Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-03-24 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0597 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 24, 2025 Sixty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Fred LaPlante, Juneau Church of the Nazarene. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Father, I pray for these women and men who have been chosen to lead in our great State of Alaska. I ask for your wisdom to be given to each of them as they seek to lead with integrity and strength. Grant them your grace and understanding in all they do today. I also ask for your touch on each of them as they deal with health and other personal issues. Those things tend to distract us and keep us from thinking clearly. God, help them to find your strength and boldness to serve as you would have them serve today and in the days to follow. In Christ’s powerful name I pray. Amen. Senator Myers led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0598 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the fifty-ninth through sixty-second legislative days and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 7 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Community and Regional Affairs 2025 Designated Legislative Lapsing Grant Report Letter from the Attorney General dated March 21 was received reporting the monetary terms for the collective bargaining agreement reached between the State of Alaska and the Alaska Vocational Technical Center Teachers' Association (AVTECTA) 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 21 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary 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. Alaska Police Standards Council Timothy Collins Commission on Judicial Conduct Bill Satterberg Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Myers, Kiehl, Stevens, Tobin. 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0599 SJR 6 The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6 Supporting the admittance of Washington, D.C., into the Union as a state of the United States of America, and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 6(JUD) Signing no recommendation: Senator Claman, Chair; Senator Kiehl. Signing do pass: Senator Tobin. Signing do not pass: Senators Stevens, Myers. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 140 SENATE BILL NO. 140 BY SENATOR STEDMAN, entitled: "An Act relating to a matching grant program for fire station construction and renovation; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Finance Committees. SB 141 SENATE BILL NO. 141 BY SENATOR GIESSEL, entitled: "An Act relating to automated external defibrillators in buildings open to the public; relating to opioid overdose response kits in buildings open to the public; relating to civil liability for providing opioid overdose drugs; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0600 SB 142 SENATE BILL NO. 142 BY SENATOR GIESSEL BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to municipal and state group health insurance plans and policies, including self-insured plans and policies, and the administration and management of pharmacy benefits; 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 80 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 80(FIN) "An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; extending the termination date of the Board of Massage Therapists; extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; extending the termination date of the Marijuana Control Board; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 80(FIN) "An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; extending the termination date of the Board of Massage Therapists; extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; extending the termination date of the Marijuana Control Board; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 80(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0601 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 80(FIN) 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. Citations Honoring - Michelle Odlin Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Stutes Honoring - Ashley Conlon Senator(s) Tobin, Claman Representative(s) Hall Honoring - Mariya Lovishchuk Senator(s) Kiehl Representative(s) Story, Hannan In Memoriam - Kameron Hartvigson Representative(s) Underwood, Moore, Coulombe 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 citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring - Dorine Grace McCall Senator(s) Kaufman, Merrick Representative(s) Saddler 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0602 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 SB 90 President Stevens removed the Finance Committee referral from SENATE BILL NO. 90 "An Act relating to the examination and treatment of minors; relating to consent for behavioral and mental health treatment for minors 16 years of age or older; and providing for an effective date." President Stevens added a Judiciary Committee referral to the bill. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee. In accordance with AS 24.55.020, President Stevens made the following appointments: Ombudsman Selection Committee Senator Stedman, Chair Senator Kiehl Senator Hughes Senator Merrick moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on March 28. Without objection, Senator Merrick was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0603 Engrossment SB 80 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 80(FIN) "An Act extending the termination date of the Big Game Commercial Services Board; extending the termination date of the Board of Massage Therapists; extending the termination date of the Alaska Commission on Aging; extending the termination date of the Marijuana Control Board; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Engrossment and Enrollment SSCR 1 SENATE SPECIAL CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Disapproving Executive Order No. 136, was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 11:35 a.m., March 21, 2025. Legislative Resolve No. 2 Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., March 26, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:25 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0604 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 24 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Capital Needs for School Facilities Alaska Department of Education and Early Development += HB 69 EDUCATION FUNDING: INCREASE BSA -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 26 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 20 CPR CURRICULUM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 118 ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += HB 69 EDUCATION FUNDING: INCREASE BSA -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0605 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 28 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 24 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SJR 14 CONST AM: PERMANENT FUND; POMV;EARNINGS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 25 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Broadband Office Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 59 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; FUND CAP **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 26 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Energy Authority Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 27 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 30 STATE PARK PERMITS FOR DISABLED VETERANS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 54 EXT ARCH, ENG, SURVEY BRD; REG INT DESIGN -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 61 ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 28 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0606 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 25 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 95 CHILD CARE: ASSISTANCE/GRANTS += SCR 2 SUPPORT CRISIS CARE & MEDICAID REFORM Presentation: All Alaska Pediatric Partnership += SJR 15 OPPOSE MEDICAID CUTS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Mar 27 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 122 HEALTH INSURANCE NETWORK STANDARDS += SB 95 CHILD CARE: ASSISTANCE/GRANTS += SB 88 CHILD PLACEMENT; DILIGENT SEARCH Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 24 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Dr. Robert Urata, Violent Crimes Compensation Board -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Leitoni Tupou, State Board of Parole <Above Item Removed from Agenda> += SB 17 CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 26 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- Agenda Change -- Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Donald Handeland, Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar Leitoni Tupou, State Board of Parole -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 78 DISCLOSURE OF WAGE INFORMATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 28 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0607 LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 24 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 137 EXTEND BOARDS: MIDWIVES, NURSING, PAROLE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 55 TRS CONTR RATE; PERS/TRS SOC SECUR OR SBS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 96 CHILD CARE: TAX CREDITS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 26 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 132 OMNIBUS INSURANCE BILL -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 133 INSURANCE; PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 28 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 24 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Resource Education & Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 26 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Critical Minerals Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative University of Alaska Fairbanks Critical Mineral Research Initiatives Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0608 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 28 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 92 CORP. INCOME TAX; OIL & GAS ENTITIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 128 CREATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 25 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 64 ELECTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 120 CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION -- Public Testimony -- + SB 68 EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 27 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 64 ELECTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 77 PERM FUND; EMPLOYMENT; ELIGIBILITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 116 CAMPAIGN FINANCE, CONTRIBUTION LIMITS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 25 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SJR 12 NOAA BUOY OUTAGES -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 27 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0609 FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 25 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:00 PM + Overview: Department of Environmental Conservation Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- 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** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:45 PM + Overview: Department of Labor and Workforce Development Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- MILITARY & VETERANS' AFFAIRS Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:15 PM + Overview: Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0610 NATURAL RESOURCES Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:30 PM + Overview: Department of Natural Resources Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Mar 27 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Update on Alaska Fisheries Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 26 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: History & Mission of Team Arctic Winter Games Arctic Winter Games Nicole Morton-Johnson, President Sarah Frampton, Executive Director Sponsored by Senator Cronk 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 2025-03-24 Senate Journal Page 0611 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Apr 02 Wednesday Davis 106 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