Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-09 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1639 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday February 9, 2026 Twenty-first 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 Gray-Jackson was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Trenton Cooper, Glacier Valley Baptist Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. My Father, who is in heaven, holy is Your name. May Your Kingdom come, may Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us of our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Senator Stedman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the eighteenth through twentieth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1640 Messages from the House Message dated February 6 was read stating pursuant to AS 24.60.130 and AS 24.60.131 the House has ratified the following public members to the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics: Deborah Fancher Chase Berenson, Alternate Message dated February 6 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 176 HOUSE BILL NO. 176 BY REPRESENTATIVES CARRICK, Allard, Tomaszewski, Galvin, entitled: "An Act relating to notice of new fees and fee increases from the University of Alaska; relating to billing statements from the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and State Affairs Committees. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Administration Office of Administrative Hearings Annual Report January 31, 2026 in accordance with AS 44.64.020 Division of Finance 2025 Compensation and Travel Report of Executive Positions in accordance with AS 37.05.210 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1641 Standing Committee Reports SB 198 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 198 "An Act relating to the teachers' defined contribution retirement plan; relating to the public employees' defined contribution retirement plan; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 198(L&C) Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair. Signing no recommendation: Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Yundt, Gray-Jackson. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. SB 211 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 211 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; extending the termination date of the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 211(L&C) "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; extending the termination date of the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; relating to reports on the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners and the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; and providing for an effective date." 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1642 Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Gray-Jackson, Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SCR 12 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 BY SENATOR STEVENS, Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm; and approving an amended financing plan. was read the first time and was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm; and approving an amended financing plan, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 12 Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Gray-Jackson and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1643 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 236 SENATE BILL NO. 236 BY SENATOR TOBIN, entitled: "An Act creating a veteran sentencing program; relating to release procedures; amending Rules 35 and 43, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. SB 237 SENATE BILL NO. 237 BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to data sharing by the Department of Administration for driver's license data verification purposes; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. SB 238 SENATE BILL NO. 238 BY SENATOR KAWASAKI, entitled: "An Act relating to access to library material; and relating to affirmative defenses to the offenses of enticement of a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and distribution of indecent material to minors." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Judiciary Committees. 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1644 Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 20 SENATE BILL NO. 20 "An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. Senator Hoffman, Cochair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Finance Committee Substitute offered on page 1603. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 20(FIN) "An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools; and relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development" was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 20(FIN) will advance to third reading on the February 11 calendar. Citations th Honoring – Legislative Information Offices 50 Anniversary Senator(s) Gray-Jackson Representative(s) Josephson, Galvin Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Unfinished Business President Stevens made the following appointments: Joint Armed Services Committee Senator Rauscher Governor's Council on Opioid Remediation Senator Rauscher 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1645 Energy Council Senator Rauscher National Conference of State Legislatures Nuclear Legislative Working Group Senator Rauscher National Conference of State Legislatures Task Forces Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Privacy Senator Rauscher Agriculture Task Force Senator Rauscher Council of State Governments West Executive Committee Senator Cronk HB 176 Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cross sponsor on HOUSE BILL NO. 176 "An Act relating to notice of new fees and fee increases from the University of Alaska; relating to billing statements from the University of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kaufman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from 1:00 p.m. plane time, February 12 through 1:00 p.m. plane time, February 15. Without objection, Senator Kaufman was excused. SB 111 Senators Kawasaki, Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 111 "An Act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of products that use digital electronics to operate; adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1646 SB 236 Senator Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 236 "An Act creating a veteran sentencing program; relating to release procedures; amending Rules 35 and 43, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. SB 20 Senator Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 20 "An Act relating to cardiopulmonary resuscitation education in public schools; relating to the duties of the Department of Education and Early Development; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kawasaki moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on April 23 and April 24. Without objection, Senator Kawasaki was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SCR 12 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm; and approving an amended financing plan. 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 10:30 a.m., February 11, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:26 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1647 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 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 200 FARM & AGRICULTURAL LAND ASSESSMENTS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 192 EVACUATION DESIGNATION LEVELS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: + SB 191 TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND TO WHITTIER **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 09 Monday Davis 106 8:00 AM -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Meeting jointly with the House Education Committee Presentation: Testimony from Alaska's public schools by school board members and students participating in the annual fly-in of the Association of Alaska School Boards Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 11 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Overview: Status Update of the Mount Edgecumbe High School by Deena Bishop, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Karen Morrison, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development David Langford, Superintendent, Mount Edgecumbe High School Advisory Board Member Mount Edgecumbe High School Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1648 EDUCATION (continued) Feb 13 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: PERS/TRS Update Overview Division of Retirement and Benefits Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Alaska Mental Health Trust Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 213 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;AMEND;SUPP + SB 215 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET CS Zero Overview: Veto of Repealed Appropriations Legislative Legal Services Presentation: Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 140 FIRE STATION GRANT PROGRAM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 23 CIVICS EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SJR 2 CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1649 FINANCE (continued) Feb 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Rural Health Transformation Program Alaska Department of Health Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Presentation: Mt Edgecumbe Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Guidehouse: Medicaid Rate Review by Emily Ricci, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Health Coy Jones, Project Director, Guidehouse Claire Payne, Behavioral Health Lead, Guidehouse + SB 206 SCHOOL SUICIDE POLICIES; FIREARM STORAGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 12 Thursday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- Meeting jointly with House Health and Social Services + Presentation: The Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program: An informational session to support implementation and participation Monique Martin, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium; Nancy Merriman, Alaska Primary Care Association; Jared Kosin, Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1650 JUDICIARY Feb 09 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + HB 101 CRIMES AGAINST MINORS; AGE CONSENT TO 18 -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission Annual Report Overview by Susanne DiPietro, Executive Director, Alaska Judicial Council **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 13 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 09 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 121 HEALTH INSURANCE ALLOWABLE CHARGES -- <Above Item Removed from Agenda> -- -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 81 PUBLIC EMPLOYER PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 11 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Overview: Alaska's Agriculture Industry by Amy Seitz, Alaska Farm Bureau Margaret Adsit, Alaska Farmland Trust Rachel Longacre, DNR Division of Mining, Land & Water -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 13 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 196 BEH. HEALTH CRISIS SURCHARGE & FUND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 225 TRUSTS; TRUST PROCEEDINGS; TRUSTEES -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1651 RESOURCES Feb 09 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 180 LNG IMPORT FACILITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Railroad Corporation by Bill O'Leary - President, CEO, Alaska Railroad Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** RESOURCES (continued) Feb 13 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 158 COOK INLET: NEW ADMIN AREA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Feb 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + DOC - Update on Lawsuits & Casualties from 2025 += SB 126 CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; PLACEMENT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 71 PRETRIAL SERVICES SUPERVISION AGRMNTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 12 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 126 CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; PLACEMENT -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 71 PRETRIAL SERVICES SUPERVISION AGRMNTS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 203 PROHIBITED WEAPONS/FIREARM CONVERT DEVICE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1652 TRANSPORTATION (continued) Feb 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Overview: Cascade Point Project by Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Deputy Commissioner Katherine Keith, Alaska Marine Highway System Director, Craig Tornga, and Southcoast Region Director, Chris Goins -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Feb 12 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resource and Extension, UAF by Jodie Anderson - Director, Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resource and Extension, UAF Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE Feb 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Presentation: Comments on 11th Airborne Division "ready to deploy" orders by Professor Dan Maurer, Associate of Law at Ohio Northern University Presentation: Civil Disturbances Procedures by Margaret Stock, Attorney at Cascadia Presentation: Family Perspective on 11th Airborne "ready to deploy" Orders by Lisa Slaba, Military Spouse & Family Advocate Presentation: Alaska Defense Forum by Brittany Smart, UAF Senior Advisor for Defense, Community, and Research Presentation: Legislative Priorities for Military Service Members and Their Families by Tammie Perreault, Military, Community, and Family Policy Defense Liason -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1653 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL Feb 11 Wednesday Adams 519 5:15 PM -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- AGENDA: + I. Call to Order + II. Approval of the Agenda + IV. Sanctioning of Charitable Events a. Juneau Animal Rescue 2026 Fundraiser b. Juneau Dance Theater 2026 Fundraiser + V. Committee Business a. Capitol Snow Removal Contract Amendment b. Legislature Independent Audit FY25 c. Legislative Council FY27 Budget Proposal VI. Executive Session a. RFQ 692—Senate and House Finance Committee Rooms Carpet Purchase (Pending Procurement Evaluation) b. Executive Order 137 State Supreme Court Litigation Costs + VII. 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 Mar 31 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- 2026-02-09 Senate Journal Page 1654 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 6:00 PM + Presentation: Early Intervention/Infant Learning Program by Leah Van Kirk, Health Care Policy Advisory, Alaska Department of Health Tony Newman, Director, Division of Senior and Disability Services, Alaska Department of Health Presentation: Infant Learning Program Expansion Amy Simpson, Executive Director, Programs for Infants and Children Heidi Haas, Executive Director, Alaska Center for Children and Adults Rich Saville, Education and Early Intervention Coordinator, Alaska Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education Invited testimony from the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education. **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 23 Monday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Trucking Industry Alaska Trucking Association Sponsored by Senator Myers Feb 24 Tuesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: AWAIC: Abused Women's Aid in Crisis Services Provided by AWAIC and Statewide Impact Randi Beager, Executive Director, AWAIC Sponsored by Senator Tobin 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