Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-03-09 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1869 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 9, 2026 Forty-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:06 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Jacob Pennell, Senate Assistant Sergeant at Arms. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference, Amen. Senator Kawasaki led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the forty-fifth through forty-eighth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor A letter dated March 6 was read stating a need to again extend the 2025 West Coast Storm Disaster emergency and requesting a concurrent legislative resolution as required by AS 26.23.020. The letter had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1870 Communications Disclosure letters received from the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics in accordance with AS 24.60 will be published today in Senate Journal Supplement No. 9 and House and Senate Joint Journal Supplement No. 15. Standing Committee Reports SB 126 The State Affairs Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 126 "An Act relating to correctional facilities; relating to the authority of the commissioner of corrections to designate the placement of prisoners; and requiring the Department of Corrections to estimate and report certain cost savings." Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki, Chair; Senator Wielechowski. Signing no recommendation: Senators Gray-Jackson, Bjorkman, Tilton. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Corrections The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Special Committee Reports SJR 24 The Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 24 Recognizing and honoring the relationship between the state and Greenland; and recognizing the importance of cooperation between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Denmark in the Arctic and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 24(AAF) Signing do pass: Senator Giessel, Chair; Senators Wielechowski, Kawasaki. 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1871 The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs The resolution was referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Resolutions SR 5 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5 BY THE SENATE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, Recognizing the importance of preserving agricultural land in the state. was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 276 SENATE BILL NO. 276 BY THE SENATE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services; 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 Senate Bills in Third Reading SB 23 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 23(FIN) "An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date" which had been held in third reading (page 1846) was before the Senate. 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1872 The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 23(FIN) "An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 23(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 23(FIN) passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. SB 104 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 104(FIN) "An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the death of the owner; relating to the transferability of common interest community ownership interests; and providing for an effective date" which had been held in third reading (page 1847) was before the Senate. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 104(FIN) "An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the death of the owner; relating to the transferability of common interest community ownership interests; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 104(FIN) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1873 and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 104(FIN) passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause(s). Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. House Bills in Third Reading HB 289 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 289(FIN) "An Act making appropriations, including supplemental appropriations, capital appropriations, reappropriations, and other appropriations; amending appropriations; capitalizing funds; making appropriations under art. IX, sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from the constitutional budget reserve fund; and providing for an effective date" which had been held in third reading to today's calendar (page 1847), was again before the Senate: Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 289(FIN) be held in third reading to the March 10 calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered. Citations Honoring – Dr. Luke Meinert Representative(s) Stapp, Carrick Senator(s) Cronk Honoring – Patty Mongold Representative(s) Stapp, Dibert Senator(s) Myers Honoring – Gary & Sue Wilken Representative(s) Stapp, Dibert, Carrick In Memoriam – Leonard Paul “Dutch” Mayo Sr. Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Dibert 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1874 In Memoriam – Emiko Endo Akasofu Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Dibert, Carrick In Memoriam – Judy Elinor Salo Senator(s) Bjorkman Representative(s) Himschoot, Hannan 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 Senator Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate on April 16 and April 17. Without objection, Senator Gray-Jackson was excused. SB 270 Senator Myers moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as a cosponsor on SENATE BILL NO. 270 "An Act relating to grand juries; amending Rules 5(e), 6, and 6.1, Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; repealing Rules 6.1(b)(2) and (3), Alaska Rules of Criminal Procedure; and providing for an effective date." Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 23 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 23(FIN) "An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1875 SB 104 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 104(FIN) "An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the death of the owner; relating to the transferability of common interest community ownership interests; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m., March 10, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:49 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1876 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 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 09 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 11 Wednesday Davis 106 8:00 AM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- Please Note Time & Location Change -- + Meeting jointly with the House Education Committee Presentation: 2026 State Board of Education Report to the Alaska Legislature by Deena Bishop, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Sally Stockhausen, Chair, State Board of Education and Early Development Members of the Alaska Board of Education and Early Development Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 11 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SENATE BILL: PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING AND POLICY <Pending Introduction & Referral> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1877 EDUCATION (continued) Mar 13 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Mar 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + K – 12 Major Maintenance – Scoring and Ranking Department of Education and Early Development Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. Equable Institute Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) <Invited Testimony> Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB 41 PUBLIC SCHOOLS: MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 130 FISHERIES PROD DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits, Legislative Finance Division Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1878 FINANCE (continued) Mar 11 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + State IT - Needs, Challenges and Solutions Office of Information Technology Office of Management and Budget Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + University of Alaska FY 27 Budget Request Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 274 PERMANENT FUND POMV AVAILABLE FOR APPROP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM No Meeting Scheduled Mar 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Mar 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Morgan Lim, Alaska State Director, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Lisa Humes-Schultz, VP of Policy and Strategy, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates Claudia Haines, CEO, Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic Dr. Ingrid Johnson += SB 193 PRACTICE OF NATUROPATHY + SB 272 HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 206 SCHOOL SUICIDE POLICIES; FIREARM STORAGE Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1879 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued) Mar 12 Thursday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- + Presentation: Rural Health Transformation Program A National Perspective Kathryn Costanza, National Conference of State Legislatures Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Mar 09 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- += SB 237 DATA SHARING; SOCIAL SECURITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 233 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 237 DATA SHARING; SOCIAL SECURITY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 233 CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 13 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Mar 09 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 181 EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION DISCLOSURE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 163 REPEAL CERTAIN INACTIVE FUNDS/ACCOUNTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 263 CHILD CARE FACILITY LOAN FUNDS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 264 REPEALING HOUSING FUNDS & ACCOUNTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1880 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) Mar 11 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 121 HEALTH INSURANCE ALLOWABLE CHARGES Presentation: UAF's Integrated Workforce Development Pipeline: From Technical Training to Engineering Leadership by William Schnabel, Dean, UAF College of Engineering & Mines, Kevin Alexander, Dean, UAF Community & Technical College Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 13 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 35 DELIVERY NETWORK COMPANIES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 252 UCC: SECURED TRANS.; ELECTRONIC RECORDS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 249 VIRTUAL CURRENCY KIOSKS -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + HB 110 SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HJR 20 HIRING OF APPRENTICES/VETERANS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Mar 09 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SJR 26 SUPPORT NATIVE CORP BUSINESS DEVELOP PRGM + SB 253 SULFUR CONTENT OF MARINE FUEL -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 224 PUBLIC LAND:SALE/LEASE/COMMERCIAL DEVELOP -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 11 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Presentation: Railbelt Transmission Update by Curtis Thayer - Executive Director, Alaska Energy Authority Presentation: Port of Alaska Energy Project by Terry Umatum, Director, Don Young Port of Alaska Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1881 RESOURCES (continued) Mar 13 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + SB 275 NATURAL GAS PROJECTS/INCOME TAX/SURCHARGE Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Mar 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 12 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 219 PFAS USE & REMEDIATION, WATER TESTING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 162 SPECIE AS LEGAL TENDER -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Mar 10 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: State of Alaska Prompt Payment Parity by The Foraker Group and Alaska Municipal League **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 12 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: De-icing Roads with Graphite Nanoplatelets by Hannah Leatherman, Seward High School Presentation: DOT&PF Winter Road Maintenance Update (Cont. From Jan 27) by Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Mar 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee Mar 16 Monday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Administration Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1882 CORRECTIONS Mar 11 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 7:30 AM + Department of Corrections - Budget Overview ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT 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 ---------------------------------------- FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mar 13 Friday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Overview: Update on FY26 Budget Items and Overview of FY27 Budget Request -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FISH & GAME Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Budget Overview Apr 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM + Budget Close Out ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Mar 10 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Presentation: Alaska Medicaid Rate Review by Guidehouse -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv* 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1883 NATURAL RESOURCES Mar 10 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Overview: Department of Natural Resources ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee Mar 19 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + Revenue Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES Mar 18 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + FY27 Request, FY26 Update, & Major Issues Mar 25 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Highways & State Equipment Fleet Apr 01 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Airports & DFS Apr 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + AMHS Apr 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM + Budget Close Out ---------------------------------------- UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA Mar 09 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + University of Alaska Subcommittee Mar 12 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + University of Alaska Subcommittee ---------------------------------------- 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1884 JOINT COMMITTEES TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING Mar 09 Monday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + Presentation: Major Maintenance and School Construction by Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Presentation: Legislative Finance Update on School Major Maintenance and School Construction by Alexei Painter, Director, Alaska Legislative Finance Division Presentation: The Challenge of Major Maintenance Across Alaska's School Districts by Caroline Storm, Executive Director, Coalition for Education Equity **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 ---------------------------------------- MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS Mar 25 Wednesday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM Lunch & Learn Presentation: Presentation: Alaska Comprehensive Forensic Training Academy Dr. Angelia Trujillo Sponsored by Senator Tobin 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 2026-03-09 Senate Journal Page 1885 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