Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-04-22 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0839 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday April 22, 2025 Ninety-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:38 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Saddler was excused from a call of the House today until 2:00 p.m. and his presence was noted later. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Thorsteinson of the Alaska National Guard. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. It's a beautiful day! I can't count the years on one hand that we've been together… I should be over all the butterflies but I'm still into you! Let us pray! God who serves, some things just, some things just make sense and one of those is serving something greater than ourselves. I invite your presence with us on the 21st anniversary of Army Ranger Patrick Daniel Tillman's death, who, at the peak of his NFL career, made the selfless decision to leave it behind and enlist…answering the calling for something bigger than himself. Lord, this House of Representatives team also selflessly puts aspects of their lives on hold to serve our beloved 49th state. As session continues on, please bring fruit from their obedience. Give them favor in finding opportunities to aid 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0840 our citizens. Continue to strengthen, encourage, and empower them and may those who benefit from their efforts provide positive feedback. Comfort them as they work hard and experience separation from loved ones. Give all your contentment and joy and supply courage and faithfulness. Help us follow your example and not come to be served, but to serve, practicing selfless service, as well as the other virtues the Army values: loyalty, duty, respect, honor, integrity, and personal courage. May our April showers bring May flowers and thank you for making us special and loving us very much. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Tomaszewski. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 86th through 91st legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR HB 69 The following letter was dated April 17 and received at 10:05 a.m.: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority vested in me by Article II, Section 15, of the Alaska Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) "An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." I have vetoed SCS CSHB 69(FIN) for the following reasons: Senate leadership and I concur that the State's fiscal outlook has deteriorated significantly in the face of decreasing oil prices, thus 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0841 revenue, and potential reductions in federal funding as well. While we agree that additional funding for education is necessary, the fiscal reality dictates that the amount put forward match this reality. The amount put forward in this bill does not. Many Alaskans also agree that we need to improve educational outcomes in our schools to ensure that Alaska's young people receive the best education that we can provide. With 34 days left in the legislative session, there is still plenty of time to agree upon a bill that contains both needed funding and educational policy. To that end, we are prepared to continue to work with the legislature and stakeholders to agree to a bill as soon as possible that addresses the concerns of Alaskans. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated April 22 was received stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in Joint Session in the House Chamber at 2:00 p.m., April 22 for the purpose of considering the Governor's vetoes. COMMUNICATIONS The following was received: Dept. of Law Monetary Terms of Agreement Between the State and the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots April 21, 2025 (as required by AS 23.40.215 and AO 356) The Speaker referred the monetary terms to the Finance Committee. 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0842 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 194 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 194 "An Act approving and ratifying the sale of royalty oil by the State of Alaska to Marathon Petroleum Supply and Trading Company LLC; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Dibert and Burke, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (9): Fields, Coulombe, Hall, Saddler, Elam, Rauscher, Mears, Dibert, Burke The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Natural Resources HB 194 was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 80 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 80(FIN) "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." The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Burke, Coulombe, Carrick, Nelson, Saddler, Hall, Fields The following fiscal note(s) apply: 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0843 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Health CSSB 80(FIN) 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 - Barbara Norton By Representatives Galvin, Gray, Hall Honoring - Darian Lawson By Representative Eischeid; Senator Wielechowski Honoring - Michelle Shuravloff-Nelson By Representative Stutes; Senator Stevens Honoring - The Polynesian Association of Alaska, 20th Anniversary By Representatives Mina and Eischeid; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - The Midnight Sun Baseball Game, 120th Anniversary By Representative Stapp In Memoriam - Sergey Marchenko By Representative Stapp In Memoriam - Sanford "Sam" Allen Beachy By Representative Vance In Memoriam - Katherine Beachy By Representative Vance In Memoriam - Danny Kelton Presley By Representative Vance 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0844 In Memoriam - Keith Lee Presley By Representative Vance In Memoriam - Dorothy B. Isabel By Representative Foster; Senator Olson In Memoriam - Floyd Everett Seekins By Representative Vance In Memoriam - Douglas Barton "Bart" Eaton By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes In Memoriam - Jean Roger Therrien By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Charles Henry "Chick" Wallace By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Stapp In Memoriam - Kaa'yis'taan Marie Olson By Senator Kiehl; Representatives Story, Hannan INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 21 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 21 by Representatives Nelson and Costello: Encouraging the United States Congress to designate 2025 as the Year of the Soldier. was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs and the State Affairs Committee. HJR 22 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22 by Representatives Tomaszewski and Gray: Requesting the United States Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0845 United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate; and requesting the United States Congress to call for a constitutional convention of the states to propose a single amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 201 HOUSE BILL NO. 201 by Representative Rauscher, entitled: "An Act relating to certain reports required by the Alaska Public Offices Commission; and relating to the use of campaign contributions held by a candidate or group." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. HB 202 HOUSE BILL NO. 202 by Representative Johnson by request and Representative Mina, entitled: "An Act designating giant cabbage as the official state vegetable; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 203 HOUSE BILL NO. 203 by Representative McCabe, entitled: "An Act relating to the use of certain trawl or dredge fishing gear in state water; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on Fisheries and the Resources Committee. 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0846 HB 204 HOUSE BILL NO. 204 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to charter schools; relating to correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to the provision of special education and related services; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunication devices in public schools; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 4. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development/Fund Capitalization The Governor's transmittal letter dated April 17 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to expand open enrollment, strengthen charter school processes, increase the base student allocation, and improve accountability. Key provisions include: • Open Enrollment: Students may attend any public school in the state - inside or outside their home district - subject to capacity limitations. • Charter School Reforms: Streamlines the charter process by allowing year-round applications to the State Board of Education & Early Development; shortens the timeline for appeals of denied applications; codifies essential contractual and procedural safeguards; and permits charter schools to retain a portion of their year-end fund balance. 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0847 • Base Student Allocation Increase: The per-student funding rate is increased to align with the state’s fiscal reality. • Reading Proficiency Incentive Grants: Schools earn incentive grants when their K-6 students meet - or make significant progress toward - grade-level reading benchmarks. • Funding for Correspondence: Support for public correspondence programs is increased to 100 percent of each district’s average daily membership. • Wireless Device Policy: To address classroom distractions, districts must adopt clear, enforceable policies governing student use of smartphones and other personal devices. By combining open enrollment, charter reforms, targeted investments, and accountability measures, this bill will drive measurable improvements in student outcomes. I respectfully request your prompt and favorable consideration of this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 205 HOUSE BILL NO. 205 by Representative Josephson, entitled: "An Act relating to penalties for discharges of oil and other pollution violations; relating to the definition of 'waste' in the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Resources Committees. HB 206 HOUSE BILL NO. 206 by Representative Mears, entitled: "An Act relating to disclosure of oil and gas production tax information." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0848 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 55 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 16 calendar (page 815), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 55(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall CSHB 55(FIN) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 55(FIN) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 33 NAYS: 6 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schrage, Schwanke, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Vance Nays: Allard, McCabe, Rauscher, Stapp, Tilton, Underwood Excused: Saddler And so, CSHB 55(FIN) passed the House. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call on the effective date clause. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Costello gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on CSHB 55(FIN). 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0849 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 – Vera Starbard By Senator Kiehl; Representatives Hannan, Story Honoring – Norma Aldefer By Senator Tobin; Representative Fields In Memoriam – Virgil Dean Severns By Representative Tomaszewski; Senator Myers In Memoriam – Louise Thompson By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Carrick, Dibert In Memoriam – Richard Polzin By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert In Memoriam – Rita Elizabeth McGrath By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert The Speaker stated that, without objection, the House would recess to 1:45 p.m.; and so, the House recessed at 11:12 a.m. AFTER RECESS The Speaker called the House back to order at 1:48 p.m. **The presence of Representative Saddler was noted. The Speaker stated that the House would stand at ease to allow members of the Senate to enter the House Chamber. JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE In accordance with Uniform Rule 51, Speaker Edgmon turned the gavel over to President Stevens who called the joint session to order at 2:08 p.m. 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0850 The purpose of the joint session was to consider the Governor's veto of the following bill: HB 69-EDUCATION: FUNDING Roll call of the Senate showed 20 members present. Roll call of the House showed 40 members present. HB 69 Senator Giessel moved that: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) "An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." become law notwithstanding the Governor's veto. The question being: "Shall SCS CSHB 69(FIN) become law notwithstanding the Governor's veto?" The roll of the House was taken with the following result: HOUSE SCS CSHB 69(FIN) Veto Override YEAS: 21 NAYS: 19 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance The roll of the Senate was taken with the following result: SENATE SCS CSHB 69(FIN) Veto Override YEAS: 12 NAYS: 8 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0851 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Stedman, Yundt TOTALS: YEAS: 33 NAYS: 27 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 And so, lacking the required 40 votes, the Governor's veto was sustained. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint session adjourn. There being no objection, President Stevens adjourned the joint session at 3:21 p.m. The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate to leave the Chamber. IN THE HOUSE The Speaker called the House back to order at 3:24 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 26 Representative Bynum added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 26 "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a statewide public and community transit plan." HB 161 Representative Saddler added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 161 "An Act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements; and providing for an effective date." 2025-04-22 House Journal Page 0852 ENGROSSMENT HB 57 Reconsideration of the following was not taken up on this legislative day. It was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 57(EDC) am "An Act relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; and providing for an effective date." ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meeting today was changed: House Special Committee on Energy CANCELED ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., April 23. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 3:24 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk