Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-16 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2189 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday April 16, 2026 Eighty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 9:38 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representatives Moore and Ruffridge were absent and their presence was noted later. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Story be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Dani Cherian of Valley Church. Representative Himschoot moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord Jesus, I praise you because you give the ability to overcome. It's not by our own hands that we overcome, it is by your strength and loyal love that we are able to find victory. So I ask you for help and that you bring clarity today for our representatives. The Bible says, in Psalm 44:3 NIV, It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. I ask that you please help our representatives and their staff. I ask that you give them wisdom, peace, and strength as they 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2190 make good decisions for the people in our great State of Alaska. In Jesus' name, Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Hall. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 85th and 86th legislative days be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 96 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 96 "An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 96(L&C) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Josephson, Schrage, and Foster, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (8): Bynum, Moore, Jimmie, Galvin, Hannan, Josephson, Schrage, Foster No recommendation (1): Stapp Amend (2): Allard, Tomaszewski The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 96(L&C): 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Health HB 96 was referred to the Rules Committee. 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2191 **The presence of Representative Moore was noted. HB 217 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 217 "An Act regulating autonomous vehicles; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 217(CRA) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Mears, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Holland, Prax, G. Nelson, Hall, Himschoot, Mears Amend (1): St. Clair The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 217(CRA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration HB 217 was referred to the Rules Committee. **The presence of Representative Ruffridge was noted. HB 246 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 246 "An Act relating to allocations for the special education service agency; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Foster, Josephson, and Schrage, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2192 Do pass (7): Jimmie, Galvin, Hannan, Allard, Foster, Josephson, Schrage No recommendation (3): Tomaszewski, Bynum, Stapp The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Education & Early Development HB 246 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 302 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 302 "An Act relating to travel insurance." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 302(L&C) "An Act relating to travel insurance; 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): Frier, Carrick, Hall No recommendation (4): Coulombe, Saddler, D. Nelson, Fields The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 302(L&C): 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 302 was referred to the Transportation Committee. HB 334 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2193 HOUSE BILL NO. 334 "An Act relating to the issuance of certified copies of birth certificates to unhoused young adults; and relating to the issuance of identification cards to unhoused young adults." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 334(CRA) "An Act relating to the issuance of certified copies of birth certificates to unhoused persons; and relating to the issuance of identification cards to unhoused persons." The report was signed by Representatives Himschoot and Mears, Co- chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Holland, Prax, Hall, Himschoot, Mears Amend (2): G. Nelson, St. Clair The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 334(CRA): 1. Zero, Dept. of Health 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Administration HB 334 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 344 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 344 "An Act establishing the opioid litigation settlement fund." The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Fields, Gray, Schwanke, Ruffridge, Mears, Mina No recommendation (1): Prax The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue 2. Zero, Dept. of Health 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2194 HB 344 was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 376 The Health & Social Services Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 376 "An Act relating to early intervention services for certain children; relating to optional services under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 376(EDC) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Gray, Mears, Mina No recommendation (2): Prax, Ruffridge Amend (1): Schwanke The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 376(EDC): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Health 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Health HB 376 was referred to the Finance Committee. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citations on the first special order citation calendar 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 on the first special order citation calendar. 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2195 There being no objection, the following citations were approved and sent to enrolling: Commemorating - Peace Officers Memorial Day May 15, 2026 By Representative Edgmon Honoring - James Thaddeus "Thad" Poulson By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman Honoring - Sharon Miranda By Representative Allard Honoring - Anson Blocker By Representative Allard Honoring - Henry Strub By Representative Edgmon Honoring - Patrick Reinhart By Representatives Story, Vance; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Aidan Cole, 2026 Alaska State Spelling Bee Champion By Representative Ruffridge; Senator Bjorkman Honoring - Eagle River Elks Lodge By Representative Allard Honoring - The Ester Gold Camp 90th Anniversary By Representative Carrick; Senator Myers Honoring - Marine Exchange of Alaska, 25th Anniversary By Representatives Hannan, Story; Senator Kiehl Honoring - The 2026 Arctic Lightning Airshow & Open House By Representatives Tomaszewski, Prax; Senator Myers Honoring - Gustavus Volunteer Fire Department By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Christopher "Chris" Scott Constant By Senators Tobin, Dunbar, Gray-Jackson 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2196 Honoring - Georgianna Lincoln By Senator Hoffman Honoring - Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School, Nordic Ski Team Coaches & Mentors By Senator Dunbar; Representatives Eischeid, Mina In Memoriam - Colette Nelson Guggenheim By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman In Memoriam - Dr. R. Dale Guthrie By Representative Carrick; Senator Kawasaki In Memoriam - Eric Braendel By Representative Allard In Memoriam - Master Sergeant David Wayne Foster By Representative Allard In Memoriam - Joseph Allan Elliott By Representative Allard In Memoriam - Kaye Carleton By Representative Allard In Memoriam - Paul Stephen Bates By Representative Allard In Memoriam - Gary J. Turner By Representatives Ruffridge, Elam; Senator Bjorkman In Memoriam - Richard Mauer By