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