Natural Resources in the classification, leasing, and sale of state agricultural land. The Order would also rename the Alaska Natural Resource Conservation and Development Board and place the Commissioner of Agriculture on the Board, ex-officio. Two Task Forces, one established by my Administrative Order 331 (modified under AOs 334 and 341) and another within the Legislative Branch established by House Bill 298 signed in 2022, have concluded that it is in the best interests of state policy priorities for greater food security and increasing agriculture production to create a Department of Agriculture. This Executive Order will encourage the development and growth of the agriculture industry in Alaska through the establishment of a Department dedicated to a mission focused on increased production activity and accountability to the public. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" # A letter dated January 23 was read stating that, in accordance with AS 14.40.150 and art. VII, sec. 3, Constitution of the State of Alaska, the Governor submits the following names for legislative confirmation of appointment to the positions noted. The Speaker referred the following to the Education Committee: University of Alaska Board of Regents Karen Perdue – Fairbanks Appointed: 2/6/2017 Term Expires: 2/5/2025 Reappointed: 2/5/2025 Term Expires: 2/5/2033 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0064 Christine Resler – Anchorage Appointed: 2/5/2025 Term Expires:2/5/2033 Resumes for the appointments are on file in the Chief Clerk's office. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated January 22 was read stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 7:00 p.m., January 28 to hear the Governor's State of the State address. A message dated January 22 was read stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m., on February 12 to hear Chief Justice Peter J. Maassen's State of the Judiciary address. A message dated January 22 was read stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m., February 20 to hear the annual address by U.S. Representative Nick Begich III. A message dated January 22 was read stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m., March 18 to hear the annual address by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. A message dated January 22 was read stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 11:00 a.m., March 20 to hear the annual address by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. COMMUNICATIONS The following was received: Dept. of Revenue Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority Certification of Reserves (as required by AS 44.85.270) 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0065 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: Honoring - Dorothy "Brownie" Thomsen By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: In Memoriam - Reginald M. "Luke" Okitkon By Representative Foster; Senator Olson In Memoriam - Wallace James "Utch" Amaktoolik Jr. By Representative Foster; Senator Olson In Memoriam - Jacob Axel Johnson Sr. By Representative Foster; Senator Olson SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, Honoring - Dorothy "Brownie" Thomsen, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Dorothy "Brownie" Thomsen By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 64 HOUSE BILL NO. 64 by Representatives Tomaszewski, Johnson, Schwanke, and Prax, entitled: 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0066 "An Act relating to the surrender of infants; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Judiciary Committees. HB 65 HOUSE BILL NO. 65 by Representatives Stutes, Tomaszewski, and Prax, entitled: "An Act authorizing the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue revenue bonds to finance the replacement of the Alaska Railroad Corporation's passenger dock and related terminal facility in Seward, Alaska; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 66 HOUSE BILL NO. 66 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to pretrial services supervision agreements." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Judiciary Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Corrections The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 23 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill allowing the Department of Corrections to enter into agreements with municipalities to provide pretrial supervision services for defendants charged with violating municipal or borough laws. 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0067 When it was established in 2018, the pretrial services program was aimed at providing risk assessments for defendants who have been charged, making release recommendations to the court, and providing pretrial supervision of defendants when ordered by the court. Currently, the State bears all the costs of pretrial supervision, even for those defendants charged only with municipal or borough offenses. This legislation will allow the Department of Corrections to enter into agreements with municipalities that would like to continue to have certain defendants charged with violating the laws of that jurisdiction supervised before trial. As a part of those agreements, the Department will be able to charge reasonable fees in order to recoup some of the costs of providing the service to municipalities. Evaluating the costs of providing certain services on behalf of other jurisdictions is prudent. Allowing the Department of Corrections to continue to provide an important service while recovering some of the costs associated with providing that service is a reasonable approach, which will help ensure that this service is available for years to come. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 67 HOUSE BILL NO. 67 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act authorizing the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue revenue bonds to finance the replacement of the Alaska Railroad Corporation's passenger dock and related terminal facility in Seward, Alaska; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0068 The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 23 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to increasing the bonding authority of the Alaska Railroad Corporation to construct a new dock and terminal in Seward, Alaska. The legislature authorized $60,000,000 in bonds for this purpose during the Thirty-Second Alaska State Legislature. This bill would increase the Corporation's bonding authority to $135,000,000 in order to construct the new dock and terminal. The existing Seward dock is nearing the end of its useful life. The dock is a critical connection for hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers and visitors arriving each summer, many of whom bring tourism dollars to Alaska businesses throughout the State. Without the increase in bonding authority authorized by this bill, closure or curtailed use of the existing dock is inevitable. This is a true economic development project to both replace an existing asset and expand its capability for the future. Pursuant to the Corporation's organic statutes, legislative approval is required in order for the Corporation to issue bonds to fund this necessary and beneficial project. The contemplated bonds will be guaranteed by revenues of the Corporation and are not a liability of the State. No state dollars will be used to repay them. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 68 HOUSE BILL NO. 68 by the House Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; and relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages." 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0069 was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Health & Social Services Committees. HB 69 HOUSE BILL NO. 69 by Representatives Himschoot, Dibert, and Josephson, entitled: "An Act relating to education funding; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Stapp – from noon, January 25 to 1:00 p.m., January 29 Representative Rauscher – from 8:20 p.m., January 29 to 9:30 a.m., February 3 HB 68 Representative Fields, Chair of the Labor & Commerce Committee, moved and asked unanimous consent that the five-day notice requirement in Uniform Rule 23(a) be waived so the Labor & Commerce Committee can hear the following on January 27 at 3:15 p.m.: HOUSE BILL NO. 68 "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; and relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages." There being no objection, it was so ordered. HR 2 The following memorandum dated January 22 was received from Lora Brown, Enrolling Secretary, Division of Legal and Research Services, regarding: 2025-01-24 House Journal Page 0070 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2 Establishing a House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. "In accordance with Rule 43, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, I am reporting the following manifest error in HR 2, which has been corrected in enrolling: Page 1, line 14: Delete "helps" Insert "help"" Representative Galvin moved and asked unanimous consent that the House revert to Introduction of Guests. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The Speaker stated that, without objection, the House would advance to Committee Announcements. And so, the House advanced to: ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., January 27. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:16 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk