House Floor Session, 4/22/26, 10:30am

Would the House please come to order?

Will members please indicate their presence by voting?

Has any member failed to vote who is here? Speaking to myself.

We have Rep. Staff and Rep. Schwanke and Rep. Prox about to vote. Members, please indicate your presence.

Will the clerk please tally the board? 35 Members present. With 35 members present, we have a quorum present to conduct business. Mr. Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, I have no previous excuse a few absences today, and I move and ask unanimous consent that Representatives David Nelson, Garrett Nelson, and Colom be excused from a call of the House today. Hearing no objection, the members are excused. Leading the invocation this morning once again is Father Maxim Gibson of the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church. Will members please rise.

With deep respect for the religious belief of all Alaskan I offer the following prayer. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, accept our fervent supplication and bless the good intent and work of thy servants, that they may begin favourably and may complete it unto thy glory without any obstacle. Do thou assist those working and direct the work of their hands and cause it to be brought to speedy completion by the power of thy Most Holy Spirit, For Thine it is to be merciful and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thy Father, who is without beginning, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Amen. Representative Holland, will 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. Invisible with liberty and justice for all. Representative Story.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move and ask unanimous consent that the prayer be spread across the journal. Hearing no objection, the prayer will be spread across the journal. Will the clerk please certify the journal for the previous legislative days? I certify as to the correctness of the journal for the 92nd legislative day.

Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous assent that the journal be approved as certified by the Chief Clerk. Hearing no objection, the journal stands approved. Are there guests for introduction this morning?

Representative Ballard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd like Julian Schroeder and her adorable daughter Linnea, please stand. They're behind me in the Taylor Gallery. They are.

Julian Schroeder is a dedicated clinical licensed social worker and a mother of two. She is also a passionate advocate for her daughter Linnea, who was born deaf.

You want a moment at ease? No, I don't. I want to say, you know, our staff always gives us stuff to read all the time, and we always have to read everything from them so we get every waking detail. But the fact of the matter is, Lynnea is deaf and she's an amazing little girl, and she's here being represented by me and others of this body. And just so everybody knows, you all voted for this young lady to have the needs and the skills to be educated like her hearing peers.

And I just want everybody to know how special these individuals are. And I also wanted to say that sharing is caring because I am sharing this from the U Ed Mid District and they are represented by, uh, I'm just Representative Gray. So if you could all please stand and welcome them to the body.

Representative Story. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am really pleased to have a guest page today. If Isabella Batty could come forward. Isabella is 18 years old and moved to Juneau 2 years ago with her family from Oklahoma.

She's a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation and is currently a senior at Juneau Douglas High School. She's actively involved in our community and enjoys participating and involving and volunteering at local events. Isabella is also a student athlete. She competes in track and field for JDHS as a middle distance runner. After graduating, she plans to continue her education at Fort Lewis College in Colorado.

She's also interested in serving our country by joining the United States Air Force. Please join me in welcoming Isabella.

Are there additional guests for introduction this morning? Seeing none, Madam Clerk, are there any messages from the governor? There are no messages from the governor this morning, Mr. Speaker. Are there any messages from the other body? A message dated April 21 stating the Senate has passed and is transmitting the following for consideration.

Consideration. Committee substitute for Senate Bill number 214, Finance, by the Senate Finance Committee, entitled an act of making appropriations including capital appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and reappropriations, making appropriations to capitalize funds, amending appropriations, and providing for an effective date. Finance Committee, I have no further messages from the other body. Are there any communications? There are no communications this morning.

Are there any reports of standing committees? The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered House Bill 162, digital product repair, recommends it be replaced with committee substitute for House Bill 162, Community and Regional Affairs, with a new title, attached 1 new zero fiscal note. Signing the report: do pass, Representative Hall; do not pass, Representative G. Nelson; amend, Representatives Holland, Prox, Sinclair, and co-chairs Hemmschulte and Mears. The bill has a further referral to the Labor and Commerce Committee.

The State Affairs Committee considered House Bill 226, AHFC Reduced Interest on Certain Loans, recommends it be replaced with committee substitute for House Bill 226, State Affairs, with the same title, attached one new fiscal note. Signing the report do pass: Representatives Sinclair, Holland, Hemmschulte, Story, and Chair Carrick. No recommendation, Vance and McCabe. The bill has a further referral to the Finance Committee, and I have no further reports of standing committees.

Are there any reports of special committees? There are no reports of special committees. Any citations or resolutions for introduction?

In Memoriam Valerie Jean Genie Nelson by Representatives Vance Karek, and Schwanke. Honoring Robert Bob Woolsey by Representative Hemshoot and Senator Steadman. Honoring Aaron Christian Peterson by Representative Sadler and Senator Merrick. Honoring Pat Doherty by Representatives Gray, Holland, and Senator Giesel. Honoring the Uk'otluna and Nupiatun Immersion Program by Representative Freer and Senator Olson.

Honoring Alyssiaagvik College 30th Anniversary by Representative Freer and Senator Olson. Honoring Ivan Moore by Senators Gray Jackson, Kawasaki, and Representative Galvin. Honoring Maria and Christopher Crawford by Senator Tobin. Honoring the City of Valdez 125th Anniversary by Senators Rauscher, Kawasaki, and Representative G. Nelson. Honoring Soldotna High School Lady Stars 2025 ASAA State Wrestling Champions by Senator Bjorkman and Representative Ruffridge.

In memoriam, Barbara Ann Rands-Hams by Representative Hemmschulte and Senator Steadman. In memoriam, Lillian Kusautoknagyak by Representative Freer. In memoriam, Matt Hamer by Representative Sadler. In memoriam, Ralph Franklin Langham Jr. by Senator Rauscher and Representative G. Nelson. In Memoriam Wendy Wagner by Senator Bjorkman.

I have no further citations or resolutions for introduction. Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that notice and publication requirements be waived and the citation In Memoriam Valerie Jean— Jeannie Nelson be made a special order of business. Without objection.

Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the House approve the citation. Hearing no objection, the citation is approved. Madam Clerk, are there any bills for introduction?

There are no bills for introduction this morning, Mr. Speaker. This brings us to consideration of the daily calendar. Madam Clerk, please read the first item on today's calendar.

House Bill number 52 by Representatives Dybert, Fields, Foster, Burke, Jimmy, Galvin, and Hannon. Entitled 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. The Health and Social Services Committee considered the bill Recommends it be replaced with committee substitute for House Bill 52, Health and Social Services, with the same title. Attached 1 new fiscal note and 2 new zero fiscal notes. Signing the report do pass: Representatives Fields, Gray, Schwanke, Ruffridge, Mears, and Cheremena.

No recommendation, procs. The Finance Committee also considered the bill. Recommends it be replaced with committee substitute for House Bill 52, Health and Social Services, with the same title. Attached 1 new fiscal note and 2 new zero fiscal notes. Signing the report do pass: Representatives Jimmy, Galvin, Tomaszewski, Hannon, Moore, Bynum, and co-chairs Josephson, Foster, and Schragi.

No recommendation, staff. There is 1 committee substitute. Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Health and Social Services Committee substitute for House Bill 52 be adopted in lieu of the original bill.

There is an objection. Do you wish to speak to your objection, Representative Ruppert? Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just briefly, having the bill sponsor please inform the body of the changes adopted in the Health and Social Services CS. Thank you.

Representative Dybert.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Summary of changes for the change. For the CS adopted by HESS is page 2, line 1, deletes overseeing physician and inserts professional person in charge. Change 2, which is on page 2, line 1 through 3, adds additional language stating that the minor in psychiatric care, the minor's parent or legal guardian, or an approved adult may request confidential communication with the minor. Change 3, page 2, line 14, adds additional language to C1 clarifying that the legislative report required under Alaska Statute 47.32.030 must include information on any type of psychotropic medication used to carry out chemical restraint.

Change 4, page 2, lines 18 through 21, adds clarifying language to which data should be included from the Department of Family and Community Services regarding minors in state custody who receive care at psychiatric hospitals. Change 5, page 3, line 19, changes notification requirements from 1 business day to 72 hours. Change 6, page 3, lines— 20 through 22 adds additional language clarifying what information shall be released in the department's notification to the minor's parent or guardian. Change 7, page 3, line 23, adds Section 6, which defines chemical restraint. And finally, change 8 is on page 3, line 30, changes the effective date to July 1, 2017.

2026.

Is the objection maintained? The objection has been removed.

Mr.—. Madam Clerk, let me first say that with objection removed, the Health and Social Services Committee substitute has been adopted. Madam Clerk, are there any amendments? Amendment number 1 by Representative Vance, beginning page 2, line 17. Representative Vance.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move Amendment Number 1. There's an objection. Thank you. As I was reviewing this bill, I want to say thank you to the, the bill sponsor.

I was reading through the documents and there's one area that I felt the bill didn't address, and it includes that upon inspection there needs to be an interview of the minors in these facilities with at least 50% of them. But then it said— the only thing after that is says that the staff cannot be present during that interview. And I referred to other areas of statute of what the inspection would entail and felt that I— we needed to be specific. So what this amendment does is it says that the interview must include a staff member standardized age-appropriate wellness check on the minor with questions that are designed to identify signs of abuse, including physical injury, neglect, mental injury, sexual abuse, or exploitation. If they find that there are indicators, that they will automatically notify Child Protection, potentially law enforcement, and especially the parents.

In the documents along with this bill were some news articles about some separate cases of two young boys who were sexually abused while in the facilities. And I tell you what, that hit me right in the heart, Mr. Speaker, because they were the same ages as my boys.

Um, what this does is it puts it in statute that these— that, um, that the interview conducted has to do a full interview with these children to look for the signs, not just ask general questions, but look for indicators that something else is going on that can give a fuller picture of what's going on with the children. I want these parents to know that we are doing our due diligence to protect, um, the children in the care of these psychiatric wards. And, uh, this amendment simply does that, and it also includes that in the report that is required by the department that collects data, that they will also include these findings to the department and to the legislature.

At ease.

Will the House please come back to order? We have Amendment Number 1. House Bill 52 before the body. Representative Kopp. May I withdraw my objection?

The objection to Amendment Number 1 has been withdrawn. Hearing no further objection, Amendment Number 1 is adopted. Madam Clerk, are there additional amendments? I have no further amendments, Mr. Speaker. Mr.

Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Health and Social Services Committee substitute for House Bill 52 be considered engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage.

Hearing no objection.

Hearing no objection, so ordered. Madam Clerk, please read the title for the third and final time. Committee substitute for House Bill number 52, Health and Social Services, amended by the House Health and Social Services Committee, entitled 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. Representative Dybert.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Bill 52 is a necessary bill. Permission to refer to my notes. Okay.

Will the House please come to order on a debate in third reading, House Bill 52. Representative Dibert.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Permission to read. Permission granted. House Bill 52 is a necessary bill with a clear purpose. To bring transparency and accountability to how minors are treated in psychiatric hospitals in the state of Alaska.

This bill does not change who receives care. This bill does not interfere with medical decision-making, and this bill does not place unreasonable burdens on our providers. What it does ensure is that when a child enters one of these facilities, there are basic safeguards in place for that child and for the adult responsible with— for the care, whether that is a parent or legal guardian. The bill establishes 3 straightforward measures. First, it guarantees that minors have access to confidential communication with a parent or guardian for at least 2 cumulative hours per week.

Second, it It requires the Department of Health to publish an annual report to us, the legislature. That report will include data on the use of seclusion and restraints, and the restraints, whether they're mechanical, physical, or chemical, as well as findings from facility inspections. Third, it strengthens oversight by requiring unannounced inspections inspections at least twice a year, including interviews with at least half of the minor patients without a staff present unless necessary for safety. And finally, it ensures that when seclusion or restraint is used on a, on a minor, both the department and the minor's parent or legal guardian are notified within 72 hours.

Mr. Speaker, these are not sweeping mandates. They are basic expectations of transparency, of communication, and accountability of our youth here in Alaska. When the state is involved in the care of a child, especially in a locked psychiatric setting, we have a responsibility to get it right. Parents and legal guardians deserve to know what is happening to the child in their care. Legislators deserve accurate information so that we could do our jobs, and children deserve to be treated with dignity in the least restrictive environment possible.

In 2004, the state of Alaska committed, committed to building a system that is, quote, least restrictive and culturally appropriate for children. And yesterday And yet today we know that seclusion and restraint are still being used, and we still do not have consistent, transparent data across these facilities to understand how often and why they're being done. This bill doesn't assume wrongdoing. It simply ensures we're not operating in the dark. For many families, especially in rural Alaska, this issue is even more personal knowing that Alaska Native children make up a significant portion of those placed in these facilities.

Children are often sent hundreds and hundreds of miles from their home. In some cases, they may not have a parent actively in the picture, and a legal guardian is a primary point of connection and support for them. Whether it is a parent or legal guardian, that adult deserves clear, consistent communication about their child's care. In those moments, that connection may be the only constant in that child's life. Ensuring regular confidential communication isn't just good policy, it's what any of us would do if it were our own child.

And when seclusion or restraint is used, timely notification isn't about placing blame, It's about making sure the adults responsible for the child are informed and involved. And at its core, this bill, Mr. Speaker, is about maintaining trust between families and providers and between the public and the systems that we oversee. It's also about making sure parents and legal guardians have visibility into their child's care, that our systems are accountable, and that we are protecting some of the most vulnerable children in our state. House Bill 52 reflects years of work, input from stakeholders, and careful consideration in committees. It is thoughtful, it is balanced, and it addresses a real gap in oversight.

Before we begin debate on this bill, I want to note that the information that I've just shared today can be found in the bill packet, as well as the 2022 Department of Justice report and the 2004 Disability Law Center of Alaska findings. Both of these documents were placed on members' desks this morning. I respectfully ask for your support, and I urge a yes vote on House Bill 52. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Additional discussion?

Representative Vance.

I didn't know I was going to be first out of the gate, but, um, you know, this is— I appreciate the work on this bill. I was reviewing it last night, and it's not easy to have a straightforward bill on this topic. We've been hearing about, um, minors in these psychiatric hospitals for a number of years, and I'm so pleased to see that the legislature is taking action to help provide safeguards, um, that, that parents and the minors can rely on. Um, I think the numbers, if I'm not mistaken, was that there were 800 Alaskan minors in one year that went through these hospitals. That number is astounding to me.

I could be wrong. I'm remembering— I just remember reading through the packet of how— like it was— felt like such a high number. And I recall when I first learned about youth being in psychiatric hospitals in Alaska, and it's when— it was in my sophomore high school math class. And it's because Math is not my strong suit, and the smartest kids in the room that were helping me through learning algebra were also ones who had recently broke out of the psych wards. They were some fierce kids, but tell you what, they were brilliant, and they certainly gave me the time and respect to help me get through math class.

But the stories that they told about what happened to them under the care in these psych wards was sobering, and it was heartbreaking, and it's been long overdue that we do something about it. And so to have a bill that is not overly complicated, that targets the issues that need to be addressed, I think is, is great work. And I would just want to say thank you to the sponsor. This is a bill that we we can all wrap around because it's providing the accountability that has been asked for in our due diligence to be able to provide that open communication that parents are seeking and that the protection for the minors are looking. They go there out of desperation because they need help for their children.

And, um, I appreciate the adoption of the amendment that includes an interview that is making sure they're asking relevant questions, looking for indicators if there's more going on with these young people than meets the eye. And I think that's going to provide more information to be able to get to the bottom of some of the issues that the complaints that have been hit the news, really. And so I just want to say thank you. I am in strong support of this bill and hope that it can cross the finish line this month and become law because it's, it's long overdue, seeing that it's been more than a decade in requesting these changes. It's about time, and I appreciate the bill sponsor for bringing it forward.

Representative Gray. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Bill 52 as well and want to thank the sponsor from District 31 for bringing it forward. I'd like to highlight the requirement of unannounced visits. I think that having unannounced visits is maybe the most important part of the bill. I think we as legislators know what it's like to be given tours of various facilities or departments where they know far in advance that we're coming.

And I think we always have the question, is this how it always is? And I think allow— you know, they put on a show for us. They put on a great show. It looks fantastic. But they had weeks to prepare it for us.

And so I think allowing these unannounced visits is going to make a real difference in terms of the quality of care that the facility is providing. And I would be looking in the future to making it so that we have permission to do unannounced visits to lots of facilities and departments. Again, very big supporter, and thanks to the representative from House District 31. Representative Ruffridge.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to echo the comments of the prior two speakers. And sitting on committee and hearing the testimony for this bill, it really is a work, I think, of care and actually the work of the legislative body to provide the oversight and accountability I think that we're expected to with government funds and in government institutions. I too want to thank the sponsor of the bill for her work. On this legislation.

It is not an easy task to undertake. And I myself had multiple meetings with her and her staff where we were listened to, where we had opportunity to craft parts of the language of the bill, and really truly brought people together for the sole purpose of making sure that children, if they have to be in these facilities, they have what I would consider to be basic rights rights and access to a little bit of care and concern from the Department of Health noticing what's happening there before we get Department of Justice reports saying potentially there's a problem. So I'm in strong support of HB 52 and thankful for the sponsor for her work on this. Representative Prox.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too rise in support of House Bill 52. This was a difficult, draining project or bill to work on in the Health and Social Services Committee. And just kind of a brief history, as I recall, there were some very serious problems going on in facilities for quite some time, which led to the Department of Justice and others getting involved.

And it was— it got out of hand in part because the Department of Health was not exercising oversight. They weren't authorized to exercise the oversight. And so this is hopefully going to maintain the problems from what we understood from both the Department of Health and the providers is that it has been largely corrected. You know, nothing's ever perfect, but it has been largely corrected. But I hope that this will maintain a better system that's going on and not let the system slide backwards.

It is a good idea to have unannounced inspections. I recall even in my job, the upper management would sometimes drop by just to make sure things were going well at the— on the floor level. And that's not a bad idea, and this is sort of the same idea. So this is a— it's a good step to hopefully keep better oversight and better performance in the psychiatric hospitals because that is— it's a difficult environment for the children, for the employees, for everybody. It's a tough job and we just need to make sure that we're doing it right.

So please vote yes on House Bill 52. Representative Mena. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am really grateful for the sponsor of this bill for introducing, um, House Bill 52, and knowing that it addresses, uh, abuses that are in the end of our continuum of care in our behavioral health system. We're talking about institutionalized care, and I want to note some other aspects of the original 2022 Department of Justice finding because we're focusing on one end of the spectrum where we need to do better, But we have to face the reality that many of these kids are in these institutionalized settings because we have underinvested in our home and community-based services in this broader continuum of care.

If I may have permission to read—. Permission granted. I want to note a few of these different findings from the Department of Justice report. The state of Alaska relies on psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric residential treatment facilities to serve children with behavioral health disabilities. The state funds and administers community-based services and supports that can divert children from unnecessary institutionalization.

Alaska has not addressed longstanding gaps in available community-based services and supports. And a few discussion points that they had from the report. First, Alaska's administration of its behavioral health service system results in many children experiencing needless institutionalization. And second, Alaska can reasonably modify its service system to serve children with behavioral health disabilities in integrated settings. House Bill 52 is an important step in making sure that youth who are ending up in these institutionalized settings are being taken care of and that they can talk to their family members and that family members are aware of what's happening to them.

But there are so many steps that we can do to invest in our upstream to make sure that we can prevent youth from being in these places in the first place. Thank you.

Further debate?

Any wrap-up comments? Representative Diverge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to thank my colleagues here on the floor for your words and support of this really good piece of legislation. That had— we put a lot of work in.

And as I reflect on my own community and attending town halls, knocking on doors in my district, mental health and youth is almost there at the top. And it's an honor that we here in this body, this is one lever where we can make a difference to help our most vulnerable in our state. And I urge a yes vote. Thank you very much. Are you ready for the question?

The question being, shall Committee Substitute for House Bill 52, Health and Social Services, amended, pass the House? Members may proceed to vote.

Will the clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote?

Will the clerk please announce the vote? 37 Yeas, 0 nays. With a vote of 37 yeas to 0 nays, House Bill 52 has passed the House. Mr. Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the roll call vote on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Will the clerk please read the next item on today's calendar? House Bill number 249 by Representative Moore entitled An Act Relating to the Transfer of a Vehicle to an Insurance Company. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill, recommends it be replaced with committee substitute for House Bill 249, Labor and Commerce, with the same title, attached 1 new zero fiscal note.

Signing the report do pass: Representatives Freer, Colon, Sadler, D. Nelson, and co-chairs Hall and other fields. There is one committee substitute. Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute for House Bill 249 be adopted of the original bill.

Hearing no objection, the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute has been adopted. Madam Clerk, are there any amendments? I have no amendments, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute substitute for House Bill 249 be considered in gross advance to third reading and placed on final passage. There is an objection. This bill be held to the next day's calendar. Madam Clerk.

Committee substitute for House Bill number 133, Finance, amended by the House Finance Committee, entitled 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. The bill is in third reading, final passage. Representative Representative Hemmschulte. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I want to start with a few facts about House Bill 133 just to clarify for the body the path this bill has been on. So the bill had 13 hearings over the last 2 years, and it had over a dozen fiscal notes. And I want to note that 6 of those fiscal notes were zero fiscal notes. What that means is those departments or divisions feel that they are able or are already paying within 30 days, um, for grants, contracts, and reimbursements that are due. And so, uh, to those departments and divisions, I want to express my gratitude.

For the others, I want to make really clear that we are not looking to place blame with this bill. These are longstanding issues in the state of Alaska. The problems with paying our bills on time to nonprofits, to municipalities, to tribal entities, and to contractors not working on public works— this problem has been around not just in this administration or the previous administration or the one before that. This is a longstanding way of doing business in the state, and House Bill 133 seeks to correct that. House Bill 133 seeks to align or provide parity to nonprofits, tribes, municipalities, and contractors who are not completing public works for the state but completing other work such as IT, so that they will be paid within 30 days.

In 1990, the legislature said we need to do that for private contractors completing public works. This bill says we're going to do the same thing for our other partners. I want to illustrate the problem to make sure the body understands what we're talking about. Again, in some cases, in many cases, we've been paying on time, and for that I'm really grateful. In too many cases, we're paying well beyond the 30 days, and that includes— I have an example of a local Catholic Community Services branch that was needing to get a plane ticket, and they were 45 days out— should have been 30 days— from their most recent payment from the state for the work that they do.

And that meant that they were waiting, waiting, waiting for that payment to come in. It didn't come in. They had to buy a last-minute plane ticket. We don't want our nonprofit partners to be sitting on large margins of money that they can use in cases like that. So a last-minute plane ticket became a very serious issue for this very small nonprofit.

There are other examples of nonprofits and municipalities and tribal entities that are waiting for payment.

So what I'm asking with House Bill 133, what this bill will do is help the state of Alaska. It will require the state of Alaska to pay on time. If you have a grant, if you have a contract, there are benchmarks, there are measures of success outlined for you to receive those funds or spelled out in the contract. When those have been met, you should be paid on time. I am asking folks for a yes vote to support organizations like the Mat-Su Health Foundation, Communities like the City of Toksook Bay, the Alaska Behavioral Health Association, United Way of Tanana, tribes with Title IV-E contracts to coordinate foster care, guardianship, or adoption assistance for children with special needs.

Some folks may hesitate at the number of nonprofits that we have here in Alaska, and it is around 6,000. That does seem like a big number. I want to point out, if you live in a district like mine, my Communities are islanded, so if the denomination you wish to attend is not already in your community, you're going to establish that denomination as your faith group for your purposes of worship. Food banks, youth programs, all of these things have to be created in each of the places where we live. We are not connected by roads.

We can't drive to the next town over to go to our faith our favorite shooting club or for our kids to be involved in, um, Boys and Girls Club. Whatever it is that is provided through the nonprofits is provided in many islanded communities, and that drives that number up a great deal. Um, and I would just remind the body, with our nonprofit partners, they're providing services that we either can't or choose not to provide. If we were to expand state government to where we're providing what they do, the fiscal note would go well beyond the fiscal notes on this bill. The combined fiscal notes on this bill, which are based on 2025, and again, the bill doesn't go into effect for another year at least, those combined fiscal notes are about $1 million.

I think we can turn that money, that requirement, into a positive by paying on time. So I ask the members to support this bill and make Alaska the best possible partner to do business with. Thank you. Under debate.

Any comments in wrap-up?

No comments. Are you ready for the question? Please. Please.

Will the House please come back to order? Are you ready for the question? The question being, shall committee substitute for House Bill 133 Finance amended, passed the House. Members may proceed to vote.

Will the clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote? Will the clerk please announce the vote? 27 Yeas, 10 nays. With a vote of 27 yeas to 10 nays, House Bill 133 has passed the body.

Mr. Majority Leader. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the roll call vote on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, the effective date clause has been adopted. Madam Clerk.

House Bill 262 by the House Rules Committee by request entitled an act increasing the number of Superior Court judges in the Third Judicial District and providing for an effective date. The bill is in third reading, final passage. Representative Johnson, are we— Representative Gray, are you carrying the bill? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Um, permission to read just in case. Permission granted, just in case. Mr. Speaker, House Bill 262 would add an additional Superior Court judge that would serve in Palmer The bill does this by amending statute AS 2210-120, which currently states that there are 45 judges for the state of Alaska. If this bill passes, there would be 46 Superior Court judges for the state of Alaska. Palmer currently has 4 Superior Court judges.

These 4 Palmer judges carry the highest caseloads per judge in the state. They have about 680 cases per judge. The statewide average is 450 cases per judge. Adding this 5th judge would bring their caseloads down to 540, still well above the state average, but much better than their current caseload. Cases in Palmer take too long to be heard.

In fact, some Matsu residents choose to file their cases in Anchorage so that they have a chance of being heard sooner. This means that Anchorage has more cases than they should— than they would otherwise have. The Palmer Court hasn't had a new Superior Court judge in 20 years. Yet the population and case filings during that period have gone up by about 50%, more than justifying the need for an additional judge. We need to fix this problem so that we can better provide basic justice to all Alaskans.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Any debates?

Seeing none, are you ready for the question? The question being, shall House Bill 262 pass the House? Members may proceed to vote.

Will the clerk please lock the roll? Does any member wish to change his or her vote? Will the clerk please announce the vote? 37 Yeas, 0 nays. With a vote of 37 yeas to 0 nays, House Bill 262 passes.

72 Has passed the House. Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the roll call vote on the passage of the bill be considered the roll call vote on the effective date clause. Hearing no objection, effective date clause has been adopted.

At this time, SCR 19 is being held to the next day's calendar where we truly hope to take it up.

Madam Clerk. There are citations on today's calendar. Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent that the House adopt the citations on today's calendar.

No objection. The citations are approved. This brings us to unfinished business. Mr. Majority Leader.

Mr. Speaker, I have no unexcused absences. Mr. Speaker, I have no excused absences at this time.

Are there any committee announcements? Representative Freer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House Resources is canceled today. Are there any other announcements?

This brings us to special announcements. Representative Hannon. Sorry, I was distracted by a note. I am reminding you that we have a Science Friday on Friday. You should have all received an invitation to DIPAC, the Juneau Island Pink and Chum, McCauley Salmon Hatchery open house for legislators and legislative staff.

If you've never been to a fish hatchery, this is a 50-year-old fish hatchery that's been very successful. The field trip and open house there is always really interesting. They won't do the full tour that they do for tourists. We will do a behind-the-scenes and you'll get to see fry at various stages of development. But there are lots of things that small people in your lives might appreciate.

There's an amazing aquarium there. So the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Hatchery is halfway to the airport. You've driven past it. It's got a red roof, big gray building on Channel Drive. And it starts at 5:30.

And the Juneau delegation really hopes you'd Come and join us and maybe later in the summer if we're here you'd go down and participate in the local fishery that's right in front of the hatchery. But there's been a lot of seal activity as there's release going on. Seals are very smart creatures and figured out to hang around a hatchery when they're releasing and birds are out. And it's like I said, Science Friday, Friday afternoon at the Diepack Hatchery at 5:30. Representative Stutes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just would like to remind the body that this weekend on Sunday at 4 o'clock in Centennial Hall, we will be celebrating— I guess you could say celebrating— the retirement of two of our very favorite senators. And believe it or not, they have a combination of over 80 years here out and about in this— between these two bodies. You can get your tickets in room 127, and it should be a lot of fun. So hope to see you all there.

Representative Gelvin.

Thank you. Actually, I'm, I'm so sorry, I, I'm going to sit down because I'm waiting for a special order. Well, I'll tell you what, Floor has gone so smoothly today, we have one more agenda item to regain our identity here. So, Representative Galfin. Why, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On the topic of Earth Day. On the topic of Earth Day. I'm so excited to talk about this because I think it was a great tradition started in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, and he chose a day that would overlap with spring break because they wanted to make sure that there was a lot of folks who could participate who were college students. And I want to bring this up because I think we're doing a lot of things thinking about the future of our planet right here in Alaska.

Yesterday we talked about polystyrene. I was visited today by a group wanting to move things around solar. In oil and gas and mining, we've been doing all sorts of innovations, and we're even passing legislation to encourage that. You just heard about DIPAC. So with fisheries, we're also always thinking about how we can be mindful of the habitat and ensure that we are the rich state that we currently have been enjoying for, well, for millennia.

So I just wanted to put a big shout out to Senator Nelson to thank him for starting this. I think it's a great idea that we appreciate all that we're getting from the earth. Thank you. Representative Carrick. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

On the topic of a birthday—. Representative Carrick. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In addition to Earth Day, which— happy Earth Day, everybody. I hope you find a way to get out and enjoy some of the spring weather, which apparently is causing me a lot of allergies.

But in addition to Earth Day, it's also my mom's birthday, so I just want to say happy birthday to my mom. I just had it confirmed by my sister, who I had to text just to be absolutely certain, but my mom is just an amazing, wonderful person, and I love you so much, Mom, and I hope you have a wonderful day. She's been in the process of moving from Texas to Portland, Oregon. I think they're actually moving in today, Um, but just happy birthday to her and happy Earth Day to all.

Representative Mina. Mr. Speaker, on, uh, the permission to speak on the topic of Donate Life Month. Representative Mina. Permission to read. Permission granted.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Uh, National Donate Life Month is celebrated every April. It's a time to honor the generosity of organ, eye, and tissue donors and their families to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and to encourage fellow Alaskans to register as donors. Currently, there are more than 100,000 Americans waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and 163 of those individuals are Alaskans. Nationally, in 2025, 16,551 deceased donors selflessly gave the gift of life.

Their generosity made 46,129 transplants possible nationwide, a 2% increase from 2024. On average, 134 transplants were performed every single day, highlighting the ongoing impact of organ donation on countless families and communities. Last year, 26 organ donors from Alaska gave 68 life-saving organs for transplant. Over the past decade, Over 1,000 lives have been saved from the generosity of Alaskan donors. The example set by those who choose to be a life-saving organ donor reflects the character and compassion of Alaskans.

I myself am an organ donor. I hope other people in the body are. And I want to note that there will be an event next month at the Governor's Gift of Life Ceremony, which will be on Friday, May 29th, so hopefully after session, at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage. Everybody is invited to attend and help recognize the families whose loved ones gave the ultimate gift through organ donation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Representative Dybert.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Permission to speak on two powerful films, one urgent story. Representative Dybert. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the pleasure of sharing with the body that there tomorrow night at 7:30 at the Gold Theatre, downtown Juneau.

At 7:30 PM, there'll be two showings, two films that center on Gwich'in and leadership in the fight to protect one of Earth's last American places, which is the Alaskan Arctic. And the films are "The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness" And then the second film is Sha Han Wei Kwe Ai, or Two Old Women, which is a great book if you haven't read it by Velma Wallace. This is a great celebration of our Earth, Mother Earth, and I encourage folks to attend tomorrow. Thank you.

Representative Stutes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Permission to read. Russian grammar. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Um, in our Mason's Manual, Section 3, that section says each house determines the rules of its own proceedings. There seems to be some question as to whether or not it's appropriate to ask your permission for to read or refer to your notes. Mr. Speaker, during my tenure in this body, that has been the standard operating procedure. Precedent has been set by this body, and I just want to clarify, it is absolutely appropriate to ask your permission. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, and I couldn't set the cue better for you, Representative Sadler. You're next.

Mr. Speaker, I request permission to speak on the topic of other gifts of life. Rep. Sadler. And perhaps other topics as well. In follow-up to the comments from the member from House District 19 about organ donation, which I support heartily, just want to let members know that there is an opportunity to provide gifts of life at slightly less impact, but to donate blood is a good thing. I'm a donor.

It makes you feel really good after doing it. The Blood Bank of Alaska has an ancillary office out at Jordan Creek. So if you find yourself with 45 minutes and nothing to do and extra blood to spare, please give that gift of life. On the other topic, I think the Rules Chair— Mr. Chair, we will discuss this matter offline because there's important business to take place.

I think precedent is something that does not set and set in stone. I think it's legitimate argument, uh, topic for argument, and I look forward to having that debate with the Rules Chair and possibly sharing the results with the body. Thank you.

I look forward to it as well. Representative Vance. On the topic of Welcome Home Emma. Representative Vance. Yesterday morning in my district, an announcement came out that a 13-year-old girl was missing from Anchor Point, and the parents acted quickly and notified the troopers, and so there were pictures all over social media, and I just want to say thank you to people all over the peninsula who was sharing her photo saying, "Look out, look for Emma," because they were suspecting that she was trying to catch a ride to Anchorage.

As we're talking about mental health of youth and things like that, I don't know what was going on with this 13-year-old girl from my community, However, I saw a report that she was found this morning. So within a 24-hour time period, this 13-year-old girl was found and brought home safely. And I just want to say that the sooner— when children go, or anyone goes missing, that, that law enforcement encourages you to reach out immediately, because the sooner that, that they can be involved and find them, the sooner that we can actually bring back that person unharmed. And I just want to say thank you to all of the community members who really just shared it across social media. They were looking out for her because that's what it takes, is all of us getting involved when someone goes missing.

So I'm going to say welcome home, Emma. Thank you.

Mr. Majority Leader. Mr. Speaker, I move and ask unanimous consent of the House stand in adjournment until Friday, April 24th at 10:30 AM. There being no objection, the House will stand adjournment until Friday, April 24th at 10:30 AM.