ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE  February 21, 2026 3:17 p.m. DRAFT MEMBERS PRESENT Representative Ashley Carrick, Chair Representative Andi Story, Vice Chair Representative Rebecca Himschoot Representative Ky Holland (via teleconference) Representative Sarah Vance Representative Kevin McCabe Representative Steve St. Clair MEMBERS ABSENT  All members present OTHER LEGISLATORS    Representative Mia Costello   COMMITTEE CALENDAR  HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22 Requesting the United States Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate; and requesting the United States Congress to call for a constitutional convention of the states to propose a single amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate. - HEARD & HELD HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 23 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska requiring the governor to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. - HEARD & HELD HOUSE BILL NO. 290 "An Act relating to delivery of resolutions by the governor." - HEARD & HELD HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10 Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to resolutions. - HEARD & HELD PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION  BILL: HJR 22 SHORT TITLE: FEDERAL CONST. CONVENTION: TERM LIMITS SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) TOMASZEWSKI 04/22/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/22/25 (H) STA, JUD 02/21/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120 BILL: HJR 23 SHORT TITLE: CONST. AM: GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) UNDERWOOD 04/28/25 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 04/28/25 (H) STA, JUD, FIN 02/21/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120 BILL: HB 290 SHORT TITLE: DELIVERY OF RESOLUTIONS SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND 02/04/26 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/04/26 (H) STA 02/21/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120 BILL: HCR 10 SHORT TITLE: UNIFORM RULES: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) HOLLAND 02/04/26 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS 02/04/26 (H) STA 02/21/26 (H) STA AT 3:15 PM GRUENBERG 120 WITNESS REGISTER REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor of HJR 22, provided an introduction. CONNOR MERRINER, Staff Representative Frank Tomaszewski Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Presented and answered questions on behalf of Representative Tomaszewski, prime sponsor of HJR 22. CONSTANTIN QUERARD, Regional Director U.S. Term Limits Washington, D.C. POSITION STATEMENT: Gave invited testimony in support of HJR 22. ED MARTIN representing self Kenai, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support on HJR 22; testified on HJR 23; testified in support of HB 290; and testified in support of HCR 10. REPRESENTATIVE JUBILEE UNDERWOOD Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: As prime sponsor, introduced HJR 23. BUDDY WHITT, Staff Representative Jubilee Underwood Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Presented on HJR 23, on behalf of Representative Underwood, prime sponsor. LARISA FONOV, representing self Wasilla, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 23. RYAN SHELDON, representing self Talkeetna, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 23. AYDEN NICHOL, Staff Representative Ky Holland Alaska State Legislature Juneau, Alaska POSITION STATEMENT: Presented on HB 290 and HJR 10 on behalf of Representative Holland, prime sponsor. ACTION NARRATIVE 3:17:23 PM CHAIR ASHLEY CARRICK called the House State Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:17 p.m. Representatives St. Clair, Himschoot, Holland (via teleconference), Vance, McCabe, and Carrick were present at the call to order. Representative Story arrived as the meeting was in progress. HJR 22-FEDERAL CONST. CONVENTION: TERM LIMITS  3:18:42 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22, Requesting the United States Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate; and requesting the United States Congress to call for a constitutional convention of the states to propose a single amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate. 3:19:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor introduced HJR 22. He stated that a conducted in January 2025 showed that 84 percent of Alaskans favor term limits. Twelve states have similar legislation, and 14 others have legislation in committees. He said it takes 34 states to bypass Congress to call a constitutional convention. 3:22:00 PM CONNOR MERRINER, Staff, Representative Frank Tomaszewski, Alaska State Legislature, presented and answered questions on behalf of Representative Tomaszewski, prime sponsor of HJR 22. MR. MERRINER began a PowerPoint presentation titled "HJR 22: U.S. Term Limits," [hard copy in the committee file]. On slide 2, he outlined reasons why there is a need for U.S. term limits: to restore a citizen legislature, bring state-specific and private sector experience to D.C. On slide 4, he shared reasons for restoring a citizen legislature. As states were intended to be laboratories of innovation, bringing state experience to D.C. is important. He shared reasons on slide 6 to bring private sector expertise to D.C. He reiterated the bill sponsor's statement that 84 percent of Alaskans support implementing U.S. term limits. Currently, 12 states have passed calls for term limit amendments, while 14 states have similar legislation.   3:26:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked how long resolutions last. 3:26:10 PM CONSTANTIN QUERARD, Regional Director, U.S. Term Limits, replied that resolutions last into perpetuity. States can rescind resolutions. REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether, when a constitutional convention is called, the issue is just limited to term limits. MR. MERRINER replied that it doesn't open the entire constitution, it is just a single item resolution. CHAIR CARRICK asked, since this is a resolution, what would prevent it from becoming a more open discussion. MR. MERRINER replied a delegation is called for a proposed amendment to the constitution. The states must ratify that amendment. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked in other democracies whether there are term limits. MR. QUERARD replied yes, he can provide a list. 3:29:47 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HJR 22. MR. QUERARD began his invited testimony in favor of HJR 22. He said he is here on behalf of Alaskans who are in support of this cause. The presentation already outlined several good reasons for this change and there are many more. Everyone seems to support it for a lot of different reasons. Congress is dysfunctional because [the length of time members of Congress are in office]. Incumbents lean into seniority as a selling point. It takes a while to get influence in Congress, usually ten to twenty years. 3:33:10 PM ED MARTIN, representing self, testified in support of HJR 22. This is a very good subject for state affairs. He said he has voted in many elections since 1973. U.S. Representative Don Young stayed in Congress his whole career. He said too many people have made this a career. Their oath is subject to their egos instead of the people. He asked the committee to please pass this resolution to Congress. 3:35:05 PM CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining no further testimony, she closed public testimony on HJR 22. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated that she hasn't come to terms with term limits. She comes from a rural area with fewer people. The seniority system gives more say on what happens in the legislature. She said there should be an exception for rural folks. MR. QUERARD replied that with a small delegation like Alaska, it is difficult. He said states with term limits use more subject area expertise. He stated this would be good for a state like Alaska to send congressmen with expertise in an area that interests the state. With term limits, there will be times when the congressman has seniority. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT replied that she doesn't disagree. The state system is partisan. She said at the state level, there is power and influence in staff. At the federal level, there is professional level staff with this knowledge. 3:40:47 PM MR. QUERARD stated that staff influence is not a bad thing. He is more concerned about a chairperson not having subject area expertise and being managed by the staff. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT commented on investment potential. She asked, "How many years has Chuck Grassley been in office?" MR. QUERARD replied that he is the longest serving congressman. 3:42:25 PM CHAIR CARRICK said she appreciated the presentation. She acknowledged that term limits are supported by Alaskans. She shares some of the concerns that Representative Himschoot expressed. Legislators are public figures and the staff is less accountable to the public. MR. QUERARD said he disagrees that legislators are accountable to their districts. He said congressmen are not as accountable to voters. The system is broken and the re-election rates are high. He gave examples of a couple of Senators. Staff expertise will not eliminate institutional knowledge, but staff get hired or fired. Voters don't have many options. He said quality staff survive and staff and members work well together. This job wasn't ever meant to be a career. CHAIR CARRICK said she appreciates the dialog. She still has some concerns with challenges on election reform and the money in politics. The United States needs to address that Congress is like a retirement home. She liked the potential for more subject-matter experts who work well across the aisle. 3:49:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said that some of the ballot issues are due to open primaries and rank choice voting. MR. QUERARD replied that rank choice is a newer idea. The incumbent is still the one to win the election. He asked, "What changes can be made that will stand up to the courts?" Term limits are popular in all states. REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated he is excited to hear that the committee is interested in campaign finance reform as he is sponsoring a bill on this issue. He is a member of U.S. Term Limits. He agrees that the United States needs to stop the retirement home in Congress. As an elected official, he oversees the staff as a leader. 3:54:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that she fully supports [term limits] and has co-sponsored previous related bills. The first President realized that it was not healthy to stay in office. The Founding Fathers were visionaries. Term limits encourage more people to participate in self-governance. She opined that 12-year term limits provide a good balance and a respectable amount of time. She is in support of this resolution. 3:57:20 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that HJR 22 was held over. 3:57:52 PM The committee took an at-ease from 3:57 p.m. to 3:59 p.m. HJR 23-CONST. AM: GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED BUDGET    3:59:42 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 23, Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Alaska requiring the governor to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. REPRESENTATIVE JUBILEE UNDERWOOD, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor introduced HJR 23. This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment focused on the structure of Alaska's budget process. It addresses how the process begins with the governor's budget and accompanying revenue bills. This resolution asks whether Alaska would benefit from statutory changes and whether the fiscal framework should be changed to improve the structure for the future. 4:02:00 PM BUDDY WHITT, Staff, Representative Jubilee Underwood, Alaska State Legislature, presented on HJR 23, on behalf of Representative Underwood, prime sponsor. He said this resolution is simple, and the presentation shares the constitutional framework and requirements. He began a PowerPoint [hard copy included in the committee packet]. He shared the constitutional requirements under Art. IX, Sec 12 shown on slide 2. Statutory timing requirements are outlined on slide 3. On slide 4, required bill separation and balanced budget requirement are shared as outlined in statute. Long- range planning is addressed, including the six-year capital improvements program and the 10-year fiscal plan projections on slide 5. On slide 6, the format and supporting information required in AS 37.07.050 is presented. He shared amendments & supplemental budgets information on slide 7. The governor must submit a balanced budget that doesn't include the constitutional budget reserve (CBR) which is outlined on slide 8. In closing, he stated that the bill sponsor believes the budget should begin with a plan on slide 9. On slide 10, he stated that HJR 23 does not dictate policy. 4:07:42 PM REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR said that expenditures don't exceed revenue. He asked what sources are being used as revenue. MR. WHITT replied that the legislation doesn't try to answer that question. The resolution requires a budget that must balance and not use the CBR. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE said she appreciates the additional charts that show the budget, revenue, and deficits for the last nine years. She wondered why the supplemental budget is not listed and whether HJR 23 would impact the supplemental budget. MR. WHITT replied that the bill sponsor's intent is that it would lower supplemental budgets. He said budgets would be more accurate on expenditures and revenues. This resolution is not focused on the supplemental budget but focused on the initial governor's budget. 4:12:59 PM REPRESENTATIVE UNDERWOOD replied that simply not starting in a deficit and having a good starting point is the whole intent. She said it is fiscally responsible to not start in a deficit. REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether this would be on November's ballot for the voters. REPRESENTATIVE UNDERWOOD replied yes, if everything goes as planned. REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated there have been 28 ballot measures; 12 have been rejected and the last one passed 22 years ago. 4:14:38 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether the long-range plan is supposed to be balanced and whether other states require a balanced budget with the accompanying revenue bills. MR. WHITT replied he doesn't know about other states but will get back to the committee. Long-range plans are a statutory requirement. This legislation doesn't touch on the long-range plan and any of the requirements. 4:16:39 PM CHAIR CARRICK asks if currently the governor can submit a deficit budget if he provides revenue measures to fill the deficit. MR. WHITT replied yes. The governor must offer revenue bills if needed. CHAIR CARRICK stated those revenue bills are supposed to cover the deficit. She asked whether there has ever been a governor who has done this. MR. WHITT replied he doesn't have the information but will get it. 4:18:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said that she served on the local assembly. The assembly budget would be balanced but the opportunity cuts would be included. She asked whether other levels of government were required to do this as well. She said it is common practice to know the gap. REPRESENTATIVE UNDERWOOD responded that in her experience from the school board budget, it was presented with a few different options. The budget was built backwards and at the end of the day it was a balanced budget. 4:21:00 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HJR 23. LARISA FONOV, representing self, testified in support of HJR 23. She stated that starting with a balanced budget that doesn't use the savings will ensure a more stable future. She asked the committee to pass HCR 23 out of the committee. ED MARTIN, representing self, testified that he does not support HJR 23. He said he e-mailed his testimony to the committee. RYAN SHELDON, representing self, testified in support of HJR 23. As a businessperson, he said, it makes sense to work within the budget. He said HJR 23 has great bipartisan support. 4:26:59 PM CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining there was no further testimony, she closed public testimony on HJR 23. 4:27:15 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced HJR 23 was held over. HB 290-DELIVERY OF RESOLUTIONS  HCR 10-UNIFORM RULES: RESOLUTION DISTRIBUTION  4:27:30 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 290, "An Act relating to delivery of resolutions by the governor" and HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 10, Proposing an amendment to the Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature relating to resolutions. REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND, as prime sponsor of HB 290 and HCR 10, said that the two actions together are about timely joint resolutions. Currently, there are specific timeframes when joint resolutions are fully transmitted and set in legislation. Last year, resolutions about the fire season were transmitted in the fall. AYDEN NICHOL, staff, Representative Ky Holland, Alaska State Legislature presented on HB 290 and HCR 10 on behalf of Representative Holland, prime sponsor. He said this is a pair of companion measures about the timely transmittals of joint resolutions. All resolutions from last session were sent out on an extreme delay such as the one that missed the fire season. 4:31:48 PM MR. NICHOLS presented a PowerPoint, titled "HB 290 & HCR 10 Transmittal of Joint Resolutions," [hard copy included in the committee file]. The current distribution process is reviewed on slide 2. He stated there is no timeline set for these resolutions. On slide 3, he outlined issues with the current process. Delays are an issue as fall was the earliest date that resolutions were distributed. A sectional analysis of HB 290 including 15 days for transmittal while in session and 20 days outside of session was outlined on slide 4. On slide 5, showing a sectional analysis of HCR 10, the resolution changes the distribution to the Office of the Chief Clerk or Senate Secretary's Office, with a timeline of within fifteen days of the resolution being returned by the governor. Additionally, the notification of the sponsor is required when a resolution is distributed. 4:35:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked whether resolutions were hung up in the Office of the Governor or the legislature. MR. NICOLS replied there were delays in both the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE asked again about whether it was held up in the legislature. He asked if the sponsor would be open to an amendment that bills need to be transmitted out of the legislature in a timely manner. MR. NICOL replied that it would be a reasonable amendment. REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND replied that he would be happy to investigate it. There was a great deal of difference in the timeline. All the resolutions were released on July 16. The amount of time spent in the executive office varied until the resolutions were all released. He would investigate a timeline to put into the initial transmittal. 4:38:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE commented about the separation of powers. She remarked that resolutions are different from bills. She asked whether legislative resolutions need to touch the executive branch. MR. NICOL replied that the office has sought an answer to that question but has not received an answer. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked, "How do other states deal with this?" It touches on the separation of powers. She explained that she wants to protect the power of the legislature. She expressed concerns about cutting out the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. MR. NICOL replied that the role of the lieutenant governor wasn't clarified. He said the lieutenant governor is tasked with many recordkeeping duties. The lieutenant governor thought this change may ease the tension with the legislature. He noted that the separation of powers is an important part. REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked whether HCR 10 and any amendment to the Uniform Rules must be taken up by a joint session and passed by two-thirds of the legislature. MR. NICOL confirmed it was by two-thirds of the legislature. 4:42:49 PM CHAIR CARRICK said that she requested a bill be transmitted and it wasn't transmitted for five months. She asked whether this only relates to resolutions. MR. NICOL replied that Chair Carrick raised an excellent point. The scope of the measures is limited to resolutions. He said he would discuss it with the bill sponsor. 4:44:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE STORY said she was pleased to have this information as she was unaware of this large gap. Her question has to do with bills and resolutions. A bill must be looked at legally and have conforming changes. She cautioned about the timeline needed to have a legal review. She asked whether the sponsor did not receive an explanation of why it takes so long to get out. MR. NICOL replied that the sponsor did not receive an explanation from the Office of the Governor. The lieutenant governor walked through the process with the sponsor's office. The workload is heavy as many of these resolutions have large numbers of recipients. REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether this is the correct timeline. MR. NICOL replied that this timeline was picked in part with the constitutional timelines of bills. There was no input from the Office of the Governor. Legislative Legal Services, the Office of the Chief Clerk, and Senate Secretary's Office agreed that the timeline was reasonable. 4:47:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked for a review of the differences between a resolution, joint resolution and concurrent resolution. MR. NICOL replied that a joint resolution is most formal type of resolution and can have the governor's signature. All other resolutions go through the Legislative Affairs Agency which falls to the Office of the Chief Clerk and the Senate Secretary's Office. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked, "How does one decide which one to use?" MR. NICOL said an issue of national politics or constitution that must be done through a joint resolution. Concurrent resolutions are used to express concerns to the executive office. House or Senate special resolution express the will of one body. 4:50:51 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HB 290. ED MARTIN, representing self, stated support for HB 290 and commended Representative Holland for bringing forward the bill. He thanked him for trying to fix the bureaucracy of the legislature. Last year, he sent a letter to the House Judiciary Standing Committee in mid-March with a sample resolution about an investigation of Alaska's judiciary. He asked the committee to refer to the letter. 4:53:33 PM CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining there was no further testimony, she closed public testimony on HB 290. 4:53:41 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HCR 10. MR. MARTIN testified in support of HCR 10. He asked for increased efficiency in the legislature. 4:54:35 PM CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining there was no further testimony, she closed public testimony on HCR 10. REPRESENTATIVE HOLLAND thanked fellow committee members for their time considering HB 290 and HCR 10. He said he is looking forward to the follow-up. 4:55:19 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced both HCR 10 and HB 290 were held over. 4:56:25 PM ADJOURNMENT  There being no further business before the committee, the House State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:56 p.m.