Legislature(2025 - 2026)ADAMS 519
02/11/2026 05:15 PM Senate LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 11, 2026
5:15 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Sara Hannan, Chair
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative DeLena Johnson
Representative Chuck Kopp
Representative Calvin Schrage
Representative Louise Stutes
Senator Matt Claman
Senator Cathy Giessel
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
Senator Jesse Kiehl
Senator Löki Tobin(alternate)
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Gary Stevens, Vice Chair
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator Bert Stedman
Representative Donna Mears (alternate)
OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT
AGENDA
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SANCTIONING OF CHARITABLE EVENTS
COMMITTEE BUSINESS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
SPEAKER REGISTER
Jessica Geary, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs
Agency (LAA)
JC Kestel, Procurement Officer, LAA
Joel Rogozinski, Finance Manager, LAA
Megan Wallace, Chief Counsel, LAA
I. Call to Order
5:21:05 PM
CHAIR HANNAN called the Legislative Council meeting to order
at 5:21pm on February 11, 2026, in Room 519 (House Finance) of
the State Capitol.
Present at the call were Representatives Carrick, Edgmon,
Kopp, Schrage, Stutes, Hannan; Senators Claman, Giessel, Gray-
Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin.
Eleven members present.
Representative Johnson joined the meeting at 5:48pm.
II. Approval of the Agenda
5:22:15 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved and asked unanimous consent that
Legislative Council approve the agenda as presented.
The motion passed without objection.
III. Approval of Minutes
a. December 16, 2026
5:22:43 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved and asked unanimous consent that
Legislative Council approve the minutes dated December 16,
2025, as presented.
The motion passed without objection.
IV. Sanctioning of Charitable Events
a. Juneau Animal Rescue 2026 Fundraiser
b. Juneau Dance Theatre, Juneau's Got Talent
5:23:08 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved and asked unanimous consent that
Legislative Council ratify the Chair's sanctioning of the
following charitable events per AS 24.60.080(a)(2)(B):
1. Juneau Animal Rescue 2026 Fundraiser
2. Juneau's Got Talent
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and stated
that the 501(c)(3) status of both Juneau Animal Rescue and
Juneau Dance Theatre has been verified.
There was no further discussion, Chair Hannan removed her
objection, and the sanctioning of the two charitable events
was ratified.
V. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
a. Capitol Snow Removal Contract Amendment
5:24:24 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved that Legislative Council adopt Amendment
No. 1 of the Agency's contract for snow removal services
provided by CuttingEdge Development, Inc.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and asked
Legislative Affairs Agency (LAA) Procurement Officer JC Kestel
and Ernest Daigle to come forward and explain the need for the
contract amendment and answer any questions.
JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer, Legislative Affairs Agency
(LAA), explained that the contract before the committee to
amend covers snow removal services for parking lots within the
Capitol Complex. He noted that Juneau has experienced record
snowfall and that approximately $45,000 had already been spent
under the contract by the end of January. The Agency is
requesting approval to amend the contract to increase the not-
to-exceed amount to $90,000 for the remainder of the winter
and to address several technical specifications in the
contract.
SENATOR CLAMAN noted that heavy snowfall occurred in December,
but recent conditions have been mostly rain. He asked whether,
if snowfall remains limited for the rest of the season, the
expenses might still fall within the original contract amount,
acknowledging that weather cannot be predicted.
MR. KESTEL confirmed that the contract pays only for services
that are performed. Noting that while it would be ideal if
snowfall remained limited, Juneau can experience significant
snow as late as April. He explained that the amendment is
intended to ensure coverage for the remainder of the winter,
with funds used only for services rendered.
Seeing no further discussion, Chair Hannan removed her
objection and a roll call vote was taken.
5:27:20 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Kopp, Schrage, Stutes,
Hannan; Senators Claman, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin
NAYS: none
The motion passed 11-0.
b. Legislature Independent Audit FY25
CHAIR HANNAN stated that this agenda item is not an action
item and asked Legislative Affairs Agency Finance Manager Joel
Rogozinski to present the annual audit.
JOEL ROGOZINSKI, Finance Manager, LAA, stated that before
members was the FY25 Audit conducted by external auditors,
Elgee Rehfeld. By statute, the legislature undergoes an annual
independent audit of its internal controls and financial
statements. He stated the outcome of the FY25 Audit was a
clean audit with no exceptions.
CHAIR HANNAN thanked Mr. Rogozinski, who started with the
Agency in June 2025, and commended him on a successful first
audit.
c. Legislative Council FY27 Budget Proposal
5:29:28 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved that Legislative Council, per AS
24.20.130, approve transmittal of the FY27 Legislative Council
Proposed Budget to the House and Senate Finance Committees for
their review and action.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and asked
that Legislative Affairs Agency Executive Director Jessica
Geary come forward to present the budget and answer any
questions members may have.
JESSICA GEARY, Executive Director, LAA, presented the FY27
proposed budget and sectional narrative, outlining
appropriations and allocations for Legislative Council. She
stated in preparing the budget, she met with Presiding
Officers, Rules Chairs, House and Senate Finance Committee
staff, and the Legislative Council Chair. Council is
responsible for authorizing the transmittal of the budget
request to the Finance Committees for action.
She explained that the budget request includes two main
appropriations: the Legislative Council appropriation, which
funds administrative functions of the legislature, special
committees, and offices such as Ethics, Ombudsman, and the
Office of Victims' Rights; and the Legislative Operating
Budget appropriation, which includes those functions directly
connected to operations of the legislature, such as Session
Expenses, House and Senate Operations, and Legislators
Salaries and Allowances. This budget request does not include
the Legislative Budget and Audit Committee appropriation which
is submitted separately to the Finance Committees; together,
these three appropriations make up the entire legislature's
budget. She said she would highlight only significant items
and welcomed questions throughout.
There are two allocations which require an increment. The
first is the Legislature State Facilities Rent. The initial
projection was a $46,000 increment to support existing
statewide lease costs, however the Agency was able to
negotiate a lower lease cost for Fairbanks and refine other
estimates to reduce the total increment request to $27,700.
The Session Expenses allocation has a $2,552,200 increment
broken down as follows:
(1) $912,200 for cost increases related to supporting a
regular session. This allocation has been absorbing operating
expense increases for the last several fiscal years by
borrowing from the Legislative Operating budget, also known as
the interim budget, or the special session contingency in
those years when there was no special session. That practice
is no longer sustainable, hence the increment request to
ensure adequate funding for a regular session.
(2) $35,000 in additional receipt authority requested for the
Legislative Lounge.
(3) $750,000 to restore special session contingency funding
that was reduced or vetoed in the FY26 request.
(4) Finally, $855,000 to provide funding to maintain statewide
Gavel to Gavel services.
This brings the total increment request in the FY27
Legislative Council budget to $2,579,900.
Ms. Geary ended her presentation by reminding members that, by
statute, this committee is responsible for authorizing the
transmittal of this budget request to the Finance Committees
for action. She noted that by voting yes, members agree to
pass this budget to Finance for any additional work or changes
they may make.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked about the proposed increment of
$912,200 for increased staff relocation and lodging stipends.
She noted that while the proposal is not directly related to
the reduction in staff range points in previous years, she
inquired on how expansive the coverage might be for staff.
MS. GEARY explained that the initial approvals for staff
relocation and the lodging stipend did not include associated
increments, so those costs were absorbed. While a $117,000
increment was added when the lodging stipend increased from
$30 to $37.50 per day, other costs have accumulated without
specific funding requests. She clarified that although
statewide salary adjustments for benefits and health insurance
are budgeted, merit increases for staff with longevity are
not, causing annual cost increases over time. Additionally,
she stated that fluctuations in the legislator session per
diem rate contribute to rising expenses, and the Agency has
historically not requested increments to cover these
cumulative cost increases.
REPRESENTATIVE KOPP commended Executive Director Geary for
limiting the lease cost increase to $27,700 , noting that this
amount does not account for inflation and higher utility
expenses, and referenced prior lease proposals with high bid
prices that were denied and rebid. He commented that those
actions clearly helped reduce potential cost burdens and
praised Ms. Geary and her team for their work.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked if the Legislative Council or the
Legislature's budget had ever included expenses for Gavel
Alaska previously.
MS. GEARY responded that no, it has not.
Seeing no further discussion, Chair Hannan removed her
objection and a roll call vote was taken.
5:37:13 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Kopp, Schrage, Stutes,
Hannan; Senators Claman, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin
NAYS: none
The motion passed 11-0.
VI. Executive Session
a. RFQ 692Senate and House Finance Committee Rooms
Carpet Purchase
b. Executive Order 137 State Supreme Court Litigation
Costs
CHAIR HANNAN stated that Council would now go into Executive
Session to discuss a carpet purchase RFQ and matters relating
to the Council's Executive Order 137 litigation.
5:38:07 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL 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
online for the Executive Session: Jessica Geary, Santé Lesh,
Sabrina Javier, Joel Rogozinski, JC Kestel, Ernest Daigle,
Emily Nauman, Megan Wallace, Zach Lawhorne, Helen Phillips,
Tallulah Lastufka, any legislators not on Legislative Council,
and any staff of Legislative Council members.
5:39:00 PM
Council went into Executive Session.
6:07:31 PM
Council came out of Executive Session.
6:07:49 PM
Roll was taken to establish a quorum. Present at the call were
Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Johnson, Kopp, Schrage,
Stutes, Hannan; Senators Claman, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl,
Tobin.
Twelve members present.
a. RFQ 692Senate and House Finance Committee Rooms
Carpet Purchase
6:08:57 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved that Legislative Council authorize the
Legislative Affairs Agency to award the purchase of carpet to
a vendor responsive to RFQ 692 in an amount not to exceed
$66,000.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and asked
Procurement Officer JC Kestel and Contract Officer Ernest
Daigle to speak to this item and answer any questions.
JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer, LAA, explained that the carpet
in the Senate and House Finance committee rooms and adjacent
offices has exceeded its expected lifespan, with the Senate
Finance carpet nearing thirty years old and the House Finance
carpet more than thirty years old, noting the condition shows
significant wear particularly in the Senate Finance room.
He continued that the Agency issued RFQ 692 for carpet
replacement in those areas and received several bids after the
RFQ closed. The Agency is awaiting product samples, which may
take several weeks, to ensure the materials meet the
specifications and quality standards before making a final
determination. He said the Agency is requesting Legislative
Council approval to award the contract to the lowest cost
vendor that is determined to be most responsive to the RFQ.
Seeing no questions, Chair Hannan removed her objection and a
roll call vote was taken.
6:11:25 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Johnson, Kopp, Schrage,
Stutes, Hannan; Senators Claman, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl,
Tobin
NAYS: none
The motion passed 12-0.
b. Executive Order 137 State Supreme Court Litigation
Costs
6:12:13 PM
SENATOR GIESSEL moved that Legislative Council approve an
amendment to the existing contract with Stoel Rives relating
to litigation involving the governor's issuance of Executive
Order 137, to increase the contract amount by $85,000 for a
total amount not to exceed $185,000, for legal services,
litigation, and appeal costs.
CHAIR HANNAN objected for the purpose of discussion and asked
Legal Services Chief Counsel Megan Wallace to speak on this
matter and take any questions.
MEGAN WALLACE, Chief Counsel, LAA, stated that on September
10, 2025, Legislative Council authorized a contract with Stoel
Rives to pursue litigation regarding the governor's issuance
of Executive Order 137 (EO 137). She reported that on December
31, 2025, the Juneau Superior Court issued a favorable ruling
finding the governor's issuance of EO 137 unconstitutional,
after which the governor appealed the decision to the Alaska
Supreme Court. She explained that the original contract
authorization did not include costs associated with defending
the appeal and that the amendment request before Council is
for an additional $85,000 to cover the cost of the appeal.
Seeing no questions, Chair Hannan removed her objection and a
roll call vote was taken.
6:14:15 PM
YEAS: Representatives Carrick, Edgmon, Kopp, Schrage, Stutes,
Hannan; Senators Claman, Giessel, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Tobin
NAYS: none
The motion passed 11-0.
VII. Adjourn
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON thanked staff for their presentations.
There being no further comments or business before the
committee, the Legislative Council meeting was adjourned at
6:15pm.
6:15:28 PM
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative Council Meeting Agenda February 11, 2026.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item III.a.--12.16.2025 LC Meeting Minutes.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item IV. b.--Juneau Dance Theater Fundraiser.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item IV. a.--Juneau Animal Rescue 2026 Fundraiser.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item V.a.--Capitol Snow Removal Services Contract Amendment Request.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item V.b.--FY25 Legislature Audit (Letter and Schedule of Appropriations Expenditures and Encumbrances).pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item V.c.--Legislative Council FY27 Budget Request with Narrative.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item VI.a.--Capitol Carpet Purchase Memo.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item VI.b.--Memo--Stoel Rives AO 137 Litigation Contract Amendment.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |
|
| Item VI.a.--RFQ 692 Senate and House Finance Committee Rooms Carpet Purchase Request to LEC.pdf |
JLEC 2/11/2026 5:15:00 PM |