Legislature(2025 - 2026)

2026-04-03 Senate Journal

Full Journal pdf

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2139
                                                                                                                                
                                SENATE JOURNAL                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                           ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                          THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
                                SECOND SESSION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Juneau, Alaska Friday April 3, 2026                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
                              Seventy-fourth Day                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President                                                             
pro tempore Kiehl at 10:30 a.m. The Senate was convened for the                                                                 
purpose of a technical session.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
President pro tempore Kiehl stated the roll call of the Senate would be                                                         
waived. Without objection, it was so ordered.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                          Standing Committee Reports                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SB 167                                                                                                                        
The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 167 "An Act                                                                    
relating to a permanent fund dividend for an individual whose                                                                   
conviction has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed; and relating to the                                                        
calculation of the value of the permanent fund dividend by including                                                            
payment to individuals eligible for a permanent fund dividend because                                                           
of a conviction that has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed" and                                                              
recommended it be replaced with                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 167(FIN) "An Act                                                                               
          relating to eligibility of criminal offenders for certain                                                             
          benefits, including the permanent fund dividend;                                                                      
          relating to a permanent fund dividend for an                                                                          
          individual whose conviction has been vacated,                                                                         
          reversed, or dismissed; and relating to the calculation                                                               
          of the value of the permanent fund dividend by                                                                        
          including payment to individuals eligible for a                                                                       
          permanent fund dividend because of a conviction that                                                                  
          has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed."                                                                            
                                                                                                                                

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2140
Signing do pass: Senators Olson, Hoffman, Cochairs. Signing no                                                                  
recommendation: Senator Stedman, Cochair; Senators Kaufman,                                                                     
Cronk, Merrick. Signing amend: Senator Kiehl.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
     Fiscal Note No. 3, indeterminate, Department of Revenue                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SB 252                                                                                                                        
The Judiciary Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 252 "An                                                                      
Act relating to the Uniform Commercial Code; relating to secured                                                                
transactions; relating to controllable accounts, controllable electronic                                                        
records, and controllable payment intangibles; relating to sales;                                                               
relating to negotiable instruments; relating to letters of credit; relating                                                     
to warehouse receipts, bills of lading, and other documents of title;                                                           
relating to investment securities; relating to leases of goods; and                                                             
relating to fund transfers."                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Signing do pass: Senator Claman, Chair. Signing no recommendation:                                                              
Senators Tobin, Kiehl.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
The following previously published fiscal information applies:                                                                  
     Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Natural Resources                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
The bill was referred to the Rules Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        Consideration of the Calendar                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SB 185                                                                                                                        
The following which had been held in third reading (page 2125), could                                                           
not be considered in a technical session and will be on the April 7                                                             
calendar:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
          CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 185(L&C) "An Act                                                                               
          relating to the business of insurance; relating to                                                                    
          exceptions to prohibited rebates; relating to the                                                                     
          powers of the director of the division of insurance;                                                                  
          relating to prohibited practices in the advertisement                                                                 
          of insurance; and providing for an effective date."                                                                   

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2141
                                Announcements                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Announcements are at the end of the journal.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                 Adjournment                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
President pro tempore Kiehl stated the Senate would stand in                                                                    
adjournment until 2:00 p.m., April 7, 2026. Without objection, the                                                              
Senate adjourned at 10:32 a.m.                                                                                                  
                                                                    Liz Clark                                                   
                                                     Secretary of the Senate                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2142
                                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                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Apr 07        Tuesday                     Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+ SB 265 CRIM. NEG. HOMICIDE; FAILURE TO ASSIST                                                                                 
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+ SB 250 DATA CENTERS, UTILITIES                                                                                                
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 09        Thursday                    Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+= SB 247 GENERATED OBSCENE CHLD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL                                                                             
+ HB  47 CHLD SEX ABUSE MAT; GEN IMAGES; SOC MEDIA                                                                              
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  EDUCATION                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 03        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 06        Monday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2143
                            EDUCATION (continued)                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM                                                                                   
+ HB  28 TEACHER/STATE EMPLOYEE STUDENT LOAN PRGRM                                                                              
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+ SB 278 LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS                                                                                
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+ HJR 39 WAIVE VISA FEES FOR TEACHERS                                                                                           
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+= SB 204 SUB. TEACHING; SCHOOL BOARD ELIGIBILITY                                                                               
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+= HB 176 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FEES                                                                                             
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM                                                                                      
  No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                                          
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                   FINANCE                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Apr 03 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM                                                                                      
  No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 03 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM                                                                                      
  No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 06 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM                                                                                      
  No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 06 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM                                                                                      
  No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM                                                                                     
  No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 07 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM                                                                                     
  No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM                                                                                   
+= SB 227 TAX COMPACT; SALES TAX; OIL & GAS TAX                                                                                 
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2144
                             FINANCE (continued)                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08        Wednesday                 Senate Finance 532            1:30 PM                                                 
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 09        Thursday                  Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+= SB 214 APPROP: CAPITAL/FUNDS/SUPP/REAPPROP                                                                                   
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Overview: Bond Reimbursement and Grant Review                                                                     
              Board by                                                                                                          
              Department of Education and Early Development                                                                     
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 09        Thursday                  Senate Finance 532            1:39 PM                                                 
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+= HB  78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT.                                                                              
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10        Friday                    Senate Finance 532            9:00 AM                                                 
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10        Friday                    Senate Finance 532            1:30 PM                                                 
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                           HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Apr 07        Tuesday                         Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+ HJR 32 RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM                                                                                    
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+= SB 187 SCHOOL NUTRITION/MEAL: PROHIBIT FOOD DYES                                                                             
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+ SB 123 CINA: CITIZENS' REVIEW PANELS                                                                                          
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2145
                     HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued)                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Apr 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM                                                                                         
+= SB 281 HEALTHCARE COMPACTS; RURAL HEALTH PROGRAM                                                                             
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  JUDICIARY                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 03 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM                                                                                           
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 06 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM                                                                                           
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:45 PM                                                                                        
              -- Please Note Time Change --                                                                                     
+ HB 239 CRIM. NEG. HOMICIDE; FAILURE TO ASSIST                                                                                 
              <Pending Referral>                                                                                                
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM                                                                                           
+             Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                               LABOR & COMMERCE                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 03 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM                                                                                      
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 06 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM                                                                                      
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2146
                         LABOR & COMMERCE (continued)                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08        Wednesday                   Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+= SB 258 CONTRACT: LICENSING SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS                                                                             
              -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                    
+= SJR 28 SUPPORTING J-1 & H-1B VISA PROGRAMS                                                                                   
              -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                    
              Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:                                                                           
              Regulatory Commission of Alaska - Julie Vogler                                                                    
+= SB  62 BOARD OF PAROLE: MEMBERSHIP, REPORT                                                                                   
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
+= SB  78 DISCLOSURE OF WAGE INFORMATION                                                                                        
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10        Friday                      Beltz 105 (tsbldg)          1:30 PM                                                 
+= SB 217 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS                                                                                                
              -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                    
+= HB 110 SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT                                                                                         
              -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --                                                                    
+ SB 272 HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE                                                                                            
              -- Testimony <Invitation Only> --                                                                                 
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                  RESOURCES                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Apr 03        Friday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 06        Monday                          Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205           3:30 PM                                                 
+             Consideration of Governor’s Appointees:                                                                           
              Commissioner, Regulatory Commission of Alaska:                                                                    
              Julie Vogler                                                                                                      
+= SB 226 HOMEMADE FOOD; REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING                                                                               
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
+= HJR 18 URGING SUPPORT FOR AKLNG                                                                                              
              -- Public Testimony --                                                                                            
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled                                                                                  
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2147
                            RESOURCES (continued)                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM                                                                                           
+= SJR 20 CLEAN UP MARINE DEBRIS                                                                                                
+= SB 208 AGRICULTURAL LAND LEASES                                                                                              
+= SB 226 HOMEMADE FOOD; REDUCED OXYGEN PACKAGING                                                                               
+= SB 192 EVACUATION DESIGNATION LEVELS                                                                                         
              -- Invited & Public Testimony --                                                                                  
              Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                STATE AFFAIRS                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Apr 07 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM                                                                                     
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
Apr 09 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM                                                                                    
              -- MEETING CANCELED --                                                                                            
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                TRANSPORTATION                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Apr 07 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM                                                                                          
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM                                                                                         
              No Meeting Scheduled                                                                                              
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                            FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
                                 FISH & GAME                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
Apr 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 8:00 AM                                                                                   
+             Budget Close Out                                                                                                  
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                      TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC FACILITIES                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM                                                                                   
+             AMHS                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
Apr 15 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 7:30 AM                                                                                   
+             Budget Close Out                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2148
                               JOINT COMMITTEES                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
                       TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10        Friday                               Davis 106          3:30 PM                                                 
+             Presentation: An Overview of Required Local                                                                       
              Contribution by                                                                                                   
              Conor Bell, Analyst, Legislative Finance Division                                                                 
              Presentation: Local Contribution and Mill Rate by                                                                 
              Nils Andreassen, Executive Director,                                                                              
              Alaska Municipal League                                                                                           
              Presentation: Federal Education Funding in Alaska                                                                 
              Kelly Manning, Deputy Director                                                                                    
              Deb Riddle, Operations Manager                                                                                    
              Courtney Preziosi, Elementary and Secondary                                                                       
              Education Administrator                                                                                           
              Monique Siverly, Operations Manager                                                                               
              Heather Heineken, Director,                                                                                       
              Finance and Support Services,                                                                                     
              Department of Education and Early Development                                                                     
              **Streamed live on AKL.tv**                                                                                       
                   ----------------------------------------                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
                                OTHER MEETINGS                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
                            MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
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                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Apr 08        Wednesday                       Butrovich 205          12:01 PM                                                 
              Lunch & Learn Presentation:                                                                                       
              Life Center Northwest                                                                                             
              Ashlei Lind, Director, External Affairs                                                                           
              Sponsored by Senator Claman                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                

2026-04-03                     Senate Journal                      Page 2149
                      MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS (continued)                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Apr 09        Thursday                        Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
              Lunch & Learn Presentation:                                                                                       
              Updates on Recent Developments Surrounding the                                                                    
              Port of Alaska by                                                                                                 
              Terry Unatum, Director, Port of Alaska                                                                            
              Sponsored by Senator Kaufman                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Apr 10        Friday                          Butrovich 205          12:00 PM                                                 
              Lunch & Learn Presentation:                                                                                       
              Looking Back at the History on the Global                                                                         
              Perspective of Oil & Gas                                                                                          
              Sponsored by Senator Giessel and                                                                                  
              Representative Mears