Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-02-17 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0279 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday February 17, 2025 Twenty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Olson was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Major Petr Janousek, The Salvation Army. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Gracious God, I thank you for this moment of prayer and reflection as this is the time when we can ask you for your guidance, knowledge and wisdom. In your word is written that: "How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!" So I pray for revelation of your wisdom, knowledge and good judgment. Every one of us needs your wisdom from above in our ordinary daily lives. But how much more is your wisdom and knowledge needed when you grant the authority and power to make decisions about the whole state of Alaska and its people. And so I come before your throne now in prayer and ask lead us and give us understanding as well as faith, hope and love. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen. 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0280 Senator Stedman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the twenty-fifth through twenty-seventh legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Olson be excused from a call of the Senate today through February 21. Without objection, Senator Olson was excused. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Revenue Summary of Calendar Year 2024 Alaska Education Tax Credits in accordance with AS 43.05.010 Department of Education & Early Development School District Forecasted Unreserved Year-End Operating Fund Balance FY 2025 in accordance with ch. 2, SLA 2021 Standing Committee Reports SB 69 The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 69 "An Act relating to sexual assault examination kits; establishing the sexual assault examination kit tracking system; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Claman, Chair; Senator Kiehl. Signing no recommendation: Senator Tobin. 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0281 The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Public Safety The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Citations In Memoriam - Fred Hupprich Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Dibert Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business Senator Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from morning plane time, February 20 through evening plane time, February 23. Without objection, Senator Dunbar was excused. 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., February 19, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:09 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0282 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 COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS Feb 18 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 63 LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 17 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska's per pupil spending in context: 2022 and 2023 updates Dayna Jean DeFeo, Director, Center for Alaska Education Research, Institute of Social and Economic Research Matthew Berman, Professor of Economics, Institute of Social and Economic Research + SB 6 ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0283 EDUCATION (continued) Feb 19 Wednesday Davis 106 8:00 AM -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- Meeting jointly with the House Education Committee -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Presentation: Alaska Municipal Leaders Education Priorities by Participants in the Alaska Municipal League 2025 Winter Legislative Conference Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 21 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 41 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION -- Public Testimony -- += SB 22 FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 23 CIVICS EDUCATION -- Public Testimony -- + SB 82 EDUCATION:SCHOOLS; GRANTS; FUNDING; DEBT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 17 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Cases, Judgments, and Settlements Department of Law Overview: University of Alaska - FY26 Budget Senate Finance Subcommittee of the Whole Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0284 FINANCE (continued) Feb 19 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 72 RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 65 RAILROAD CORP. FINANCING <Pending Introduction & Referral> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Three-Year Budget Outlook Legislative Finance Division Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Municipal League Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 21 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Agenda Change -- + SB 89 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE + Presentation: Alaska Primary Care Association Nancy Merriman, CEO, Alaska Primary Care Association Lisa Aquino, CEO, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center and APCA FQHC Payment Taskforce Chair Joshua Gilmore, CEO, Sunshine Health Center and APCA Board Chair Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0285 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued) Feb 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Agenda Change -- Presentation: Alaska Primary Care Association Nancy Merriman, CEO, Alaska Primary Care Association Lisa Aquino, CEO, Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center and APCA FQHC Payment Taskforce Chair Joshua Gilmore, CEO, Sunshine Health Center and APCA Board Chair <Above Item Removed from Agenda> + SB 9 SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 17 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 19 Wednesday Davis 106 1:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- + Meeting Jointly with House Judiciary Committee Presentation: Oregon Criminal Justice Commission Overview Ken Sanchagrin, Executive Director, Oregon Criminal Justice Commission **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 21 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0286 LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 17 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 11 FLOOD INSURANCE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 17 CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 98 EXTEND BOARD OF VETERINARY EXAMINERS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 19 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: How Workers' Compensation Works Director Chuck Collins, Division of Workers' Compensation + SB 98 EXTEND BOARD OF VETERINARY EXAMINERS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 39 LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 21 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 17 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 47 CHUGACH STATE PARK EASEMENTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 29 BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 30 STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 61 ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0287 RESOURCES (continued) Feb 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 92 CORP. INCOME TAX; OIL & GAS ENTITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 21 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 18 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 31 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM -- Public Testimony -- + SB 43 WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Adding a faculty member to the UA Board of Regents Jill Dumesnil - Statewide President, United Academics Jackie Cason - UAA Faculty Senate President + Presentation: Department of Law Overview Functions and current litigation Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0288 TRANSPORTATION Feb 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Continued from 02/13/25 -- + Presentation: STIP Update and Construction Outlook Katherine Keith, Deputy Commissioner Dom Pannone, Director of Program Management & Administration Overview: Alaska International Airport System Angie Spear, C.M., AIAS Director Teri Lindseth, ANC Deputy Airport Director, Planning & Development **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Winter Road Maintenance Andy Mills, Special Assistant, Commissioner's Office Jason Sakalaskas, Maintenance and Operations Chief, Northern Region Burrell Nickeson, Maintenance and Operations Manager, Central Region Brad Bylsma, Director, State Equipment Fleet Christine Langley, Director, Data Modernization and Innovation Office **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Feb 20 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: The Wilson Center Shannon-Elizabeth O'Hare, US Polar Leadership Project Coordinator, Wilson Center Presentation: Denali Commission Julie Kitka, Federal Co-Chair, Denali Commission **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0289 OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION 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 ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Covenant House Alaska Sponsored by Senator Tobin Feb 19 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Dock Talk: The Work of Alaska Longshoremen Dennis Young, President, ILWU Jesse Groom, Vice President, ILWU Darryl Tseu, Secretary/Treasurer, ILWU Caleb Adelmann, SC Committeeman, ILWU Travis Swangel, SW Committeeman, ILWU Sponsored by Senator Kiehl and Representative Fields Feb 19 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 5:30 PM + Alaska Children's Caucus Meeting -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Kids Count Data Book Trevor Storrs, President & CEO, Alaska Children's Trust Presentation: Children's Justice Act Task Force Josh Louwerse, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs and Youth Systems Improvement, Covenant House Alaska **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0290 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Feb 24 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Trucking Association Industry Overview Jamie Benson, President/CEO Sponsored by Senator Bjorkman and Representative Carrick 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 Mar 05 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Safeguarding Alaska's Natural Resources from Foreign Malign Influence Tyler Vose, Founder & CEO, Denali Defense Solutions Dal Rae Beach, COO Sponsored by Senators Shower, Yundt and Representatives Vance, Allard Mar 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Travel and Tourism Alaska Travel Industry Association Sponsored by Senator Merrick Mar 31 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska's Workforce Future Alaska Workforce Alliance Jose Owens, American Marine International Carol Wren, BBNC and AWA Executive Director Sponsored by Senator Merrick 2025-02-17 Senate Journal Page 0291 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Apr 01 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska is an Aerospace State Dr. Bob McCoy, Director, UAF Geophysical Institute Sponsored by Senator Kawasaki Apr 09 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Commission of Postsecondary Education Sponsored by Senator Tobin