SFLR-20260508-1030

Will the Senate please come to order? And will members please signal your presence by voting.

The roll shows 19 members present. Senator Olson is excused from the call of the Senate. Thank you. With 19 members shown as present, we have a quorum to conduct business. The invocation this morning will be given by Adam Bauer with the Juneau Baha'i Assembly.

Members, please rise.

Oh Divine Providence, this assemblage is composed of thy friends who are attracted to thy beauty and are set ablaze by the fire of thy love. Turn these souls into heavenly angels. Resuscitate them through the breath of thy Holy Spirit. Grant them eloquent tongues and resolute hearts. Bestow upon them heavenly power and merciful susceptibilities.

Cause them to become the promulgators of the oneness of mankind and the cause of love and concord in a world of humanity, so that the perilous darkness of ignorant prejudice may vanish. Through the light of the Sun of Truth, this dreary world may become illumined. This material realm may absorb the rays of the world of the spirit. These different colors may merge into one color, and the melody of praise may raise to the kingdom of thy sanctuary. Verily, thou art the omnipotent and the almighty.

Amen. Amen. Thank you, Secretary Bauer. Senator Wielekowski, 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 Bullockowski. Will the Secretary please certify the journal? I certify as to the correctness of the journal for the 108th legislative day. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the journal be approved as certified by the Senate Secretary.

Thank you. Hearing no objection, the journal has been approved. Senator Hoffman. Good morning, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent that the prayer be spread on the journal.

Thank you. Seeing no objection, the prayer has been spread upon the journal. At this time, are there guests for introduction? Senator Hoffman. Thank you, Mr. President.

It gives me It's a great honour today to introduce 4 individuals, 2 of them I've introduced before. They're, they're in the gallery behind me. First I'd like to introduce someone that I grew up with. She grew up next door to me actually and she ended up marrying an individual that all of you probably know, Reggie Jewel from Kotzebue. Linda is a very, very good friend of my oldest sister.

I have 4 sisters, and they grew up together as best friends. Linda Jewell, please stand and be recognized. And my oldest sister Janet Hoffman, she's— our family was blessed with 4 boys first and 4 girls second. So we were so glad when the girls got old enough to take care of some of the duties from my mother, and Janet was the first one. So please give a warm welcome to my oldest sister, Janet Hoffman.

I would introduce again my oldest son, only son, Douglas Hoffman, accompanied— accompanying these two, and my wife of this month of 54 years. Please give them a warm welcome.

Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Senator Yunt.

Good morning, Mr. President. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to introduce to you a, um, a constituent of mine from the mighty Meadow Lakes area. So a constituent who spends his life helping Alaskans and serving the planet out of District R with his family's hunting— or fishing lodge, pardon me— and who was born and raised in Bethel. And so he says, uh, this gentleman has a lot of experience with the entire state, and I'm very fortunate that he chose, uh, the greatest place in Alaska to reside. No, it, uh, I'm pleased to introduce Blair Hickson.

Blair is one of the governor's nominees to serve on the Alaska Board of Fish this year. Mr. Hickson is originally from District S, Bethel, along the Kuskokwim River, where he developed a lifelong connection to Alaska's fisheries and the communities that depend on them. From an early age, Blair participated in subsistence fishing at his family's fish camp and learned the importance of stewardship, sustainability, and responsible management of Alaska's natural resources. At just the age of 6, his family began operating the Envik River Lodge in western Alaska. The Envik Lodge, for, for those of you don't know, is the most remote lodge, fishing lodge on the planet.

So it's, it's a pretty neat place. Throughout his life in Alaska, Mr. Hickson has built relationships across a broad spectrum of fishing community— of the fishing community and has participated in sport, subsistence, and personal use fisheries. He also brings an appreciation for the economic significance of commercial fisheries after working throughout the Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay regions as an assistant hunting Guide. His background has provided him with a well-rounded understanding of the challenges involved in balancing the needs of Alaska's many user groups while ensuring long-term sustainability of the resource. Mr. Hickson has expressed a strong commitment to objective, science-based decision-making throughout consideration of— thoughtful consideration of public input and responsible stewardship of Alaska's fisheries.

And resources for the benefit of all Alaskans. Script aside, I'll tell you this: I've spent hours visiting with Blair now, multiple hours, probably 5 or 6, spending time talking about different hunting grounds, fishing grounds in Alaska. And his passion is unbelievable. He—. You can tell he just absolutely loves every square inch of the state.

And I'm excited that he's here today. He's been in the building quite a few times this year, hoping to meet everybody, shake your hand, and talk to you about every square inch of the state that he's covered. And it's, it's a, it's a great part of it. It's a, it's a large part of Alaska that Blair has, has fished and hunted and guided. And, and I am very much looking forward to— nothing, nothing against a few of the, uh, of our elders in here, but I'm looking forward to having someone that's young and energetic and loves fishing and everything about the state on, on the, on the board.

So thank If everybody could please give Blair a warm welcome. Thank you, Senator Young. Senator Kawasaki. Thank you, Mr. President. It gives me great honor to introduce a friend and constituent of mine from Fairbanks.

If Kim would stand. Kim Wallingford is here visiting the capital in Juneau for her first time. She's an elementary school teacher in Fairbanks, where she's taught for the past 22 years. She's a graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Go Nanooks!

She enjoys skiing in the hills behind the university in the winter and playing pickleball in the summer. And she's excited to be here at the Capitol in particular because she hopes to bring her great experiences down here back to her kids and students back at home in Fairbanks. Please help me welcome Kim to the floor.

Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Seeing no further guests for introduction, Madam Secretary, are there messages from the governor? I have no messages from the governor this morning, Mr. President. Thank you. Are there messages from the House?

A message dated May 7th stating the House has passed and is transmitting for consideration CS for House Bill Number 1, State Affairs, by the House State Affairs Committee, an act relating to specie as legal tender in the state and relating to borough and city city sales and use taxes on specie. Refer to the Finance Committee. Concur message dated May 7 stating the House passed CS for Senate Bill number 89, Second Labor and Commerce, with the following amendment: House CS for CS for Senate Bill number 89, HESS Physician Assistant Scope of Practice. And it is returned for consideration. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur with the House amendment. Amendments and recommend that the Senate vote yes. Thank you. Senator Tobin, would you please explain the changes? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. The House made one conforming change, which was to amend reference to hours of documentation. This is to conform to the existing structure of the bill. It just simply removed this reference that no longer had any germane nature to the legislation. And you can find that change on page 4 lines 22 through 24, which were removed.

Thank you, Senator Tullam. If you are ready for the question, the question being: Shall the Senate concur in the House amendment to CS for Senate Bill 89, Second Labor and Commerce? 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. 18 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 18 yeas to 0 nays, the Senate has concurred in the House amendment to CS for Senate Bill 89 Second Labor and Commerce.

Madam Secretary. Concur message dated May 7th stating the House passed Senate Bill 272 with the following amendment, House CS for Senate Bill 272, HESS, Health Information Exchange, and it is returned for consideration. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur with the House amendments and recommend that the Senate vote yes. Thank you.

Senator Dunbar, would you please explain the changes? Yes, Mr. President. There was one amendment adopted by the other body. The amendment pertains to the annual report of the the HIE and requires the Department of Health to provide additional details on the progress of the HIE system, including provider participation rates, the number of health records exchanged, and any gaps or obstacles impacting provider participation. I support this amendment and recommend concurrence.

Thank you. Thank you, Senator Dunbar. If you are ready for the question, the question being: Shall the Senate concur in the House amendments to Senate Bill 272? 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. 18 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 18 yeas to 0 nays, the Senate has concurred in the House amendments to Senate Bill 272.

There is an effective date 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, are there communications? I have no communications this morning, Mr. President. Thank you. Are there standing committee reports? The Finance Committee considered Senate Bill 162, Species Protection Act.

As legal tender and recommended the adoption of the previous State Affairs Committee substitute, previous zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass: Senator Hoffman, co-chair, Senators Kaufman, Cronk. Signing no recommendation: Senator Steadman, co-chair, Senators Merrick, Kiel. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee.

The Finance Committee considered House Bill number 10 amended, effective date added, add faculty member to University Board of Regents and recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee substitute. New fiscal note, signing do pass, Senator Hoffman, co-chair Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Kiel. Signing no recommendation, Senator Steadman, co-chair Senator Merrick. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee.

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered House Bill 110, amended, Social Work Licensure Compact, and recommended it be replaced with a Labor and Commerce Senate Committee Substitute, new title with SCR 25, new zero fiscal note, previous zero fiscal note, signing do pass, Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Senator Gray Jackson, signing no recommendation, Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Yunt. The bill has a further referral to the Finance 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 reports of special committees today. Thank you. And are there Senate resolutions for introduction? Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 25 by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill Number 110, relating to a social work licensure compact and relating to the practice of social work.

Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 25 will lay on the Secretary's desk. Those are all the Senate resolutions for introduction today, Mr. President. Thank you. Are there Senate bills for introduction? I have no Senate bills for introduction today.

Thank you, Madam Secretary. Please read the first item on today's calendar. Senate Bill 111 by Senators Dunbar, Kawasaki, and Isol, an act relating to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of products that use digital electronics to operate, adding an unlawful act to the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act and providing for an effective date. The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with a Community and Regional Affairs Committee substitute. New zero fiscal note.

Signing no recommendation, Senator Merrick. Chair, Senator Yunt. Signing do pass, Senators Dunbar, Gray Jackson. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute, new zero fiscal note, signing no recommendation. Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Senators Merrick, Yunt, signing do pass.

Senators Dunbar, Gray Jackson, there are two committee substitutes. Thank you. Senator Bjorkman. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute be considered in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman.

If you would please explain the changes. Very well. Mr. President, most simply, the bill was narrowed to— from a broad swath of electronic things to only consumer electronics. Details are as follows. Page 2, lines 28 and 29 inserted a new subsection to address federal preemption.

Page 3, lines 13 through 15 added a new subsection. A minor change was made adding manufacturer may also charge reasonable actual cost for producing a physical tool. Page 3, line 24, page 4, line 2 was deleted. Carving out power sports equipment, farm, forestry, construction equipment, and in short, other types of heavy equipment that are no longer covered by the bill. Under the definition section, the definition of digital product was narrowed to mean a product that is sold at retail for personal family or household use and relies whole or in part on digital electronics embedded in or attached to the product.

The new definition also expressly excludes any product sold under a contract between a business or between a business and a governmental entity. The definition of the other types of equipment are deleted, and the effective date was changed from January 1st of this year to January 1st of next year. Chair. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman.

Hearing no objection, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee substitute has been adopted. This bill will advance the third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, Senate Bill number 170 by Senator Bjorkman, an act relating to gaming, relating to bingo, relating to pull tabs and electronic pull tab systems and providing for an effective date. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute. New fiscal note, signing do pass, Senator Bjorkman chair.

Signing no recommendation, Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Gray Jackson, Yunt. The Finance Committee considered the bill and recommended it be replaced with a Finance Committee substitute. New fiscal and indeterminate fiscal notes, signing do pass, Senators Olson, Hoffman co-chairs. No recommendation. Senator Steadman co-chair, Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Merrick.

Signing do not pass, Senator Keel. There are two committee substitutes. Thank you. Senator Hoffman.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 170 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. If you would please explain the changes. Senator Johnson, in the CS. Yes, Mr. President.

The committee substitute for Senate Bill 170 Finance makes the following changes. The bill language change keeps the age to play bingo at 19 years of age or older, the age to play pull tabs at 21 years of age or older. For charitable gaming on the Alaska Marine Highway System and for gaming revenues and fees to be directed to the Alaska Marine Highway System Fund. On the fiscal note changes, Mr. President, the Department of Transportation submitted one new indeterminate fiscal note. There were no changes to the fiscal note from the Department of Revenue.

Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Seeing no objection, the Senate Finance Committee substitute has been adopted. This bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary.

Senate Bill 174 by Senators Dunbar, Yunt, an act establishing the Alaska Invasive Species Council in the Department of Fish and Game relating to management of invasive species and providing for an effective date. The Resources Committee considered the bill, new fiscal note, signing do pass. Senator Giesel, chair. Senators Clayman, Dunbar. Signing no recommendation, Senators Kawasaki, Myers.

The Finance Committee considered the bill, previous fiscal note, signing do pass. Senators Olson, Hoffman, co-chairs. Signing a recommendation, Senator Steadman, co-chair Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Merrick, Keele.

I have no amendments. Thank you. Senator Dunbar to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today in support of SB 174, which creates a council to combat invasive species in Alaska.

To illustrate the importance of this bill, I have placed an invasive brown recluse spider inside every member's Mr. President, SB 174 creates an 11-member council to coordinate efforts in managing invasive species among the multiple stakeholders responsible for keeping our Alaskan ecosystem protected. Invasive species affect the entire state. Green crabs are outcompeting red king crab in the southeast. Northern pike and elodia are threatening salmon runs in the Mat-Su. In the interior, and orange hawkweed is seen all over Anchorage roadways.

Specifically, this legislation creates the council, charges the council with creating a 5-year strategic plan, creates a fund but does not capitalize the fund, and attempts to coordinate Alaska's efforts to combat these invasive species. I'll say this is not a regional issue, this is not a partisan issue. In 2024, when Governor Alaska created Governor Dunleavy—. Excuse me—. Created the Alaska Invasive Species Awareness Week.

He stated that the most cost-effective, efficient, and responsible approach to protect our lands, waters, and native organisms is to prevent the spread of invasive species when possible, and when impossible, to practice early detection and strategic rapid response for control and eradication. It's often said, Mr. President, that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Alaska is blessed that we have fewer invasive species than other parts of the country. This council is intended to hopefully keep us that way and to combat the invasive species, species that are currently here. Thank you, Mr. President.

I urge a yes vote. Thank you, Senator Dunbar. Under discussion. Senator Wielekowski. Thank you, Mr. President.

Move and ask unanimous consent to be added as a co-sponsor. Without objection. So ordered. Along with Senator Bjorkman, Senator Tobin, Senator Kawasaki, Senator Cronk, Senator Merrick, and over on this side, Senator Clayman, Senator Tilton, Senator Rauscher, Senator Gray Jackson, Senator Kaufman, Senator Stevan, and myself, Senator Stevens.

Is there further discussion? Seeing none, if you are ready for the question, question being, shall Senate Bill 174 passed 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 174 has passed the Senate.

It has an effective date, 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.

House Joint Resolution Number 44 by the House Resources Committee supporting the ability of Alaska Native corporations and entities entities owned by federally recognized tribes in the state to participate in the United States Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. The Resources Committee considered the resolution, previous zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass: Senator Giesel, Chair, Senators Clayman, Rauscher, Wilkowski. Signing no recommendations: Senator Myers. Signing amend: Senator Kawasaki.

I have no amendments. Thank you, Madam Secretary. This resolution will advance to 3rd reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] CS for House Joint Resolution 32, Health and Social Services, expressing commitment to the Rural Health Transformation Program, acknowledging the critical healthcare challenges facing rural areas of the state, and urging action by the governor and the Alaska delegation in Congress to continue to advocate for the state's interests and advance the Rural Health Transformation Program before the Senate in third reading on final passage.

Thank you, Senator Dunbar, to carry the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President. Sorry, no joke this time. Uh, this, uh, resolution comes to us from the House Health and Social Services Committee. It expresses the Alaska Legislature's formal commitment to the the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created by the Congress and the Trump administration in HR 1.

It establishes clear legislative priorities to guide the implementation of one of the most significant federal health investments in our state's history. Through the Rural Health Transformation Program, CMS awarded Alaska $272 million in first-year funding and the second highest total and highest per capita in the United States, underscoring Alaska's critical needs. While Alaska is poised to benefit from this program, the strict guidelines and accelerated timeframe create significant limitations to fully transform Alaska's healthcare system. HJR 32 calls for increased flexibility and more time to coordinate with federal partners. It urges the governor to work expeditiously with CMS to obtain critical clarification on allowable fund uses, particularly regarding infrastructure investments, broadband purchases, and workforce incentive structures.

Furthermore, it calls on federal delegates to support flexibility, defend Alaska's full allocation, and advocate for the state's unique challenges. Um, thank you very much, Mr. President. I urge a yes vote. Thank you, Senator Dunbar. Is there further discussion?

Now, seeing none, if you're ready for the question, the question being, shall CS for House Joint Resolution 32 Health and Social Services, passed 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 House Joint Resolution 32, Health and Social Services, has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. House Joint Resolution number 38, urging the United States Congress to recognize public safety telecommunicators as first responders and urging the United States Congress to pass the Enhancing First Response Act before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman, for For a motion to carry the resolution, I mean. Thank you very much, Mr. President. In short, this resolution urges our federal government to reclassify 911 dispatchers and emergency dispatchers away from mere secretarial and admin position to the protective service classification.

This would provide them equal access to federal training grant opportunities and wellness resources as EMTs and firefighters.

Maybe some of you in the audience or in this body grew up like I did watching, uh, William Shatner on Rescue 911. And each night when I would watch that with my family, you got to see in recorded real time the vital work that these 911 dispatchers did in directing help to emergencies and in directing people to life-saving measures, oftentimes performing CPR or directing folks just exactly what to do in order to rescue the life of, of someone else in their community. These are the people who really are first to the fight many times in coordinating initial attack on our wildfires and coordinating fire and ambulance and EMS services out to rural parts of our communities where it takes very specialized local knowledge, Mr. President, to direct those people to where exactly those police, fire, or ambulance services need to go. They deserve equal treatment with those first responders that they are dispatching. I urge members to vote yes.

Thank you, Senator Yorkman. Is there further discussion? If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall House Joint Resolution 38 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, House Joint Resolution 38 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. House Joint Resolution number 45, urging the United States Congress to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Toland to carry the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President.

Well, it is my pleasure to carry this resolution. For our House Education Committee. Mr. President, as you know, in 1975, the federal government made a promise to the generations of students with disabilities. That promise was to cover at least 40% of the average per pupil cost for special education services mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Unfortunately, that promise was never kept.

Right now, the federal government only covers 13% of the cost for the 7 million children who qualify for special education services. For the past 30 years, these students with special needs have been dealing with a broken promise. House Joint Resolution 45 acknowledges that this is a broken promise and asks Congress to make it right. At the heart of House Joint Resolution 45 is a clarion call. For the end of federal overreach and the beginning of federal accountability.

This resolution urges Congress and the executive branch to make the right choice, to pay for the things they agreed to pay for. House Joint Resolution 45 affirms our commitment as the Alaska State Legislature to providing all of our state's children with a free public education, especially those students who need specialized care and services. But we can't do it alone. We need the federal government to step up and keep its promise to cover the 40%. I ask members to join me in supporting House Joint Resolution 45 and to support all of these young Alaskans who just need a little bit of extra help to be successful students and contributing members of our communities.

Thank you, Senator Tobin. Is there further discussion? If you are ready for the question, The question being, shall House Joint Resolution 45 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, House Joint Resolution 45 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, there are no further items to consider on today's daily calendar. Thank you. At this time, is there unfinished business? Senator Rosser. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent to be shown cross-sponsor on House Joint Resolution 38, Public Safety Telecommunications. Without objection, so ordered. And we'll add to that Senator Tilton, Senator Clayman, Senator Cronk, Senator Yunt, Senator Merrick, and Senator Bjorkman, and also Senator Dunbar. Okay, we got you on that? All right.

Additional unfinished business, Senator Yunt. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to be added as a co-sponsor to Senate Bill 170 pertaining to electronic pull tabs. Without objection, so ordered. Senator Yunt along with Senator Cronk and Senator Merrick.

Additional unfinished business? Senator Hoffman. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent that House Bill 1, Species for Legal Tender, be waived from the Senate Finance Committee and advance to the next committee of referral. The Senate Finance committee considered an identical companion bill, Senate Bill 162, which was reported out of the committee.

Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Without objection, so ordered. Is there additional unfinished business? Seeing none, are there committee announcements?

Are there other announcements?

Moving on then to special orders. Are there special orders? Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 11:00 AM Monday, May 11th, 2026. Thank you.

Hearing no objection, the Senate is adjourned.