Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-17 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0531 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 17, 2025 Fifty-sixth 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 Claman was excused from a call of the Senate. Senators Hughes, Stedman were absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Trenton Cooper, Glacier Valley Baptist Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Lord, Your Word says in Psalm 128, "How happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways! They will surely eat what their hands have worked for. They will be happy and it will go well for them." That is my prayer today. I pray that I will learn to fear and honor You. I pray that our leaders will do the same. Father, I believe You have brought everyone here for a purpose. It is You who establishes earthly authority. I pray that our leaders here would recognize this blessing that comes from Your hand; that they have a chance to serve our great state and her people at Your behest. May they carry out this important task with dignity, honor, and wisdom. Cause them to carry out justice and to love mercy. 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0532 And Lord, please bless them and their efforts. Bless their families, their spouses, their children, and their grand children. Bless their friends. Lord cause Your face to shine upon them. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. Senator Kaufman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the fifty-third through fifty-fifth 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. Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Hughes be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Hughes was excused. Standing Committee Reports SB 97 The Resources Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 97 "An Act establishing a big game guide concession area permit program on land in the state; relating to the duties of the Big Game Commercial Services Board, the Board of Game, the Department of Fish and Game, and the Department of Natural Resources; requiring the Board of Game to establish an initial big game guide concession area; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Giessel, Chair; Senator Claman. Signing do not pass: Senator Myers. Signing no recommendation: Senators Wielechowski, Dunbar. Signing amend: Senators Hughes, Kawasaki. 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0533 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Fish and Game Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Fish and Game Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Natural Resources The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 133 SENATE BILL NO. 133 BY THE SENATE LABOR & COMMERCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to prior authorization requests for medical care covered by a health care insurer; relating to a prior authorization application programming interface; relating to step therapy; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 50 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 50(L&C) "An Act relating to the comprehensive plans of first and second class boroughs" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 50(L&C) "An Act relating to the comprehensive plans of first and second class boroughs" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0534 CSSB 50(L&C) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 17 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Claman, Hughes, Stedman and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 50(L&C) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Third Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 10 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Encouraging the United States Congress to award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal, was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Encouraging the United States Congress to award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SJR 10 Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 17 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 3 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Claman, Hughes, Stedman and so, SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations Honoring - Urbach’s Clothier Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Stutes 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0535 Honoring - 2025 Alaska Journal of Commerce Top 40 Under 40 Recipients Senator(s) Kawasaki Honoring - Ticasuk Brown Elementary School Representative(s) Stapp, Dibert Senator(s) Kawasaki In Memoriam - Trygve “Trig” Bjorklund Representative(s) Allard, Saddler In Memoriam - James Martin Lindoff Jr., L’too da xaan Representative(s) Himschoot Senator(s) Kiehl, Stedman 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. Engrossment SB 50 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 50(L&C) "An Act relating to the comprehensive plans of first and second class boroughs" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. SJR 10 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Encouraging the United States Congress to award Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War the Congressional Gold Medal, was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0536 Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:45 a.m., March 18, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:28 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0537 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 18 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 102 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 26 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 17 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM Presentation: UAA Teacher Apprenticeship Solutions UAA Provost Dr. Denise Runge += HB 69 EDUCATION FUNDING: INCREASE BSA -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 19 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += HB 69 EDUCATION FUNDING: INCREASE BSA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0538 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 21 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += HB 69 EDUCATION FUNDING: INCREASE BSA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 17 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Governor's Amendments Office of Management and Budget Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Deferred Maintenance University of Alaska Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 19 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Three Year Budget Outlook Update Legislative Finance Division Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 31 ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 39 LOANS UNDER $25,000; PAYDAY LOANS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 21 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0539 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 122 HEALTH INSURANCE NETWORK STANDARDS <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 90 MINOR MENTAL HEALTH: AGE OF CONSENT -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 88 CHILD PLACEMENT; DILIGENT SEARCH -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 121 HEALTH INSURANCE ALLOWABLE CHARGES -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: SENATE RESOLUTION: MEDICAID <Pending Introduction & Referral> ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 17 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Daniel Carothers, Alaska Police Standards Council Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: David Ross, Alaska Police Standards Council -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Presentation: Criminal Division of the Department of Law John Skidmore, Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Division Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0540 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 21 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Timothy Collins, Alaska Police Standards Council Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Bill Satterberg, Commission on Judicial Conduct -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SJR 6 WASHINGTON D.C. STATEHOOD Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 17 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: UAA Workforce Solutions in Alaska UAA Provost Dr. Denise Runge Dr. Debbie Craig, Dean - UAA College of Health Ray Weber, Dean - UAA Community & Technical College Dr. Cheryl Siemers, Director - Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) + SB 99 CPA AS PRIVATE PROFESSIONAL CONSERVATORS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 19 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 132 OMNIBUS INSURANCE BILL -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 133 INSURANCE; PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 21 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 28 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 4 HEALTH CARE PRICES AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0541 RESOURCES Mar 17 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 105 STATE LAND FOR RECREATIONAL CABIN SITES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Regulatory Commission of Alaska John Springsteen Steven Devries Mark Johnston -- Public Testimony -- + SJR 8 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 21 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 114 GAS PIPELINE FAIRBANKS SPUR -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 125 AK GASLINE FINANCE CORPORATION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 18 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 64 ELECTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 35 DELIVERY NETWORK COMPANIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 34 REPEAL 90 DAY SESSION LIMIT -- Public Testimony -- + SB 37 STRATEGIC PLANS FOR STATE AGENCIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0542 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Mar 20 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 120 CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 107 ALASKA SUNSET COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 25 JUDICIAL RETENTION ELECTION INFORMATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SJR 13 APPOINTMENT OF STATE JUDGES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 18 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 20 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SJR 12 NOAA BUOY OUTAGES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 104 VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SJR 11 JONES ACT WAIVER FOR LNG SHIPS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 17 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0543 EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT (continued) Mar 25 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 18 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM + Presentation: Update from the Division of Public Assistance Deb Etheridge, Director **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Mar 20 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Presentation: Arctic Affairs Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 18 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0544 OTHER MEETINGS (continued) JOINT SESSION (continued) Mar 19 Wednesday House Chamber 10:30 AM + Consideration of Senate Special Concurrent Resolution 1 Regarding Executive Order 136 SSCR 1 DISAPPROVE EO 136 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 Your District: What the Heck Do You Do Now? Bryan Fisher, Director, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Angela Laflamme, Legislative Liaison, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Sabrina Grubitz, Incident Commander, Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Robert Barr, Deputy City Manager, City and Borough of Juneau 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 19 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Discrimination in Alaska: A Snapshot of Alaskans' Perspectives Rob Corbisier, Alaska State Commission for Human Rights Blake Bennett, Alaska Survey Research Sponsored by Senator Myers 2025-03-17 Senate Journal Page 0545 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