Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-05-01 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2369 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday May 1, 2026 One Hundred Second Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 10:41 a.m. Roll call showed 37 members present. Representatives D. Nelson and Saddler had been excused from a call of the House today. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative McCabe 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 Antone Ferrell of Calvary Fellowship Church. 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. Let us pray: Almighty God, as the sun shines over Juneau today, bringing warmth to the end of a long winter, we pause to shine a light on the people who make the work in this chamber possible. We know that serving Alaska is a profound and shared sacrifice. We lift up the families who have walked alongside these Representatives through grueling elections, giving up precious time and normalcy so their loved ones can serve this state. 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2370 And today, we also remember the staff members - the dedicated individuals serving quietly in the background. They are the unseen foundation of this Capitol, carrying the heavy load of late nights, complex details, and endless preparation to keep this body moving forward. God, the physical, mental, and emotional toll of this season is real. When the heavy demands of this work leave the families, the staff, and these leaders feeling stretched and overwhelmed, we ask that you provide genuine rest. Guard their emotional and mental well-being. Bring a quiet peace to their minds, their offices, and their homes. May the comfort of knowing that their sacrifices truly matter give everyone in this building the strength they need today. Grant this House the serenity to accept the things they cannot change, the courage to change the things they can, and the wisdom to know the difference. We ask for your blessing upon this session, and upon the dedicated people who sustain it. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Mears. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 101st legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR SB 64 The following letter was dated April 29 and received April 30: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority vested in me by Article II, Section 15 of the Alaska Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill: 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2371 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 64(FIN) am H "An Act relating to elections; relating to voters; relating to voting; relating to voter registration; relating to election administration; relating to campaign contributions; relating to write-in candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States; relating to the crimes of unlawful interference with voting in the first degree, unlawful interference with an election, and election official misconduct; relating to voter registration on permanent fund dividend applications; relating to the duties of the commissioner of revenue; and providing for an effective date." Senate Bill 64 includes several provisions I support, including improving safeguards around Permanent Fund Dividend voter- registration data; strengthening voter-roll maintenance, audit, and reporting requirements; and requiring notice of breaches involving confidential election data. However, taken as a whole, the bill would impose significant operational burdens on the administration of Alaska’s elections during an election year in which several statewide contests will occur – including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Governor. The Division of Elections warns such changes would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to implement securely and reliably in advance of the 2026 elections. Alaskans need an election process that is simple, understandable, secure, and implemented with sufficient time for the Division to make necessary changes. The ballot-tracking and ballot-curing provisions are especially problematic. The ballot-curing provisions create tension with Alaska’s witness requirement by allowing a voter to cure a missing witness signature after the ballot has already been returned, even though Alaska’s absentee-ballot framework requires the voter’s certificate to be signed in the presence of a qualified attesting official or witness. The Division has advised that these systems cannot be responsibly built, tested, and deployed before the 2026 general election. I applaud the attempt by some in the legislature, through an amendment, to move the effective date in which this bill would take effect after the 2026 election, which would have given the Division adequate time to implement the systems this bill would require. 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2372 I appreciate the efforts made to improve Alaska’s elections. Going forward, I encourage those who wish to continue this work to use this bill as a starting point; ensure that any proposed changes comply with state and federal law; and pass any election legislation on a timeline that allows the Division of Elections to implement the necessary systems properly. It is essential that Alaska’s electoral process remains accessible and secure, backed by a commitment to careful management. This bill would make significant election changes during an active election cycle, raising material operational and legal concerns that are contrary to the best interests of Alaskans. For these reasons, I have vetoed this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" COMMUNICATIONS The following were received: Dept. of Fish & Game Division of Commercial Fisheries Alaska Salmon Fisheries Enhancement Annual Report 2025 (as required by AS 16.05.092) Dept. of Fish & Game Division of Wildlife Conservation Status of Brown Bears and Other Natural Resources in the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge in 2025 (as required by AS 16.20.041 and 16.20.162) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES The Health & Social Services Committee reviewed the qualifications of the following and recommends the appointment be forwarded to a joint session for consideration: 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2373 Michael McNamara as a member of the State Medical Board. The report was signed by Representative Mina, Chair; and Representatives Prax, Gray, and Mears. HB 1 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 1 "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 1(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representatives Schrage, Josephson, and Foster, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (5): Tomaszewski, Stapp, Moore, Bynum, Foster Do not pass (1): Jimmie No recommendation (4): Galvin, Hannan, Schrage, Josephson The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 1(STA): 3. Zero, Dept. of Administration 4. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development HB 1 was referred to the Rules Committee. INTRODUCTION OF CITATIONS The following citations were introduced and referred to the Rules Committee for placement on the calendar: 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2374 Honoring - Colonel Lisa Mabbutt By Representatives Eischeid, D. Nelson; Senator Tobin Honoring - Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, 50th Anniversary By Representative Himschoot; Senator Stedman Honoring - Heather Fincher By Representative Stutes Honoring - Coach Dan Marshall By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Elam Honoring - Jacob Strausbaugh By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Ruffridge In Memoriam - Peggy May Arness By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Elam In Memoriam - Clifton "Clif" Caffall By Senator Bjorkman; Representative Ruffridge INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HCR 15 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 15 by the House Labor and Commerce Committee: Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 185, relating to the business of insurance; relating to exceptions to prohibited rebates; relating to the powers of the director of the division of insurance; and relating to prohibited practices in the advertisement of insurance. was read the first time. 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2375 INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 388 HOUSE BILL NO. 388 by the House Finance Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to loans made from the bulk fuel loan account; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 389 HOUSE BILL NO. 389 by the House Labor and Commerce Committee, entitled: "An Act relating to retainage on public and private construction contracts." was read the first time and referred to the Labor & Commerce and Transportation Committees. CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR THIRD READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 211 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 30 calendar (page 2355), was read the third time: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 211(L&C) "An Act relating to prepaid legal plans." Representative Stapp moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain from voting because of a conflict of interest. Objection was heard, and he was required to vote. The question being: "Shall CSHB 211(L&C) pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2376 CSHB 211(L&C) Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 33 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schrage, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood Nays: Allard, Schwanke, St. Clair, Vance Excused: McCabe, D.Nelson, Saddler And so, CSHB 211(L&C) passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. HB 298 The following, which was advanced to third reading from the April 30 calendar (page 2356), was read the third 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." Representative Vance moved and asked unanimous consent to abstain from voting because of a conflict of interest. Objection was heard, and she was required to vote. The question being: "Shall HB 298 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 298 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 37 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 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, Mears, Mina, Moore, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schrage, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2377 Excused: McCabe, D.Nelson, Saddler And so, HB 298 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 298 was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 45 The following was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 45 Urging the United States Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. with the: Journal Page EDC RPT 7DP 1970 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 1970 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR 45 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There being no objection, it was so ordered. HJR 45 was read the third time. The question being: "Shall HJR 45 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: HJR 45 Third Reading Final Passage YEAS: 37 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2378 Yeas: Allard, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Moore, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schrage, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: McCabe, D.Nelson, Saddler And so, HJR 45 passed the House and was referred to the Chief Clerk for engrossment. 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 - 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 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2379 Honoring - Melinda Taylor By Senators Wielechowski, Gray-Jackson, Tobin In Memoriam - Tatiana Celia Kennedy Schlossberg By Representative Josephson 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 Moore – after 11:30 a.m. for the remainder of the day Representative McCabe – from 8:00 a.m., May 1 to 9:30 a.m., May 4 **Representative Moore, who was excused, left the Chamber. CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS HB 26 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House consider the Senate message (page 2350) on the following: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) am "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a statewide public and community transit plan." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) (same title) 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 yes. 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2380 The question being: "Shall the House concur in the Senate amendment?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 26(TRA) Concur YEAS: 22 NAYS: 14 EXCUSED: 4 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, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: McCabe, Moore, D.Nelson, Saddler And so, the House concurred in the Senate amendment, thus adopting SCS CSHB 26(TRA). The Chief Clerk notified the Senate. SCS CSHB 26(TRA) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. UNFINISHED BUSINESS HB 1 Representative Allard removed as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 1 "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie." HB 357 Representative Allard removed as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 357 "An Act relating to abortion; relating to who may perform an abortion; relating to civil enforcement of abortion laws; relating to abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat; amending Rules 3 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 508, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and providing for an effective date." 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2381 SB 21 Representative Costello added as a cross sponsor to: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 21(FIN) "An Act establishing the Alaska Work and Save Program in the Department of Revenue; and providing for an effective date." SB 192 Representative Elam added as a cross sponsor to: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) "An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act." SB 239 Representative Schwanke added as a cross sponsor 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 HJR 45 HJR 45 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 211 CSHB 211(L&C) was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 217 Reconsideration of the following was not taken up on this legislative day. It was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration: 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." 2026-05-01 House Journal Page 2382 HB 298 HB 298 was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration. HB 314 Reconsideration of the following was not taken up on this legislative day. It was engrossed, signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk, and transmitted to the Senate for consideration: 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." 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 4. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 11:43 a.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk