ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL   APRIL 30, 2024  5:30 PM   MEMBERS PRESENT  Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Chair  Representative Kevin McCabe, Vice Chair  Senator Click Bishop  Senator Matt Claman  Senator Jesse Kiehl  Senator Donny Olson  Senator Bert Stedman (alternate)  Senator Gary Stevens  Representative Bryce Edgmon  Representative Sara Hannan  Representative Craig Johnson  Representative George Rauscher  Representative Dan Saddler  Representative Cathy Tilton    MEMBERS ABSENT  Senator Lyman Hoffman    OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT  None    AGENDA  APPROVAL OF AGENDA  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  RATIFICATION OF CHARITY EVENTS  CONTRACT APPROVALS  EXECUTIVE SESSION  COMMITTEE BUSINESS    SPEAKER REGISTER  Jessica Geary, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs  Agency (LAA)  Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer (CIO), LAA  JC Kestel, Procurement Officer, LAA  Emily Nauman, Legislative Legal Services Director, LAA  I. CALL TO ORDER    5:32:04 PM  CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON called the Legislative Council meeting to  order at 5:32 pm on April 30, 2024, in Room 532 (Senate  Finance) of the State Capitol. Present at the call were:  Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,  Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, McCabe, Johnson,  Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton.    Fourteen members present.    II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA    5:33:02 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the  agenda as presented.    The motion passed without objection.    III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES    5:33:24 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the  minutes for the February 28, 2024, Legislative Council  meeting.    The motion passed without objection.    IV. RATIFICATION OF CHARITY EVENTS    5:33:43 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council ratify the  Chair's sanctioning of the following charitable events per AS  24.60.080 (a)(2)(B): Legislative Skits on April 27, 2024, and  Victim Servies Awards on April 25, 2024.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  confirmed the previously sanctioned list of events are  501(c)(3) charities. The Chair removed her objection and asked  for additional comments or discussion for the ratification of  the events.    There was no discussion and the motion passed without  objection.    V. CONTACT APPROVALS  a. FY25 Computer Hardware Refresh    5:34:29 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the  FY25 computer hardware refresh expenditure of $213,238.00 out  of existing capital funds.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  asked Shay Wilson, Chief Information Officer, to speak to the  item and answer any questions.    SHAY WILSON, Chief Information Officer, Legislative Affairs  Agency (LAA), stated before Council members is a memo  regarding the annual hardware refresh for fiscal year 2025,  which comes before Council every year for approval to replace  outdated technology equipment across the legislature. This  years proposal includes Legal Services and the Legislative  Information Office, which were inadvertently excluded from  annual requests in the past. Without this expenditure, the  Division of Technology and Information (DTI) would not be able  to replace equipment as it breaks down or loses functionality  due to aging, thereby making the legislature less productive  when work cannot be accomplished without the necessary  technology support. The total cost of the FY25 hardware  refresh is $213,238 to be paid out of existing capital funds.  The cost, replacement equipment list, and quantities were  reviewed by the IT Subcommittee which recommends Legislative  Council approve this proposal.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, noting there were no follow up questions,  removed her objection and called for the vote.    5:36:18 PM  YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 14-0.    VI. EXECUTIVE SESSION  a. RFP 672 Office Space in Anchorage (OVR)    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON said Council would go into Executive  Session to consider a Notice of Intent to Award for office  space in Anchorage for the Office of Victims' Rights.    5:37:43 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved and asked unanimous consent 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 individuals may  remain in the room or online during Executive Session: Jessica  Geary, Santé Lesh, JC Kestel, Ernest Daigle, Emily Nauman,  Shay Wilson, Angela Garay, Michael Shaffer, Linnea Dishner,  any legislators not on Legislative Council, and any staff of  Legislative Council members.    5:38:33 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 14-0.    5:39:09 PM  Council went into Executive Session.    5:50:29 PM  Council came out of Executive Session.    A roll call vote was taken to establish a quorum.    Present at the call were Senators, Bishop, Claman, Gray- Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman, Stevens; Representatives  Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton.    Fourteen members present.    5:51:08 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council approve the  award of RFP 672 for Anchorage office space to L92, LLC, for a  five-year lease and five optional two-year renewals.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  asked JC Kestel, Procurement Officer, to speak to this item  and answer any questions.    JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer, LAA, stated that on February  28, 2024, LAA issued RFP 672 to solicit proposals for office  space in the downtown Anchorage area for the Office of  Victims' Rights. The RFP closed on April 9, and there were two  proposals received, one from the Alaska Bar Association, and  the other from L92, LLC. There was a Proposal Evaluation  Committee (PEC) comprised of staff from the Office of Victims'  Rights who scored the proposals after conducting site visits  and reviewing proposals. The PEC awarded the Alaska Bar  Association with 81.33 points, and L92, LLC, with 87.03  points. Enclosed in members packets is a summary of the  proposals. Based on the above information and the information  provided in your packet, LAA recommends the award of RFP 672,  to L92, LLC, for the lease.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection and asked for a roll  call vote.    5:52:48 PM  YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 14-0.    VII. COMMITTEE BUSINESS  a. Travel and Per Diem Policy Amendment re: Wallet Funds    5:53:38 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council adopt the  Travel and Per Diem Policy as amended.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  asked Ms. Geary to explain the amendment and answer any  questions.    JESSICA GEARY, Executive Director, LAA, stated in members'  packets is a memo explaining the change to the Legislative  Council Travel and Per Diem Policy. This proposed change is to  clarify the requirements for use of wallet funds when seeking  reimbursement. She said it can be an onerous process to turn  in all the receipts and wallet history to the Accounting  Office for reimbursement, and a lot of time is spent by both  the traveler and Accounting staff. This policy change does not  reduce the required back-up but does put in policy what is  needed for reimbursement.    SENATOR STEVENS asked how the policy change would make the  process less onerous.    MS. GEARY clarified the change does not eliminate the  requirement but enshrines the requirement in policy so  Accounting has something to point to. What often happens is  Accounting must defend why they need certain receipts and  backup documentation to go with the expenditure to  substantiate the claim. The intent of the amendment is to  clarify the policy so individuals know what to expect. In  response to a follow-up comment by Senate President Stevens,  Ms. Geary agreed the policy change does not make it less  onerous; LAA cannot change the requirements of what is needed  for the accounting file.    SENATOR CLAMAN said he thinks the practical effect of the  policy for a long time has been that, if members can afford  to, they should save their wallet funds for other travel and  don't use them for legislative travel.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection and asked for a roll  call vote.    5:56:19 PM  YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 14-0.    b. Four-Year Technology Plan    5:57:04 PM  VICE CHAIR MCCABE moved that Legislative Council adopt the  Four-Year Technology Plan, 2024-2027.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion and  asked Shay Wilson, CIO, to explain the Four-Year Technology  Plan and answer any questions.    SHAY WILSON Chief Information Officer, Legislative Affairs  Agency (LAA), stated this item is the Legislature's Four-Year  Technology Plan which was developed by the Division of  Technology and Information (DTI) with review and input by the  IT Subcommittee. He said as everyone is aware, technology is  an important facet of the legislatures work process. In the  quickly changing environment of technology, it is critical to  have a guide to help ensure limited resources are used to the  greatest benefit and target spending to meet the legislatures  technology priorities. This plan is arranged in three parts:  the first section defines the structure and responsibilities  of IT; the second section outlines the initiatives and  principles that guide the work; and finally, the last section  details projects and priorities for the next four years. He  said he recommends Legislative Council adopt the 2024-2027  Four-Year Technology Plan as a guiding document for DTI to  use. Adoption does not approve any funding, bypass procurement  rules, or signify Councils support of any of the individual  projects included in the plan. Specific requests will still  come before Council as appropriate. It also does not preclude  DTI from any additional initiatives or projects.    In response to a question by Representative Edgmon, Mr. Wilson  said the plan was developed internally with ideas from the IT  Subcommittee and DTI staff.    SPEAKER TILTON asked if there had been discussion regarding  the two-step verification that she heard has caused a lot of  challenges for members and staff.    MR. WILSON confirmed there have been many discussions about  the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) process which requires  that additional verification. He said it is the standard of  technology, and everyone is moving there. DTI realizes there  are difficulties with MFA and are trying to make the process  as seamless as possible so legislative work is not disrupted,  but still allowing for that extra verification.    SPEAKER TILTON indicated her hope is MFA will continue to be  part of the discussion moving forward.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection and asked for a roll  call vote.    6:00:44 PM  YEAS: Senators Bishop, Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  McCabe, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 14-0.    c. Social Media Policy Update    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON reminded members that this agenda item is  for information purposes only; it is not an action item, and a  vote will not be held on the amended Social Media Policy  today. However, Ms. Nauman has important information about a  recent US Supreme Court case to share so members are fully  informed and can determine whether an update to the  Legislature's Social Media Policy is warranted in the near  future.    6:02:23 PM  EMILY NAUMAN, Legal Services Director, LAA, presented to  Council a review of the recent US Supreme Court case Lindke v. Freed, which may impact legislator use of social media. Ms.  Nauman used the following documents in her presentation, which  are available on BASIS:  - PowerPoint slides;  - Memo to the Chair; and  - Draft of amended Social Media Policy.    TRANSCRIPTION NOTE: The discussion is not recorded in the  written transcript; it is available online via audio  transcript or by viewing the recorded stream.    6:33:50 PM  CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, at the conclusion of Ms. Nauman's  presentation, reminded members that this item will come back  before Council at a future meeting and that a draft of the  amended Social Media Policy as currently proposed is in their  packets. She urged members to review the language, reach out  to Legal Services with questions, and be ready to discuss.    VIII. ADJOURNMENT    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON, after confirming there were no additional  comments by members, advised that the next Legislative Council  meeting will be June 17, 2024, in Anchorage. She added that,  subject to change, future interim Council meetings are  anticipated in August, late September, and early December. She  noted that the meeting schedule is based on deadline driven  dates for contracts, leases, and RFPs. The Chair thanked  members, LAA staff, and her staff for their contributions.    6:35:04 PM  With no further business before the committee, the meeting was  adjourned at 6:35 pm.