Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
03/14/2025 01:00 PM House RESOURCES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HJR11 | |
| HB79 | |
| HB93 | |
| Presentation(s): Fire Protection Program Overview | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 79 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| *+ | HB 93 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HJR 11 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HJR 11-RECOGNIZING ALASKA/CANADA RELATIONSHIP
1:06:55 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 11 Recognizing and honoring the
relationship between Canada and Alaska.
1:06:58 PM
CO-CHAIR DIBERT moved to adopt the Committee Substitute for HJR
11, work order number 34-LS0532\H as a working document.
CO-CHAIR BURKE objected for the purpose of discussion.
1:07:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHUCK KOPP, Alaska State Legislature, as prime
sponsor, introduced HJR 11.
1:07:54 PM
JULIA OCONNOR, Staff, Representative Chuck Kopp, Alaska State
Legislature, on behalf of Representative Kopp, prime sponsor,
described the changes from version I to version H of HJR 11.
[included in the committee file] which read as follows [original
punctuation provided]:
The House Resources Committee adopted the following
changes:
• Added emphasis to Alaska's unique relationship
with Canada as our only neighbor.
• Reinforced support for Canada's sovereignty.
• Added recognition to the historic trade and
cultural ties of Indigenous peoples across the border.
• References were updated for accuracy, and
redundant wording was removed for clarity
1:08:38 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE removed her objection.
1:08:52 PM
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE objected for the purpose of discussion
and asked about the original wording regarding Canadian
sovereignty and the purpose of that language.
MS. OCONNOR referenced language on page 2, lines 18 through 20.
1:09:45 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP explained that the wording regarding
Canadian sovereignty was in response to U.S. leadership
referring to Canada as the fifty-first state.
REPRESENTATIVE COULOMBE removed her objection.
1:10:15 PM
There being no objection, the committee substitute to HJR 11 was
adopted.
1:10:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP stated that Alaska was experiencing a time
of global uncertainty. He referenced global trade and economic
frictions and described HJR 11 as an affirmation of the strong
bonds of friendship, shared history, mutual defense, and support
that have bound Alaska and Canada over centuries. He posited
that the friendship and trust should extend to a recognition of
Canada as a sovereign nation. He reminded the committee that
Alaska and Canada share a peaceful border of over 11 hundred
miles as well as investment opportunities, emergency support,
tourism, cultural ties, resource development, economic benefits,
and defense networks. He pointed out that transportation links
by road and sea travel through Canada, connecting Alaska to the
Lower 48. He explained that the Alaska State Legislature
opposed restrictive tariffs and honored its alliance with
Canada.
1:17:30 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP responded to several questions posed by
Representative Coulombe regarding the tariffs, Canadian
leadership, and illegal drugs crossing the border. He quoted
statistics from the U.S. Border Patrol which stated that less
than one percent of all fentanyl entering the United States came
from Canada. He suggested that the tariffs were about economic
positioning. He emphasized the importance of a relationship
that goes back thousands of years, noting that mutual support
and trust are more important than monetary values. He pointed
out that the resolution was not about the leadership of the
United States and Canada but rather about the people of the two
countries standing together.
1:22:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP addressed a question from Representative
Rauscher regarding the mining industries of Alaska and Canada,
explaining that the tariffs are a significant concern.
1:23:43 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS commented on the detrimental effects of
the tariffs, positing that they harm Alaska's economy while
giving an advantage to China and Russia.
1:24:34 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE opened public testimony on HJR 11.
1:25:05 PM
ORION HANSON, Assembly Member, testified in support of HJR 11,
speaking both for himself and as a Skagway public official. He
described the mining industries, tourism, and economic
connections between Skagway and Canada. He described the types
of goods purchased in Whitehorse by Skagway residents, the
mining agreements, and the memorandum of understanding which
would connect Skagway to the British Columbia power grid. He
pointed out the effects the tariffs would have on Skagway's cost
of living. He encouraged the committee to support the
resolution.
1:30:43 PM
HONORARY RANJ PILLAI, Premier of Yukon, testified in support of
HJR 11, explaining that Canada is not and will never be the 51st
state. He described the strong and historic cross-border
relationship between Alaska and Canada as well as Alaska and
Yukon. He emphasized the strategic importance of the Alcan
Highway and other transportation systems shared by Canada and
Alaska and provided specific examples of cross-border trade,
agreements, and activities. He encouraged the committee to
support the resolution.
1:39:14 PM
STEPHEN JOHNSON, Mayor, City of Dawson, testified in support of
HJR 11. He explained that all members of the Dawson City
Council agree with the well-crafted and well-intended
resolution. He emphasized the valued relationship between
Alaska and Yukon, providing specific examples of tourism
activities and cross-border events.
1:42:15 PM
JOHN RODDA, President, Arctic Winter Games International
Committee, testified in support of HJR 11. He described the
Arctic Winter Games and explained Alaska's role in the founding
of the circumpolar event. He discussed the involvement of other
nations and the importance of the relationship between Alaska
and Canada. He encouraged passage of the resolution.
1:45:06 PM
MARY ANN PEASE, Alaska's Honorary Consul for Canada, testified
in support of HJR 11. She pointed out the long-standing and
vital relationship between Alaska and Canada and described the
deeply rooted history, economy, culture, and shared geography
which transcends national boundaries. She stated that the
economic relationship between Alaska and Canada is
indispensable, providing jobs, business opportunities, and clear
economic benefits. She encouraged the legislature to endorse
the resolution.
1:47:17 PM
MATT MORRISON, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Economic
Region, testified in support of HJR 11. He stressed the
importance of the relationship between Alaska and Canada and
gave examples of economic ties. He urged the committee members
to support HJR 11.
1:49:00 PM
DEB POTTER, Vice-Mayor, Municipality of Skagway, testified in
support of HJR 11. She explained that traveling to Whitehorse
and Canada is very important for Skagway residents. She
rebutted the statements that fentanyl was being shipped to the
United States from Canada, observing that there were two
fentanyl deaths in Skagway, but the drugs came through the U.S.
Postal Service rather than from Canada.
1:52:12 PM
KIRK CAMERON, Mayor, City of Whitehorse, testified in support of
HJR 11. He reminded the committee that Juneau has been a sister
city to Whitehorse for 30 years. He discussed the Border Mayors
Alliance which includes over 40 communities along the border of
United States and Canada and described cross-border activities.
1:54:54 PM
KAREN MATTHIAS, representing self, testified in support of HJR
11. She spoke of the depth, breadth, and warmth of the Alaska-
Canada relationship, describing her personal history and
explaining the deeply woven cross-boundary lands and traditions.
1:56:42 PM
CO-CHAIR BURKE closed public testimony.
1:56:52 PM
CO-CHAIR DIBERT moved to adopt the Committee Substitute for HJR
11, work order number 34-LS0532\H with individual
recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes.
1:57:06 PM
There being no objection, CSHJR 11(Res) was reported from the
House Resources Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DNR Wildland Fire Presentation HRES 03.14.2025.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
|
| DRAFT CSHJR 11 (RES) 3.14.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Summary of Changes I to H.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Haines Junction to Haines Letter 2.26.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Haines Resolution 25-03-1166.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Alaska Beacon Article 3.6.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Skagway Letter to AK Delegation 2.27.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| HJR 11 Supporting Document_Whitehorse to Haines Letter 2.14.25.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |
HJR 11 |
| DNR Response to HRES re wildland fire at 3.14.25 meeting.pdf |
HRES 3/14/2025 1:00:00 PM |