Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-30 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2349 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday April 30, 2026 One Hundred First Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:37 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, Representative Hannan. 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 by Tanner Olson: Every new day I remind myself that this day, the one right in front of me, is a gift. A beautiful and simple and intricate and loving gift. A gift thought of long before it even arrived and I am invited to open it up and come alive. I am allowed to feel and explore and love and dream and create and cry and try and spread hope and give back and hold on. I am welcome to rest and write and daydream and forgive and be forgiven and celebrate. I am invited to walk beneath the sun and sit below the stars at night and pray out loud or in my head or with my hands. This day, the one right in front of me, is a gift. And I am not going to let it pass away. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Kopp. 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2350 CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 100th legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR HJR 14 A message dated April 29 was read stating the Governor noted the following resolution and is transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's office for permanent filing: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14(TRA) Supporting the completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the Alaska Railroad to a community- minded approach to future rail expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic infrastructure. Legislative Resolve No. 26 HB 33 A message dated April 29 was read stating the Governor signed the following bill and is transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's office for permanent filing: HOUSE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date." Chapter No. 2, SLA 2026 Effective Date: April 30, 2026 MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HB 26 A message dated April 29 was read stating the Senate passed CSHB 26(TRA) am with the following amendment, and it is transmitted for consideration: 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2351 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a statewide public and community transit plan." CSHB 26(TRA) am is under Unfinished Business. A message dated April 29 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS SB 239 SENATE BILL NO. 239 by Senators Tilton, Myers, Kawasaki, Bjorkman, Cronk, Rauscher, Kaufman, Merrick, and Yundt, entitled: "An Act relating to the registration and titling of legally imported motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. COMMUNICATIONS The following was received: Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Alaska Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Report April 2026 (as required by AS 17.30.200) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Labor & Commerce Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: Heather Crivello as a member of the Board of Nursing. 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2352 The report was signed by Representatives Fields and Hall, Co-chairs; and Representatives Coulombe, Carrick, and Saddler. HB 210 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 210 "An Act relating to occupational disability benefits for peace officers and firefighters; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 210(FIN) "An Act relating to occupational disability benefits and medical benefits available under the public employees' retirement system; and providing for an effective date." The report was signed by Representatives Schrage, Josephson, and Foster, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Jimmie, Galvin, Hannan, Schrage, Josephson, Foster No recommendation (4): Tomaszewski, Moore, Bynum, Allard The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 210(FIN): 1. Indeterminate, Dept. of Administration HB 210 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 350 The Labor & Commerce Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 350 "An Act establishing an income tax on certain entities in the state; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 350(L&C) (same title) 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2353 The report was signed by Representatives Hall and Fields, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Carrick, Hall, Fields Do not pass (2): Coulombe, Saddler No recommendation (1): Frier The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 350(L&C): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue HB 350 was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 192 The Community & Regional Affairs Committee considered: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) "An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act." 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 Military & Veterans' Affairs CSSB 192(CRA) was referred to the Rules Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citation was introduced and taken up as a Special Order of Business: Honoring - Pete Dickinson By Senators Bjorkman, Yundt; Representative Ruffridge 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2354 The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: Honoring - Kristin Bartlett By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Dermot Cole By Representatives Gray, Fields; Senator Kawasaki Honoring - John Rodda By Representatives Allard, Saddler Honoring - Aaron Jacobs, Dr. Eran Hood, Dr. Jason Amundson, & Jamie Pierce By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring - 2025 Seattle Mariners By Representatives Josephson, Hall, Mina Honoring - Arctic Winter Games 2026 Team Alaska, Eagle River Male Athletes By Representative Allard Honoring - Arctic Winter Games 2026 Team Alaska, Eagle River Female Athletes By Representative Allard Honoring - Melinda Taylor By Senators Wielechowski, Gray-Jackson, Tobin In Memoriam - Tatiana Celia Kennedy Schlossberg By Representative Josephson SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation, Honoring - Pete Dickinson, be taken up as a Special Order of Business. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2355 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 - Pete Dickinson By Senators Bjorkman, Yundt; Representative Ruffridge CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 211 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 211 "An Act relating to insurance regulation of prepaid legal plans." with the: Journal Page JUD RPT CS(JUD) NEW TITLE 5DP 1NR 1834 FN1: ZERO(CED) 1834 L&C RPT CS(L&C) NEW TITLE 4DP 2NR 2303 FN1: ZERO(CED) 2303 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the following committee substitute be adopted in lieu of the original bill: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 211(L&C) "An Act relating to prepaid legal plans." Representative Johnson objected and withdrew the objection. There being no further objection, CSHB 211(L&C) was adopted. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that CSHB 211(L&C) be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. CSHB 211(L&C) will advance to third reading on the May 1 calendar. 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2356 HB 298 The following was read the second time: HOUSE BILL NO. 298 "An Act relating to the Legislative Ethics Act; relating to legislative subpoenas; relating to the jurisdiction of the office of the ombudsman; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page JUD RPT 4DP 3NR 1989 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 1989 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HB 298 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. HB 298 will advance to third reading on the May 1 calendar. THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 217 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 29 calendar (page 2336), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 217(CRA) am "An Act relating to commercial motor vehicle licensing examinations; regulating autonomous vehicles; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall CSHB 217(CRA) am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSHB 217(CRA) am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 39 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2357 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 217(CRA) 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. Representative Johnson gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on CSHB 217(CRA) am. HB 244 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 29 calendar (page 2337), was read the third time: HOUSE BILL NO. 244 "An Act relating to certified nurse aide training; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall HB 244 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 244 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 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2358 And so, HB 244 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. HB 244 was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 314 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 29 calendar (page 2339), was read the third time: HOUSE BILL NO. 314 am "An Act relating to registered interior designers and interior design; relating to project costs for the construction, enlargement, or improvement of airports; extending the termination date of the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; relating to the State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors; establishing requirements for the practice of registered interior design; relating to the practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, and registered interior design; relating to the scope of the certification requirements for architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, and registered interior designers; relating to immunity for design professionals; relating to the cost of construction for recreation centers; relating to liens for labor or materials furnished; relating to the procurement of landscape architectural and interior design services; relating to the cost of construction of safe water and hygienic sewage disposal facilities in villages; and providing for an effective date." The question being: "Shall HB 314 am pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 314 am Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 35 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2359 Yeas: Bynum, Carrick, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schrage, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Allard, Costello, Johnson, Saddler Excused: D.Nelson And so, HB 314 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. Representative Johnson gave notice of reconsideration of the vote on HB 314 am. THIRD READING OF SENATE BILLS SB 40 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 29 calendar (page 2340), was read the third time: SENATE BILL NO. 40 "An Act establishing the period between September 15 and October 15 of each year as Hispanic Heritage Month." The question being: "Shall SB 40 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 40 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 36 NAYS: 3 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: 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, Schrage, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2360 Nays: Allard, Saddler, Schwanke Excused: D.Nelson And so, SB 40 passed the House, was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and returned to the Senate. 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 - Eric Elliot By Representative Fields; Senator Tobin Honoring - Theresa Quiner By Representative Jimmie Honoring - James E. Cockrell By Representatives Jimmie, Frier, Ruffridge Honoring - Linda Janes By Representative Holland Honoring - Andy Holleman By Representatives Holland, Frier, Galvin Honoring - Dr. Jennifer "Jen" Schmidt By Representative Holland Honoring - Chris Rose By Representatives Holland, Mears Honoring - Paxson Woelber By Representatives Holland, Fields; Senator Giessel Honoring - Jaime Bricker By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2361 Honoring - Kristin Garot By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Kaakal.aat Florence Marks Sheakley By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Miley "Amisiimaq" Kakaruk By Representatives Dibert, Frier, Jimmie Honoring - Reverend Doctor Anna Marie Frank By Representative Dibert; Senators Cronk, Kawasaki Honoring - Heather Johnson, Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals 2026 Principal of the Year By Representatives Dibert, Stapp; Senator Kawasaki Honoring - University of Alaska Anchorage & Idaho State University Doctor of Pharmacy Program, 10th Anniversary By Representatives Mina, Ruffridge; Senator Giessel Honoring - The 2026 House Floor Staff By Representatives Stutes, Hall