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** 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1792 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 04 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Presentation: University of Alaska - College of Education Consortium by Dr. Bridget Weiss, UA Liaison to the Alaska College of Education + SB 209 GRAD REQUIREMENTS & PROFICIENCY TOOLS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 06 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE 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** 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 -- Public Testimony <Two Minute Time Limit> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1793 FINANCE (continued) Mar 02 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += HB 289 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 02 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 03 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += HB 289 APPROP: SUPPLEMENTAL += HB 194 APPROVE MARATHON PETRO ROYALTY OIL SALE += SB 104 VEHICLES/BOATS: TRANSFER ON DEATH TITLE += SB 23 CIVICS EDUCATION Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 03 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 04 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 178 EXPAND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 93 EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 04 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 05 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1794 FINANCE (continued) Mar 05 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- No Meeting Scheduled Mar 06 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 06 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 03 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Office of Children's Services Audit Review by Kim Guay, Director, OCS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 05 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Covenant House Youth Advisory Board += SB 193 PRACTICE OF NATUROPATHY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Feb 27 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 02 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += SB 251 REPEAL WORKERS' COMP APPEALS COMMISSION += SB 190 UNIFORM ACT: GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1795 JUDICIARY (continued) Mar 04 Wednesday Davis 106 1:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- + Meeting Jointly with the Senate State Affairs Committee Hearing on Dissemination of Voter Information to the U.S. Department of Justice **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 06 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Feb 27 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 02 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 164 ELIMINATE TAX DISCOUNTS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 233 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + HB 50 SNOW CLASSICS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 249 VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSKS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 04 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 35 DELIVERY NETWORK COMPANIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 205 PEACE OFFICERS/FIREFIGHTERS: DISABILITY -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 180 LNG IMPORT FACILITIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 06 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1796 RESOURCES 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** Mar 02 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Bonding Authority of AIDEA by Randy Ruaro, Executive Director, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 158 COOK INLET: NEW ADMIN AREA -- Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 04 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 253 SULFUR CONTENT OF MARINE FUEL -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 161 PROHIBIT BOTTOM TRAWLING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 06 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + HB 79 NAMING VIC FISCHER SHOUP BAY MARINE PARK -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 230 JONESVILLE PUBLIC USE AREA -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 03 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 237 DATA SHARING; SOCIAL SECURITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1797 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Mar 04 Wednesday Davis 106 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- -- Please Note Location Change -- + Meeting Jointly with the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Dissemination of Voter Information to the U.S. Department of Justice **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 05 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 203 PROHIBITED WEAPONS/FIREARM CONVERT DEVICE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 243 DEFINITION OF PROHIBITED WEAPON -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 126 CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES; PLACEMENT Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 03 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Use of Advanced Construction Funds and Federal Funds for State Projects by Department of Transportation and Public Facilities **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 05 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- 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 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1798 CORRECTIONS Mar 06 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM + Department of Corrections - Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- 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 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 ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 04 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Overview: FY2027 Budget and Audit Findings by Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner Emily Ricci, Deputy Commissioner Pam Halloran, Assistant Commissioner -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 04 Wednesday Butrovich 205 5:15 PM + Courts - Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- LAW Mar 05 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 5:15 PM + Department of Law - Budget Overview 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1799 PUBLIC SAFETY Mar 04 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 8:00 AM + Department of Public Safety - Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- 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 Mar 05 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SJR 24 HONORING RELATIONSHIP WITH GREENLAND **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 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 2026-02-27 Senate Journal Page 1800 MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 25 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Presentation: Alaska Comprehensive Forensic Training Academy Dr. Angelia Trujillo 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 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