Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-04-29 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2411 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SESSION Juneau, Alaska Wednesday April 29, 2026 One Hundredth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:02 a.m. The roll showed twenty members present. The prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Pastor Nathaniel Habeger, Juneau Christian Center. Senator Hoffman moved and asked unanimous consent the prayer be spread. Without objection, it was so ordered. Dear God, I come before You with humility and gratitude, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift comes from You. You are the source of wisdom, justice, and truth. As it is written, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach” (James 1:5). In alignment with James, I pray that You would give wisdom generously to these leaders. Guide their hearts and minds, for though we make our plans, it is You who establishes our steps. Let every decision be shaped by Your truth and grounded in what is right. Your Word calls me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. May that calling rest upon this body today. Where there is disagreement, bring unity; where there is challenge, grant clarity; and where there is responsibility, give strength and integrity. 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2412 May this chamber be a place where truth is spoken, where the common good is pursued, and where Your light shines through every action taken. I ask for Your blessing over this body and this Great State of Alaska. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Senator Olson led the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Certification Senator Giessel moved and asked unanimous consent the journal for the ninety-ninth legislative day be approved as certified by the Secretary. Without objection, it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor Letters dated April 28 were 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: State Medical Board Hannah Mielke – Big Lake Appointed: 4/28/2026 Term Expires: 3/1/2029 The appointment was referred to the Health and Social Services Committee. Board of Fisheries Mike Wood – Talkeetna Appointed: 7/1/2023 Term Expires: 7/1/2026 Reappointed: 7/1/2026 Term Expires: 7/1/2029 Blair Hickson – Wasilla Appointed: 7/1/2026 Term Expires: 7/1/2029 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2413 Paul Cyr – Ketchikan Appointed: 7/1/2026 Term Expires: 7/1/2029 Board of Game Stanley Hoffman, Jr.– Bethel Appointed: 11/13/2008 Term Expired: 7/1/2011 Reappointed: 7/1/2011 Term Expired: 7/1/2014 Reappointed: 7/1/2017 Term Expired: 6/30/2020 Reappointed: 6/30/2020 Term Expired: 7/1/2023 Reappointed: 7/1/2023 Term Expires: 7/1/2026 Reappointed: 7/1/2026 Term Expires: 7/1/2029 Jacob Fletcher – Talkeetna Appointed: 6/30/2020 Term Expired: 7/1/2023 Reappointed: 7/1/2023 Term Expires: 7/1/2026 Reappointed: 7/1/2026 Term Expires: 7/1/2029 David Lorring – Fairbanks Appointed: 7/1/2023 Term Expires: 7/1/2026 Reappointed: 7/1/2026 Term Expires: 7/1/2029 The appointments were referred to the Resources Committee. The resumes for these appointments have been submitted to the Office of the Senate Secretary. Communications The following reports are on file in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate: Department of Public Safety Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault 2025 Annual Report in accordance with AS 18.66.050 Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board 2025 Annual Report in accordance with AS 19.65.180 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2414 Standing Committee Reports SB 261 The Health and Social Services Committee considered SENATE BILL NO. 261 "An Act relating to the issuance of certified copies of birth certificates to unhoused young adults; and relating to the issuance of identification cards to unhoused young adults" and recommended it be replaced with CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 261(HSS) Signing do pass: Senator Dunbar, Chair; Senators Myers, Tobin, Giessel. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Administration Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Health The bill was referred to the Finance Committee. Consideration of the Calendar Third Reading of Senate Bills SB 239 SENATE BILL NO. 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 third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE BILL NO. 239 "An Act relating to the registration and titling of legally imported motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SB 239 Third Reading - Final Passage Effective Date(s) YEAS: 20 NAYS: 0 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2415 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kaufman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Rauscher, Stedman, Stevens, Tilton, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt and so, SENATE BILL NO. 239 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 referred to the Secretary for engrossment. Senators Rauscher, Kaufman, Merrick, Yundt moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cosponsors on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered. Third Reading of House Bills HB 26 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) "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 third time. The question being: "Shall SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) "An Act relating to the duties of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities; and relating to a statewide public and community transit plan" pass the Senate?" The roll was taken with the following result: SCS CSHB 26(TRA) Third Reading - Final Passage YEAS: 16 NAYS: 4 EXCUSED: 0 ABSENT: 0 Yeas: Bjorkman, Claman, Cronk, Dunbar, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kawasaki, Kiehl, Merrick, Myers, Olson, Stevens, Tobin, Wielechowski, Yundt Nays: Kaufman, Rauscher, Stedman, Tilton and so, SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) passed the Senate and was referred to the Secretary for engrossment. 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2416 Senators Dunbar, Gray-Jackson moved and asked unanimous consent to be shown as cross sponsors on the bill. Without objection, it was so ordered. Citations Honoring – Elsie Vent Senator(s) Cronk Representative(s) Schwanke Honoring – Chugiak High School Mustangs Girls Cross Country Team Senator(s) Merrick Honoring – Team USA’s Women’s Olympic Hockey Team Senator(s) Merrick Honoring – Joy Barrows-Thompson Senator(s) Merrick Honoring – Eagle River High School Baseball Team Senator(s) Merrick Honoring – University of Alaska Anchorage & Idaho State University th Doctor of Pharmacy Program 10 Anniversary Representative(s) Mina, Ruffridge Senator(s) Giessel In Memoriam – Sandra “Sandie” Lynn Taylor Senator(s) Cronk In Memoriam – Elstun Lauesen Representative(s) Galvin, Gray Senator(s) 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. 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2417 Announcements Announcements are at the end of the journal. Engrossment 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 engrossed, signed by the President and Secretary and transmitted to the House for consideration. HB 26 SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 26(TRA) "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 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 10:30 a.m., May 1, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:18 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2418 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 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 29 Wednesday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM -- MEETING CANCELED -- += 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** 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2419 FINANCE (continued) 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: += HB 263 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;FUNDS;SUPP += HB 265 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **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: += HB 263 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET;FUNDS;SUPP += HB 265 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += HB 48 CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUND -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- += HB 39 EDUCATION FOR DEAF & HARD OF HEARING -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- **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** ---------------------------------------- 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2420 HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES 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** 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** ---------------------------------------- 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2421 RESOURCES 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** ---------------------------------------- STATE AFFAIRS 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** ---------------------------------------- 2026-04-29 Senate Journal Page 2422 TRANSPORTATION Apr 30 Thursday Butrovich 205 1:30 PM No Meeting Scheduled ---------------------------------------- JOINT COMMITTEES TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING Apr 29 Wednesday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Meeting Rescheduled to 5/6/26 at 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** May 06 Wednesday Davis 106 3:30 PM -- Meeting Rescheduled from 4/29/26 -- + 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**