Alaska Legislature: Senate Floor Session, 4/24/26, 10:30am

Will the Senate please come to order and will members please signify your presence by voting.

There are 19 members present. Senator Kawasaki is excused from a call of the Senate today. Thank you. With 19 members shown as present, we have a quorum to conduct business. The invocation this morning will be given by the Reverend Nancy Campbell with Whitefields Church.

Members, please rise.

Dear Heavenly Father, your word says that we are to come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and grace to find— to help in time of need. Taken from Hebrews 4:16. I approach your throne now for the senators and their families this day. Extend your hand to them, Lord, and grant them mercy and grace to help in their time of need during this season as their workload increases and time is of the essence. Grant them a working unity as they reason together to move our state forward.

Give them clarity of mind and energize them with a supernatural strength that comes only from you. I pray for their travel— travels— traveling mercies wherever they may go. And now, as the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, this is the way you shall bless the children of Israel, say to them— and I say to you, senders— the Lord bless you, and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Taken from Numbers 6:22-26. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you, Reverend Campbell, for being with us again. Senator Keele, would you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Senator Keele. Will the Secretary please certify the journal? I certify as to the correctness of the journals for the 93rd and 94th legislative days. Thank you.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the journals be approved as certified by the Senator Secretary. Thank you, hearing no objection, the journals have been approved. Senator Hoffman. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the prayer be spread on the journal.

I can see no objection. The prayer has been spread upon the journal. At this time, are there guests for introduction? Guests for introduction? Moving on then to messages from the Governor.

A message dated April 23 stating, in accordance with AS3905080, I submit the following list of appointees for confirmation. Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission, Tracy Welsh, Juneau. Refer to the Resources Committee. So please go ahead, Madam Secretary. Big Game Commercial Services Board, Rudy Martinez, Wasilla.

Also sent to the Resources Committee. Board of Education and Early Development, Joy Cogburn-Smith, Kotzebue. Referred to the Education Committee. Board of Marine Pilots, Angel Holbrook, Ketchikan. Referred to Transportation.

Along with Colin Maynard from Anchorage, also under the Board of Marine Pilots. Thank you, and also referred to Transportation Committee. State Assessment Review Board, Johnna Wilson, Anchorage. Resources and Finance. And State Medical Board, Alan Swenson, Anchorage.

Referred to Health and Social Services. Those are all the messages from the Governor this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there messages from the House? A message dated April 22 stating the House has passed and is transmitting for consideration CS for House Bill Number 52, Health and Social Services, amended by the House Health and Social Services Committee.

An act relating to the rights of minors undergoing evaluation or inpatient treatment at psychiatric hospitals, relating to the use of seclusion or restraint of minors at psychiatric hospitals, relating to a report published by the Department of Health, relating to inspections by the Department of Health of certain psychiatric hospitals, and providing for an effective date. Referred to the Finance Committee. CS for House Bill 133, Finance, amended by the House Finance Committee. An act establishing deadlines for the payment of contracts under the State Procurement Code, establishing deadlines for the payment of grants, contracts, and reimbursement agreements to nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and Alaska Native organizations relating to reports from state agencies to the legislature detailing late payments made during 2026 relating to the State Financial Transactions Internet website and providing for an effective date. Referred to the Finance Committee.

House Bill 262, by the House Rules Committee, by request. An act increasing the number of Superior Court judges in the Third Judicial District and providing for an effective date. Referred to the Finance Committee. Those are all the messages from the House this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Are there communications? The following reports are on file from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Annual Review of Assets, fiscal year 2025, in accordance with AS 4488205. From the Legislative Budget and Audit Division, State of Alaska Single Audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Those are all the communications this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Are there reports of standing committees? Report dated April 22 stating, in accordance with AS3905080, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the following appointee. A signature on this report does not reflect intent by any of the members to vote for for or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions. Alaska Police Standards Council, Veronica Lambertson. Signing the report, Senator Clayman, Chair, Senators Tilton, Stevens, Tobin.

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered Senate Joint Resolution Number 25, supporting US-Mexico-Canada agreement, and recommended it be replaced with a Labor and Commerce Committee substitute. New zero fiscal note, signing no recommendation, Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Signing do pass, Senator Dunbar. Signing amend, Senator Yunt. The resolution has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee.

Those are all the standing committee reports this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there reports of special committees? I have no special committee reports today. And are there Senate resolutions for introduction?

I have no Senate resolutions for introduction today. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there Senate bills for introduction? Senate Bill 286 by the Senate Senate Bill 287 by the State Affairs Committee by request, an act establishing a toll for use of the James Dalton Highway by certain vehicles and providing for an effective date. Referred to State Affairs and Transportation.

Senate Bill 287 by the Senate Education Committee, an act establishing the Joint Legislative Alaska Native Languages Academic Task Force. I refer to State Affairs. Those are all the Senate bills for introduction today, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Would you please read the first item on today's calendar?

See us for Senate Bill 192, Community and Regional Affairs, an act relating to evacuation designation levels and relating to the Alaska Disaster Act, before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Bjorkman to carry the bill. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Senate Bill 192 was introduced at the request of emergency managers across across the state and really meant to streamline and codify a color-coding system and a system of communicating so that Alaskans across the state can know when they need to leave the area when there's a fire.

In 2014, the Funny River Fire burnt much of the Kenai Peninsula, parts of my district and parts of your district, Mr. President. And it was a scary time for many folks in Soldotna as that fire burned and encroached on the southern edge of Soldotna as well as parts of Kusilov. Seeing the fireball and the cloud of smoke rise into the sky was impressive as an act of nature, but pretty terrifying for folks who had horses and vehicles in their homes that may have been in the path of that fire. Thankfully, very thankfully, just the year before, there had been very substantial fire fuel breaks built around the south end of Soldotna that were key to stopping that fire. Used in communicating with the public was this very system of Ready, Set, Go.

And those colors on a map mean something when you look and you know where you're at. If you are in a colored area, you know that you need to take notice. Getting ready to get out if you need to, if there is a fire close. Yellow, meaning you had better get ready and start moving now if you have livestock, if you have equipment or other things. And red means leave now.

Danger close. The fire is imminent and it is time to evacuate. Drop everything and go. These types of visual representations on a map are key to clearly communicating with the public about areas that are safe and areas that are not. In 2019, the Swan Lake Fire again engulfed much of the Kenai Peninsula on a weekend long after the fire started.

The fire started at the beginning of June, but much of the intense and most intense flames happened at the end of August when folks might not have been paying attention. Communications like this one that were put out widely on social media and posted all over let people know that there was danger and that they should avoid the area. I'm thankful that no one was hurt. People were able to transit the Sterling Highway, although quite, quite impressively in videos as they drove their vehicles into what looked like an inferno. But they had good communication from fire managers and emergency responders about which areas were safe and which areas were not as a result of systems like this.

There have been some confusion in recent years about what system and how to use it. Emergency fire folks from around the state got together and said, this is the system we want to implement. Because it makes sense on maps and people know red means danger. You should leave. I urge everyone to vote yes.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Is there discussion? Seeing none, if you are ready for the question, the question being, shall CS for Senate Bill 192, Committee on Regional Affairs, pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 19 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 19 yeas to 0 nays, CS for Senate Bill 192, Committee on Regional Affairs, has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. Senate Bill number 272, An act relating to the Electronic Health Information Exchange System and providing for an effective date before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Dunbar to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.

SB 272 seeks to update and improve Alaska's current Health Information Exchange, HIE, while continuing to uphold the strict privacy and security standards required by law. This bill modernizes statutory language and provides clarity on legislation originally passed in 2009. I believe by you, Mr. President, and by the member from Sitka. Alaska's Health Information Exchange currently facilitates comprehensive health data sharing and provides essential tools to improve health and well-being for all Alaskans. The HIE works with more than 130 organizations across the state, serving health networks, care organizations, providers, government agencies, tribal health, and more.

Key updates in this bill include: it clearly articulates in statute the Department of Health shall designate an entity to operate the HIE and outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the designee and the department. It clarifies the scope of data sharing and provides specific details regarding allowable uses for limited healthcare operations. It ensures that individuals may authorize the disclosure of their health information for purposes they choose, and it adds a representative to the governing body representing behavioral health providers. SB 272 does not change the core allowable uses of HIE, nor change anything related to HIPAA or privacy. Instead, it provides updated and clear language ensuring that Alaska's HIE provide— effectively functions as core healthcare infrastructure.

And I'll note, Mr. President, that while this update was not included in the state's RHTP application, it does very much fit with the modernization goals of the department. And with that, Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to vote yes. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Dunbar. Is there further discussion?

Senator Myers. Yes, thank you, Mr. President. So as I believe everybody in the body is aware, every year my wife comes down here for about a week in March and gets to walk around the building with me and observe proceedings. And she happened to be here the day that we were hearing this bill in the Health and Social Services Committee and had a good conversation afterwards with the woman who runs the health information exchange. And so I just wanted to inform the body that I'm voting for this bill for a very simple reason: my wife told me to.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Myers. Step up forward. Thank you.

So, further discussion? If you are ready for the question, the question being: shall Senate Bill 272 pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The Secretary will lock the roll. Do any Senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will announce the vote. 19 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 19 yeas to 0 nays, Senate Bill 272 has passed the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. House Bill number 33, an act relating to participation in matters before the Board of Fisheries and the Board of Game by the members of the respective boards and providing for an effective date before the Senate in third reading on final passage.

Thank you. Senator Bjorkman to carry the bill.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. It's my pleasure to carry this piece of legislation on behalf of the member in the other body from Kodiak. This piece of legislation would allow for participation of board members on the Board of Fish and the Board of Game when they have a declared conflict of interest, but only allow them to participate in deliberations on matters before the board but not vote. I think it's a very important distinction as we talk about this bill. Uh, Board of Fish and Board of Game members They are appointed for their expertise in their field and their specific knowledge about how fisheries or how game management, as well as hunting or trapping, work.

They have very specific, valuable knowledge based on their experience, the region of the state that they're from, and all of the, the totality of their knowledge base, I believe, should be available to board members and the public when deliberations are happening. As many in this room might know, sometimes boards choose to truncate their processes. They choose to take shortcuts which really drive up to the very brink of the edge of the law. And I think people saw that recently with the most, most recent Board of Fish meeting. But as we look at what is available to all of the rest of the Board of Fish members as, or Board of Game members, as they deliberate, I don't think it's in the public's interest to deprive the rest of the board members from the knowledge of what is going on.

So what happens? How are conflict rules for Board of Fish and Board of Game, maybe different from the conflict standards that we have in Title 29 from our local government? Or here in this chamber. We know that our standards of conflict of interest are rather lax because it's important that we are able to not be conflicted out because we would not be able to represent our constituents. And as a member of the smallest legislative body in the country at 20 here in the Alaska State Senate, it's important for us to have a voice and not be silenced because of a perceived conflict.

Much more important on the Board of Fish or Board of Game then, when people, due to the restrictions and conflict standards that are in place, which people can be conflicted if their uncle has a financial interest, their son, a large group of relatives, which are not personal interests like people would experience under Title 29 local government their voice is silenced, leading many members of Boards of Fish or Board of Game to be forced to not participate at all, not provide input on matters before the board when the information that they have is vitally needed. I think this is an important modernization. Again, it does not allow people to vote on matters that could potentially financially impact them. Or their family, but it does allow them to bring the knowledge and information that they understand about the issue to the board and participate in a debate about that issue. And then the public, through public comment, which there should be a public process for, as well as other members of the board, can decide on the merits of a proposal, yes or no.

I urge members vote yes. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Birkman. Is there further discussion?

Seeing none, if you are ready for the question, the question being, shall House Bill 33 pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? Secretary will announce the vote. 15 Yeas, 4 nays. And so by a vote of 15 yeas to 4 nays, House Bill 33 has passed the Senate.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the vote on the bill be considered the vote on the effective date clause. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 17 by the Senate Education Committee. Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the state's regional educational attendance areas and celebrating the enduring contributions of the state's regional educational attendance areas to public education, local leadership, and community life in rural areas of the state. The Education Committee considered the resolution. New zero fiscal note, signing do pass, Senator Tobin. Chair, Senator Keele.

Signing no recommendation, Senators Yunt, Stevens. I have no amendments. The resolution is before the Senate in second reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Tobin to carry the bill.

Thank you, Mr. President. The genesis for Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 came from a conversation I had with UAF Chancellor Emeritus Marshall Lind, who also happens to be a former deed commissioner. Now, Mr. Marshall actually served the Department of Alaska's Education and Early Development 1971 to 1983, the year I was born, and then again in 1986 to 1987. During the conversation we had, Chancellor Lind noted that this is the 50th anniversary of the creation of Alaska's regional attendance areas. Now in your uh, floor packet, you should have a legislative research, uh, paper that describes education funding from Alaska pre-statehood to the present.

And up until the 1970s, public education in Alaska was operated by municipalities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the state of Alaska. This disjointed and unfair system was challenged in court in a class action lawsuit commonly known as the Molly Hooch case. And for folks who do not know, it was Chancellor Lind who was named in that court case, Tobaluck v. Lind. The lawsuit was eventually settled, and as a result, the state of Alaska agreed to build and operate public schools in 126 villages. In 1976, the Alaska Legislature established the 21 regional education attendance areas, led by locally elected school boards and funded through the state foundation formula.

This affirmed and recognized the state's responsibility to provide an equitable system of public education and the right to attend a public school. During the hearing for the resolution in Senate State Affairs, Chancellor Lynn noted that in the wake of the creation of the REAAs, the community interest and pride Increased as boards and advisory councils became actively involved in curricula and programs reflecting the local culture and values. The new facilities became true community centers, serving as locations for the entire village to gather together, and of course, the gymnasiums were the most popular addition. Over the past 50 years, the REAA framework for providing public education in the unorganized boroughs has been rooted in a simple yet incredibly powerful idea that communities should have a voice in how their children are educated. The landmark Molly Hooch litigation affirmed Alaska's constitutional obligation to deliver equitable education opportunities for children and young adults regardless of where they live.

Mr. President, Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 celebrates the 50th anniversary of our creation of Alaska's regional educational attendance areas and affirms the Alaska State Legislature's commitment to a strong and vibrant public education system that serves students where they live. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Tobin. Is there discussion? If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 pass the Senate?

Senators may proceed to vote.

The secretary will lock the roll. Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 19 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 19 yeas, 0 nays, Senate Concurrent Resolution 17 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. Citations honoring Maria and Christopher Crawford, honoring the city of Valdez 125th anniversary. Honoring Aaron Christian Peterson. Honoring Ivan Moore. Honoring Pat Doherty.

Honoring Alaska Vic College 30th anniversary. Honoring the Ukwiltalunga Inupiatun immersion program. Honoring Robert Rob Woolsey. Honoring Soldotna High School Lady Stars 2025 ASAA state wrestling champions. In memoriam Ralph Franklin Langham Jr.

In memoriam Matt Hammer. In memoriam Lillian Kesatak Nagyak. In memoriam Barbara Ann Ranz Hames. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the citations on today's calendar be approved.

Hearing no objection, the citations are approved. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. There are two special order of business citations on members' desks. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate take up the special order of business citations on today's calendar.

Hearing no objection, the special order of business citations are before the calendar— before the Senate. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the special order of business citations be approved. Hearing no objection, the special order of business citations are approved. Madam Secretary.

There are no further items for consideration on today's daily calendar. Thank you. Is there unfinished business at this time? Senator Tobin. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent to move back up the calendar to introduction of guests. Without objection, so ordered. To introduction of guests, Senator Tobin. Thank you, Mr. President. Well, this person is no stranger to you.

In the grow gallery, we are joined by longtime Kodiak resident Doug As a former staffer of your team, Mr. President, Mr. Leach is visiting us from the Villages of Florida, where he now lives, as he retired there some years ago. Mr. Leach took a break from his golf game to join us in celebrating both you and the other member from the community of Bethel on their retirement. He is here to attend not only the skits this weekend, but also the roast and toast Dinner Party. Now, I had the pleasure of working with Doug in many different iteratives, and I'm so excited to see him here with us this weekend as we celebrate you and the member from Bethel on your future endeavors. Please join me in welcoming Doug back to Alaska.

Thank you, Senator Toomey. Mr. Letch kept retiring, but he kept coming back, so, uh, good to see him back in the building. Additional unfinished business at this time? Seeing none, are there committee announcements? Again, seeing none, are there any other announcements?

Senator Bjorkman. Thank you, Mr. President. Senators and members of the other body are invited to join Washington State legislators, transportation officials, and staff from Penwar in the Speaker's Chambers for a reception on Monday, April 27th, from noon to 1. There will be pizza. Penwer is coming to Juneau and hosting lunch to strengthen relationships between Alaska and Washington legislators and to highlight the many ways our state economies are interconnected, including supply chains, energy, fishing, critical minerals, tourism, and defense.

Senators and members of the other body are welcome. Monday, noon to 1, Speaker's Chambers, pizza. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Are there any other announcements? Senator Keele.

Thank you, Mr. President, and good morning. Just a second time to announce that this weekend is your last chance to see You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown tonight and tomorrow night at 7 PM, Sunday matinee at 2 at McPheeters Hall. Tap dancing Snoopy. How can you not? Thank you, Senator Keele.

We look forward to it. Any other announcements? Are there special orders? Senator Giesel. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent for the privilege of the floor to speak on Happy Birthday. Without objection, so ordered. Thank you, Mr. President. It was 70 years ago today that the Alaska voters ratified our Constitution. So our Constitution is 70 years old today.

I wish us all a happy Constitution Day. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Kiel. Additional special orders? Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11 a.m. Monday, April 27th, 2026. Hearing no objection, the Senate is adjourned.