Legislature(2025 - 2026)
2026-06-04 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2947 SENATE JOURNAL ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION Juneau, Alaska Thursday June 4, 2026 Fifteenth Day Pursuant to adjournment the Senate was called to order by President Stevens at 11:08 a.m. The Senate was convened for the purpose of a technical session. Senator Kiehl, Acting Majority Leader, stated the roll call of the Senate would be waived. Without objection it was so ordered. Messages from the Governor SB 192 Message was received stating the Governor signed the following bill on May 20 and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office for permanent filing: CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 192(CRA) "An Act relating to evacuation designation levels; and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act." Chapter 4, SLA 2026 Effective Date: 8/18/26 HB 48 Message dated May 20 was received stating the Governor has let the following bill become law without signature and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2948 HOUSE BILL NO. 48 "An Act relating to appropriations to the civil legal services fund." Chapter 5, SLA 2026 Effective Date: 8/23/26 HB 1 Message dated May 29 was received stating the Governor has let the following bill become law without signature and transmitted the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing. CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 1(STA) "An Act relating to specie as legal tender in the state; and relating to borough and city sales and use taxes on specie." Chapter 6, SLA 2026 Effective Date: 8/26/26 A Declaration of Disaster Emergency and initial finance plan dated May 11, 2026, authorizing public assistance for the Yukon Flats and Yukon-Koyukuk Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) as a result of the ice jams and subsequent flooding of communities on the Black, Yukon and Koyukuk Rivers. An accompanying letter was received pursuant to AS 26.23.020. The declaration, letter and finance plan had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. A Declaration of Disaster Emergency and initial finance plan dated May 21, 2026, authorizing public assistance for the Iditarod and Lower Yukon Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) as a result of the ice jams and subsequent flooding affecting the community of Holy Cross, with an accompanying letter, was received pursuant to AS 26.23.020. The declaration, letter and finance plan had been copied to the Finance Committee Cochairs. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2949 Messages from the House HB 13 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 13(CRA) "An Act relating to optional municipal property tax exemptions for certain long-term rental units, certain mobile home parks, real property rented to low-income families, real property owned and occupied as a permanent place of abode, and real property owned by first-time homebuyers", thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR SS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 13(STA) "An Act relating to optional municipal property tax exemptions for real property owned and occupied by volunteer certified or licensed providers of fire fighting, emergency medical, mobile intensive care paramedic services, or hazardous materials response services; relating to optional municipal property tax exemptions for certain long-term rental units, certain mobile home parks, real property rented to low-income families, real property owned and occupied as a permanent place of abode, and real property owned by first-time homebuyers; and relating to municipal tax refunds." HB 14 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to HOUSE BILL NO. 14 "An Act repealing programs for catastrophic illness assistance and medical assistance for chronic and acute medical conditions", thus adopting: HOUSE BILL NO. 14 am S(efd add S) "An Act relating to health care insurance; relating to insurance reimbursement for health care services provided through telehealth; relating to telehealth; relating to workers' compensation coverage for disability from diseases for certain firefighters; repealing programs for catastrophic illness assistance and medical assistance for chronic and acute medical conditions; relating to occupational disability benefits and 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2950 medical benefits available under the public employees' retirement system; providing for an effective date by amending the effective date of secs. 9 and 10, ch. 38, SLA 2022; and providing for an effective date." HB 73 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 73(FIN), thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 73(FIN) am S "An Act relating to special needs ballots; relating to complex care residential homes; and providing for an effective date." HB 110 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to HOUSE BILL NO. 110 am "An Act relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; and providing for an effective date", thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 110(FIN) am S "An Act relating to the rural health transformation program; relating to the interstate medical licensure compact; relating to the PA licensure compact; relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact; relating to the practice of respiratory care; relating to the duties of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; relating to telehealth provided by respiratory care practitioners; relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; relating to medical malpractice liability of respiratory care practitioners; relating to immunity from civil liability for a respiratory care practitioner providing free health care services; relating to national criminal history record checks; relating to respiratory care practitioners providing documentation and treatment 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2951 plans for public school students with asthma or anaphylaxis; relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against respiratory care practitioners; establishing the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council; and providing for an effective date." HB 173 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 173(L&C) "An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; and relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact", thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 173(FIN) am S "An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact; relating to an executive administrator for the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board; relating to physical therapist licensure; relating to physical therapist assistant licensure; relating to audiologist licensure; relating to speech-language pathologist licensure; and relating to national criminal history record checks." HB 302 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 302(L&C) "An Act relating to travel insurance; and providing for an effective date", thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 302(TRA) am S "An Act relating to travel insurance; 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; relating to unemployment benefits; and providing for an effective date." 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2952 HJR 18 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18(RES) am Supporting the continued development of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project; recognizing the importance of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project to the economy of the state, energy independence, and national security; and urging the United States Congress, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of the Interior Douglas Burgum, and relevant federal agencies to take all necessary actions to expedite the success of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project, thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 18(RES) Supporting and recognizing the importance of a natural gas pipeline project in the state; and urging the federal government to take all necessary actions to expedite the state natural gas pipeline project. HCR 4 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House concurred in the Senate amendment(s) to HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4 Proclaiming May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month, thus adopting: SENATE CS FOR HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4(HSS) Proclaiming May 2026 as Myositis Awareness Month. SCR 13 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 126, relating to the reinstatement of Native village corporations and relating to the reinstatement of nonprofit corporations organized for a religious purpose and religious corporations. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2953 The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 14 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 14 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 13, relating to optional municipal property tax exemptions for certain long- term rental units, certain mobile home parks, real property rented to low-income families, real property owned and occupied as a permanent place of abode, and real property owned by first-time homebuyers. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 16 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Concurrent Resolution No. 4, proclaiming May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 18 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 18 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Joint Resolution No. 18, supporting the continued development of the Alaska 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2954 Liquefied Natural Gas Project; recognizing the importance of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project to the economy of the state, energy independence, and national security; and urging the United States Congress, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of the Interior Douglas Burgum, and relevant federal agencies to take all necessary actions to expedite the success of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Project. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 21 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 28, establishing a student loan repayment pilot program. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 22 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 22 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 239, relating to criminally negligent homicide; and relating to the duty of an operator immediately after an accident. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 25 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2955 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 25 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 110, relating to a social work licensure compact; and relating to the practice of social work. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 27 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 27 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 173, relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; and relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 28 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 302, relating to travel insurance. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 36 Message dated May 20 was received stating the House passed and returned: 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2956 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 36 Suspending Rules 24(c), 35, 41(b), and 42(e), Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill No. 14, repealing programs for catastrophic illness assistance and medical assistance for chronic and acute medical conditions. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 201 Message dated May 21 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 201 Authorizing the Senate and the House of Representatives to recess for a period of more than three days. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. SCR 202 Message dated May 21 was received stating the House passed and returned: SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 202 Suspending Rules 47 and 55, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, relating to the carry-over of bills to a special session. The resolution was referred to the Secretary for enrollment. Announcements Rule 23(d) of the Alaska State Legislature Uniform Rules is currently in effect. Announcements are at the end of the journal. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2957 Engrossment HB 14 HOUSE BILL NO. 14 am S(efd add S) "An Act relating to health care insurance; relating to insurance reimbursement for health care services provided through telehealth; relating to telehealth; relating to workers' compensation coverage for disability from diseases for certain firefighters; repealing programs for catastrophic illness assistance and medical assistance for chronic and acute medical conditions; relating to occupational disability benefits and medical benefits available under the public employees' retirement system; providing for an effective date by amending the effective date of secs. 9 and 10, ch. 38, SLA 2022; and providing for an effective date" which passed the Senate May 20 (page 2903) with engrossment waived, was engrossed and returned to the House on June 2. Enrollment SB 21 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 21(L&C) "An Act establishing the Alaska Work and Save Program in the Department of Revenue; relating to depositing permanent fund dividends into investment accounts; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. SB 23 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 23(EDC) "An Act relating to civics education, civics assessments, and secondary school graduation requirements; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. SB 24 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 24(FIN) am H "An Act relating to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking products, nicotine, and products containing nicotine; raising the 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2958 minimum age to purchase, exchange, or possess tobacco, a product containing nicotine, or an electronic smoking product; relating to the tobacco use education and cessation fund; relating to retail cigar stores; relating to the taxation of electronic smoking products and vapor products; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. Memorandum from Division of Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, was received, reporting the following manifest errors in HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 24(FIN) am H which have been corrected in enrolling: Page 3, line 20: Delete "section" Insert "subsection" Page 6, line 5, following "store": Insert "that" Page 6, line 7: Delete "that" Page 6, line 9: Delete "that" Page 11, line 10: Delete "requirements" Insert "requirement" Page 13, line 25: Delete "and "hemp products" mean" Insert "or "hemp product" means" SB 41 SENATE BILL NO. 41 am H "An Act relating to mental health education" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2959 SB 79 HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 79(FIN) "An Act relating to wage payments; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. SB 89 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 89(HSS) "An Act relating to physician assistants; relating to collaborative agreements between physicians and physician assistants; relating to the practice of medicine; relating to health care providers; and relating to provisions regarding physician assistants in contracts between certain health care providers and health care insurers" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. Memorandum from Division of Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, was received, reporting the following manifest errors in HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 89(HSS) which have been corrected in enrolling: Page 3, line 14: Delete "only" Page 3, line 15, following "state": Insert "only" Page 3, line 31: Delete "25 U.S.C. 450b" Insert "25 U.S.C. 5304" SB 104 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 104(FIN) "An Act relating to the transfer of a title on the death of the owner; relating to the transferability of common interest community ownership interests; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2960 Memorandum from Division of Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, was received, reporting the following manifest error in CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 104(FIN) which has been corrected in enrolling: Page 5, line 14, following "means": Insert "the" SB 146 HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 146(FIN) "An Act relating to the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school district fund; and relating to Mt. Edgecumbe High School" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. SB 164 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 164(L&C) "An Act eliminating deductions for the remittance of the motor fuel tax, tobacco taxes, and tire fees; relating to discounts on cigarette stamps; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. SB 167 HOUSE CS FOR CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 167(FIN) "An Act relating to eligibility of criminal offenders for certain benefits, including the permanent fund dividend; relating to a permanent fund dividend for an individual whose conviction has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed; and relating to the calculation of the value of the permanent fund dividend by including payment to individuals eligible for a permanent fund dividend because of a conviction that has been vacated, reversed, or dismissed" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2961 SB 178 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 178(FIN) "An Act relating to early intervention services for certain children; relating to optional services under the medical assistance program; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. Memorandum from Division of Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, was received, reporting the following manifest errors in CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 178(FIN) which have been corrected in enrolling: Page 5, line 1: Delete "in" Page 5, line 11: Delete "in" Page 6, line 20: Delete "to" Insert "for" 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" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. SB 258 HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 258(L&C) "An Act relating to contracts for the licensing of software applications" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2962 SB 272 HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 272(HSS) "An Act relating to the electronic health information exchange system; and providing for an effective date" was enrolled, signed by the President and Secretary, Speaker and Chief Clerk and the engrossed and enrolled copies transmitted to the Office of the Governor at 10:14 a.m., June 1, 2026. Memorandum from Division of Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency, was received, reporting the following manifest error in HOUSE CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 272(HSS) which has been corrected in enrolling: Page 2, line 16: Delete "by" Insert "to" Adjournment In accordance with SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 201, Senator Kiehl, Acting Majority Leader, moved and asked unanimous consent the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 a.m., June 15, 2026. Without objection, the Senate adjourned at 11:10 a.m. Liz Clark Secretary of the Senate 2026-06-04 Senate Journal Page 2963 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 FINANCE Jun 04 Thursday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB2001 GAS PIPELINE VOLUMETRIC TAX; AGDC; RCA + Presentation: Alaska Gasline Development Corporation **Streamed live on AKL.tv** Jun 05 Friday Senate Finance 532 9:00 AM += SB2001 GAS PIPELINE VOLUMETRIC TAX; AGDC; RCA + Presentation: Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission **Streamed live on AKL.tv**