Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-02-14 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0181 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday February 14, 2025 Twenty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:37 a.m. Roll call showed 36 members present. Representatives Nelson and 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 Moore – from today to 9:30 p.m., February 15 The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Bobby Lewis of the New Light Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. "God Bless America" (by Irving Berlin) God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her Through the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home. Amen. 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0182 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Elam. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 23rd and 24th legislative days and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 3 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: Dept. of Administration State Officers Compensation Commission Final Findings and Recommendations January 29, 2025 https://doa.alaska.gov/dop/socc/ (as required by AS 39.23.540) Dept. of Corrections Interstate Compact Commission 2024 Annual Report (as required by AS 33.36.135) Alaska Court System FY 2024 Annual Report (as required by AS 22.20.310) Dept. of Education & Early Development Unreserved Year-End Operating Fund Balance Report FY 2025 (as required by Chapter No. 2, SLA 2021) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES EO 136 The Resources Committee considered: EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 136 Establishing the Department of Agriculture and transferring 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0183 functions of the Department of Natural Resources relating to agriculture to the Department of Agriculture. The report was signed by Representatives Rauscher, Saddler, Coulombe, Hall, Elam, Mears, and Co-chair Burke. EO 136 was also referred to the Finance Committee. HB 65 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 65 "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." The report was signed by Representatives Foster and Josephson, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (9): Tomaszewski, Bynum, Jimmie, Galvin, Stapp, Allard, Hannan, Foster, Josephson The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 65 was referred to the Rules Committee INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: In Memoriam - Fred Hupprich By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0184 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 2 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 by Representative Mears: Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to voting and abstention from voting. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 102 HOUSE BILL NO. 102 by Representative Saddler, entitled: "An Act relating to depositing permanent fund dividends into investment accounts; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 103 HOUSE BILL NO. 103 by Representative Saddler, entitled: "An Act relating to coverage for disability from diseases for certain firefighters; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 104 HOUSE BILL NO. 104 by Representative Mears, entitled: "An Act creating and relating to the address confidentiality program; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0185 HB 105 HOUSE BILL NO. 105 by Representative Galvin, entitled: "An Act relating to mental health education." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. HB 106 HOUSE BILL NO. 106 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to organized theft; relating to theft of medical records and medical information; relating to mail theft; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Dept. of Administration 3. Zero, Dept. of Corrections 4. Zero, Dept. of Law 5. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 12 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill addressing organized theft, mail theft, and the theft of medical records and medical information. The impact of property theft on individuals, businesses, and the community is often underrated. When theft occurs in retail establishments, it can, over time, total in the millions of dollars. These costs can make it difficult to do business and, many times, are passed 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0186 down to the paying consumer. Alaska needs to do more to address this conduct. Accordingly, this bill creates the new crime of organized theft, which will be a class A felony. Organized theft will target those individuals who coordinate with a group of three or more persons to commit felony level thefts. These individuals are operating on a larger scale and the penalty should reflect the massive damage they cause to our communities. The bill also establishes the crime of mail theft, which can lead to identity theft, credit card fraud, and the loss of valuables. Because Alaska relies heavily on mail service, we should not depend solely on federal prosecution to address this widespread problem. Finally, the bill classifies the theft of medical records or medical information as a class C felony. Just as current law protects credit cards and identification documents, it should also protect sensitive medical information from misuse. By closing these gaps in current law, this bill will strengthen our ability to address crimes that wreak havoc on our communities. I urge your prompt consideration of this legislation. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 107 HOUSE BILL NO. 107 by Representatives Tomaszewski and Costello, entitled: "An Act relating to supplemental employee benefits; relating to retirement benefits of peace officers and firefighters hired after June 30, 2006; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0187 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Alan Lee Mintz By Representative Burke; Senator Olson 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 Burke – from 8:00 p.m., February 14 to 9:00 a.m., February 17 Representative Hall – from: 7:00 p.m., February 21 to 1:30 p.m., February 23 7:00 p.m., April 4 to 10:00 p.m., April 6 HJR 5 Representative Rauscher added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5 Urging the United States Congress and the President of the United States to reinstate the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- Determination Act of 2000 and make the funding mechanism in the Act permanent. HB 10 Representative Holland added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 10 "An Act relating to the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska." 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0188 HB 12 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 12 "An Act relating to free breakfast and lunch in public schools." HB 16 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 16 "An Act amending campaign contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; and relating to campaign contribution reporting requirements." HB 21 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 21 "An Act relating to voter preregistration for minors at least 16 years of age; and relating to confidentiality of voter registration and preregistration records of minors at least 16 years of age." HB 39 Representative Rauscher added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 39 "An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing." HB 43 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 43 "An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to the crime of unlawful interference with voting; and providing for an effective date." 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0189 HB 45 Representative Rauscher added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 45 "An Act relating to the display of flags by governmental entities; and providing for an effective date." HB 65 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 65 "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." HB 69 Representative Hall added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 69 "An Act relating to education funding; and providing for an effective date." HB 74 Representative Saddler added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 74 "An Act establishing the crime of airbag fraud." HB 92 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 92 "An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date." 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0190 SB 15 Representative Dibert added as a cross sponsor to: 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." ENGROSSMENT AND ENROLLMENT HR 1 The following was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 5:10 p.m., February 12: HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1 Establishing a House Special Committee on Fisheries. House Resolve No. 1 HR 2 The following was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 5:10 p.m., February 12: HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2 Establishing a House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs. House Resolve No. 2 HR 3 The following was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 5:10 p.m., February 12: HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 3 Establishing a House Special Committee on Energy. House Resolve No. 3 2025-02-14 House Journal Page 0191 HR 4 The following was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 5:10 p.m., February 12: HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4 Establishing a House Special Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs. House Resolve No. 4 ENROLLMENT HJR 4 The following was enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, President and Secretary of the Senate, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 5:10 p.m., February 12 with a manifest error memorandum (page 176): 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. Legislative Resolve No. 1 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 17. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:14 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk