Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-11 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1657 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 11, 2026 Twenty-third Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:38 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. 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. God, You tell your people through the Apostle Paul, “I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that I may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants me to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4) That is my prayer to You this morning. I petition You to grant our legislators wisdom to carry out justice and righteousness. I pray that they would seek what is good and right in Your sight. I intercede for them, asking that you forgive them of their sins and lead them on paths of righteousness. I offer thanks to You for their willingness to serve the people of this state. 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1658 Jesus, as they exercise the authority given to them by the Father, I ask that You lead them by the knowledge of the truth that You are King. Please bless their families and the work they will be doing on our behalf. I ask all of these things in Jesus’ name, Amen. Senator Tilton led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the twenty-first and twenty-second legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letter dated February 9 was read stating in accordance with Article III, Sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution and AS 39.05.080, I submitted a list of appointees for confirmation. The following appointee is withdrawn from consideration, effective immediately: Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners Chad Scott Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Education and Early Development Alaska Reads Act Evaluation Report: Year 2 February 2026 Chapter No. 40, SLA 2022 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1659 Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Annual Report on Cook Inlet Oil and Gas Development Projects January 9, 2026 in accordance with AS 44.88.855 Commercial Passenger Vessel Tax Report FY 2016 - 2025 in accordance with AS 43.52.260 Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority 2025 Annual Report in accordance with AS 44.25.270 2025 Grant Investment Report in accordance with AS 44.25.250 Standing Committee Reports SB 81 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 81 "An Act relating to employer contribution rates in the teachers' retirement system and the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 81(L&C) "An Act relating to employer contribution rates in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Alaska; and providing for an effective date." Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senator Yundt. Signing amend: Senator Dunbar. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1660 SB 192 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 192 "An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) Signing no recommendation: Senator Merrick, Chair; Senator Dunbar. Signing do pass: Senators Gray-Jackson, Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs The bill was referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 239 SENATE BILL NO. 239 BY SENATOR TILTON, entitled: "An Act relating to the registration and titling of legally imported motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and State Affairs Committees. SB 240 SENATE BILL NO. 240 BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to permanent fund dividend raffles; creating the senior citizen grants endowment fund and the senior citizen grants dividend raffle fund; authorizing donations from permanent fund dividends for grants to organizations that provide support for senior citizens and for entry into the senior citizen 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1661 grants dividend raffle; relating to transfers from the senior citizen grants endowment fund and the senior citizen grants dividend raffle fund; relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue; and relating to the definition of 'gambling.'" was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. SB 241 SENATE BILL NO. 241 BY SENATOR KAWASAKI, entitled: "An Act relating to unfair trade practices and consumer protection; relating to fees charged to consumers; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Labor and Commerce Committees. SB 242 SENATE BILL NO. 242 BY SENATOR MERRICK, entitled: "An Act relating to contracts to provide law enforcement services between the Department of Public Safety and municipalities; relating to the powers and duties of state troopers; relating to the general powers of municipalities; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Community and Regional Affairs Committees. Recess Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in recess to the Joint Session. Without objection, the Senate recessed at 11:00 a.m. 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1662 After Recess Joint Session in the House Speaker Edgmon called the House to order and in accordance with Uniform Rule 51 turned the gavel over to President Stevens, who called the Joint Session to order at 11:08 a.m. The purpose of the Joint Session was to hear Chief Justice Susan M. Carney's State of the Judiciary Address. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the Senate be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. Representative Kopp moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the House be waived and all members be shown as present. Without objection, it was so ordered. President Stevens appointed Senator Tobin and Representative Fields to escort Chief Justice Susan M. Carney to the Joint Session. The Senate Sergeant at Arms, Matt Simpson, announced Chief Justice Carney's entrance to the House Chamber. Chief Justice Carney was escorted to the rostrum and welcomed by President Stevens and Speaker Edgmon. Chief Justice Carney delivered her address. This address appears in Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 13. Following her address Chief Justice Carney received a standing ovation and was escorted from the chamber by Senator Tobin and Representative Fields. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Joint Session stand in adjournment. Without objection, President Stevens adjourned the Joint Session at 11:46 a.m. 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1663 After Recess In the Senate The Senate reconvened at 11:51 a.m. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 20 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 read the third time. The question being: "Shall 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" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 20(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 1 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski Absent: Yundt and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 20(FIN) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations Honoring – Girl Scout Troop 436 Senator(s) Tobin Representative(s) Hall, Mina 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1664 In Memoriam – Darwin “Dar” Ralph Walter Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears In Memoriam – Lieutenant Colonel Glen G. “Bud” Irwin Senator(s) Wielechowski Representative(s) Mears In Memoriam – Andy Elliott Fullbright Senator(s) 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 239 Senators Myers, Kawasaki, Bjorkman, Cronk moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 239 "An Act relating to the registration and titling of legally imported motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Dunbar moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from February 19 to March 11. Without objection, Senator Dunbar was excused. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 13 and February 23. Without objection, Senator Hoffman was excused. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1665 Engrossment SB 20 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 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 13, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 12:04 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1666 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 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** Feb 13 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE 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** 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1667 FINANCE (continued) 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** Feb 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Mt Edgecumbe Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Presentation: Rural Health Transformation Program Alaska Department of Health 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 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** 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1668 JUDICIARY 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 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** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES 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** 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1669 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** Feb 16 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 180 LNG IMPORT FACILITIES -- Public Testimony -- += SB 227 TAX COMPACT; SALES TAX; OIL & GAS TAX -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 18 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 180 LNG IMPORT FACILITIES + SB 216 BIG GAME HUNTING PERMITS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS 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** ---------------------------------------- 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1670 TRANSPORTATION 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, 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1671 JOINT ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE (continued) 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** ---------------------------------------- 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** ---------------------------------------- 2026-02-11 Senate Journal Page 1672 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 ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Feb 17 Tuesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Nonprofits: Partners in a Strong Economy Laurie Wolf, President/CEO, The Foraker Group Sponsored by Senator Dunbar 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 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: An Overview of Alaska's Workforce Future Mariko (Mari) Selle Executive Director of the Alaska Workforce Alliance Sponsored by Senator Merrick