Honoring - South Anchorage High School Wolverines Hockey Team By Representative Holland Honoring - Resurrection Lutheran Church, 100th Anniversary By Representatives Story, Hannan; Senator Kiehl Honoring - Fairbanks Golden Heart Rotary Club, 20th Anniversary By Representatives Dibert, Carrick; Senator Kawasaki Honoring - Alaska Nanooks Women's Volleyball Team By Representatives Dibert, Carrick; Senator Kawasaki Honoring - Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board By Representatives Dibert, Carrick; Senator Kawasaki Honoring - Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center, 25th Anniversary By Representatives Dibert, Carrick; Senator Kawasaki 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2362 Honoring - World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, 65th Anniversary By Representatives Dibert, Carrick; Senator Kawasaki Honoring - Obeidi's Fine Art Gallery Alaska Art & Frame, 50th Anniversary By Representative Galvin; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - Arctic Office Products, 80th Anniversary By Representatives Galvin, Dibert; Senator Gray-Jackson Honoring - Elsie Vent By Senator Cronk; Representative Schwanke Honoring - Joy Barrows-Thompson By Senator Merrick Honoring - Christina Koch By Senators Dunbar, Tobin; Representative Frier Honoring - Chugiak High School Mustangs Girls Cross Country Team By Senator Merrick Honoring - Team USA's Women's Olympic Hockey Team By Senator Merrick; Representative Eischeid Honoring - Eagle River High School Baseball Team By Senator Merrick Honoring - Senate Floor Staff of 2026 By Senator Wielechowski In Memoriam - Elstun Lauesen By Representatives Galvin, Gray; Senator Gray-Jackson In Memoriam - Joseph "Joe" William Brost By Representative Underwood In Memoriam - Carl S. Benson By Representatives Dibert, Carrick; Senator Kawasaki 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2363 In Memoriam - Sandra "Sandie" Lynn Taylor By Senator Cronk In Memoriam - Christian Gordon Anderson By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Frier In Memoriam - Edgar Husted By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Stapp In Memoriam - Alden Roy "Shorty" Wilbur By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Dibert In Memoriam - Judith Karen and Andrew Jay Kleinfeld By Senators Kawasaki, Myers; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Neville Abbott Jacobs By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Pamela Jean Burlingame By Senator Kawasaki In Memoriam - Robert "Rob" Booth Boswell By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Prax, Dibert In Memoriam - Mary Shields By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Stapp In Memoriam - Gwendolyn "Gwen" Marie Blackburn By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Hannah J. Solomon By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Carrick In Memoriam - Robert Charles Kinnard Jr. By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Carrick In Memoriam - Ronald Johnson By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2364 In Memoriam - Kenneth "Ken" Assyd By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Dibert, Stapp In Memoriam - Hannah Nina "Babe" Adams By Senator Kawasaki; Representative Dibert In Memoriam - Judy Diana Romans By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Dibert In Memoriam - Linden Staciokas By Senator Kawasaki; Representatives Stapp, Dibert 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 Tomaszewski – from 7:00 p.m., May 1 to 10:00 a.m., May 4 HB 210 Representative Bynum added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 210 "An Act relating to occupational disability benefits for peace officers and firefighters; and providing for an effective date." HB 244 Representatives Mina, Josephson, Story, and McCabe added as cosponsors to: HOUSE BILL NO. 244 "An Act relating to certified nurse aide training; and providing for an effective date." HB 299 Representative Underwood added as a cosponsor to: 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2365 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." SB 40 Representative Galvin added as a cross sponsor to: SENATE BILL NO. 40 "An Act establishing the period between September 15 and October 15 of each year as Hispanic Heritage Month." SB 187 Representative Eischeid added as a cross sponsor to: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(EDC) "An Act prohibiting certain food additives in public school meals; and providing for an effective date." SB 239 Representatives Fields and St. Clair added as cross sponsors to: SENATE BILL NO. 239 "An Act relating to the registration and titling of legally imported motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date." ENGROSSMENT HB 244 HB 244 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. ENROLLMENT HB 78 The following was enrolled, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, President and Secretary of the Senate, and the engrossed and enrolled copies were transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 4:30 p.m., April 30: 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2366 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S(efd fld H) "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system." The following memorandum dated April 30 was received from Lora Brown, Enrolling Secretary, Division of Legal and Research Services: "In accordance with Rule 43, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, I am reporting the following manifest errors in SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S(efd fld H), which have been corrected in enrolling: Page 16, line 20: Delete "when" Insert "the date" Page 17, line 7: Delete "percentage" Insert "percentages" Page 34, line 24: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 34, line 25: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 44, line 10: Delete ", 39.35.370(a)(2)(B), (C), or (D)," Insert "or (a)(2)(B), (C), or (D)" Page 49, line 13: Delete "when" Insert "the date" 2026-04-30 House Journal Page 2367 Page 49, line 31: Delete "percentage" Insert "percentages" Page 56, line 22, following "AS 14.25.044": Insert ", enacted by sec. 4 of this Act," Page 57, line 5, following "AS 39.35.159": Insert ", enacted by sec. 64 of this Act," Page 57, line 15, following "Board": Insert "established under AS 37.10.210"" 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., May 1. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:19 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk