Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-01-29 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0123 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 29, 2025 Ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senator Olson was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Hoffman, Stedman were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Greg Weinert, Emmanuel Baptist Church. Senator Claman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Our Heavenly Father, I come before you in praise and thanks for the Great and Mighty God you are. I thank you for creating this majestic state and everything that is part of its vast existence. I thank you for creating us after your own image and for providing redemption from sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ your Son. I thank you for your wonderful love, grace, and mercy upon each of us and for the fact that you care for even the smallest details of our lives. I thank you for the vision you placed in the minds of our forebearers and for the sacrifices many have made down through the years to see that dream of a great land come into fruition, under Your grace and guidance, Lord. 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0124 I thank you for this great body, the Senate of Alaska. I thank you particularly for those who daily seek your wisdom in making the important decisions on behalf of all Alaskans. This morning, I come to you in prayer for a special dedication to the people of Alaska, that their lives would be filled with Your blessings, provision, and grace. I pray that each day of their lives will be under the shield of your mighty spiritual armor in order to be able to stand against the evil of the day and therefore be able to order their own lives according to true righteousness that will bring peace to all. May your blessing upon their lives be evident and appreciated, to Your glory. I pray this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Senator Giessel led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the eighth legislative day and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 2 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. The presence of Senators Hoffman, Stedman was noted. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 78 SENATE BILL NO. 78 BY SENATOR DUNBAR, entitled: "An Act relating to disclosure of information regarding employee compensation by employers, employees, and applicants for employment." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Labor and Commerce Committees. 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0125 Unfinished Business SB 28 Senators Kiehl, Claman, Tobin, Kawasaki, Bjorkman, Dunbar, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 28 "An Act relating to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Cronk moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from 7:00 p.m., January 30 through 9:00 p.m., February 2. Without objection, Senator Cronk was excused. SB 44 Senators Giessel, Tobin, Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 44 "An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report published by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements HJR 4 Senator Kawasaki, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent Uniform Rule 23 be waived on CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 4(RLS) Urging the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of the Interior, the United States Board on Geographic Names, and the members of the state's delegation in Congress to maintain Denali as the official name for the tallest mountain in North America, for the State Affairs Committee meeting on January 30. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0126 SB 52 Senator Kawasaki, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent Uniform Rule 23 be waived on SENATE BILL NO. 52 "An Act relating to the day on which ballots are counted in an election; relating to absentee voting; and relating to early voting" for the State Affairs Committee meeting on January 30. Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., January 31, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:20 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0127 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 29 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Fairbanks North Star Borough School District update by Melissa Burnett, School Board President Luke Meinert, Superintendent Presentation: Education funding impact on Anchorage teachers by Corey Aist, President, Anchorage Education Association -- Public Testimony on the education funding crisis in Alaska -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 31 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + -- Public Testimony on the education funding crisis in Alaska -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 30 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0128 FINANCE (continued) Jan 31 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Overview: Continued: FY26 Budget Overview by Legislative Finance Division ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 30 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Medicaid 1115 Waiver Update by Emily Ricci, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health Betsy Wood, Deputy Director of the Office of Health Savings Tracy Dompeling, Director of the Division of Behavioral Health + SB 44 MINORS & PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled -- Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 31 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0129 LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 29 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Overview: Department of Labor and Workforce Development Apprenticeships (Directors Dirk Craft and Paloma Harbour) Overview/Budget (Commissioner Cathy Muñoz and Director Dan DeBartolo) **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 31 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Natural Resources Carbon Capture Update by John Crowther - Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources Haley Paine - Deputy Director, Division of Oil and Gas Ryan Fitzpatrick - Commercial Section Chief, Divison of Oil and Gas Presentation: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Class VI Wells Update by Jessie Chmielowski - Commissioner, AOGCC Gregory Wilson - Commissioner, AOGCC Chris Wallace - Senior Petroleum Engineer, AOGCC Kayla Junke - Carbon Assistant, AOGCC **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 31 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Natural Resources Leasing Issues Update by John Crowther - Deputy Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources Presentation: Department of Law Leasing Issues Update by Mary Gramling - Chief Assistant Attorney General, Department of Law **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0130 STATE AFFAIRS Jan 30 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 64 ELECTIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 70 SCHOOL&ELECTION BDS; VOTING; ELECTIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 52 ABSENTEE BALLOTS Uniform Rule 23(a) Waived + HJR 4 RES. TO MAINTAIN DENALI AS OFFICIAL NAME <Pending Introduction & Referral> Uniform Rule 23(a) Waived Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Jan 30 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Jan 30 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Energy by Gwen Holdmann - Director, Alaska Center for Energy and Power **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0131 JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Jan 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + I. Call to Order II. Committee Organization: Election of Chair and Vice Chair III. Approval of the Agenda IV. Approval of Minutes a. December 2, 2024 b. December 23, 2024 V. Roles and Responsibilities: Division Support for the Committee a. Alexei Painter, Legislative Fiscal Analyst, Division of Legislative Finance b. Kris Curtis, Legislative Auditor, Division of Legislative Audit VI. Revision of LBAC Handbook a. Kris Curtis, Legislative Auditor VIII. Executive Session a. RFP 25-33-01 Compliance Audits of Select b. IRIS/Alder Contract Extension and Assignment Major Federal Programs IX. Top Audit Issues a. Kris Curtis, Legislative Auditor X. Adjourn **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0132 SELECT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE ETHICS Jan 31 Friday Barnes 124 8:30 AM + 1. Approval of Agenda + 2. Approval of Minutes a. House Subcommittee February 16, 2024 b. House Subcommittee November 12, 2024 + 3. Public Comment + 4. Election of Committee Chairs for 2025-2026 a. Article 3 Ethics Committee Election Procedure + 5. Chair/Staff Report a. Public Member Committee Appointment Update b. Management Log Review c. Publications i. 2022 Public Decisions Booklet - AS 24.60.150(a)(2) ii. 2022 Advisory Opinion Booklet - AS 24.60.150(a)(2) iii. 2023 Standards of Conduct Handbook - AS 24.60.150(a)(3) 6. Executive Session + 7. 2025 Ethics Training Report + 8. Budget a. FY 2025-2026 Budget + 9. Other Business (Meeting will be teleconferenced) Anchorage Only: 563-9085 Juneau Only: 586-9085 Outside Anchorage or Juneau: 1-844-586-9085 Jan 31 Friday Barnes 124 12:00 PM SENATE SUBCOMMITEE MEETING + 1. Approval of Agenda + 2. Public Comment 3. Executive Session + 4. Public Session + 5. Other Business 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0133 TASK FORCE EVAL ALASKA SEAFOOD INDUSTRY Jan 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Review and Adoption of Final Report, with discussion of conceptual legislation recommended -- Teleconference Listen Only -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 30 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Review and Adoption of Final Report, with discussion of conceptual legislation recommended -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 12 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Susan Carney Feb 20 Thursday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Nick Begich III, U.S. Representative Mar 18 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator Mar 20 Thursday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0134 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Jan 29 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska's Nonprofit Sector: Generating Economic Impact Laurie Wolf, CEO, The Foraker Group Sponsored by Senator Dunbar Jan 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: School Choice Options for Alaska Leigh Sloan, Director of Alaska School Choice Dr. Jessica Parker Dr. Matthew Baxter Sponsored by Senator Hughes and Representative Underwood Feb 05 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Senior Services in Alaska Marge Stoneking, AARP Alaska Advocacy Director Marty Lange, Alaska Commission on Aging Executive Director Stephanie Wheeler, Alaska Long-term Care Ombudsman Marianne Mills, AGEnet President Sponsored by Senator Stevens Feb 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Covenant House Alaska Sponsored by Senator Tobin Feb 24 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Trucking Association Jamie Benson, Executive Director ATA Board Members Sponsored by Senator Bjorkman and Representative Carrick 2025-01-29 Senate Journal Page 0135 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Feb 26 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: 2025 Report Card for Alaska's Infrastructure American Society of Civil Engineers - Alaska Section as part of the Alaska Professional Design Council annual Legislative Fly-In David Gamez, Tor Anderzen, Greg Kinney Sponsored by Senator Kaufman