Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-24 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2337 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Friday April 24, 2026 Ninety-fifth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:31 a.m. The roll showed nineteen members present. Senator Kawasaki was excused from a call of the Senate. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Reverend Nancy Campbell, White Fields Church. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Your word says that I am to come boldly to the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 I approach your throne for the Senators and their families this day. Extend Your Hand to them, Lord, and grant them mercy and grace to help in their time of need during this season as their work load increases and time is of the essence. Grant them a working unity as they reason together to move our state forward. Give them clarity of mind and energize them with a supernatural strength that comes only from You. I pray for their travels, traveling mercies wherever they may go. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2338 And now as the Lord spoke to Moses, saying; “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them, and I say to you, “The Lord bless me and keep me; The Lord make His face shine upon me, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon me, And give me peace. Numbers 6:22-26 I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen. Senator Kiehl led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the ninety-third and ninety-fourth legislative days be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letter dated April 23 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 appointees for confirmation: Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission Tracy Welch – Juneau Appointed: 4/21/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2030 Big Game Commercial Services Board Rudy Martinez – Wasilla Appointed: 3/30/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 The appointments were referred to the Resources Committee. Board of Education and Early Development Joy Cogburn-Smith – Kotzebue Appointed: 4/14/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 The appointment was referred to the Education Committee. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2339 Board of Marine Pilots Angel Holbrook – Ketchikan Appointed: 3/30/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2030 Colin Maynard – Anchorage Appointed: 3/30/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2030 The appointments were referred to the Transportation Committee. State Assessment Review Board Jana Weltzin – Anchorage Appointed: 3/30/2026 The appointment was referred to the Resources and Finance Committees. State Medical Board Alan Swenson – Anchorage Appointed: 4/14/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. Messages from the House Message dated April 22 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 52 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 52(HSS) am BY THE HOUSE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals; relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals; relating to a report 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2340 published by the Department of Health; relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 133 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 133(FIN) am BY THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act establishing deadlines for the payment of contracts under the State Procurement Code; establishing deadlines for the payment of grants, contracts, and reimbursement agreements to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations; relating to reports from state agencies to the legislature detailing late payments made during 2026; relating to the state financial transactions Internet website; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. HB 262 HOUSE BILL NO. 262 BY THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act increasing the number of superior court judges in the third judicial district; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2341 Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Annual Review of Assets FY 2025 in accordance with AS 44.88.205 The following Budget and Audit Report was received by the Division of the Legislative Audit, Legislative Budget & Audit Committee and is on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: State of Alaska Single Audit for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 Standing Committee Reports Report dated April 22 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the following appointee. A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions. Alaska Police Standards Council Veronica Lambertsen Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Tilton, Stevens, Tobin. SJR 25 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25 Supporting continuation of the United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement, and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 25(L&C) Supporting efforts to modernize and improve the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement; and supporting simplified border crossings and free trade with Canada and Mexico. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2342 Signing no recommendation: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar. Signing amend: Senator Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Legislative Agency The resolution was referred to the Rules Committee. Introduction and Reference of Senate Bills SB 286 SENATE BILL NO. 286 BY THE SENATE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BY REQUEST, entitled: "An Act establishing a toll for use of the James Dalton Highway by certain vehicles; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Transportation Committees. SB 287 SENATE BILL NO. 287 BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act establishing the Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 192 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) "An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act" was read the third time. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2343 The question being: "Shall CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) "An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: CSSB 192(CRA) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Kawasaki and so, CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. SB 272 SENATE BILL NO. 272 "An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 272 "An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 272 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, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Kawasaki and so, SENATE BILL NO. 272 passed the Senate. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2344 Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the vote on the passage of the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Third Reading of House Bills HB 33 HOUSE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. The question being: "Shall HOUSE BILL NO. 33 "An Act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: HB 33 Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 15 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kiehl, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin Nays: Merrick, Tilton, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Kawasaki and so, HOUSE BILL NO. 33 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. Without objection, it was so ordered and the bill was signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2345 Second Reading of Senate Resolutions SCR 17 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 17 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the state's regional educational attendance areas; and celebrating the enduring contributions of the state's regional educational attendance areas to public education, local leadership, and community life in rural areas of the state, was read the second time and was before the Senate on final passage. The question being: "Shall SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 17 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the state's regional educational attendance areas; and celebrating the enduring contributions of the state's regional educational attendance areas to public education, local leadership, and community life in rural areas of the state, pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCR 17 Second Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 19 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 1 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Excused: Kawasaki and so, SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 17 passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Citations Honoring – Maria and Christopher Crawford Senator(s) Tobin Representative(s) Fields th Honoring – The City of Valdez 125 Anniversary Senator(s) Rauscher, Kawasaki Representative(s) G. Nelson 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2346 Honoring – Aaron Christian Peterson Representative(s) Saddler, Allard Senator(s) Merrick Honoring – Ivan Moore Senator(s) Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki Representative(s) Galvin Honoring – Pat Dougherty Representative(s) Gray, Holland Senator(s) Giessel th Honoring – I?isagvik College 30 Anniversary Representative(s) Frier, Stapp Senator(s) Olson Honoring – The Uqautilu?a Iñupiatun Immersion Program Representative(s) Frier Senator(s) Olson Honoring – Robert “Rob” Woolsey Representative(s) Himschoot Senator(s) Stedman Honoring – Soldotna High School Lady Stars 2025 ASAA State Wrestling Champions Senator(s) Bjorkman Representative(s) Ruffridge In Memoriam – Ralph Franklin Langham Jr. Senator(s) Rauscher Representative(s) G. Nelson In Memoriam – Matt Hammer Representative(s) Saddler In Memoriam – Lillian Kisautaq Nageak Representative(s) Frier 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2347 In Memoriam – Barbara Ann Rands Hames Representative(s) Himschoot Senator(s) Stedman In Memoriam – Wendy Wagner Senator(s) Bjorkman Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the following citations be made a special order of business. Without objection, it was so ordered. Special Order of Business Honoring – Dante Reyes Representative(s) Story, Hannan Senator(s) Kiehl In Memoriam – Karla Zander (Josephson) Representative(s) Josephson Senator(s) Wielechowski, Gray-Jackson Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the citations be adopted. Without objection, the citations were adopted and referred to the Secretary for transmittal. Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment SB 192 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) "An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2348 SB 272 SENATE BILL NO. 272 "An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. SCR 17 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 17 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the state's regional educational attendance areas; and celebrating the enduring contributions of the state's regional educational attendance areas to public education, local leadership, and community life in rural areas of the state, 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 27, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-04-24 Senate Journal Page 2349 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 28 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 30 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + HB 216 TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND TO WHITTIER -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 16 REFUSE UTILITY REGULATIONS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- EDUCATION 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** Apr 27 Monday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += SB 66 STATE-TRIBAL EDUCATION COMPACTS += SB 232 PERSONAL COLLECTION OF CERTAIN FOSSILS Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv**