Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-03-18 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1865 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 18, 2026 Fifty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:39 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative D. Nelson had been excused from a call of the House today. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 289 Representative Stutes moved and asked unanimous consent to suspend Uniform Rule 18 to withdraw the following from the Rules Committee and place it before the House today: 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." with the Senate amendment: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 289(FIN) am S "An Act making supplemental appropriations; capitalizing funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." There was objection. 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1866 The question being: "Shall the House suspend Uniform Rule 18?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 289(FIN)(brf sup maj fld) Suspend Uniform Rule(s)18 YEAS: 39 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 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, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: D.Nelson And so, the motion passed. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House consider the Senate message (page 1833) on the following which was returned to the Rules Committee (page 1841): 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." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 289(FIN) am S "An Act making supplemental appropriations; capitalizing funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw the previous motion. There being no objection, it was so ordered. CSHB 289(FIN)(brf sup maj fld) is under unfinished business. 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1867 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, I thank you for these representatives and for the responsibility they carry on behalf of the people of Alaska. In the middle of long days, important debates, and weighty decisions, grant them patience, wisdom, and a spirit that seeks understanding. When conversations become difficult, give them calm minds and gracious hearts. When the work feels heavy, give them perseverance. When the way forward is unclear, give them discernment. Help them listen well, speak carefully, and serve with integrity. As this week draws near the remembrance of March 21, 1913, when Alaska’s first Territorial Legislature extended voting rights to women, remind this body that good government is strengthened when people are heard, dignity is honored, and justice is pursued with courage. And where that progress was still incomplete, give us humility to keep seeking what is right. Bless this house with unity of purpose even in disagreement, with honesty in deliberation, and with wisdom in every choice made for the people of this state. In your name I pray, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Allard. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 56th and 57th legislative days, House Journal Supplement No. 13, and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 17 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1868 MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated March 16 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 211 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 211(L&C) by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; extending the termination date of the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; relating to reports on the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners and the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: Dept. of Health Alaska Commission on Aging SFY 2025 Annual Report (as required by AS 44.29.750 Dept. of Revenue Treasury Division Annual Report on the Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund March 13, 2026 (as required by AS 37.10.430) 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1869 REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Education Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointments be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Pamela Dupras Sally Stockhausen as members of the Board of Education and Early Development. The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co- chairs, and Representatives Eischeid, Underwood, Schwanke, Dibert, and Elam. HB 34 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 34 "An Act establishing the Alaska Innovation Council; and relating to financial disclosures for members of the Alaska Innovation Council." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 34(FIN) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Josephson, Foster, and Schrage, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Galvin, Jimmie, Josephson, Foster, Schrage No recommendation (5): Tomaszewski, Hannan, Stapp, Moore, Bynum The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 34(FIN): 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1870 HB 34 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 216 The Community & Regional Affairs 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 Himschoot and Mears, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Holland, Prax, G. Nelson, St. Clair, Hall, Himschoot, Mears The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 216 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 292 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 292 "An Act relating to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 292(HSS) "An Act relating to insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; relating to medical assistance for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1871 Do pass (3): Fields, Mears, Mina No recommendation (2): Prax, Gray Amend (2): Schwanke, Ruffridge The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 292(HSS): 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 292 was referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up later as a Special Order of Business: Honoring - Tom Panamaroff By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - University of Alaska Anchorage, Institute of Social and Economic Research, 65th Anniversary By Representatives Mears, Gray; Senator Wielechowski Honoring - Dr. Diane Hirshberg By Senators Wielechowski, Giessel; Representative Mears Honoring - Arctic Man, 40th Anniversary By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Carrick Honoring - University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest Campus, 50th Anniversary By Senator Olson; Representative Foster Honoring - Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, 50th Anniversary By Senator Stedman; Representative Bynum 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1872 In Memoriam - Glen Allan Abel By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Stapp In Memoriam - Gail Hattan By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Carrick In Memoriam - Rod Combellick By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Carrick In Memoriam - Donna Krier By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Dibert In Memoriam - Ross Edward Walton By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Carrick INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 380 HOUSE BILL NO. 380 by the House Education Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to funding for residential schools." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, Honoring - Tom Panamaroff, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. There being no objection, the following citation was approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Tom Panamaroff By Senator Stevens; Representative Stutes 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1873 CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS HB 289 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House consider the Senate message (page 1833) on the following which was returned to the Rules Committee (page 1841): 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." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 289(FIN) am S "An Act making supplemental appropriations; capitalizing funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved that the House concur in the Senate amendment and recommended that the members vote no. The question being: "Shall the House concur in the Senate amendment?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 289(FIN) am S Concur YEAS: 19 NAYS: 20 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Gray, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Excused: D.Nelson 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1874 And so, the House failed to concur in the Senate amendment. The Chief Clerk notified the Senate and respectfully requested it to recede. In the event the Senate fails to recede from its amendment, the Speaker appointed the following members to a Conference Committee to meet with a like committee from the Senate to consider the bills: Representative Josephson, Chair Representative Schrage Representative Stapp CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 39 The following was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 39 Urging the federal government to waive the new H-1B Visa fees for teachers in the state. with the: Journal Page EDC RPT 6DP 1AM 1854 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 1854 Amendment No. 1 was offered by Representative Hannan: Page 1, line 11: Delete "each year" Page 2, line 17: Delete "Kristi Noem," Insert "Markwayne Mullin, Acting" Representative Hannan moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 1 be adopted. 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1875 Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. Amendment No. 2 was offered by Representative Bynum: Page 1, lines 13-14: Delete all material and insert: “WHEREAS, a significant number of international educators are employed in schools across Alaska under federal visa programs; and” Representative Bynum moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 2 be adopted. Representative Galvin objected. Representative Bynum moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 2 There being no objection, it was so ordered. Amendment No. 3 was offered by Representative Bynum: Page 2, lines 2-3: Delete all material and insert: “WHEREAS, ongoing teacher vacancies across the state have affected thousands of students, particularly in rural and remote communities where staffing challenges are most severe; and” Representative Bynum moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 3 be adopted. Objection was heard and withdrawn. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 3 was adopted. Amendment Nos. 4 and 5 were not offered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR 39 am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. HJR 39 am will advance to third reading on the March 20 calendar. 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1876 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 - John Shively By Representatives McCabe, Costello; Senator Cronk 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 Carrick, Mears 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 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 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1877 In Memoriam - Dr. Theresa Hollingsworth By Senator Myers; Representatives Schwanke, Tomaszewski In Memoriam - Jenae Campanelli By Senator Myers; Representatives Stapp, Tomaszewski 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 Elam – from 11:54 a.m., March 18 to 10:00 p.m., March 22. HJR 39 Representatives Frier, Mears, Eischeid, Story, Gray, Josephson, Fields, Saddler, and Kopp added as cosponsors to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 39 am Urging the federal government to waive the new H-1B Visa fees for teachers in the state. HB 3 Representative Tomaszewski added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 3 "An Act relating to convening the legislature in Anchorage; relating to the regulation of lobbying; relating to annual student guests of the legislature; relating to locations of sessions of the legislature; relating to the Legislative Ethics Act; relating to the relocation of functions of state government; and providing for an effective date." HB 52 Representative Jimmie added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 52 "An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the use of 2026-03-18 House Journal Page 1878 seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report published by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective date." HB 278 Representative Bynum added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 278 "An Act establishing the Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission; and providing for an effective date." HB 307 Representative Tomaszewski added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 307 "An Act relating to court-ordered compensatory visitation with a child; and providing for an effective date." HB 363 Representative Saddler added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 363 "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; relating to the sale or dispensing of alcoholic beverages by patriotic organizations; and providing for an effective date." 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 20. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:11 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk