Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-02-28 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0261 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday February 28, 2025 Thirty-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:35 a.m. Roll call showed 36 members present. Representative Stapp had been excused from a call of the House today. Representatives McCabe and Nelson were absent and later excused (page 267). Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following member be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the member was excused as noted: Representative Dibert – from today to 10:00 p.m., March 2 The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran 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 for the beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following prayer: Blessed are you who leave what is comfortable and known to serve the greater good and seek what is right. Blessed are you who sift through emails, papers, and texts to figure out what is the next most faithful thing to do. Blessed are you who are pragmatists, who do the math and figure out what will work and what will not. 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0262 Blessed are you who are dreamers and imagine a world where children do not hunger, housing is ample, healthcare is available, and basic needs are met for all. Blessed are you who feel grumpy and frustrated, may bad moods get interrupted with meaningful relationships and good humor. Blessed are you who grieve, who carry the wounds of your life and your community into this place and seek some kind of healing. Blessed are you who feel overwhelmed and unsure, may the spirit of wisdom and curiosity open doors and possibilities you never imagined. May you be blessed as you seek to be a blessing to your communities, state, nation, and world. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Hannan. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 37th and 38th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HB 65 A message dated February 26 was read stating the Senate passed: 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 65 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. COMMUNICATIONS Messages dated February 26 and 27 were received stating the Speaker made the following appointments: 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0263 Governor’s Advisory Council on Opioid Remediation Representative Ruffridge Council for Alaska Native Languages Representative Jimmie Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review Committee (AS 14.11.014) Representative Galvin State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (AS 14.34.010) Representative Eischeid Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (AS 44.29.600) Representative Story Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Review Commission Representative Jimmie Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (AS 16.51.010) Representative Hannan The following were received: Alaska Court System Appellate & Trial Courts 2024 Time to Disposition Report (as required by AS 22.20.310) Dept. of Education & Early Development School Capital Project Funding (as required by AS 14.11.035) Dept. of Fish & Game Division of Wildlife Conservation Status of Brown Bears and Other Natural Resources in the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge in 2024 (as required by AS 16.20.041 and 16.20.162) 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0264 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 23 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 23 "An Act relating to the definition of ‘employer’ for the purposes of the State Commission for Human Rights." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 23(L&C) "An Act renaming the State Commission for Human Rights the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to removal of commissioners of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to reports from the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; relating to the definition of ‘employer’ for the purposes of the Alaska State Commission for Civil Rights; and relating to local civil rights commissions." The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Carrick, Burke, Hall, Fields No recommendation (3): Nelson, Saddler, Coulombe The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 23(L&C): 1. Fiscal, Office of the Governor HB 23 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 36 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 36 "An Act relating to the placement of foster children in psychiatric hospitals; relating to the care of children in state custody placed in residential facilities outside the state; and amending Rule 12.1(b), Alaska Child in Need of Aid Rules of Procedure." 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0265 The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Prax, Gray, Schwanke, Ruffridge, Mears, Fields, Mina The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Family & Community Services 2. Zero, Alaska Judiciary System HB 36 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 75 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 75 "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." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 75(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Holland, Himschoot, Moore, Story, Carrick The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 75(STA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Revenue HB 75 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0266 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: Honoring - Alaska Aerospace Corporation By Representatives Stutes, Eischeid; Senator Stevens Honoring - University of Alaska Anchorage, Celebrity Chef Invitational, 30th Anniversary By Representative Coulombe The following citation was introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Tanana Valley League of Women Voters, 60th Anniversary By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Carrick SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citations, Honoring - Alaska Aerospace Corporation and University of Alaska Anchorage, Celebrity Chef Invitational, 30th Anniversary, 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: Honoring - Alaska Aerospace Corporation By Representatives Stutes, Eischeid; Senator Stevens Honoring - University of Alaska Anchorage, Celebrity Chef Invitational, 30th Anniversary By Representative Coulombe 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0267 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives McCabe and Nelson be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 12 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor: Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the appointment of state judges by the governor. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Office of the Governor The Governor’s transmittal letter dated February 26 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a resolution to amend the Constitution of the State of Alaska, Article IV, Section 5. The proposed amendment would streamline the judicial appointment process by allowing the Governor to fill a vacancy in the Supreme Court or the Superior Court from among all persons determined by the Judicial Council to meet the constitutional qualifications, rather than from a limited number of names. This change clarifies and simplifies how vacancies are filled, ensuring the Governor has a broader pool of qualified candidates while preserving the Judiciary’s integrity and independence. I respectfully request your prompt and favorable consideration of this resolution. 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0268 Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 121 HOUSE BILL NO. 121 by Representative Schrage, entitled: "An Act relating to the practice of accounting; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 122 HOUSE BILL NO. 122 by Representative Prax, entitled: "An Act relating to education; relating to local contributions of a city or borough school district; relating to school funding; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS SB 87 The following was read the second time: SENATE BILL NO. 87 "An Act disapproving the recommendations of the State Officers Compensation Commission; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page RLS RPT 6DP 248 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 248 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0269 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that SB 87 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. SB 87 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SB 87 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 87 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 36 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 4 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Dibert, McCabe, Nelson, Stapp And so, SB 87 passed the House. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. SB 87 was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk and returned to the Senate. 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 - Sandy Fortier By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl In Memoriam - Yéil Xhoosh John Wilson, Jr. By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0270 In Memoriam - Mark Edward Withrow By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes 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 Bynum – from noon, today to noon, March 3 Representative Carrick – from 6:00 a.m., March 7 to 10:00 p.m., March 9 HCR 3 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 Establishing the Joint Legislative Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. HJR 5 Representative Coulombe 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. HJR 8 Representative Story added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Encouraging the United States Congress to award the Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal. HB 10 Representative Burke added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 10 "An Act relating to the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska." 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0271 HB 36 Representatives Burke and Jimmie added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 36 "An Act relating to the placement of foster children in psychiatric hospitals; relating to the care of children in state custody placed in residential facilities outside the state; and amending Rule 12.1(b), Alaska Child in Need of Aid Rules of Procedure." HB 96 Representative Kopp added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 96 "An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and providing for an effective date." HB 119 Representative Dibert added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 119 "An Act relating to an in-state natural gas pipeline developed by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation; and providing for an effective date." ENROLLMENT HB 65 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 11:58 a.m., February 28: 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." 2025-02-28 House Journal Page 0272 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., March 3. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:05 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk