Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-02-12 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0167 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 12, 2025 Twenty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:36 a.m. Roll call showed 38 members present. Representative Schrage had been excused from a call of the House today. 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 Dibert – today Representative Nelson – from 5:00 p.m., February 13 to 10:00 a.m., February 17 Representative Coulombe – from: 6:00 p.m., February 14 to 6:00 p.m., February 16 1:00 p.m., February 28 to 6:00 p.m., March 2 Representative Stapp – from 4:30 p.m., February 27 to 1:00 p.m., March 3 Representative Eischeid – from: 7:00 p.m., February 14 to 10:00 p.m., February 16 7:00 p.m., February 28 to 10:00 p.m., March 2 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0168 The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Dr. Charles Ensminger of ?unéix_ Hídi Northern Light United Church. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With respect to the religious beliefs of those gathered here on this day, I invite you to be in a time of prayer and reflection: Creator God, as we gather here this morning, we gather in your grace. I pray that those gathered here will be true representatives and authentic leaders emboldened by the zeal of justice on behalf of those for whom they speak. Grant them the wisdom that guides and the grace of compassion. May this body be one of fidelity and sincerity, emboldened by a sense of the calling and purpose of their position here within this great state. As I pray, I pray for these gathered here. Grace be upon them. I pray for those working throughout this building. Grace surround them. I pray for the staff, the pages, the security, the custodians, and those who have gathered in the galleries. Grace be with them. Grace uphold us all. I pray for the state of Alaska, for our nation, and for our world. Hear our prayers, almighty God, for this we pray. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Eischeid. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 21st and 22nd legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * The Speaker stated that the House would stand at ease to allow members of the Senate to enter the House Chamber; and so, the House stood at ease at 11:01 a.m. 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0169 JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE In accordance with Uniform Rule 51, Speaker Edgmon turned the gavel over to President Stevens who called the joint session to order at 11:09 a.m. The purpose of the joint session was to hear the State of the Judiciary Address by the Honorable Susan M. Carney, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. President Stevens appointed Representative Gray and Senator Claman to escort the Honorable Susan M. Carney to the joint session. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Chief Justice's entrance into the House Chamber. The Chief Justice was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Stevens and Speaker Edgmon. The Chief Justice delivered her address, and it is published in House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 3. The Chief Justice received a standing ovation. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint session adjourn. There being no objection, President Stevens adjourned the joint session at 11:42 a.m. The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate to leave the Chamber. 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0170 IN THE HOUSE The Speaker called the House back to order at 11:48 a.m. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated February 10 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 15 SENATE BILL NO. 15 by Senators Merrick, Bjorkman, Claman, and Gray-Jackson, entitled: "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. COMMUNICATIONS The following was received: Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development Technical and Vocational Education Program Annual Report FY 2024 (as required by AS 23.15.835) A letter dated February 10 was read stating the Speaker made the following appointments: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Board Representative Stutes, ex-officio member Representative Hannan, alternate 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0171 REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 31 The House Special Committee on Fisheries considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to the registration of commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel prevention program fund." The report was signed by Representative Stutes, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Vance, Kopp, Edgmon, Himschoot, Elam, McCabe, Stutes The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Administration 3. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources HB 31 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 60 The House Special Committee on Fisheries considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 60 "An Act relating to municipal and state procurement preferences for agricultural products harvested in the state and fisheries products harvested or processed in the state; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Stutes, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Vance, Kopp, Edgmon, Elam, Stutes No recommendation (2): Himschoot, McCabe The following fiscal note(s) apply: 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0172 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 3. Zero, Dept. of Administration HB 60 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Alan Lee Mintz By Representative Burke; Senator Olson INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 9 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 by Representative Mina: Urging the United States Congress to extend enhanced tax credits for health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act. was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 94 HOUSE BILL NO. 94 by Representative Tomaszewski, entitled: "An Act relating to the registration of marijuana establishments; relating to a tax exemption for qualified small businesses; relating to marijuana taxes; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0173 HB 95 HOUSE BILL NO. 95 by Representative Allard, entitled: "An Act relating to midwives and the practice of midwifery; relating to apprentice midwives; renaming the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives as the Board of Licensed Midwives; relating to the Board of Licensed Midwives; extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; relating to insurance; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 96 HOUSE BILL NO. 96 by Representative Prax, entitled: "An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 97 HOUSE BILL NO. 97 by Representative Fields, entitled: "An Act relating to theft; relating to organized retail theft; relating to property crimes; relating to aggravating factors at sentencing; establishing a statewide marketplace facilitator sales tax; and establishing the organized retail theft fund in the general fund." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. HB 98 HOUSE BILL NO. 98 by Representative Fields, entitled: "An Act relating to a maximum pupil-teacher ratio in public schools; relating to the duties of school districts and governing bodies of school districts; and providing for an effective date." 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0174 was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. HB 99 HOUSE BILL NO. 99 by Representative Fields, entitled: "An Act relating to the business of money transmission; relating to licenses for money transmission, licensure requirements, and registration through a nationwide multistate licensing system; relating to the use of virtual currency for money transmission; relating to authorized delegates of a licensee; relating to acquisition of control of a license; relating to record retention and reporting requirements; authorizing the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to cooperate with other states in the regulation of money transmission; relating to permissible investments; relating to violations and enforcement of money transmission laws; relating to exemptions to money transmission licensure requirements; relating to payroll processing services; relating to currency exchange licenses; amending Rules 79 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 100 HOUSE BILL NO. 100 by Representative Fields, entitled: "An Act establishing a tax on federal campaign spending in the state; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 101 HOUSE BILL NO. 101 by Representative Gray, entitled: "An Act relating to civil claims by victims of sexual abuse to a minor; relating to homicide; relating to assault in the third degree; relating to stalking; relating to sexual abuse of a minor; relating to 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0175 enticement of a minor; relating to endangering the welfare of a child; relating to indecent exposure; relating to sending an explicit image of a minor; relating to solicitation or production of an indecent picture of a minor; relating to distribution of indecent material to minors; relating to the testimony of children in criminal proceedings; relating to sentencing; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Linda Jo Klapperich By Representative Johnson; Senator Hughes Honoring - Chris Graeber By Representatives Tilton, McCabe Honoring - North Pole High School, Girls Flag Football Champions By Representative Prax; Senator Myers Honoring - Julie E. Kitka By Senator Hoffman; Representatives Edgmon, Josephson In Memoriam - Dane Ferguson By Representatives Tilton, Saddler In Memoriam - Terry Dean Fouts By Representatives Tilton, McCabe 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0176 UNFINISHED BUSINESS HJR 4 The following memorandum dated February 12 was received from Lora Brown, Enrolling Secretary, Division of Legal and Research Services, regarding: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4(RLS) Urging the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of the Interior, the United States Board on Geographic Names, and the members of the state's delegation in Congress to maintain Denali as the official name for the tallest mountain in North America. "In accordance with Rule 43, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, I am reporting the following manifest errors in CSHJR 4(RLS), which have been corrected in enrolling: Page 3, line 2: Delete "J. D." Insert "JD" Page 3, line 3: Delete "Walter Cruickshank, Acting" Insert "Douglas Burgum," Page 3, line 6: Delete "Nick" Insert "Nicholas"" HB 31 Representative Kopp added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to the registration of commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel prevention program fund." SB 15 Representatives Fields and Gray added as cross sponsors to: 2025-02-12 House Journal Page 0177 SENATE BILL NO. 15 "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages; 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 14. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:01 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk