Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-25 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1771 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday February 25, 2026 Thirty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Dunbar was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by Chaplain, Pastor Chris Elliot, Radiant Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Most gracious and sovereign God! I come before You today with a grateful heart, deeply aware of the sacred responsibility that rests upon every person gathered in this chamber. You, O Lord, who breathed life into the Kenai wilderness and set the stars ablaze over the Alaskan tundra, have also placed these men and women in this moment, for this people, for such a time as this. I ask that You grant them wisdom that sees beyond the pressures of the moment and into the long horizon of what is good, right, and just. May their deliberations carry the weight of truth and the warmth of genuine care for every Alaskan, from the remote villages of the Bush to the busy streets of our cities. 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1772 Guard their hearts against the temptation of self- promotion, their words against the poison of deception, and their decisions against the corruption of compromise. May they lead as Christ led — not grasping for power but spending themselves in humble and courageous service for the good of others. May the laws they write and the policies they shape bring flourishing to our communities, dignity to our people, and honor to Your great name. Sustain them with endurance for the hard work ahead and unity for the common good of Alaska. I ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen! Senator Cronk led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the thirty-fifth and thirty-sixth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Standing Committee Reports SB 89 The Labor and Commerce Committee again considered SENATE BILL NO. 89 "An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to collaborative agreements between physicians and physician assistants; relating to the practice of medicine; relating to health care providers; and relating to provisions regarding physician assistants in contracts between certain health care providers and health care insurers" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 89(2d L&C) 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1773 Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Merrick, Yundt. Signing do pass: Senator Gray-Jackson. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. SB 230 The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 230 "An Act relating to the boundaries of the Jonesville Public Use Area; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senator Merrick, Chair; Senators Olson, Gray- Jackson, Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Natural Resources The bill was referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SJR 27 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27 BY THE SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, Expressing commitment to the rural health transformation program and articulating priorities for the program; acknowledging the critical health care challenges facing rural areas of the state; urging action by the Governor and the Alaska delegation in Congress to continue to advocate for the state's interests and advance the rural health transformation program; and expressing legislative intent to enact comprehensive legislation relating to the rural health transformation program and the state's medical care and critical health care needs. was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1774 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 272 SENATE BILL NO. 272 BY THE SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Labor and Commerce Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Citations Honoring – Judge Pamela S. Washington Senator(s) Giessel, Claman, Gray-Jackson Honoring – Pete McCall Senator(s) Gray-Jackson Honoring – Jeff Regnart Representative(s) Stutes Senator(s) Stevens Honoring – Nathan Howard Representative(s) Frier, Carrick, Hannan th Honoring – The Alaska State Fair 90 Anniversary Senator(s) Tilton Representative(s) Johnson In Memoriam – George Heywood Senator(s) Giessel In Memoriam – Dr. John Michael James Senator(s) Giessel 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1775 In Memoriam – Margaret “Peggy” Theresa Bjorgan Senator(s) Tilton Representative(s) Gray 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 HJR 18 Senators Kaufman, Myers, Rauscher, Claman, Tilton, Cronk, Bjorkman, Yundt, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18(RES) am Supporting the continued development of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project; recognizing the importance of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project to the economy of the state, energy independence, and national security; and urging the United States Congress, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of the Interior Douglas Burgum, and relevant federal agencies to take all necessary actions to expedite the success of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Bjorkman, Yundt, Stedman moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on February 27. Without objection, Senators Bjorkman, Yundt, Stedman were excused. SB 271 Senators Tilton, Cronk, Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE BILL NO. 271 "An Act relating to abortion; relating to civil enforcement of abortion laws; relating to abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat; and amending Rules 3 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 508, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure." Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Tilton moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from afternoon plane time, March 26 through morning plane time, March 29. Without objection, Senator Tilton was excused. 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1776 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., February 27, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:25 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1777 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 25 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 187 SCHOOL NUTRITION/MEAL: PROHIBIT FOOD DYES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SCR 11 LEG. COMMISSION ON STATE SEAL -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 157 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FEES + HB 176 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FEES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 27 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Feb 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: Alaska Permanent Fund Performance by Callan Associates Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Overview: Governor's Supplemental Request Office of Management and Budget + HB 289 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL <Pending Referral> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv**