Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-11 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1593 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 11, 2026 Twenty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:50 a.m. Roll call showed 40 members present. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Gordon Blue (Retired) of Holy Trinity Episcopal 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 the deepest respect for the religious beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following prayers: Creator of life, redeemer of the afflicted, and spirit of grace, in Psalm 82, appointed for this day, you instruct us, Rescue the weak and the poor, deliver them from the power of the wicked. Let us pray. In this season, the Epiphany, the northern infancy of light, we celebrate our homes and ask your blessing upon them. Let the mighty power of justice be present in this place, the house of those representing the people of Alaska. Make this the home of blessings for all Alaskans, banish from it every unclean spirit, cleanse it from every residue of evil, and illuminate it with the light of your wisdom. 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1594 Sovereign Lord, you are alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. Send your servants out from this place on many errands, be their constant companion and welcome them upon their return, so that coming and going they may be sustained by your presence. Visit, O blessed Lord, this house with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who work here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your respect to each other and to all whose lives they touch. Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst, says the Lord. Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative G. Nelson. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 21st and 22nd legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * The Speaker stated that the House would stand at ease to allow members of the Senate to enter the House Chamber; and so, the House stood at ease at 10:54 a.m. AFTER AT EASE The Speaker called the House back to order at 11:08 a.m. JOINT SESSION IN THE HOUSE In accordance with Uniform Rule 51, Speaker Edgmon turned the gavel over to President Stevens who called the joint session to order at 11:08 a.m. 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1595 The purpose of the joint session was to hear the State of the Judiciary Address by the Honorable Susan M. Carney, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. There being no objection, it was so ordered. President Stevens appointed Representative Fields and Senator Tobin to escort the Honorable Susan M. Carney to the joint session. The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms announced the Chief Justice's entrance into the House Chamber. The Chief Justice was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Stevens and Speaker Edgmon. The Chief Justice delivered her address, and it is published in Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 13. The Chief Justice received a standing ovation and was escorted from the Chamber by Representative Fields and Senator Tobin. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent that the joint session adjourn. There being no objection, President Stevens adjourned the joint session at 11:46 a.m. The Speaker ordered the House at ease to allow members of the Senate to leave the Chamber. IN THE HOUSE The Speaker called the House back to order at 1:03 p.m. * * * * * Representative Story introduced Chisel Triezenberg and Walther Wesley Jim, Guest Pages, from Haines. 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1596 MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A message dated February 9 was read stating that on January 22 in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution and Alaska Statue 39.05.080, the Governor submitted a list of appointees for confirmation. The following appointee is withdrawn from consideration, effective immediately: Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners Chad Scott – Wasilla Appointed: 6/11/2025 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment had been referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee (page 1494). MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated February 9, was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 12 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 by Senator Stevens: Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm; and approving an amended financing plan. was read the first time and taken up as a Special Order of Business. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS SCR 12 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be taken up as a Special Order of Business: 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1597 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm; and approving an amended financing plan. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The question being: "Shall SCR 12 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 12 Final Passage Special Order of Business YEAS: 22 NAYS: 18 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Stapp, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, St. Clair, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, SCR 12 passed the House, was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and returned to the Senate. COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Commercial Passenger Vessel Excise Tax Report FY 2016-2025 January 2026 (as required by AS 43.52.260) Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Annual Report 2025 FY 2025 Trust Grant Investments Report (as required by AS 44.25.250) 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1598 INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Beth Rose By Representatives Mina, Kopp; Senator Giessel In Memoriam - Howard Paul Campbell By Representative Johnson In Memoriam - Ronald Gove "Ron" Arvin By Senators Tilton, Rauscher; Representative St. Clair In Memoriam - John Bruce Bush By Senator Tilton; Representative Johnson INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 31 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 31 by Representative Fields: Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to whose rights are protected under the Constitution and prohibiting corporate contributions and expenditures in state and local elections. was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary, State Affairs, and Finance Committees. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 300 HOUSE BILL NO. 300 by Representative Hannan, entitled: "An Act relating to a meals and incidental expense allowance for state officials and employees; and providing for an effective date." 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1599 was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. HB 301 HOUSE BILL NO. 301 by Representative Galvin, entitled: "An Act relating to and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. HB 302 HOUSE BILL NO. 302 by Representative Hall, entitled: "An Act relating to travel insurance." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR HOUSE BILLS IN SECOND READING HB 110 The following, which was held in second reading from the February 9 calendar (page 1586), was before the House: HOUSE BILL NO. 110 am "An Act relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; and providing for an effective date." Amendment No. 2 was offered by Representative Tomaszewski: Amendment No. 2 was published in House Journal Supplement No. 11. Representative Tomaszewski moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 2 be adopted. Representative Gray objected. Representative Carrick, citing Section 121 of Mason's Manual, rose to a point of order regarding impugning the motives of others. 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1600 The Speaker cautioned members to use diligence in refraining from impugning the motives of others. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 2 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 110 am Second Reading Amendment No. 2 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes And so, Amendment No. 2 was not adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 110 am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HB 110 am was read the third time. The question being: "Shall HB 110 am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 110 am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 40 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 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 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1601 And so, HB 110 am 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 110 am was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 29 The following was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29 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, 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. with the: Journal Page FSH RPT CS(FSH) NEW TITLE 5DP 1554 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 1554 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original resolution: 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 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1602 maintain and strengthen federal measures that ensure fair trade, protect the state's seafood industry, and promote sustainable and ethical seafood production. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Stutes: Page 1, line 11: Delete "$15,000,000" Insert "$15,000,000,000" Representative Stutes moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHJR 29(FSH) am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHJR 29(FSH) am was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CSHJR 29(FSH) am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHJR 29(FSH) am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 40 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 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, CSHJR 29(FSH) am passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1603 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 - Girl Scout Troop 436 By Senator Tobin; Representatives Hall, Mina In Memoriam - Andy Elliott Fullbright By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam - Darwin "Dar" Ralph Walter By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam - Lieutenant Colonel Glen G. "Bud" Irwin By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears 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 Stutes – from 7:30 a.m., February 13 to 1:00 p.m., February 15 HB 41 Representative Gray removed as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 41 "An Act relating to daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." HB 147 Representatives Moore and Underwood added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 147 "An Act relating to the practice of naturopathy." 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1604 HB 152 Representative Fields added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 152 "An Act establishing an education tax on the income of individuals, partners, shareholders in S corporations, trusts, and estates; repealing tax credits applied against the tax on individuals under the Alaska Net Income Tax Act; and providing for an effective date." HB 229 Representative Gray added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 229 "An Act exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." HB 244 Representative Costello added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 244 "An Act relating to certified nurse aide training; and providing for an effective date." HB 250 Representative Mina added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 250 "An Act establishing the crime of wearing a mask in public while acting as a peace officer; and providing for an effective date." HB 295 Representative Himschoot added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 295 "An Act relating to allowable absences for eligibility for a permanent fund dividend; and providing for an effective date." 2026-02-11 House Journal Page 1605 ENGROSSMENT HJR 29 CSHJR 29(FSH) am was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 110 HB 110 am 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. The following meetings today were changed: Finance Committee CANCELED Judiciary Committee CHANGED TO: 15 min. after adjournment Labor & Commerce Committee CHANGED TO: 15 min. after adjournment Resources Committee CANCELED ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., February 13. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 4:10 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk