Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-01-21 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0001 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday January 21, 2025 First Day Pursuant to provisions of the Constitution of the State of Alaska, the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, and AS 24.05.160, the Senate of the State of Alaska assembled in the Senate chamber for the first regular session of the Thirty-fourth Legislature. The Senate was called to order at 1:09 p.m. by the Honorable Nancy Dahlstrom, Lieutenant Governor. Colors The following members of the Girl Scouts of Alaska, led by troop coordinator Alenita Danner, presented the colors: Isabel Danner Cagney Davis Elizabeth DeBartolo Abigail Dolan Tori Jacobson Kimberly Klawonn Joya McClain Aamie Tollett Jagodensky Cora Williams Gabrielle Williams The Girl Scouts of Alaska led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. National Anthem and Alaska Flag Song "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Alaska's Flag" were performed by Josiphiah "Jojo" Aevion Mason. 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0002 Invocation The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Gordon Blue, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Creator of life, redeemer of the afflicted and spirit of grace, in this season, the Epiphany, the Northern infancy of light, we celebrate our homes and ask your blessing upon them. Make this building the home of blessings for all Alaskans. Teach us, O Lord, where wisdom is to be found, and show us the place of understanding. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness tranquility and trust. Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting one, grant to this Capitol the grace of your presence. As the earth puts forth its blossom, or bushes in a garden burst into flower, so shall righteousness and praise blossom before all the nations. Our people will abide in secure dwellings and in quiet resting places. Our boundaries enclose a pleasant land: Indeed, we have a goodly heritage. Visit, O blessed Lord, this Senate with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who work here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your respect to each other and to all whose lives they touch. Be present with your servants in this place, and I pray, preserve them in peace. Amen. 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0003 Election Certification Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom read the certificate of election: I, Carol Beecher, Director of the Division of Elections for the State of Alaska, do hereby certify that in accordance with the provisions of AS 15.15.450, a General Election was held on the 5th day of November 2024, in the State of Alaska pursuant to AS 15.15.020 and the following are the certified results for the office designated: Senate District B Jesse Kiehl 4 year term Senate District D Jesse J. Bjorkman 4 year term Senate District F James D. Kaufman 4 year term Senate District H Matt Claman 4 year term Senate District J Forrest Dunbar 4 year term Senate District L Kelly R. Merrick 4 year term Senate District N Robert Yundt 4 year term Senate District P Scott Kawasaki 4 year term Senate District R Mike Cronk 4 year term Senate District T Donald C. "Donny" Olson 4 year term In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed hereto the Seal of the State of Alaska, at Juneau, the Capital, this 30th day of November, 2024. /s/ Carol Beecher, Director Division of Elections Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested the following Senators approach the rostrum to be administered the Oath of Office: Senate District B Jesse Kiehl 4 year term Senate District D Jesse J. Bjorkman 4 year term Senate District F James D. Kaufman 4 year term Senate District H Matt Claman 4 year term The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oath of Office to the Senators. 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0004 Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested the following Senators approach the rostrum to be administered the Oath of Office: Senate District J Forrest Dunbar 4 year term Senate District L Kelly R. Merrick 4 year term Senate District N Robert Yundt 4 year term The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oath of Office to the Senators. Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested the following Senators approach the rostrum to be administered the Oath of Office: Senate District P Scott Kawasaki 4 year term Senate District R Mike Cronk 4 year term Senate District T Donald C. "Donny" Olson 4 year term The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oath of Office to the Senators. President Pro Tempore Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom announced nominations were in order for President pro tempore of the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Hoffman be nominated President pro tempore of the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent nominations for President pro tempore of the Senate be closed. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Hoffman be elected President pro tempore. There being no objection, Senator Hoffman was elected President pro tempore of the Senate. Lieutenant Governor Dahlstrom requested Senator Tobin and Senator Olson escort the President pro tempore to the rostrum. 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0005 President pro tempore Hoffman requested Senator Tobin and Senator Olson escort the Lieutenant Governor from the chamber. President pro tempore Hoffman announced that pursuant to AS 24.05.120, the Uniform Rules in effect during the previous legislature would serve as the rules of the Thirty-fourth Alaska State Legislature until adoption of permanent rules. President President pro tempore Hoffman announced nominations were in order for President of the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Stevens be nominated President of the Senate for the Thirty-fourth Legislature. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent nominations be closed. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Stevens be elected President of the Senate for the Thirty-fourth Legislature. Without objection, Senator Stevens was elected Senate President. President pro tempore Hoffman requested Senator Stedman and Senator Wielechowski escort President Stevens to the rostrum. In accordance with Uniform Rule 1(e), President Stevens made the following appointments: Committee on Committees Senator Stevens, Chair Senator Giessel Senator Hoffman Senator Wielechowski Senator Shower President Stevens appointed Senator Merrick and Senator Kiehl to inform the Governor the Senate was organized and ready to do business. 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0006 President Stevens appointed Senator Dunbar and Senator Bjorkman to inform the House the Senate was organized and ready to do business. Recess Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 1:59 p.m. After Recess The Senate reconvened at 2:13 p.m. Committee on Committees Report January 21, 2025 Mister President: The Committee on Committees has met and submits to the Senate for its consideration chairs and members of the ten standing committees as approved by the Committee on Committees: Community and Regional Affairs Committee Senator Merrick, Chair Senator Dunbar, Vice Chair Senator Gray-Jackson Senator Olson Senator Yundt Education Committee Senator Tobin, Chair Senator Stevens, Vice Chair Senator Bjorkman Senator Kiehl Senator Cronk 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0007 Finance Committee Senator Hoffman, Cochair Senator Olson, Cochair Senator Stedman, Cochair Senator Merrick, Vice Chair Senator Kiehl Senator Kaufman Senator Cronk Health and Social Services Committee Senator Dunbar, Chair Senator Giessel, Vice Chair Senator Claman Senator Tobin Senator Hughes Judiciary Committee Senator Claman, Chair Senator Kiehl, Vice Chair Senator Stevens Senator Tobin Senator Myers Labor and Commerce Committee Senator Bjorkman, Chair Senator Merrick, Vice Chair Senator Gray-Jackson Senator Dunbar Senator Yundt Resources Committee Senator Giessel, Chair Senator Wielechowski, Vice Chair Senator Claman Senator Dunbar Senator Kawasaki Senator Hughes Senator Myers 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0008 Rules Committee Senator Wielechowski, Chair Senator Stevens, Vice Chair Senator Hoffman Senator Stedman Senator Shower State Affairs Committee Senator Kawasaki, Chair Senator Bjorkman, Vice Chair Senator Wielechowski Senator Gray-Jackson Senator Yundt Transportation Committee Senator Bjorkman, Chair Senator Tobin, Vice Chair Senator Kiehl Senator Stedman Senator Shower The report was signed by Senator Stevens, Chair; Senators Giessel, Hoffman, Wielechowski, Shower. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Committee on Committees report be adopted. Without objection, the Committee on Committees report was adopted. President Stevens announced Senator Giessel will serve as Majority Leader for the Thirty-fourth Legislature. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SR 1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 BY SENATOR GIESSEL, Establishing a Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs. was read the first time. 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0009 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 be taken up. Without objection, the resolution was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 Establishing a Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SR 1 Final Passage YEAS: 14 NAYS: 6 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt and so, SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment and enrollment. SR 2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2 BY SENATOR STEVENS, Establishing a Senate Special Committee on World Trade. was read the first time. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2 be taken up. Without objection, the resolution was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2 Establishing a Senate Special Committee on World Trade, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0010 SR 2 Final Passage YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt and so, SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment and enrollment. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the further introduction and reference of senate resolutions be held one legislative day. Without objection, it was so ordered. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the introduction and reference of senate bills be held one legislative day. Without objection, it was so ordered. Unfinished Business Election of Senate Secretary In accordance with Uniform Rule 3(a) and AS 24.10.030, Senator Wielechowski, Rules Committee Chair, nominated Liz Clark to serve as Senate Secretary for the Thirty-fourth Legislature and moved and asked unanimous consent the nominations be closed. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wielechowski moved and asked unanimous consent Liz Clark be elected Senate Secretary for the Thirty-fourth Legislature. There being no objection, Liz Clark was elected Senate Secretary for the Thirty-fourth Legislature. 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0011 President Stevens made the following appointments: Select Committee on Legislative Ethics (in accordance with AS 24.60.130 and AS 24.60.131) Senator Stevens Senator Yundt Senator Claman, alternate Senator Cronk, alternate Senator Giessel moved Senator Stevens and Senator Yundt be ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall Senator Stevens and Senator Yundt be ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Shall Senator Stevens and Senator Yundt be ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics? YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt and so, Senator Stevens and Senator Yundt were ratified as members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. Senator Giessel moved Senator Claman and Senator Cronk be ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall Senator Claman and Senator Cronk be ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Shall Senator Claman and Senator Cronk be ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics? YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0012 and so, Senator Claman and Senator Cronk were ratified as alternate members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. President Stevens made the following appointments: Legislative Council Senator Stevens, Vice Chair Senator Hoffman Senator Giessel Senator Kiehl Senator Claman Senator Gray-Jackson Senator Stedman Senator Tobin, alternate Legislative Budget & Audit Senator Gray-Jackson, Chair Senator Stedman Senator Giessel Senator Hoffman Senator Wielechowski Senator Kawasaki, alternate Joint Armed Services Committee Senator Kawasaki, Cochair Senator Wielechowski Senator Merrick Senator Dunbar Senator Shower SR 1 Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs Senator Giessel, Cochair Senator Stevens, Cochair Senator Olson Senator Wielechowski Senator Kawasaki 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0013 SR 2 Senate Special Committee on World Trade Senator Stevens, Cochair Senator Giessel, Cochair Senator Olson Senator Stedman Senator Wielechowski Senator Hoffman Senator Hughes Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., January 22, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 2:30 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0014 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled EDUCATION Jan 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Informational Hearing - Department of Health ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Furie: Cook Inlet Gas Update Mark Slaughter - Chief Commercial Officer, Furie Presentation: Hilcorp: Cook Inlet Gas Update Luke Saugier - Senior Vice President, Alaska, Hilcorp **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-01-21 Senate Journal Page 0015 RESOURCES (continued) Jan 24 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Enstar: Natural Gas Update John Sims - President, Enstar Natural Gas Presentation: Alaska Energy Authority: Alaska Energy Update Curtis Thayer - Executive Director, Alaska Energy Authority **Streamed live on AKL.tv**