Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-08-02 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1401 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska Saturday August 2, 2025 First Day [DRAFT JOURNAL] Pursuant to the Governor's proclamation dated July 2 calling the legislature into special session, the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 11:07 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Burke was absent. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Burke be excused from a call of the House until 1:00 p.m. There was objection. The Speaker ruled the objection out of order. Representative Stapp appealed the ruling of the Chair. The Speaker stated that the House would recess to joint session; and so, the House recessed at 11:17 a.m. AFTER RECESS The Speaker called the House back to order at 1:31 p.m. 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 1:31 p.m. 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1402 The purpose of the joint session was to consider the Governor's vetoes of the following bills: HB 53-APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET; CAP; SUPP SB 183-POWERS: LB&A COMMITTEE; LEGISLATIVE AUDIT Roll call of the Senate showed 19 members present. Roll call of the House showed 40 members present. SB 183 Senator Giessel moved that: SENATE BILL NO. 183 "An Act relating to hindering the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee; relating to the powers of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee and the legislative audit division; and providing for an effective date." become law notwithstanding the Governor's veto. The question being: "Shall SB 183 become law notwithstanding the Governor's veto?" The roll of the House was taken with the following result: SB 183 Veto Override YEAS: 27 NAYS: 13 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Costello, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Prax, Rauscher, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance The roll of the Senate was taken with the following result: 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1403 SB 183 Veto Override YEAS: 16 NAYS: 3 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Nays: Cronk, Hughes, Myers Excused: Shower TOTAL: YEAS: 43 NAYS: 16 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 And so, the Governor's veto was overridden. HB 53 Senator Giessel moved that the appropriations on page 104, lines 4-6 and 10-11 of: CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 53(brf sup maj fld H) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." become law notwithstanding the Governor's line item veto. The question being: "Shall appropriations on page 104, lines 4-6 and 10-11 become law notwithstanding the Governor's veto?" The roll of the Senate was taken with the following result: CCS HB 53(brf sup maj fld H) Override Line Item Vetoes YEAS: 17 NAYS: 2 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Nays: Hughes, Myers Excused: Shower 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1404 The roll of the House was taken with the following result: CCSHB 53(brf sup maj fld H) Page 104, lines 4-6 and 10-11 Override Line Item Vetoes YEAS: 28 NAYS: 12 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Nelson, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Stapp, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Costello, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Prax, Rauscher, Schwanke, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance TOTAL: YEAS: 45 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 And so, the Governor's line item vetoes were overridden. The Chief Clerk notified the Office of the Governor. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint session adjourn. There being no objection, President Stevens adjourned the joint session at 1:48 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 2:29 p.m. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Gabe Williams, House Page. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. In respect of all religious beliefs, I present the following prayer: 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1405 God, as we gather here today, I pray that your hand guides these men and women through today's proceedings; that you give them the patience, diligence, and humility in the decisions and actions they make today. God, I thank you for all those that have taken the time to be here today to help guide this process forward and whose hard work seeks the best for all those here in Alaska. In Jesus' name, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Himschoot. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 120th legislative day and the First Supplement of the First Session be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR The following Governor's proclamation dated July 2 was received: "Under the authority of Article II, Section 9, and Article III, Section 17, Constitution of the State of Alaska, and in the public interest, I call the Thirty-Fourth Legislature of the State of Alaska into its first special session in Juneau, Alaska, in the legislative chambers on August 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., to consider the following subjects: • The creation of a Department of Agriculture • Education Reform Dated this 2nd day of July, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" The following letter dated August 1, was read: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1406 Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting an Executive Order establishing the Alaska Department of Agriculture. Pursuant to my authority under Article III, Section 23 of the Alaska Constitution to make changes in the organization of the Executive Branch and in the assignment of functions among its units, this Order would create a new principal department of the State with authority over agricultural policy. This Order would transfer the powers and duties of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) related to agriculture in Title 3 of the Alaska Statutes to the new Department of Agriculture. The Alaska Board of Agriculture and Conservation would be moved to the new department. The Commissioner of Agriculture would work jointly with the Commissioner of Natural Resources on the classification, leasing, and sale of state agricultural land. Additionally, the order would rename the Alaska Natural Resource Conservation and Development Board and designate the Commissioner of Agriculture as an ex-officio member. This Executive Order will encourage the development of expertise, eliminate duplication of functions, and establish a single point of responsibility for state agriculture policy, enhancing performance and accountability. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following letter of response, dated August 2, which was read by the Chief Clerk, be spread on the journal. Representative Costello objected. The question being: "Shall the letter of response be spread on the journal?" The roll was taken with the following result: Spread Letter of Response on Journal YEAS: 21 NAYS: 19 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1407 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, the letter follows: "Governor Dunleavy: We are returning to you today Executive Order No. 137, which would establish the Department of Agriculture and transfer certain functions of the Department of Natural Resources relating to agriculture to the Department of Agriculture. Under Art. III, Sec. 23 of the Alaska Constitution, an executive order is the appropriate vehicle by which a governor may make changes in the organization of the executive branch or in the assignment of functions among its units which he considers necessary for efficient administration. However, we respectfully decline to accept this Executive Order for consideration by the House and Senate, on the following grounds: 1) Introduction of an executive order during a special session is unprecedented and inconsistent with Art. III, Sec. 23 and other provisions of the Alaska Constitution; Art. III, Sec. 23 allows the legislature up to 60 days of a regular session to consider whether to disapprove an executive order, and the legislature may not be confined to a maximum 30-day special session to consider disapproval of an executive order. 2) The Alaska Constitution does not authorize reissuance of a rejected executive order in the same legislature. The 34th Alaska State Legislature already rejected EO 136, to establish a Department of Agriculture, through SSCR 1, on 3/19/25. Reintroduction of a previously rejected executive order in the same legislative session is contrary to the rules of procedure adopted by the legislature under Art. II, Sec. 12 of the Alaska Constitution. 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1408 3) AS 24.08.210 does not allow transmittal of an executive order during a special session. We encourage you to submit the matter to the Legislature, in the form of a bill, for introduction by the respective Rules Committees next session, where such a measure would receive consideration in each house and go through the normal legislative process. Sincerely, /s/ Senator Gary Stevens Senate President Sincerely, /s/ Representative Bryce Edgmon Speaker of the House" # A Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated July 29 and accompanying letter dated August 2, regarding a July 8 structure fire in the City of Chevak, were received. The declaration and letter were copied to the Finance Committee Co-chairs and are on file in the Chief Clerk's office. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated August 2 was received stating the Senate accepted the invitation to meet in Joint Session in the House Chamber at 1:00 p.m., August 2 for the purpose of considering the Governor's vetoes. A message dated August 2 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 101 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 101 by the Senate Rules Committee: 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1409 Authorizing the Senate and the House of Representatives to recess for a period of more than three days. was read the first time. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adopt SCR 101. The question being: "Shall SCR 101 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 101 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 Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, SCR 101 passed the House and was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk. Representative Stapp gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on SCR 101. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 1001 HOUSE BILL NO. 1001 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to public school enrollment; relating to authorization of charter schools; establishing an after-school literacy grant program; and authorizing lump sum payments for certain teachers as retention and recruitment incentives." 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1410 was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, 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 The Governor's transmittal letter dated August 1 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to education reform. The bill would expand enrollment options, authorize the State Board of Education and Early Development (Board) to approve charter schools, create an after-school literacy tutoring grant program, and provide recruitment and retention incentives for teachers. This bill opens Alaska’s public schools to all students by authorizing statewide open enrollment and expanding opportunities for new charter schools. Open enrollment would allow families to seek placement for their children in any public school, whether inside or outside their home district, subject to school capacity, regulations, and permitted preference policies. As for charter school expansion, the bill would require the Board to prescribe a process for the establishment of a charter school in any school district in the State by application to the Board. The bill would also establish a literacy grant program, which would authorize DEED to provide grants to school districts for after-school literacy tutoring services. The Department would be directed to adopt regulations to implement and administer the program, including provisions for the award of grants and evaluation of the funded tutoring services. The total amount of grants awarded under the new law would be capped at $10,000,000 per fiscal year. 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1411 Finally, the bill would provide for a recruitment and retention incentive payment to full-time teachers over the next three fiscal years, with higher amounts for schools in harder-to-staff locations. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 1002 HOUSE BILL NO. 1002 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to demonstration state-tribal education compacts; relating to demonstration state-tribal education compact schools; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development 2. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development/Fund Capitalization The Governor's transmittal letter dated August 1 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill establishing a pilot program for demonstration State-Tribal Education Compact (STEC) schools. Senate Bill 34 (2022) directed the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) to negotiate a demonstration state-tribal education compact with federally recognized tribes and tribal 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1412 organizations and to submit a report to the legislature relating to the demonstration state-tribal education compact and state-tribal education compact schools. On January 31, 2024, DEED submitted its State Tribal Education Compact Schools Demonstration Legislative Report, based on its negotiations with five federally recognized tribes or tribal organizations that applied to participate: Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, the Ketchikan Indian Community, the Knik Tribe, and the King Island Native Community in partnership with the Village of Solomon. This bill takes the next step in launching STEC schools in Alaska by setting up a five-year pilot program for the five participating tribes and tribal organizations to enter education compacts with DEED for the establishment of tribally operated Alaska public schools. The bill designates mandatory subjects that must be addressed in each compact but allows DEED and the participating tribes and tribal organizations to negotiate the details of each mandatory provision based on their individual needs and circumstances. Demonstration STEC schools may be funded by the legislature as if they were schools in a regional education attendance area. Participating tribes and tribal organizations must report on student data and enrollment at their demonstration STEC schools to DEED on an annual basis and DEED will provide that information to the legislature in its annual progress reports. At the completion of the pilot program, DEED will provide a written report to the legislature summarizing the student data over the entire project period. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 1003 HOUSE BILL NO. 1003 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1413 "An Act relating to tax credits for contributions to public schools and programs operated by tribal entities or tribally empowered Alaska Native organizations through a compact with the state; relating to tax credits for contributions to state- funded literacy programs; relating to the insurance tax education credit, the income tax education credit, the oil or gas producer education credit, the property tax education credit, the mining business education credit, the fisheries business education credit, and the fisheries resource landing tax education credit; 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. Indeterminate, Dept. of Revenue 3. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development/Fund Capitalization The Governor's transmittal letter dated August 1 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to tax credits for contributions to public schools and programs operated by tribal entities or tribally empowered Alaska Native organizations through a compact with the state and tax credits for contributions to state-funded literacy programs. This bill would extend tax credits to new qualifying contributions under the insurance tax education credit, the income tax education credit, the oil or gas producer education credit, the property tax education credit, the mining business education credit, the fisheries business education credit, and the fisheries resource landing tax education credit. By leveraging private donations through tax incentives, this legislation creates a durable funding stream for tribal-compact schools and improves statewide literacy outcomes. 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1414 I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 53 The engrossed and enrolled copies of the following were transmitted to Emily Nauman, Director of Legal Services: CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 53(brf sup maj fld H) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." Chapter No. 10, SLA 2025 ANNOUNCEMENTS House committee schedules are published under separate cover. ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., August 19. There was objection. The question being: "Shall the House adjourn until 10:00 a.m., August 19?" The roll was taken with the following result: Adjourn to 10:00 a.m., August 19 YEAS: 21 NAYS: 19 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-08-02 House Journal Page 1415 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, the House adjourned at 3:25 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk