Legislature(2025 - 2026)

2026-01-30 House Journal

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2026-01-30                     House Journal                      Page 1525
                                                                                                                                
                            HOUSE JOURNAL                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                       ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                      THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                            SECOND SESSION                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                   Friday             January 30, 2026                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                             Eleventh Day                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                                                
Edgmon at 10:39 a.m.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Roll call showed 39 members present.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that                                                                      
Representative Jimmie be excused from a call of the House today.                                                                
There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
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 humbly approach your throne, offering praise to you, the                                                                  
    only wise God. To you be glory and honor both now and                                                                       
    forever. I invoke your presence here in this meeting of the                                                                 
    House. May they accomplish the work set before them this                                                                    
    day. Give them courage when needed to address the difficult                                                                 
    issues in a timely manner, casting all their cares upon you, for                                                            
    you care for them.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are                                                                  
    heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”                                                                                     

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     May the Lord give you rest and may his peace that passes all                                                              
       understanding be upon you. May he bless your comings and                                                                
    goings and cause his face to shine upon you.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
    I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Kopp.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                     CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                  
journal for the 9th and 10th legislative days be approved as certified                                                          
by the Chief Clerk.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                            COMMUNICATIONS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following were received:                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                            
Division of Community and Regional Affairs                                                                                      
Local Boundary Commission                                                                                                       
2025 Annual Report to the Legislature                                                                                           
(as required by AS 44.33.812)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                            
Alaska Minerals Commission                                                                                                      
Annual Report                                                                                                                   
January 2026                                                                                                                    
(as required by AS 44.33.431)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Health                                                                                                                 
Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                            
Recidivism Reduction Joint Annual Report                                                                                        
FY 2025                                                                                                                         
(as required by AS 47.38.100)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                                          
2025 Annual Drug Report                                                                                                         
(as required by AS 18.65.085)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                

2026-01-30                     House Journal                      Page 1527
Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities                                                                                     
Alaska Marine Highway System                                                                                                    
Annual Financial Report                                                                                                         
FY 2025                                                                                                                         
(as required by AS 19.65.070)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                    REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 24                                                                                                                         
The Judiciary Committee considered:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 24                                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to aggravating factors considered at sentencing."                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair, with the                                                                   
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (4):  Eischeid, Kopp, Mina, Gray                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (2):  Underwood, Costello                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3. Zero, Dept. of Law                                                                                                           
4. Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 24 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 81                                                                                                                         
The State Affairs Committee considered:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 81                                                                                                           
    "An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions;                                                          
    and providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 81(STA)                                                                                               
    (same title)                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the                                                                
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (6):  McCabe, Holland, St. Clair, Himschoot, Story, Carrick                                                             
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (1):  Vance                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 81(STA):                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Fiscal, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
HB 81 was referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HB 133                                                                                                                        
The State Affairs Committee considered:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    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."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 133(STA)                                                                                              
    "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 technology upgrades at the                                                                
    Department of Health; and providing for an effective date."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the                                                                
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (3):  Holland, Himschoot, Carrick                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                

2026-01-30                     House Journal                      Page 1529
Do not pass (2):  McCabe, St. Clair                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (1):  Vance                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Amend (1):  Story                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 133(STA):                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
14. Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                                               
15. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic                                                                              
 Development                                                                                                                    
16. Zero, Dept. of Family & Community Services                                                                                  
17. Zero, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                  
18. Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
19. Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
20. Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
21. Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
22. Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
23. Zero, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development                                                                                
24. Zero, Dept. of Law                                                                                                          
25. Fiscal, Dept. of Military & Veterans' Affairs                                                                               
26. Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                            
27. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                                
28. Fiscal, Dept. of Health                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 133 was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                      INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following citation was introduced and taken up as a Special Order                                                           
of Business:                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Pete McEnaney                                                                                                        
By Senator Merrick                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules                                                               
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Steve Ribuffo                                                                                                        
By Senators Gray-Jackson, Claman                                                                                                

2026-01-30                     House Journal                      Page 1530
Honoring - Major Anthony April                                                                                                  
By Senators Gray-Jackson, Wielechowski; Representative Kopp                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - The 2026 Alaska Business Hall of Fame Laureates                                                                      
By Senator Claman                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                      SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                  
notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation,                                                                 
Honoring - Pete McEnaney, 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 citation.  There being no objection, the following                                                            
citation was approved and sent to enrolling:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Pete McEnaney                                                                                                        
By Senator Merrick                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                     THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 93                                                                                                                         
The following, which was advanced to third reading from the                                                                     
January 28 calendar (page 1517), was read the third time:                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 93                                                                                                           
    "An Act changing the residency requirements for hunting,                                                                    
    trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and providing for an                                                                
    effective date."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The question being:  "Shall HB 93 pass the House?"  The roll was                                                                
taken with the following result:                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 93                                                                                                                           
Third Reading                                                                                                                   
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  27   NAYS:  12   EXCUSED:  1   ABSENT:  0                                                                              

2026-01-30                     House Journal                      Page 1531
Yeas:  Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster,                                                                
Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Josephson,                                                               
Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, Prax, Saddler, Schrage, Stapp, Story,                                                                 
Stutes, Underwood, Vance                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Allard, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe,                                                                       
D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Ruffridge, Schwanke, St. Clair, Tomaszewski                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Excused:  Jimmie                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
And so, HB 93 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 93 was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                        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:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Tanana Invitational Wrestling Tournament, 50th                                                                       
Anniversary                                                                                                                     
By Representatives Tomaszewski, Stapp; Senator Myers                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                         UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 24                                                                                                                         
Representative Mina added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 24                                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to aggravating factors considered at sentencing."                                                          
                                                                                                                                
HB 81                                                                                                                         
The Speaker added a Finance Committee referral for the following:                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 81                                                                                                           
    "An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions;                                                          
    and providing for an effective date."                                                                                       

2026-01-30                     House Journal                      Page 1532
HB 81 is in the Judiciary Committee with further referral to the                                                                
Finance Committee.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
HB 93                                                                                                                         
Representative Bynum 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 145                                                                                                                        
Representative Prax added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 145                                                                                                          
    "An Act authorizing mobile sports wagering; relating to the                                                                 
    regulation of mobile sports wagering; imposing a tax on mobile                                                              
    sports wagering revenue; relating to criminal history record                                                                
    checks for licensure to operate mobile sports wagering; and                                                                 
    providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 161                                                                                                                        
Representative Bynum added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 161                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements; and                                                               
    providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 176                                                                                                                        
Representative Allard added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 176                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to notice of new fees and fee increases from the                                                           
    University of Alaska; relating to billing statements from the                                                               
    University of Alaska; and providing for an effective date."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 202                                                                                                                        
Representative Underwood added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-01-30                     House Journal                      Page 1533
    HOUSE BILL NO. 202                                                                                                          
    "An Act designating giant cabbage as the official state vegetable;                                                          
    and providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SB 6                                                                                                                          
Representative Story added as a cross sponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 6(EDC)                                                                                               
    "An Act requiring education in the history and contributions of                                                             
    Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                             ENGROSSMENT                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HB 93                                                                                                                         
HB 93 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., February 2.  There being no objection,                                                          
the House adjourned at 11:28 a.m.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                           Crystaline Jones                                                                     
                                           Chief Clerk