Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-04 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1551 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 4, 2026 Sixteenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:37 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. Today, I pray for the mental, physical, social, and spiritual health of all members of the Alaska House of Representatives. May each member be graced by God’s health extended to them. Help them to see clearly, to make the best decisions, and to bring honor to you, Lord, and also to Alaskans all. May your grace and love be reflected by each representative. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Mears. 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1552 CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 14th and 15th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE Messages dated February 2 were read stating the Senate ratified the following public members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Chase Berenson, alternate Deborah Fancher COMMUNICATIONS Letters of disclosure received from the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics, as required by AS 24.60, were published in House Journal Supplement No. 10. The following were received: Alaska Court System 2025 Travel and Compensation Report January 29, 2026 (as required by AS 22.20.037) Dept. of Health FY 2026 Operating Grants (as required by AS 18.25.110) Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development Alaska Labor Relations Agency 2025 Annual Report (as required by AS 23.05.370) Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development Nonresidents Working in Alaska – 2024 February 2026 (as required by AS 36.10.130) 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1553 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 202 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 202 "An Act designating giant cabbage as the official state vegetable; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 202(STA) "An Act designating the O-S Cross cabbage, commonly known as 'giant green cabbage,' as the official state vegetable; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Vance, McCabe, St. Clair, Holland, Himschoot, Story, Carrick The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 202(STA): 1. Zero, Office of the Governor/Combined HB 202 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 216 The Transportation Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 216 "An Act approving the transfer of land owned by the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the City of Whittier; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Eischeid and Carrick, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): G. Nelson, St. Clair, Eischeid 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1554 No recommendation (3): Mina, Stutes, Carrick Amend (1): McCabe The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 216 was referred to the Community & Regional Affairs Committee. HB 243 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 243 "An Act relating to the powers and duties of the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Carrick, Coulombe, Frier, Saddler, D. Nelson, Fields, Hall The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 243 was referred to the Rules Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HJR 29 The House Special Committee on Fisheries considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29 Supporting the extension of the national emergency declared in 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1555 Executive Order 14024; supporting the continued national prohibition on Russian seafood imports effected by Executive Orders 14024, 14066, and 14068; and urging the President of the United States, federal agencies, and the United States Congress to maintain and strengthen federal measures that ensure fair trade, protect the state's seafood industry, and promote sustainable and ethical seafood production. and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29(FSH) Supporting the extension of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024; supporting the continued national prohibition on Russian seafood imports effected by Executive Orders 14024, 14068, and 14114; and urging the President of the United States, federal agencies, and the United States Congress to consider additional measures necessary for prohibiting the importation of Russian seafood into the United States and to maintain and strengthen federal measures that ensure fair trade, protect the state's seafood industry, and promote sustainable and ethical seafood production. The report was signed by Representative Stutes, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Kopp, Himschoot, Elam, McCabe, Stutes The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHJR 29(FSH): 1. Zero, Legislative Affairs Agency HJR 29 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: In Memoriam - Balin Miller By Representative Johnson 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1556 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 10 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10 by Representative Holland: Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to resolutions. was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 289 HOUSE BILL NO. 289 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act making supplemental appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. A spreadsheet from the Office of the Governor, Office of Management and Budget, pertaining to the supplemental requests was submitted. The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 2 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to supplemental appropriations for the State’s operating and capital expenses for fiscal year 2026. This appropriation bill includes the addition of $79.1 million in unrestricted general funds, $8.6 million in designated general funds, $99.0 million in other state funds, $751.8 million in federal funds. 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1557 The items in this supplemental appropriation bill are necessary for continued operations for the current fiscal year. I look forward to working with the Legislature on the timely passage and implementation of these items. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" HB 290 HOUSE BILL NO. 290 by Representative Holland, entitled: "An Act relating to delivery of resolutions by the governor." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 291 HOUSE BILL NO. 291 by Representative Coulombe, entitled: "An Act relating to municipal exemptions from fees for landfills or dumping areas; and relating to optional municipal property tax exemptions." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 292 HOUSE BILL NO. 292 by Representative Coulombe, entitled: "An Act relating to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health & Social Services and Labor & Commerce Committees. HB 293 HOUSE BILL NO. 293 by Representative Fields, entitled: 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1558 "An Act relating to the practice of genetic counseling; relating to the licensure of genetic counselors; establishing the Genetic Counseling Advisory Council; relating to the duties of the State Medical Board; relating to telehealth by licensed genetic counselors; relating to medical malpractice liability of licensed genetic counselors; relating to immunity from civil liability for a licensed genetic counselor providing free health care services; and prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against genetic counselors." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Health & Social Services Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 176 The following was read the second time: 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." with the: Journal Page EDC RPT 5DP 1NR 1AM 1036 FN1: ZERO(UA) 1036 The Rules Committee submitted the following fiscal note(s): 2. Zero, University of Alaska Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 176 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1559 HB 176 will advance to third reading on the February 6 calendar. 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 - University of Alaska Anchorage, 25th Anniversary of the Center for Community Engagement & Learning By Representatives Mina, Gray, Eischeid UNFINISHED BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following members be excused from a call of the House. There being no objection, the members were excused as noted: Representative Dibert – from: noon, February 6 to 9:00 p.m., February 8 6:00 p.m., February 19 to 9:30 p.m., February 22 Representative Frier – from 9:00 a.m., February 6 to 8:00 p.m., February 7 Representative Stapp – from 7:30 a.m., February 19 to 9:30 p.m., February 22 Representative Holland – from 9:00 p.m., February 19 to 9:30 p.m., February 22 HR 6 Representative Johnson added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6 Recognizing and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America; encouraging participation in commemorative events; and encouraging educational institutions to enhance civics education. 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1560 HCR 9 Representative St. Clair added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9 Honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States of America. HB 48 Representative Story added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 48 "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." HB 64 Representative Allard added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 64 "An Act relating to the surrender of infants; and providing for an effective date." HB 151 Representative Frier added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 151 "An Act relating to continuous eligibility for medical assistance for children under six years of age; and providing for an effective date." HB 176 Representative Tomaszewski 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 213 Representative Schwanke added as a cosponsor to: 2026-02-04 House Journal Page 1561 HOUSE BILL NO. 213 "An Act relating to data sharing by the Department of Administration for driver's license data verification purposes; and providing for an effective date." HB 258 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 258 "An Act establishing a statewide spay and neuter assistance fund; establishing the statewide spay and neuter assistance program; relating to municipal control of feral domestic dogs and cats; relating to companion animal spay and neuter special request registration plates; relating to contributions from permanent fund dividends; and providing for an effective date." HB 281 Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 281 "An Act relating to rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents." 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 6. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk