Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-01-28 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-01-28 Senate Journal Page 1555 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday January 28, 2026 Ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Father Patrick Casey, Co-Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. The majestic beauty of our state reminds us that you are the source of all blessings. At the beginning of this new year and this legislative session I humbly ask for your blessing on all our legislators and all who collaborate in their work. Bestow on them the abundant share of your wisdom and a deep desire to share the common good. Amen. Senator Kawasaki led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the seventh and eighth legislative days, Senate Journal Supplement No. 7 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 12 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2026-01-28 Senate Journal Page 1556 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Disabled Veteran Campsite Permit Report January 20, 2026 in accordance with AS 41.21.026 Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report in accordance with AS 18.56.200 Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water 2026 Reports to the Alaska Legislature January 2026 Identified RS 2477 Rights-of-Way in accordance with AS 19.30.400 Availability of the Annual Mining Report in accordance with AS 27.05.060 Status of the Land Disposal Income Fund in accordance with AS 38.04.020 Status of Land in the Land Disposal Bank in accordance with AS 38.04.022 Water Removals and Exports in accordance with AS 46.15.020 Notification of Interim Classifications (Closing Land to Mineral Entry) in accordance with AS 38.05.300 2026-01-28 Senate Journal Page 1557 Cooperative Resource Management or Development Agreements in accordance with AS 38.05.027 Efforts to Maintain or Enhance Access to and Along Fishing Streams in accordance with AS 38.04.205 Aquatic Farm Leasing in accordance with AS 38.05.035 Carbon Management Purpose Leasing in accordance with AS 38.05.081 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 228 SENATE BILL NO. 228 BY SENATOR RAUSCHER, entitled: "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; relating to public education; and relating to opioid abuse awareness and prevention." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. SB 229 SENATE BILL NO. 229 BY SENATOR RAUSCHER, entitled: "An Act relating to certain reports required by the Alaska Public Offices Commission; and relating to the use of campaign contributions held by a candidate or group." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. 2026-01-28 Senate Journal Page 1558 Consideration of the Calendar Citations th Honoring – The Alaska Permanent Fund 50 Anniversary Senator(s) Stevens Representative(s) Edgmon th Honoring – The League of Women Voters of Anchorage 75 Anniversary Senator(s) Gray-Jackson Representative(s) Eischeid, Hall Honoring – Hmong American Veterans Day Representative(s) Fields, Eischeid, D. Nelson In Memoriam – Raymond “Ray” Lee Representative(s) Fields, Galvin Senator(s) Merrick In Memoriam – Marilyn Delores Fly Senator(s) Gray-Jackson, Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business SB 5 Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as prime sponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 5 "An Act relating to group insurance coverage and self-insurance coverage for school district employees, employees of the University of Alaska, and employees of other governmental units in the state; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2026-01-28 Senate Journal Page 1559 SB 197 Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as prime sponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 197 "An Act relating to mathematics education; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and relating to the duties of school districts." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 203 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 203 "An Act relating to the definition of 'prohibited weapon.'" Without objection, it was so ordered. Introduction of Senate Staff Senator Wielechowski, Rules Committee Chair, introduced the Senate Secretary’s Office staff: Nichole Bearden, Deputy Senate Secretary Colin Peacock, Deputy Senate Secretary Johanna Crossett, Deputy Senate Secretary Catherine Hatch, Deputy Senate Secretary Max Goldrich, Deputy Senate Secretary Keira Alkema, Deputy Senate Secretary, Office Manager Liz Clark, Senate Secretary Senator Bjorkman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 4. Without objection, Senator Bjorkman was excused. SB 227 President Stevens added a Resources Committee referral to SENATE BILL NO. 227 "An Act relating to the Multistate Tax Compact; relating to apportionment of income to the state; establishing a state sales and use tax; relating to taxes levied by cities and boroughs; relating to the corporate income tax; authorizing the Department of Revenue to enter into the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement or substantially similar agreement; relating to the oil and gas production tax; establishing an infrastructure maintenance surcharge on oil; establishing a pipeline corridor maintenance fund; and providing for an effective date." The bill was referred to the Resources, then Finance Committees. 2026-01-28 Senate Journal Page 1560 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., January 30, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:18 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-01-28 Senate Journal Page 1561 Announcements Americans with Disabilities Act Notice - Persons with disabilities who require special accommodation or alternative communication formats to access committee meetings may contact the appropriate committee office or the Legislative Information Office in their community. Reasonable advance notice is needed to accommodate the request. For further information, call the ADA Coordinator at 465-3854 Voice/465-4980 TDD. STANDING COMMITTEES + indicates teleconference = indicates bill previously heard/scheduled EDUCATION 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** Jan 30 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE 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