SFLR-20260518-1100

Will the Senate please come to order, and will members please signify 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 Father Maxim Gibson with the Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church. Members, please rise.

With deep respect for the religious beliefs of all Alaskans, I offer the following prayer. O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, accept this fervent supplication and bless the good intent and work of thy servants, that they may begin favorably 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 to 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.

Amen. Thank you, Father Gibson. Senator Hoffman, 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 Hoffman. Would the Secretary please certify the journal? I certify as to the correctness of the journal for the 118th legislative day. Thank you. 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 journal has been approved. Senator Hoffman. 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?

Seeing none, Madam Secretary, are there messages from the Governor? I have no messages from the governor this morning, Mr. President. Thank you. And are there messages from the House? Messages dated May 17th stating the House passed and returned Senate Concurrent Resolution No.

10, Suspend uniform rules for House Bill 36. Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 29, Suspend uniform rules for House Bill 117. CS for Senate Bill No. 130.

30 Finance Fisheries Production Development Tax Credit and CS for Senate Bill 178 Expand Early Intervention Services. Messages dated May 17 stating the House concurred in the Senate amendments to House Bill 36, thus adopting Senate CS for House Bill 36 Finance Foster Children's Psychiatric Treatment. And the Senate— the House concurred in the Senate amendments to CS for House Bill 52 Senate CS for CS for House Bill 52, Finance, Minors and Psychiatric Hospitals. The House concurred in the Senate amendment to House Bill 93, thus adopting Senate CS for House Bill 93, Judiciary, Residency Requirements, Hunting, Trapping, Fishing. The House concurred in the Senate amendment to CS for House Bill 117, Resources, thus adopting Senate CS for CS for House Bill Number 117, Resources, Electronic Monitoring Trawl Fishery Setnet Permit.

The House concurred in the Senate amendment to House Bill Number 176, thus adopting Senate CS for House Bill Number 176, Education, University of Alaska Fees. The House also concurred in the Senate amendment to House Bill Number 298, thus adopting Senate CS for House Bill Number 298, Judiciary, Legislative Ethics Committee and Proceedings. The House has passed and is transmitting for consideration House Concurrent Resolution Number 21 by the House Judiciary Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill Number 237, relating to data sharing by the Department of Administration for driver's license data verification purposes. Services. House Concurrent Resolution Number 21 will lay on the Secretary's desk.

House Concurrent Resolution Number 23 by the House Finance Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill Number 29 relating to an executive administrator for the Big Game Commercial Services Board. House Concurrent Resolution Number 23 will lay on the Secretary's desk. House Concurrent Resolution Number 26 by the House State Affairs Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, concerning Senate Bill Number 208, relating to the sale and lease of state land for agricultural uses. House Concurrent Resolution Number 26 will lay on the Secretary's desk.

Concur message. Dated May 17th, stating the House passed Senate Bill number 29 with the following amendment: House CS for Senate Bill number 29, Finance, Big Game Commercial Services Board Title Change Resolution HCR 23, and it is returned for consideration. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur with the House amendments and recommend that the Senate vote yes Thank you. Senator Bjorkman, would you please explain those changes?

Thank you very much, Mr. President. In Senate Bill 29, the House also included an executive administrator position for the Board of Dental Examiners. This executive administrator position is supported by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. There's sufficient workload with the Board of Dental Examiners to necessitate the transition of that License Examiner 3 to a full-blown executive administrator, along with placing that executive administrator in statute for the Big Game Commercial Services Board, which is the underlying bill. I urge members to concur.

Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. If you are ready for the question— the question being, shall the Senate concur in the House amendments to Senate Bill 29 Finance. 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. Thank you.

So by a vote of 20 yeas, 0 nays, the Senate has concurred in the House amendments to Senate Bill 29. Madam Secretary, that brings the title change, HCR 23, before the Senate in final passage. Thank you. If you're ready for the question, the question being, shall the title change resolution HCR 23 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 HCR 23 has passed the Senate.

Concur message dated May 17th stating the House passed CS for Senate Bill number 208, Resources, with the following amendments. House CS for CS for Senate Bill number 208, Resources, amended House. Lease sale of agriculture land, and it is returned for consideration with title change resolution HCR 26. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur with the House amendments and recommend that the Senate vote yes.

Thank you. Senator Bjorkman, would you please explain the changes?

Thank you very much, Mr. President. In the House They added some needful legislation to include in the amazing new modernization of our lease program and agricultural sales statutes, um, the state cabbage. They also included a program to allow for better use of industrial hemp, making sure that our industrial hemp is is not going to waste and allowing some of that hemp that would not be otherwise able to be used to be used for things like hempcrete, hemp insulation, and other pertinent hemp products. I urge members to vote yes. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman.

If you are ready for the question, the question being: Shall the Senate concur in the House amendment— amendments to CS for Senate Bill Tool 8 resources. 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. 17 Yeas, 3 nays. And so by a vote of 17 yeas to 3 nays, the Senate has concurred in the House amendments to CS for Senate Bill 208 resources.

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

That brings the title change, HCR 26, before the Senate on final passage. And thank you. If you're ready for the question, question being Shall the title change resolution HCR 26 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, 0 nays, the title change resolution HCR 26 Senate.

Concur message dated May 17th stating the House passed CS for Senate Bill 237 Judiciary with the following amendment. CS for Senate Bill 237 Judiciary amended House data sharing Social Security and it is returned for consideration with title change HCR 2020. 21. Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate concur with the House amendments and recommend that the Senate vote yes.

Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Brief at ease.

Senate come back to order, please. Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I withdraw my motion related to Senate Bill 237. Thank you. Madam Majority Leader.

Concur message dated May 16 stating the House passed CS for Senate Bill number 214 with the following amendments. House CS for CS for Senate Bill number 214 amended House Appropriations Capital Funds Supplemental Reappropriation Amendments, and it is returned for consideration. I have no further messages from the House this morning, Mr. President. I—. I—.

Brief at ease.

—Come back to order, please. Madam Secretary, are there communications? I have no communications this morning, Mr. President. Thank you. And are there reports of standing committees?

Finance Committee considered CS for House Bill 28, Finance Amended, Teacher State Employee Student Loan Program, and recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee substitute. Institute. New title with SCR 21. New fiscal notes. Signing do pass: Senators Olson, Steadman, Hoffman.

Co-chairs: Senators Cronk, Kiel. Signing no recommendation: Senators Kaufman, Merrick. The bill has no further referral. The bill is in the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee has placed the bill on today's calendar.

The Finance Committee considered CS for House Bill 280, Finance. Apportion taxable income and recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee substitute. New fiscal note, signing to pass, Senators Olson, Hoffman, co-chairs. Signing no recommendation, Senator Steadman, co-chair. Senators Kaufman, Cronk, Merrick, Keel.

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 Conference committee report dated May 17, received in the Senate at 3:31 p.m. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, the conference committee with limited powers of free conference considering CS for House Bill 263 Finance amended and Senate CS for CS for House Bill 263 Finance amended Senate Appropriation Operating Budget Funds Supplemental recommends Conference CS for House Bill 263 be adopted and attaches a fiscal note packet. Signing the report: Senator Hoffman, Chair; Senators Steadman, Cronk; Representative Josephson, Chair; Representatives Schraggy, Stapp. Conference Committee Report dated May 17, received in the Senate at 3:31 p.m. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, the Conference Committee with limited powers of free conference considering CS for House Bill 265 Finance amended and Senate CS for CS for House Bill 265 Finance Appropriations Mental Health Budget recommends Conference Committee substitute for House Bill 265 be adopted. Signing the report: Senator Hoffman, Chair, Senators Steadman, Cronk, Representative Josephson, Chair, Representatives Schragi, staff. The conference committee reports were transmitted with a fiscal note packet.

Those are all the special committee reports this morning, Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Secretary. Are there Senate resolutions for introduction? Senate Concurrent Resolution Number 34 by the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, suspending Rules 24C, 35, 41B, and 42E, Uniform Rules of the Alaska State Legislature, Concerning House Bill 214, relating to proof of financial responsibility for suspension for nonpayment of judgments. Senate Concurrent Resolution 34 will 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? I have no Senate bills for introduction today.

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

CS for House Bill 228, Finance, amended by the House Finance Committee, an act establishing a student loan repayment pilot program and providing for an effective date. The Education Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with an Education Committee substitute, new title with SCR 21. New fiscal note, signing do pass, Senator Tobin, chair, Senators Yunt, Kiel, Stevens. Signing amend, Senator Bjorkman. The Finance Committee considered the bill, recommended it be adopted— recommended it be replaced with a Finance Senate Committee substitute, new title with SCR 21.

New fiscal notes, signing do pass, Senators Olson, Steadman, Hoffman, co-chairs Senators Cronk, Kiel, Signing no recommendations. Senators Kaufmann, Merrick, there are two Senate committee substitutes. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the Senate Finance Committee substitute for House Bill 28 be adopted in lieu of the original bill. Thank you, Senator Hoffman.

And if you would explain the changes. Yes, the committee substitute for House Bill 28 Finance makes the following changes. It maintains the underlying bill to create a student loan repayment pilot program for teachers. Additional changes for the Senate Finance Committee kept allowing a student to— student who ceases to be in the correspondence study program the permission to retain materials and equipment provided or purchased through the program. It also allows a regional resource centre to hire rehired teachers and certified staff without jeopardizing their retirement.

The things the Senate Finance Committee removed: reporting around correspondence programs, the repeal of tying the passage of the highly digitized business tax to funding For reading proficiency incentive grants, the request for LB&A to study education funding.

And one-time energy relief payments to school districts. This is included in the budget. Changes that the Senate Finance Committee adopted, Mr. President, energy relief for school districts. This allows for 100% reimbursement for school districts' energy costs based on a 3-year average, including the current year, subject to appropriation. It requires the Department of Education and Early Development to include in its annual report to the legislature information about the reimbursement of energy costs, including school districts' actual expenditures for heating fuel and electricity and the amount distributed to each school district.

DED may withhold funds if a school district's energy consumption increases drastically, but only after providing the district with notice and an opportunity to respond. This provision goes into effect July 1, 2027. The Senate Finance Committee also adopted language, uh, adopt language to allow the time period for school consolidation efforts to school— to state hold harmless provisions, which is 4 years, and that the required local contribution may not exceed the amount for the preceding fiscal year by more than 5%.

Finally, Mr. President, language around qualif— qualifications for school board members was tightened up to exclude anyone convicted of a felony or moral turpitude unless that person has been unconditionally discharged of the felony and at least 10 years have passed since the date of the discharge. And a change was adopted to allow regional school member boards— board members to be employed as substitute teachers under the emergency circumstance of time limitations. Fiscal note changes, 2 notes accompanying the bill. One from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. This remains the same.

The second is a fund capitalization note adopted by the conference committee for $1.9 million UGF. This is related to the change to limit the required local contribution growth. Thank you, Senator Hoffman. Hearing no objection, the Senate Finance Committee substitute has been adopted, and this bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on our calendar.

Sees for House Bill 96, Labor and Commerce, amended by the House Labor and Commerce Committee, an act establishing the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board relating to payment for personal care services and providing for an effective date. The Finance Committee considered the bill. Previous zero fiscal notes. Signing do pass. Senators Olson, Hoffman, cochairs.

Senator Cronk signing no recommendation. Senators Kaufman, Merrick, Keele, I have no amendments. Thank you. House Bill 96 will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on our calendar.

CS for House Bill 126, Tribal Affairs, amended by the House Special Committee on Tribal Affairs, an act relating to the reinstatement of Native village corporations relating to the the reinstatement of nonprofit corporations organized for a religious purpose and religious corporations and providing for an effective date. The Community and Regional Affairs Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with a Community and Regional Affairs Committee Senate Committee Substitute, new title with SCR 13. New zero fiscal notes. Signing to pass: Senator Merrick, Chair, Senators Olson, Gray Jackson. Signing no recommendation: Senator Yunt.

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute. New title with SCR 13, new zero fiscal notes. Signing, no recommendation. Senator Bjorkman, chair. Signing, do pass.

Senators Gray, Jackson, Yunt signing amend. Senator Dunbar. There are two Senate committee substitutes. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move and ask unanimous consent that the Labor and Commerce Committee substitute be considered in lieu of the original bill. Thank you. Would you please explain the changes, Senator? Absolutely. While being heard in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, the bill was amended by adding a new section.

This section amends AS 45.55.139, Reports of Corporations. The language here in the new section modifies the reporting requirements for for Alaska Native corporations in two ways. First, it resets the reporting trigger to corporations with 500 or more shareholders when it originally organized. Secondly, it removes the total assets trigger for reports to the Division of Banking and Securities. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Hearing no objection, the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee substitute has been adopted. This bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. House Bill 244 by Representatives Underwood, Costello, Fields, Freer, Tomaszewski, Mena, Josephson, Story, McCabe, an act relating to certified nurse aide training and providing for an effective date.

The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill, previous zero fiscal note. Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman, Chair, Senators Dunbar, Merrick, Gray Jackson, Yunt. I have no amendments. Thank you. House Bill 244 will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar.

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

CS for House Bill number 249, Labor and Commerce, by the House Labor and Commerce Committee. An act relating to the transfer of a vehicle to an insurance company. The Labor and Commerce Committee considered the bill. Previous zero fiscal note. Signing do pass: Senator Bjorkman.

Chair: Senators Gray, Jackson, Yunt. Signing no recommendation: Senators Dunbar, Merrick. I have no amendments. Approve at ease.

Will the Senate come back to order, please? Under House Bill 249, this bill will advance to third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on our calendar.

CS for House Bill number 278, State Affairs, by the House State Affairs Committee. An act establishing the Alaska Ireland Trade Commission and providing for an effective date The State Affairs Committee considered the bill, recommended it be replaced with a State Affairs Senate Committee substitute. Previous indeterminate fiscal note. Signing amend, Senator Kawasaki, chair. Signing do pass, Senators Tilton, Bjorkman, Gray-Jackson.

Signing no recommendation, Senator Wilkowski. The Finance Committee referral was waived on the bill. There is a State Affairs Senate Committee substitute. Substitute. Thank you.

Senator Kawasaki. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the State Affairs Committee substitute for House Bill 278 be used in lieu of the original bill. Thank you. Would you please explain the changes, Senator Kawasaki?

Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, this would create a 5-member commission appointed by the government— their governor— uh, in the State Affairs Committee. 2 Members of the House of Representatives and 2 members of Senate appointed by the executive, or I'm sorry, appointed by the presiding officers, will be added to that total of 9-member commission. There was zero, zero of the fiscal notes unchanged, as there will be zero impact. Thank you, Senator Kawasaka.

Hearing no objection, the Senate State Affairs Committee substitute has been adopted, and this bill, House Bill 278, will advance the third reading on our next legislative calendar. Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar.

Senate CS for CS for House Bill 25, Labor and Commerce, an act relating to disposable food serviceware and containers provided by customers and providing for an effective date, before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Kawasaki to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased to be able to carry this bill on behalf of the chairman of the Finance Committee in the other chamber.

House Bill 25 would begin what is a polystyrene ban for restaurant serviceware. We know that this has, that this has two main features in that polystyrene products are, cannot be recycled, and then two, are very, are known carcinogens and can cause cancer. Polystyrene further will leach into food that is in food containers, and these containers will end up becoming friable. They end up floating in water, and then they end up disintegrating into the water table and eaten by other animals. Diseases associated with polystyrene include many cancers like leukemia, lymphoma.

They have known effects on reproduction, disruption in the endocrine, endocrine function and pancreatic and esophageal cancer. Um, they are, however, widely used. They're across the country. 80% Of consumers reported having received plastic foam foodware containers in the past year. Uh, 22% of all US takeouts are done through plastic Styrofoam, and nearly 3 million tons is produced every year.

That's enough foam to fill 5 Dallas Cowboy State stadiums. Styrofoam never breaks down. It always floats away, and it can float through air and water. There are, however, alternatives to these Styrofoam containers, including things that are bamboo, foil, paper, other alternatives like the ones that are used in our lounge, Mr. President. 12 States and over 250 communities, including many in Alaska, currently have bans.

This includes places like Bethel, Gustavus, Seward, and Cordova. Alternatives— there has been a lot of exaggerated ideas that this might cost the industry a lot more. Alternatives can be as cheap as 3 cents more per unit. And coming from Fairbanks, where I do have a lot of folks who do have independent restaurants and things like that, They're quite happy to be able to comply with this. One change that was made in the, I think in this chamber, was that the restaurants can keep any supply and any stock and continue to use the stock, and that this bill will not be in effect until January 1st, 2027.

And so any stock that's left after will be able to be used and expended. And so it's not to hurt either either the industry that provides Styrofoam or the businesses that use Styrofoam to sell food. I would appreciate the support and will answer any questions members may have. Thank you, Senator Kawasaki. Is there further discussion?

Senator Bjorkman. Thank you very much, Mr. President. This is an important issue, one that people might not think about as being extremely important as we consider other weighty issues. But I wanted to point out a provision in this bill that allows for a local option. If a community, municipality, local government wants to reverse the styrofoam ban, they can.

They have that option. Also, I saw some press recently that somehow the bill before us would affect styrofoam foam coolers sold in stores, or potentially styrofoam fish boxes. The bill as it sits does in fact not do that. It pertains to restaurants and what type of packaging restaurants and people who sell food in restaurant-type places can provide. It absolutely would not prevent the sale of styrofoam fish boxes in stores or styrofoam coolers, although I think that, that may have been the intent of a member of the other body.

It simply doesn't do that, as Title 17 in our law simply deals with regulations around restaurants and other things. So as we think about the amount of waste in our system and the amount of Styrofoam that is kind of everywhere, I think that we can look at this as a step in the right direction. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. Senator Yandt.

Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to speak briefly in support of this legislation. So my wife and I are owners in a restaurant. This very well might cost us a little bit of money ourselves, but I will tell you it's common sense. It's long overdue.

I was reluctant at first because there was no local control, and now that that is there, I am a firm yes, and I hope everybody supports this common sense legislation. Thank you, Senator Yount. Senator Dunbar. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I also rise in support of this bill and in support of local control. I wish we were more open to local control and things like property taxes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Senator Dunbar, for the discussion.

And to wrap up, Senator Kawasaki, I find that if you are ready for the question, question being, shall Senate CS for CS for House Bill 25, Labor and Commerce, pass the Senate? Senate. Senators may proceed to vote.

Do any senators wish to change their vote? The Secretary will announce the vote. 13 Yeas, 7 nays. And so by a vote of 13 yeas and 7 nays, Senate CS for CS for House Bill 25, Labor and Commerce, has passed the Senate. Madam Majority Leader.

Mr. President, I move the effective date clause. Thank you, everybody, for the question on the effective date clause. The question being, shall the effective date clause be adopted? 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, the effective date has been adopted.

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

Senate CS for House Bill number 79, Resources, by the Senate Resources Committee. An act renaming the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska as the Vic Fisher Institute of Social and Economic Research and naming the Vic Fisher Shoup Bay State Marine Park before the Senate in third reading on final passage. Thank you. Senator Tobin to carry the bill. Thank you, Mr. President.

And please bear with me, folks. I am risking my membership in the Brevity Caucus as I would like to read these wonderful words that were put together by Vic Fisher's widow and many of his friends who live in my district. Without objection, so ordered. Thank you, Mr. President. Vic Fisher's life embodied public service, democracy, and a deep love for Alaska.

Renaming Chute Bay Marine Park and the Institute of Social and Economic Research in his honor recognizes a man who helped shape modern Alaska. Born in Berlin in 1924, Vic Fisher survived some of the darkest chapters of the 20th century. After escaping Stalin's Soviet Union with the help of his father and Eleanor Roosevelt, he arrived in America at age 15, speaking only Russian and German. He learned English, served honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II, and later came to Alaska in the 1950s as a young planner determined to help build a new state. Vic was one of the youngest delegates to Alaska's Constitutional Convention in 1955.

At just 31, he helped craft the governing framework that still guides Alaska today. Including the borough system and Article I protections for individual rights and civic responsibility. Throughout his long career, Vic devoted himself to building strong public institutions and protecting opportunities for future generations. As Anchorage's first planning director, he helped preserve public spaces including Chester Creek, the Delaney Park Strip, and Westchester Lagoon. Following the 1964 earthquake, he helped oversee the federal reconstruction effort in South Central Alaska.

At the University of Alaska, Vic helped build the Institute of Social and Economic Research into one of the state's most respected public policy and research institutions. ISER provided credible science-based information to help Alaska's leaders navigate rapid economic and social change during the early oil development era. Renaming ISER in his honor recognizes his commitment to informed public policy. Public policymaking and public service. Vic also served in both the territorial legislature and the Alaska State Senate.

His legislative accomplishments included helping abolish the death penalty, supporting women's shelters, establishing Alaska's personal use fishery, supporting the Permanent Fund dividend, and creating a statewide trail system, as well as championing protections for children and vulnerable Alaskans. One of Vic's proudest accomplishments was sponsoring legislation in 1983 establishing Alaska's State Marine Park System. Because of his vision, places like Chute Bay State Marine Park remain protected for future generations of Alaskans and visitors to experience and enjoy today. Vic Fisher spent more than 70 years helping build Alaska's institutions, protecting its public lands, and strengthening its democracy. Even into his 90s, he continued defending the Alaska Constitution and encouraging civic participation.

As his wife, Jane Ambig, said after his passing, what Vic wished for the state was that Alaskans participate in their community. He often quoted Article 1, Section 1 of the state constitution, which he co-authored. It spells out our inherent rights as citizens and also the corresponding obligation to be involved in community. And at the very minimum, vote. This was Vic's life's work.

It is up to all of us to do our part in his honor. I had the opportunity to meet Vic many times and was very privileged to be the senator that unfortunately was his last, as he passed away a few years ago. As I shared earlier today, I was listening to Constitutional Minutes last night— well, actually this morning at 3:00 AM. And just hearing his voice really was a joy and brings me to a state of reminding ourselves why we're here to serve Alaska, to protect Alaska, and to ensure that succeeding generations have our heritage of political, civil, and religious freedom. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Tobin. Is there further discussion? Seeing none, if you are ready for the question, The question being, shall Senate CS for House Bill 79 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. 19 Yeas, 1 nay. And so by a vote of 19 yeas to 1 nay, Senate CS for House Bill 79 Resources has passed the Senate. Madam Secretary, that brings the title change SCR 30 before the Senate on final passage.

Thank you. If you're ready for the question, the question being, shall the title change resolution SCR 30 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 30 has passed the Senate.

Madam Secretary, please read the next item on today's calendar. Citations. In memoriam, Keith Brian Michael Gianni. In memoriam, June Weinstock. In memoriam, Dima Kolmanovsky.

Thank you, Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that the citations on today's calendar be approved. Thank you. Hearing no objection, these citations are approved. Madam Secretary, there are no further items for consideration on today's daily calendar.

Thank you. Is there unfinished business at this time? Unfinished business. Senator Roscher. Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent to be shown as co-sponsor on House Bill 244, CNR training. And I don't know, can I say? That's okay, take your time. It's just not working today.

House Bill 244. And then, Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent to be shown as a cross-sponsor on House Bill 278, Alaska-Ireland Trade Commission. Thank you. Without objection. So ordered.

Senator Rosser, and you would like to be on the Irish one? Okay, good. Thank you. Senator Merrick and Senator Cronk and Stevens. And Senator Tilton.

Senator Clayman, did you have something under unfinished business? All right.

If that's it on unfinished business, are there committee announcements at this time?

Seeing none, other announcements? Committee announcements or other announcements? Committee announcements. Fine, please go ahead, Senator Clayton. Thank you, Mr. President.

I'm sorry, I'm not paying good attention this morning. Senate Judiciary today is canceled. Thank you, Senator Clayman. Judiciary is canceled. Additional committee announcements?

What about other announcements? Senator Roscher. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, every Thursday morning we usually have a legislative prayer caucus. At this point, it looks like that will not happen this week.

Thank you very much. Thank you, Senator Rauscher. Further other announcements? Seeing none, are there special orders?

Seeing none, Senator Giesel. Under special orders. Yes, please. Special orders. Thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. President, I asked a special commission— special permission of the floor to speak on 3 tennis rules. Without objection, so ordered. Senator Giesel. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm not a huge fan of sports, but the other day I was reading the New York Times, and they had a piece about outstanding commencement addresses.

And so I kind of scanned over it, but I noticed the word Dartmouth College. In the title. And so I took a closer look, and this particular commencement address was offered by Roger Federer. I've heard the name before. I found out, oh yes, a tennis player, actually regarded as one of the best tennis players with a long list of incredible wins and accomplishments.

Well, he was the commencement speaker at the 2024 Dartmouth College graduation. Now, Dartmouth College grabbed my ear because Ben Golz was an intern in my office for the first 2 months of this session, and he's now at Dartmouth finishing up his degree.

So I read— I listened to this address, Mr. President, and as I listened, I thought about what we are experiencing right now, particularly in these last few days. And I thought the 3 tennis rules that Roger Federer illuminated would be applicable. And so I just want to briefly cover them, Mr. President. Rule number 1: Effortless is a myth. Now, the reason that he brought that up is because he is often regard— he was often acclaimed as, as making game moves that It just seemed effortless, very fluid, very elegant, very graceful.

He said, "You know, it's a myth that it's effortless." When he first started out as a young person, he would miss points and he would throw his racket and he would swear. But then he discovered that it takes discipline. It takes outworking your opponents by training hard. It's not effortless. It took believing in himself.

And a really hard part was learning to love the process. Learn to love the process of winning, certainly, but also of losing and learning from that. Effortless is a myth. His second point was, it's only a point. So, Here he talked about working hard but still losing and perfection being impossible.

So when he win— when a tennis player is playing a game, they make points by hitting the ball a certain way and his opponent misses it and so forth. Again, I'm not into sports. But despite the fact that he was working hard, sometimes he lost. He won about 80% of his games, but he asked the audience the question, "Ha, what percentage of points played were made by me? What percentage of points played did I make?" He won 80% of his games, but Mr. President, he only made 54% of his hits, which made points.

Only 54%. He said, "You know, When you're not— when you're losing every second hit that you make, you learn to put a lost point behind you, to focus on the next point, and to become the master of overcoming losses by moving on and being smarter. That seemed like a good one, Mr. President, because we certainly work hard on our bills, don't we? We don't always score with those hits. And the third one is life is bigger than the tennis court.

Tennis could show him the world, he said, but tennis wasn't the world. And so when he retired, he's focusing on family, friends, even the rivals that made him work harder and, and made him better. So The legislature is in the game, Mr. President, but these 3 tennis rules: Effortless is a myth. We need to work hard. It's only a point.

Missing one, move on for the next one. And life is bigger than the legislature. So ideas to keep in mind to keep our composure, keep our positive outlook as we go through these last few days. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Senator Giesel. You would be a good tennis player, I believe, as everyone else in this room. Senator Bjorkman. Thank you, Mr. President.

I move SCR 34, the title change resolution for HB 214. Objection. There's an objection. Brief at ease.

If the Senate would come back to order, please. We have a motion to do a title change, and that is on Senate Bill 214. Is that right? Senate Bill 214. Is there a discussion?

Senator Kawasaki. Thank you, Mr. President. We have not passed House Bill 214, for which this concurrent resolution would suspend to change the title. I'd ask for a little bit of wait as we take up— until we take up House Bill 214.

I'd like this not to be taken up, and I'd ask members vote no. Thank you for the discussion. Senator Bjorkman. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I moved this title change resolution so that it could move with the bill that passed the body yesterday.

No one had moved reconsideration after we proceeded through our entire calendar so far today. So if folks want to do that and talk about that later, that is an option. However, we have reached the bottom of our calendar and that has not been done. This is needful policy. That is important to put in place.

Already, multi-billion-dollar corporation is moving through the building to try to strip out some of the insurance reforms that were included in House Bill 214, and I urge that we change the title and move the bill along. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Bjorkman. I misspoke and said Senate Bill. It is House Bill 214.

Further discussion? Just to point out that 14 votes are required to to do the title change. If you are— let's see, Madam Secretary, are you done with yours? Senator Giesel. Mr.

President, just a comment to clarify. We are under the question of whether to take up the title change amendment. That's true. Whether to take up the title change amendment. 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. 11 Yeas, 9 nays. And so by a vote of 11 yeas to 9 nays, the Senate has decided not to take up the title change.

Brief at ease.

The Senate come back to order, please. We are under special orders. Are there additional special orders? Madam Majority Leader. Mr. President, I move and ask unanimous consent that we resource— resource— recess to call of the chair.

Thank you. We will recess to a call of the chair.