Legislature(2025 - 2026)

2026-02-27 House Journal

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2026-02-27                     House Journal                      Page 1745
                                                                                                                                
                             HOUSE JOURNAL                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                       ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                       THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                            SECOND SESSION                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                   Friday             February 27, 2026                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                           Thirty-ninth Day                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker                                                                
Edgmon at 10:34 a.m.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Foster had been                                                             
excused from a call of the House today.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Charles Ensminger                                                            
of ?unéix_ Hídi Northern Light United Church.  Representative Story                                                             
moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on                                                              
the journal.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    In deepest respect for the religious beliefs of each person here,                                                           
   I invite you into a time of prayer and reflection.  Let us pray:                                                            
                                                                                                                                
    Creator God, I pray for your guidance for these lawmakers                                                                   
    during these challenging times. Strengthen their resolve so                                                                 
    that, in the face of that which seems overwhelming, they will                                                               
    not be discouraged in their work.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
    I pray that you will guide them through their deliberations,                                                                
    their conversations, and in the tasks that are ever before them.                                                            
    May they face difficulties with fortitude, their duties with                                                                
    fidelity, and in all things gratitude for the opportunity to                                                                
    serve.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    I pray you will shield them from harm. I pray also for the                                                                  
    staff, the pages, and all in this building. Watch over them,                                                                
    enliven their work, and uphold them in your mercy. I pray for                                                               

2026-02-27                     House Journal                      Page 1746
    the state of Alaska, for our nation, and for our world. This I                                                             
    pray to you, Creator God. Amen.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative St. Clair.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                     CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the                                                                  
journal for the 37th and 38th 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 Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing                                                                  
2026 Military Courtesy Licensing Biennial Report                                                                                
(as required by AS 08.01.063)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Dept. of Education & Early Development                                                                                          
School Capital Project Funding                                                                                                  
(as required by AS 14.11.035)                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                    REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HJR 23                                                                                                                        
The State Affairs Committee considered:                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 23                                                                                               
    Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of                                                                  
    Alaska requiring the governor to submit a balanced budget to the                                                            
    legislature.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the                                                                
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (4):  McCabe, St. Clair, Himschoot, Carrick                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (1):  Holland                                                                                                 

2026-02-27                     House Journal                      Page 1747
Amend (1):  Vance                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Office of the Governor                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HJR 23 was referred to the Judiciary Committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 303                                                                                                                        
The Transportation Committee considered:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 303                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to the registration and titling of legally imported                                                        
    motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date."                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Co-chair, with the                                                             
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (5):  G. Nelson, Stutes, St. Clair, McCabe, Carrick                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1. Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 303 was referred to the State Affairs Committee.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                     REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 304                                                                                                                        
The House Special Committee on Fisheries considered:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 304                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to the duties of the commissioner of fish and                                                              
    game; establishing the sport fishing angler access account;                                                                 
    establishing the sport fishing angler access surcharge; and                                                                 
    providing for an effective date."                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
and recommends it be replaced with:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 304(FSH)                                                                                              
    (same title)                                                                                                                

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The report was signed by Representative Stutes, Chair, with the                                                                 
following individual recommendations:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Do pass (5):  Vance, Himschoot, Elam, McCabe, Stutes                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
No recommendation (1):  Edgmon                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Amend (1):  Kopp                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 304(FSH):                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1. Fiscal, Dept. of Fish & Game                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 304 was referred to the Finance Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                       INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules                                                               
Committee for placement on the calendar:                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Interior Grappling Academy & Student Wrestler                                                                        
Development Program                                                                                                             
By Representatives Tomaszewski, Prax; Senator Myers                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Tyler Aklestad & Nick Olstad (Team 7), 2026 Iron Dog                                                                 
Champions                                                                                                                       
By Senators Tilton, Rauscher                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Melissa & Mark Hortman                                                                                            
By Senators Tobin, Dunbar; Representative Josephson                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                  CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                     THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 47                                                                                                                         
The following, which was advanced to third reading from the                                                                     
February 25 calendar (page 1736), was read the third time:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 47(JUD) am                                                                                            
    "An Act relating to distribution of a forged digital likeness;                                                              

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    relating to crime and criminal procedure; relating to distribution of                                                       
    a generated sexual depiction; relating to generated obscene child                                                           
    sexual abuse material; relating to teaching certificates; relating to                                                       
    licensing of school bus drivers; relating to civil penalties for an                                                         
    organization that facilitates the generation of child sexual abuse                                                          
    material; relating to social media and minors; and providing for an                                                         
    effective date."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The question being:  "Shall CSHB 47(JUD) am pass the House?"  The                                                               
roll was taken with the following result:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 47(JUD) am                                                                                                                 
Third Reading                                                                                                                   
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  39   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  1   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Allard, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon,                                                              
Eischeid, Elam, Fields, 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                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Excused:  Foster                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
And so, CSHB 47(JUD) 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.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 47(JUD) am was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 184                                                                                                                        
The following, which was advanced to third reading from the                                                                     
February 25 calendar (page 1720), was read the third time:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 184(CRA)                                                                                              
    "An Act relating to financing by the Alaska Industrial                                                                      
    Development and Export Authority for workforce housing                                                                      
    development projects."                                                                                                      

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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 Tomaszewski – from today to 10:00 a.m., March 10                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The question being:  "Shall CSHB 184(CRA) pass the House?"  The                                                                 
roll was taken with the following result:                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
CSHB 184(CRA)                                                                                                                   
Third Reading                                                                                                                   
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  23   NAYS:  15   EXCUSED:  2   ABSENT:  0                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Frier,                                                                 
Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson,                                                                
Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Saddler, Schrage, Story, Stutes                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Allard, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, McCabe, Moore, D.Nelson,                                                               
G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Underwood,                                                               
Vance                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Excused:  Foster, Tomaszewski                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
And so, CSHB 184(CRA) passed the House and was referred to the                                                                  
Chief Clerk for engrossment.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               * * * * *                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kopp requested that members stand for a moment of                                                                
silence to honor the life of Representative Craig Johnson.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                          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 Saddler – from:                                                                                                  
 11:15 a.m., March 13 to 10:30 p.m., March 15                                                                                   
 7:30 a.m., April 2 to 10:30 p.m., April 6                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                

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HB 47                                                                                                                         
Representatives Galvin and Josephson added as cosponsors to:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
    CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 47(JUD) am                                                                                            
    "An Act relating to distribution of a forged digital likeness;                                                              
    relating to crime and criminal procedure; relating to distribution of                                                       
    a generated sexual depiction; relating to generated obscene child                                                           
    sexual abuse material; relating to teaching certificates; relating to                                                       
    licensing of school bus drivers; relating to civil penalties for an                                                         
    organization that facilitates the generation of child sexual abuse                                                          
    material; relating to social media and minors; and providing for an                                                         
    effective date."                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 157                                                                                                                        
Representative Frier added as a cosponsor to:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 157                                                                                                          
    "An Act relating to the effect of a decree of adoption or                                                                   
    termination of parental rights on the legal relationship between a                                                          
    person and the person's siblings; and providing for an effective                                                            
    date."                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 161                                                                                                                        
Representative Moore 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 299                                                                                                                        
Representatives Allard and Gray added as cosponsors to:                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
    HOUSE BILL NO. 299                                                                                                          
    "An Act creating a veteran sentencing program; relating to release                                                          
    procedures; amending Rules 35 and 43, Alaska Rules of Criminal                                                              
    Procedure; and providing for an effective date."                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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                              ENGROSSMENT                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HB 47                                                                                                                         
CSHB 47(JUD) am was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief                                                                  
Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
HB 184                                                                                                                        
CSHB 184(CRA) 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., March 2. There being no objection,                                                              
the House adjourned at 12:00 p.m.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                           Crystaline Jones                                                                     
                                           Chief Clerk