Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-28 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0557 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday March 28, 2025 Sixty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:43 a.m. Roll call showed 35 members present. Representatives Ruffridge and Tilton had been excused from a call of the House today. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives Allard, Dibert, and Jimmie be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, the members were excused. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Tom Nelson of Grace Point Church in Nappanee, Indiana. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. With the deepest respect for the religious beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following prayer: Gracious God, I lift up to you my David and all his colleagues in the Alaska House, and I ask that you would grant each one wisdom and discernment, so that they might discern your will and govern so as to glorify you. And I pray for all the residents of Alaska. Bless them all and be gracious to each one, especially to those who are alone or 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0558 who are in need. May Alaska be highly favored and may it prosper. Pour out your mercy upon these people and this land. In thy name I pray, O Lord. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Prax. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 65th and 66th legislative days and House Journal Supplement No. 3 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 8 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. COMMUNICATIONS A message dated March 12 was received stating that the Speaker has made the following appointment: Alaska Minerals Commission (AS 44.33.431) Alec Venechuk REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Education Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Patrick Frymark as a member of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission. The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co- chairs, and Representatives Elam, Schwanke, Underwood, and Eischeid. 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0559 The Health & Social Services Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Samantha Smith as a member of the State Medical Board. The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair; and Representatives Prax, Fields, Gray, and Schwanke. HJR 9 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 Urging the United States Congress to extend enhanced tax credits for health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act. and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9(HSS) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Fields, Gray, Mears, Mina Do not pass (1): Prax No recommendation (2): Schwanke, Ruffridge The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHJR 9(HSS): 1. Zero, Legislative Agency HJR 9 was referred to the Rules Committee. 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0560 HB 93 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 93 “An Act changing the residency requirements for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and providing for an effective date.” The report was signed by Representatives Dibert and Burke, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Fields, Hall, Mears, Dibert, Burke Do not pass (1): Rauscher No recommendation (2): Coulombe, Elam Amend (1): Saddler The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game HB 93 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 132 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 132 “An Act relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or less; relating to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry; relating to deferred deposit advances; and providing for an effective date.” and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 132(L&C) (same title) 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0561 The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Burke, Carrick, Saddler, Hall, Fields No recommendation (1): Nelson Amend (1): Coulombe The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 132(L&C): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 132 was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 47 The Transportation Committee considered: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 47(RES) “An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an effective date.” The report was signed by Representatives Carrick and Eischeid, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (2): Carrick, Eischeid No recommendation (3): Moore, Mina, Stutes The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources CSSB 47(RES) was referred to the Resources Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 129 The House Special Committee on Fisheries considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 129 “An Act relating to the fisheries product development tax credit; 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0562 providing for an effective date by amending the effective date of sec. 2, ch. 31, SLA 2022; and providing for an effective date.” and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 129(FSH) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Stutes, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): McCabe, Elam, Himschoot, Edgmon, Stutes The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 129(FSH): 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Revenue HB 129 was referred to the Finance Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Rita Christianson By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman Honoring - The Whittier Police Department By Representatives Holland, Kopp; Senator Giessel Honoring - The University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks Women’s Swimming Team By Representatives Carrick, Hannan In Memoriam - Dora Ann Fulmer By Representative Carrick In Memoriam - Roberta “Bobbi” Leichty By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0563 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 5 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5 by Representative Mears: Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to committee records; and providing for an effective date for the amendment. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 160 HOUSE BILL NO. 160 by Representative Moore, entitled: “An Act relating to the terms of office of municipal school board members; and providing for an effective date.” was read the first time and referred to the Education and Community & Regional Affairs Committees. HB 161 HOUSE BILL NO. 161 by Representatives Ruffridge and Coulombe, entitled: “An Act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements; and providing for an effective date.” was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. HB 162 HOUSE BILL NO. 162 by Representative Dibert, entitled: “An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and providing for an effective date.” 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0564 was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 163 HOUSE BILL NO. 163 by Representative Underwood, entitled: “An Act relating to municipal and school board elections; declaring Election Day a holiday; relating to terms of office for municipal mayors, municipal governing bodies, elected utility boards, and school boards; and providing for an effective date.” was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 164 HOUSE BILL NO. 164 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: “An Act relating to a net metering program; relating to reduced rates in the form of credits for consumer-generators; establishing a net metering reimbursement fund; and providing for an effective date.” was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Energy and the Finance 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 27 follows: “Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to create a statutory net metering program, provide credits for participating consumer-generators, and establish a net metering reimbursement fund. 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0565 This legislation incentivizes renewable energy systems by requiring certain electric utilities to provide invoice credits to participating customers who install renewable energy generation systems that provide excess energy to the local grid. The bill allows an electric utility to offer credits to these “consumer-generators” without the rate reduction constituting an unreasonable preference or advantage under the utility statutes. Through AS 42.05.395, load-serving electric utilities must provide a monthly credit to customers with an eligible renewable energy generation system equal to the excess electricity they produce, multiplied by the rate they would otherwise pay. Participating consumers can accrue bill credits over an annual cycle ending each March 31, at which point any unused credits expire. Because these credits may reduce utility revenue, sections 2 and 3 establish a net metering reimbursement fund to allow utilities - subject to appropriation, Regulatory Commission of Alaska regulations, and an application process overseen by the Alaska Energy Authority - to recover lost revenue without raising rates. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS SB 15 The following was read the second time: SENATE BILL NO. 15 "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages; and providing for an effective date." 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0566 with the: Journal Page L&C RPT HCS(L&C) 5DP 1AM 210 FN1: ZERO(CED) 210 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 15(L&C) (same title) Representative Costello objected and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, HCS SB 15(L&C) was adopted. The Speaker stated that, without objection, HCS SB 15(L&C) would be held in second reading to the March 31 calendar. THIRD READING OF SENATE BILLS SB 43 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the March 26 calendar (page 549), was read the third time: SENATE BILL NO. 43 "An Act establishing the month of March as Women's History Month." The question being: "Shall SB 43 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 43 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 33 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 5 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, Nelson, Rauscher, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0567 Nays: Coulombe, Prax Excused: Allard, Dibert, Jimmie, Ruffridge, Tilton And so, SB 43 passed the House, was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and returned to the Senate. LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citations on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Dr. Katie Spellman By Representatives Dibert, Carrick 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 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0568 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Prax – from noon, March 28 to 9:45 a.m., April 1 Representative Saddler – from: 8:00 a.m., March 31 to 10:00 p.m., April 1 11:00 a.m., May 28 to 10:00 p.m., June 10 HB 11 Representatives Ruffridge and Gray added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 11 "An Act relating to contributions and donations from permanent fund dividends." HB 25 Representative Hall added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 25 "An Act relating to disposable food service ware; and providing for an effective date." SB 15 Representatives Carrick, Josephson, Galvin, Schrage, and Stutes added as cross sponsors to: HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 15(L&C) "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; relating to the posting of warning signs for alcoholic beverages; and providing for an effective date." SB 43 Representative Schrage added as a cross sponsor to: SENATE BILL NO. 43 "An Act establishing the month of March as Women's History Month." 2025-03-28 House Journal Page 0569 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 31. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:40 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk