Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-10 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0465 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 10, 2025 Forty-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Stedman was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Dr. Charles Ensminger, Kunéix Hídi Northern Light United Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Almighty God, as we gather in this place and in this time, it is my prayer that you will inspire the hearts of those gathered here. Provide the paths of wisdom and stir within us all a desire to embrace sincerity, humility of conscience, and a confidence in and for the truth. I pray in this place and time, almighty God, for your empowering grace, your call for peace, and that your call to seek and maintain justice to be answered by those who serve this state. I pray these words today for all gathered; may their work be done well, may their words be just, and may their hearts be sincere. Hear my prayers, almighty God, for this I pray. Amen. Senator Gray-Jackson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0466 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the forty-fifth through forty-eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Stedman be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Stedman was excused. Messages from the Governor HB 65 Message was read stating the Governor signed the following bill on March 6 and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: HOUSE BILL NO. 65 "An Act authorizing the Alaska Railroad Corporation to issue revenue bonds to finance the replacement of the Alaska Railroad Corporation's passenger dock and related terminal facility in Seward, Alaska; and providing for an effective date." Chapter 1, SLA 2025 Effective Date: 3/7/25 SB 87 Message was read stating the Governor signed the following bill on March 6 and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: SENATE BILL NO. 87 "An Act disapproving the recommendations of the State Officers Compensation Commission; and providing for an effective date." Chapter 2, SLA 2025 Effective Date: 3/7/25 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0467 Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Administration Division of Risk Management FY 2025 Report in accordance with AS 37.05.287 Standing Committee Reports SB 50 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 50 "An Act relating to the comprehensive plans of first and second class boroughs" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 50(L&C) Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Yundt. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 86 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 86 "An Act relating to the business of money transmission; relating to licenses for money transmission, licensure requirements, and registration through a nationwide multistate licensing system; relating to the use of virtual currency for money transmission; relating to authorized delegates of a licensee; relating to acquisition of control of a license; relating to record retention and reporting requirements; authorizing the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development to cooperate with other states in the regulation of money transmission; relating to permissible investments; relating to violations 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0468 and enforcement of money transmission laws; relating to exemptions to money transmission licensure requirements; relating to payroll processing services; relating to currency exchange licenses; amending Rules 79 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 124 SENATE BILL NO. 124 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the licensure of nursing professionals; relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Governor's transmittal letter dated March 7: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to facilitate Alaska’s entry into the Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), the nation’s longest standing and most well-vetted professional licensure compact. 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0469 Joining this Compact will expand healthcare access across the State by streamlining and simplifying licensure requirements for registered and practical nurses who seek to practice in multiple states. Under this legislation, and in light of Alaska’s 21 percent registered nurse vacancy rate reported in the 2023 Alaska Healthcare Workforce Analysis, Alaska would become a "party state," enabling: • Prospective nurse applicants to remain in Alaska and practice under a new multistate license. • Nurses already holding a multistate license from one of the 43 other U.S. jurisdictions in the compact to practice in Alaska immediately, without undergoing a separate licensure process. Surveys from 2019 and 2023 also indicate that 92 percent of Alaska- licensed nurses support joining the NLC, recognizing that it helps address our annual need for over 1,350 new nursing recruits, despite graduating only about 325 nurses per year. This bill does not eliminate or replace Alaska’s current nurse licensing pathways. Instead, it supplements them, so certified nurse aides (CNAs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and Alaska- only licensees continue to follow existing licensing options. In adopting the Compact, the State would also join the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators, which oversees rulemaking, enforcement, and financial assessments for the Compact. The bill designates the Alaska Board of Nursing to implement the Compact, directing the Board’s chair, or a designee, to serve on the Commission. Alaska would further participate in the Compact's coordinated licensure information system, ensuring interstate sharing of licensure and enforcement data. All the while, each party state retains full jurisdiction over its own nursing laws and the standards for public safety. By joining the Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact, Alaska will significantly enhance workforce flexibility and bolster healthcare services throughout the State. 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0470 I respectfully request your prompt and favorable consideration of this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 47 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 47(RES) "An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 47(RES) "An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 47(RES) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 18 NAYS: 1 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Nays: Shower Excused: Stedman and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 47(RES) passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0471 Citations Honoring - Alev Kelter Representative(s) Allard, Johnson, Saddler Honoring - Alyce Hanley Representative(s) Allard Senator(s) Claman In Memoriam - Paul R. Jenkins II Representative(s) Allard, Saddler In Memoriam - Wayne J. McLaren Representative(s) Allard Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citations be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Stephen B. Wallace Representative(s) Stutes Senator(s) Stevens, Claman In Memoriam - Jody Fenton Representative(s) Ruffridge, Johnson Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0472 Unfinished Business SB 19 Senators Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 19 "An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Cronk moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from 8:00 a.m., March 13 through 10:00 p.m., March 16. Without objection, Senator Cronk was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 47 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 47(RES) "An Act relating to Chugach State Park; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., March 12, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:22 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0473 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 <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION 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** 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0474 EDUCATION (continued) 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** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE 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: += SB 80 EXTEND BOARDS 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0475 FINANCE (continued) 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 Lori Wing-Heier, Director, Division of Insurance, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 13 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Spring Revenue Forecast Department of Revenue Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled 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 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 RESOLUTION: CRISIS CARE <Pending Introduction & Referral> SENATE RESOLUTION: MEDICAID <Pending Introduction & Referral> ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0476 JUDICIARY 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** 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 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** 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** ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0477 RESOURCES 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 <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 03/14/25> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 112 OIL & GAS PRODUCTION TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Presentation: Alaska LNG: Update on QilakLNG Mead Treadwell, CEO, QilakLNG David Clarke, COO, QilakLNG **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 14 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 97 BIG GAME PERMIT PROGRAM += SB 105 STATE LAND FOR RECREATIONAL CABIN SITES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 92 CORP. INCOME TAX; OIL & GAS ENTITIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS 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** 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0478 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) 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 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 ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0479 COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Mar 14 Friday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Overview: FY26 Budget Items ---------------------------------------- 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** ---------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0480 REVENUE 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 13 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Arctic Affairs in Alaska: Marine Exchange of Alaska Ed Page, Founder, Senior Advisor, Marine Exchange of Alaska Byron Hayes, Operations Center Supervisor, Marine Exchange of Alaska Edric Carrillo, External Affairs Officer, Marine Exchange of Alaska Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Mar 12 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM -- Please Note Location -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** I. Call to Order II. Approval of the Agenda III. Approval of Minutes a. February 12, 2025, Minutes IV. Sanctioning of Charitable Events i. Kenai River Junior Classic - August 5 - 6, 2025 ii. Ted Stevens Kenai River Classic - August 20 - 22, 2025 (Continued on Following Page) 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0481 JOINT COMMITTEES (continued) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) iii. Kenai River Women’s Classic - September 11 - 13, 2025 V. Executive Session a. Consideration of an Appeal in Legislative Council v. Attorney General Treg Taylor, et al VI. Adjourn ---------------------------------------- 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 2025-03-10 Senate Journal Page 0482 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) 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 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