Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-03-16 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1851 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 16, 2026 Fifty-sixth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:41 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Allard be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Fred La Plante of the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. 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 prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of public service and for each representative gathered in this chamber today. On this fifty-sixth day of the session, as they stand at the halfway point of their work, grant them renewed strength for what still lies ahead. Give them wisdom that is steady, humility that is teachable, and courage that is anchored in what is right. Guard them from weariness of body, criticalness of spirit, and discouragement of heart. Help them to listen carefully, speak truthfully, and labor faithfully for the good of all Alaskans. 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1852 As we remember this date in Alaska’s history, when Treadwell on Douglas Island was incorporated and communities were being built through vision, sacrifice, and hard work, remind these leaders that they too are helping shape the life of this state for generations to come. Bless them with clarity in debate, integrity in decision- making, and grace toward one another. May their service be marked by diligence, fairness, and a sincere desire for the common good. In Your name I pray, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Bynum. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 52nd, 53rd, 54th, and 55th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A letter dated March 13 was read stating that, in accordance with AS 39.05.080 and art. III, secs. 26 and 27, Constitution of the State of Alaska, the Governor submits the following name for legislative confirmation of appointment to the position noted. The Speaker referred the following to the Labor & Commerce Committee: Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board Lake Williams – Fairbanks Appointed: 5/14/2014 Term Expired: 1/19/2015 Reappointed: 1/19/2015 Term Expired: 3/1/2017 Reappointed: 3/1/2017 Term Expired: 3/1/2020 Reappointed: 3/1/2020 Term Expired: 3/10/2023 Reappointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expired: 3/1/2026 Reappointed: 3/12/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 A resume for the appointment is on file in the Chief Clerk's office. 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1853 MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HCR 11 A message dated March 13 was read stating the Senate passed: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm. HCR 11 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. 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. 13 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 17. The following was received: Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Annual Report FFY 2025 (as required by 42 U.S.C. 3058) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HJR 28 The Education Committee considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 28 Calling on the United States Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Elam, Dibert, Schwanke, Underwood, Eischeid, Himschoot, Story 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1854 The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Legislative Agency HJR 28 was referred to the Judiciary Committee. HJR 38 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38 Urging the United States Congress to recognize public safety telecommunicators as first responders; and urging the United States Congress to pass the Enhancing First Response Act. The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Frier, Coulombe, Carrick, D. Nelson, Fields, Hall The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Legislative Agency HJR 38 was referred to the Rules Committee. HJR 39 The Education Committee considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 39 Urging the federal government to waive the new H-1B Visa fees for teachers in the state. The report was signed by Representatives Story and Himschoot, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Eischeid, Underwood, Dibert, Schwanke, Story, Himschoot Amend (1): Elam 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1855 The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Legislative Agency HJR 39 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 221 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 221 "An Act establishing June 21 as Alaska Arts and Culture Day; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 221(STA) "An Act establishing the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Holland, Story, Carrick No recommendation (1): Himschoot The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 221(STA): 1. Zero, Office of the Governor/Combined HB 221 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 316 The Judiciary Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 316 "An Act adjusting for inflation the limit for damages for losses that may be awarded for a personal injury or wrongful death." The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1856 Do pass (3): Mina, Eischeid, Gray No recommendation (2): Underwood, Vance The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration 2. Zero, Alaska Judiciary System HB 316 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - John Shively By Representatives McCabe, Costello, Fields Honoring - Lori Wing-Heier By Representatives McCabe, Fields, Stutes Honoring - Dan Polta By Representative McCabe; Senator Cronk Honoring - Joseph J. Kim By Senator Tilton Honoring - Fire Chief Chad Heineken By Senator Myers; Representatives Prax, Tomaszewski Honoring - Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen By Senator Myers; Representatives Mears, Carrick Honoring - University of Alaska Fairbanks Native Arts Center, 60th Anniversary By Senator Myers; Representatives Dibert, Jimmie Honoring - The United States Declaration of Independence, 250th Anniversary By Senators Myers, Tilton; Representative Allard 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1857 In Memoriam - Brenda Itta-Lee By Representative Frier; Senator Olson In Memoriam - Dr. John Alden By Senator Myers; Representatives Schwanke, Tomaszewski In Memoriam - Dr. Edmond "Ed" Packee By Senator Myers; Representatives Schwanke, Tomaszewski In Memoriam - Dr. Theresa Hollingsworth By Senator Myers; Representatives Schwanke, Tomaszewski In Memoriam - Jenae Campanelli By Senator Myers; Representatives Stapp, Tomaszewski INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 44 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 44 by the House Resources Committee: Supporting the ability of Alaska Native corporations and entities owned by federally recognized tribes in the state to participate in the United States Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 379 HOUSE BILL NO. 379 by the House State Affairs Committee by request, entitled: "An Act relating to service areas; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community & Regional Affairs and State Affairs Committees. 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1858 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR 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 - Lillyanne "Ruby" Tansy By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Dibert Honoring - Brandon Pili By Senator Claman; Representative Frier Honoring - Timothy "Tim" La Porte By Senator Olson; Representatives McCabe, Foster Honoring - Charles Edward Cole By Senator Olson; Representatives Foster, Saddler Honoring - Dennis & Maggie Gladwin By Senator Olson; Representative Foster In Memoriam - Robert John "Bob" Stickney By Representative Schwanke; Senator Cronk In Memoriam - Janet Halvarson By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Prax In Memoriam - Superior Court Judge Robert Downes By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Prax In Memoriam - Patrick "Pat" Shields By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Ruffridge In Memoriam - Sherise Jackson By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Ruffridge In Memoriam - John "Skip" Dove Jr. By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Ruffridge 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1859 UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 289 Representative Johnson, citing Uniform Rule 18, moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be withdrawn from the Rules Committee and placed under Unfinished Business for the next legislative day: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 289(FIN)(brf sup maj fld) "An Act making appropriations, including supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date." Representative Kopp objected. Representative Ruffridge rose to a point of order regarding impugning the motives of members of the body. Representative Stutes rose to a point of order regarding citation of rules when rising to a point of order. The Speaker directed members to observe proper decorum, cite the rules when rising to a point of order, and confine their remarks to the motion before the body. Representative McCabe, citing Section 92 of Mason's Manual, rose to a point of order regarding interrupting a member speaking. The Speaker noted his duty to maintain decorum and orderly proceedings. Representative Stutes, citing Section 122 of Mason's Manual, rose to a point of order regarding impugning the motives of members of the body. The Speaker cautioned members to refrain from impugning the motives of others. 2026-03-16 House Journal Page 1860 The question being: "Shall CSHB 289(FIN)(brf sup maj fld) be withdrawn from the Rules Committee and placed under Unfinished Business for the next legislative day?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 289(FIN)(brf sup maj fld) Withdraw Bill from Rules Committee Available Next Legislative Day YEAS: 18 NAYS: 21 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: 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 Excused: Allard And so, the motion failed. HJR 39 Representative Hall added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 39 Urging the federal government to waive the new H-1B Visa fees for teachers in the state. 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 18. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk