Alaska Legislature: Senate Floor Session, 5/1/26, 10:30am

Will the Senate please come to order. Senator Clayman.

Members, please signal your presence by voting.

The roll shows 20 members present. Thank you. With 20 members shown as present, we have a quorum to conduct business. The invocation this morning will be given by Pastor Nathaniel Habegger with the Juno Christian Center. Members, please rise.

Dear God, I believe that you are the one above it all and over it all. You are omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, which is to say that there is nothing you cannot do and there is nothing you are not aware of. Yet even with this celestial knowledge and might, Scripture reveals a God who delights in being with his creation. I humbly ask that you be with us today, specifically for each of these senators today. Give them grace to wisdom, and discernment today.

Give them supernatural productivity in all that they put their efforts to. God, I pray for loose ends and unfinished business to come into alignment, for stress to be managed, and for each senator to operate from a place of rest, not anxiety or restlessness. I ask that you give them your peace today, independent of current circumstances or situations. And as a pastor and as a follower of Christ, I bless each of their— these senators here today. In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen. Amen. Thank you for being with us all week, Pastor Haverkamp. Senator Rauscher, 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 Rauscher. Will the Secretary please certify the journals? I certify as to the correctness of the journal for the 100th and 101st legislative days. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the journals be approved as certified by the Senate Secretary.

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

At this time, are there guests for introduction? Senator Clayman. Thank you, Mr. President. I am pleased to welcome 5 guests from Anchorage to the Senate today. They are the family of Susan Alexander-Durera, who is seated behind me in the pro gallery.

I will start with talking a little bit Actually about Susan's parents, her mother in particular. Her grandparents came to Juneau in the last century, in the early part of the last century. They built a house on 12th Street where her mother, an Alaska stateswoman, was born in 1921. Katie Hurley, somebody that is known to, I think, all of us. She was the Secretary for the Constitutional Convention.

She served in the legislature, and in the 1960s, before the senator to my left was even serving anywhere near the legislature, she was the Senate Secretary for 5 sessions here in Juneau. History before our current Secretary was anywhere near working in the legislature. Susan's father, Joe Alexander, came to Juneau during World War II and set up a photography studio on Front Street where he photographed several generations of Juneau families. In fact, after Susan testified at the Anchorage Assembly on Thursday night in support of full funding for the Juneau City Museum, the mayor acknowledged that her father took his— took her senior photos in high school. As a child, Susan spent part of every summer in Juneau staying at her grandparents' house, hanging out at her father's studio, and wandering around downtown.

She particularly loved visiting Percy's Cafe to buy comic books, helping Inez Gregg shelve books at the Baron Oak Bookstore, and bowling at the Channel Bowl, something that many of us are familiar with. Susan's retired from 35 years as a high school English teacher, mostly at Diamond High School in my district. She was beloved by her students, especially for her teaching of good writing habits. She has brought her children with her to to experience Juneau for the first time and to learn a little bit more about their incredible heritage. And I will say she has done far better than I have because I have never been here in Juneau with my entire family, both kids, their partners, and my wife at the same time.

She has checked all the boxes today. Her daughter Alex currently works for the State of Alaska Department of Emergency Management, but after her wedding later this This month she will join her husband in Igugik to commercial fish at his setnet site and complete her master's degree in anthropology. Her son Aiden is a firefighter paramedic with the Anchorage Fire Department and a music enthusiast who has already scoped out the vinyl shops in Juneau. His wife Brittany is a Memphis transplant with a full-throttle love for Alaska and a stand-up sense of humor. She's a respiratory is a respiratory therapist at the Alaska Native Medical Center.

Their baby Nora is due in June. And I would note that Aiden graduated from high school with my son Ben, the same class, and Alex graduated from high school with my daughter Maya in the same class. And last but certainly not least is Susan's husband Curtis Derrera. They met in high school, high school sweethearts and doing great. He currently works as a commercial property manager and is known by friends and family to be able to out-MacGyver MacGyver.

On a positive note for everyone, he's never been to Juneau when the sun isn't shining, so that bodes well for the weekend ahead. And I would note one of Curtis's many skills is if there's something wrong with your car on the street and you can't, can't figure out how to get it running, the odds are very, very high that he can get it running again with the usual magic. So if you would please join me in welcoming Susan Durer and her entire family to Juneau.

Thank you, Senator Klainman. Senator Keel. Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning. When the what wasn't shining?

Doesn't sound familiar.

Mr. President, I'd like to introduce Sienna Farr, who is in the Grove Gallery behind me. If Sienna would She is standing, she's quick. She has to be quick. She's been in my office several mornings a week this year as part of a limited learning opportunity job shadowing me and job shadowing my staff. Sienna is a senior at Juneau Douglas High School.

Yada'at kakay. She is a passionate environmentalist and leader. She's Juneau born and raised.

Is really active throughout the community. She is the co-president of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action. She has testified in front of the Permanent Fund Corporation board. She spearheaded her school's Ocean Guardians group. She is president of the National Honor Society chapter at her school, serves as co-chair on their Model United Nations crisis committee.

She is a cross-country runner, a triple jumper, Region 4 champion triple jumper, I believe. Runs distance events, skis as a Nordic skier. I know, right?

Sienna is an inspiring environmental lawyer. And I'm trying desperately to remember whether she's going to Stanford or Yale for her undergrad next year. She got into both. I really should remember that, Mr. President. Siena.

She is going to Stanford next year, Mr. President, before law school after that. In addition to all of that, Siena is a delightful personality, a very fast hand, a quick worker, and boy can she write. It is remarkable to have a high school senior with the writing and analytical ability that Siena has brought to the tasks I've been able to give her in my office as part of her job shadow. So please help me welcome Sienna Farr to the Senate.

Thank you, Senator Keele. Senator Steadman. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to go ahead and introduce an old classmate of mine from well over 50 years ago, high school, William Craig. If you can stand, he's right behind me.

He's a distinguished advocate who has dedicated decades to advancing the rights of Alaskans with disabilities. As a growing up and living in Sitka for many decades, he's committed to his service and reflecting of his diverse professional background ranging from law enforcement to industry. Currently serving his second term on the Alaska State Commission on Human Rights, his leadership has earned him international acclaim. This year he was recognized as a human rights champion and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies. Beyond his commission work, William serves as a legislative director for the National Federation of the Blind of Alaska and collaborates with the Alaska Native Medical Center, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium.

I'd like my colleagues to give an old high school friend of mine, William, a Senate welcome.

Thank you, Senator Seven. Madam Secretary, are there messages from the Governor? A message dated April 29th stating, on this date I have signed the following bill and I am transmitting and transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing. House Bill number 33, Conflict of Interest, Boards of Fisheries, Game, Chapter 2, SLA 2026. A message dated April 29 stating I have noted the following resolutions and I am transmitting the engrossed and enrolled copies to the Lieutenant Governor's Office for permanent filing.

CS for House Joint Resolution number 14, Transportation, Mackenzie and Northern Rail Extensions, Legislative Resolve Number 26. A message dated April 29 and received April 30 stating, under the authority vested in me by Article II, Section 15 of the Alaska Constitution, I have vetoed the following bill: House Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill Number 64, Finance, Amended House Elections. I have no further messages from the Governor this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there messages from the House?

A message dated April 29 stating the House concurred in the Senate amendments to CS for House Bill Number 78 Finance Amended, effective date failed, thus adopting Senate CS for CS for House Bill Number 78 Finance Amended Senate, effective date failed, House. Retirement systems defined benefit option. The bill has been referred for enrollment. A message dated April 30 stating the House has passed and returned Senate Bill 40, Hispanic Heritage Month. This bill has also been referred for enrollment.

A message dated May 1 stating the Senate is invited to meet with the House for a joint session on Monday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of voting to override the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 64, elections. Thank you. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate accept the invitation from the House to meet in joint session. Thank you.

Hearing no objection, the invitation by the House has been accepted. And Madam Secretary, a message—. Messages dated April 29th and April 30th stating the House has passed and is transmitting for consideration House Joint Resolution Number 44 by the House Resources Committee supporting the ability of Alaska Native corporations and entities owned by federally recognized recognized tribes in the state to participate in the United States Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program. Referred to the Resources Committee.

CS for House Bill 214, State Affairs, by the House State Affairs Committee, an act relating to proof of financial responsibility for suspension of nonpayment of judgments. Referred to State Affairs. House Bill number 244 by Representatives Underwood, Costello, Fields, Freer, Tomaszewski, Mina, Josephson, Story, McCabe. An act relating to certified nurse aide training and providing for an effective date. Referred to Labor and Commerce.

Those are all the messages from the House this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. At this time, I would like to take up the concur message for SCR 19. Extending the disaster declaration of the 2025 West Coast storm and its amended financing plan. 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 Hoffman, could you please explain the changes? Yes, Mr. President. SCR 19 extends the governor's October 9th, 2025 declaration of the disaster emergency in response to the 2025 West Coast storm and approving the amended financing plan.

The governor, the governor declared the disaster on October 9th, 2025. The disaster emergency was extended in November, December, January, February, March, The March declaration expired April 7th. Due to the severity of the storm and the still ongoing response and recovery efforts, it is necessary to keep this disaster declaration in effect. A proclamation of disaster emergency may not remain in effect longer than 30 days unless extended by the legislature. By a concurrent resolution.

The extension allows agencies to continue their work in response to this disaster emergency. The extension lasts until May 7th and is retroactive to April 7th. Changes in the other body, Mr. President. First, it adds approval of the Governor's revised financing plan Under AS 26.23.020(k)(1), the governor may extend more than— expend more than $1 million in state funds to cope with the disaster if, when the legislature is in session, the legislature approves a financing plan to scope with the incident or disaster. On April 20th, 2026, the governor submitted the revised financing plan to be approved by the legislature.

Requests increase federal authority by $6.38 million for a new total of $25.1 million in federal funds. Requests increase in general fund authorization by $17. $2 Million for a new total of $37.7 million in general funds. The, the current balance in the Disaster Relief Fund is sufficient to meet the increases the governor revised financing plan for the 2025 West Coast storm. And I would thank members for their past support of the people that I represent.

Senate. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Is there further discussion? If you are ready for the question, question being, shall the Senate concur in the House amendment to SCR 19?

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. 20 Ayes, Nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, the Senate has concurred in the House amendments to Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 19.

Madam Secretary, are there communications? The following reports are on file. From the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Alaska Prescription Drug Monitoring Program 2026 Report, in accordance with in accordance with AS1730200. From the Department of Fish and Game, McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge 2025 Annual Report to the Legislature in accordance with AS1620041 and AS1620162. Alaska Salmon Fisheries Enhancement 2025 Annual Report in accordance with AS1605092.

I believe those are all the communications this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there reports of standing committees? Report dated April 30th stating in accordance with AS3905080, the Health and Social Services 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 or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions.

State Medical Board, Michael McNamara. Signing the report: Senator Dunbar, Chair, Senators Myers, Clayman, Tobin, Giesel. Report dated April 30 stating in accordance with AS3905080, the State Affairs 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 or against the confirmation of the individual during any further sessions. Attorney General, Department of Law, Stephen Cox.

Signing the report: Senator Kawasaki, Chair, Senators Wilkowski, Gray Jackson, Bjorkman. The Community Regional Affairs Committee considered Senate Bill Number 16, Refuse Utility Regulations, previous zero fiscal note, signing no recommendation. Senator Dunbar, Vice Chair, signing do pass. Senators Gray Jackson, Yunt. The bill has no further referral.

It is in the Rules Committee. The State Affairs Committee considered Senate Bill Number 243, definition of prohibited weapon, New zero fiscal note. Signing amend, Senator Kawasaki, chair. Signing do pass, Senator Tilton. Signing no recommendation, Senator Gray Jackson.

The bill has a further referral to the Judiciary Committee. The Health and Social Services Committee considered Senate Bill 281, Health Care Compacts Rural Health Program, and recommended it be replaced with a Health and Social Services Committee substitute. New zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass, Senator Dunbar, chair. Chair.

Signing do not pass, Senator Giesel. Signing no recommendation, Senators Myers, Clayman. Signing amend, Senator Tobin. The bill has a further referral to the Labor and Commerce Committee. The Finance Committee considered CS for House Bill number 39, Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Previous zero fiscal note. Signing do pass, Senator Hoffman, co-chair Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Merrick, Keel. Signing no recommendation, Senators Olsen, Steadman, co-chairs. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee.

The Finance Committee considered House Bill number 48, Civil Legal Services Fund, previous fiscal and zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass: Senators Olsen, Hoffman, co-chairs, Senator Kiel. Signing no recommendation: Senator Steadman, co-chair, Senators Kaufman, Merrick. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee.

The Judiciary Committee considered CS for House Bill 239, Judiciary, Criminally Negligent Homicide, Failure to Assist, and recommended it be replaced with the Judiciary Senate Committee substitute, new title with SCR 22, new fiscal and zero fiscal notes, previous zero fiscal notes, signing do pass, Senator Clayman chair. Signing no recommendation, Senators Tobin, Stevens, Tilton. The bill has a further referral to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee considered CS for House Bill 263 Finance Amended Appropriation Operating Budget Funds Supplemental and recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee Substitute new title with SCR 23. Signing do pass: Senators Olson, Hoffman.

Co-chairs: Senators Merrick, Kiel. Signing amend: Senators Kaufman, Cronk. The bill has no further referral. It is in the Rules Committee. The Finance Committee considered CS for House Bill 265 Finance Amended Appropriation Mental Health Budget and recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee substitute.

Signing do pass: Senators Olson, Steadman, Hoffman. Co-chairs: Senators Merrick, Keel. Signing no recommendation: Senators Kaufman, Cronk. The bill 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. Thank you.

Are there Senate resolutions for introduction? Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 22 by the Senate Judiciary Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill Number 239, relating to criminally negligent homicide and relating to to the duty of an operator immediately after an accident. Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 22 will lay on the Secretary's desk. Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 23 by the Senate Finance Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning House Bill Number 263, making appropriations for the operating and loan program expenses of state government and for certain programs. Capitalizing funds and making supplemental appropriations.

Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 23 will also lay on the Secretary's desk. Those are all the Senate resolutions for introduction today, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there Senate bills for introduction? There are no Senate bills for introduction today.

Thank you. Will you read the first item on today's calendar? There are no items for consideration on today's daily calendar. There is a special order of Special Order of Business Citation Calendar on members' desks. Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate take up the Special Order of Business Citation Calendar. Thank you. Hearing no objection, the Special Order of Business Citation Calendar is before the Senate. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Special Order of Business Citation Calendar be approved.

There has been an objection. Please speak to your objection. Thank you, Mr. President. It's always a pleasure to look through the special citations calendar and discover one of your constituents in there has a citation that was sponsored by 3 members of the other body who never asked me permission to do this. But Miley Amishmak Kakarek is the younger sister of my chief of staff, and I think I would be remiss within staff and community obligations, if I did not specifically recognize Miley for her citation.

She has a film that was produced just recently this year about her activism in the Native Youth Olympics and a lot of the work that she's done as a high school student in addressing different community issues and cultural issues. And I just want to specifically recognize Miley Kekarik for her great work in the community and wish I wish her the best as she graduates from high school later this month. And with that, I remove my objection. Thank you, Senator Clayman. Are there further objections?

Senator Wielechowski? Brief addendum.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Senator Wielekowski. Yeah, thank you, Mr. President. And, I guess I would have a brief objection, and would like to direct the body's attention to a citation in your packet honoring the Senate floor staff of 2026. The people that we're honoring today, we could not do our work without them.

They're tremendous assets. We have the following people: the Sergeant at Arms Matt Simpson, the Senate Assistant Sergeant at Arms Jake Pennell, the Senate Pages Isabel Braun, Evan Edgeman, Megan Hardin, Maranatha Henderson, Carrie Reynolds, and Suneva St. Clair. We appreciate their for their incredible work and look forward to having the last couple weeks a very productive session. And it will be a little bit busier, I think, in the last few weeks, but we thank them for their efforts and glad that they are here and helping us through this session. Thank you, Mr. President.

With that, I remove my objection. Thank you, Senator Murkowski. Hearing no further objections, the special order of business citation calendar is approved. Madam Secretary. There are no further items for consideration on today's daily calendar.

Thank you. Is there unfinished business at this time? Unfinished business? Seeing—. Senator Kawasaki.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent to be shown as a cross-sponsor on House Bill 214 relating to SR 22 insurance. I think without objection. So ordered. Senator Kawasaki, additional unfinished business? Seeing none, moving on to committee announcements.

Senator Tobin. Thank you, Mr. President. Senate Education today is canceled. Thank you, Senator Tobin. Additional committee announcements?

Seeing none, are there any other announcements at this time?

Please go ahead, Senator Gray Jackson. Thank you, Mr. President. Today I just I want to tell everybody about a special cultural event that takes place here in Juneau. It's opening today and it's the opening of Tambaayan at Quintuhan presented by MATA, which is an organization that's dedicated to reclaiming and preserving Filipino American history in the state. Meaning hanging out and chatting, the exhibit recreates the warmth of a family living room where 7 local elders share their story through portraits, oral history, Histories and Cherished Personal Belongings, honoring the rich history and contributions of Alaska's Filipino community.

And I'm always proud to recognize, Mr. President, and celebrate the diversity that strengthens our state. MANA's work to preserve and share Alaska's many cultural histories ensures that these important stories continue to educate and inspire future generations. The exhibit will be on display throughout the entire month of May at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center Gallery with an opening reception today from 4 to 7, and the program is at 5:30. I encourage my colleagues and members of the public to join me in attending this meaningful event. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Gray Jackson. Senator Keele. Thank you, Mr. President. I'd also like to invite the members to an event this weekend. Luckily, it does not conflict.

When you say TCL to anybody in Juneau, they know what you're talking about, even if if they can't always come up with Tlingit Culture Language and Literacy for the initials. But the TCLL program is a showcase optional program in Juneau elementary schools that teaches exactly those things, Tlingit culture and language, Tlingit literacy. They are having a fundraiser on Saturday, May 2nd. It is noon to 2:00. It's in the Sealaska Plaza Pavilion downtown.

And there will be Tlingit dancing and singing. There will be a silent auction. Dessert auction, a fashion show. These are primarily elementary school children, and if you've never seen elementary school kids dancing in their regalia, you're in for a treat. So Saturday, noon to 2.

Thank you, Senator Keogh. Further other announcements? Seeing none, are there special orders? Senator Hoffman. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent that I be allowed to speak on effects of the war. Without objection, Senator Hoffman. If I might read, Mr. President, the— everyone I think has received the Alaska Public Interest Research Group report dated April 29th, and in their Our communities are experiencing unprecedented spike in fuel prices. Unlike areas along the road system, rural communities rely on delivery of fuel and are especially vulnerable to supply distribution. In Bethel, my hometown, fuel prices have risen drastically from an index price of $1.92 a gallon and 6 $6.72 a gallon at the pump to an index price of $5.42 a gallon.

Projections are suggested we are likely to see prices above $15 a gallon at the pump in Bethel very soon, as high as $20 to $25, uh, uh, price per gallon in surrounding communities. The global fuel shortage is already affecting suppliers' ability to access fuel. The prices are expected to continue to rise, Mr. President. I know it's affecting every community throughout, throughout Alaska, but because of the transportation additional costs, it is extremely difficult for those communities that are affected by gasoline prices off the road system. That brings us to heating fuel costs.

Fuel prices— and I'm referring to, Mr. President, articles in the Alaska Economic Report that we recently received on April 30th. In that report, on the third page, fuel prices climb with possible shortages. And I just wanted to read one paragraph for this body's consideration. High fuel prices will take several hundred millions of $1.5 billion out of western Alaska this year. Gwen Holdman at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska Center for Energy and Power told the House Committee about 90 million to 100 million gallons of diesel fuel is used each year in western Alaska.

At a dollar per gallon increase in prices, this will cost the region about $100 million.

A $5 increase, which is possible this year, could cost those communities $500,000 in costs. We in rural— rural legislators are put in a dilemma, and there may be some legislation that we may ask this body to consider, but that is still under discussion. It is going to be a long and hard winter that western Alaska is going to face again. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Hoffman.

Additional special orders at this time? Senator Wielekowski. Thank you, Mr. President. Move and ask unanimous consent to speak on the topic of natural gas prices in South Central. Without objection, so ordered.

Senator Whitehouse. Senator Whitehouse. Thank you, Mr. President. I can't even fathom the prices that they're paying in rural Alaska because of the war in Iran and just in general. To that end, in the Senate Resources Committee, we have been having hearings on the natural gas pipeline and the long-held hope that we will be able to bring affordable gas into South Central.

There's a great book, Capital Crude, by a former staffer and a state attorney, actually, on oil and gas, where she outlined in a chapter entitled "The Phantom Gas Pipeline" the 15 different proposals that have been proposed in state history to get us a gas line. I've been here for 6 of them myself. And this is a project, this gas line project, that will impact generations of Alaskans. We really hope this is the one and this will make a tremendous difference. To that regard, the Senate Resources Committee has conducted roughly two dozen hearings so far.

We've been meeting every day under the leadership of the Senate Resources Chair and evaluating the proposals that are in front of us. We recently heard from the Governor that If this pipeline is built, then it would provide natural gas prices at between $4.50 and $4.75, down from the $13 that we're paying at the upper end. That would be a tremendous, tremendous improvement for all up and down South Central. To that end, we— based on the governor's statements, we put a provision in the bill that capped the price that gas could be sold to utilities at $5. We even— we said leave a little buffer.

He said $4.50 to $4.75. We said Phase 2 will cap it at $5, give a little buffer there. I would note, however, that his Department of Revenue just testified that under the bill he introduced, the gas price under— for this pipeline is actually in phase 2 not $4.50 or not $4.75, but under the best-case scenario, the base-case scenario, is actually $22.96. And probably the more realistic scenario is about $27. So we're continuing to evaluate this project.

We can't be stampeded into something that is going to dramatically increase the cost in South Central, because when the prices go up in South Central, that impacts all of Alaska. And so we will continue to push to keep prices low. And continue to push to have provisions that the Governor is saying $4.50, $4.75, that's the number we're putting in our bill. And we hope that he's going to keep to his word and keep it at that. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Wielekowski. Additional special orders at this time? Seeing none, Madam Majority Leader. I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 4th, 2026. Hearing no objection, the Senate is adjourned.