Representatives Fields, Hall; Senator Wielechowski In Memoriam - Chin Sun Stephenson By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam - Darlene Carol Ivanoff By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2197 In Memoriam - John Thomas "Tom" Adzima By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears Honoring - Nome-Beltz 3A Boys Basketball Team, 2026 Alaska State Tournament By Representative Foster; Senator Olson Honoring - 2026 Team USA Men's Olympic Hockey Team By Senators Merrick, Cronk; Representative Eischeid In Memoriam - Jacob Sebring By Representatives Underwood, Kopp; Senator Giessel In Memoriam - Earl Prentice Lackey By Representative Johnson; Senator Tilton In Memoriam - Robert "Troy" Gourley By Representatives Prax, Tomaszewski; Senator Myers Honoring - Stanley Robinson By Senator Cronk Honoring - The Whisenhant Family By Senator Cronk In Memoriam - Benedict Jones Sr. By Senator Cronk In Memoriam - Valorie F. Walker By Senator Wielechowski; Representative Mears In Memoriam - Francisco "Frank" Mizal Javier By Senator Wielechowski; Representatives Mears, Mina In Memoriam - Shawn David McVey By Senators Kawasaki, Wielechowski; Representative Eischeid In Memoriam - Noel Janice Murray By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Dr. Gary Laursen By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Carrick, Dibert 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2198 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 133 The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following, which was held from the April 14 calendar (page 2183), would be held to the April 20 calendar: HOUSE BILL NO. 133 "An Act establishing a 30-day deadline for the payment of contracts under the State Procurement Code; establishing deadlines for the payment of grants, contracts, and reimbursement agreements to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations; relating to payment of grants to named recipients that are not municipalities; and providing for an effective date." HOUSE BILLS IN SECOND READING HB 25 The following, which was held from the April 14 calendar (page 2183), was before the House in second reading with Amendment No. 8 (page 2182) moved and pending: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 25(L&C) am "An Act relating to disposable food service ware and containers provided by customers; and providing for an effective date." Representative Stutes, citing Section 101 of Mason's Manual, rose to points of order regarding confining remarks to the amendment before the body. The Speaker directed the members to confine their remarks. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 8 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 25(L&C) am Second Reading Amendment No. 8 YEAS: 19 NAYS: 20 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2199 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, Stutes Excused: Story And so, Amendment No. 8 was not adopted. Amendment No. 9 was offered by Representative G. Nelson: Page 2, line 26, following "includes": Insert "a coffee kiosk, a grocery deli, a hospital or school food operation, a caterer, a concession, a food hybrid service businesses," Page 2, line 27, following the first occurrence of "food": Insert "," Representative G. Nelson moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 9 be adopted. Representatives Carrick and Stapp objected and withdrew the objections. Representative G. Nelson moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw Amendment No. 9. Representative Stapp objected and withdrew the objection. Representative G. Nelson withdrew the motion to withdraw Amendment No. 9. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 9 was adopted. Amendment No. 10 was not offered. Amendment No. 11 was offered by Representative D. Nelson: 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2200 Page 2, following line 15: Insert a new subsection to read: "(g) The department shall maintain a telephone number that an individual may call to report violations related to polystyrene foam disposable food service ware." Reletter the following subsection accordingly. Representative D. Nelson moved and asked unanimous consent that Amendment No. 11 be adopted. Representative Josephson objected. Representative Allard rose to a point of order regarding confining remarks to the amendment. The Speaker stated that the point was well taken. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 11 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 25(L&C) am Second Reading Amendment No. 11 YEAS: 8 NAYS: 31 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Coulombe, Elam, McCabe, D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Ruffridge, Saddler, St. Clair Nays: Allard, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, Prax, Schrage, Schwanke, Stapp, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Story And so, Amendment No. 11 was not adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 25(L&C) am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2201 CSHB 25(L&C) am will advance to third reading on the April 20 calendar. SENATE RESOLUTIONS IN SECOND READING SCR 19 The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following, which was held from the April 14 calendar (page 2173), would be held in second reading to the April 20 calendar. SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19 Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm. 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 Stapp – from 1:00 p.m., April 16 to 1:00 p.m., April 19 Representative Elam – from 7:30 a.m., April 17 to 9:30 p.m., April 19 Representative Hall – from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., April 16 Representative Foster – from 6:00 p.m., April 16 to 1:30 p.m., April 20 Representative Stutes – from 1:00 p.m., April 16 to 9:30 p.m., April 19 Representative Dibert – from 9:00 p.m., April 22 to 7:40 p.m., April 23 Representative Frier – from 4:00 p.m., June 29 to 2:30 p.m., July 11 HJR 36 Representative Gray added as a cosponsor to: 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2202 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 36 Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to terms of legislators. HB 77 Representative Allard added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 77 "An Act making the theft of mail or an article within mail theft in the second degree." HB 96 Representatives Galvin and Schrage added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 96 "An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and providing for an effective date." HB 246 Representative Allard added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 246 "An Act relating to allocations for the special education service agency; and providing for an effective date." HB 342 Representative Tomaszewski added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 342 "An Act relating to physician liability for sex-reassignment treatments or procedures performed on minors; relating to standardized informed consent forms for sex-reassignment treatments or procedures; relating to the duties of the State Medical Board; relating to informed consent for sex-reassignment treatments or procedures performed on minors; establishing the crime of criminal sex-reassignment treatment or procedure; and providing for an effective date." 2026-04-16 House Journal Page 2203 HB 373 Representative Tomaszewski added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 373 "An Act relating to investments of the permanent fund; relating to investments made by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation; relating to regulations adopted by the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation; 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., April 20. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 10:54 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk