Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-13 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1675 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday February 13, 2026 Twenty-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:31 a.m. The roll showed sixteen members present. Senators Hoffman, Kaufman, Yundt were excused from a call of the Senate. Senator Stedman was absent. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Trenton Cooper, Glacier Valley Baptist Church. Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Heavenly Father, David wrote to us saying, “Lord, you are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will bless the Lord who counsels me even at night when my thoughts trouble me. I always let the Lord guide me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken,” (Psalm 16:5-8). Lord, I pray that our leaders here in our government would have the same heart as David. I pray that they would find their portion in You. I pray that they would know that it is You who holds their future and that You are their beautiful inheritance. May they bless the Lord through their thoughts, words, and actions. I ask that You guide them in Your wisdom as they lead us. Lead them to enact laws of justice, mercy, and righteousness for Your name’s sake. Lastly, I pray that You bless them, keep them, and make Your face shine upon them. I ask all of these things in Jesus’ name, Amen. 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1676 Senator Tobin led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the twenty-third and twenty-fourth legislative days and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 13 be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent Senator Stedman be excused from a call of the Senate today and on February 14. Without objection, Senator Stedman was excused. Messages from the House SCR 12 Message dated February 11 was read stating the House passed and returned: 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. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. Message dated February 11 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Resolutions HJR 29 CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29(FSH) am BY THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES, Supporting the extension of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024; supporting the continued national prohibition on Russian seafood imports effected by Executive Orders 14024, 14068, 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1677 and 14114; and urging the President of the United States, federal agencies, and the United States Congress to consider additional measures necessary for prohibiting the importation of Russian seafood into the United States and to maintain and strengthen federal measures that ensure fair trade, protect the state's seafood industry, and promote sustainable and ethical seafood production. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 110 HOUSE BILL NO. 110 am BY REPRESENTATIVES GRAY, Story, Galvin, Prax, Josephson, entitled: "An Act relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce and Finance Committees. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 25 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25 BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, Supporting continuation of the United States-Mexico- Canada Agreement. was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. SJR 26 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 26 BY THE SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS, 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1678 Supporting the ability of Alaska Native corporations to participate in the United States Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 243 SENATE BILL NO. 243 BY SENATOR KAWASAKI, entitled: "An Act removing devices designed, made, or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm from the definition of 'prohibited weapon.'" was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Judiciary Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring – Beth Rose Representative(s) Mina, Kopp Senator(s) Giessel In Memoriam – John Bruce Bush Senator(s) Tilton Representative(s) Johnson In Memoriam – Ronald Gove “Ron” Arvin Senator(s) Tilton, Rauscher Representative(s) St. Clair In Memoriam – Howard Paul Campbell Representative(s) Johnson 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1679 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Enrollment 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 enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 3:15 p.m., February 12, 2026. Legislative Resolve No. 23 Memorandum from Division of Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, was received, reporting the following manifest error in SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 12 which has been corrected in enrolling: Page 1, line 9: Delete "remains" Insert "remain" Engrossment and Enrollment SR 4 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 4 Recognizing and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America; encouraging participation in commemorative events; and encouraging 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1680 educational institutions to enhance civics education was engrossed and enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 1:30 p.m., February 13, 2026. Senate Resolve No. 4 Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., February 16, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:48 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1681 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 17 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += HB 33 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: BDS FISHERIES/GAME += SB 200 FARM & AGRICULTURAL LAND ASSESSMENTS + SB 230 JONESVILLE PUBLIC USE AREA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 13 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 16 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 210 INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 18 Wednesday Davis 106 8:00 AM -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Meeting jointly with the House Education Committee Presentation: Alaska Municipal Leaders Education Priorities by Participants in the Alaska Municipal League 2026 Winter Legislative Conference Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1682 EDUCATION (continued) Feb 20 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Feb 16 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Order of Operations by Department of Revenue Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 16 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Presentation: Alaska Retirement Management Board Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 17 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SJR 2 CONST. AM: VOTES NEEDED FOR VETO OVERRIDE += SB 104 VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE += SB 140 FIRE STATION GRANT PROGRAM + SB 21 AK WORK & SAVE PROGRM; RETIRE. SAVINGS BD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 211 EXTEND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 18 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: 2025 Statewide Salary Report Update by Department of Administration Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 18 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1683 FINANCE (continued) Feb 19 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Presentation: Amendments by Office of Management and Budget Presentation: Response to Committee Questions by Office of Management and Budget Department of Transportation Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 19 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 17 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += HB 27 MEDICAL MAJOR EMERGENCIES -- Public Testimony -- + HB 14 REPEAL CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS/MED ASSIST -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 193 PRACTICE OF NATUROPATHY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 19 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM Presentation: Alaska Community Foundation Alex McKay, CEO, Alaska Community Foundation Megan Cacciola, Vice President of Programs & Grants, Alaska Community Foundation Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1684 JUDICIARY Feb 13 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 16 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + HB 93 RESIDENCY REQ: HUNTING, TRAPPING, FISHING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 18 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 212 NUMBER OF SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Report on Recommendations to Reduce the Overrepresentation of Alaska Native People in the Criminal Justice System by Department of Corrections, Alaska Federation of Natives, UAF Center for Alaska Native Health Research, and UAA Justice Center Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE 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** Feb 16 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 16 REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 217 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1685 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Feb 18 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 150 NET METERING PROGRAM & FUND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 218 TAX: ELECTRIC COOPS/GENERATION/STORAGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES 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 <Bill Hearing Rescheduled to 02/20/26> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 227 TAX COMPACT; SALES TAX; OIL & GAS TAX **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 20 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 216 BIG GAME HUNTING PERMITS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1686 STATE AFFAIRS Feb 17 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 19 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Native Incarceration by Kendra Kloster, Alaska Federation of Natives -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 17 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Typhoon Halong Response by Deputy Commissioner Katherine Keith, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities Merle Sena, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 19 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Anchorage Pedestrian Safety by Municipality of Anchorage, Anchorage Police Department, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Feb 19 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Chadux Network by Buddy Custard, President & Chief Executive Officer, Alaska Chadux Network **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-13 Senate Journal Page 1687 OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION 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 18 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Commercial Interior Design; Advocating for Health, Safety, and Public Well-Being Presenters: American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) & AK Professional Design Council (APDC) Casey Kee and Mary Knof Sponsored by Senator Kaufman 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