Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-12 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0443 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 12, 2025 Fifty-first Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:39 a.m. Roll call showed 40 members present. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Trenton Cooper of Glacier Valley Baptist 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 all people, including those with differing beliefs, I invite you to a time of prayer and reflection: Heavenly Father, I come to you today to praise you for your works. The mountains speak of your majesty. The ocean shows your brilliance. Yet, of all creation, humanity is your crowning achievement. You intricately created everyone, and your word tells us that you care for everyone. I praise you for this wonderful truth. As this body gathers here today, I know that you have brought each one here for a purpose. You have placed these leaders here so that they might lead our great state. I pray a blessing on them today. I ask that you give them wisdom to make decisions that bring prosperity to all Alaskans. I ask that when it comes to making difficult decisions, you would provide them with the courage and fortitude to do what is right. 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0444 And lastly, pray a blessing on each one here. May each person come to the knowledge of your goodness. May all understand that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate your people from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. I ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Kopp. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 50th legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 30 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 30 "An Act establishing the office of entrepreneurship; relating to new businesses in the state; relating to reports concerning procurements by agencies; and relating to initial business license fees for new businesses in the state." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 30(STA) "An Act establishing the office of entrepreneurship; relating to new businesses in the state; and relating to reports concerning procurements by agencies." The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (1): Holland Do not pass (1): McCabe 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0445 No recommendation (5): Vance, Moore, Himschoot, Story, Carrick The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 30(STA): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Administration 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 30 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. HB 91 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 91 "An Act relating to the lawful operation of retail marijuana stores; relating to marijuana cultivation; relating to the registration of marijuana establishments; relating to marijuana taxes; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 91(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Moore, Himschoot, Story, Carrick No recommendation (2): Vance, McCabe Amend (1): Holland The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 91(STA): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0446 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Corrections 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Health 4. Fiscal, Dept. of Health 5. Fiscal, Dept. of Health 6. Fiscal, Dept. of Public Safety 7. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue HB 91 was referred to the Finance Committee. SSCR 1 The Finance Committee considered: SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Disapproving Executive Order No. 136. The report was signed by Representatives Foster, Josephson, and Schrage, Co-chairs, and Representatives Bynum, Johnson, Hannan, Tomaszewski, Allard, Stapp, Galvin, and Jimmie. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Senate Resources Committee. SSCR 1 was returned to the Senate. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Dimond High School Football Team, 2024 Division I State Champions By Representatives Costello, Kopp In Memoriam - Trygve "Trig" Bjorklund By Representatives Allard, Saddler 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0447 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 133 HOUSE BILL NO. 133 by Representatives Himschoot and Fields, entitled: "An Act establishing a 30-day deadline for the payment of contracts under the State Procurement Code; establishing deadlines for the payment of grants, contracts, and reimbursement agreements to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations; relating to payment of grants to named recipients that are not municipalities; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and State Affairs Committees. * * * * * HB 69 Representative Ruffridge, citing Uniform Rule 39(g), moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be returned to the Education Committee: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(RLS) am "An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to school and student performance reports; relating to school and district accountability; relating to charter schools; relating to an annual report for correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the duty of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date." There was objection. 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0448 The question being: "Shall CSHB 69(RLS) am be returned to the Education Committee?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Third Reading Return to Education Committee YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 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, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, the motion failed. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 69 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the March 11 calendar (page 439), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(RLS) am "An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to school and student performance reports; relating to school and district accountability; relating to charter schools; relating to an annual report for correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the duty of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date." 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0449 Representative Stutes, citing Section 101 of Mason's Manual, rose to points of order regarding confining remarks to the bill before the body. The Speaker directed members to confine their comments to the bill. Representative Fields, citing Section 121 of Mason's Manual, rose to a point of order regarding impugning the motives of others. Representative McCabe rose to a point of order regarding impugning the motives of others. The Speaker directed members to confine their comments to the bill. Representative Stutes rose to a point of order regarding confining remarks to the bill before the body. The Speaker directed members to confine their comments to the bill. Representative McCabe appealed the ruling of the Chair. There was objection. Representative McCabe withdrew the motion. Representative Stutes rose to points of order regarding confining remarks to the bill before the body. The Speaker directed members to confine their comments to the bill. The question being: "Shall CSHB 69(RLS) am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 24 NAYS: 16 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Ruffridge, Schrage, Story, Stutes 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0450 Nays: Allard, Costello, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, CSHB 69(RLS) am passed the House. Representative Kopp moved the effective date clause. The question being: "Shall the effective date clause be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 69(RLS) am Third Reading Effective Date YEAS: 38 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Underwood Nays: Tomaszewski, Vance And so, the effective date clause was adopted. CSHB 69(RLS) am was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. 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 - Palmer High School Moose Hockey Team By Representative Johnson Honoring - Leander P. Carr By Senator Gray-Jackson 2025-03-12 House Journal Page 0451 UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 89 Representative Gray added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 89 "An Act relating to gun violence protective orders; relating to the crime of violating a protective order; relating to a central registry for protective orders; relating to the powers of district judges and magistrates; amending Rules 4 and 65, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 9, Alaska Rules of Administration; and providing for an effective date." ENGROSSMENT HB 69 CSHB 69(RLS) am was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. 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 14. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, the House adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk