SFLR-20260520-1100

I think it's really important that we have those experts who can provide quality healthcare, but they do not have to meet some of the same professional requirements and education responsibilities that our other healthcare providers do. They do not have the experience with Indigenous peoples. They do not have the understanding of our unique needs and the diversity of our state. When we open ourselves up to these interstate compacts, we open ourselves up to having healthcare providers who do not understand us. And for that reason, and for the reasons that the previous speaker from Anchorage provided, I will be a no.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Tobin. Is there further discussion?

Wrap up, Senator Bjorkman. Very well. The question being, shall Senate CS for House Bill 110 Finance amended in the Senate 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. 9 Yeas, 11 nays. And so by a vote of 9 yeas and 11 nays, Senate CS for House Bill 110 Finance has failed to pass the Senate.

Madam Secretary, the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Bill 195 Finance by the House Finance Committee, an act changing the term physician assistant to physician associate, relating to physician associates, relating to collaborative practice agreements for pharmacists, relating to the prescription of opioid overdose drugs, relating to the prescription and administration of drugs and devices by pharmacists, relating to reciprocity for pharmacists, amending the definition of practitioner and providing for an effective date. The Finance Committee considered the bill, previous fiscal note, signing do pass. Senators Olson, Hoffman, co-chairs, Senator Kiel. Signing no recommendation, Senator Steadman. Co-chairs, Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Merrick.

I have no amendments. Thank you. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. Thank you.

Without objection, so ordered. Madam Secre— Will the Senate come back to order, please? There has been an objection to CS for House Bill 195 Finance. If you are ready.

I do have concern that an executive administrator position is being instituted here. There should be no need for an executive administrator if all of the licensing will be done by a compact, Mr. President. And I'm looking for a fiscal note, but I'm not seeing one. An executive administrator will cost money. Mr. President, thank you.

Thank you, Senator Gishel. Is there further discussion?

In wrap-up, Senator Bjorkman, if you are ready for the question, the question being, shall Senate CS for CS for House Bill 170 through 173 Finance as amended in the Senate pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

Sorry about that. So would the Secretary please lock the roll? Do any Senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will announce the vote. 14 Yeas, 6 nays.

And so by a vote of 14 yeas and 6 nays, Senate CS for CS for House Bill 173, Finance Amendment in the Senate, has passed the Senate. A title change, Madam Secretary?

That brings the title change, SCR 27, before the Senate on final passage. Thank you. Are you ready for the question? Question being, shall the title change resolution SCR 27 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. 20 Ayes, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 ayes and 0 nays, the title change for Resolution 27— for SCR 27 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

House Bill 246 by Representatives Josephson, Allard, Bynum, Story, Hemshoot, Galvin. An act relating to allocations for the Special Education Service Agency and providing for an effective date. Before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Tobin to carry the bill.

Thank you, Mr. President. This is the last bill I'll be carrying this afternoon as well, so I will make this brief. House Bill 246 is a really good bill. It increases the annual allocation for the Special Education Service Agency, which provides special education services in our school districts. The current allocation is $23.13 times the number of students in the average daily membership for for the preceding fiscal year.

House Bill 246 changes just one line of statute, one particular phrase, and that's to take $23.13 to $26.89. It had a passage in the House of 40 to 0, and I say we challenge them with a similar outcome here today. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Owen. Further discussion?

If you are ready for the question. Question being, shall House Bill 246 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. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas and 0 nays, House Bill 246 has passed the Senate.

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

Senate CS for CS for House Bill 302. Relating to travel insurance, relating to the business of insurance, relating to exceptions to prohibited rebates, relating to the powers of the director of the Division of Insurance, relating to prohibited practices in the advertisement of insurance, and providing for an effective date. Before the Senate in third reading on final passage, there is an amendment number 1 by Senator Keehl on members' desks. Senator Kiel. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent that the bill be returned to second reading for the purpose of an amendment. Without objection, we're back at second reading and will remain so. And if there are any other amendments to be considered, Senator Kiel. Thank you, Mr. President. I move Amendment 1.

There has been objection. Senator Kiel. Thank you, Mr. President. It's a— it's a good insurance bill. It could use just a little more insurance.

Mr. President, Amendment 1 adjusts Alaska's unemployment benefits. Our unemployment benefits in this state have not gone up in a very long time. I believe our unemployment insurance maximum benefit last went up in 2005.

The last time we adjusted the unemployment benefit for dependents— most folks, that's their kids— I think was in the early 1980s. And our unemployment insurance trust fund is grossly overfunded. We have a huge surplus in there. Today, the balance of the unemployment insurance trust fund is about $830— $833 million. I don't have the up-to-date number.

But that is roughly a quarter of a billion dollars above the solvency target, Mr. President. We have a lot more money in the unemployment insurance trust fund than we need. What we don't have is enough money in the unemployment insurance benefit to sustain your household when you're looking for work. So, Mr. President, this amendment keeps it— is contained, it's simple. I know there have been some bills to do all kinds of things with UI.

This is limited. This raises the unemployment benefit table. You'll see that in the amendment. That's why it's so long. Excuse me— so that the maximum weekly benefit that anyone could get is $525.

It indexes that to payroll growth, Mr. President. That's important. There have been proposals around in the past to index it to inflation, but we don't collect money into the trust fund on inflation; we collect money into the trust fund on wages. So the index is to payroll growth. That's important so that money in and money out match up well.

Mr. President, I mentioned the dependent allowance. That goes up from right now a, frankly, paltry $24 a week— I couldn't buy my kids groceries at $24 a week— to $72. That is capped so that if you have vast numbers of dependents, that can't just keep going up. The maximum dependent benefit will be $216 per week under this amendment. Mr. President, pretty straightforward.

There will not be a need to adjust the employer UI rate because there is so much overfunding for the foreseeable future. There may be a day when this gradually, gradually works through the surplus. But, Mr. President, This, this is fiscally responsible and it's good for Alaska workers who need just a little hand as they look for their next job. I ask for a yes vote. Thank you, Senator Keeler.

Is there further discussion on Amendment Number 1? Senator Bjorkman. Thank you, Mr. President. I oppose Amendment Number 1. You know, there are things that get set on the floor that when they're contrary to information that's been clearly delivered make me a little bit angry.

Um, we consider this amount for maximum weekly benefit in UI. We considered it when we heard Senate Bill 217 in the Labor and Commerce Committee. We considered its effects about what it would have if we set the maximum weekly benefit amount at this amount and keep it static. We've considered the effects of what it would have when we set the maximum weekly benefit amount at this amount and we allow it to float with the wage base.

Making this amendment to the maximum weekly benefit would cause— confirmed with the Department of Labor this morning and passed to the maker of the amendment— would cause the unemployment insurance rate to employers to increase by approximately 30% in 10 years.

We had moved a UI bill from the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee earlier this year that allowed the maximum weekly benefit to increase with the wage base from the last time it was increased in 2009 to $400.

$1,370. I believe that was appropriate.

If this amendment is taken up, we are increasing the maximum weekly benefit for unemployment insurance at a faster and greater rate than we increase the wages of people that are working.

What this means— what this amendment means is that we're going to increase, if we pass this amendment, people collecting unemployment, we increase their wages, or what the money they get for not working, faster than the people who work. I'm not okay with that. I think this amendment would be much more appropriate if it were made at $470 as a maximum weekly benefit, but that's not what was offered here. My position on this issue was made clear to many members and members of the other body when considering the UI bill as well. If you were to increase the maximum weekly benefit to $470, which is a reflection of the growing wage base, then what would happen is you would have a much longer time horizon before the unemployment insurance tax rate for employers exceeds 1%, which is the current level.

And so for that reason, I oppose this amendment. Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Is there further discussion on Amendment Number 1?

If you are ready for the question, question being— I'm sorry, Senator, Representative— Senator Keele. Mr. President, just to avoid any confusion, there was discussion with the previous speaker, and we each had conversations with some folks at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The hypothetical employer rate need would hit just under 1.3%, but the trust fund is so overfunded, Mr. President, that we apply 0.4% credit back to employers, which would bring you down to roughly 0.9%, except we've got a floor in the statute. Everybody pays at 1%. So, Mr. President, this isn't an amendment that burns through the trust fund, and it certainly isn't an amendment that raises employer UI rates by 30% in a couple of years.

It— that simply is not a correct understanding of the totality when you put all of our laws together. That's not what it does. Employer wage rates remain at 1% for years and years and years to come, Mr. President, during which time, you know, we don't know exactly what will happen with wage bases, with workforce numbers. This is not a program that has constitutional protection. I can reassure the member from Sitka.

There will be future adjustments, just as we need to adjust the UI benefit now because we haven't adjusted it in more than 20 years. The maximum benefit to workers. So, Mr. President, uh, rest assured, a yes vote on this amendment will not raise employer UI rates by 30% tomorrow or even for the next many years. Mr. President, with that, I do ask for a yes vote. Thank you.

Uh, uh, brief, Hattie.

Need to move ahead. I call the Senate back to order. We will roll this to the bottom if there's more discussion that needs to take place.

Are we ready, Senator Merrick? Yes, thank you. Okay, will the Senate come back to order, please?

We have before us Amendment Number 1 to Senate CS for CS for House Bill 302. Brief at ease.

Please, Senator Keele. Thank you, Mr. President. I will withdraw Amendment Number 1. Thank you. Amendment Number 1 has been withdrawn.

Thank you, Mr. President. There is an Amendment Number 2 by Senator Keele being distributed. Mr. President, I move Amendment 2 and ask for a brief at ease. Amendment Number 2 has been moved. A brief at ease.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Senator Kiel to explain Amendment Number 2. Thank you, Mr. President. All those things I said about Amendment 1 except the maximum weekly benefit is $470, the number that the Labor and Commerce Chair had discussed that he described as being more sustainable. So that is Amendment Number 2.

Thank you, Senator Keel. Further discussion?

If there is no further discussion, if you are ready for the question, question being— shall— Amendment number 2 has been adopted. Let's come back to session. We're back in order.

And now we are at ease.

Senator Giesel. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent to move House Bill 302 to the bottom of the agenda. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. House Bill number 262.

262, An act increasing the number of Superior Court judges in the Third Judicial District and providing for an effective date, before the Senate in third reading on final passage.

Senator Clayman to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. House Bill 262 would amend the statute that sets the number of Superior Court judges by adding one judge. Specifically, the bill amends AS 22.10.120 which currently states that there are 45 Superior Court judges statewide, to make that number 46. The new judge that this bill would authorize would serve in Palmer.

Palmer currently has 4 Superior Court judges. As many of us have heard, the 4 Palmer judges carry the highest caseload per judge of any judges in the state. According to the sponsor's statement and testimony on House Bill 262, they have about 680 80 cases per judge, and the judges statewide average about 450. With a 5th judge, the caseload in Palmer would be about 540. Cases in Palmer, especially the ones without constitutional or other legal deadlines, like family law, divorces, child custody cases, and many others, take much too long.

Some residents choose to file their cases in Anchorage where they can have their cases heard faster, and that means the Anchorage courts have more cases than they would otherwise. So it's always a reminder to me, Mr. President, that the number of judges really becomes critical in terms of how fast people can actually get decisions made. Just like with us on the last day, as the docket gets higher, it takes longer to get through. The court system has temporary judges moved from Anchorage and Valdez to cover Palmer cases, and this is filled with retired judges who are hired back temporarily whenever a trial needs coverage. But that is having ripple effects throughout the system and is draining judicial resources all over the state.

It's just not a good or sustainable situation. We need to provide the funding and resources so that the state's courts can provide basic justice to all Alaskans. The Palmer Court hasn't had a new Superior Court judge in 20 years.

Since 2007, yet the population and case filings have both grown over 50% since 2007. This court serves the population of the entire Mat-Su Valley, which we all know is continuing to grow faster than any other area of the state in population. I encourage a yes vote on House Bill 262 so the court system can better address the needs of all of our citizens. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Clayman.

Senator Tilton. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of the bill before us, and I want to thank the member in front of me for his words regarding the court system. And I just— I won't take a whole lot of time. I know we're late in the day here, but this affects many, many cases, not just in the Matsu Valley, as he said.

If the people feel like they can't get their cases through, they're filing their cases in Anchorage, and then we're overloading the Anchorage courts as as well. Just one case in point that is a personal story for me is that I have a friend who had lost her son in an unfortunate accident. And this is a probate case that she has. She lives out of state and has her own home. But she's trying to maintain the payments on her son, her deceased son's home.

And because it is taking a very long time for this probate case to come forward, she's not even sure she's going to be able to continue to make the payments on her, on her deceased son's home because it has been many months since it has come before the court. And that is one of the needs outside of the things that we typically think of about how this can help our constituents. So again, thank you, Mr. President, and I urge a yes vote on this piece of legislation. Thank you, Senator Telta. As a further discussion, if you are ready for the question— question being, shall House Bill 262 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. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas, 0 nays, House Bill 262 has passed the Senate.

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

Brief release.

Will the Senate go back to order, please? Senator Giesel. Mr. President, I move that House Bill 14 be placed at the bottom of the calendar today. I think without objection. So ordered.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Bill Number 39, Education, an Act Relating to Public School Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Ray Jackson to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm so happy to carry this bill.

I'm in support of House Bill 39, and again, I'm just proud to carry this legislation on behalf of our colleague from the other body who represents Eagle River. At its core, this bill is about making sure deaf and hard of hearing students in Alaska are not left behind. Every child deserves the opportunity to fully participate in the classroom, communicate effectively, and reach their full potential regardless of their hearing ability. House Bill 39 strengthens support for students and families by ensuring that schools are better equipped to identify the needs early, provide appropriate resources, and give parents a stronger voice in their child's education. It recognizes that communication access is not a luxury, it's a foundational— foundation to learning, development, and long-term success.

I also want to acknowledge the advocates, families, educators, and members of Alaska's deaf and hard of hearing community who've worked so hard on this issue. It's truly been inspiring for me to work alongside people who care so deeply about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed and be fully included. Their dedication and lived experience have helped shape this legislation and strengthen it in a meaningful way— in meaningful ways. This legislation has earned broad bipartisan support from this body, the other body, because it's practical, compassionate, and focused solely on helping Alaska's kids succeed. I respectfully ask for the body's support of House Bill 39.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Gray-Jackson. Is there further discussion? Senator Tobin. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. I rise in support of this legislation. I was privileged to have an older brother who trained to be an ASL interpreter. And when I went to the University of Alaska Anchorage, I took 4 years of ASL, which served me very well because my first job at Boys and Girls Clubs was alongside a man named Aaron Stribling, who was deaf. I was the only one in our business who was able to communicate with him, and we shared an office, and I got to learn quite a bit about the School for the School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Anchorage because his wife Adrienne taught there.

The advocates and the stakeholders, the parents and the kids who really supported this legislation should be commended for their work here in this building alongside the senator from Anchorage who did incredible work to steward this legislation. I was proud to hear it in Senate Education and support the legislation, and I'm proud to vote yes today. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Tobin. Additional discussion?

Senator Tobin. I move and ask unanimous consent to be listed as a co-cross-sponsor of House Bill 14. Without objection, so ordered. Along with Senator Merrick, Senator Bjorkman. Yes or no?

No. Okay. Senator Olsen. All right, thank you. Did I miss anybody?

No. If you are ready for the question, Question being, shall CS for House Bill 39, Education, 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. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, CS for House Bill 39, Education, has passed the Senate. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Joint Resolution number 46, Community and Regional Affairs, by the House Community and Regional Affairs Committee, recognizing the sovereign decisions of the communities of Kipnuk and Kwigiilingak to relocate in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Halong, affirming the right of Alaska Native communities to self-determination, and urging full state and federal support for relocation of those communities. The Finance Committee referral was waived on the bill. I have no amendments. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the resolution be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage.

Without objection. So ordered. Madam Secretary. CS for House Joint Resolution number 46, Community and Regional Affairs, recognizing the sovereign decisions of the communities of Kipnuk and Quigillingok to relocate in the wake of the devastation caused by Typhoon Halong, affirming the right of Alaska Native communities to self-determination and urging full state and federal support for relocation of those communities. Thank you.

Senator Hoffman to carry the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President. Everyone is well aware of the devastation that Tulalip has caused to Kipnuk and Quigilnuk. The community consensus is to relocate Quigilnuk. 92% Of the tribal members voted to relocate to Kipnuk.

There are several problems: no central agency for relocation, no dedicated funds for the source of relocation, and FEMA can only support— can only support rebuilding and not relocation. This resolution recognizes the community's sovereign and self-determination. Clear relocation framework.

The interim community has selected the site and would suggest that the legislature continue to be engaged, but I urge the request of the sponsor of this legislation to— resolution to to pass this resolution. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Is there further discussion? Are you ready for the question?

The question being: Shall CS for House Joint Resolution 46, Committee on Regional Affairs,.

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.

20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, CS for House Joint Resolution 46, Committee on Regional Affairs, has passed the Senate. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

House Joint Resolution number 20 by Representatives D. Nelson, Sadler, Allard, Josephson, Bynum, encouraging the United States Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the resolution. Previous zero fiscal note. Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Gray Jackson, I have no amendments. Madam Majority Leader, Mr.

President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the resolution be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. Thank you. Without objection, so ordered. Madam Secretary, House Joint Resolution number 20, encouraging the United States Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices, before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you, Madam Secretary.

Uh, Senator Dunbar, to carry the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President. I rise today in support of HJR 20 on behalf of the member from the other body from District 18. HJR 20 urges the United States Congress to establish hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices for U.S. Department of Defense construction projects. Mr. President, as you know, as another veteran, sometimes it can be difficult to transition from the military back into civilian into civilian life.

Um, during my career in the military, I've met a number of folks and friends, colleagues who at some times have struggled to find employment, or like one of my best friends, find employment that really mattered to them as much as their life in the military. Uh, this resolution encourages Congress to assist veterans in finding particularly construction jobs. We hope some of them can find that sense of of building something, of teamwork, of purpose. And for that reason, Mr. President, I urge support for this resolution. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Dunbar. Senator Tobin. Thank you, Mr. President. I move and ask unanimous consent to be listed as a cross-sponsor for House Joint Resolution 20, honoring— or excuse me, encouraging the United States Congress to establishing hiring goals for apprentices and veteran apprentices. Without objection, so ordered.

Along with Senator Dunbar, Senator Merrick, Senator Senator Kawasaki, Senator Bjorkman, Senator Wilkowski, Senator Yunt, and Senator Cronk. And on this side, Senator Giesel, Senator Gray Jackson, Senator Clayman, Senator Myers, Senator Rauscher, Senator Kaufman, Senator Tilton, Senator Steadman, and Senator Stevens. Thank you. If you are ready for the question, question being, shall House Joint Resolution 20 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. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas, 0 nays, House Joint Resolution 20 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

CS for House Joint Resolution Number 18, Resources, amended by the House Resources Committee, supporting the continued development of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project. Recognizing the importance of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project to the economy of the state, energy independence, and national security, and urging the United States Congress, President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of the Interior Douglas Burgum, and relevant federal agencies to take all necessary actions to expedite the success of the Alaska liquefied natural gas project. The Resources Committee considered the resolution, recommended it be replaced with a Resources Senate Committee substitute New title with SCR 18. New zero fiscal note. Signing do pass: Senator Giesel, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Clayman.

Signing no recommendation: Senator Myers. Signing amend: Senators Rauscher, Kawasaki, Wilkowski. There is a Resources Senate Committee substitute. Thank you. Senator Giesel.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Resources Committee substitute for House Joint Resolution 18 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator Giesel. If you would please explain the changes. Yes, Mr. President. Basically, the committee substitute simply broadens the project language.

There is no change in the fiscal note. Hearing no objection, the Senate Resources Committee substitute has been adopted. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the resolution be engrossed, advanced to third reading, and placed on final passage. Without objection, so ordered.

Madam Secretary.

Senate CS for CS for House Joint Resolution 18, Resources, supporting and recognizing the importance of a natural gas pipeline project in the state and urging the federal government to take all necessary actions to expedite the state natural gas pipeline project. Before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Roger to carry the resolution. Yes, Mr. President, I move HJR 18.

Sorry, say that again. Do I not do it that way? Just explain it. All right. All right.

Well, thank you. It's been an honor to carry this, and it's an important resolution. House Joint Resolution 18 could not be more timely. In just days, the legislature will return for special session focused on specifically advancing legislation related to the AK LNG project. At a moment when Alaska faces growing energy concerns, declining gas inlet and supplies in the, in the inlet, and increasing pressure to secure our long-term economic future, HJR 18 makes clear that Alaska is prepared to move forward.

This resolution urges the federal government to expedite the approvals, coordination, support, necessary to advance a state natural gas pipeline project. Time matters. Every year and every month we delay means continued uncertainty for Alaskans, missed up economic opportunity, and/or growing risk to future energy security. We no longer are talking about a hypothetical concept sitting on the shelf. We have a developer prepared to build this project, active discussions surrounding the purchase of the Alaska Gas Supply, growing international interest in Alaska's LNG.

What we must demonstrate now is that Alaska is serious, unified, and ready to move forward. For decades, Alaska has discussed bringing North Slope gas to market. This project has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs, strengthening Alaska's energy independence, providing for a long-term revenue to the state, and help address the rising costs of energy facing families and businesses across Alaska. It also recognizes Alaska's strategic role in the LNG exports and the importance of providing reliable energy for both Alaskans, Americans, and our allies abroad at the time when increasing global energy instability exists. Financial articles all over the world have identified this gas line as the biggest project in the history of the, of North America.

It's able to bring an abundance of low-cost energy to the state of Alaska and needed revenue at a time when inflation is eating at everybody's wallets. The economic benefits are staggering. Make no mistake, whether we're talking about shopping, uh, stopping at, uh, uh, the need for import LNG or South, for South Central or the interior, or providing for missing piece of bringing manufacturing to the state like agrium or hemp products or whatever we can manufacture. This project will help reverse the exodus of young folks looking to leave the state to provide for future of their families, the needs for jobs. HJR 18 sends a clear message to Alaska: it's ready, Alaska is willing, Alaska cannot afford to continue to stand still.

I respectfully ask you all for I support. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Rauscher. Senator Myers. Thank you, Mr. President.

I wish that the resolution as now written was as enthusiastic as the member that's carrying it. And so for that reason, I move and ask unanimous consent to be removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 18. Without objection. So ordered.

Senator Myers. Senator Dunbar. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you to the member from North Pole. He made room for me.

I move and ask unanimous consent to be listed as a cross-sponsor of this resolution. Without objection. So ordered. Along with Senator Merrick, Senator Kawasaki, Senator Tobin, Senator Wilkowski, Senator Yunt, Senator Giesel,.

All right. Any further discussion? If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall Senate CS for House Joint Resolution 18 resources 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. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas, 0 nays, Senate CS for CS for House Joint Resolution 18 Resources has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary. That brings Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, the title change, before the Senate on final passage. Thank you. If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall the title change resolution SCR 18 pass the Senate? Senators may proceed to vote.

Thank you. Will the secretary please lock the roll? Do any senators wish to change their vote? The secretary will announce the vote. 19 Yeas, 1 nay.

And so by a vote of 19 yeas to 1 nay, the title change resolution SCR 18 has passed the Senate. Madam Secretary, the next item on today's calendar.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 4 By Representatives Sadler, Story, Josephson, proclaiming May 2025 as Myositis Awareness Month. The Health and Social Services Committee considered the resolution, recommended it be replaced with a Health and Social Services Senate Committee substitute, new title with SCR 16. New zero fiscal note signing due pass. Senator Dunbar chair, Senators Myers, Tobin, Giesel.

There is a Health and Social Services Senate Committee substitute. Thank you, Senator Barick, to carry the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President. Please brief.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Senator Dunbar, will you move the Senate substitute? Thank you, Mr. President. I move— and whoops, I'm sorry. I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Health Committee substitute for House Concurrent Resolution 4 be adopted in lieu of the original bill.

Without objection. So ordered. Senator Merrick, do you want to speak to that? Go ahead. Very briefly, Mr. President, it just updates the date from May 2025 to 2026.

Glad we got that done. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Dunbar. Senator Merrick, to carry the resolution. Thank you, Mr. President.

I'm happy to carry this bill for the member from Chugiak in the other body. HCR 4 establishes May 2026 as Myositis Awareness Month. Myositis is a rare autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own muscles, causing chronic inflammation, weakness, and pain. It is difficult to diagnose often leading to delays in treatment. And even with a diagnosis, symptoms can become worse over time, diminishing quality of life.

This resolution is about understanding and action to raise awareness, advance research, improve early detection, connect patients to care, and recognize those that are affected. Mr. President, greater awareness and understanding can make change. I encourage your support of HCR4. Thank you, Senator Merrick. Is there further discussion?

Seeing none of you are ready for the question, question being: Shall Senate CS for House Concurrent Resolution 4, Health and Social Services, 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. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. So by a vote of 20 yeas and 0 nays, Senate CS for House Concurrent Resolution 4, Health and Social Services, has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, that brings the title change SCR 16 before the Senate in final passage. Thank you. If you are ready for the question, the question being, shall the title change resolution SCR 16 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. 20 Yeas, 0 nays. And so by a vote of 20 yeas to 0 nays, the title change resolution SCR 16 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

Labrief at ease.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Madam Secretary, the next item on today's calendar—. There is a special order of business citation calendar on members' desks. Thank you. Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate take up the special order of business 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.

Hearing no objection, the special order of business citation calendar is approved. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. There is a standalone special order of business citation: In Memoriam Joe Nathan Haynes. Thank you. Madam Majority Leader?

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate take up this special order of business citation on today's calendar. Hearing no objection, the special order of business citation is before the Senate. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the special order of business citation be approved. Hearing no objection, the special order of business citations are approved.

Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess for 30 minutes. Without objection. So ordered.