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.