Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-02-19 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0207 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 19, 2025 Thirtieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:34 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Dibert be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Zachary Kelly, Assistant Sergeant at Arms. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With the deepest respect for the religious beliefs of each person here, I invite you to join me in prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your goodness and your blessings over us today. I humbly ask for you to be with each person in this building as they work to do what is right for the Alaskan people and the land. I humbly remind all Alaskans that you, oh Lord, have appointed each and every one of those who are in authority, and that there is no greater authority besides you Lord. Today I pray that each member here submit themselves fully to you, and to act with conviction, integrity, and with purpose for your glory and for the good of all Alaskans. 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0208 Lord, give us this day, our daily bread and lead us not into temptation. Forgive us our trespasses, oh Lord, and help us forgive those who trespass against us. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Foster. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 28th and 29th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Story introduced Lorenzo Scarazzini Feijóo, Guest Page, from Santiago del Estero, Argentina. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Judiciary Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to the House for ratification: H. Conner Thomas Carl Symons White Linda G. Cox, alternate as members of the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair; and Representatives Eischeid, Vance, Kopp, Costello, and Mina. HB 49 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 49 "An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, a 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0209 product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the tobacco use education and cessation fund; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 49(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Carrick, Burke, Fields, Hall Do not pass (1): Coulombe No recommendation (1): Nelson The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 49(L&C): 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Dept. of Administration 3. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 4. Zero, Dept. of Health 5. Zero, Dept. of Law 6. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety 7. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue 8. Zero, Alaska Judiciary System HB 49 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 73 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 73 "An Act relating to complex care residential homes; and providing for an effective date." 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0210 The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Prax, Fields, Gray, Schwanke, Mears, Mina The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Health 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Health 3. Zero, Dept. of Health HB 73 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 74 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 74 "An Act establishing the crime of airbag fraud." The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Carrick, Burke, Nelson, Coulombe, Fields, Hall The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Dept. of Administration 3. Zero, Dept. of Corrections 4. Zero, Alaska Judiciary System 5. Zero, Dept. of Law 6. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety HB 74 was referred to the Judiciary Committee. SB 15 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: SENATE BILL NO. 15 "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; relating to the posting of 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0211 warning signs for alcoholic beverages; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 15(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Carrick, Burke, Nelson, Fields, Hall Amend (1): Coulombe The following fiscal note(s) apply to HCS SB 15(L&C): 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development SB 15 was referred to the Rules Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 33 The House Special Committee on Fisheries considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date." 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 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0212 HB 33 was referred to the Resources Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Lesli Loann Carl Sirstad By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Susan "Arhnaq" Malutin By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 109 HOUSE BILL NO. 109 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the lease and sale of state land for recreational cabin sites; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 18 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am pleased to transmit this bill concerning the lease and sale of state land for cabin sites. 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0213 Currently, only one percent of state land is in private ownership. This bill allows more Alaskans to lease and purchase state land for cabin sites, promoting settlement, fostering economic growth, and reflecting the principle that private land ownership is fundamental to personal freedom and prosperity. This legislation refines the existing remote cabin sites program by updating eligibility requirements and establishing clear processes for nominating and staking cabin sites. The bill allows for an eligible applicant to nominate up to ten acres of available state land for a cabin site if that land is not included in the schedule of land offerings. Purchasers must complete a survey and appraisal of the site and pay its fair market value. By expanding Alaskans' access to state land, this bill strengthens private land ownership and invests in Alaska's future. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 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 - 2025 Alaska Business Hall of Fame Laureates By Senators Kaufman, Cronk; Representative Coulombe In Memoriam - Lindley Harris "Ketch" Ketchum By Senator Giessel 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0214 UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 69 Representative Kopp, citing Uniform Rule 48(d), moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be discharged from the Education Committee: HOUSE BILL NO. 69 "An Act relating to education funding; and providing for an effective date." There was objection. The Speaker stated that the House would stand at ease; and so, the House stood at ease at 11:16 a.m. AFTER AT EASE The Speaker called the House back to order at 11:57 a.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 69 The following was before the House with a motion to discharge pending: HOUSE BILL NO. 69 "An Act relating to education funding; and providing for an effective date." Representative Stutes rose to a point of order regarding impugning the motives of others. The Speaker cautioned members to follow Mason's rules concerning decorum. The question being: "Shall HB 69 be discharged from the Education Committee?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0215 HB 69 Discharge from Education Committee YEAS: 21 NAYS: 18 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Carrick, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Prax, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Dibert And so, the motion passed. Representative Prax moved and asked unanimous consent to rescind previous action in discharging HB 69 from the Education Committee. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the House rescind previous action in discharging HB 69 from the Education Committee?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 69 Discharge from Education Committee Rescind Previous Action in discharging YEAS: 19 NAYS: 20 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: Dibert And so, the motion failed. HB 69 was discharged from the Education Committee and referred to the Finance Committee. 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0216 HJR 5 Representative Schwanke 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 28 Representative Hall added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 28 "An Act establishing a student loan repayment pilot program; and providing for an effective date." HB 47 Representatives Allard and McCabe added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 47 "An Act relating to crime and criminal procedure; relating to generated obscene child sexual abuse material; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; relating to teaching certificates; and relating to licensing of school bus drivers." HB 48 Representative Schrage added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 48 "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." HB 69 Representatives Burke, Gray, Edgmon, and Mears added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 69 "An Act relating to education funding; and providing for an effective date." 2025-02-19 House Journal Page 0217 HB 77 Representatives Vance and Costello added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 77 "An Act making the theft of mail or an article within mail theft in the second degree." HB 101 Representative Bynum added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 101 "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 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." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meeting today was changed: Resources Committee CHANGED TO: 15 min. after adjournment ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:45 a.m., February 20 for a joint session. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 1:43 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk