Legislature(2025 - 2026)ADAMS 519
09/10/2025 01:00 PM House LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
1:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sara Hannan, Chair
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative Mike Prax
Representative Calvin Schrage
Representative Louise Stutes
Representative Donna Mears (alternate)
Senator Matt Claman
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Löki Tobin (alternate)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Bert Stedman
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Andy Josephson
Representative Ky Holland
Representative Ted Eischeid
Senator Scott Kawasaki
AGENDA
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
SPEAKER REGISTER
Jessica Geary, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs
Agency (LAA)
JC Kestel, Procurement Officer, LAA
Emily Nauman, Director, Legal Services, LAA
I. CALL TO ORDER
1:06:01 PM
CHAIR HANNAN called the Legislative Council meeting to
order at 1:06pm on September 10, 2025, in the Denali Room
of the Anchorage Legislative Office Building.
Present at the call were Representatives Carrick, Edgmon,
Schrage, Stutes, Mears, Hannan; Senators Claman, Gray-
Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin.
Ten members present.
Representative Kopp joined the meeting at 1:08pm and
Representative Prax joined the meeting at 1:21pm.
II. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
1:08:50 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved and asked unanimous consent that
Legislative Council approve the agenda as presented.
The motion passed without objection.
III. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
a. August 27, 2025, Meeting Minutes
1:09:44 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved and asked unanimous consent that
Legislative Council approve the minutes dated August 27,
2025, as presented.
The minutes were approved without objection.
IV. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
a. Anchorage Legislative Office Building (ALOB) Snow
Removal Contract Renewal No. 4
1:10:32 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved that Legislative Council approve
Renewal No. 4 of the contract for snow removal services
with Kelly Inc., dba A-1 Lawn & Landscaping, in an amount
not to exceed $65,000.00.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Procurement Officer JC Kestel to speak to this item.
JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer, Legislative Affairs Agency
(LAA), stated that the Agency is requesting approval for
Renewal No. 4 of the snow removal contract for the
Anchorage Legislative Office Building. The contract has
been in place for several years, the Agency has been
satisfied with the services provided, and there is no price
increase associated with this renewal.
There was no discussion and a roll call vote was taken.
1:12:09 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Kopp, Schrage,
Stutes, Mears, Hannan; Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson,
Kiehl, Tobin
NAYS: none
The motion passed 11-0.
b. Homer Office Space Lease Renewal No. 1
1:13:40 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved that Legislative Council approve
Renewal No. 1 of the lease extension for Homer office space
in the amount of $58,119.12.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Procurement Officer JC Kestel to speak to this item.
JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer, LAA, stated that the Agency
is requesting approval to exercise Renewal No. 1 of the
lease extension for the Homer office space and Legislative
Information Office. He noted this office serves Senator
Stevens and Representative Vance, both of whom have
expressed support for the renewal. The lease includes five
optional one-year renewals, and this would be the first.
Because the lease exceeds $50,000 in one fiscal year,
Legislative Council approval is required.
There was no further discussion, and a roll call vote was
taken.
1:15:26 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Kopp, Schrage,
Stutes, Mears, Hannan; Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson,
Kiehl, Tobin
NAYS: none
The motion passed 11-0.
c. Kodiak Office Space Lease Renewal No. 3
1:16:38 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved that Legislative Council approve
Renewal No. 3 of the lease extension for Kodiak office
space in the amount of $71,012.52.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked Procurement Officer JC Kestel to speak to this item.
JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer, LAA, stated that included
in member packets is a memorandum requesting approval of
Renewal No. 3 of the lease extension for the Kodiak office
space. He noted that this is the district office for
Senator Stevens and Representative Stutes, both of whom
have expressed positive feedback and support for the
renewal. The lease provides for five optional one-year
renewals, two of which have been exercised to date.
SENATOR TOBIN asked why the price precision of fifty-two
cents.
MR. KESTEL responded that the amount is calculated annually
based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-
U). He explained that the adjustment varies each year, for
example, next year it could be thirteen cents, depending on
the CPI-U calculation.
REPRESENTATIVE EDGMON stated that he was speaking in
support of the renewal. He noted that with one-year
contracts prices typically increase rather than decrease
and asked for an explanation of the reasoning behind the
agreement.
MR. KESTEL responded that the one-year renewal options
provide the Agency and the legislature flexibility to
determine, as time passes and leases age, whether the space
and needs of the legislature remain the same. He explained
that district needs may shift, for instance due to
redistricting. The one-year renewals allow the legislature
to evaluate whether to continue with the facility,
relocate, or adjust to market conditions. He further noted
that leases are generally structured with an initial five-
year term, followed by annual one-year renewal options. The
initial five-year period is intended to provide building
owners with the assurance of a long-term commitment, as
most would not enter into an agreement on a year-to-year
basis without that incentive.
CHAIR HANNAN asked Representative Stutes if she had any
comments since this is her district office.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES stated that she supported the lease
renewal and noted the landlord has generally provided good
service, addressing issues as they arise. She added that
she had a separate concern regarding why some legislative
offices are open only six months of the year, sharing an
example when her LIO was closed, and staff were
unavailable. She asked who determines why some offices
operate only part-time.
CHAIR HANNAN asked that this question be brought up as a
separate item of discussion since it does not pertain
directly to the lease renewal.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES stated she would be happy to do that,
agreeing and adding her appreciation for the good working
relationship with the managers of the Kodiak office.
There was no further discussion, and a roll call vote was
taken noting that with Representative Prax joining,
Representative Mears would no longer be voting as an
alternate member.
1:23:15 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Kopp, Prax, Schrage,
Stutes, Hannan; Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin
NAYS: none
The motion passed 11-0.
V. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Executive Order 137 Legal Briefing
CHAIR HANNAN stated that Legislative Council would go into
Executive Session for a briefing regarding legal issues
surrounding Executive Order 137.
1:25:27 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved that Legislative Council go into
Executive Session under Uniform Rule 22(B)(1), discussion
of matters, the immediate knowledge of which would
adversely affect the finances of a government unit and
22(B)(3), discussion of a matter that may, by law, be
required to be confidential. The following people may
remain in the room or on-line for the Executive Session:
Jessica Geary, Crystaline Jones, Liz Clark, Emily Nauman,
Ian Walsh, Madison Truitt, any legislators not on
Legislative Council, and any staff of Legislative Council
members.
1:26:22 PM
Council went into Executive Session.
3:16:12 PM
Council came out of Executive Session.
3:16:25 PM
Council took a brief at ease.
3:17:38 PM
Council returned from brief at ease.
Roll was taken to establish a quorum. Present at the call
were: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Kopp, Prax, Schrage,
Stutes, Hannan; Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl,
Tobin.
Eleven members present.
3:19:03 PM
SENATOR KIEHL moved that, under the authority of
AS.24.20.0604(f), Legislative Council authorize a contract
for legal services, not to exceed $100,000, to undertake
litigation on behalf of the legislature regarding the
governor's issuance of an executive order during the first
special session of the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State
Legislature. He further moved that Legislative Council
authorize the Chair to give direction to Legislative Legal
Services and outside legal counsel regarding the
litigation.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and
asked for Legal Services Director Emily Nauman to speak to
the motion.
EMILY NAUMAN, Director, Legal Services, LAA, explained that
the genesis of this litigation stems from a disagreement
between the legislature and the governor regarding whether
the governor has authority, under the Alaska constitution,
to introduce an executive order during a special session.
She noted that the issue is before the legislature because
the governor recently introduced Executive Order 137,
establishing the Department of Agriculture, during the
special session. The order was returned by the presiding
office to the governor. However, the governor has asserted
that he will give effect to it because it was not expressly
rejected or disapproved by the legislature. This conflict
in the interpretation of the constitution has created a
constitutional question between the legislative and
executive branches, and the litigation is intended to
resolve whether a governor may introduce an executive order
during a special session.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP stated that he strongly supports the
separation of powers and the legislature's authority,
specifically through Legislative Council, to file suit if
necessary to resolve questions of law. He noted, however,
that the administration appears to have deescalated its
efforts to create the department outside of the legislative
process. He further stated that two bills are currently
before the legislature addressing this matter and expressed
his preference not to initiate litigation unless there is
clear action by the administration indicating an intent to
proceed unilaterally. He clarified that his vote is not
against protecting the separation of powers but reflects a
desire to preserve legislative authority while also working
in a bipartisan and transparent manner that respects
constitutional processes without unnecessarily escalating
political tensions already present at both national and
state levels.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES stated that while it is important to
make every effort to work with the governor and the
executive branch, it is equally important to protect the
rights of the legislature. She said that, as a parent and
grandparent, the situation seems simple, this order has
already been brought before both bodies and clearly voted
down. Framing it as a question of We said, no Don't you
understand what no means She further noted that it is
still the Thirty-Fourth Legislature with legislation
pending on this issue. If the executive branch wishes to
pursue it, the proper avenue is through the legislative
process. She expressed concern that introducing a second
executive order during a special session with limited time
disregards the legislature's decision, reiterating, "What
part of no don't you understand?"
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX cautioned against approving the motion.
He believes the legislature is too focused on the current
disagreement with the governor and not considering the
broader implications for future governors who may need to
act urgently. He emphasized that when the governor calls a
special session, the legislature is required to convene and
retains the authority to reject action if it chooses. He
expressed concern that prevailing in this matter would set
a precedent that the legislature can act simply by doing
nothing, which is not a sound practice for any
organization.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE spoke in support of pursuing
litigation, stating that while maintaining a productive
relationship with the executive branch is important, the
legislature must protect its procedural authority. He noted
that the legislature has already rejected the executive
order, yet it was reintroduced, and with the January 1,
2026, effective date approaching, the administration could
create a new department without legislative oversight of
costs or resources. He stated that litigation preserves the
legislature's role in the process and may be withdrawn if
the administration reverses course, but at this time he
supports moving forward.
SENATOR KIEHL spoke in support of authorizing litigation,
emphasizing the need to defend the constitution and the
legislature's role. He noted that while he supports
agricultural development in Alaska, the issue before the
committee is whether the executive order was introduced in
a manner consistent with the constitution. He stated he is
convinced it was not and added that authorizing litigation
ensures the legislature is prepared to act if the governor
proceeds unilaterally. He concluded that he would vote
"yes."
There was no further discussion, and a roll call vote was
taken.
3:30:31 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Schrage, Stutes,
Hannan; Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin
NAYS: Representatives Kopp, Prax
The motion passed 9-2.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the
Legislative Council meeting was adjourned at 3:32pm.
3:32:09 PM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Item IV. a.--ALOB Snow Removal Contract Renewal No. 4 request to LEC.pdf |
JLEC 9/10/2025 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Item IV. b.--Homer Office Space Lease Renewal No. 1 request to LEC.pdf |
JLEC 9/10/2025 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Item IV. c.--Kodiak Office Space Lease Renewal No. 3 request to LEC.pdf |
JLEC 9/10/2025 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Legislative Council Meeting Agenda September 10, 2025.pdf |
JLEC 9/10/2025 1:00:00 PM |
|
| Item III. a.--August 27 2025 Meeting Minutes.pdf |
JLEC 9/10/2025 1:00:00 PM |