Legislature(2025 - 2026)

2026-02-02 House Journal

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2026-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 1539
                                                                                                                                
                             HOUSE JOURNAL                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                       ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                       THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                            SECOND SESSION                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                   Monday               February 2, 2026                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                            Fourteenth Day                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                                                
Edgmon at 10:34 a.m.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Roll call showed 40 members present.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Greg White of                                                                
First Baptist Church. Representative Story moved and asked                                                                      
unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal.  There                                                          
being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    Having respect for all cultures of Alaskans, I pray according                                                               
    to my faith:                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
    Heavenly Father,                                                                                                            
    In Jesus’ name, I come to you lifting up all members of the                                                                 
    Alaskan House of Representatives. I pray you grace them                                                                     
    with everything they need to well represent Alaska. Help                                                                    
    them to resolve differences and find unity where possible. I                                                                
    ask you fill them with the knowledge of your will in all                                                                    
    wisdom and spiritual understanding that they, setting aside                                                                 
    themselves, do those things best for Alaska and the United                                                                  
    States of America.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
    I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative McCabe.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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                     CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                  
journal for the 11th, 12th, and 13th 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 Administration                                                                                                         
Division of Finance                                                                                                             
2025 Compensation and Travel Report of Executive Positions                                                                      
(as required by AS 37.05.210)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Administration                                                                                                         
Division of Risk Management                                                                                                     
FY 2026 Report                                                                                                                  
(as required by AS 37.05.287)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                            
Alaska Regional Development Organizations                                                                                       
FY 2025 Annual Report                                                                                                           
(as required by AS 44.33.896)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                            
Division of Investments                                                                                                         
State Loan, Reinstatements, and Fisheries Enhancement Term                                                                      
Extensions                                                                                                                      
2025 Combined Annual Report                                                                                                     
(as required by AS 37.05.035, 16.10.350, and 16.10.510)                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Corrections                                                                                                            
Interstate Compact Commission                                                                                                   
2025 Annual Report                                                                                                              
(as required by AS 33.36.135)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education                                                                                    
Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                                                          
Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development                                                                                          
University of Alaska                                                                                                            
2026 Alaska Performance Scholarship Outcomes Report                                                                             
(as required by AS 14.43.840)                                                                                                   

2026-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 1541
Dept. of Environmental Conservation                                                                                             
Alaska Drinking Water and Clean Water Funds                                                                                     
Annual Loan Fund Report                                                                                                         
FY 2025                                                                                                                         
(as required by AS 37.05.035 and 46.03.032)                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                            
Division of Wildlife Conservation                                                                                               
Board of Game Allocation of Big Game Hunting Opportunities                                                                      
January 31, 2026                                                                                                                
(as required by AS 16.05.050)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                                      
Carbon Offset Program                                                                                                           
2025 Annual Report                                                                                                              
(as required by AS 38.95.450)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                                      
Division of Oil & Gas                                                                                                           
5-Year Program of Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sales &                                                                            
Gas-Only Lease Sales                                                                                                            
February 1, 2026                                                                                                                
(as required by AS 38.05.180)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                                      
Division of Oil & Gas                                                                                                           
Carbon Storage Licensing and Leasing Program                                                                                    
2025 Annual Report                                                                                                              
(as required by AS 38.05.735)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                    REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 47                                                                                                                         
The Judiciary Committee considered:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 47                                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to crime and criminal procedure; relating to                                                               
    generated obscene child sexual abuse material; relating to the                                                              
    powers of district judges and magistrates; relating to teaching                                                             
    certificates; and relating to licensing of school bus drivers."                                                             

2026-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 1542
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 47(JUD)                                                                                               
    "An Act relating to crime and criminal procedure; relating to                                                               
    generated obscene child sexual abuse material; relating to teaching                                                         
    certificates; and relating to licensing of school bus drivers."                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair, with the                                                                   
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (7):  Underwood, Eischeid, Vance, Costello, Mina, Kopp,                                                                 
Gray                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 47(JUD):                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
7. Zero, Dept. of Public Safety                                                                                                 
8. Zero, Dept. of Law                                                                                                           
9. Zero, Dept. of Family & Community Services                                                                                   
10. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                                                
11. Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                                               
12. Zero, Alaska Judiciary System                                                                                               
13. Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
HB 47 was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                       INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following citation was introduced and referred to the Rules                                                                 
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - University of Alaska Anchorage, 25th Anniversary of the                                                              
Center for Community Engagement & Learning                                                                                      
By Representatives Mina, Gray, Eischeid                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
              INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE                                                                     
                            OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 288                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 288 by Representative Fields, entitled:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                

2026-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 1543
    "An Act relating to the local contribution made by a city or                                                                
    borough school district; and providing for an effective date."                                                             
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance                                                               
Committees.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
                  CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                     HOUSE BILLS IN SECOND READING                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 39                                                                                                                         
The following, which was read the second time and returned to the                                                               
Rules Committee (page 1260), was before the House in second                                                                     
reading:                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 39(EDC)                                                                                               
    "An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of                                                          
    hearing."                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The Rules Committee submitted the following fiscal note(s):                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that                                                                      
CSHB 39(EDC) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading,                                                                
and placed on final passage.  There being no objection, it was so                                                               
ordered.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 39(EDC) was read the third time.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The question being:  "Shall CSHB 39(EDC) pass the House?"  The                                                                  
roll was taken with the following result:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 39(EDC)                                                                                                                    
Third Reading                                                                                                                   
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  40   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 1544
Yeas:  Allard, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon,                                                              
Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan,                                                              
Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe,                                                                   
Mears, Mina, Moore, D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler,                                                               
Schrage, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski,                                                                
Underwood, Vance                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
And so, CSHB 39(EDC) passed the House and was referred to the                                                                   
Chief Clerk for engrossment.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                         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 - Steve Ribuffo                                                                                                        
By Senators Gray-Jackson, Claman                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Major Anthony April                                                                                                  
By Senators Gray-Jackson, Wielechowski; Representative Kopp                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - The 2026 Alaska Business Hall of Fame Laureates                                                                      
By Senator Claman; Representative Costello                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                          UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                  
following member be excused from a call of the House.  There being                                                              
no objection, the member was excused as noted:                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Representative McCabe – from 5:00 p.m., February 5 to 9:30 a.m.,                                                                
February 9                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 25                                                                                                                         
Representative Carrick added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 25                                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to disposable food service ware; and providing                                                             
    for an effective date."                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                

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HB 39                                                                                                                         
Representatives Schwanke, Vance, D. Nelson, McCabe, Mina, and                                                                   
Josephson added as cosponsors to:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 39(EDC)                                                                                               
    "An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of                                                          
    hearing."                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HB 47                                                                                                                         
Representative St. Clair added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 47                                                                                                           
    "An Act relating to crime and criminal procedure; relating to                                                               
    generated obscene child sexual abuse material; relating to the                                                              
    powers of district judges and magistrates; relating to teaching                                                             
    certificates; and relating to licensing of school bus drivers."                                                             
                                                                                                                                
HB 81                                                                                                                         
Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 81                                                                                                           
    "An Act restricting the release of certain records of convictions;                                                          
    and providing for an effective date."                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 161                                                                                                                        
Representatives Allard, Costello, Underwood, Vance, Tomaszewski,                                                                
McCabe, Prax, and St. Clair added as cosponsors to:                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 161                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to minimum paid sick leave requirements; and                                                               
    providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 278                                                                                                                        
Representative Hall added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 278                                                                                                          
    "An Act establishing the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission; and                                                               
    providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 1546
                              ENGROSSMENT                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB 39                                                                                                                         
CSHB 39(EDC) 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 4.  There being no objection,                                                          
the House adjourned at 11:09 a.m.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                            Crystaline Jones                                                                    
                                            Chief Clerk