Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-01-23 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1513 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 23, 2026 Fourth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:37 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Gordon Blue, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Creator of life, redeemer of the afflicted and spirit of grace, In this season, the Epiphany, the Northern infancy of light, I celebrate my home and ask your blessing upon it. Make this building the home of blessings and the refuge of all Alaskans, In the tradition, Psalm 35 is appointed for reading today. It says fight those who fight me, O LORD; attack those who are attacking me. Take up shield and armor and rise up to help me. Draw the sword and bar the way against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” Let those who seek after my life be shamed and humbled; let those who plot my ruin fall back and be dismayed. Let them be like chaff before the wind and let the angel of the LORD drive them away. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1514 I pray, Almighty and everlasting one: Grant to this Capitol the grace of your presence, so that you may be known to be the inhabitant of this dwelling, Alaska, and the defender of this household, its Capitol. Visit, O blessed Lord this Senate, with the gladness of your presence, and keep them ever mindful of the rights of others, to assemble, and to defend themselves in their own places. Bless all who work here with the gift of your love; and grant that they may manifest your respect to each other and become shining examples to all whose lives they touch. May they grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you. Guide, comfort, and strengthen them; and preserve them in peace now and forever. Amen. Senator Hoffman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the third legislative day and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 11 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Introduction of Guests Senator Rauscher introduced Mark Daly, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann (Chairman of the Senate), Republic of Ireland. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1515 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Natural Resources 2026 Critical Minerals Report in accordance with Chapter No. 45, SLA 2024 Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Critical and Essential Minerals Report December 2025 in accordance with Chapter No. 45, SLA 2024 Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Report on Designations of Incompatible Use in accordance with AS 41.21.020 and AS 41.21.026 Department of Corrections Recommendations to Reduce the Overrepresentation of Alaska Native People in the Criminal Justice System 2025 Final Report in accordance with Chapter No. 11, SLA 2024 Standing Committee Reports SJR 2 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto. Signing do pass: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Gray-Jackson. Signing no recommendation: Senators Tilton, Bjorkman. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Office of the Governor The resolution was referred to the Finance Committee. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1516 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 23 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 23 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, Proposing amendments to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund; relating to appropriations from the Alaska permanent fund; relating to transfers out of the Alaska permanent fund; and requiring payment of a dividend to eligible state residents. was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to the Alaska permanent fund. This constitutional amendment is designed to provide long-term fiscal certainty, extend constitutional protections to Permanent Fund earnings and establish durable rules for withdrawals, and place the Permanent Fund Dividend beyond annual political cycles. This amendment makes three reforms. First, it ends the current two- account structure by merging the earnings reserve account into the permanent fund corpus. Second, it establishes a limit on withdrawals by capping the annual draw at five percent of the fund’s average market value using the existing five-year formula. Third, it requires the annual draw to be split equally: half is guaranteed to eligible Alaskans as dividends – without political games or further appropriation – and half is available to fund essential operations of government. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1517 Alaskans deserve a Permanent Fund that is protected, predictable, and fair. This constitutional amendment allows the people of Alaska to decide that future directly. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 222 SENATE BILL NO. 222 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the powers and duties of the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee; relating to the powers and duties of the legislative audit division; providing for a sunset review of executive branch agencies; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the sunset review of government agencies. This bill establishes a process of sunset review for most state agencies on a six-year cycle, to assess performance and continued need. When an agency is under review, the legislative audit division will submit a report to the legislative budget and audit committee with recommendations on whether to continue, terminate, or reorganize the agency. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1518 If the legislature does not enact legislation to continue or reorganize the agency in the regular session following a sunset review, the agency will automatically terminate and wind down over the next fiscal year. Any statutory functions will be absorbed by the department in which the agency is established. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 223 SENATE BILL NO. 223 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to an appropriation limit; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to the statutory appropriation limit. Current law allows total appropriations to grow by up to five percent plus population and inflation. This bill sets a more disciplined standard by limiting appropriations in a fiscal year to no more than one percent above the prior fiscal year. Alaskans deserve a stable, rules-based fiscal system that avoids the boom-and-bust cycle and reduces pressure for new taxes. A meaningful limit on spending growth will protect essential services, improve budget predictability, and keep the size of government aligned with what Alaskans can sustain over time. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1519 This measure is part of a broader approach to restoring trust in state finances, controlling growth in government, and ensuring long-term fiscal certainty. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 224 SENATE BILL NO. 224 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to state land; relating to contracts for the sale and lease of state land; relating to commercial development parks; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Natural Resources Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill establishing commercial development parks. This bill enables the Department of Natural Resources to complete the required public notice and best-interest finding at the time a park is designated and then allows leasing or sale of land within the park for commercial use without repeating that process for each individual transaction. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1520 Alaska’s private-sector growth is often slowed by delay and uncertainty in land availability. This bill ensures public notice and a best interest finding occur at the outset, creating clarity for Alaskans and predictable timelines for responsible development. In addition, this bill is intended to facilitate commercial development of state land by authorizing novel and innovative compensation structures for sales and leasing in commercial development parks. Finally, this bill includes several amendments to existing general leasing statutes intended to streamline and update existing procedures for the leasing of public land. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor SB 225 SENATE BILL NO. 225 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to trusts; relating to trust proceedings; relating to nonjudicial settlement agreements in trust matters; relating to the powers of trustees; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Governor's transmittal letter dated January 22: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill enacting trust law reform in Alaska. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1521 This bill modernizes Alaska trust law to provide clearer, more efficient trust administration. It (1) requires automatic sealing of trust administration cases; (2) permits non-judicial settlement agreements for trust administration matters; (3) adopts notice-based procedures that can reduce fiduciary liability for trust administration actions; (4) updates Alaska’s decanting statutes to expand trustee powers and clarify definitions and tax guardrails; and (5) shortens creditor-notice time periods and clarifies solvency affidavit provisions. These updates help keep Alaska competitive as a premier trust jurisdiction and provide Alaskans with modern options for managing and protecting assets across generations. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor Unfinished Business SB 201 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to withdraw SENATE BILL NO. 201 "An Act relating to a report regarding involuntary commitment orders." Without objection, the bill was withdrawn. SB 221 Senators Gray-Jackson, Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 221 "An Act restricting a fiduciary of a state fund, the Alaska Retirement Management Board, and the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Board from investing or doing business with DigitalBridge Group, Inc., or an affiliate of DigitalBridge Group, Inc." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1522 SB 205 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 205 "An Act relating to occupational disability benefits for peace officers and firefighters; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 207 Senator Cronk moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 207 "An Act relating to the removal of unlawful occupants from residential real property; relating to the crimes of trespass, forgery, and deceptive business practices; and amending Rules 82 and 85(a), Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, February 19 through evening plane time, February 22. Without objection, Senator Myers was excused. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on January 30. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., January 26, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:55 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1523 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 Jan 27 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + HB 33 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: BDS FISHERIES/GAME -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += HB 26 STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Jan 23 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 26 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Does a four-day school week benefit students? Elizabeth Day, Assistant Director of Outreach, HEDCO Institute, University of Oregon Sean Grant, Assistant Director of Research, HEDCO Institute, University of Oregon Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 28 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 204 SUB. TEACHING; SCHOOL BOARD ELIGIBILITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1524 EDUCATION (continued) Jan 30 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Jan 23 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Revenue Forecast Department of Revenue Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 26 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Governor's FY 27 Budget Request Office of Management and Budget **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 27 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Governor's Veto Overview/Discussion: Office of Management and Budget Department of Transportation and Public Facilities **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 28 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Governor's FY 27 Budget Request Legislative Finance Division **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 29 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Jan 30 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1525 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Jan 27 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Overview: Department of Family and Community Services Tracy Dompeling, Acting Commissioner Marian Sweet, Assistant Commissioner Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Rural Health Transformation Program Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner Emily Ricci, Deputy Commissioner Betsy Wood, Associate Director, Office of Health Savings Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 23 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM = SB 136 FIREARM FINANCIAL PRIVACY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 26 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 28 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 212 NUMBER OF SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 30 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1526 LABOR & COMMERCE Jan 23 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 26 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 170 GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 28 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 198 PERS/TRS RETIREMENT & MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 30 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 121 HEALTH INSURANCE ALLOWABLE CHARGES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 163 REPEAL CERTAIN INACTIVE FUNDS/ACCOUNTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Jan 23 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Agenda Change -- + Presentation: Pegasus: Review of 2019 Memo to the State of Alaska Jeremy Clark, Pegasus Global Holdings Inc. Joe Miller, Pegasus Global Holdings Inc. Presentation: GaffneyCline: Key Issues and Recommendations Nicholas Fulford, Senior Director, Liquid Natural Gas and Energy Transition, GaffneyCline Energy Advisory += SB 75 TIMBER MANAGEMENT LEASES Uniform Rule 23 Waived **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1527 RESOURCES (continued) Jan 26 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- Continued from 01/23/26 -- + Presentation: GaffneyCline: Key Issues and Recommendations by Nicholas Fulford, Senior Director, Liquid Natural Gas and Energy Transition, GaffneyCline Energy Advisory Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 28 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Transportation: Impacts from a Gas Pipeline Project += SB 180 LNG IMPORT FACILITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 30 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Natural Resources, North Slope Gas Presentation: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Jan 27 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Overview: AIDEA update on current projects and external report Randy Ruaro, Executive Director of Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Jan 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1528 TRANSPORTATION Jan 27 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: DOT&PF Winter Road Maintenance Update Brad Bylsma, Equipment Fleet Manager, Statewide Equipment Fleet Burrell Nickeson, Manager, Maintenance and Operations, Central Region Andy Mills, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jan 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Jan 29 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING Jan 23 Friday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Michael Hanley, Superintendent, Aleutian Region School District Presentation: Chronic Absenteeism by Hedy Chang, Executive Director, Attendance Works Presentation: Open Enrollment by Jude Schwalback, Senior Policy Analyst, Reason Foundation (Continued on Next Page) 2026-01-23 Senate Journal Page 1529 TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING (continued) (Continued from Previous Page) Presentation: Homeless Students by Barbara Duffield, Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection Kelly King, Coordinator, MVP Program, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District David Mayo-Kiely, Coordinator, Child in Transition Program, Anchorage School District **Streamed live on AKL.tv* OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Feb 11 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + State of the Judiciary Address by Chief Justice Susan Carney **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Jan 29 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Rasmuson Foundation CEO Gretchen Guess will present about the Rasmuson Foundation's mission to invest in Alaska communities and nonprofits. Sponsored by Senator Wielechowski