Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-05-13 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1165 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday May 13, 2025 One Hundred Thirteenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:44 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Nelson was absent, and his presence was noted later. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Representative Rauscher. 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 respect for all faiths, I offer this invocation: Father God in heaven, we bow our heads in recognition of your wisdom and leadership as we gather here today. We acknowledge the significance of invoking your presence through prayer and supplication. We ask your spirit to teach our hearts and minds as we seek your wisdom and guidance. We come before you with reverence, knowing that your presence is a source of strength and inspiration. It is the concept of invocation in prayer where we seek a deeper understanding of its spiritual significance to our work on the floor here. Help us to focus our hearts and minds on your will, as we seek your wisdom and grace. Help us to comprehend that will 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1166 in our duty before us today. Help us to search our hearts to better understand how to provide for our fellow man. Father God, give peace in our hearts that we have heard your voice and shall respond in accordance to your will. Father God, you alone are our strength, you alone are our hope. Guide us in our burden to foster an ability to help our fellow man become self-sufficient and be a provider to those who struggle so to get there. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. It is in the name Jesus Christ I offer this prayer. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Elam. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 112th legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HB 53 A message dated May 12 was read stating the Senate failed to recede from its amendment to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 53(FIN) am(brf sup maj fld)(efd fld) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; and making supplemental appropriations." namely: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 53(FIN) am S "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1167 capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." The President appointed the following members to a Conference Committee to meet with a like committee from the House to consider the bills: Senator Hoffman, Chair Senator Stedman Senator Kaufman The House members of the Conference Committee were appointed May 12 (page 1160). HB 55 A message dated May 12 was read stating the Senate failed to recede from its amendment to: 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." namely: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 55(FIN) am S (same title) The President appointed the following members to a Conference Committee to meet with a like committee from the House to consider the bills: Senator Hoffman, Chair Senator Stedman Senator Kaufman The House members of the Conference Committee were appointed May 12 (page 1161). 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1168 A message dated May 12 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and they are transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SJR 16 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16 by Senator Gray-Jackson: Urging the United States Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to advocate for policies that guarantee equitable access to vital healthcare. was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services Committee. SJR 17 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17 by Senators Stedman, Giessel, Cronk, Kaufman, and Stevens: Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of The Energy Council. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 24 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 24(FIN) by the Senate Finance Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine; raising the minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the tobacco use education and cessation fund; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1169 SB 26 SENATE BILL NO. 26 by Senators Merrick, Giessel, Dunbar, Gray- Jackson, and Wielechowski, entitled: "An Act petitioning the United States Department of Transportation to change the time zones of Alaska; exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. SB 64 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 64(FIN) am by the Senate Finance Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to voting; relating to voter registration; relating to election administration; relating to the Alaska Public Offices Commission; relating to campaign contributions; relating to the crimes of unlawful interference with voting in the first degree, unlawful interference with an election, and election official misconduct; relating to synthetic media in electioneering communications; relating to campaign signs; relating to voter registration on permanent fund dividend applications; relating to the Redistricting Board; relating to the duties of the commissioner of revenue; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. SB 133 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 133(L&C) by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to prior authorization requests for medical care covered by a health care insurer; relating to a prior authorization application programming interface; relating to step therapy; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1170 COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute FY 2024 Annual Report (as required by AS 16.51.100) Dept. of Law Monetary Terms of Agreement Between the State and the Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (as required by AS 23.40.215 and AO 356) The Speaker referred the monetary terms to the Finance Committee. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 110 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 110 "An Act relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Burke, Coulombe, Saddler, Carrick, Hall, Fields The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 110 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 138 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1171 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." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 138(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Burke, Carrick, Hall, Fields Do not pass (2): Coulombe, Saddler The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 138(L&C): 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Health 2. Indeterminate, Dept. of Revenue HB 138 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 156 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 156 "An Act relating to disclosure of information regarding employee compensation by employers, employees, and applicants for employment." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 156(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Burke, Carrick, Hall, Fields 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1172 Do not pass (2): Coulombe, Saddler The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 156(L&C): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development HB 156 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 - Alaska Afterschool Network By Representatives Eischeid, Mears; Senator Wielechowski In Memoriam - Jenice Taylor Cox By Representative Edgmon; Senator Hoffman In Memoriam - Armin Otto Schmidt By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Kopp In Memoriam - Terry Marquette By Senators Kawasaki, Cronk; Representative Prax INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 8 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 by Representative Allard: Proclaiming October 2025 as Jewish Heritage Month. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 14 The following was read the second time: 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1173 HOUSE BILL NO. 14 "An Act repealing programs for catastrophic illness assistance and medical assistance for chronic and acute medical conditions." with the: Journal Page HSS RPT 4DP 1NR 497 FN1: ZERO(DOH) 497 FIN RPT 9DP 2NR 953 FN1: ZERO(DOH) 953 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 14 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. HB 14 will advance to third reading on the May 14 calendar. **The presence of Representative Nelson was noted. HB 73 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 73 "An Act relating to complex care residential homes; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page HSS RPT 6DP 209 FN1: (DOH) 209 FN2: (DOH) 209 FN3: ZERO(DOH) 209 FIN RPT CS(FIN) 9DP 1NR 1AM 1065 FN1: (DOH) 1065 FN2: (DOH) 1065 FN3: ZERO(DOH) 1065 FN4: INDETERMINATE(DFC) 1065 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1174 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 73(FIN) (same title) There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 73(FIN) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. CSHB 73(FIN) will advance to third reading on the May 14 calendar. HB 125 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 125 "An Act relating to membership of the Board of Fisheries." with the: Journal Page FSH RPT CS(FSH) 4DP 2NR 639 FN1: ZERO(DFG) 639 RES RPT CS(RES) NEW TITLE 4DP 1DNP 2NR 2AM 1033 FN1: ZERO(DFG) 1033 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 125(RES) "An Act relating to membership of the Board of Fisheries; and relating to the definitions of 'subsistence fishing' and 'subsistence uses.'" Representative Prax objected and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, CSHB 125(RES) was adopted. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1175 Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Coulombe: Page 2, lines 1 - 2: Delete "have knowledge of and experience in the commercial fishing industry" Insert "(A) have at least five years of direct involvement in the commercial fishing industry; and (B) possess demonstrable knowledge of commercial fishery practices, economic effects, and regulatory concerns" Page 2, lines 3 - 4: Delete "have knowledge of and experience in sport fishing" Insert "(A) have at least five years of experience participating in or managing sport fisheries in the state; and (B) demonstrate knowledge of recreational angling techniques, user group dynamics, and sport fishing resource issues" Page 2, lines 5 - 6: Delete "have knowledge of and experience in subsistence fishing" Insert "(A) are residents who rely on fish for customary and traditional uses; and (B) demonstrate firsthand knowledge of cultural, nutritional, and community practices related to subsistence fishing" Page 2, lines 7 - 8: Delete "of the scientific community who has knowledge of and experience in fisheries management" Insert "who has (A) an advanced degree in fisheries biology, marine science, ecology, or a related field; and (B) at least five years of experience in fisheries management or scientific research involving the state's fishery resources" Representative Coulombe moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1176 Representative Stutes objected. The Speaker stated that, without objection, the House would recess to a call of the chair; and so, the House recessed at 11:44 a.m. AFTER RECESS The Speaker called the House back to order at 1:23 p.m. SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 125 The following was before the House with Amendment No. 1 moved and pending: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 125(RES) "An Act relating to membership of the Board of Fisheries; and relating to the definitions of 'subsistence fishing' and 'subsistence uses.'" The Speaker stated that, without objection, CSHB 125(RES) would be held in second reading to the May 14 calendar. THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 33 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the May 12 calendar (page 1139), was read the third time: HOUSE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall HB 33 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 33 Third Reading Final Passage 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1177 YEAS: 28 NAYS: 12 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Prax, Schrage, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Vance Nays: Allard, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, Moore, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Tilton, Underwood And so, HB 33 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. HB 33 was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. THIRD READING OF SENATE BILLS SB 57 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the May 12 calendar (page 1151), was read the third time: HCS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 57(FIN) am H "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; repealing appropriations; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall HCS CSSB 57(FIN) am H pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HCS CSSB 57(FIN) am H Third Reading Final Passage 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 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1178 Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, HCS CSSB 57(FIN) am H passed the House. Representative Kopp moved the effective date clause. The question being: "Shall the effective date clause be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HCS CSSB 57(FIN) am H Third Reading Effective Date YEAS: 22 NAYS: 18 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, lacking the required 27 votes, the effective date clause was not adopted, and the new title follows: HCS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 57(FIN) am H(efd fld H) "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and repealing appropriations." HCS CSSB 57(FIN) am H(efd fld H) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS HCR 7 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be taken up as a Special Order of Business: 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1179 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 57, making appropriations, including capital appropriations and other appropriations; making reappropriations; and making appropriations to capitalize funds. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall HCR 7 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HCR 7 Second Reading Final Passage Special Order of Business 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 And so, lacking the required 27 votes, HCR 7 failed to pass the House. HCR 7(fld H) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 25 The following was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25 Supporting and encouraging the continued recruitment and retention of international educators on J-1 and H-1B visas in the state. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1180 with the: Journal Page EDC RPT 6DP 1136 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 1136 Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Hall: Page 1, line 10: Delete "schools" Insert "school" Representative Hall moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Representative Stapp objected and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR 25 am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HJR 25 am was read the third time. The question being: "Shall HJR 25 am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 25 am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 40 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, HJR 25 am passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1181 LEGISLATIVE CITATIONS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation on the calendar. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: In Memoriam - Andrew Julian Aquino Representatives Stapp, Carrick; Senator Kawasaki UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Allard moved and asked unanimous consent to take from the table the citation, Honoring - Suzanne Downing. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the citation be taken from the table?" The roll was taken with the following result: Take from the Table Citation Honoring - Suzanne Downing YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, the motion failed. HJR 25 Representative Gray added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25 am Supporting and encouraging the continued recruitment and retention of international educators on J-1 and H-1B visas in the state. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1182 HB 33 Representative Hannan added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date." HB 119 Representative Elam removed as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 119 "An Act relating to an in-state natural gas pipeline developed by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation; and providing for an effective date." HB 125 Representative Allard removed as a cosponsor and Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 125(RES) "An Act relating to membership of the Board of Fisheries; and relating to the definitions of 'subsistence fishing' and 'subsistence uses.'" SJR 17 Representative Rauscher added as a cross sponsor to: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17 Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of The Energy Council. ENGROSSMENT HJR 25 HJR 25 am was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. 2025-05-13 House Journal Page 1183 HB 33 HB 33 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. SB 57 HCS CSSB 57(FIN) am H(efd fld H) was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. ANNOUNCEMENTS With appointment of the Conference Committee on the operating budget, Uniform Rule 23(d) is in effect as of May 12. House committee schedules are published under separate cover. The following meetings today were changed: Finance Committee CHANGED TO: 15 min. after adjournment House Special Committee on Military & Veterans' Affairs CHANGED TO: 15 min. after adjournment ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., May 14. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 2:28 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk