Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-28 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2381 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Tuesday April 28, 2026 Ninety-ninth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 10:32 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Megan Harden, Senate Page. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Lord, thank you for the opportunity to come before you and before this body today. Thank you that we all get to be here and get to work together for the good of this wonderful State and its people. Please give these Senators wisdom and clarity as they discuss the important matters of today and prepare the future work during this afternoon and the rest of the week. Lord, I ask that you remind us to listen first and speak second. Remind us to look to you for truth and our next steps. And remind us to notice the sunshine, the flowers, and the smiles of others in our day. Thank you for your love, your grace, and your Son’s sacrifice. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Senator Myers led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2382 Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the ninety-eighth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letter dated April 27 was read stating in accordance with Article III, sections 26 and 27 of the Alaska Constitution, and AS 39.05.080, I submit the following appointee for confirmation: State Medical Board Robert Skala – Eagle River Appointed: 4/27/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2028 The appointment was referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. The resume for this appointment has been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. Messages from the House Message dated April 27 was read stating the House passed and transmitted for consideration: First Reading and Reference of House Bills HB 96 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 96(L&C) am BY THE HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board; relating to payment for personal care services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2383 HB 221 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 221(STA) BY THE HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act establishing the first Friday of every October as Alaska Arts and Culture Day; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. HB 249 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 249(L&C) BY THE HOUSE LABOR AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, entitled: "An Act relating to the transfer of a vehicle to an insurance company." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. HB 363 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 363(MLV) BY THE HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AND VETERANS’ AFFAIRS, entitled: "An Act relating to the sale of alcohol; relating to the sale or dispensing of alcoholic beverages by patriotic organizations; relating to club licenses; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Labor and Commerce Committee. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2384 Standing Committee Reports Report dated April 27 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the following appointees. A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individuals during any further sessions. Violent Crimes Compensation Board Anna Cometa Joel Hard Signing the report: Senator Claman, Chair; Senators Tilton, Kiehl, Tobin. Report dated April 27 was read stating: In accordance with AS 39.05.080, the Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing on the following appointees. A signature on this report does not reflect an intent by any of the members to vote for or against the confirmation of the individuals during any further sessions. Alaska Labor Relations Agency Jennifer McConnel Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board Anthony Ladd Randall McLellan II Lake Williams Brian Zematis Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Dana Walukiewicz Board of Barbers and Hairdressers Danielle Hager 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2385 Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives Stacia Miller Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers McKenzie LaBuda Board of Chiropractic Examiners Edward Barrington Walter Campbell Board of Dental Examiners Travis Perkins Michael Sanders Board of Examiners in Optometry Damien Delzer Kathleen Rice Charles Rudstrom Board of Massage Therapists Annetta Atwell Board of Nursing Michael Collins Heather Crivello Board of Pharmacy Rebekah Balmes Lillian Okpaleke Sara Rasmussen Board of Professional Counselors Jillanne Garrity Crystal Herring Board of Public Accountancy Elizabeth Stuart Board of Social Work Examiners Ivy Villani 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2386 Board of Veterinary Examiners Ciara Vollaro Fishermen’s Fund Advisory and Appeals Council Renee Alward Marijuana Control Board Daron Cooper Ely Cyrus State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors Sterling Strait State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board Eliza Ellsworth Michelle Scott-Weber Signing the report: Senator Bjorkman, Chair; Senators Merrick, Dunbar, Gray-Jackson, Yundt. SB 232 The Education Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 232 "An Act relating to personal use collection of certain fossils." Signing no recommendation: Senator Tobin, Chair; Senator Stevens. Signing amend: Senator Kiehl. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Natural Resources The bill was referred to the Resources Committee. SB 259 The Labor and Commerce Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 259 "An Act relating to an optional municipal limit to increases of the full and true value of property owned and occupied as a permanent place of abode by a resident" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 259(L&C) "An Act relating to an optional municipal limit to increases of the full and true value of property." 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2387 Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair. Signing no recommendation: Senators Merrick, Gray-Jackson. Signing amend: Senators Dunbar, Yundt. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 2, indeterminate, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development President Stevens added a Finance Committee referral to the bill. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Second Reading of Senate Bills SB 239 SENATE BILL NO. 239 "An Act relating to the registration and titling of legally imported motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date" was read the second time. President Stevens stated SENATE BILL NO. 239 will advance to third reading on the April 29 calendar. Second Reading of House Bills HB 26 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) am "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a statewide public and community transit plan" was read the second time. Senator Bjorkman, Chair, moved and asked unanimous consent for the adoption of the Transportation Senate Committee Substitute offered on page 2050. Without objection, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) was adopted. President Stevens stated SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) will advance to third reading on the April 29 calendar. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2388 Third Reading of House Bills HB 78 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date" was read the third time. Senator Kawasaki moved the bill be returned to second reading for all amendments offered today. Without objection, the bill was returned to second reading. Senator Kawasaki offered Amendment No. 1 : Page 2, line 3: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 3, line 3: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 3, line 7: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 3, line 8: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 3, line 24: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 3, line 25: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2389 Page 3, line 26: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 14, line 19: Delete "2025" Insert "2026" Page 20, line 11: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 20, line 26: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 26, line 6: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 34, line 1: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 34, line 4: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 34, line 12: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 34, line 15: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 34, line 16: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2390 Page 35, line 13: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 35, line 14: Delete "2026" in both places Insert "2027" in both places Page 45, line 7: Delete "2025" Insert "2026" Page 52, line 11: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 54, line 24: Delete "2026" in both places Insert "2027" in both places Page 54, line 26: Delete "2027" Insert "2028" Page 55, line 4: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 55, line 5: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 55, line 11: Delete "2027" Insert "2028" Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Page 55, line 12: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2391 Page 55, line 23: Delete "2026" in both places Insert "2027" in both places Page 56, line 11: Delete "2026" Insert "2027" Senator Kawasaki moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 1. Without objection, Amendment No. 1 was adopted. Senator Kiehl offered Amendment No. 2 : Page 22, following line 7: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 39. AS 14.25.540(c) is amended to read: (c) Each eligible member who elects to participate in the defined contribution retirement plan shall have transferred to a new account the member contribution account balance held in trust for the member under the defined benefit retirement plan of the teachers' retirement system. An [A MATCHING] employer contribution equal to 88 percent of the transferred account balance shall be made on behalf of that employee to the new account. The administrator [EMPLOYER] shall make the payment for that purpose [MATCHING CONTRIBUTION] from [FUNDS OTHER THAN] the sub-trust established under AS 14.25.086 [TRUST FUNDS OF THE DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN]. The amount of the [MATCHING] employer contribution is subject to, and may not exceed, the limitation of 26 U.S.C. 415(c) during the applicable limitation year as defined in AS 14.25.590. If the [MATCHING] employer contribution would exceed the limits during the limitation year in which the transfer occurs, the remaining amount of the [MATCHING] employer contribution shall be made in the next limitation year, if the limits during that year would not be exceeded." 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2392 Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 53, following line 25: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 99. AS 39.35.940(c) is amended to read: (c) Each eligible member who elects to participate in the defined contribution retirement plan shall have transferred to a new account the employee contribution account balance held in trust for the member under the defined benefit retirement plan of the public employees' retirement system. An [A MATCHING] employer contribution equal to 63 percent of the transferred account balance shall be made on behalf of that employee to the new account. The administrator [EMPLOYER] shall make the payment for that purpose [MATCHING CONTRIBUTION] from [FUNDS OTHER THAN] the sub-trust [TRUST FUNDS OF THE DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN] established under AS 39.35.281 [AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680]. The amount of the [MATCHING] employer contribution shall be subject to, and may not exceed, the limitation of 26 U.S.C. 415(c) during the applicable limitation year as defined by AS 39.35.990. If the [MATCHING] employer contribution would exceed the limits during the limitation year in which the transfer occurs, the remaining amount of the [MATCHING] employer contribution shall be made in the next limitation year, if the limits during that year would not be exceeded." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. Page 55, line 12: Delete "sec. 101" Insert "sec. 103" Page 55, line 30: Delete "secs. 40 and 41" Insert "secs. 41 and 42" Page 56, line 4: Delete "secs. 1 - 39 and 41 - 100" Insert "secs. 1 - 40 and 42 - 102" 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2393 Page 56, line 10: Delete "Section 102" Insert "Section 104" Page 56, line 11: Delete "sec. 103" Insert "sec. 105" Senator Kiehl moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 2. Senator Stedman objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 2 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 2? YEAS: 11 NAYS: 9 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Kaufman, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Tilton, Yundt and so, Amendment No. 2 was adopted. Senator Kiehl offered Amendment No. 3 : Page 47, line 21: Delete "is at least 50 years of age and" Senator Kiehl moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 3. Senator Stedman objected then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 3 was adopted. Senator Bjorkman offered Amendment No. 4 : Page 42, line 4: Delete "24" Insert "22" 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2394 Senator Bjorkman moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 4. Senator Stedman objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 4 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 4? YEAS: 10 NAYS: 10 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Kaufman, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Yundt and so, Amendment No. 4 failed. Senator Wielechowski moved the Senate rescind its previous action in failing to adopt Amendment No. 4. The question being: "Shall the Senate rescind its previous action?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Second Reading Rescind action on Amendment No. 4? YEAS: 10 NAYS: 10 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Kaufman, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Yundt and so, the action was not rescinded. Senator Claman offered Amendment No. 5 : Page 34, lines 4 - 8: Delete "; 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2395 (A) by the State of Alaska; or (B) by an employer that is a political subdivision or public organization of the state that elects to provide" Insert ", by an employer that provides" Page 34, lines 16 - 17: Delete "the state or by an employer that elects to provide" Insert "an employer that provides" Page 35, line 9: Delete "the state or of an employer that elects to provide" Insert "an employer that provides" Page 55, line 10, following "plan": Insert ", unless the member's employer elects under sec. 101 of this Act not to provide defined benefits under AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680" Page 55, line 11: Delete ", or" Insert ". The election may be made" Page 55, line 12: Delete "elects" Insert "does not make an election" Page 55, lines 13 - 14: Delete "to provide defined benefits under AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680 to employees who first become members of the plan after June 30, 2006" Page 55, line 23, following "elect": Insert "not" Page 55, lines 25 - 26: Delete ", and who do not participate in the defined contribution retirement plan under AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990" Senator Claman moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 5. Objections were heard. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2396 The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 5 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 5? YEAS: 11 NAYS: 9 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Kaufman, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Tilton, Yundt and so, Amendment No. 5 was adopted. Amendment No. 6 was not offered. Senator Tobin offered Amendment No. 7 : Page 55, line 6, following "may": Insert ", before January 1, 2028," Page 55, lines 10 - 14: Delete "The election may be made before January 1, 2027, by an employee of the state, or during the period beginning October 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026, by an employee of an employer that elects under sec. 101 of this Act to provide defined benefits under AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680 to employees who first become members of the plan after June 30, 2006." Page 55, line 23: Delete "July 1, 2026" Insert "January 1, 2027" Delete "September 30, 2026" Insert "June 30, 2027" Senator Tobin moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 7. Senator Cronk objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 7 was adopted. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2397 Senator Dunbar offered Amendment No. 8 : Page 42, line 4: Delete "24" Insert "22.5" Senator Dunbar moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 8. Senator Cronk objected. The question being: "Shall Amendment No. 8 be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Second Reading Amendment No. 8? YEAS: 11 NAYS: 9 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Kaufman, Myers, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Yundt and so, Amendment No. 8 was adopted. Amendment No. 9 was not offered. Senator Kiehl offered Amendment No. 10 : Page 33, line 22, through page 34, line 9: Delete all material and insert: "Sec. 39.35.095. Applicability of AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680. The [FOLLOWING] provisions of AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680 [THIS CHAPTER] apply only to (1) members first hired before July 1, 2006, who (A) have not elected under AS 39.35.940 to participate in the defined contribution retirement plan under AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990; or (B) have elected under 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2398 AS 39.35.940 to participate in the defined contribution retirement plan under AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990 and are former members of the defined contribution retirement plan under AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990; (2) members hired by the state, or by an employer that is a political subdivision or public organization of the state that elects to provide defined benefits under AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680 to employees who first become members of the plan after June 30, 2006, who are (A) former members of the defined contribution retirement plan under AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990 first hired after June 30, 2006, and before July 1, 2026; or (B) members first hired after June 30, 2026 [: AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680]." Page 45, following line 21: Insert a new bill section to read: "* Sec. 82. AS 39.35.530 is amended to read: Sec. 39.35.530. Service credit and limit [LIMIT] on pension benefits. An employee may not simultaneously receive a pension under more than one section of AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680. However, benefits under AS 39.35.420(b), 39.35.430, 39.35.440, [OR] 39.35.450, or the defined contribution retirement plan under AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990 shall be paid in addition to the benefits or service credit a person is entitled to receive because of the person's own membership in the defined benefit retirement plan. An employee may not (1) receive duplicate credit under the defined benefit retirement [THIS] plan for the same period of service, (2) receive more than one year of service credit in the course of any calendar year, or (3) receive a benefit while accruing service credit under the [THIS] plan, except as provided in this section." Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2399 Page 51, lines 30 - 31: Delete "do not participate in" Insert "are not active members of " Page 52, line 7: Delete "do not elect to participate in" Insert "are not active members of " Page 53, lines 20 - 25: Delete all material and insert: "(a) An employee may not be an active member of the defined contribution retirement plan and the defined benefit retirement plan at the same time, except as provided in this subsection. An [SUBJECT TO (i) OF THIS SECTION, AN] active member of the defined benefit retirement plan of the public employees' retirement system is eligible to participate in the defined contribution retirement plan established under AS 39.35.700 - 39.35.990 if that member (1) has not vested in the defined benefit retirement plan; or (2) was first hired after June 30, 2006, and is employed by an employer that is a political subdivision or public organization of the state that does not elect to provide defined benefits under AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680 to employees who first become members of the plan after June 30, 2006 [. PARTICIPATION IN THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION RETIREMENT PLAN IS IN LIEU OF PARTICIPATION IN THE DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN ESTABLISHED UNDER AS 39.35.095 - 39.35.680]." Page 55, line 12: Delete "sec. 101" Insert "sec. 102" Page 56, line 4: Delete "41 - 100" Insert "41 - 101" 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2400 Page 56, line 10: Delete "Section 102" Insert "Section 103" Page 56, line 11: Delete "sec. 103" Insert "sec. 104" Senator Kiehl moved for the adoption of Amendment No. 10. Senator Myers objected, then withdrew his objection. There being no further objection, Amendment No. 10 was adopted. SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S was automatically in third reading. Senator Stedman called the Senate. The call was satisfied. The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 12 NAYS: 8 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Kaufman, Myers, Rauscher, Stedman, Tilton, Yundt and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S passed the Senate. Senator Giessel moved for the adoption of the effective date clauses. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2401 The question being: "Shall the effective date clauses be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Effective Date Clause(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, the effective date clauses were adopted. Reconsideration of House Bills HB 78 Senator Giessel gave notice of reconsideration on SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S and moved and asked unanimous consent it be taken up. Senator Myers objected. The question being: “Shall reconsideration be taken up same day on SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S?” The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Take up Reconsideration Same Day? YEAS: 15 NAYS: 5 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stedman, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Nays: Cronk, Kaufman, Myers, Rauscher, Tilton And so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S was before the Senate on reconsideration. The question to be reconsidered: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2402 defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Third Reading - On Reconsideration YEAS: 12 NAYS: 8 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Olson, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski Nays: Cronk, Hoffman, Kaufman, Myers, Rauscher, Stedman, Tilton, Yundt and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S passed the Senate on reconsideration. Senator Giessel moved for the adoption of the effective date clauses. The question being: "Shall the effective date clauses be adopted?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 78(FIN) am S Effective Date Clause(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, the effective date clauses were adopted and the bill was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Unfinished Business Senator Rauscher moved and asked unanimous consent to be excused from a call of the Senate from 6:00 p.m., May 11 through 10:00 a.m., May 13. Without objection, Senator Rauscher was excused. 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2403 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment HB 78 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 78(FIN) am S "An Act relating to the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; providing certain employees an opportunity to choose between the defined benefit and defined contribution plans of the public employees' retirement system and the teachers' retirement system; and providing for an effective date" was engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and returned to the House for consideration. Adjournment Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., April 29, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 2:20 p.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2404 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 -- MEETING CANCELED -- + 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 29 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled May 01 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees -- Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- FINANCE Apr 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- += HB 263 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;FUNDS;SUPP += HB 265 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Invited Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2405 FINANCE (continued) Apr 28 Tuesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- MEETING CANCELED -- -- Please Note Time Change -- += HB 48 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += HB 39 EDUCATION FOR DEAF & HARD OF HEARING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += HB 263 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;FUNDS;SUPP += HB 265 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 217 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 251 REPEAL WORKERS' COMP APPEALS COMMISSION -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 30 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + SB 206 SCHOOL SUICIDE POLICIES; FIREARM STORAGE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 30 Thursday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + SB 221 RESTRICTING STATE FUND FIDUCIARY -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 01 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 01 Friday Senate Finance 532 1:30 PM -- Please Note Time Change -- + Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2406 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES Apr 28 Tuesday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 261 UNHOUSED YOUNG ADULTS: IDS, BIRTH CERT. -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Presentation: State Strategies for Addressing the Affordability Crisis in the Commercial Market: Michael Bailit, President, Bailit Health Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 30 Thursday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: State Medical Board: Michael McNamara += SB 281 HEALTHCARE COMPACTS; RURAL HEALTH PROGRAM Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- JUDICIARY Apr 29 Wednesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM += HB 239 CRIM. NEG. HOMICIDE; FAILURE TO ASSIST Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 01 Friday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Attorney General, Department of Law: Stephen Cox -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 207 PROPERTY POSSESSION AND PROPERTY CRIMES Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- LABOR & COMMERCE Apr 29 Wednesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 266 INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT RATES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + SB 262 SOCIAL MEDIA/MINORS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2407 LABOR & COMMERCE (continued) May 01 Friday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 1:30 PM + SB 262 SOCIAL MEDIA/MINORS -- Invited & Public Testimony -- += SB 150 NET METERING PROGRAM & FUND Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES Apr 28 Tuesday 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 29 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 30 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** May 01 Friday Butrovich 205 3:30 PM += SB 280 OIL & GAS PROPERTY TAX; MUNI TAX -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2408 STATE AFFAIRS Apr 28 Tuesday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Veronica Lambertsen, Police Standards Council <Above Appointee has Withdrawn> -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + HB 25 DISPOSABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HB 13 MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: + HB 278 ECONOMIC DEV:AK-IRELAND TRADE COMM. -- Invited & Public Testimony -- **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Apr 30 Thursday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 3:30 PM + Consideration of Governor’s Appointees: Stephen Cox, Alaska Attorney General Designee -- Invited & Public Testimony -- + SB 169 WELCOMING ALASKA OFFICE -- Invited & Public Testimony -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** May 02 Saturday Beltz 105 (tsbldg) 10:00 AM -- Please Note Time Change -- + HB 176 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FEES -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- + HB 13 MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS -- Public Testimony -- + SB 169 WELCOMING ALASKA OFFICE -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- += SB 243 DEFINITION OF PROHIBITED WEAPON -- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> -- + SB 204 SUB. TEACHING; SCHOOL BOARD ELIGIBILITY -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled **Streamed live on AKL.tv** ---------------------------------------- TRANSPORTATION Apr 28 Tuesday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled Apr 30 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled 2026-04-28 Senate Journal Page 2409 JOINT COMMITTEES TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING Apr 29 Wednesday Davis 106 3:30 PM + Presentation: Shared Responsibility in Education Funding by Peter Micciche, Mayor, Kenai Peninsula Borough An Overview of Required Local Contribution by Conor Bell, Analyst, Legislative Finance Division Local Contribution and Mill Rate by Nils Andreassen, Executive Director, Alaska Municipal League Federal Education Funding in Alaska by Kelly Manning, Deputy Director; Deb Riddle, Operations Manager; Courtney Preziosi, Elementary and Secondary Education Act Administrator; Monique Siverly, Operations Manager; and Heather Heineken, Director, Department of Education and Early Development Impact Aid Transition in New Mexico by John Sena, Executive Director, Legislative Education Study Committee, New Mexico Legislature **Streamed live on AKL.tv**