Legislature(2025 - 2026)

2025-05-20 Senate Journal

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2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1361
                                                                                                                                
                                SENATE JOURNAL                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                           ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                          THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                FIRST SESSION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska                     Tuesday                     May 20, 2025                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                          One Hundred Twentieth Day                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                                             
Stevens at 8:48 a.m.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The roll showed twenty members present.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Greg White, First                                                                
Baptist Church Juneau. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous                                                                
consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                             
                                                                                                                                
          Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name I come to you. I pray                                                                 
          that during these closing days of this session that you                                                               
          fill the Senators with the “knowledge of your will in                                                                 
          all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col 1:9),                                                                    
          that they serve as a blessing to you and the people of                                                                
          Alaska.  Father, I ask your grace be poured out upon                                                                  
          the Senators that they are truly empowered to                                                                         
          effectively “run the race set before them” (Hebrews                                                                   
                     12:1b).  In Jesus' name,       Amen.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Senator Cronk led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Certification                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for                                                               
the one hundred nineteenth legislative day be approved as certified by                                                          
the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                    Recess                                                                                   

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Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand                                                              
in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed                                                          
at 8:51 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 9:00 a.m.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HB 57                                                                                                                         
The purpose of the Joint Session was to consider override of the                                                                
Governor's veto of SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                              
NO. 57(FIN) am S(reengrossed) (Schools: Comm. Devices/Class                                                                     
Size/Funding).                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The roll of the Senate was called and showed twenty members present.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
The roll of the House was taken and showed forty members present.                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                           
NO. 57(FIN) am S(reengrossed) become law notwithstanding the                                                                    
Governor's veto.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                      
NO. 57(FIN) am S(reengrossed) "An Act relating to maximum                                                                       
classroom sizes in public schools; relating to education reports;                                                               
relating to charter schools; relating to student transportation funding;                                                        
relating to secondary school vocational and technical instruction                                                               
funding; relating to the base student allocation; relating to reading                                                           
proficiency incentive grants; relating to wireless telecommunications                                                           
devices in public schools; relating to the use of tax revenue from                                                              
highly digitized businesses; relating to the duties of the Department of                                                        
Labor and Workforce Development; establishing the Task Force on                                                                 
Education Funding; and providing for an effective date" become law                                                              
notwithstanding the Governor's veto?" The roll of the Senate was                                                                
taken with the following result:                                                                                                

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SENATE                                                                                                                          
SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S(reengrossed)                                                                                              
Veto Override                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  17   NAYS:  3   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman,                                                                     
Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Hughes, Myers, Shower                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Olson changed from "NAY" to "YEA"                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The roll of the House was taken with the following result:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE                                                                                                                           
SCS CSHB 57(FIN) am S(reengrossed)                                                                                              
Veto Override                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
 YEAS:  29   NAYS:  11   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Burke, Bynum, Carrick, Costello, Coulombe, Dibert, Edgmon,                                                               
Eischeid, Elam, Fields, Foster, Galvin, Gray, Hall, Hannan,                                                                     
Himschoot, Holland, Jimmie, Josephson, Kopp, Mears, Mina, Nelson,                                                               
Ruffridge, Saddler, Schrage, Stapp, Story, Stutes                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Allard, Johnson, McCabe, Moore, Prax, Rauscher, Schwanke,                                                                
Tilton, Tomaszewski, Underwood, Vance                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
TOTALS: YEAS: 46   NAYS: 14    EXCUSED: 0      ABSENT: 0                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
and so, the Governor's veto of SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE                                                                       
BILL NO. 57(FIN) am S(reengrossed) was overridden.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Joint Session                                                             
stand in adjournment. Without objection, the Joint Session adjourned                                                            
at 9:04 a.m.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                 After Recess                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

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                                In the Senate                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The Senate reconvened at 11:04 a.m.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
President Stevens stated in accordance with Rule 30, Alaska State                                                               
Legislature Uniform Rules, reconsideration is not available today.                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          Special Committee Reports                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
HB 53                                                                                                                         
Senator Giessel moved the Senate adopt the Conference Committee                                                                 
Report on HB 53, which had been read (page 1342).                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall the Senate adopt the Conference                                                                      
Committee Report?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CCS HB 53                                                                                                                       
Shall the Senate Adopt the Conference Committee Report?                                                                         
Effective Date(s)                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  17   NAYS:  3   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman,                                                                     
Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Hughes, Myers, Shower                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
and so, the report was adopted, thus adopting:                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
          CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 53 "An                                                                               
          Act making appropriations for the operating and loan                                                                  
          program expenses of state government and for certain                                                                  
          programs; capitalizing funds; amending                                                                                
          appropriations; making supplemental appropriations;                                                                   
          making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c),                                                                      
          Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the                                                                         
          constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for                                                                 
          an effective date."                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved for the adoption of the constitutional budget                                                             

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reserve fund section(s).                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall the constitutional budget reserve fund                                                               
sections (Article IX, Section 17(c) Constitution of the State of Alaska)                                                        
be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CCS HB 53                                                                                                                       
Adopt Constitutional Budget Reserve Fund Section(s)?                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  18   NAYS:  2   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Shower,                                                                      
Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Hughes, Myers                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
and so, the constitutional budget reserve fund section(s) were adopted.                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the                                                               
adoption of the Conference Committee Report be considered the vote                                                              
on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The Secretary was requested to notify the House.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HB 55                                                                                                                         
Senator Giessel moved the Senate adopt the Conference Committee                                                                 
Report on HB 55, which had been read (page 1343).                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall the Senate adopt the Conference                                                                      
Committee Report?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                
                                                                                                                                
CCS HB 55                                                                                                                       
Shall the Senate Adopt the Conference Committee Report?                                                                         
Effective Date(s)                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
and so, the report was adopted, thus adopting:                                                                                  

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          CONFERENCE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 55 "An                                                                               
          Act making appropriations for the operating and                                                                       
          capital expenses of the state's integrated                                                                            
          comprehensive mental health program; and providing                                                                    
          for an effective date."                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the                                                               
adoption of the Conference Committee Report be considered the vote                                                              
on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The Secretary was requested to notify the House.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
HJR 14                                                                                                                        
Senator Shower moved and asked unanimous consent CS FOR                                                                         
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 (TRA) Supporting the                                                                              
completion of the Port MacKenzie Rail Extension and the Northern                                                                
Rail Extension; supporting the increase in defensive capabilities at                                                            
Fort Greely, Alaska; encouraging a renewed commitment by the                                                                    
Alaska Railroad to a community-minded approach to future rail                                                                   
expansion; and encouraging the development of critical Arctic                                                                   
infrastructure, be discharged from the Rules Committee. Senator                                                                 
Giessel objected.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION                                                                        
NO. 14 (TRA) be discharged from the Rules Committee?" The roll                                                                  
was taken with the following result:                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
CSHJR 14(TRA)                                                                                                                   
Discharge from Rules Committee?                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  6   NAYS:  14   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Cronk, Hughes, Kaufman, Myers, Shower, Yundt                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman,                                                                
Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin,                                                                       
Wielechowski                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
and so, CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 14 (TRA) failed                                                                       
to be discharged from the Rules Committee.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                

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                        Consideration of the Calendar                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
                        Second Reading of House Bills                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
HB 70                                                                                                                         
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 70(L&C) am "An Act relating to                                                                            
emergency medical services for operational canines; relating to the                                                             
powers, duties, and liability of emergency medical technicians and                                                              
mobile intensive care paramedics; relating to the practice of veterinary                                                        
medicine; and providing for an effective date" was read the second                                                              
time.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator Dunbar, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the                                                                
adoption of the Health and Social Services Senate Committee                                                                     
Substitute offered on page 1301. Without objection, SENATE CS                                                                   
FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 70(HSS) "An Act relating to                                                                           
emergency medical services for operational canines; relating to the                                                             
powers, duties, and liability of emergency medical technicians and                                                              
mobile intensive care paramedics; relating to the practice of veterinary                                                        
medicine; relating to civil liability of veterinarians; and providing for                                                       
an effective date" was adopted.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the bill be                                                                   
considered engrossed, advanced to third reading and placed on final                                                             
passage. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 70(HSS) was read the                                                                        
third time.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                      
NO. 70(HSS) "An Act relating to emergency medical services for                                                                  
operational canines; relating to the powers, duties, and liability of                                                           
emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive care paramedics;                                                             
relating to the practice of veterinary medicine; relating to civil liability                                                    
of veterinarians; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?"                                                        
The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SCS CSHB 70(HSS)                                                                                                                
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   

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Effective Date(s)                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 70(HSS)                                                                             
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.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SCR 9                                                                                                                         
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9 was before the                                                                               
Senate on final passage.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION                                                                         
NO. 9 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of                                                            
the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 70, relating to                                                         
emergency medical services for operational canines; relating to the                                                             
powers, duties, and liability of emergency medical technicians and                                                              
mobile intensive care paramedics; and relating to the practice of                                                               
veterinary medicine.                                                                                                            
pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SCR 9                                                                                                                           
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9 passed the                                                                           
Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 174                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 174 "An Act relating to the regional educational                                                                 

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attendance area and small municipal school district fund; relating to                                                           
Mt. Edgecumbe High School; and relating to teacher housing" was                                                                 
read the second time.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the bill be                                                                   
advanced to third reading and placed on final passage. Without                                                                  
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HOUSE BILL NO. 174 was read the third time.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senators Hoffman, Stedman, Cronk, Gray-Jackson, Claman, Giessel,                                                                
Shower, Tobin, Olson, Dunbar, Stevens moved and asked unanimous                                                                 
consent to be shown as cross sponsors on the bill. Without objection, it                                                        
was so ordered.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall HOUSE BILL NO. 174 "An Act relating to                                                               
the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school                                                             
district fund; relating to Mt. Edgecumbe High School; and relating to                                                           
teacher housing" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the                                                                  
following result:                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
HB 174                                                                                                                          
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
and so, HOUSE BILL NO. 174 passed the Senate, was signed by the                                                                 
President and Secretary and returned to the House.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                         Third Reading of House Bills                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
HB 16                                                                                                                         
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(STA) "An Act requiring a group                                                                         
supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition in a state or                                                          
local election to maintain an address in the state; amending campaign                                                           
contribution limits for state and local office; directing the Alaska                                                            
Public Offices Commission to adjust campaign contribution limits for                                                            

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state and local office once each decade beginning in 2031; relating to                                                          
campaign contribution reporting requirements; relating to                                                                       
administrative complaints filed with the Alaska Public Offices                                                                  
Commission; relating to state election expenditures and contributions                                                           
made by a foreign-influenced corporation or foreign national; and                                                               
providing for an effective date" was read the third time.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senator Wielechowski, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent                                                                  
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 16(STA) be returned to the Rules                                                                          
Committee. Without objection, the bill was returned to the Rules                                                                
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 31                                                                                                                         
HOUSE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to the registration of                                                                       
commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict vessel prevention                                                              
program fund" was read the third time.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall HOUSE BILL NO. 31 "An Act relating to                                                                
the registration of commercial vessels; and relating to the derelict                                                            
vessel prevention program fund" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken                                                            
with the following result:                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
HB 31                                                                                                                           
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  19   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  1                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Absent:  Olson                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
and so, HOUSE BILL NO. 31 passed the Senate, was signed by the                                                                  
President and Secretary and returned to the House.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
HB 35                                                                                                                         
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 35(JUD) "An Act                                                                             
relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners;                                                          
and relating to identification cards" was read the third time.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                      

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NO. 35(JUD) "An Act relating to the use and possession of electronic                                                            
devices by prisoners; and relating to identification cards" pass the                                                            
Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SCS CSHB 35(JUD)                                                                                                                
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 35(JUD)                                                                             
passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
SCR 8                                                                                                                         
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 was before the                                                                               
Senate on final passage.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION                                                                         
NO. 8 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of                                                            
the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 35, relating to                                                         
the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners, pass the                                                             
Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SCR 8                                                                                                                           
Final Passage                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 passed the                                                                           
Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
HB 123                                                                                                                        
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 123(FIN) "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                                                       
third time.                                                                                                                     

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Senators Dunbar, Cronk, Claman, Yundt moved and asked unanimous                                                                 
consent to be shown as cross sponsors on the bill. Without objection, it                                                        
was so ordered.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL                                                                      
NO. 123(FIN) "An Act relating to vehicle rental taxes; relating to the                                                          
issuance of subpoenas related to tax records; and providing for an                                                              
effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following                                                         
result:                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SCS CSHB 123(FIN)                                                                                                               
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
Effective Date(s)                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 123(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.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
                      Third Reading of House Resolutions                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
HJR 13                                                                                                                        
CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13(MLV) Urging the                                                                            
President of the United States to expand evacuation efforts for                                                                 
applicants with approved Special Immigrant Visas, including                                                                     
resumption of evacuation flights organized by the Coordinator for                                                               
Afghan Relocation Efforts; urging the United States Department of                                                               
State to secure legal protections and humanitarian assistance for                                                               
Special Immigrant Visa applicants; urging the United States                                                                     
Citizenship and Immigration Services in the United States Department                                                            
of Homeland Security to expedite the review of applications for                                                                 

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1373
Special Immigrant Visas; and requesting that the United States                                                                  
Secretary of State provide a report to Congress regarding efforts to                                                            
reinstate evacuation flights for applicants with approved Special                                                               
Immigrant Visas, was read the third time.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Senators Tobin, Dunbar, Shower, Merrick, Bjorkman, Yundt, Claman,                                                               
Kaufman, Myers, Stedman, Cronk moved and asked unanimous                                                                        
consent to be shown as cross sponsors on the resolution. Without                                                                
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION                                                                        
NO. 13(MLV) Urging the President of the United States to expand                                                                 
evacuation efforts for applicants with approved Special Immigrant                                                               
Visas, including resumption of evacuation flights organized by the                                                              
Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts; urging the United States                                                             
Department of State to secure legal protections and humanitarian                                                                
assistance for Special Immigrant Visa applicants; urging the United                                                             
States Citizenship and Immigration Services in the United States                                                                
Department of Homeland Security to expedite the review of                                                                       
applications for Special Immigrant Visas; and requesting that the                                                               
United States Secretary of State provide a report to Congress regarding                                                         
efforts to reinstate evacuation flights for applicants with approved                                                            
Special Immigrant Visas, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with                                                              
the following result:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CSHJR 13(MLV)                                                                                                                   
Third Reading - Final Passage                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  20   NAYS:  0   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
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 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 13(MLV)                                                                               
passed the Senate, was signed by the President and Secretary and                                                                
returned to the House.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                          Special Order of Business                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following                                                                 

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1374
Citation Calendar be made a special order of business. Without                                                                  
objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                              Citation Calendar                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Luke and Rachel Johnson                                                                                              
Senator(s) Bjorkman                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Peggy Arness                                                                                                         
Senator(s) Bjorkman                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Lynnie Einerson                                                                                                      
Senator(s) Bjorkman                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Julie Husmann                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Shower                                                                                                               
Representative(s) McCabe                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Hallie Clark                                                                                                         
Representative(s) Moore                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Tom Lytle                                                                                                            
Representative(s) Moore                                                                                                         
Senator(s) Yundt                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Honoring - Josiah Samuel Ruse                                                                                                   
Representative(s) Schwanke, Tomaszewski                                                                                         
Senator(s) Cronk                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Edward “Ed” Leach                                                                                                 
Senator(s) Dunbar, Wielechowski                                                                                                 
Representative(s) Eischeid                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Wayne Carroll                                                                                                     
Senator(s) Bjorkman                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
In Memoriam - Jeffrey John Overstreet                                                                                           
Representative(s) Tilton                                                                                                        
Senator(s) Hughes                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1375
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Citation                                                                  
Calendar be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted                                                              
and referred to the Secretary for transmittal.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate return                                                             
to Messages from the House. Without objection, the Senate returned                                                              
to:                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
                           Messages from the House                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HB 121                                                                                                                        
Message dated May 20 was read stating the House concurred in the                                                                
Senate amendment(s) to HOUSE BILL NO. 121 "An Act relating to                                                                   
the practice of accounting; and providing for an effective date", thus                                                          
adopting:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
          SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 121(STA)                                                                                 
          "An Act relating to the practice of accounting;                                                                       
          relating to private professional conservators;                                                                        
          amending Rule 17(e), Alaska Rules of Probate                                                                          
          Procedure; and providing for an effective date."                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SB 39                                                                                                                         
Message dated May 20 was read stating the House passed and                                                                      
returned:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 39(FIN) "An Act                                                                                
          relating to loans in an amount of $25,000 or less;                                                                    
          relating to financial institutions; relating to the                                                                   
          Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and                                                                            
          Registry; relating to pawnbroker licensing                                                                            
          exemptions; relating to deferred deposit advances;                                                                    
          relating to computing interest; and providing for an                                                                  
          effective date."                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SB 54                                                                                                                         
Message dated May 20 was read stating the House passed and                                                                      
returned:                                                                                                                       

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1376
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE                                                                                  
          BILL NO. 54(FIN) "An Act relating to registered                                                                       
          interior designers and interior design; relating to                                                                   
          project costs for the construction, enlargement, or                                                                   
          improvement of airports; extending the termination                                                                    
          date of the State Board of Registration for Architects,                                                               
          Engineers, and Land Surveyors; relating to the State                                                                  
          Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and                                                                  
          Land Surveyors; establishing requirements for the                                                                     
          practice of registered interior design; relating to the                                                               
          practice of architecture, engineering, land surveying,                                                                
          landscape architecture, and registered interior design;                                                               
          relating to the scope of the certification requirements                                                               
          for architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape                                                                  
          architects, and registered interior designers; relating                                                               
          to immunity for design professionals; relating to the                                                                 
          cost of construction for recreation centers; relating to                                                              
          liens for labor or materials furnished; relating to the                                                               
          procurement of landscape architectural and interior                                                                   
          design services; relating to the cost of construction of                                                              
          safe water and hygienic sewage disposal facilities in                                                                 
          villages; and providing for an effective date."                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SB 137                                                                                                                        
Message dated May 20 was read stating the House passed and                                                                      
returned:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 137(FIN) "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 Veterinary                                                                       
          Examiners; extending the termination date of the                                                                      
            Board of Parole; and providing for an effective date."                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1377
SCR 6                                                                                                                         
Message dated May 20 was read stating the House passed and                                                                      
returned:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
          SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6                                                                                    
          Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e),                                                                         
          Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature,                                                                        
          concerning House Bill No. 121, relating to the                                                                        
          practice of accounting.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SJR 17                                                                                                                        
Message dated May 20 was read stating the House passed and                                                                      
returned:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
          SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17                                                                                        
          Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of                                                                      
          The Energy Council.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               Concur Messages                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
SB 156                                                                                                                        
Message dated May 20 was read stating the House passed and returned                                                             
for consideration CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 156(FIN) "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; relating to certain                                                                    
commercial fishing loans; providing for an effective date by amending                                                           
the effective date of sec. 4, ch. 25, SLA 2024; and providing for an                                                            
effective date" with the following amendment(s):                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
          HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL                                                                                       
          NO. 156(FSH) "An Act relating to the Department of                                                                    
          Commerce, Community, and Economic                                                                                     
          Development; relating to the Alaska Commercial                                                                        
          Fishing and Agriculture Bank; relating to certain                                                                     

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1378
               loans made by the Alaska Commercial Fishing and                                                                 
               Agriculture Bank; relating to certain commercial                                                                
          fishing loans; and providing for an effective date."                                                                  
          (technical title change)                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved the Senate concur in the House amendment(s).                                                              
                                                                                                                                
The question being: "Shall the Senate concur in the House                                                                       
amendment(s)?" The roll was taken with the following result:                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
HCS CSSB 156(FSH)                                                                                                               
Shall the Senate Concur in the House Amendment(s)                                                                               
to CSSB 156(FIN)?   Effective Date(s)                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
YEAS:  19   NAYS:  1   EXCUSED:  0   ABSENT:  0                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Yeas:  Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson,                                                                  
Hoffman, Hughes, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers,                                                                      
Olson, Shower, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Nays:  Stedman                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
and so, the Senate concurred in the House amendment(s), thus                                                                    
adopting HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 156(FSH)                                                                           
"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; relating to certain                                                                    
commercial fishing loans; and providing for an effective date."                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on                                                                   
concurrence be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s).                                                             
Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
The Secretary was requested to notify the House.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                             Unfinished Business                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Senator Claman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused                                                                  

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1379
from a call of the Senate on the following dates:                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
 from June 13 through June 28                                                                                                   
 from August 8 through September 5                                                                                              
 from September 14 through September 22                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Without objection, Senator Claman was excused.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                Announcements                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Rule 23(d) of the Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules is currently                                                           
in effect.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Engrossment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
HB 35                                                                                                                         
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 35(JUD) "An Act                                                                             
relating to the use and possession of electronic devices by prisoners;                                                          
and relating to identification cards" was engrossed, signed by the                                                              
President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration.                                                            
                                                                                                                                
HB 70                                                                                                                         
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 70(HSS) "An Act                                                                             
relating to emergency medical services for operational canines;                                                                 
relating to the powers, duties, and liability of emergency medical                                                              
technicians and mobile intensive care paramedics; relating to the                                                               
practice of veterinary medicine; relating to civil liability of                                                                 
veterinarians; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed,                                                              
signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for                                                             
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
HB 123                                                                                                                        
SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 123(FIN) "An Act                                                                            
relating to vehicle rental taxes; relating to the issuance of subpoenas                                                         
related to tax records; and providing for an effective date" was                                                                
engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the                                                            

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1380
House for consideration.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SCR 8                                                                                                                         
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 8 Suspending Rules                                                                             
24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State                                                                  
Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 35, relating to the use and                                                              
possession of electronic devices by prisoners, was engrossed, signed                                                            
by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for                                                                 
consideration.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SCR 9                                                                                                                         
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9 Suspending Rules                                                                             
24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State                                                                  
Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 70, relating to emergency                                                                
medical services for operational canines; relating to the powers, duties,                                                       
and liability of emergency medical technicians and mobile intensive                                                             
care paramedics; and relating to the practice of veterinary medicine,                                                           
was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted                                                            
to the House for consideration.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Adjournment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand                                                              
in adjournment until 1:00 p.m., January 20, 2026. Without objection,                                                            
the Senate adjourned at 1:20 p.m.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                                                    Liz Clark                                                   
                                                     Secretary of the Senate                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1381
                                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                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
May 20        Tuesday                     Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
+= HB  26 STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN                                                                             
+= SB 192 EVACUATION DESIGNATION LEVELS                                                                                         
              <Bill Hearing Canceled>                                                                                           
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  EDUCATION                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
May 21        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
May 23        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                   FINANCE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
May 20        Tuesday                   Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2025-05-20                     Senate Journal                      Page 1382
                                  JUDICIARY                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
May 21        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
May 23        Friday                          Butrovich 205           1:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  RESOURCES                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
May 21        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                OTHER MEETINGS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                                JOINT SESSION                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
May 20        Tuesday                      House Chamber              9:00 AM                                                 
+             Consideration of the Governor's Veto of HB 57                                                                     
              (SCHOOLS: COMM. DEVICES/CLASS SIZE/FUNDING)