Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-01 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2011 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday April 1, 2026 Seventy-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:56 a.m. Roll call showed 39 members present. Representative D. Nelson had been excused from a call of the House today. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Guy Crockroft of Love In The Name of Christ. 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: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for this new day and the honor and privilege of being here to pray in and for the House of Representatives. I’m reminded of the inspired words written by the Apostle Paul in I Timothy, where we are encouraged to offer petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. In accordance with these words, I thank you for each representative. I pray that you would bless them and give them wisdom, compassion, and humility as they work together to help all Alaskans. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen. 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2012 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Elam. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 70th and 71st legislative days and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 18 be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. * * * * * Representative Johnson introduced Evan Licht, Guest Page, from Palmer. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR A message dated March 31 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 The following appointee has withdrawn herself from consideration, effective immediately: Board of Massage Therapists Scherri Hoopes – Fairbanks The appointment had been referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee (page 1494). MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HB 194 A message dated March 30 was read stating the Senate passed: HOUSE BILL NO. 194 "An Act approving and ratifying the sale of royalty oil by the State of Alaska to Marathon Petroleum Supply and Trading Company LLC; and providing for an effective date." 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2013 with the following amendment, and it is transmitted for consideration: SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 194(FIN) am S(efd fld S) "An Act establishing an income tax on certain entities producing or transporting oil or gas in the state; approving and ratifying the sale of royalty oil by the State of Alaska to Marathon Petroleum Supply and Trading Company LLC." SCS HB 194(FIN) am S(efd fld S) is under Unfinished Business. A message dated March 31 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and they are transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SJR 2 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2 by Senators Claman, Stedman, Giessel, Olson, Dunbar, Stevens, Gray-Jackson, and Kawasaki: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto. was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 9 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 9(JUD) by the Senate Judiciary Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to the surrender of infants; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary Committee. 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2014 SB 164 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 164(L&C) by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: "An Act eliminating deductions for the remittance of the motor fuel tax, tobacco taxes, and tire fees; relating to discounts on cigarette stamps; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Finance Committees. SB 180 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 180(L&C) by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to the regulation of liquefied natural gas import facilities by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce Committee. SB 237 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 237(JUD) by the Senate Judiciary Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to data sharing by the Department of Administration for driver's license data verification purposes; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HJR 43 The Judiciary Committee considered: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 43 Affirming the Alaska State Legislature's commitment to voter privacy, election integrity, and the right to vote; expressing 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2015 concern regarding disclosure of confidential voter information to the United States Department of Justice; and urging action to protect voters in the state. and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 43(JUD) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Gray, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Mina, Eischeid, Kopp, Gray No recommendation (3): Costello, Underwood, Vance The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHJR 43(JUD): 1. Zero, Legislative Agency HJR 43 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 155 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 155 "An Act relating to alcohol; relating to local option elections; relating to the statewide database of alcohol purchases; relating to alcohol licenses, endorsements, and permits; relating to municipal regulation and taxation of alcoholic beverages; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Carrick, Saddler, Hall Do not pass (1): Frier No recommendation (2): Coulombe, Fields 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2016 The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 155 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 214 The State Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 214 "An Act relating to proof of financial responsibility for suspension for nonpayment of judgments." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 214(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): St. Clair, Holland, Himschoot, Story, Carrick No recommendation (2): Vance, McCabe The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 214(STA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration HB 214 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 261 The Education Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 261 "An Act relating to education funding; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2017 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 261(EDC) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Dibert, Eischeid, Himschoot, Story Do not pass (1): Schwanke No recommendation (2): Elam, Underwood The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 261(EDC): 1. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development 2. Zero, Dept. of Education & Early Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development 4. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development/Fund Capitalization HB 261 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 329 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 329 "An Act relating to certificates of fitness for employees of an electric utility." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 329(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Frier, Carrick, Hall, Fields No recommendation (2): Coulombe, Saddler 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2018 The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 329(L&C): 1. Zero, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development HB 329 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 377 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 377 "An Act relating to public records; relating to managing and preserving audio and video recordings; and relating to fees for the inspection and copying of public records under the Alaska Public Records Act." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 377(CRA) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Mears and Himschoot, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (2): Prax, Mears No recommendation (1): G. Nelson Amend (4): Holland, St. Clair, Hall, Himschoot The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 377(CRA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Law HB 377 was referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 380 The Education Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 380 "An Act relating to funding for residential schools." 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2019 The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Story, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Dibert, Schwanke, Underwood, Eischeid, Himschoot, Story No recommendation (1): Elam The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development HB 380 was referred to the Finance Committee. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES HB 164 The House Special Committee on Energy considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 164 "An Act relating to a net metering program; relating to reduced rates in the form of credits for consumer-generators; establishing a net metering reimbursement fund; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 164(ENE) "An Act relating to net metering; relating to reduced rates in the form of credits for consumer-generators; establishing a net metering reimbursement fund; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Holland and Mears, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (4): Edgmon, Costello, Holland, Mears No recommendation (1): Johnson Amend (2): Ruffridge, Kopp 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2020 The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 164(ENE): 3. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 4. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 164 was referred to the Finance Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: Honoring - Mary Binkley By Representatives Carrick, Stapp; Senator Giessel Honoring - Jazzlyn John By Representative Schwanke; Senator Cronk Honoring - Grace Christian School, Boys Basketball Team, 4A State Champions By Representatives Kopp, Coulombe In Memoriam - Stephen Boshell Potter By Senator Claman The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Nelson San Juan By Representatives Mina, Kopp; Senator Giessel Honoring - Daniel Bale By Representative Costello Honoring - Barbara Gerard By Senators Rauscher, Tilton; Representative Johnson In Memoriam - Stephen Earle "Coach" Walker By Representative Costello In Memoriam - Ashlee Jane Spann By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Dibert 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2021 SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citations, Honoring - Mary Binkley, Jazzlyn John, and Grace Christian School, Boys Basketball Team, 4A State Champions, and In Memoriam - Stephen Boshell Potter, 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 citations. Representative Stapp objected to the citation, Honoring - Mary Binkley, offered remarks, and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Honoring - Mary Binkley By Representatives Carrick, Stapp; Senator Giessel Honoring - Jazzlyn John By Representative Schwanke; Senator Cronk Honoring - Grace Christian School, Boys Basketball Team, 4A State Champions By Representatives Kopp, Coulombe In Memoriam - Stephen Boshell Potter By Senator Claman INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 383 HOUSE BILL NO. 383 by the House Education Committee, entitled: "An Act creating building management specialist positions in the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2022 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 117 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the March 30 calendar (page 1993), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 117(RES) "An Act relating to commercial set gillnet fishing; and providing for an effective date." Representatives Kopp and Jimmie moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain from voting because of a conflict of interest. Objection was heard, and they were required to vote. The question being: "Shall CSHB 117(RES) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 117(RES) Third Reading Final Passage 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, CSHB 117(RES) 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 117(RES) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2023 HB 239 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the March 30 calendar (page 1994), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 239(JUD) "An Act relating to criminally negligent homicide; relating to the duty of an operator immediately after an accident; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall CSHB 239(JUD) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 239(JUD) Third Reading Final Passage 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, CSHB 239(JUD) 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 239(JUD) was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 280 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the March 30 calendar (page 2002), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 280(FIN) "An Act relating to the Multistate Tax Compact; relating to apportionment of income to the state, including the apportionment 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2024 of income of broadcasters, financial institutions, and telecommunications service providers; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall CSHB 280(FIN) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 280(FIN) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 22 NAYS: 17 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: D.Nelson And so, CSHB 280(FIN) passed the House. Representative Kopp moved the effective date clause. The question being: "Shall the effective date clause be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 280(FIN) Third Reading Effective Date 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 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2025 And so, the effective date clause was adopted. Representative Johnson gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on CSHB 280(FIN). 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 Hannan – from 9:00 a.m., April 17 to noon, April 19 Representative Johnson – from 4:00 p.m., April 1 to 5:20 p.m., April 7 Representative Edgmon – from 1:00 p.m., April 2 to 9:30 p.m., April 3 HB 239 Representatives Schrage, Carrick, and Eischeid added as cosponsors to: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 239(JUD) "An Act relating to criminally negligent homicide; relating to the duty of an operator immediately after an accident; and providing for an effective date." HB 244 Representative Fields added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 244 "An Act relating to certified nurse aide training; and providing for an effective date." HB 316 Representative Carrick added as a cosponsor to: 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." 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2026 HB 324 Representative Fields added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 324 "An Act relating to virtual currency kiosks; relating to transactions involving virtual currency; and relating to unfair trade or deceptive acts or practices." SJR 2 Representative Fields added as a cross sponsor to: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto. SB 89 Representative Ruffridge added as a cross sponsor to: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 89(2d L&C) "An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to collaborative agreements between physicians and physician assistants; relating to the practice of medicine; relating to health care providers; and relating to provisions regarding physician assistants in contracts between certain health care providers and health care insurers." ENGROSSMENT HB 117 CSHB 117(RES) was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 239 CSHB 239(JUD) 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. 2026-04-01 House Journal Page 2027 ADJOURNMENT Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 10:30 a.m., April 2 for a technical session. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:55 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk