Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-03-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1951 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Monday March 16, 2026 Fifty-sixth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:01 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Myers was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Dani Cherian, Valley Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear Lord Jesus, I give you praise and honor, I thank you Father for your great love and how your love is not based on my merit. You sent your Son Jesus because you first loved me. The Bible says, [John 3:16 ESV] "16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." I thank you for your Spirit that leads every person to know you, and experience your love. I am grateful this morning for You gathering every leader from our great State of Alaska. I ask for your blessing to be upon our Senators, their staff, and families as they gather this week. Please protect and care for them as they serve our state. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1952 Senator Olson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the fifty-third through fifty-fifth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letter dated March 13 was read stating in accordance with Article III, sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution, and AS 39.05.080, I submit the following appointee for confirmation: Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board Lake Williams – Fairbanks Appointed: 5/14/2014 Term Expired: 1/19/2015 Reappointed: 1/19/2015 Term Expired: 3/1/2017 Reappointed: 3/1/2017 Term Expired: 3/1/2020 Reappointed: 3/1/2020 Term Expired: 3/10/2023 Reappointed: 3/10/2023 Term Expired: 3/1/2026 Reappointed: 3/12/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 The appointment was referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. A resume for the appointment has been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Notice of Availability: Alaska Salmon Price and Production Report Calendar Year 2025 in accordance with AS 43.80.060 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1953 Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Long-Term Care Ombudsman 2025 Annual Report in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 3058 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. 10 and Senate and House Joint Journal Supplement No. 17. Standing Committee Reports SB 181 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 181 "An Act relating to disclosure of information obtained by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to other state agencies." Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Dunbar, Gray- Jackson. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Labor and Workforce Development The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. HJR 29 The Resources Committee considered CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29(FSH) am Supporting the extension of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024; supporting the continued national prohibition on Russian seafood imports effected by Executive Orders 14024, 14068, and 14114; and urging the President of the United States, federal agencies, and the United States Congress to consider additional measures necessary for prohibiting the importation of Russian seafood into the United States and to maintain and strengthen federal measures that ensure fair trade, protect the state's seafood industry, and promote sustainable and ethical seafood production and recommended it be replaced with 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1954 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 29(RES) Signing do pass: Senator Giessel, Chair; Senators Rauscher, Dunbar. Signing no recommendation: Senator Kawasaki. The following previously published fiscal information applies: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 278 SENATE BILL NO. 278 BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the required local contribution made by a city or borough school district for public school funding; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Education and Finance Committees. SB 279 SENATE BILL NO. 279 BY THE SENATE COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act making supplemental appropriations; 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." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1955 Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 211 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 211(L&C) "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; extending the termination date of the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; relating to reports on the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners and the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 211(L&C) "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; extending the termination date of the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; relating to reports on the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners and the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 211(L&C) Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Myers 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1956 and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 211(L&C) 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. Citations Honoring – LillyAnne “Ruby” Tansy Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Stapp, Dibert Honoring – Brandon Pili Senator(s) Claman Representative(s) Frier Honoring – Timothy “Tim” La Porte Senator(s) Olson Representative(s) McCabe, Foster Honoring – Charles Edward Cole Senator(s) Olson Representative(s) Foster, Saddler Honoring – Dennis & Maggie Gladwin Senator(s) Olson Representative(s) Foster Honoring – Lori Wing-Heier Representative(s) McCabe, Fields Honoring – John Shively Representative(s) McCabe, Costello, Fields In Memoriam – Janet Halvarson Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Prax 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1957 In Memoriam – Superior Court Judge Robert Downes Senator(s) Kawasaki Representative(s) Prax In Memoriam – Robert John “Bob” Stickney Representative(s) Schwanke Senator(s) Cronk In Memoriam – Patrick “Pat” Shields Senator(s) Bjorkman Representative(s) Ruffridge In Memoriam – Sherise Jackson Senator(s) Bjorkman Representative(s) Ruffridge In Memoriam – John “Skip” Dove Jr. Senator(s) Bjorkman Representative(s) Ruffridge In Memoriam– Brenda Itta-Lee Representative(s) Frier Senator(s) Olson 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 SJR 2 Senators Stedman, Giessel, Olson, Dunbar, Stevens moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska relating to actions upon veto. Without objection, it was so ordered. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1958 Engrossment SB 211 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 211(L&C) "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Professional Counselors; extending the termination date of the Board of Marital and Family Therapy; extending the termination date of the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners; extending the termination date of the Real Estate Commission; extending the termination date of the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; extending the termination date of the Board of Social Work Examiners; relating to reports on the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners and the Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers; 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 11:00 a.m., March 18, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:14 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-03-16 Senate Journal Page 1959 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 17 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += HB 13 MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS -- Public Testimony -- += SB 255 MUNI GRANT LAND; MAT-SU BOROUGH TRANSFER -- Public Testimony -- += SB 143 MUNICIPAL SCHOOL BOARD TERMS += SB 259 PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT INCREASES -- Public Testimony -- + SB 247 GENERATED OBSCENE CHLD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 258 CONTRACT: LICENSING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Mar 19 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 247 GENERATED OBSCENE CHLD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 258 CONTRACT: LICENSING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 268 SICK LEAVE EXEMPTION: FISH PROCESSORS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 153 PUBLIC MEETINGS: EXEMPT MUNI SVC AREA BDS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION Mar 16 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled