Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0439 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday March 6, 2025 Forty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:37 a.m. The roll showed seventeen members present. Senator Olson was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Hoffman, Shower were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Nova Tomaszewski, Senate Page. Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. O Jesus, Give to us and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do Thy will. Fill us with the love of truth and righteousness and make us ever mindful of our calling to serve the people of this great state. Grant that we be guided by Your providence and dwell secure in Your peace. Amen. Senator Giessel led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the forty-fourth legislative day, Senate Journal Supplement No. 2, and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 5 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Hoffman be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0440 Senator Myers, Acting Minority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Shower be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Shower was excused. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Letter from the Attorney General dated March 5 was received reporting the monetary terms for the collective bargaining agreement reached between the University of Alaska and United Academics (UNAC) in accordance with AS 23.40.215 and AO 356. President Stevens referred the report to the Finance Committee. Standing Committee Reports Report dated March 5 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Resources Committee held a hearing on the following appointee(s). A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual(s) during any further sessions. Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Alaska Jessie Chmielowski Signing the report: Senator Giessel, Chair; Senators Hughes, Myers, Wielechowski, Kawasaki. 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0441 SB 93 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 93 "An Act relating to district-wide early education programs; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senator Kiehl. Signing no recommendation: Senators Cronk, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Education and Early Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 14 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund and to appropriations from the Alaska permanent fund. was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0442 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 123 SENATE BILL NO. 123 BY SENATOR MYERS BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to citizen review panels for certain children in state custody; reestablishing the Citizens' Review Panel for Permanency Planning; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Judiciary Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 47 SENATE BILL NO. 47 "An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Giessel, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Resources Committee Substitute offered on page 381. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 47(RES) was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 47(RES) will advance to third reading on the March 10 calendar. Third Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 9 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 Recognizing and honoring the relationship between Canada and Alaska; and recognizing the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiated by President Donald J. Trump in October of 2018, was read the third time. 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0443 Senator Wielechowski, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9 be returned to the Rules Committee. Without objection, the resolution was returned to the Rules Committee. Citations Commemorating - Peace Officers Memorial Day May 15, 2025 Representative(s) Edgmon Honoring - Eduard Zilberkant Senator(s) Myers, Cronk Representative(s) Schwanke th Honoring - JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. 40 Anniversary Representative(s) Hannan, Story Senator(s) Kiehl Honoring - Marti Guzman Representative(s) Mina Honoring - Alaska National Guard First Scouts Representative(s) Nelson, Foster Senator(s) Olson Honoring - Joseph “Joe” Principe Representative(s) Nelson, Stapp Senator(s) Tobin th Honoring - Lucky Wishbone 70 Anniversary Representative(s) Nelson Senator(so) Tobin In Memoriam - Ellen Jean Newkirk Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears, Eischeid In Memoriam - Dorothy Ann Hunter Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears, Eischeid 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0444 In Memoriam - Linda Bright Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears, Eischeid In Memoriam - Calvin Robert Schaefer Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears, Eischeid In Memoriam - David “Sandy” Jamieson Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Carrick In Memoriam - Alfred “Al” Ketzler, Sr. Senator(s) Kawasaki, Cronk Representative(s) Dibert In Memoriam - Ruth Gronlid Benson Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Dibert In Memoriam - Nicole Nordstrand Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Dibert In Memoriam - John Augustus Rego Representative(s) Schwanke Senator(s) Cronk In Memoriam - Donald D. Church Representative(s) Schwanke Senator(s) Yundt In Memoriam - William R. Church Representative(s) Schwanke Senator(s) Yundt In Memoriam - Donnell Edward Erickson Representative(s) Moore, Foster 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0445 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 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., March 10, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0446 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 Mar 11 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 111 DIGITAL PRODUCT REPAIR -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 102 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 26 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 07 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + SB 110 MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION GRANTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0447 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 10 Monday Davis 106 8:30 AM -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- + Meeting jointly with the House Education Committee Presentation: 2025 State Board of Education Report to the Legislature James Fields, State Board Chair Deena Bishop, DEED Commissioner Members of the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 12 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 18 COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 69 EDUCATION FUNDING: INCREASE BSA <Pending Referral> += SB 6 ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER PROGRAM Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Alaska Board of Education and Early Development Kimberly Bergey Kathryn McCollum Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Professional Teaching Practices Commission Heidi Barnes Kimberly Bergey Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 14 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- + Meeting jointly with the Senate Judiciary Committee Presentation: Policy and Prevention for Young Adults in the Juvenile Justice System Adriana Galván, Director, Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory at University of California Los Angeles Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0448 FINANCE Mar 06 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 80 EXTEND BOARDS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 109 PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND; POMV SPLIT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 73 MARIJUANA: TAX/REGISTRATION; INCOME TAX -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 113 APPORTION TAXABLE INCOME;DIGITAL BUSINESS <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 03/10/25> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 07 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 10 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 113 APPORTION TAXABLE INCOME;DIGITAL BUSINESS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Three Year Budget Outlook Update Legislative Finance Division Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 11 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SJR 14 CONST AM: PERMANENT FUND; POMV;EARNINGS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Medicaid Levers and Federal Marketplace Department of Health Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Spring Revenue Forecast Department of Revenue Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0449 FINANCE (continued) Mar 14 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Major Maintenance and School Construction Department of Education and Early Development Alaska Council of School Administrators Mt. Edgecumbe High School Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 06 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 11 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 121 HEALTH INSURANCE ALLOWABLE CHARGES + SB 122 HEALTH INSURANCE NETWORK STANDARDS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 9 SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE += SB 83 TELEHEALTH REIMBURSEMENT RATES SENATE BILL: CRISIS CARE <Pending Introduction & Referral> SENATE BILL: MEDICAID <Pending Introduction & Referral> ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 07 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 10 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SJR 6 WASHINGTON D.C. STATEHOOD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0450 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 12 PFD/CHILD SUPPORT Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 14 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Meeting jointly with the Senate Education Committee Presentation: Policy and Prevention for Young Adults in the Juvenile Justice System Adriana Galván, Director, Developmental Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of California Los Angeles Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 07 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 54 EXT ARCH, ENG, SURVEY BRD; REG INT DESIGN += SB 50 MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS: HOUSING -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 86 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 10 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 12 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 54 EXT ARCH, ENG, SURVEY BRD; REG INT DESIGN += SB 24 TOBACCO/NICOTINE/E-CIG AGE; E-CIG TAX += SB 55 TRS CONTR RATE; PERS/TRS SOC SECUR OR SBS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0451 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 14 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 89 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 96 CHILD CARE: TAX CREDITS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 07 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 10 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 108 FINFISH FARMS AND PRODUCTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 97 BIG GAME PERMIT PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 12 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 105 STATE LAND FOR RECREATIONAL CABIN SITES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 112 OIL & GAS PRODUCTION TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 14 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 97 BIG GAME PERMIT PROGRAM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 06 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0452 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Mar 11 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 62 BOARD OF PAROLE: MEMBERSHIP, REPORT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 71 PRETRIAL SERVICES SUPERVISION AGRMNTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 19 PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/USE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 64 ELECTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 64 ELECTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 49 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 120 CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 06 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Continued from 2/20/25 -- + Presentation: Winter Road Maintenance Andy Mills, Special Assistant, Commissioner's Office Burrell Nickeson, Maintenance and Operations Manager, Central Region Brad Bylsma, Director, State Equipment Fleet Presentation: Rural Aviation System Update Troy LaRue, Director of Statewide Aviation **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0453 TRANSPORTATION (continued) Mar 11 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Port MacKenzie: Navigating Multimodal Transportation Infrastructure Development in the Point MacKenzie Region David Griffin, Port MacKenzie Operations Manager, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Meghan Clemens, External Affairs Director, Alaska Railroad Corporation Mar 13 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Highway, Bike and Pedestrian Safety Pam Golden, P.E., State Traffic & Safety Engineer Shannon McCarthy, Communications Director Dan Smith, Director, Measurement Standards and Commercial Vehicle Compliance ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 10 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee Mar 17 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Mar 14 Friday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Overview: FY26 Budget Items ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0454 EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 11 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee Mar 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee Mar 25 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Mar 11 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:00 PM + Presentation: Division of Spill Prevention and Response (SPAR) & Clean Water Act Section 404 ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM + Overview: Requested FY26 Budget Items **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Mar 06 Thursday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Department of Fish and Game Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 06 Thursday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM + Presentation: Medicaid Update **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0455 LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Mar 10 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Vocational Technical Center Director Cory Ortiz, PhD Presentation: State Training Employment Program Paloma Harbour, Training Services Director Dirk Craft, Alaska Workforce Investment Board Director ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Mar 06 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM Public Safety Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 06 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee Mar 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee Mar 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Mar 06 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Arctic Affairs in Alaska Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0456 OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION 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 Mar 17 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: So there's a disaster in my district: what the heck do I do now? Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Bryan Fisher, Director Angela Laflamme, Legislative Liaison Sponsored by Senator Kiehl 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 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 2025-03-06 Senate Journal Page 0457 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Apr 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: BUILDING FOR THE NORTH: The History of Alaska Housing and Cold Climate Solutions Leah Winters, Public Policy Fellow, Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) Sponsored by Senator Kawasaki Apr 09 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education Sponsored by Senator Tobin