Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-19 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0561 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday March 19, 2025 Fifty-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:19 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Cronk was 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. Father, Your Word says in Psalm 67, "May God be gracious to us and bless us; may He make His face shine upon us so that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the nations rejoice and shout for joy, for You judge the peoples with fairness and lead the nations of the earth." My prayer today is that You would lead our nation and our wonderful state of Alaska. Lord, You have brought these men and women here to represent us and provide leadership as they establish the laws by which we are governed. Grant them wisdom to do what is right for all people. Let them be fair to all looking out for the wellbeing of even the most vulnerable. May they not be swayed by popular trends or those with the loudest voices. Let them be informed by truth, justice, and compassion. 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0562 As these Senators and their staff work diligently on our behalf, grant them grace and blessings. Please protect them and provide for them. Allow them to experience Your generosity and goodness. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. Senator Kiehl led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the fifty-seventh legislative day and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 6 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letter dated March 18 was read stating in accordance with Article III, sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution, and AS 39.05.080, I submit the following appointee(s) for confirmation: Board of Game John Wood - Willow Appointed: 3/14/2025 Expires: 7/1/2025 The appointment was referred to the Resources Committee. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Court System Travel for Justices, Judges, and Magistrate Judges and Affidavit Information 2024 in accordance with AS 22.20.310 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0563 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 15 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15 BY THE SENATE HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, Calling on the state's congressional delegation to oppose cuts to federal spending on Medicaid. was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 136 SENATE BILL NO. 136 BY SENATOR CRONK, entitled: "An Act relating to the privacy of firearm transactions; relating to discrimination against firearm retailers by financial institutions and payment networks; relating to the disclosure of financial records by financial institutions and payment networks; and amending Rules 65 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. SB 137 SENATE BILL NO. 137 BY SENATOR BJORKMAN, entitled: "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives; extending the termination date of the Board of Nursing; extending the termination date of the Board of Parole; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0564 SB 138 SENATE BILL NO. 138 BY SENATOR CLAMAN, entitled: "An Act relating to vehicle rental taxes; relating to the issuance of subpoenas related to tax records; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and Finance Committees. SB 139 SENATE BILL NO. 139 BY SENATOR HUGHES, entitled: "An Act relating to certain agreements having to do with critical infrastructure; relating to who may own or hold certain land; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Judiciary Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring - Fairbanks Drama Association and Fairbanks Children’s th Theatre 60 Anniversary 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. 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0565 Unfinished Business SB 136 Senators Bjorkman, Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 136 "An Act relating to the privacy of firearm transactions; relating to discrimination against firearm retailers by financial institutions and payment networks; relating to the disclosure of financial records by financial institutions and payment networks; and amending Rules 65 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure." Without objection, it was so ordered. The presence of Senator Cronk was noted. Recess Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 10:32 a.m. After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Edgmon called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Stevens, who called the Joint Session to order at 10:41 a.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to consider SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Disapproving Executive Order No. 136. The roll call of the Senate showed twenty members present. The roll of the House showed forty members present. SSCR 1 Senator Giessel moved the joint session consider SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Disapproving Executive Order No. 136. 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0566 SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 was read the second time and was before the joint session on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Disapproving Executive Order No. 136, pass the Joint Session?" The roll of the Senate was taken with the following result: SENATE SSCR 1 Second Reading Final Passage YEAS: 14 NAYS: 6 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt The roll of the House was taken with the following result: HOUSE SSCR 1 Second Reading Final Passage YEAS: 18 NAYS: 22 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Burke, Carrick, Dibert, Edgmon, Eischeid, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Hall, Hannan, Himschoot, Holland, Josephson, Mears, Mina, Schrage, Story, Stutes Nays: Allard, Bynum, Costello, Coulombe, Elam, Gray, Jimmie, Johnson, Kopp, McCabe, Moore, Nelson, Prax, Rauscher, Ruffridge, Saddler, Schwanke, Stapp, Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance TOTALS: YEAS: 32 NAYS: 28 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 and so, SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 passed and was referred to the Senate Secretary for engrossment and enrollment. 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0567 Senator Giessel moved the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Stevens adjourned the Joint Session at 12:33 p.m. After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 12:36 p.m. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:45 a.m., March 20, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 12:36 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0568 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 25 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 26 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Public Testimony -- += SB 102 ELIMINATE DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME -- Public Testimony -- += SB 111 DIGITAL PRODUCT REPAIR -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION 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** 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** 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0569 FINANCE 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 ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES 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: += SJR 15 OPPOSE MEDICAID CUTS 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0570 JUDICIARY 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** 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 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** 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0571 RESOURCES 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 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** 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0572 TRANSPORTATION 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 EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 25 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 25 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM + Presentation: FY26 Budget Request Kim Koval, Commissioner Marian Sweet, Assistant Commissioner Clinton Lasley, Assistant Commissioner **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 20 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 19 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:45 AM + FY26 DOT Operating budget - Airports 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0573 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** ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES TASK FORCE FOR REG. OF PSYCH. MEDICINES Mar 19 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Meeting topics will include: - Review proposed updated meeting schedule - Review preliminary report outline, initial recommendations - Overview of regulatory processes for controlled substances and new therapies - Next steps for task force members **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION 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 2025-03-19 Senate Journal Page 0574 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS 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 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