Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-05-21 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3017 HOUSE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday May 21, 2026 First Day Pursuant to the Governor's proclamation dated May 19 calling the legislature into special session, the House was called to order by Speaker Edgmon at 11:38 a.m. Roll call showed 40 members present. The invocation was offered by the Chaplain, Zachary Kelly, Assistant Sergeant at Arms. Representative Story moved and asked unanimous consent that the invocation be spread on the journal. There being no objection, it was so ordered. On this, the first day of this Second Special Session. I offer this prayer according to my faith. I Invite you to join me. Dear Jesus, please hear our prayer. Lord, you are great, and above all things and everything is in your hands. I ask that you can help us in our efforts to do the jobs to which you’ve appointed us. You placed everyone here for a purpose, and I pray that we can fulfil that purpose according to your will. Please cover this Legislature in a spirit of order and with a spirit of peace. Fill our hearts with a desire to honor you in all that we say, and in all that we do. And I ask for your strength and for your courage to do these things. 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3018 Jesus, I thank you for your great and unfailing faithfulness, thank you for your forgiveness and for your everlasting truth. Amen. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Representative Tomaszewski. CERTIFICATION OF THE JOURNAL The journal for the 121st legislative day was not certified today. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR The following Governor's proclamation dated May 19 was read: "Under the authority of Article II, Section 9, and Article III, Section 17, Constitution of the State of Alaska, and in the public interest, I call the Thirty-Fourth Legislature of the State of Alaska into its second special session in Juneau, Alaska, in the legislative chambers on May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., to consider passage of bills on subjects germane to the title of the following bill while the bill was under consideration by the Thirty-Fourth Legislature during the second regular session: • HB 381 relating to the taxation of certain natural gas pipeline property; relating to municipal taxation limitations; establishing an alternative volumetric tax on natural gas throughput; and relating to the allocation of revenue from the alternative volumetric tax. Dated this 19th day of May, 2026 at 3:51 p.m. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3019 HB 26 The following letter was dated May 20 and received at 6:46 p.m.: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority vested in me by Article II, Section 15 of the Alaska Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill: 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." Enacting this legislation would result in no substantive changes to current transit planning and coordination, as all activities sought to be codified by this bill are already actively being conducted by the State. Furthermore, the bill’s language inappropriately seeks to elevate a single mode of transportation above others within core state planning powers and duties. This creates an unhelpful imbalance in existing multi-modal planning activities. Beyond its redundancy, the bill establishes misleading public expectations that cannot be fulfilled by its text or by the statements of its sponsor. It is being used as a pretext for additional funding that would ultimately require federal appropriations to realize - appropriations that are neither secured nor guaranteed by this language. Finally, this measure is unnecessary, redundant, and it is in the best interest of the State to maintain our current, efficient planning processes rather than introducing duplicative and confusing statutory mandates. For these reasons, I have vetoed this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3020 MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated May 21 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 201 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 201 by the Senate Rules Committee: Authorizing the Senate and the House of Representatives to recess for a period of more than three days. was read the first time and taken up. The question being: "Shall SCR 201 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 201 Final Passage YEAS: 22 NAYS: 18 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Frier, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Saddler, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Prax, Ruffridge, Schwanke, St. Clair, Stapp, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance And so, SCR 201 passed the House, was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk and returned to the Senate. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE A message dated May 21 was read stating the Senate passed the following, and it is transmitted for consideration: 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3021 FIRST READING AND REFERENCE OF SENATE RESOLUTIONS SCR 202 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 202 by the Senate Rules Committee: Suspending Rules 47 and 55, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, relating to the carry-over of bills to a special session. was read the first time and taken up. The question being: "Shall SCR 202 pass the House?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 202 Final Passage YEAS: 28 NAYS: 10 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 2 Yeas: Carrick, Costello, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Josephson, Kopp, McCabe, Mears, Mina, D.Nelson, G.Nelson, Saddler, Schrage, St. Clair, Stapp, Story, Stutes, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance Nays: Allard, Bynum, Coulombe, Elam, Jimmie, Johnson, Moore, Prax, Ruffridge, Schwanke Absent: Fields, Frier And so, SCR 202 passed the House, was signed by the Speaker and Chief Clerk and returned to the Senate. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE HCR 21 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill No. 237, relating to data sharing by the Department of Administration for driver's license data verification purposes. 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3022 HCR 21 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HJR 20 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20 Encouraging the United States Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices. HJR 20 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HJR 46 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 46(CRA) Recognizing the sovereign decisions of the communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok to relocate in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Halong; affirming the right of Alaska Native communities to self-determination; and urging full state and federal support for relocation of those communities. CSHJR 46(CRA) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 39 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 39(EDC) "An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing." CSHB 39(EDC) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 195 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 195(FIN) "An Act changing the term 'physician assistant' to 'physician associate'; relating to physician associates; relating to collaborative practice agreements for pharmacists; relating to the prescription of opioid overdose drugs; relating to the prescription 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3023 and administration of drugs and devices by pharmacists; relating to reciprocity for pharmacists; amending the definition of 'practitioner'; and providing for an effective date." CSHB 195(FIN) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 243 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: HOUSE BILL NO. 243 "An Act relating to the powers and duties of the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers and the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; and providing for an effective date." HB 243 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 246 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: HOUSE BILL NO. 246 "An Act relating to allocations for the special education service agency; and providing for an effective date." HB 246 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 262 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: HOUSE BILL NO. 262 "An Act increasing the number of superior court judges in the third judicial district; and providing for an effective date." HB 262 was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. HB 388 A message dated May 20 was received stating the Senate passed: CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 388(FIN) "An Act relating to loans made from the bulk fuel loan account; and providing for an effective date." 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3024 CSHB 388(FIN) was referred to the Chief Clerk for enrollment. INTRODUCTION, FIRST READING, AND REFERENCE OF HOUSE BILLS HB 2001 HOUSE BILL NO. 2001 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to the taxation of certain natural gas project property and related facilities; relating to the determination of the value of taxable real and personal property for purposes of calculating local contributions for public school funding; relating to municipal property taxes; relating to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation; relating to revenue from a North Slope natural gas project; relating to an alternative volumetric tax on natural gas throughput; relating to agreements and payments related to a natural gas project; relating to community impact grants; relating to the regulation of liquefied natural gas import facilities by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to an Alaska liquefied natural gas project mitigation fund; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue 2. Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development 3. Fiscal, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development The Governor's transmittal letter dated May 20 follows: "Dear Speaker Edgmon: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the taxation of certain 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3025 natural gas pipeline property, municipal taxation limitations, the establishment of an alternative volumetric tax on natural gas throughput, and the allocation of revenue from that tax for the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (AKLNG) Project. This legislation builds on the bill transmitted earlier this year and reflects the most recent negotiated framework developed during the regular session. It preserves the central purpose of the original proposal: replacing a property-tax structure that creates front-end costs and uncertainty with a volume-based tax structure that is tied to project performance, while adding provisions intended to address local community impacts, revenue allocation, labor stability, and in-state energy access. The AKLNG Project remains one of the most significant economic and energy-infrastructure opportunities in Alaska’s history. For decades, Alaska has sought a way to deliver abundant North Slope natural gas to market while ensuring affordable and reliable energy for Alaskans. The need for action is urgent. Cook Inlet gas supplies are declining, energy costs remain a serious burden for families and businesses, and Alaska must make the necessary decisions to secure its long-term energy future. Development of the AKLNG Project will help lower long-term energy costs for Alaska families and businesses, provide long-term energy security for communities across the state, and enable the responsible development of North Slope oil and gas resources that might otherwise remain stranded. The project will generate thousands of construction jobs, long-term operations employment, and significant economic activity. In addition, the project will provide substantial stable new revenue for state and local governments while supporting long-term economic growth across multiple sectors of Alaska’s economy. The project includes a 739-mile natural gas pipeline in Phase One, and completion of the pipeline, compressor stations, a North Slope gas treatment facility, and an LNG export facility in Cook Inlet in subsequent phases. Phase One is key to bringing affordable energy to Alaskans. Access to North Slope natural gas will help stabilize and lower long-term energy costs for homes, businesses, and utilities throughout Alaska. 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3026 Under the existing annual 20 mill, or two percent, property tax on oil and gas property, investors have indicated that the AKLNG Project would face a tax structure that imposes significant costs before the project is fully operational. To deliver energy at the lowest possible cost to Alaskans and improve the project’s ability to attract private investment, this bill adopts an alternative method of taxation based on natural gas throughput rather than assessed infrastructure value. This modified proposal continues to provide tax relief during construction and initial operations, while establishing clear conditions for when the alternative volumetric tax begins. The alternative tax structure applies when the project reaches the throughput threshold or the applicable initial operating period has concluded, as provided in the bill. This approach gives the project a predictable path through construction and start-up while ensuring that public revenues are tied to actual project performance. The bill establishes an alternative volumetric tax structure for major components of the AKLNG Project, including the pipeline, gas treatment and related facilities, and LNG facilities. By tying the tax to throughput, the legislation aligns public revenue with the volume of gas moving through the project, provides greater predictability for investors, reduces the risk of repeated valuation disputes, and supports the short- and long-term economic viability of the project. This version also incorporates additional protections and commitments developed through the legislative process. The bill provides for the allocation of revenue between the State and affected municipalities, recognizes the impacts on communities that will host or support project infrastructure, and includes a community impact fund to help address construction-related effects. It also includes provisions related to a Fairbanks spur line commitment and project labor agreements to support in-state energy access, labor stability, and timely construction. The bill further provides that the alternative tax structure will not remain available indefinitely if the project does not move forward. If the project does not meet the construction and development requirements established in the bill, the tax structure will terminate and the project will revert to the existing oil and gas property tax framework. This ensures that tax relief is tied to actual project advancement. 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3027 This legislation provides a clear, predictable, and performance-based tax structure for the AKLNG Project while incorporating additional community, labor, and revenue protections. It advances a project that can deliver affordable energy to Alaskans, strengthen Alaska’s energy security, support economic growth, create jobs, and unlock the full potential of North Slope natural gas resources. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor" 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 Vance – from 6:00 a.m., May 28 to 10:00 p.m., June 9 Representative Moore – from 1:00 p.m., May 21 to 5:00 p.m., June 1 Representative Saddler – from: 7:30 p.m., June 16 to 10:00 p.m., June 28 6:00 a.m., May 31 to 7:00 p.m., June 4 Representative D. Nelson – from 7:30 p.m., June 2 to 6:00 p.m., June 7 ANNOUNCEMENTS With appointment of the Conference Committee on the operating budget, Rule 23(d) of the Uniform Rules is in effect as of May 11. House committee schedules are published under separate cover. 2026-05-21 House Journal Page 3028 ADJOURNMENT SCR 201 Pursuant to the following, Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent that the House adjourn until 11:00 a.m., June 4: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 201 Authorizing the Senate and the House of Representatives to recess for a period of more than three days. There being no objection, the House adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Crystaline Jones Chief Clerk