Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-04-02 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0677 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday April 2, 2025 Seventy-second Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:00 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Cronk was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Chris Elliot, Radiant Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Most gracious Heavenly Father! I come before You today in much humility, recognizing the sacred trust that has been placed upon everyone in this room. You, O Lord, who formed the peaks of Denali and laid the depths of the Pacific, have also given these men and women the weighty responsibility of governance as they lead our great state. I ask that You would graciously provide Your wisdom, Your guidance, and Your strength upon this body. Grant them wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy. Let their decisions be shaped by a love for truth and justice. I ask that You would enable them to guard their hearts against pride, their tongues against deceit, and their actions against anything that would dishonor the glory of Your Name. Teach them to walk in humility, as they remember the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. May the decisions that are made 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0678 and the laws that are crafted reflect the beauty of Your holiness. I ask that You would strengthen them so they be able to persevere in the important work that lays before them. Bless our great state, Heavenly Father, its people, its leaders, and its future. And above all else, may Your name be glorified in all that is done here today. I ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Senator Tobin led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journals for the seventieth and seventy-first legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letter dated April 1 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 Fisheries Olivia Irwin – Nenana Appointed: 7/1/2025 Expires: 7/1/2028 Board of Game Allen Barrette – Fairbanks Appointed: 7/1/2019 Expired: 7/1/2022 Reappointed: 7/1/2022 Expires: 7/1/2025 Reappointed: 7/1/2025 Expires: 7/1/2028 Carrie Ann Mueller – Palmer Appointed: 7/1/2025 Expires: 7/1/2028 The appointments were referred to the Resources Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0679 Standing Committee Reports Report dated April 1 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Health and Social Services 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. State Medical Board Brent Taylor Signing the report: Senator Giessel, Vice Chair; Senators Claman, Hughes, Tobin. SB 137 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 137 "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." Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Merrick, Gray- Jackson. Signing no recommendation: Senators Dunbar, Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 2, Department of Corrections The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SCR 1 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Relating to the procedure that the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature will use to reconsider bills and items vetoed by the governor. 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0680 Signing no recommendation: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senator Wielechowski. Signing do pass: Senator Gray-Jackson. Signing amend: Senator Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The resolution was referred to the Judiciary Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 16 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 16 BY SENATOR GRAY- JACKSON, Urging the United States Congress to pass the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act; and urging lawmakers to advocate for policies that guarantee equitable access to vital healthcare. was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. SJR 17 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17 BY SENATOR STEDMAN, Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of The Energy Council. was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. SJR 18 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18 BY THE SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, Urging the Governor, the Department of Natural Resources, division of forestry and fire protection, the Department of Public Safety, municipalities of 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0681 the state and relevant wildfire planning and response agencies, and the Alaska delegation in Congress to prepare for the 2025 wildfire season. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 139 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 139 BY SENATOR HUGHES, entitled: "An Act relating to who may own or hold certain land; relating to certain agreements having to do with critical infrastructure; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Judiciary Committees. SB 153 SENATE BILL NO. 153 BY SENATOR YUNDT, entitled: "An Act exempting municipal service area boards from the requirements of the Open Meetings Act; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and State Affairs Committees. SB 154 SENATE BILL NO. 154 BY SENATOR YUNDT, entitled: "An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0682 SB 155 SENATE BILL NO. 155 BY SENATOR CLAMAN, entitled: "An Act relating to the crime of failure to report a violent crime." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. SB 156 SENATE BILL NO. 156 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE EVALUATING ALASKA'S SEAFOOD INDUSTRY, entitled: "An Act relating to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; relating to the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank; relating to certain loans made by the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank; 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 Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 12 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Urging the United States Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to address outages of National Data Buoy Center stations, was read the second time. Senator Bjorkman, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Transportation Committee Substitute offered on page 620. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12(TRA) was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12(TRA) will advance to third reading on the April 4 calendar. 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0683 Citations Honoring - Jeff Cook Representative(s) Prax Senator(s) Myers Honoring - Governor Sean Parnell Representative(s) Johnson, Coulombe, Saddler In Memoriam - George & Judith Moerlein Senator(s) Giessel Representative(s) Hannan In Memoriam - Roger Grummett Representative(s) Story, Hannan Senator(s) Kiehl In Memoriam - John K. Sliwinski Representative(s) Kopp, Costello 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 - Rayme Lawrence Vinson Representative(s) Hannan, Story Senator(s) Kiehl Honoring - Elizabeth Ripley Representative(s) Moore, Johnson Senator(s) Hughes In Memoriam - Dr. Paul Dunscomb Senator(s) Kaufman Representative(s) Coulombe, Stapp 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0684 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 SCR 1 Senator Claman, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent Uniform Rule 23 be waived on SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 Relating to the procedure that the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature will use to reconsider bills and items vetoed by the governor, for the Judiciary Committee meeting on April 4. Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements are at the end of the journal. Enrollment SB 43 SENATE BILL NO. 43 "An Act establishing the month of March as Women's History Month" 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 10:30 a.m., April 2, 2025. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., April 4, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:36 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0685 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 EDUCATION Apr 02 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: University of Alaska Board of Regents Karen Perdue - Fairbanks Christine Resler - Anchorage -- Public Testimony -- + SB 110 MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION GRANTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 04 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Apr 02 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development + HB 56 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; FUND CAP <Pending Referral> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0686 FINANCE (continued) Apr 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: State Debt Summary and Credit Review Department of Revenue = HB 56 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; FUND CAP <Pending Referral> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 04 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 146 REAA FUND: MT. EDGECUMBE, TEACHER HOUSING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 22 FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 6 ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- = HB 56 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL; FUND CAP <Pending Referral> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 03 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Agenda Change -- += SB 122 HEALTH INSURANCE NETWORK STANDARDS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 134 PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGER;3RD PARTY ADMIN -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 45 MEDICAID MENTAL HEALTH PARITY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 88 CHILD PLACEMENT; DILIGENT SEARCH Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Samantha Smith, State Medical Board ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0687 JUDICIARY Apr 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Dorene Lorenz, State Commission for Human Rights Jessie Ruffridge, State Commission for Human Rights Jedediah Cox, Board of Governors of the Alaska Bar -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 90 MINOR MENTAL HEALTH: AGE OF CONSENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 04 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Joan Wilson, Chief Administrative Law Judge -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled + SCR 1 ART. II, SEC. 16, CONST: VETO RECON -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Uniform Rule 23 Waived **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 02 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 -- += SB 4 HEALTH CARE PRICES AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0688 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Apr 04 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 11 FLOOD INSURANCE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 81 PUBLIC EMPLOYER PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Apr 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 92 CORP. INCOME TAX; OIL & GAS ENTITIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 04 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 128 CREATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 112 OIL & GAS PRODUCTION TAX -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Apr 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- Meeting jointly with the House State Affairs Committee + Presentation: What is AMHTA and how does it benefit Alaskans? Mary Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0689 TRANSPORTATION Apr 03 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 138 TAXATION: VEHICLE RENTALS, SUBPOENAS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Tribal Coordination Shannon McCarthy, DOT&PF Communications Director Sara Lucey, Transportation Planner **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:00 PM + Overview: Department of Environmental Conservation Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Apr 03 Thursday Senate Finance 532 7:45 AM + Presentation: Division of Behavioral Health; Division of Senior and Disabilities Services ---------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0690 NATURAL RESOURCES Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:30 PM + Overview: Department of Natural Resources Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Apr 02 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:45 AM + FY26 DOT Operating Budget - AMHS ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Apr 03 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska and International Arctic Politics Mike Sfraga - Fmr. Ambassador-At-Large for Arctic Affairs, United States Department of State Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES TASK FORCE FOR REG. OF PSYCH. MEDICINES Apr 02 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Meeting topics will include: - Process and timeline updates - Group discussion on draft recommendations - Barriers to access, tribal considerations, ethics and patient protections - Next steps for task force members -- Teleconference Listen Only -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-02 Senate Journal Page 0691 OTHER MEETINGS MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS 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