Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-16 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2261 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday April 16, 2026 Eighty-seventh Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:00 a.m. The Senate was convened for the purpose of a technical session. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the roll call of the Senate be waived. Without objection, it was so ordered. Standing Committee Reports SB 214 The Finance Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 214 "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; and providing for an effective date" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 214(FIN) "An Act making appropriations, including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations; making appropriations to capitalize funds; amending appropriations; and providing for an effective date." Signing do pass: Senators Olson, Hoffman, Stedman, Cochairs; Senators Merrick, Kiehl. Signing no recommendation: Senator Cronk. Signing amend: Senator Kaufman. The bill was referred to the Rules Committee. 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2262 Unfinished Business SB 258 SENATE BILL NO. 258 "An Act relating to contracts for the licensing of software applications" could not be considered in a technical session. The bill will be on the April 20 calendar. SB 187 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 187(EDC) "An Act prohibiting certain food additives in public school meals; and providing for an effective date" could not be considered in a technical session. The bill will be on the April 20 calendar. SJR 28 CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 28(L&C) Recognizing the vital role of workers serving in the state under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the H-1B Program for specialty occupations, and the H-2B Program for temporary nonagricultural workers in supporting the state's economic security and continuity of critical services, could not be considered in a technical session. The resolution will be on the April 20 calendar. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., April 20, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:01 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2263 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 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 250 DATA CENTERS, UTILITIES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 210 INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE EDUCATION + HB 125 BOARD OF FISHERIES MEMBERSHIP Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 16 REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 265 CRIM. NEG. HOMICIDE; FAILURE TO ASSIST -- Public Testimony -- += SB 250 DATA CENTERS, UTILITIES -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2264 EDUCATION Apr 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 20 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += HJR 39 WAIVE VISA FEES FOR TEACHERS += SCR 17 REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL ATTENDANCE AREAS -- Public Testimony -- += HB 28 TEACHER/STATE EMPLOYEE STUDENT LOAN PRGRM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + SB 66 STATE-TRIBAL EDUCATION COMPACTS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Apr 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Overview: University of Alaska FY27 Budget Closeout Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 17 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2265 FINANCE (continued) Apr 17 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 20 Monday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 20 Monday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + HB 23 STATE COMMISSION FOR CIVIL RIGHTS + -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + HB 280 APPORTION TAXABLE INCOME -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + HB 10 ADD FACULTY MEMBER UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 39 EDUCATION FOR DEAF & HARD OF HEARING -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM + HB 263 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;AMEND;SUPP <Pending Referral> + HB 265 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET <Pending Referral> CS ONE Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2266 FINANCE (continued) Apr 23 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 23 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 24 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += HB 78 RETIREMENT SYSTEMS; DEFINED BENEFIT OPT. -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Overview: New Amendments by Office of Management and Budget Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 24 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives: Stacia Miller Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Edward Barrington and Walter Campbell Board of Examiners in Optometry: Charles Rudstrom and Kathleen Rice Board of Nursing: Ashley Scholle Board of Pharmacy: Rebekah Balmes and Lillian Okpaleke Board of Dental Examiners: Travis Perkins Board of Professional Counselors: Crystal Herring Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2267 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES (continued) Apr 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Board of Examiners in Optometry: Damien Delzer State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board: Eliza Ellsworth and Michelle Scott-Weber Board of Nursing: Heather Crivello and Michael Collins State Medical Board: Norman Walker Board of Pharmacy: Sara Rasmussen Board of Social Work Examiners: Ivy Villani Board of Professional Counselors: Jillanne Garrity Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 281 HEALTHCARE COMPACTS; RURAL HEALTH PROGRAM -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 17 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor's Appointees: M. Grace Salazar, State Commission on Human Rights + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 20 Monday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska Rape Trends: 1976-2023 by Brad Myrstol, Director, Alaska Justice Information Center Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2268 JUDICIARY (continued) Apr 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Veronica Lambertsen, Alaska Police Standards Council -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 24 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 17 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 20 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM += SB 259 PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT INCREASES -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 272 HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 22 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + HJR 38 PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SJR 25 SUPPORTING US-MEXICO-CANADA AGREEMENT -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 24 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Presentation: Alaska LNG Pipeline Workforce Plan by Dirk Craft, AK Workforce Investment Board Patrick Rose and Joey Crum, Northern Industrial Training Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2269 RESOURCES Apr 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 275 NATURAL GAS PROJECTS/INCOME TAX/SURCHARGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 17 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: += SB 208 AGRICULTURAL LAND LEASES += SB 192 EVACUATION DESIGNATION LEVELS += SB 174 INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 20 Monday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- + HB 117 COMMERCIAL FISHING; SET GILLNET COOP -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 255 MUNI GRANT LAND; MAT-SU BOROUGH TRANSFER -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 20 Monday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 275 NATURAL GAS PROJECTS/INCOME TAX/SURCHARGE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HB 117 COMMERCIAL FISHING; SET GILLNET COOP Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2270 RESOURCES (continued) Apr 22 Wednesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 9:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 24 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS Apr 16 Thursday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Please Note Location Change -- + Overview: Voter Initiatives This Hearing is Being Convened Per AS 24.05.186 This Hearing Will Include Overviews of All Election Related Ballot Initiatives That Have Been Certified for the 2026 Election Cycle This Will Be An Opportunity For Members of The Public to Learn More About Each Ballot Initiative Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled**Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 21 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM += SB 282 MILITARY: JT ARMED SVCS COMMITTEE -- Public Testimony -- += HCR 9 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY -- Public Testimony -- += SB 239 MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION -- Public Testimony -- + SCR 11 LEG. COMMISSION ON STATE SEAL -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2271 STATE AFFAIRS (continued) Apr 23 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Apr 16 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 21 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + SB 148 AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 23 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEES ADMINISTRATION Apr 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:50 PM + Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- CORRECTIONS Apr 16 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 5:15 PM + Department of Corrections FY27 Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION & EARLY DEVELOPMENT Apr 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 5:30 PM + Budget Closeout 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2272 FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES Apr 17 Friday Senate Finance 532 12:15 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- Presentation: Subcommittee Budget Closeout **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- HEALTH Apr 17 Friday Senate Finance 532 12:00 PM -- Teleconference <Listen Only> -- + Presentation: Subcommittee Budget Closeout **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- REVENUE Apr 16 Thursday Senate Finance 532 6:10 PM + Budget Closeout ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT Apr 22 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 5:15 PM + I. Call to Order II. Approval of the Agenda III. Approval of the Minutes a. March 17, 2026 IV. Special Audit Request a. Department of Health, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) V. Executive Session a. Final Release of the FY25 State of Alaska Single Audit b. Consideration of Contracts i. RFP 26-33-02 Lease of Office Space in Anchorage – Division of Legislative Audit ii. RFP 26-33-03 Cyber Security Assessments of Select State IT Systems c. Legal Update on Personnel Matter VI. Adjourn 2026-04-16 Senate Journal Page 2273 TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING Apr 22 Wednesday Davis 106 3:30 PM + Presentation: Residential School Funding by Jim Merriner, Director of Administrative Projects Galena City School District Dr. Doug Walrath, Director, Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center Conrad Woodhead, CTE and Residential Director, Kusilvak Career Academy Stephen Calkin, Assistant Superintendent, Nenana City School District Correspondence Program Funding by Lon Garrison, Executive Director, Alaska Association of School Boards Overview of Charter Schools in Alaska by Todd Hindman **Streamed live on AKL.tv**