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** 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1778 FINANCE (continued) Feb 26 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Public Testimony: Juneau, Southeast, Prince William Sound, Kodiak, Offnets Please Sign Up by 10:15 AM += SB 213 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;AMEND;SUPP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- + SB 214 APPROP: CAPITAL/FUNDS/SUPP/REAPPROP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += SB 215 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += HB 289 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL<Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 26 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Public Testimony for Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, Utqiagvik, Unalaska, Dillingham, Offnets Please Sign Up by 2:45 PM += SB 213 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;AMEND;SUPP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += SB 214 APPROP: CAPITAL/FUNDS/SUPP/REAPPROP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += SB 215 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += HB 289 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL<Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 27 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Public Testimony for Fairbanks, Interior, Copper River Valley, Offnets Please Sign Up by 9:45 AM += SB 213 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;AMEND;SUPP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += SB 214 APPROP: CAPITAL/FUNDS/SUPP/REAPPROP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += SB 215 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += HB 289 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL<Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1779 FINANCE (continued) Feb 27 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM + Public Testimony for Anchorage, Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Kenai Peninsula Please Sign Up by 2:45 PM += SB 213 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;AMEND;SUPP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += SB 214 APPROP: CAPITAL/FUNDS/SUPP/REAPPROP -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += SB 215 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- += HB 289 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL <Pending Referral> -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Feb 26 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Facing Foster Care in Alaska Amanda Metivier Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** JUDICIARY Feb 25 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 207 PROPERTY POSSESSION AND PROPERTY CRIMES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += HB 101 CRIMES AGAINST MINORS; AGE CONSENT TO 18 -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 27 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1780 LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 25 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 16 REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 89 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SCOPE OF PRACTICE <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 205 PEACE OFFICERS/FIREFIGHTERS: DISABILITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 150 NET METERING PROGRAM & FUND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 27 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Feb 25 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Mining Update by Deantha Skibinski, Alaska Miners Association Presentation: Red Dog Mine Update by Lance Miller, Vice President of Natural Resources, NANA Presentation: Critical Minerals & Accelerator Project by Dr. Lee Ann Munk, Director, Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Feb 27 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SJR 26 SUPPORT NATIVE CORP BUSINESS DEVELOP PRGM -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HJR 29 BAN ON RUSSIAN SEAFOOD -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 33 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: BDS FISHERIES/GAME -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1781 STATE AFFAIRS Feb 26 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: Domestic Violence Sexual Assault and the Systems That Address Them by Brenda Stanfill Executive Director ANDVSA -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 236 VETERANS; SENTENCE PROG; CRIM PROCEDURE + SB 162 SPECIE AS LEGAL TENDER Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Feb 26 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 239 MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HB 26 STATEWIDE PUBLIC & COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLAN -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 02 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee Mar 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee Mar 16 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Mar 04 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee Mar 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1782 EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT (continued) Mar 18 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee Mar 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Education & Early Development Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 05 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee Mar 19 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA Mar 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + University of Alaska Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- SPECIAL COMMITTEES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON ARCTIC AFFAIRS Feb 26 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Rural Energy Costs and Nuclear Power Generation by Gwen Holdmann - Chief Scientist, Program Lead, Alaska Center for Energy and Power, UAF + SJR 24 HONORING RELATIONSHIP WITH GREENLAND -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1783 OTHER MEETINGS JOINT SESSION Mar 10 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Nick Begich III, U.S. Representative Mar 31 Tuesday House Chamber 11:00 AM + Annual Address by Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS 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 Feb 25 Wednesday Davis 106 12:01 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alzheimer's Current Impact on Alaskans Lisa Sauder, Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska Rachel Greenberg, Dementia Action Collaborative Marty Lange, Alaska Commission on Aging Yvette Tousignant, Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska Sponsored by Senator Yundt Feb 26 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) Learn about the high school acceleration program to earn dual college credit Sponsored by Senator Olson Mar 27 Friday Butrovich 205 12:01 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: The Importance of Energy Data Diane Hirshberg, Jeremy Kasper Leasi Vanessa Lee Raymond UAA's Institute of Social and Economic Research and UAF's Alaska Center for Energy and Power Sponsored by Senator Giessel 2026-02-25 Senate Journal Page 1784 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued) Apr 08 Wednesday Davis 106 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Arctic Winter Games 2026, Team Alaska updates, photos, achievements on Alaska's performance at Arctic Winter Games 2026 Nicole Morton-Johnson, President Sponsored by Senator Cronk