Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-01-31 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0105 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 31, 2025 Eleventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:56 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representative Rauscher had been excused from a call of the House today. Representative Allard was absent. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Dibert be excused from a call of the House from today until 9:00 p.m., February 2. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Major Petr Janousek of the Salvation Army. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. In deepest respect for the religious beliefs of each person here, I invite you into a time of prayer and reflection. Let us pray: Gracious God, I thank you for your love, your grace, your protection and priceless gift of your word. In your word is clearly written, that you give wisdom freely without reproach to anyone who asks for it. And so I ask you for your wisdom and for your guidance for everyone here. I also want to ask you for courage to make the right decisions, patience to listen to those who 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0106 might have different opinions and humbleness to give up our own agenda for greater good and brighter future of this amazing state and its people. May your will be done in here as it is in heaven. In the precious and mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Carrick. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the ninth and 10th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Stutes introduced the following House staff: Meadow Stanley – Juneau Hanna Davis – Juneau Janessa Erickson – Wasilla Zachary Kelly – Juneau Gabriel Williams – Juneau Alex Engstrom – Juneau COMMUNICATIONS Letters dated January 27 were received from Susan M. Carney, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, stating that she nominated the following public members to serve on the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics pursuant to AS 24.60.130 and AS 24.60.131: H. Conner Thomas Carl Symons White Linda G. Cox, alternate The Speaker referred the appointments to the Judiciary Committee. 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0107 The following were received: Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Division of Community & Regional Affairs National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska Impact Mitigation Grant Program Report January 2025 (as required by AS 37.05.530) Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Annual Review of Assets FY 2024 (as required by AS 44.88.205) Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Certification of Capital Reserve Fund Requirement (as required by AS 44.88.105) Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Division of Investments State Loan, Reinstatements, and Fisheries Enhancement Term Extensions 2024 Combined Annual Report (as required by AS 37.05.035, 16.10.350, and 16.10.510) Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska Minerals Commission Annual Report January 2025 (as required by AS 44.33.431) Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska Regional Development Organizations FY 2024 Annual Report (as required by AS 44.33.896) 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0108 Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska's Seafood Industry Final Report January 29, 2025 (as required by SCR 10, Legislative Resolve No. 33, 2024) Alaska Judicial Council Thirty-Second Report: 2023-2024 to the Legislature and Supreme Court January 2025 (as required by art. IV, sec. 9, Constitution of the State of Alaska) Local Boundary Commission 2024 Annual Report January 30, 2025 (as required by AS 44.33.812) Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas 5-Year Program of Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sales & Gas-Only Lease Sales February 1, 2025 (as required by AS 38.05.180) Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities Alaska Marine Highway System Annual Financial Report FY 2024 (as required by AS 19.65.070) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 68 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 68 "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; and relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages." The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0109 Do pass (5): Carrick, Nelson, Burke, Hall, Fields Amend (2): Coulombe, Saddler The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 68 was referred to the Health & Social Services Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: In Memoriam - John Pickett Sr. By Representatives Galvin, Gray; Senator Gray-Jackson In Memoriam - Yoko Schwingendorf By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citations, In Memoriam - John Pickett Sr. and Yoko Schwingendorf, 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 citations. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: In Memoriam - John Pickett Sr. By Representatives Galvin, Gray; Senator Gray-Jackson In Memoriam - Yoko Schwingendorf By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0110 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 1 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 by Representative Himschoot: Establishing the Joint Legislative Task Force on Sport Fishing Service Providers in Southeast Alaska. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Finance Committee. HJR 7 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 7 by Representatives Rauscher, Costello, Nelson, Elam, Tilton, Vance, Underwood, Stapp, McCabe, Prax, Saddler, Ruffridge, Coulombe, Allard, Johnson, Moore, Tomaszewski, Schwanke, and Kopp. Supporting and expressing gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for the Executive Order titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential" and for the president's recognition of the role of the federal government in revitalizing the state's economy, energy production, and resource development. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 75 HOUSE BILL NO. 75 by Representatives Bynum and Holland, entitled: "An Act relating to national criminal history record checks for certain employees of the Department of Revenue; relating to allowable absences for eligibility for a permanent fund dividend; relating to the confidentiality of certain information provided on a permanent fund dividend application; relating to electronic notice of debt collection executed on a permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date." 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0111 was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 76 HOUSE BILL NO. 76 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to education; relating to public school attendance; relating to mobile communication devices in schools; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to authorization of charter schools; relating to transportation of students; relating to school bond debt reimbursement; relating to funding and reporting by Alaska technical and vocational education programs; authorizing lump sum payments for certain teachers as retention and recruitment incentives; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 4. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 5. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 6. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 7. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 8. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development/Debt Service 9. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development/Fund Capitalization The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 29 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill aimed at addressing the longstanding challenges faced by public education in Alaska. This legislation establishes a pathway to improve educational outcomes by 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0112 expanding school options for students, strengthening school funding, and incentivizing fiscal responsibility at the district level. The bill promotes educational diversity and opportunity by authorizing open enrollment and expanding charter school options. Families will have the ability to apply to schools that best meet their child’s needs, within or outside their district of residence, subject to school capacity. Additionally, the bill requires the State Board of Education and Early Development to establish a streamlined process for creating charter schools in any district statewide. Recognizing the importance of foundational skills, the bill introduces per-student incentive grants for districts that achieve grade-level performance or proficiency gains in reading. It also raises statutory funding levels for transportation costs, increases funding for correspondence schools to ensure equitable financial support for students enrolled in alternative education programs, and expands resources for career and technical education programs, equipping Alaska’s youth with high-demand job skills critical to our economy. The bill further addresses classroom challenges by tackling the disruptions posed by personal communication devices, fostering a more focused learning environment. To support and retain educators, the legislation establishes a three-year pilot program offering lump-sum recruitment and retention payments to full-time teachers, tailored by school location and informed by the 2023 Teacher Retention and Recruitment Playbook. At the same time, it incentivizes fiscal responsibility by extending the moratorium on school bond debt reimbursement. This comprehensive approach addresses critical challenges in Alaska’s education system while fostering innovation, accountability, and opportunity. I urge your prompt and favorable consideration of this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0113 HB 77 HOUSE BILL NO. 77 by Representatives Coulombe and Tomaszewski, entitled: "An Act making the theft of mail or an article within mail theft in the second degree." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. HB 78 HOUSE BILL NO. 78 by the House Finance Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 79 HOUSE BILL NO. 79 by Representative Fields, entitled: "An Act naming the Vic Fischer Shoup Bay State Marine Park." was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. HB 80 HOUSE BILL NO. 80 by the House Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to minimum standards for residential buildings; relating to construction contractors and residential contractor endorsements; establishing the Alaska State Residential Building Safety Council; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. 2025-01-31 House Journal Page 0114 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 Fields – from 12:15 p.m., January 31 to 9:30 p.m., February 2 Representative Schrage – from 6:00 p.m., February 5 to 10:00 p.m., February 16 Representative Galvin – from 8:00 p.m., January 31 to 9:30 p.m., February 2 HB 1 Representative Rauscher added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 1 "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie." HB 69 Representative Schrage added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 69 "An Act relating to education funding; and providing for an effective date." 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., February 3. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:41 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk