Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-07 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2157 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday April 7, 2026 Seventy-eighth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 2:01 p.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Guy Crockroft, Love INC. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Lord, thank you for your unconditional love for all people, and may you help each Senator as they work together for all Alaskans. Help them to love one another. As the Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Senator Claman led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the seventy-second through seventy-seventh legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2158 Messages from the Governor A letter dated April 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. A Declaration of Disaster Emergency dated March 25, regarding extreme cold temperatures that led to widespread infrastructure damage in the Northwest Arctic Borough and accompanying letter was received pursuant to AS 26.23.020 and AS 26.23.025. The declaration and letter had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. HCR 11 Message dated April 6 was read stating the Governor noted the following resolution and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 11 Extending the governor's October 9, 2025, declaration of a disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast Storm. Legislative Resolve No. 24 Messages from the House Message dated April 1 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 117 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 117(RES) BY THE HOUSE RESOURCES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to commercial set gillnet fishing; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Resources Committee. 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2159 HB 239 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 239(JUD) BY THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to criminally negligent homicide; relating to the duty of an operator immediately after an accident; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Judiciary and Finance Committees. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 185 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" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall 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" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 185(L&C) 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. 185(L&C) passed the Senate. 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2160 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clauses. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SJR 30 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30 Expressing gratitude for the United States military and supporting increased defense readiness through infrastructure development and public-military partnerships, was read the second time. Senator Kawasaki, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the State Affairs Committee Substitute offered on page 2124. Without objection, CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30(STA) was adopted. President Stevens stated CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 30(STA) will advance to third reading on the April 8 calendar. Citations Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citation be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business In Memoriam – William Lee Avaiyak Rexford Representative(s) Stapp, Dibert Senator(s) Kawasaki Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citation be adopted. Without objection, the citation was adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2161 Engrossment SB 185 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" 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., April 8, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 2:11 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2162 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 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 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2163 FINANCE 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** 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 1:30 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** 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2164 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** 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 08 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:45 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- -- Delayed to 2:30 pm -- + HB 239 CRIM. NEG. HOMICIDE; FAILURE TO ASSIST 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 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** 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2165 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) 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 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** 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 -- 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2166 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 ---------------------------------------- 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** 2026-04-07 Senate Journal Page 2167 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 Apr 09 Thursday Butrovich 205 12:00 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- 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