Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
01/28/2025 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SJR7 | |
| SB31 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SJR 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 31 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SJR 7-RES. TO MAINTAIN DENALI AS OFFICIAL NAME
3:32:49 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI announced the consideration of SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 7 Urging the President of the United States and
the United States Secretary of the Interior to maintain Denali
as the official name for the tallest mountain in North America.
3:33:06 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI solicited a motion.
3:33:12 PM
SENATOR BJORKMAN moved to adopt the committee substitute (CS)
for SJR 7, work order 34-LS0443\N, as the working document.
3:33:55 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI objected for purposes of discussion.
3:34:14 PM
SALLY RAFSON, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the summary of changes
from version A to N for SJR 7 as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Explanation of Changes: SJR 7, Version A to N
All deletions reference page and line numbers from the
route version A, while all additions reference page
and line numbers from the Rules Committee substitute,
version N
Page 1, lines 2-4 of version N: The title was amended
to reflect the addition of new "resolve" language on
Page 2, lines 26-27, as well as lines 29-32.
Page 1, lines 4-5 of version A: Deleted "whereas"
language from the previous version.
Page 1, line 15 through Page 2, line 1 of version N:
Added the following language: "WHEREAS on June 7,
1913, Walter Harper, a 20-year-old man of Athabaskan
descent, became the first person to stand on the
summit of the mountain."
Page 2, lines 19-24 of version A: Deleted "whereas"
language from the previous version.
Page 2, lines 22-24 of version N: Added the following
language "WHEREAS the Alaska State Legislature
supports efforts to recognize the heritage of the
state's Alaska Native peoples and the continuing
importance of the mountain to Alaska Native culture."
Page 2, lines 26-27 of version N: Added the "United
States Board on Geographic Names" to the list of
entities in the resolutions request.
Page 2, lines 29-31 of version N: Added additional
"resolve" language requesting Alaska's congressional
delegation to advocate on behalf of, and work to
preserve, Denali as the official name for the tallest
mountain in North America.
Page 3, lines 1-7 of version N: Replaced previous
reference to "United States Secretary of the Interior"
with the "Honorable Walter Cruickshank, Acting United
States Secretary of the Interior" for cleanup
purposes. Added the following to the list of
individuals and entities copied on the resolution: the
"Domestic Names Committee," the "United States Board
on Geographic Names," the "Honorable Lisa Murkowski,"
the "Honorable Dan Sullivan," and the "Honorable Nick
Begich."
3:36:55 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked what the process is for renaming a
mountain, whether the name is officially changed, or if there is
still a formal process to go through, such as public input
through the Department of the Interior.
3:37:05 PM
MS. RAFSON replied she was unsure.
3:37:08 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI referred the question to the sponsor of the House
companion resolution.
3:37:21 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI found no further objection and CSSJR 7 was
adopted as the working document.
3:38:17 PM
SARAH SNOWBERGER, Staff, Representative Maxine Dibert, Juneau,
Alaska answered questions about the process of renaming Denali.
She shared her understanding of the renaming process stating
through executive order the President of the United States
directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a geographic
naming board made up of seven members from various agencies who
review all the name changes. Public input is generally not part
of the process. She stated in the past, name changes could be
delayed if a member of Congress had an active bill concerning
the name, as was the case with Mount McKinley. She stated the
delay ended in 2015 when President Obama and the Interior
Secretary overrode the congressional hold, allowing the mountain
to be officially renamed Denali.
3:40:17 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked whether [the federal government] had
officially changed the name back to Mt. McKinley.
SARAH SNOWBERGER agreed it has not been named yet.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if this is Alaska's opportunity to
weigh in on the renaming of Denali.
SARAH SNOWBERGER answered yes. She stated that is partly the
reason for reaching out to Alaska's congressional delegation.
They have the power to step in and make changes. SJR 7 directs
the President of the United States, the Secretary of the
Interior, and Alaska's congressional representatives will
receive copies of the resolution.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if a member of Alaska's congressional
delegation filed a bill to name the mountain Denali that would
stop the process [of the naming board].
SARAH SNOWBERGER answered yes.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there is any indication Alaska's
congressional delegation has filed a bill to stop the process.
SARAH SNOWBERGER responded Representative Dibert's office
contacted the offices of Senators Murkowski and Senator Sullivan
with no response yet. She stated both senators have publicly
supported keeping the name Denali, but their next steps are
unknown. That's why the resolution also goes to them.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if it would be beneficial to put
language in the resolve urging Alaska's delegation to file
legislation to rename the mountain Denali.
SARAH SNOWBERGER replied Alaska's delegation is aware of the
option. However, the resolution could incorporate that language.
3:42:48 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI invited Representative Dibert to begin her
presentation on SJR 7.
3:43:01 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MAXINE DIBERT, District 31, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SJR 7 as
follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
There is something truly special about seeing Mount
Denali in our home state. Even a brief glimpse of the
highest peak in North America fills Alaskans with a
sense of pride. The towering giant, in all its glory,
stands as a symbol of our state's majesty. Denali has
been known by its true name for thousands of years,
and that name is Denali. It's not just a name-it's a
symbol of history, culture, and respect. The name
comes from the Koyukon Athabascan language, meaning
"The Tall One."
As many of you know, the journey to formally recognize
this name has not been an easy one. It took 40 years
from the time the Alaska State Legislature passed its
1975 resolution for the federal government to
officially adopt the name Denali. This hard-fought
victory exemplifies the determination of the people of
Alaska, who never wavered in advocating for a name
that truly represents our identity. In 2015, the U.S.
Board on Geographic Names finally acknowledged Denali,
a decision celebrated statewide for its recognition of
the mountain's cultural and historical importance not
just to Native Alaskans but to everyone who calls this
state home.
I urge you, members of the Senate State Affairs
Committee, to support Senate Joint Resolution 7.
Denali is more than a mountain it is a cornerstone of
Alaska's history, a tribute to our diverse culture,
and a testament to the people who have cherished this
land for millennia. If the federal government moves to
change the name again, it is an affront to our state
sovereignty. To officially change the name would not
only dishonor those who have fought to protect Denai's
legacy but also dismiss the voices of the Native
communities whose roots are intertwined with this
land.
Let us preserve the name Denali-the name that embodies
the majesty of the tallest peak in North America, the
name that bridges our past and our future, and the
name that continues to inspire pride in all Alaskans.
3:46:17 PM
SARAH SNOWBERGER stated a note was received from legislative
legal services suggesting the resolve; avoid specifying members
of Alaska's delegation introduce legislation. She stated instead
it was recommended to keep SJR 7 broad, allowing for options.
3:47:13 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI opened public testimony on SJR 7.
3:47:47 PM
ED MARTIN, representing self, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
support of SJR 7. He stated he remembers the mountain being
called Mt. McKinley but if it's in the best interest of Alaska
to keep it Denali, that's all he cares about.
3:50:38 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI closed public testimony on SJR 7.
3:51:21 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked whether the state has ever officially
recognized or designated the mountain as Denali for geographic
naming purposes.
3:51:34 PM
SARAH SNOWBERGER replied she would collect the information and
share it with the committee.
3:51:39 PM
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI expressed his understanding that the state
has done this but would like confirmation.
3:51:45 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI stated his belief that Denali is officially
referenced in statute. He said the federal government changed
Denali to Mt. McKinley in 1917. However, three to four thousand
years prior, the mountain's name was Denali.
3:52:54 PM
CHAIR KAWASAKI held SJR 7 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 31 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| SB 31 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| SB 31 Fiscal note DPS.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| SB 31 Fiscal note DOA2.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| SB 31 Fiscal note DOA.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| SB 31 Fiscal note DPS2 (1).pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| CS SJR 7 N.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 7 |
| SJR 7 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 7 |
| SB0031A.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| SJR 7 fiscal note.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SJR 7 |
| 2025-01-27 ACOA Letter in Support of SB 31.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |
| SB 31 LOS Address Confidentiality Program 1.25.pdf |
SSTA 1/28/2025 3:30:00 PM |
SB 31 |