Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-02 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1583 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday February 2, 2026 Fourteenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:00 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Tobin was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Fred LaPlante, Juneau Church of the Nazarene. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Today, I ask that You grant these Senators of the great State of Alaska Your wisdom. They have been entrusted with leading the people of our state toward better days, and they face many challenges along the way. Give them grace and strength as they work through those challenges and guide them as they seek paths that serve the common good. Remind us that we are stronger when our differing perspectives are woven together for the good of all Alaskans and for a stronger future. And help me, and all who observe their work, to be encouragers rather than cynical critics as they carry out the demanding task of legislating. Be with each of these Senators today, meeting them at their point of need. In Jesus’ name, I pray Amen. 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1584 Senator Merrick led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the eleventh through thirteenth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated January 30 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 93 HOUSE BILL NO. 93 BY REPRESENTATIVES HIMSCHOOT, Hannan, Burke, Saddler, Josephson, Bynum, entitled: "An Act changing the residency requirements for hunting, trapping, and sport fishing privileges; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Resources Committees. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Public Safety Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU) 2025 Annual Drug Report in accordance with AS 18.65.085 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1585 Department of Health Department of Corrections Recidivism Reduction Joint Annual Report FY 2025 in accordance with AS 47.38.100 Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) Annual Financial Report FY 2025 in accordance with AS 19.65.070 Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development Alaska Minerals Commission 2026 Annual Report January 2026 in accordance with AS 44.33.431 Local Boundary Commission 2025 Annual Report to the Legislature in accordance with AS 44.33.812 Standing Committee Reports HB 78 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am(efd fld) "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system" and recommended it be replaced with SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(L&C) "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date." (technical title change) 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1586 Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Gray- Jackson. Signing amend: Senator Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 3, Department of Administration The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 230 SENATE BILL NO. 230 BY SENATOR RAUSCHER, entitled: "An Act relating to the boundaries of the Jonesville Public Use Area; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and Resources Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring – Major Anthony April Senator(s) Gray-Jackson Representative(s) Kopp Honoring – Steve Ribuffo Senator(s) Gray-Jackson Honoring – The 2026 Alaska Business Hall of Fame Laureates Senator(s) Claman, Costello Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1587 Unfinished Business SB 167 President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to SENATE BILL NO. 167 "An Act relating to a permanent fund dividend for an individual whose conviction has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed; and relating to the calculation of the value of the permanent fund dividend by including payment to individuals eligible for a permanent fund dividend because of a conviction that has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed." The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Select Committee on Legislative Ethics - Ratification Letter dated January 20 was received from Susan M. Carney, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court (page 1568), stating in accordance with AS 24.60.130, the following public member has been nominated to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Deborah Fancher Senator Giessel moved Deborah Fancher be ratified as a public member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall Deborah Fancher be ratified as a public member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Shall Deborah Fancher be ratified as a public member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics? YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Tobin and so, Deborah Fancher was ratified by the Senate. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1588 Letter dated January 9 was received from Susan M. Carney, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court (page 1568), 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 Senator Giessel moved Chase Berenson be ratified as an alternate public member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics. The question being: "Shall Chase Berenson be ratified as an alternate public member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics?" The roll was taken with the following result: Shall Chase Berenson be ratified as an alternate public member to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics? YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Tobin and so, Chase Berenson was ratified by the Senate. The Secretary was requested to notify the House. 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 4, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:20 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1589 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 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** 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1590 FINANCE 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 -- Public Testimony <2 minute limit> -- **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** 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1591 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 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 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** 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** 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1592 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) 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 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** 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 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1593 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) + 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** ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Feb 05 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1594 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 ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 23 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Trucking Industry Alaska Trucking Association Sponsored by Senator Myers 2026-02-02 Senate Journal Page 1595 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) 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