Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-01-30 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1567 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday January 30, 2026 Eleventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:35 a.m. The roll showed eighteen members present. Senator Hoffman was excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Merrick was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Father Patrick Casey, Co-Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Senator Kiehl 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 Kiehl led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the ninth and tenth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1568 Messages from the Governor A letter dated January 28 was read requesting legislative concurrence with the accompanying revised finance plan (as required by AS 26.23.020(k)(2)), for the 2025 West Coast Storm Disaster. The letter and revised finance plan had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. Senator Wielechowski moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Merrick be excused from a call of the Senate today. Without objection, Senator Merrick was excused. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Labor and Workforce Development Alaska Technical and Vocational Education Program FY 2025 Annual Report in accordance with AS 23.15.835 Department of Public Safety Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) 2025 Annual Drug Report in accordance with AS 18.65.085 Letter dated January 9 was received from Susan M. Carney, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, stating in accordance with AS 24.60.131, the following alternate public member has been nominated to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Chase Berenson Letter dated January 20 was received from Susan M. Carney, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, stating in accordance with AS 24.60.130, the following public member has been nominated to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Deborah Fancher 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1569 Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 11 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 BY SENATOR STEVENS, Establishing a legislative commission to review and make recommendations to the legislature relating to the official state seal. was read the first time and referred to the Education and State Affairs Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations th Honoring - Tanana Invitational Wrestling Tournament 50 Anniversary Representative(s) Tomaszewski, Stapp Senator(s) Myers Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring – Pete McEnaney Senator(s) Merrick Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1570 Unfinished Business Senator Tobin moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 2, to evening plane time. Without objection, Senator Tobin 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., February 2, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:44 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1571 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 Feb 03 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 129 PAYMENT OF CONTRACTS += HB 26 STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Jan 30 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 02 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 04 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 204 SUB. TEACHING; SCHOOL BOARD ELIGIBILITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SR 4 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED STATES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 06 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 210 INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1572 FINANCE Jan 30 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 02 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Alaska Marine Highway Overview by Department of Public Transportation and Public Facilities Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 03 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 34 REPEAL 90 DAY SESSION LIMIT += SB 20 CPR CURRICULUM = SB 104 VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 04 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Governor's FY 2026 Supplemental Overview by Office of Management and Budget Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 05 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Savings, Reserves, and Investments Funds by Department of Revenue Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 06 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 03 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Overview: Department of Health & H.R.1: Medicaid and SNAP Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner Emily Ricci, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bob Lawrence, Chief Medical Officer Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1573 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued) Feb 05 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + HB 27 MEDICAL MAJOR EMERGENCIES Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Jan 30 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 02 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 04 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 06 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 190 UNIFORM ACT: GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE 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** Feb 02 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 170 GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 211 EXTEND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 81 PUBLIC EMPLOYER PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1574 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Feb 04 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 150 NET METERING PROGRAM & FUND <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 218 TAX: ELECTRIC COOPS/GENERATION/STORAGE <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 06 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 211 EXTEND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 225 TRUSTS; TRUST PROCEEDINGS; TRUSTEES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 198 PERS/TRS RETIREMENT & MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES 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** Feb 02 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Comments from North Slope Producers Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 04 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Regulatory Commission of Alaska, CH 11 SLA 13 Authority Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1575 RESOURCES (continued) Feb 06 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 180 LNG IMPORT FACILITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 227 TAX COMPACT; SALES TAX; OIL & GAS TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 03 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: 2025 Fire Suppression update by Norm McDonald, Deputy Directory Forestry Presentation: Disaster Preparedness by Bryan Fisher, Director Alaska Division of Homeland Security + SB 188 TANANA VALLEY STATE FOREST -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled Feb 05 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 188 TANANA VALLEY STATE FOREST -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 03 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Department of Transportation Proposed Organizational Changes by Ryan Anderson, P.E., Commissioner, Katherine Keith, PMP, PMI-ACP, Deputy Commissioner **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 05 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 191 TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND TO WHITTIER -- Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1576 SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Feb 05 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Feb 05 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + I. Call to Order II. Approval of the Agenda III. Approval of the Minutes a. November 19, 2025 – morning meeting b. November 19, 2025 – afternoon meeting c. January 20, 2026 IV. Committee Business a. Top Audit Issues, Part 2 b. Consideration of Contract Amendment for Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) V. Executive Session a. Consideration of Contract Amendment for Outside Counsel for Personnel Matter b. GaffneyCline, Conflict of Interest: Legal Analysis VI. Adjourn **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 Feb 18 Wednesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Dan Sullivan, U.S. Senator 2026-01-30 Senate Journal Page 1577 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 23 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Trucking Industry Alaska Trucking Association Sponsored by Senator Myers Feb 25 Wednesday Butrovich 205 10:30 AM Lunch & Learn Presentation: An overview of Alaska's Workforce Future Mariko (Mari) Selle Executive Director of the Alaska Workforce Alliance Sponsored by Senator Merrick