Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-05-08 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2449 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday May 8, 2026 One Hundred Ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 11:43 a.m. Roll call showed 36 members present. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representatives Allard, Schwanke, and Elam be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Frier be excused from a call of the House until 1:00 p.m. today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Charles Ensminger of ?unéix_ Hídi Northern Light United Church. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. Creator God, surrounded by the mountains and majesty of creation, we pause, grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the history of Alaska. We come together in this moment to ask for guidance and inspiration for one another: may our hearts be enlivened for the work before us, the challenges we face, and the witness we offer in our conduct. 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2450 Provide us with a path of wisdom. Stir within us a desire for sincerity, humility, cooperation, and confidence in and for the truth. In all things, we pray for peace: for our hearts, for our country, and for the world. Hear our prayers for one another, for all who work within these walls, and for all gathered here on this day. Peace be with us all. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative D. Nelson. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the journal for the 108th legislative day be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. There being no objection, it was so ordered. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HJR 32 A message dated May 8 was read stating the Senate passed: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 32(HSS) Expressing commitment to the rural health transformation program; acknowledging the critical health care challenges facing rural areas of the state; and urging action by the Governor and the Alaska delegation in Congress to continue to advocate for the state's interests and advance the rural health transformation program. CSHJR 32(HSS) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HJR 38 A message dated May 8 was read stating the Senate passed: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 38 Urging the United States Congress to recognize public safety telecommunicators as first responders; and urging the United States Congress to pass the Enhancing First Response Act. 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2451 HJR 38 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HJR 45 A message dated May 8 was read stating the Senate passed: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 45 Urging the United States Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. HJR 45 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 263 A message dated May 7 and received at 2:31 p.m., was read stating the Senate passed: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 263(FIN) am "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." with the following amendment, and it is transmitted for consideration: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 263(FIN) am S "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; 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." (SCR 23 - title change resolution) CSHB 263(FIN) am is under Unfinished Business. HB 265 A message dated May 7 and received at 2:31 p.m., was read stating the Senate passed CSHB 265(FIN) am with the following amendment, and it is transmitted for consideration: 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2452 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 265(FIN) "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." CSHB 265(FIN) am is under Unfinished Business. SB 89 A message dated May 8 was read stating the Senate concurred in the House amendment to CSSB 89(2d L&C), thus adopting: HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 89(HSS) "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." SB 272 A message dated May 8 was read stating the Senate concurred in the House amendment to SB 272, thus adopting: HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 272(HSS) "An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date." A message dated May 7 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 23 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 23 by the Senate Finance Committee: Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 263, making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; and making supplemental appropriations. was read the first time. 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2453 CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS HB 263 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House consider the Senate message (page 2451) on the following: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 263(FIN) am "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; making supplemental appropriations; and providing for an effective date." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 263(FIN) am S "An Act making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs; capitalizing funds; amending appropriations; making supplemental appropriations; 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." (SCR 23 - title change resolution) 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 263(FIN) am S Concur YEAS: 0 NAYS: 36 EXCUSED: 4 ABSENT: 0 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2454 Nays: Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Excused: Allard, Elam, Frier, Schwanke And so, the House failed to concur in the Senate amendment. The Chief Clerk notified the Senate and respectfully requested it to recede. HB 265 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House consider the Senate message (page 2451) on the following: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 265(FIN) am "An Act making appropriations for the operating and capital expenses of the state's integrated comprehensive mental health program; and providing for an effective date." and SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 265(FIN) (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 no. The question being: "Shall the House concur in the Senate amendment?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 265(FIN) Concur YEAS: 10 NAYS: 26 EXCUSED: 4 ABSENT: 0 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2455 Yeas: Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Moore, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Underwood Nays: Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Johnson, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, D.Nelson, Saddler, Schrage, St. Clair, Story, Stutes, Vance Excused: Allard, Elam, Frier, Schwanke Bynum changed from "NAY" to "YEA" And so, the House failed to concur in the Senate amendment. The Chief Clerk notified the Senate and respectfully requested it to recede. COMMUNICATIONS The following was received: Dept. of Health Alaska Commission on Aging Senior Snapshot 2025 (as required by AS 44.29.790) REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES HB 271 The Finance Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 271 "An Act relating to the royalty rate for the Kitchen Lights Unit; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 271(FIN) "An Act relating to the royalty rate for leases within the Cook Inlet sedimentary basin; relating to a report on leases receiving royalty relief; and providing for an effective date." 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2456 The report was signed by Representatives Schrage, Josephson, and Foster, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (3): Moore, Stapp, Schrage Do not pass (4): Jimmie, Galvin, Hannan, Foster No recommendation (2): Tomaszewski, Allard Amend (2): Bynum, Josephson The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 271(FIN): 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources HB 271 was referred to the Rules Committee. HB 381 The Resources Committee considered: HOUSE BILL NO. 381 "An Act relating to the taxation of certain natural gas pipeline property; relating to municipal taxation limitations; establishing an alternative volumetric tax on natural gas throughput; relating to the allocation of revenue from the alternative volumetric tax; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 381(RES) "An Act relating to the taxation of certain natural gas project property and related facilities; relating to local contributions for public school funding; relating to municipal property taxes and equity ownership agreements; relating to revenue from a North Slope natural gas project; relating to revenue received from the state's royalty gas; relating to an alternative volumetric tax on natural gas throughput; relating to agreements related to a natural gas project and a designated community impact fund; and providing for an effective date." 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2457 The report was signed by Representatives Dibert and Frier, Co-chairs, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (2): Fields, Dibert Do not pass (1): Mears No recommendation (3): Hall, Elam, Prax Amend (3): Coulombe, Saddler, Frier The following fiscal note(s) apply to CSHB 381(RES): 1. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 2. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue HB 381 was referred to the Finance Committee. SJR 30 The State Affairs Committee considered: CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30(STA) Expressing gratitude for the United States military and supporting increased defense readiness through infrastructure development and public-military partnerships. The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (6): Vance, McCabe, St. Clair, Himschoot, Story, Carrick Amend (1): Holland The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Legislative Affairs Agency CSSJR 30(STA) was referred to the Rules Committee. 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2458 SB 26 The State Affairs Committee considered: SENATE BILL NO. 26 "An Act petitioning the United States Department of Transportation to change the time zones of Alaska; exempting the state from daylight saving time; and providing for an effective date." and recommends it be replaced with: HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 26(STA) (same title) The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (1): Holland No recommendation (3): McCabe, Story, Carrick Amend (3): Vance, St. Clair, Himschoot The following fiscal note(s) apply to HCS SB 26(STA): 2. Zero, Office of the Governor/Combined SB 26 was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 163 The State Affairs Committee considered: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 163(L&C) "An Act relating to inactive state accounts and funds; repealing the public access fund; repealing the Alaska temporary assistance program emergency account; repealing the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games reserve fund; and providing for an effective date." 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2459 The report was signed by Representative Carrick, Chair, with the following individual recommendations: Do pass (7): Vance, McCabe, St. Clair, Holland, Himschoot, Story, Carrick The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Dept. of Administration CSSB 163(L&C) 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: Honoring - Mike Warenda By Representatives Saddler, Coulombe; Senator Merrick Honoring - Fort Yukon Lady Eagles, 2026 1A Girls Basketball State Champions By Representative Schwanke; Senator Cronk Honoring - Saint Patrick's Day By Representatives Costello, Hall; Senator Merrick In Memoriam - Richard W. "Dick" Griffith By Representatives Saddler, Gray; Senator Merrick In Memoriam - Ronald "Ron" Alton Murray By Senator Myers; Representatives Tomaszewski, Stapp * * * * * Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that Representative Vance be excused from a call of the House today. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2460 CONSIDERATION OF THE DAILY CALENDAR SECOND READING OF HOUSE BILLS HB 202 The Speaker stated that, without objection, the following would be returned to the Rules Committee: HOUSE BILL NO. 202 "An Act designating giant cabbage as the official state vegetable; and providing for an effective date." SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS SB 63 The following was read the second time: SENATE BILL NO. 63 am "An Act relating to the Local Boundary Commission; and providing for an effective date." with the: Journal Page CRA RPT 4DP 2NR 2279 FN3: ZERO(CED) 2279 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that SB 63 am be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. SB 63 am will advance to third reading on the May 11 calendar. SECOND READING OF HOUSE RESOLUTIONS HJR 28 The following, which was held from the May 7 calendar, was read the second time: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 28 Calling on the United States Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2461 with the: Journal Page EDC RPT 7DP 1853 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 1853 JUD RPT 4DP 3NR 2212 FN1: ZERO(LEG) 2212 Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that HJR 28 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. There was objection. HJR 28 will advance to third reading on the May 11 calendar. 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 Elam – from: noon, May 8 to midnight, May 10 7:00 a.m., June 8 to midnight, June 13 Representative Bynum – from 8:00 a.m., May 21 to 11:50 p.m., May 24 HJR 28 Representative Galvin added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 28 Calling on the United States Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. HB 130 Representative Foster, citing Uniform Rule 48(d), moved and asked unanimous consent that the following be discharged from the Finance Committee: 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2462 HOUSE BILL NO. 130 "An Act relating to flexible time credit for classified employees in the executive branch who are not eligible for overtime compensation." There was objection. The question being: "Shall HB 130 be discharged from the Finance Committee?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 130 Discharge Bill from Finance Committee YEAS: 25 NAYS: 11 EXCUSED: 4 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bynum, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, Moore, G.Nelson, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Costello, Coulombe, Johnson, D.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Saddler, St. Clair, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Underwood Excused: Allard, Elam, Schwanke, Vance And so, HB 130 was removed from the Finance Committee and referred to the Rules Committee. HB 193 Representative Schrage added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 193 "An Act establishing a paid parental leave program; relating to unemployment benefits; relating to the collection of child support obligations; and relating to the duties of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development." HB 202 Representative Saddler added as a cosponsor to: HOUSE BILL NO. 202 "An Act designating giant cabbage as the official state vegetable; and providing for an effective date." 2026-05-08 House Journal Page 2463 SB 23 Representative Stapp added as a cross sponsor to: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 23(FIN) "An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date." ENROLLMENT HB 26 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 9:36 a.m., May 8: 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." 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 11. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:50 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk