Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2025-04-10 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0761 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE FIRST SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday April 10, 2025 Eightieth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:05 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Maranatha Henderson, Senate Page. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu, Hebrew for "Blessed are You, Lord our God" Lord, Thank You for seeing us safely through each day and I ask that you continue to watch over us. Please guide our legislators and give them patience while they deliberate over issues of such importance to our great state. Let us have harmony, respect, and the strength to stand together for a better future. In your name I pray, Amen. Senator Claman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the seventy-ninth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0762 Standing Committee Reports SB 13 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 13 "An Act relating to the summer electronic benefits transfer program for children" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 13(EDC) Signing do pass: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senator Kiehl. Signing no recommendation: Senators Cronk, Bjorkman, Stevens. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 2, indeterminate, Department of Family and Community Services The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. HB 69 The Finance Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(RLS) am "An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to school and student performance reports; relating to school and district accountability; relating to charter schools; relating to an annual report for correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the duty of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) "An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date." (Title Change SCR 3) 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0763 Signing no recommendation: Senators Olson, Hoffman, Stedman, Cochairs; Senator Merrick. Signing do pass: Senator Kiehl. Signing amend: Senators Kaufman, Cronk. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 9, zero, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 10, Department of Education and Early Development Fiscal Note No. 11, Senate Finance Committee The bill is on today's calendar. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 3 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 BY THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 69, relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to school and student performance reports; relating to school and district accountability; relating to charter schools; relating to an annual report for correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the duty of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; and relating to a report on regulation of school districts. was read the first time and held on the Secretary's desk. 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0764 SJR 19 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19 BY SENATORS BJORKMAN, Merrick, Urging the United States Congress to honor the terms of the Mineral Leasing Act and the Alaska Statehood Act and provide the state with a 90 percent share of all bonuses, royalties, and rentals received by the federal government from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 167 SENATE BILL NO. 167 BY SENATOR KAWASAKI, entitled: "An Act relating to a permanent fund dividend for an individual whose conviction has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed; and relating to the calculation of the value of the permanent fund dividend by including payment to individuals eligible for a permanent fund dividend because of a conviction that has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of House Bills HB 69 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(RLS) am "An Act relating to education; relating to open enrollment in public schools; relating to school and student performance reports; relating to school and district accountability; relating to charter schools; relating to an annual report 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0765 for correspondence study programs; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications devices in public schools; relating to the duty of the legislature to pass a public education appropriation bill; relating to the duty of the governor to prepare a public education appropriation bill; establishing the Task Force on Education Funding; relating to a report on regulation of school districts; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Hoffman, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Senate Committee Substitute offered today. Without objection, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) "An Act relating to the base student allocation; and providing for an effective date" was adopted. President Stevens stated SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 69(FIN) will advance to third reading on the April 11 calendar. Citations th Honoring - Hospice of Homer 40 Anniversary Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Vance In Memoriam - David Witt Senator(s) Myers, Cronk Representative(s) Schwanke In Memoriam - Joyanna Geisler Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Vance 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. 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0766 Special Order of Business In Memoriam - Sue Tauriainen Senator(s) Bjorkman Representative(s) Elam 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 SJR 19 Senators Giessel, Cronk, Stedman, Hughes, Myers, Hoffman, Shower, Kawasaki, Wielechowski, Olson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 19 Urging the United States Congress to honor the terms of the Mineral Leasing Act and the Alaska Statehood Act and provide the state with a 90 percent share of all bonuses, royalties, and rentals received by the federal government from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:00 a.m., April 11, 2025. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:16 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0767 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 Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Apr 11 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 151 SCHOOL DISTRICT HEAD LICE POLICY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 118 ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 14 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 82 EDUCATION:SCHOOLS; GRANTS; FUNDING; DEBT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 151 SCHOOL DISTRICT HEAD LICE POLICY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 118 ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 16 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 5 SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSUR -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0768 EDUCATION (continued) Apr 18 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Apr 10 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 44 MINORS & PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 76 COMPLEX CARE RESIDENTIAL HOMES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 69 SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATION KITS/TRACKING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += HB 56 APPROP: SUPP; FUND CAP; CAP; AMENDING + HB 69 EDUCATION: FUNDING, SCHOOLS, DEVICES Uniform Rule 23 Waived Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 57 APPROP: CAPITAL/SUPPLEMENTAL/FUNDS **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 10 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 11 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 63 LOCAL BOUNDARY COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 54 EXT ARCH, ENG, SURVEY BRD; REG INT DESIGN += SB 86 MONEY TRANSMISSION; VIRTUAL CURRENCY += SB 29 BIG GAME COMMERCIAL SERVICES BOARD += HB 56 APPROP: SUPP; FUND CAP; CAP; AMENDING Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 14 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Division of Retirement and Benefits Department of Administration Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0769 FINANCE (continued) Apr 14 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + University of Alaska Finance Subcommittee Budget Close Out -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 92 CORP. INCOME TAX; OIL & GAS ENTITIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 137 EXTEND BOARDS: MIDWIVES, NURSING, PAROLE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 133 INSURANCE; PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 16 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Infrastructure Progress Update Alaska Municipal League Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 16 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 17 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 18 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0770 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 10 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SJR 16 FEDERAL ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Citizen's Review Panel Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 45 MEDICAID MENTAL HEALTH PARITY Apr 15 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 147 PHARMACIST PRESCRIPTION AUTHORITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Apr 17 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 11 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 9 SURRENDER OF INFANTS; INF. SAFETY DEVICE += SB 78 DISCLOSURE OF WAGE INFORMATION Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 14 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 17 CRIME COUNTERFEIT/NONFUNCTIONING AIRBAG -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 16 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 18 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0771 LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 11 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 14 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 136 FIREARM FINANCIAL PRIVACY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 83 TELEHEALTH REIMBURSEMENT RATES -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 156 AK COMMERCIAL FISHING & AG BANK; LOANS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 16 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 89 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- SENATE BILL: GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS <Pending Introduction & Referral> **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 18 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Apr 11 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Big Game Commercial Services Board -- Public Testimony -- += SB 128 CREATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 139 LAND; OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS; AG LAND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SJR 19 ANWR & NAT'L PETRO RESERVE: STATE SHARE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0772 RESOURCES (continued) Apr 14 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += HJR 11 RECOGNIZING ALASKA/CANADA RELATIONSHIP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SJR 18 WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SJR 19 ANWR & NAT'L PETRO RESERVE: STATE SHARE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 139 LAND; OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS; AG LAND -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 16 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 18 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Apr 10 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Alaska Public Offices Commission Walter Monegan -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 49 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 53 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY ACCREDITATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0773 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 34 REPEAL 90 DAY SESSION LIMIT -- Public Testimony -- += SB 120 CLIMATE CHANGE COMMISSION -- Public Testimony -- += SB 116 CAMPAIGN FINANCE, CONTRIBUTION LIMITS -- Public Testimony -- += SJR 13 APPOINTMENT OF STATE JUDGES -- Public Testimony -- += SB 19 PRISONERS: ELECTRONIC DEVICE ACCESS/USE -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 17 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Apr 10 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 138 TAXATION: VEHICLE RENTALS, SUBPOENAS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 104 VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Public Testimony -- + SB 152 HAROLD ESMAILKA AIRPORT AT RUBY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Presentation: Metropolitan Planning Organization Boundary Process and Considerations Katherine Keith, Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities <Above Item Removed from Agenda> **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 15 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 152 HAROLD ESMAILKA AIRPORT AT RUBY -- Public Testimony -- Presentation: State of Alaska Bridges Department of Transportation and Public Facilities **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0774 TRANSPORTATION (continued) Apr 17 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:50 PM + Senate Administration Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- COMMERCE, COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEV Apr 14 Monday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Presentation: Subcommittee Budget Close Out ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Apr 14 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM Department of Corrections Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Senate Education & Early Development Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:00 PM + Overview: Department of Environmental Conservation Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0775 FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 3:30 PM + Presentation: Subcommittee Budget Close Out ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Department of Fish & Game Close Out ---------------------------------------- GOVERNOR Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 8:35 AM Senate Finance Governor Budget Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 14 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 5:15 PM Judiciary Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:45 PM + Overview: Department of Labor and Workforce Development Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- LAW Apr 14 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 5:30 PM Department of Law Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0776 LEGISLATURE Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 8:30 AM Senate Finance Legislature Budget 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 ---------------------------------------- NATURAL RESOURCES Apr 15 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 2:30 PM + Overview: Department of Natural Resources Senate Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- PUBLIC SAFETY Apr 14 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 5:45 PM Department of Public Safety Finance Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 5:10 PM + Senate Finance Revenue Subcommittee Close Out ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Apr 16 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + FY26 DOT Operating Budget - Close Out ---------------------------------------- 2025-04-10 Senate Journal Page 0777 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA Apr 15 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Budget Close Out ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Apr 10 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Presentation: Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies Randy "Church" Kee - Director, Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 17 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled