Legislature(2025 - 2026)

2025-03-14 House Journal

Full Journal pdf

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                             HOUSE JOURNAL                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                        ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                       THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                             FIRST SESSION                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                    Friday                March 14, 2025                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                            Fifty-third Day                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                                                
Edgmon at 10:40 a.m.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Saddler had                                                                 
been excused from a call of the House today.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
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:                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
    Father, your word says in Micah 6:8, He has told you, O man,                                                                
    what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do                                                               
    justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?                                                                
    That is my prayer today. I pray that our leaders would do                                                                   
    justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
    I thank you for our democracy. I thank you for the freedoms                                                                 
    that our state and nation enjoy. Lord, please allow us to                                                                   
    continue to enjoy these freedoms. And I pray that our leaders                                                               
    do all in their capacity, protect these freedoms.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
    Lord, I pray that as our leaders deliberate important laws and                                                              
    make important decisions on behalf of the people of Alaska,                                                                 

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      please grant them grace and wisdom to know what is best for                                                              
    all people, especially the most vulnerable of our society.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
    Father God, please bless our leaders and their families. I ask                                                              
    that you protect them and lead them. Be with their families as                                                              
    they spend time away from them in order to serve the people                                                                 
    of this state. And Lord, in all that is said and done in these                                                              
    halls of government, my prayer is that you are glorified. It is                                                             
    in Jesus Christ’s name that I pray these things, Amen.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative McCabe.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                      CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                  
journal for the 51st and 52nd legislative days be approved as certified                                                         
by the Chief Clerk.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                               * * * * *                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Mears introduced Maelea McFarland, Guest Page,                                                                   
from Anchorage.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                       MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Letters dated March 11 and 13 were read stating that, in accordance                                                             
with AS 39.05.080 and art. III, secs. 26 and 27, Constitution of the                                                            
State of Alaska, the Governor submits the following names for                                                                   
legislative confirmation of appointment to the positions noted.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The Speaker referred the following to the Education Committee:                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Professional Teaching Practices Commission                                                                                    
Angie Alston – Fairbanks                                                                                                        
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2027                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Kathryn Baird – Fairbanks                                                                                                       
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2028                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Patrick Frymark – Fairbanks                                                                                                     
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2028                                                                                         

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The Speaker referred the following to the House Special Committee                                                               
on Fisheries and the Resources Committee.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Board of Fisheries                                                                                                            
Thomas Carpenter – Cordova                                                                                                      
Appointed: 7/1/2022   Expires: 7/1/2025                                                                                         
Reappointed: 7/1/2025  Expires: 7/1/2028                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The Speaker referred the following to the Health & Social Services                                                              
Committee:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
State Medical Board                                                                                                           
Samantha Smith – Anchorage                                                                                                      
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The Speaker referred the following to the Labor & Commerce                                                                      
Committee:                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy                                                                                      
James Doughty – Anchorage                                                                                                       
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land                                                               
Surveyors                                                                                                                     
Samson Shepherd – Anchorage                                                                                                     
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Board of Dental Examiners                                                                                                     
Traci Elison – Wrangell                                                                                                         
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Marijuana Control Board                                                                                                       
Lacy Wilcox – Juneau                                                                                                            
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2028                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Board of Marital and Family Therapy                                                                                           
Chantal Cohen – Anchorage                                                                                                       
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board                                                                         
Michelle Scott-Weber – Wasilla                                                                                                  
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2026                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Board of Professional Counselors                                                                                              
Carrie-Elaine Border – Anchorage                                                                                                
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Ashley Martin – Anchorage                                                                                                       
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers                                                                                     
William McKean – Palmer                                                                                                         
Appointed: 3/1/2021   Expired: 3/1/2025                                                                                         
Reappointed: 3/1/2025  Expires: 3/1/2029                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Workers’ Compensation Appeals Commission                                                                                      
Andrew Hemenway – Juneau                                                                                                        
Appointed: 3/7/2025   Expires: 3/1/2030                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Resumes for the appointments are on file in the Chief Clerk’s office.                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                        MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
A message dated March 12 was read stating the Senate accepted the                                                               
invitation to meet in joint session in the House Chamber at 10:30 a.m.,                                                         
March 19 to consider SSCR 1 regarding Executive Order 136.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                             COMMUNICATIONS                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
A message dated March 12 was received stating pursuant to                                                                       
AS 44.33.431 Speaker Edgmon reappointed the following to the                                                                    
Alaska Minerals Commission:                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Justin Seavey                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
A message dated March 12 was received stating pursuant to                                                                       
AS 41.37.170 Speaker Edgmon appointed the following to the                                                                      
Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in                                                                    
Alaska:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Charlie Lean                                                                                                                    

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The following were received:                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                            
Division of Community and Regional Affairs                                                                                      
Designated Legislative Lapsing Grant Report                                                                                     
Fiscal Year 2025                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Alaska Court System                                                                                                             
Travel for Justices, Judges, Magistrate Judges & Affidavit Information                                                          
FY 2024                                                                                                                         
(as required by AS 22.20.310)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Revenue                                                                                                                
Oil and Gas Tax Credit Certificates Purchased in 2024                                                                           
March 12, 2025                                                                                                                  
(as required by AS 43.05.230)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Revenue                                                                                                                
Treasury Division                                                                                                               
Annual Report on the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund                                                                         
March 12, 2025                                                                                                                  
(as required by AS 37.10.430)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                     REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The Judiciary Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following                                                            
and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for                                                             
consideration:                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                              Joan Wilson                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
as Chief Administrative Law Judge.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                             Leitoni Tupou                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
as a member of the State Board of Parole.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair; and                                                                        
Representatives Underwood, Eischeid, Vance, Kopp, and Mina.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                

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HB 27                                                                                                                         
The Health & Social Services Committee considered:                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 27                                                                                                           
    “An Act relating to medical care for major emergencies.”                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 27(HSS)                                                                                               
    (same title)                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair, with the                                                                   
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (5):  Fields, Schwanke, Ruffridge, Mears, Mina                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 27(HSS):                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 27 was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB 31                                                                                                                         
The Finance Committee 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 Representatives Foster, Josephson, and                                                                 
Schrage, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations:                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (8):  Bynum, Hannan, Tomaszewski, Galvin, Jimmie, Foster,                                                               
Josephson, Schrage                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (3):  Johnson, Allard, Stapp                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                   
2. Fiscal, Dept. of Administration                                                                                              

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3. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                             
4. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic                                                                               
 Development                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB 31 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 35                                                                                                                         
The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 35                                                                                                           
    “An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by                                                         
    prisoners.”                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 35(CRA)                                                                                               
    (same title)                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representatives Mears and Himschoot, Co-                                                               
chairs, with the following individual recommendations:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (3):  Hall, Mears, Himschoot                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Amend (3):  Holland, Prax, Ruffridge                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 35(CRA):                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 35 was referred to the State Affairs Committee.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
HB 57                                                                                                                         
The Education Committee considered:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 57                                                                                                           
    “An Act relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public                                                           
    schools; and providing for an effective date.”                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 57(EDC)                                                                                               
    (same title)                                                                                                                

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The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co-                                                               
chairs, with the following individual recommendations:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (7):  Eischeid, Underwood, Elam, Dibert, Schwanke,                                                                      
Himschoot, Story                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 57(EDC):                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 57 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                       INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules                                                               
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Ticasuk Brown Elementary School                                                                                      
By Representatives Stapp, Dibert; Senator Kawasaki                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Urbach’s Clothier                                                                                                    
By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - 2025 Alaska Journal of Commerce, Top 40 Under 40                                                                     
Recipients                                                                                                                      
By Senator Kawasaki                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - James Martin Lindoff Jr., L’too da xaan                                                                           
Representative Himschoot; Senators Kiehl, Stedman                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
               INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE                                                                    
                             OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HB 134                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 134 by Representative Carrick, entitled:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to misconduct involving weapons in the fourth                                                              
    degree; and establishing the offense of misconduct involving                                                                
    weapons in the sixth degree."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                

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was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary                                                         
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 135                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 135 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to the duties of the Alaska Seafood Marketing                                                              
    Institute; and relating to the seafood marketing assessment."                                                               
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                                                          
Fisheries and the Resources Committee.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic                                                                               
    Development                                                                                                                 
2. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic                                                                               
    Development                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 13 follows:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Edgmon:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill modifying the duties of the                                                              
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) and expanding the                                                                     
definition of “seafood.”                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Specifically, the bill allows ASMI to promote Alaskan mariculture                                                               
products by revising the definition of “seafood” to include “aquatic                                                            
farm products.” This revision permits the marketing of propagated                                                               
Alaskan aquatic plants and shellfish that are either native to state                                                            
waters or lawfully imported under a permit issued by the                                                                        
Commissioner of the Department of Fish and Game.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
I respectfully request your prompt and favorable consideration of this                                                          
measure.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2025-03-14                     House Journal                      Page 0464
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor"                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 136                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 136 by Representatives Kopp, McCabe, and                                                                         
Costello, entitled:                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    "An Act relating to use of railroad easements."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Judiciary                                                        
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                  CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                  SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
HJR 6                                                                                                                         
The following was read the second time:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6                                                                                                
    Urging the United States Congress to safeguard the Universal                                                                
    Service Fund to ensure continued funding for essential programs                                                             
    that support critical broadband and telecommunication                                                                       
    infrastructure and services for low-income rural residents of the                                                           
    state.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
with the:                                                  Journal Page                                                         
                                                                                                                                
 L&C RPT 3DP 2NR 1AM                                                 154                                                        
 FN1: ZERO(H.L&C)                                                    154                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Amendment No. 1 was offered  by Representative Stapp:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Page 1, line 4, following "state"(title amendment):                                                                           
    Insert "; and urging the United States Congress to expand the                                                             
Universal Service Fund to ensure that providers of low Earth orbit                                                            
satellite services and all other types of Internet service providers                                                          
have equal support"                                                                                                           

2025-03-14                     House Journal                      Page 0465
Page 2, following line 27:                                                                                                      
    Insert a new clause to read:                                                                                                
    "FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature                                                                       
respectfully urges that the Universal Service Fund be expanded to                                                               
ensure that all types of Internet service providers, including providers                                                        
of low Earth orbit satellite services, have equal support in order to                                                           
provide the lowest possible prices for Internet services; and be it"                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stapp moved and asked unanimous consent that                                                                     
Amendment No. 1 be adopted.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Fields objected.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Representatives Elam and Bynum moved and asked unanimous                                                                        
consent to abstain from voting because of a conflict of interest.                                                               
Objection was heard, and they were required to vote.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The question being:  "Shall Amendment No. 1 be adopted?"  The roll                                                              
was taken with the following result:                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HJR 6                                                                                                                           
Second Reading                                                                                                                  
Amendment No. 1                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  18   NAYS:  21   EXCUSED:  1   ABSENT:  0                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe,                                                                
Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, 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                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Excused:  Saddler                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
And so, Amendment No. 1 was not adopted.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR 6                                                                
be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on                                                               
final passage.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
There was objection.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HJR 6 will advance to third reading on the March 17 calendar.                                                                   

2025-03-14                     House Journal                      Page 0466
                         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 - Dimond High School Football Team, 2024 Division I State                                                              
Champions                                                                                                                       
By Representatives Costello, Kopp                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Trygve "Trig" Bjorklund                                                                                           
By Representatives Allard, Saddler                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                          UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HJR 9                                                                                                                         
Representative Gray added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9                                                                                                
    Urging the United States Congress to extend enhanced tax credits                                                            
      for health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HJR 11                                                                                                                        
Representatives Dibert, Fields, and Rauscher added as cosponsors to:                                                            
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11                                                                                               
    Recognizing and honoring the relationship between Canada and                                                                
    Alaska.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 121                                                                                                                        
Representative Coulombe added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 121                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to the practice of accounting; and providing for                                                           
    an effective date."                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                             ANNOUNCEMENTS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
House committee schedules are published under separate cover.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                

2025-03-14                     House Journal                      Page 0467
                              ADJOURNMENT                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                  
House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., March 17.  There being no objection,                                                            
the House adjourned at 11:36 a.m.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                            Crystaline Jones                                                                    
                                            Chief Clerk