Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-02-27 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1787 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday February 27, 2026 Thirty-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:35 a.m. The roll showed thirteen members present. Senators Bjorkman, Dunbar, Hoffman, Kaufman, Stedman, Tilton, Yundt were excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Chris Elliot, Radiant Church. Senator Rauscher moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Heavenly Father, mighty and merciful! I approach Your throne today with great humility, standing in awe of the trust You have placed upon the leaders assembled in this chamber. You, O Lord, who carved the fjords of Southeast Alaska with patient and purposeful hands and filled the skies with the golden light of the midnight sun, have also called these servants to steward the wellbeing of our great state and its people. Pour out upon them a wisdom that is greater than their own, a peace that steadies them under pressure, and a courage that does not shrink from the difficult and the costly. May their decisions reflect a deep and genuine love for all Alaskans — the elderly and the young, the prosperous and the struggling, the longtime resident and the newest neighbor. 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1788 Keep them far from arrogance, from empty words, and from the subtle drift toward serving self rather than others. May they instead be moved by the example of Jesus, who laid aside His own comfort and glory to lift others up and to give His life as a ransom for many. Let the work of this session bear fruit that lasts — laws that protect, policies that provide, and leadership that inspires trust. Bless Alaska, Lord — its mountains and its people, its present and its future. I ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen! Senator Giessel led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the House Message dated February 25 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 48 HOUSE BILL NO. 48 BY REPRESENTATIVES HANNAN, Fields, Eischeid, Schrage, Jimmie, Story, Galvin, Gray, Josephson, Frier, Mina, entitled: "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1789 HB 289 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 289(FIN)(brf sup maj fld) BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act making appropriations, including supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; capitalizing funds; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. Communications The following report is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Military Courtesy Licensing Biennial Report in accordance with AS 08.01.063 Standing Committee Reports SB 16 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 16 "An Act relating to a simplified rate filing procedure for refuse utility rate adjustments; relating to Regulatory Commission of Alaska regulations regarding refuse utilities; and providing for an effective date." Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senator Yundt. Signing do pass: Senator Gray-Jackson. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development The bill was referred to the Community and Regional Affairs Committee. 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1790 Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 273 SENATE BILL NO. 273 BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act relating to certain municipal fees and disabled veterans; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Community and Regional Affairs and State Affairs Committees. Unfinished Business HB 48 Senators Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Tobin moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on HOUSE BILL NO. 48 "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., March 2, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 10:45 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1791 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 Mar 03 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += HB 126 REINSTATEMENT NATIVE CORP/RELIGIOUS CORP -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 191 TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND TO WHITTIER -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 235 AUTOMATED TRAFFIC SAFETY CAMERAS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HB 13 MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 259 PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT INCREASES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 255 MUNI GRANT LAND; MAT-SU BOROUGH TRANSFER -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Feb 27 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 02 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 110 MUSEUM CONSTRUCTION GRANTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 238 LIBRARY MATERIALS POLICIES; CENSORSHIP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv**