Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-26 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0539 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 26, 2025 Sixty-fifth 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 Vance had been excused from a call of the House today. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Nancy Campbell of White Fields 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 religious beliefs of each person here, I offer this prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I come to the throne of your grace with confidence, knowing that you hear my prayer for the House of Representatives today. I pray that you fill this place with your presence as they meet and consider the work set before them and reason together. Give them great wisdom and understanding for our state and your divine direction for the days ahead. Light their paths, be their strength, keep them in your hand as they move forward working together for the good of Alaska. 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0540 Bless them now, Lord, and reward them with fruit from their labors. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Nelson. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 63rd and 64th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Story introduced Kaycee Parady, Guest Page, from Juneau. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated March 24 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 80 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 80(FIN) by the Senate Finance Committee, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; extending the termination date of the Board of Massage Therapists; extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; extending the termination date of the Marijuana Control Board; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0541 COMMUNICATIONS Letters of disclosure received from the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, as required by AS 24.60, were published in House Journal Supplement No. 3 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 8. A message dated March 24 was received stating the Speaker has made the following appointment: State Council for Interstate Adult and Juvenile Offender Supervision (AS 33.36.140 and 47.15.010) Representative Hannan The following was received: Dept. of Health Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Registration and Review Report Fiscal Year 2024 (as required by AS 47.80.130) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Education Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Angie Alston Kathryn Baird as members of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission. The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co- chairs, and Representatives Underwood, Elam, Schwanke, Dibert, and Eischeid. 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0542 HB 62 The Judiciary Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 62 "An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits; establishing the sexual assault examination kit tracking system; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Underwood, Eischeid, Mina, Costello, Gray The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Public Safety HB 62 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 105 The Education Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 105 "An Act relating to mental health education." The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Eischeid, Dibert, Himschoot, Story Do not pass (2): Underwood, Schwanke Amend (1): Elam The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 2. Zero, Dept. of Family & Community Services HB 105 was referred to the Finance Committee. 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0543 HB 116 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 116 "An Act exempting from insurance regulation cooperative agreements entered into by two or more persons engaged in commercial fishing for the purpose of paying claims or losses." The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Carrick, Coulombe, Burke, Fields, Hall No recommendation (1): Nelson The following fiscal note(s) apply: 2. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 116 was referred to the Rules Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: Honoring - Albertina Dull By Representative Jimmie; Senator Hoffman In Memoriam - Willie Anderson By Senator Kiehl; Representatives Story, Hannan The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Dr. Katie Spellman By Representatives Dibert, Carrick 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0544 Honoring - Stacie Kraly By Representatives Hannan, Story; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Dr. Diane O'Brien By Senator Myers; Representatives Tomaszewski, Carrick Honoring - Theresa Quiner By Senator Hoffman; Representative Jimmie Honoring - 2025 Kuskokwim 300, Top Five Finishers By Senator Hoffman; Representatives Edgmon, Jimmie Honoring - Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP), 30th Anniversary By Senators Dunbar, Hoffman; Representative Dibert Honoring - Bosco's 40th Anniversary By Senators Dunbar, Tobin; Representative Fields In Memoriam - Daisy Mae Edwards By Representative Dibert; Senator Kawasaki In Memoriam - Liane Ryan By Representatives Underwood, Moore In Memoriam - K9 Lenox By Senator Myers; Representatives Carrick, Stapp SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citations, Honoring - Albertina Dull and In Memoriam - Willie Anderson, 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: 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0545 Honoring - Albertina Dull By Representative Jimmie; Senator Hoffman In Memoriam - Willie Anderson By Senator Kiehl; Representatives Story, Hannan INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 155 HOUSE BILL NO. 155 by Representative Foster, entitled: "An Act relating to alcohol; relating to local option elections; relating to the statewide database of alcohol purchases; relating to alcohol licenses, endorsements, and permits; relating to municipal regulation and taxation of alcoholic beverages; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 156 HOUSE BILL NO. 156 by Representative Mina, entitled: "An Act relating to disclosure of information regarding employee compensation by employers, employees, and applicants for employment." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 157 HOUSE BILL NO. 157 by Representative Gray, entitled: "An Act relating to the effect of a decree of adoption or termination of parental rights on the legal relationship between a person and the person's siblings; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Judiciary Committees. 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0546 HB 158 HOUSE BILL NO. 158 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to professional licensing; relating to temporary licenses for certain professions; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the Labor & Commerce Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 24 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that consolidates temporary professional licensing requirements and enhances license portability for servicemembers and their spouses. This bill establishes a single, streamlined temporary license, administered by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), replacing the various temporary privileges found across Alaska’s professional licensing laws. This improves the existing system, which requires a prospective applicant to navigate a web of differing department and board-issued temporary license types to identify the appropriate process to obtain a temporary license. This new license grants a qualified applicant holding a valid out-of-state license the ability to practice in the state for a specified period (generally 180 days). In addition to addressing temporary licensure, this bill brings Alaska into compliance with federal professional license portability under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). It directs DCCED to issue, within 30 days of receiving a completed application, a professional 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0547 license to a servicemember or spouse who holds an out-of-state license and relocates to Alaska under military orders. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 159 HOUSE BILL NO. 159 by Representatives Rauscher, Moore, Costello, and Tomaszewski, entitled: "An Act relating to the removal of unlawful occupants from residential real property; relating to the crimes of trespass, forgery, and deceptive business practices; and amending Rules 82 and 85(a), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Labor & Commerce Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 36 The following was read the second time: 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." with the: Journal Page HSS RPT 7DP 264 FN1: (DFC) 264 FN2: ZERO(AJS) 264 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0548 FIN RPT 8DP 2NR 500 FN1: (DFC) 500 FN2: ZERO(AJS) 500 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 36 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HB 36 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall HB 36 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 36 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 39 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 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, Tomaszewski, Underwood Excused: Vance And so, HB 36 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 court rule change. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HB 36 was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. SB 43 The following was read the second time: SENATE BILL NO. 43 "An Act establishing the month of March as Women's History Month." 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0549 with the: Journal Page STA RPT 5DP 1NR 320 FN1: ZERO(GOV/COMBINED) 320 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that SB 43 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. SB 43 will advance to third reading on the March 28 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 - Emily Robinson By Representatives Moore, Schwanke; Senator Cronk In Memoriam - Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Sharp By Representative Prax; Senator Myers UNFINISHED BUSINESS 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 Tilton – from noon, March 26 to 8:00 p.m., March 28 HB 6 Representative Vance added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 6 "An Act restricting fiduciary actions by a fiduciary of a state fund, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board that have the purpose of furthering social, political, or ideological interests." 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0550 HB 11 Representatives Coulombe and Elam added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 11 "An Act relating to contributions and donations from permanent fund dividends." HB 21 The Speaker added a Finance Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 21 "An Act relating to voter preregistration for minors at least 16 years of age; and relating to confidentiality of voter registration and preregistration records of minors at least 16 years of age." HB 21 was removed from the Rules Committee and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 30 The Speaker added a Finance Committee referral for the following: 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." HB 30 was removed from the Rules Committee and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 36 Representatives Eischeid, Bynum, Galvin, Hannan, Josephson, Stutes, Ruffridge, Schrage, Costello, Mears, and Saddler 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." 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0551 HB 93 Representative Saddler added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 93 "An Act changing the residency requirements for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and providing for an effective date." HB 133 Representative Mears added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 133 "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." HB 138 Representatives Galvin and Hall added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 138 "An Act establishing a behavioral health crisis services surcharge; establishing the behavioral health crisis services fund; and providing for an effective date." HB 153 The Speaker added a Finance Committee referral for the following: HOUSE BILL NO. 153 "An Act relating to generation of electricity from renewable energy resources; relating to a renewable portfolio standard; relating to power cost equalization; and providing for an effective date." HB 153 is in the House Special Committee on Energy. 2025-03-26 House Journal Page 0552 SB 43 Representatives Josephson and Eischeid added as cross sponsors to: SENATE BILL NO. 43 "An Act establishing the month of March as Women's History Month." ENGROSSMENT HB 36 HB 36 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 28. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk